By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In his first video prayer message of the year, Pope Francis asked people to join him in praying that interreligious dialogue lead to “peace and justice.” The video message was part of a prayer initiative coordinated by the international Apostleship of Prayer, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Rhina Guidos By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — The fragrance of the cake is like no other. For Spaniards and some Latin Americans who grew up with it, the aromatic smell of the roscon de reyes is one of the most treasured of childhood food memories surrounding the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Eric Gaillard, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A world that carefully adheres to the dictates of being “politically correct” yet refuses to respect people’s faith in God is a “sad paradox,” the Vatican newspaper said. The Jan. 6 article, headlined “The Charlie Hebdo question: Manipulated …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Go out and seek the signs God is offering everyone today that will lead to Christ, Pope Francis said. The thirst for God is present in everyone, and it’s the church’s task to help those with “a restless heart” by …

By Dan Meloy DETROIT (CNS) — While everyone is called to walk in the footsteps of the saints, Anthony Petz took things a little more literally. The Detroit native and San Diego resident recently completed a 500-mile, 12-stop pilgrimage along the El Camino Real in California, touring the missionary outposts …

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late Monday, the Little Sisters of the Poor, a group of Roman Catholic nuns who care for the elderly poor, urged the Supreme Court to protect them from $70 million dollars in government fines for refusing to violate their Catholic faith. This is the second time the Sisters have been forced to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano, handout via EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis made a surprise visit to the place where his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, created the world’s first Nativity scene. “He wanted to visit the sanctuary and places where St. Francis, on Christmas Eve …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Margarito Perez, Reuters By David Agren MEXICO CITY (CNS) — The assassination of a Mexican mayor the day after she assumed office was a message from organized crime and evidence of its influence in the area around the city of Cuernavaca, said the bishop who celebrated her funeral …

By Carol Glatz and Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God’s ability to forgive “knows no limits” as his mercy frees people from bitterness and despair, Pope Francis said. “The church’s forgiveness must be every bit as broad as that offered by Jesus on the cross and by Mary …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The gift of mercy is a light that helps Christians reflect on the past year and radiates hope at the start of the new year, Pope Francis said. While retracing the events of 2015 may recall moments of both …