Pope Francis to nuncios: Be men of God, not luxury-seeking diplomats
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Apostolic nuncios are called to be men of faith focused on proclaiming the Gospel and shunning the power and corruption that can come from the luxurious trappings of their diplomatic status, Pope Francis said.
U.S. bishops approve update of texts of rites for clergy ordinations
By Mark Pattison, Catholic News ServiceBALTIMORE -- The U.S. bishops voted to update texts last changed in 2003 for the ordination of clergy.
Nuncios' first mission is to love, says Vatican secretary of state
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Whether the Catholic Church is operating in full freedom or under severe restrictions, no one can prevent its ministers and members from following the supreme law of Christ, which is to love others, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Bishops may revise U.S. catechism to update capital punishment stance
By Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News ServiceBALTIMORE -- During their June 11-13 meeting in Baltimore, the U.S. bishops are looking at what the U.S. church teaches its adult members about the death penalty and they will vote about adding a revised passage to the U.S. Catechism for Adults about this.
Bishops consider update of texts of rites for clergy ordinations
By Mark Pattison, Catholic News ServiceBALTIMORE -- The U.S. bishops are set to consider an updating of texts last changed in 2003 for the ordination of clergy.
Catholic education key to fighting indifference, Pope Francis says
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Individualism and consumerism undermine the most basic rules of coexistence and challenge the principles of cooperation and mutual understanding promoted by Catholic education, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis: Airport chaplains have special ministry
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- From pilots and passengers to refugees and fast-food workers, the people airport chaplains meet each day all deserve a kind word and an invitation to a relationship with God, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis' message for World Mission Day: All Catholics must be missionaries
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- By virtue of their baptism, all Catholics are called to be missionaries, sharing the good news of salvation in Jesus by their actions and their words, Pope Francis said.
Church must learn how to speak to young people, Pope Francis says
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Too often when Catholics try to talk to young people about vocational discernment, "it's as if we were speaking Esperanto to them, because they don't understand a thing," Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis says he's strengthened, encouraged by talks with Benedict XVI
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ROMANIA -- Pope Francis said that he continues to visit retired Pope Benedict XVI, 92, who is like a grandfather who continues to encourage him and give him strength.
Freedom, mercy are lasting legacy of martyred bishops, Pope Francis says
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceBLAJ, Romania -- The memory and witness of Romania's martyred bishops are a reminder that Christians are called to stand firm against ideologies that seek to stifle and suppress their cultural and religious traditions, Pope Francis said.