By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Diocesan bishops must consult with the Vatican before establishing a diocesan religious order, Pope Francis ruled. The consultation “is to be understood as necessary for the validity of the erection of a diocesan institute of consecrated life,” said the rescript or ruling approved …

IMAGE: CNS photo/John Mc Elroy By DUBLIN (CNS) — Archbishop Diarmuid Martin confirmed that Pope Francis, or his successor, will visit Ireland in 2018 for the World Meeting of Families. Archbishop Martin confirmed that when he discussed the issue of visiting Ireland with the pontiff, Pope Francis said: “‘I will …

IMAGE: CNS illustration/courtesy Southern Dominican Province By Peter Finney Jr. NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — The idea of making a walking pilgrimage in the United States took root about four years ago when Dominican Fathers Francis Orozco and Thomas Schaefgen were studying together for the priesthood. They saw the movie, “The …

IMAGE: CNS/EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With visits to detention facilities and washing the feet of the detainees, Pope Francis has placed renewed emphasis on the work of mercy of visiting prisoners. However, some see a growing urgency for the church to be present in cell blocks …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Human traffickers and unjust business owners who become wealthy by exploiting others for cheap labor commit a mortal sin, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass. “Those who do this are true leeches and live off the bloodletting of people whom they …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the international community should continue working for peace in war-torn countries, it also must work to help migrants escaping violence and persecution as well as those caring for them, Pope Francis said. In a speech May 19 to six new ambassadors …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In recognizing civil unions of heterosexual and homosexual couples, the Italian government has equated those unions to marriage, said the head of the Italian bishops’ conference. While some supporters of the new law, which passed the legislature May 11, insisted …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — How Christians treat the poor is the clearest demonstration of their relationship with God, Pope Francis insisted. “To ignore the poor is to despise God! And we must learn this well: To ignore the poor is to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — When Pope Francis accepted a proposal at the Vatican May 12 to form a commission to study the possibility of women serving as deacons today, it generated plenty of buzz. The pope’s agreement on the idea — raised by …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Watan Yar, EPA By David Agren MEXICO CITY (CNS) — A Catholic bishop in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero has called for compassion toward the impoverished populations harvesting opium poppies out of necessity, saying such people are not sinners and are neglected by the government. He asked …