By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In his brief pontificate, Pope Francis has coined some colorful terms to get his points across, for example, using “bat Christians” to describe those who hide their faith. While the new phrases he uses in his ecology encyclical are not as punchy, …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — The earth, which was created to support life and give praise to God, is crying out with pain because human activity is destroying it, Pope Francis says in his long-awaited encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.” All who believe …

By Alan Holdren CNA/EWTN News Benedict XVI’s summer is set to be the most active since he stepped down from the pontificate in 2013, with plans for participation in at least two public events and a two-week stay at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. “Pope Francis invited Benedict …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Focusing on poverty and sacrificing for the poor are the heart of the Gospel, not signs of communism, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass. Furthermore, if Christians don’t dig deep and generously open up their wallets, they do not have “genuine faith,” …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Ten days after the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was criminally charged with failing to protect children, Pope Francis accepted the resignations of Archbishop John C. Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee A. Piche. Pope Francis appointed Coadjutor Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda …

CNS Reports The bishops of the United States, including Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati Joseph R. Binzer, are gathered in St. Louis, Mo. for their spring general assembly. The meeting, which began June 10 wraps up today. Below are highlights from the meetings thus far. U.S. bishops’ spring assembly opens with …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The hidden heroes of this world are those family members who still go to work and get the job done after staying up all night tending to a sick loved one, Pope Francis said. In fact, the family “has always been …

CNA/EWTN News The value and beauty of marriage, based on the complementarity of man and woman, is lamentably being challenged by “gender ideology,” Pope Francis warned the bishops of Puerto Rico on Monday. “The complementarity of man and woman, the crown of the divine creation, is being questioned by gender …

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — A veteran Catholic Relief Services financial official has resigned in the wake of report that he was in a same-sex marriage. Rick Estridge, vice president for overseas finance, stepped down after 16 years with the U.S. bishops’ overseas aid and development agency, saying …

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — The Catholic Universe Bulletin, which has delivered news and information about the Cleveland Diocese to parishioners for more than 140 years, will close its doors in July. The July 3 edition will be the last, said Robert Tayek, diocesan communications director. Word of the …