FEATURED

KOLKATA, India (CNS) — A group of young independent photographers are busy clicking away, taking photos of the “City of Joy.”

WASHINGTON (CNS) — A few hundred Catholic school students from the Washington Archdiocese took their cue, literally, from Pope Francis when they joined thousands of mostly young people at the climate change march in Washington Sept. 20 behind the banner with his words: “Hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

The Fourth of July is a day of celebration, but it is also an ideal time to reflect on our freedoms and the sacrifices our service men and women have made to sustain them — men like Master Sgt. Pablo H. Villesca who witnessed Afghanistan's first free, direct elections.

During this season, God is inviting each of us to follow Him, to walk with Him and to be a part of His Church. The “Together Let Us Go Forth ~ Juntos Sigamos Adelante” campaign seeks to extend that invitation to every person in our diocese.

The canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra will give the United States its first Hispanic saint, which should help more Americans realize that the country was settled by both Hispanics and Anglos, said the secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Being young, Catholic and in the local work force can be challenging, but soon such individuals will have the opportunity to connect with peers facing similar struggles by joining the nation’s newest chapter of Young Catholic Professionals and the first one based out of the Arizona.

At Catholic Central High School, they blend in as regular students. In the nearby diocesan pastoral center, they're key accountants this time of year.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — With Pope Francis midway into the sixth year of his pontificate, the percentage of U.S. Catholics who view him favorably, while still strong, is noticeably down.

MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis told Mexico’s president and government officials that the country’s future can be bright only if government and business leaders put an end to a culture of “favors” for the influential and scraps for the poor.

FATIMA, Portugal (CNS) — Standing before the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Pope Francis canonized two shepherd children who saw Mary at Fatima, but more importantly, he said, they heeded the call to pray for sinners and trust in the Lord.