IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Addressing about 100 people standing outside the White House March 28, Beatriz Mejia, a native of El Salvador, called on the United States to recognize that the thousands of mothers and children like her who have fled Central America in …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Debbie Hill By Judith Sudilovsky BEIT JALLA, West Bank (CNS) — Nicola Sansour’s voice had a tinge of sadness as he recounted how his family planned to celebrate Easter this year. They planned to attend Holy Week services at Beit Jalla’s Annunciation Parish, purchase new clothes for the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Rahat Dar, EPA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis appealed to the government of Pakistan to take steps to ensure the safety of the country’s Christians and other minorities the day after a terrorist bombing killed at least 70 people and injured more than 300 …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy EWTN By BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (CNS) — Mother Angelica, who founded the Eternal Word Television Network and turned it into one of the world’s largest religious media operations, died March 27 at age 92. Feisty and outspoken, she was a major controversial figure in the U.S. church in …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy of Salesians By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The bishop who leads the apostolic vicariate that includes Yemen said he has “strong indications” that Salesian Father Tom Uzhunnalil “is still alive in the hands of his kidnappers.” Bishop Paul Hinder, head of the Apostolic Vicariate of …

Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, foundress of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), passed away on March 27 after a lengthy struggle with the aftereffects of a stroke. She was 92 years old. “Mother has always and will always personify EWTN, the network that God asked her to found,” …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden and Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Easter is a feast of hope, a celebration of God’s mercy and a call to pray for and assist all who suffer, Pope Francis said before giving his solemn blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city …

IMAGE: CNS/EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although retired Pope Benedict XVI is growing more frail, there are no particular concerns or worries regarding his health, a Vatican spokesman said. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, issued a statement March 25 following an interview with Archbishop …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Rick Scuteri, Reuters By PHOENIX (CNS) — Baseball legend and popular sports broadcaster Joe Garagiola, who died March 23 at age 90, recounted in a Catholic News Service interview 20 years ago how St. Peter Mission School in the Gila River Indian Community south of Phoenix claimed his …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves ROME (CNS) — In a moving gesture of brotherhood and peace, Pope Francis washed the feet of several refugees, including Muslims, Hindus and Copts. Gestures, like Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, “speak louder than words,” he said during the Holy Thursday …