The Catholic Sun

One by one, Pope Francis poured water from a gilded shell and gently caressed the head of each of the 13 girls and 13 boys.

Attendance at a ceremonial groundbreaking was proof positive Catholics outgrew their worship space. Nearly 400 showed up just outside the current church that only seats 300.

Carolee O’Meara knows what it’s like to be poor. She also knows how it feels to receive mercy. “I’ve always had a heart for the poor,” O’Meara said as she deftly stashed cans of vegetables in food boxes at Paz de Cristo in Mesa. “Being raised in a home where there was poverty and where God was just there all the time leading me, even without the parental guidance, God was just always merciful to keep me close to Him.”

For Spaniards and some Latin Americans who grew up with it, the aromatic smell of the roscon de reyes is one of the most treasured of childhood food memories surrounding the Epiphany.

Students at Christ the King School in Mesa just returned from Christmas break, but are already leaving the classroom again.

"The church's forgiveness must be every bit as broad as that offered by Jesus on the cross and by Mary at his feet," Pope Francis said.

At least 100 mayors in Mexico have been attacked over the past 10 years as criminal groups attempt to infiltrate and corrupt local governments.

Ongoing refurbishment of the National Mall and strict new regulations that require temporary flooring to protect the grass, moved the rally from the West Front of the Capitol to the Washington Monument grounds.

The explosive global refugee crisis — likely the top debate-generating news story of 2015 — seems destined to dominate domestic and foreign politics for years to come.

Choirsters from St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Scottsdale were among the 6,000 gathered. They held concerts at several churches in Rome and were scheduled to sing in St. Peter's Basilica on New Year's Day.