The Catholic Sun

Pope Francis was thousands of miles away during his inaugural visit to the U.S., but he stayed close to the hearts of area Catholics.

Families bring needed values and a humanizing spirit to society and, when they mirror God's love for all, they teach the church how it should relate to all people, including the "imperfect."

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As the discussion began at the world Synod of Bishops on the Family, Pope Francis urged members not to act as if the only question that mattered was the pastoral care of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, his spokesman said.

MEXICO CITY (CNS) — The Mexican bishops’ conference and the Vatican have confirmed Pope Francis will visit Mexico in 2016, marking his first trip to this heavily Catholic country in throes of unrest over unresolved issues such as violence, crime and corruption.

Catholic female religious orders have expanded rapidly in China over the past decade, but are now facing restrictions — such as licensing for their medical work — and a decrease in vocations.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a world filled with challenges to marriage and family life, the Catholic Church is called “to carry out her mission in fidelity, truth and love,” Pope Francis said at the Mass opening the world Synod of Bishops on the family.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The world Synod of Bishops on the Family is not a parliament where participants will negotiate or lobby, Pope Francis said, but it must be a place of prayer where bishops speak with courage and open themselves to “God who always surprises us.”

The Catholic community is mourning the loss of a diocesan student turned Sister of Mercy who dedicated her life to nursing and social work.

Marking the day's memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, the pope's homily focused on these angels, saying they were "like an ambassador of God."

There continues to be debates about the conditions and limits to be set for the reception of migrants, not only on the level of national policies, but also in some parish communities, whose traditional tranquility seems to be threatened, Pope Francis said.