Washington D.C., Sep 1, 2019 / 09:09 am (CNA).- The U.S. bishops’ conference Sunday issued a statement in response to the Aug. 31 Texas shooting spree that left 5 people dead and 21 injured. It was the ninth statement the bishops’ conference has made in response to mass shootings in 2019.

Vatican City, Sep 1, 2019 / 05:12 am (CNA).- Pope Francis announced Sunday he will create 13 new cardinals, from every part of the world, in a consistory Oct. 5. Among them are 10 who are elegible to vote in a future conclave.

Coming from North America, Central America, Africa, Europe, and Asia, Pope Francis said Sept. 1 that "their origin expresses the missionary vocation of the Church, which continues to proclaim the merciful love of God to all people on earth."

Vatican City, Aug 30, 2019 / 09:38 am (CNA).- Days ahead of his trip to three Eastern African nations, Pope Francis sent a video message to the people of Mozambique, saying his heart embraces them.

Part of Francis’ visit to the country’s capital city of Maputo Sept. 5-6 will be a stop at the Zimpeto DREAM center, a medical clinic run by the Community of Sant’Egidio, a lay Catholic movement centered on peace and helping the poor.

Vatican City, Aug 28, 2019 / 04:39 am (CNA).- An important aspect of the Christian life is obeying God even when there may be consequences for going against the commands of others, Pope Francis said during the general audience Wednesday.

In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter offers “a key to the Christian life: ‘To obey God instead of men,’” the pope said Aug. 28, adding that “it is the great Christian response.”