Top Stories from CNS (Catholic News Service)

• In letters to German cardinal, retired pope defends way he stepped down
• Some cry 'scandal' to cover their own failings, pope says at Mass
• Update: Church plans third-party abuse reporting system, code of conduct
• In homily, Calif. priest says he was abused, hears from dozens of victims
• Update: Irish singer Bono calls pope 'extraordinary man for extraordinary times'
• Be grateful to parents, never insult them, pope says
• New Orleans 'Hope Monstrance' to visit U.S. communities hit by disasters
• Virgin Islands diocese still recovering from 2017 double hurricanes
• Bishop takes a (sky) dive to get pilgrims to Lourdes
• Pope prays for young people, their diligence and courage
• Pope, in Sicily, honors priest martyred by Mafia
• Packers fan with months to live sees game with aid from hospice, diocese
• Update: To Europe's periphery: Pope to visit Baltic nations in late September
• Algerian martyrs to be beatified in Algeria Dec. 8
• Update: Colombian coroner offers free burials to destitute Venezuelan migrants
• After meeting pope, cardinal says he's hopeful about addressing crisis
• U.S. bishops tell pope abuse scandal 'lacerated' the church
• 'Elitist, clericalist' church allows abuse to thrive, pope says
• Supreme Court petition next step in effort to stop natural gas pipeline
• Love breaks chains of slavery to sin, pope says