Recent synods convened at the Vatican as well as the worldwide synod on synodality have “shown us the value of listening as a common thread in any process of humanization,” said Sister Liliana Franco Echeverri, a member of the Company of Mary and president of the Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Religious.

Pope Francis called again for “an immediate cease-fire on all fronts” in the Middle East, urging leaders to “pursue the paths of diplomacy and dialogue to achieve peace.”

A recent report from Springtide Research Institute, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, found that a growing share of young people do not identify with a political party, defying traditional political categories.

Catholic Mobilizing Network, a group that advocates for the abolition of capital punishment in line with Catholic teaching, marked the World Day Against the Death Penalty Oct. 10 in an event at the Holy See’s apostolic nunciature in Washington with a message from Pope Francis praising its work to help transform society.

Pope Francis will create his 21 new cardinals Dec. 7, not Dec. 8 as he originally announced, according to the official in charge of papal liturgical ceremonies.

Pope Francis asked the new members of the College of Cardinals to cultivate a sense of prayer and closeness with God’s people, so they remain at the service of the church and their flocks.

Highlighting the intersection of bioethics and human rights, a prominent bioethicist argued in an Oct. 8 address that public bioethics should seek to foster human flourishing.

On Oct. 18, Aid to the Church in Need will host its annual “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” campaign, inviting children — as well as families, parishes, catechists and teachers — to join in reciting the rosary that day, pledging their intention to do so at ACN’s dedicated website for the initiative, millionchildrenpraying.org.

The state of California holds multiple first-place distinctions in the latest annual homeless report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — but none of them are positive.

Their courtship became a sacramental marriage Sept. 14 as they professed wedding vows at St. Mary in Chatfield, near the farm where Kappers grew up.