By Catholic News Service LEVITTOWN, Pa. (CNS) — Retirees form the core of volunteer programs across the U.S., offering important services especially to the elderly — some of whom are younger than the volunteers. In the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y., for example, where Donna Nash coordinates Catholic Charities services for …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service From his personal prayer life and spirituality to the role of women in the church and the pastoral care of the divorced, Pope Francis responded to several questions about church teaching and ministry July 28 when he met reporters on his flight from Rio …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  RIO DE JANEIRO — Krakow, Poland, will be the site of the next World Youth Day, in 2016. Pope Francis made the announcement shortly after celebrating the final Mass of this year’s World Youth Day before a crowd of more than 3 million …

By Catholic News Service The legalization of gay marriage cannot change Christian teaching on sexual morality, and the Catholic Church cannot accept marriages of same-sex couples, the bishops of England and Wales said in a document that was to be distributed in parishes July 27-28. Catholics must “accept their calling” …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Pope Francis is the most influential world leader on Twitter, with the highest number of retweets worldwide. He also is the second most-followed leader of the world, running behind — albeit by a long stretch — U.S. President Barack Obama.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service APARECIDA, Brazil — Comfortable in the presence of Mary and at a shrine that symbolizes one of his most important experiences as a member of the Latin American bishops’ council, Pope Francis kicked off five days of intense activity with an act of devotion. …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) — Hundreds of thousands of cheering people welcomed Pope Francis to Brazil July 22 as he made the first international trip of his pontificate to his native region of Latin America. The papal plane touched down at Rio’s international …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) — Pope Francis arrived in Brazil July 22, making the first international trip of his pontificate to his native region of Latin America. The papal flight touched down at Rio’s Galateo-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 3:43 p.m. local …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis paid a personal visit to retired Pope Benedict XVI, informing him about the final details for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro and asking him to pray for Pope Francis and for the pilgrims who will gather …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While Pope Francis‘ July 22-28 visit to Brazil has been planned almost down to the minute, the papal spokesman is certain it will be “a bit of an adventure.” The main events of World Youth Day are the same as …