By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As the discussion began at the world Synod of Bishops on the family, Pope Francis urged members not to act as if the only question that mattered was the pastoral care of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, his spokesman said. …

CNA/EWTN News After months of debate and strong opposition, California governor Jerry Brown on Monday signed into a law a bill enabling doctors to prescribe drugs that will end the lives of terminally ill patients. “This is a dark day for California and for the Brown legacy,” said Californians against …

By Tony Gutierrez Catholic News Service PHOENIX — Catholic men must reclaim and live the virtue of Christian masculinity, Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted says in his newly released apostolic exhortation, “Into the Breach.” Addressed to Catholic men in the diocese — “my spiritual sons” as the bishop calls them — …

By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA — It’s difficult to forget Pope Francis’ passionate Sept. 26 speech, his gestures and the tone of his voice when he addressed the value of the family in Philadelphia. A “society grows strong, grows in goodness, grows in beauty and truly grows if …

By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — When Pope Francis encountered and blessed children during his apostolic visit to the United States, there were events everyone saw because they were on live TV, with others known only their participants. These were sometimes by chance. Other times, there was advance …

By Dale Gavlak Catholic News Service JERUSALEM — A Palestinian Catholic tour guide whose family has lived in Jerusalem for generations and whose spiritual heritage stretches as far back as the first century church laughed as he recounted the story. “An Israeli official once asked me if I was a …

By Ed Langlois Catholic News Service PORTLAND, Ore. — St. Joseph Parish in Roseburg hosted an emotional Mass the evening of Oct. 1 for 10 people who died in a shooting that morning at Umpqua Community College. Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith traveled from Portland for the liturgy. Authorities in Roseburg, …

By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate passed legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Sept. 30, but the measure was awaiting action by the House. A day earlier Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, urged Congress in a letter to pass the …

VATICAN CITY — Everyone has a guardian angel who is advising and protecting each individual on earth, Pope Francis said at morning Mass. Whenever people hear a little voice in their head, “‘Well, do this. That would be better. You mustn’t do this …’ Listen! Don’t turn against him” because …