News

Retired pope celebrates 91st birthday

Retired Pope Benedict XVI had a "peaceful and familial" 91st birthday April 16, celebrating with his 94-year-old brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger.

Catholic leaders: Winnie Mandela was a friend to South Africa’s poor

Often called the "Mother of the Nation" and "Mama Winnie," the ex-wife of the late South African President Nelson Mandela "mothered everybody," said Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp.

African, European bishops: Globalization demands vigilance from church

While globalization at its best can enable the sharing of spiritual and material riches, it also can lead to huge destruction, the bishops of Europe and Africa said after a four-day meeting in Fatima, Portugal.

Pope, Christian leaders condemn use of violence against Syria

Sharply criticizing a failure to find nonviolent means of bringing peace to Syria and other parts of the world, Pope Francis appealed to world leaders to work for justice and peace.

Pope joins meeting to prepare synod for the Amazon

Meeting in Rome April 12-13, the presynod council worked with Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, to finalize the preparatory document and related questionnaire for the special assembly next year.

Respect life of severely ill patients like Alfie Evans, pope says

Highlighting the plight of a seriously ill toddler in Great Britain and a severely brain-damaged man in France, Pope Francis called for greater respect for every patient's life and dignity.

‘Is my dad in heaven?’ little boy asks pope

After circling a massive, crumbling public housing complex on the outskirts of Rome, Pope Francis had an emotional encounter with the neighborhood's children.

Bishops: Ending programs would create bigger crisis for El Salvador

Returning the combined 215,000 Salvadorans who benefit from those programs to the country's unrelenting violence and economic instability would mean devastating the nation further, breaking up families in the process and taking away the only income some families have.

MakerDads Summer Retreat

This DAD-KID (prek-6th grade) retreat will turn every old, closed down classroom at St. James (Elkins Park, PA) into a makerspace of a different kind.

Philly basketball lifer named new head coach at La Salle U

Ashley Howard's Catholic roots at Gesu School and Msgr. Bonner High School shaped his philosophy of developing the whole person, not just the athlete. An assistant for years, he's earned his first head coaching stint.