Children exit a church after receiving ashes during an Ash Wednesday Mass in Guatemala City. Catholics around the world began the penitential season of Lent with prayer, fasting and the mark of ashes. (CNS photo/Joe Penney, Reuters) ...

Just before Pope Francis’ trip to the United States in September last year I had the chance to visit with Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the Archbishop of Washington, DC.  At the time, the media was speculating about what Pope Francis was going to say, especially to the US Congress, and what impact it would have on ...

Friday marks the beginning of Pope Francis’ 4th journey to the Americas during his Apostolic Visit to Mexico. Over the next 7 days, the Pope will visit places in Mexico where the people are in need of hearing of God’s mercy. During this time, the Pope will remain housed in Mexico City but each day he will travel to  different cities ...

‘I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH’ Message for Lent 2016 by the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops My brothers and sisters in Christ, The readings of the liturgy for the opening days of Lent invite us to focus on some basic questions as we begin ...

  Today we begin that long walk towards Holy Week, which culminates in celebrating the greatest event in human history: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Something that never fails to inspire awe in me however, is just how diverse our expressions of faith are. Encountering different Catholic rituals around the world, sometimes I’m intrigued, other ...

It’s always a nice confirmation when the Pope says the same thing you’ve been trying to say. (Maybe he read my blog from last week?) Last Wednesday, Pope Francis’ General Audience Address was titled, God’s Justice is Mercy. You can listen to the Vatican Radio report here: In short, Pope Francis is eloquently making the ...

For the first time ever, the pope will meet with the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The announcement was made in a joint press release issued by the Holy See and the Patriarchate of Moscow. Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill will meet in Cuba on February 12. At the end of their two hour ...

CNS media reviewer and film critic John Mulderig discusses the importance of a “Catholic” review and why no film should be off limits. How are you going to spend the next five minutes of your time?  You could browse social media or check your email, but how about meeting a fascinating person and learning something ...

Vatican City, 3 February 2016 (VIS) – Next week Pope Francis will begin his apostolic trip to Mexico. From 12 to 17 February he will visit Mexico City, Ecatepec, Tuxtla Gutierrez, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Morelia and Ciudad Juarez, and will pray before Our Lady of Guadalupe. For the occasion, the agency Notimex recorded ...

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For February 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Care for Creation – That we may take good care of creation–a gift freely given–cultivating and protecting it for future generations.  Asia – That opportunities may increase for dialogue and encounter between the Christian faith ...