Pope makes long-awaited visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe

MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis fulfilled his much-desired wish to pray in silence before the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. After celebrating the first Mass of his papal trip to Mexico Feb. 13, the pope made his way to the “camarin” (“little room”) behind the main altar of the basilica dedicated to Mary. The miraculous mantle, which normally faces the congregation, can be turned around to allow a closer and more private moment of veneration.

Pope Francis tells Mexican bishops be unified, speak out on tough issues

MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis demanded forceful denunciations of drug violence in Mexico from the country’s bishops, who have preferred timid pronouncements instead of speaking prophetically on a tragedy that has claimed more than 100,000 lives over the past 10 years and left another 25,000 Mexicans missing.

St. Elizabeth Seton Parish celebrates 40 years

The community of St. Elizabeth Seton, known as “a parish with heart,” has been beating strong for 40 years.

Fight corruption, work for common good, pope tells Mexican officials

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.

Pope to Russian patriarch: ‘We are brothers’

HAVANA (CNS) — At long last, Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow embraced, kissing each other three times. “Finally,” the pope told the patriarch Feb. 12 as they met in a lounge at Havana’s José Martí International Airport. “We are brothers,” he told the patriarch.

Pro-life community mourns loss of Phoenix native who defended life worldwide

Dr. Carolyn Gerster, co-founder of Arizona Right to Life and former president of the National Right to Life Committee, died Jan. 28. She was 88.

Arizona native with key role in papal visit, deep roots in Hispanic community, dies

Maria Josefina “Mary Jo” Franco French, a leader in the Hispanic Catholic community, died Dec. 31, 2015. She was days shy of turning 80.

Game Day brings trivia, Olympic sports to neighboring Jesuit schools

Homemade board games featuring Jesuit trivia and friendly athletic competitions for Special Olympics athletes made for special days at neighboring schools.

Cookies, sombrero and a shoe shine: Even reporters give pope gifts

Making his 12th trip abroad didn't prepare Pope Francis for requests and gifts while en route to Mexico via Cuba Feb. 12

Special Mass honors life, launches 40 Days for Life campaign

Christ calls every person to a special mission, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted told Massgoers who often find themselves praying in front of abortion clinics.