Jorge Bergoglio

Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of four men and four women, including Blessed Dulce Lopes Pontes, the "Mother Teresa" of Brazil.

Signs of the Times: Francis has successfully rebranded the Catholic Church, which had come to be regarded as a clerical institution that stressed rules and uniformity. If you wanted to be a good Catholic, you were given the catechism to memorize and told to follow the rules.

Does encouraging a response of mercy toward those considered outside the law mean a renunciation of the law? A biblical encounter and its artistic depiction lend insight to this question.

Could this be the moment for which Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was called from "the ends of the earth" to be pope?

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Perspectives on Viganò; a candidate's take on taking a knee in the NFL; benefits of a Trump endorsement; China in Africa.

Scripture for Life: As people chosen and loved by God, we are called to fulfill our vocation as disciples and missionaries, followers of Christ who spread his message and love. Like the early disciples, we must be willing to rethink our mission and revitalize our Gospel message.

Distinctly Catholic: Pope Francis' insight, that there is a kind of ecclesiological approach that wants Jesus kept in a box, is lost on the drafters of the recent "filial correction."