NATION/WORLD

"There are people who are afraid to go to confession, forgetting that they will not encounter a severe judge there, but the immensely merciful Father," Christ's vicar on earth said.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Arizona voters rejected Proposition 205, which would have legalized recreational marijuana, while voters in California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Maine approved similar initiatives. Arizona, California and Massachusetts bishops spoke out against the initiatives.

ROME (CNS) — While the Eastern Catholic Churches have different liturgies that highlight centuries-old cultural and religious traditions, they all remain united in their commitment to serve Christ and his Church, said Bishop Jacob Angadiath of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of St. Thomas of Chicago.

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — Marita Thomas was among those in the crowd at the Festival of Families Sept. 26 who were moved to tears as they listened to families selected to come onstage to tell Pope Francis how they coped with hardship by clinging to God.

CHICAGO (CNS) — When the Vatican announced Feb. 15 that Pope Francis had signed a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed John Henry Newman, clearing the way for his canonization, there was rejoicing in Chicago.

MIAMI (CNS) — In the wake of Hurricane Dorian’s brutal blasting of the Bahamas, Catholic organizations in Florida continued to raise funds to aid victims there.

He made the comments at the 12th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, which drew a record high of about 1,300 attendees.

Priests say people initially responded to images of impoverished migrants fleeing their countries, but became jaded as the caravans keep coming.

Like their Orthodox brothers and sisters, Catholics formally will mark Sept. 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Francis has decided.

Pope Francis asked thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square to be quiet for a moment and ponder the question, "Who is Jesus to you?"