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 …

By Catholic News Service  CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — God wants people to be generous and merciful, not full of condemnation toward others, Pope Francis said.

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON (CNS) — As pressure to pass an immigration reform bill shifted to the House of Representatives in July, the voices speaking out for more humane treatment of migrants included Pope Francis and former President George W. Bush.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has approved a major updating of the criminal laws of Vatican City State, including in areas dealing with child abuse and terrorism financing, and has ruled that any Vatican employee can be tried by the Vatican court for …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Presenting Pope Francis‘ new encyclical and acknowledging how much of it was prepared by retired Pope Benedict XVI, top Vatican officials hailed it as a unique expression of the development of papal teaching and unity in faith.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis signed a decree clearing the way for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and has decided also to ask the world’s cardinals to vote on the canonization of Blessed John XXIII, even in the absence of a …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The director and the deputy director of the Vatican bank, which is being investigated by a special papal commission, resigned July 1.