NEWS

VATICAN CITY — While Pope Francis’ comments on U.S. criticism of his papacy drew the biggest headlines during his visit to Africa Sept. 4-10, the Masses he celebrated in Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius drew the biggest crowds.

There's a reported 186 memorial services scheduled, including a Life Rosary at Holy Cross Cemetery in Avondale.

BALTIMORE (CNS) — As the Nazi regime systematically killed those it deemed mentally ill or “unproductive,” a fearless bishop of the Diocese of Munster, Germany, took to the pulpit in 1941 to denounce and challenge what was happening.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — On a day remembered for the terrorist attacks against the United States, Pope Francis met with members of a committee of Muslim leaders and Vatican officials promoting a new era of dialogue and world peace.

No one really knows what the future of the news media will be, but it will have no future if reporters and the public cannot distinguish between facts and fiction, Pope Francis said.

Some details are crystal clear. Other facts, like how many funerals and memorial Masses he offered in that first year, are hazy.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Like many others who were named cardinals by Pope Francis, Cardinal-designate Jose Tolentino Calaca de Mendonca was caught off guard when he found out about his appointment.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — More than 2 million people RSVP’d to a recent social media invitation to “storm” Area 51 in Nevada, in the hope of discovering whether alien life or spacecraft may be secretly stored at this U.S. Air Force base.

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius (CNS) — Statistical indicators show Mauritius’ rapid economic growth has benefited all sectors of society, lifting thousands out of poverty over the past 30 years, but Pope Francis still urged the island’s Catholics to be careful.

"It is sheer terror and confusion for those who had their homes compromised in the middle of the storm and had to relocate, and all the challenges that poses," he said.