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.

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — After several days of animated debate over its official midterm report, the Synod of Bishops on the family agreed on a final document more clearly grounded in traditional Catholic teaching. Yet the assembly failed to reach consensus on especially controversial …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY —Beatifying Blessed Paul VI at the concluding Mass of the Synod of Bishops on the family, Pope Francis praised the late pope as the “great helmsman” of the Second Vatican Council and founder of the synod, as well as a “humble …

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph  Though more than three years have passed since his episcopal ordination, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph R. Binzer recently traveled to the Vatican for a Pilgrimage to the Tomb of St. Peter and Conference for new bishops.

By Elise Harris CNA/EWTN News  VATICAN CITY — In a prayer vigil set before the opening of the synod of bishops, Pope Francis said we must be attentive to the signs of the times to see the needs of the family by listening, being open and looking to the Lord. …

By Ann Schneible CNA/EWTN News  VATICAN CITY — As the media centers upon the question of whether the Church will change its teaching regarding reception of the Eucharist by those living in complex situations, there is a danger that many of the other, no less significant, issues may be falling …

By Elise Harris CNA/EWTN News  VATICAN CITY — On Monday’s feast of the archangels Pope Francis spoke of the ongoing battle between the devil and mankind, encouraging attendees to pray to the angels, who have been charged to defend us. “He presents things as if they were good, but his …

By Beth Griffin Catholic News Service  NEW YORK — Pope Francis evangelizes with “encyclicals of gestures,” which speak louder than words and texts, said Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa. One of nine members of the Council of Cardinals advising the pope, the cardinal reflected on the reorganization of …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — After a Vatican investigation, Pope Francis removed a Paraguayan bishop from his post as head of the Diocese of Ciudad del Este because of “serious pastoral reasons.” Bishop Rogelio Livieres Plano, 69, was told to step down as head of the …

CNA/EWTN News Pope Francis will establish a commission to review the matrimonial process in canon law with the goal of simplifying the procedure while maintaining the indissolubility of marriage, the Holy See Press Office announced Saturday. According to Vatican Radio, the decision was made on Aug. 2 of this year …