By Elise Harris CNA/EWTN News VATICAN CITY — On Sunday Pope Francis said that the Eucharist is no mere symbol, but is in fact the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, which has the ability to transform our hearts and minds to be more like him. “The Eucharist is …

By Lou Baldwin Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — As lecterns go, it is strictly utilitarian, a simple walnut stand with none of the ornamentation commonly found in mid-19th-century furnishings. Yet it has a distinguished past and is about to have a distinguished future. At a news conference Aug. 7 …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Catholics who have divorced and are civilly remarried “are not, in fact, excommunicated — they are not excommunicated — and they absolutely must not be treated as if they were,” Pope Francis said. Resuming his Wednesday general audiences Aug. 5 after a …

CNA/EWTN News Pope Francis has invited the youth of the world on pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2016 –and on Sunday he became the first pilgrim to register himself. “Today we open registration for the thirty-first World Youth Day, to be held next year in Poland,” he said. “I invite …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — After decades of world leaders trying to set global goals to address climate change and extreme poverty, city mayors gathered at the Vatican to pledge they will take real action and lead the fight on their streets. Pope Francis told the mayors …

By Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has named three auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and accepted the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Gerald E. Wilkerson, 75. The changes were announced July 21 in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States. The pope …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM PARAGUAY — Before arriving in the United States in September, Pope Francis said, he will study American criticisms of his critiques of the global economy and finance. “I have heard that some criticisms were made in the United States — I’ve …

Staff Report In honor of Pope Francis, who is in the midst of a July 5-12 visit to Latin America, we almost renamed this Friday Photo feature, “Fun Hat Friday.” There’s a long history of papal headwear. Many years ago, popes wore a tiara. Francis and past pontiffs frequently wear a …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  LA PAZ, Bolivia — Praising Bolivia’s efforts to include all its citizens in the country’s economic, political and social life, Pope Francis also defended the record and the right of the Catholic Church to be an active member of society and the right of the bishops …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — Even if a pastoral proposal for helping a Catholic family with problems seems scandalous at first, it is possible God could use that proposal to bring healing and holiness, Pope Francis said. Encouraging and celebrating family life during a Mass July 6 in …