National News
Big tech, digital culture pose challenges for sharing faith, panelists say
The conference brought together Catholic intellectuals and communications practitioners to explore how the church can respond and benefit from the new media paradigm.
Justice Stevens changed death penalty views during three decades on court
Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who served on the court for nearly 35 years, died July 16 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at age 99 after suffering complications from a stroke the previous day.
Being curator of meteorites allows Jesuit to ‘find God’ in all things
At the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, Jesuit Brother Robert Macke finds his work as the curator of meteorites for the Vatican Observatory allows him to, as the Jesuit saying goes, "find God in all things."
Report gives snapshot of efforts to protect religious freedom around globe
UPDATED - In conjunction with the U.S. State Department's Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, the Religious Freedom Institute presented a side event July 15 to discuss current international religious freedom policy.
1,000 global leaders address religious freedom at State Department
Officially opening the gathering, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo welcomed more than 1,000 participants from 100 countries, saying that the event was designed to open a global discussion on guaranteeing religious freedom.
Religious leaders gather at U.S. Capitol to pray for persecuted Christians
In the U.S. Capitol members of Congress, priests, lobbyists, preachers, lay advocates and archbishops gathered together to pray July 15, symbolizing both Christian unity and U.S. government support to combat Christian persecution.
Vatican Museums loan Leonardo da Vinci work for special anniversary
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is marking the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci with a painting by the artist that will draw crowds but also pay solemn tribute to the larger-than-life Italian Renaissance painter, architect and inventor.
Appellate court says Title X rule can take effect while suits proceed
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced July 15 it would begin implementing the Trump administration's "Protect Life Rule" to bar Title X family funds from being used for promoting or providing abortion as family planning.
Trump administration to apply ‘third country’ rule for asylum-seekers
UPDATED - The Trump administration announced the U.S. departments of Justice and Homeland Security are adopting an interim "third country rule" requiring immigrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border to first apply for refugee status in another country.
Pew report on religion restrictions gives U.S. bad marks in key areas
The Pew Research Center's annual report on restrictions on religion worldwide showed the United States had the worst scores in the Americas in three of the eight categories Pew surveyed.