NATION/WORLD

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will conclude the Year of Mercy by creating 17 new cardinals, including three from the United States: Archbishop Blase J. Cupich of Chicago; Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the new Vatican office for laity, family and life and former bishop of Dallas; and Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin of Indianapolis.

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — The polarization that exists in our secular culture, so visible in the acerbic campaign for the White House, has crept into the Church and compels Catholics of goodwill to be “stewards of mercy” and civility, the head of Catholic News Service told an audience in New Orleans Oct. 5.

DENVER (CNA/EWTN News) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump wrote a letter to Catholic leaders during a two-day conference in Denver this week, identifying himself as pro-life and vowing to support core values such as religious liberty and school choice.

JUNEAU, Alaska (CNA/EWTN News) — Adding to the more than 70 national shrines in the United States, the St. Thérèse Shrine in Juneau, Alaska was added by the U.S. bishops to the national list on her Oct. 1 feast day this year.

ROME (CNS) — Pope Francis and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury together charged 19 pairs of Catholic and Anglican bishops to return to their home countries and work together to promote joint prayer, joint proclamation of the Gospel and, especially, joint works of charity and justice.

FARMVILLE, Va. (CNA/EWTN News) - The topic of abortion made an appearance at the vice presidential debate last night, as both candidates discussed the role of faith in their lives, and how it aligns with their political views.

BOSTON (CNA) — In an online video, actor Mark Wahlberg said that he will be praying for vocations to the priesthood, which he deeply values because of the role that priests have played in his own life.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) — Pride rushed through the hearts and veins of Albanian-Americans as they watched Albanian President Bujar Nishani unveil a statue of St. Teresa of Calcutta in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn Sept. 25.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The United States, with its mixed record on the death penalty, is about to take a closer look at the issue this fall with two cases before the Supreme Court and three referendums on state ballots in the November election.

TBILISI, Georgia (CNS) — Pope Francis said a global war against marriage is underway and Catholics must respond by helping couples stay strong and by providing pastoral care to those experiencing difficulty.