Catholics, Protestants release Bible translations at joint service
By Zita Fletcher, Catholic News ServiceSTUTTGART, Germany – Five centuries after the start of the Protestant Reformation, leaders of the Catholic and Lutheran churches came together in a demonstration of unity to release new Bible translations.
Pope leads prayers for migrants, trafficking victims on St. Bakhita's feast day
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Marking the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, a former slave, Pope Francis urged Christians to help victims of human trafficking and migrants, especially the Rohingya people being chased from Myanmar.
Keep searching for unity, Pope tells German Lutherans, Catholics
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Christ's call for his disciples to be one requires that even as they try to resolve their differences on doctrinal and moral questions, they must get used to working and praying together, Pope Francis said.
Salesian home gives former Colombian child-soldiers new lease on life
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceROME – While the process of healing and reconciliation continues in Colombia after 52 years of war, Salesians in the country are helping some of the most vulnerable victims of the conflict: former child-soldiers.
Krakow's new archbishop talks St. John Paul II and Divine Mercy
By Andrea Gagliarducci, CNA/EWTN NewsROME, Italy – The archdiocese that once sent St. John Paul II to the papacy has a new archbishop: Marek Jedraszewski. The archbishop has special memories of the sainted Pope and the Divine Mercy devotion he brought to the world.
German bishops say the divorced-and-remarried may receive Communion
By Elise Harris, CNA/EWTN NewsCOLOGNE, Germany – The German bishops have published their own guidelines on Amoris laetitia allowing, in certain cases, for divorced-and-remarried Catholics to receive Communion.
'Amoris Laetitia' not up for personal interpretation, says Vatican's doctrinal chief
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – The Vatican's doctrinal chief said some bishops are interpreting Pope Francis' document on marriage and family in a way that is not in accordance with Catholic doctrine.
Cardinal Tagle: Many Western nations forget their countries were built on migrants
By Doreen Abi Raad, Catholic News ServiceBEIRUT – Many Western nations forget that their countries were built on migrants, said the president of Caritas Internationalis.
Pope Francis to the laity: go out and evangelize, or buy mothballs
By Elise Harris, CNA/EWTN NewsLOS ANGELES, Calif. – When asked in a new interview what specific mission he has for the laity, Pope Francis responded with a frequent appeal: to go outside of oneself and take risks in evangelizing, rather than staying stuffed up at home while the moths move in.
Culture alone cannot be blamed for drop in vocations, Pope says
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY (CNS) – While there is a need to evangelize a culture that tells young people money equals success and commitments aren't forever, stopping the "hemorrhage" of people leaving religious orders also requires changes from the orders themselves, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis: Christian unity can't happen if we linger on problems of the past
By Elise Harris, CNA/EWTN NewsROME, Italy – During an ecumenical Vespers service on Wednesday, Pope Francis told both Catholics and members of other Christian communities that unity can only happen when past grievances are forgiven and all sides walk forward with their gaze on Christ.