By Tom Tracy Catholic News Service  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CNS) — After watching firsthand as Pope Francis bowed his head for a blessing from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during the pope’s Nov. 28-30 trip to Turkey, an American-born Orthodox priest felt a joyful disbelief. “I couldn’t sleep that night,” said …

By Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Donald J. Hying of Milwaukee as bishop of Gary, Indiana, and accepted the resignation of Bishop Dale J. Melczek, who has headed the diocese since 1996.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Using a newly simplified rite, Pope Francis proclaimed six new saints and praised them for the love and self-giving with which they served God and built up his kingdom by serving the poor and needy. Creating the two Indian and four …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church “is a mother without limits and without borders,” welcoming and assisting all of God’s children, particularly those fleeing violence, oppression and poverty, Pope Francis said. Addressing the 300 participants in the Vatican-sponsored World Congress on the Pastoral Care …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis said he would attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September, making it the first confirmed stop on what is expected to be a more extensive papal visit to North America. The pope made the announcement …

By Ann Schneible CNA/EWTN News  VATICAN CITY — During his weekly general audience on Wednesday Pope Francis said that a Church which does not foster communion with the bishop is unhealthy. In his remarks to the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square on Nov. 5, the Pope called on Christian …

By Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael P. Driscoll of Boise, Idaho, and appointed Bishop Peter F. Christensen of Superior, Wisconsin, to succeed him. Bishop Driscoll, who has headed the statewide diocese since 1999, is 75, the age at which bishops are …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — A month after closing a Synod of Bishops on the family stirred by controversy over divorce, same-sex unions and other nonmarital relationships, Pope Francis will open an interreligious conference dedicated to traditional marriage. The Vatican-sponsored gathering, on the “Complementarity of …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Retired Pope Benedict XVI is a perfect example of how intellectual knowledge and scientific curiosity do not lead a person further from God, but can strengthen their love for God and for his human creatures, Pope Francis said. “Benedict XVI was …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis called for abolition of the death penalty as well as life imprisonment, and denounced what he called a “penal populism” that promises to solve society’s problems by punishing crime instead of pursuing social justice.