NATION/WORLD

On Oct. 5 the Catholic Church’s leaders began a process of prayerful and deliberative reflection on: “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization.”

Hours before opening a Synod of Bishops whose members have already started a public debate over Catholic teaching on marriage and sexuality, Pope Francis prayed the bishops would express themselves and listen to each other openly, trusting in God to reconcile their differences.

The "freedom of expression" that characterized preparations for the Synod of Bishops on the family -- especially in responses to a Vatican questionnaire -- "will also characterize the synod assembly, which certainly will take place in a climate of respect for every position, mutual charity and an authentic sense of constructiveness," said the head of the synod.

The author of a controversial proposal to make it easier for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion says he believes Pope Francis backs the measure but would not apply it without support from bishops at two upcoming synods on the family.

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- For the first time, federal funding will help pay for unaccompanied minor immigrants to get legal assistance, including through Catholic agencies...

WASHINGTON (CNS) — In an effort to help lay Catholics gain a deeper understanding of religious life, priests, brothers and women religious intend to open their convents, monasteries, abbeys and religious houses to the public one day next February. It's one of several events for the upcoming Year of Consecrated Life, which begins this Advent.

Avoid the melodrama and self-pity over minor problems in life, Pope Francis said. Instead, use life's inevitable difficulties to pray for strength and pray for those who are suffering real tragedy.

CHICAGO (CNS) — With prayers, songs and sealing wax, Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago formally closed the investigation into the life and virtues of Fr. Augustus Tolton Sept. 29 in a ceremony in the St. James Chapel at the Archbishop Quigley Center. The prayer service marked the binding and sealing of the dossier local research aimed at making Fr. Tolton, the first African-American diocesan priest, a saint.

After telling parishioners and students in the religious education program at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parish about what is happening in Syria, Fr. Rodrigo Miranda was impressed that a 13-year-old girl was one of the first to respond.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis warned against the abandonment and neglect of the elderly, calling it a "hidden euthanasia" rooted in today's "poisonous" culture of disposal and an economic system of greed. In the presence of his predecessor, Pope Francis also thanked retired Pope Benedict XVI for staying to live at the Vatican and being like "a wise grandfather at home."