Recognize your limits, open yourself to light of Christ, pope says

Only those who recognize their own limits can accept the great gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, which is why Catholics with disabilities are such important and powerful witnesses of faith, Pope Francis said.

Pope and Obama discuss religious freedom, life issues, immigration

In their first encounter, Pope Francis received U.S. President Barack Obama at the Vatican March 27 for a discussion that touched on several areas of tension between the Catholic Church and the White House, including religious freedom and medical ethics.

Pope Francis, Obama meet privately at Vatican for 50 minutes

Pope Francis received U.S. President Barack Obama at the Vatican March 27. In what was their first encounter, the two leaders spoke in private for more than 50 minutes, an extraordinarily long time for such a meeting.

Mandate cases prompt rallies outside court as oral arguments take place

The snowy, wet concrete and throng of reporters didn't stop Father Frank Pavone and the Rev. Patrick Mahoney from kneeling down and praying in front of the Supreme Court the morning of March 25.

Jokes, quips, wisecracks: John XXIII lived with keen sense of humor

A top 10 list of Blessed John XXIII's funny quips. The "Good Pope," who has an elementary school on the Phoenix/Scottsdale border bearing his name, will be canonized April 27.

A walk with God: Youth prepare for ‘Camino de Santiago’ in Spain

For more than a thousand years, millions have made their way through the lush landscapes of France and Spain, traversing what’s known as the Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James. This summer, a group of young people from St. Anne Parish in Gilbert is joining their ranks.

Pope Francis: ‘A friend bringing us closer to God’

The world has kept a watchful eye on Pope Francis ever since seeing him on that balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square a year ago. But once he humbly bowed and requested the people to pray for and bless him, they were hooked.

For Pope Francis, a year of reform and evangelization

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As leader of the universal church, a pope must direct his ministry in both of the ways traditionally described by the Latin terms "ad intra" and "ad extra": inwardly to the church itself, and outwardly to the rest of the world.

Former student recalls life lessons from literature teacher, the pope

Jorge Milia, today an Argentine writer, reveals in a lengthy interview then-Father Jorge Bergoglio's approach to education and teaching methods, which also shed light on his pastoral style as pope.

Pope, in interview, suggests church could tolerate some civil unions

Pope Francis suggested the Catholic Church could tolerate some types of nonmarital civil unions as a practical measure to guarantee property rights and health care. He also said the church would not change its teaching against artificial birth control but should take care to apply it with "much mercy."