IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — While the Beatitudes can seem counterintuitive, Jesus knew that the poor in spirit, those who mourn or are persecuted and those who work for peace and justice are those who are open to experiencing God’s love and mercy, Pope Francis said. …

By AMMAN, Jordan (CNS) — Dozens of Christians are feared to be among the 230 people abducted by Islamic State after the extremist group’s militants captured a central Syrian town in early August. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syria-based activist Bebars al-Talawy said they have no information …

By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Following Jesus and doing the right thing gives believers a sense of peace, but sometimes “it comes wrapped in the cross,” Pope Francis told a group of teenagers and young adults. Asked Aug. 7 what his greatest challenge was as a Jesuit, Pope Francis responded …

IMAGE: By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The martyrdom of Blessed Oscar Romero did not end with his death because he continued to be slandered even by his fellow priests and bishops, Pope Francis said. Speaking off-the-cuff to a group of pilgrims from El Salvador Oct. 30, the …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God has compassion for everyone, which is why he sent his only son to heal and renew humanity, Pope Francis said in a homily. There is a difference between compassion and pity, he said at the Mass in the chapel of his residence …

By HIROSHIMA, Japan (CNS) — For a long minute on a sunny morning, silence fell over the memorial park that commemorates the Aug. 6, 1945, atomic bombing of the city. A gong sounded repeatedly as local residents and visitors from around the world stopped to remember a similarly sunny morning …

By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The world continues to be silent in the face of widespread persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, Pope Francis said. One year after Islamic State militants drove thousands of Iraqi Christians and Yezidis out of the country, Pope Francis prayed that people around the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In one thick volume, Vatican offices and departments tell their own stories. The 2014 edition of the “Activity of the Holy See,” released in July, runs more than 1,600 pages. Some offices submitted exhaustive reports, including every …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Chaz Muth By Chaz Muth MOSCOW, Pa. (CNS) — Bob Simon fell in love with two things at the age of 5 — the Catholic Church and building with Lego. Now, as a 51-year-old priest, Father Simon has discovered a way to merge both of these passions.  The …

IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — With his election as speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Paul Ryan may have taken the most difficult job in American politics. The Wisconsin Republican is faced with keeping his party’s conference unified as he takes a position that places him …