VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis has offered his prayers and compassion for those affected by Saturday night's shooting at a nightclub in Orlando.

VATICAN CITY - Thirteen-year-old Veronica Cantero Burroni fulfilled a dream on Wednesday, when she got to see Pope Francis, who offered her a warm embrace at the end of his general audience.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - As an alternative to the "deeply disturbing" new federal guidance on transgender regulations for schools, the U.S. bishops pointed to the words of Pope Francis in offering a positive path to young people.

St. Bonaventure President Sister Margaret Carney, OSF, was honored by Pope Francis during the university's Baccalaureate Mass Saturday afternoon.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Thursday Pope Francis said he would be open to the idea of forming a commission to study the historical context of the female diaconate, as well as the possibility of women serving as deacons today.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Thousands of poor and excluded men and women from across Europe will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity this November: a chance to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Rome with Pope Francis.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Wednesday Pope Francis said the parable of the Good Shepherd is a key example of God's mercy, because it represents the depth of the Lord's concern in ensuring that no one is lost.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In his May prayer video Pope Francis issued a global petition that women in all countries would be respected and valued, asking rhetorically if the mere recognition of their role is enough, or if more can be done.

The bottom line is expressed in these words of the Holy Father: "It is my hope that, in reading this text, all will feel called to love and cherish family life, for 'families are not a problem; they are first and foremost an opportunity.'"

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Freedom does not come from things we possess or from doing whatever we want, Pope Francis said Sunday in his homily for the Jubilee for boys and girls. Rather, true freedom and happiness can only be found in the love of Jesus.

Bishop Richard J. Malone speaks about "Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love)," written by Pope Francis. This apostolic exhortation is a beautiful celebration of love and families.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis has appointed French-born Archbishop Christophe Pierre as the Vatican ambassador to the U.S., replacing Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the Holy See press office announced Tuesday.

Bishop Richard J. Malone was in Washington, DC, Friday morning to respond to the long anticipated exhortation by Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia, or The Joy of Love.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Catholics who have divorced-and-remarried need the fullness of Church teaching. They also need a wise pastoral and community response to their difficulties that can help them grow in the Christian life, Pope Francis said on Friday in his new document on love in the family.

"We welcome this teaching from Pope Francis as the fruit of the synodal process started by him more than two years ago—a process that has inspired in our Church, and indeed all over the world, a renewed attention to the importance of marriage and the family for all of society," said Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, chairman of the Committee.

Bishop Richard J. Malone is one of three who have been chosen to go to Washington, DC, and respond to the Pope's Exhortation on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bishop Malone is the Chairman of USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - When Lizzy Myers was diagnosed with a condition that could result in complete blindness, her parents, Steve and Christine, went to work on a "visual bucket list" for their daughter.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis on Wednesday offered a special blessing for Mother Angelica following her death on Easter Sunday, expressing his confidence that she is already in heaven.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In his Urbi et Orbi message for Easter, Pope Francis encouraged victims of terrorism and Christian persecution to find hope in the Lord's resurrection.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - After spending previous years washing the feet of inmates and disabled persons on Holy Thursday, this year Pope Francis will celebrate the liturgy in a welcoming center for migrants and refugees.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Tuesday Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims of attacks at an airport and metro in Belgium, condemning the acts as "blind violence" and praying for peace.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Palm Sunday Pope Francis said the path toward salvation can be summed up by humility and service, and encouraged pilgrims to contemplate Jesus' shameful Passion and Death throughout Holy Week.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Wednesday Pope Francis renewed his appeal on behalf of the tens of thousands struggling to enter other countries as they flee war and violence, asking global leaders to "open their hearts" and doors to migrants and refugees.

ROME, ITALY (CNA/EWTN News) - Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to confession with Pope Francis?

A couple living on the Tuscarora Reservation in Niagara County had the experience of meeting Pope Francis at the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia last September.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Christians must work to abolish the death penalty and improve prison conditions, Pope Francis said on Sunday.

In this Year of Mercy, the Lenten season will be a time for Catholics to reflect on the meaning of mercy and the importance of forgiveness, both of which have a long tradition in the Church. According to Pope Francis, in this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy the sacrament of reconciliation becomes more important than ever, with indulgences granted.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Despite a rush of headlines claiming Pope Francis is softening the Church's stance on contraception, a closer look at his recent remarks could suggest otherwise.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (CNA/EWTN News) - Sabrina Puig is eight years old. Due to a rare condition, she only has half a heart. But when Pope Francis passed by, she ran to him.

PAPAL PLANE (CNA/EWTN News) - During his inflight news conference en route from Juarez to Rome, Pope Francis responded to recent criticism from Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, who called the Pope "political" and has threatened to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border.

MORELIA, MEXICO (CNA/EWTN News) - In his visit to Morelia - one of Mexico's most violent cities - Pope Francis had a strong message for the country's youth: rather than allowing themselves to be used and trampled on, he told them to recognize their value and to place their hope in Jesus.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In his Ash Wednesday homily, Pope Francis said that Lent is the perfect time to let go of selfish and indifferent attitudes, returning to God with the help of prayer, penance and acts of charity.

On Friday the Vatican announced that while on his way to Mexico, Pope Francis will stop in Cuba to meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in the first meeting between a Pope and a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church since the Great Schism 1,000 years ago.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - When God is described in the Bible as being both merciful and just it can seem like an identity crisis, however Pope Francis said it's the opposite: rather than contradicting each other, the two actually go hand in hand.

Pope Francis created the 2016 Jubilee Year of Mercy to reflect, in a new way, the gift of God's Mercy. Bishop Richard Malone explains in "Consider This."

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In his general audience during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis focused on the common baptism Christians share, saying the strength of this bond is stronger than existing divisions.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Wednesday Pope Francis launched a new series of catechesis on mercy for his general audiences, telling pilgrims that the love and forgiveness of God can't be overcome by anything, including our sin.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Sunday Pope Francis baptized 26 babies in the Sistine Chapel, telling parents to nurture the faith in the lives of their children, because it is the greatest inheritance they can give.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - The Pope's first-ever video message on his monthly prayer intentions was released Tuesday, highlighting the importance of interreligious dialogue and the beliefs different faith traditions hold in common, such as the figure of God and love.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a restless age when humanity fails to find the answer to their continuous searching, the Magi who go out looking for Christ only to find him in a humble stable in Bethlehem are a key example of where to turn, Pope Francis has said.