News

Mary was a ‘courageous woman’ up to the end, pope says

Mary was a courageous woman who stood by Jesus even when the crowds turned against him and even though she knew he would face a tragic death, Pope Francis said.

Circus performers have a ‘joyful’ vocation, pope says

Meeting with an association of traveling circus and street performers, carnival workers, musicians and magicians, Pope Francis thanked the artists for their dedication in bringing joy to men, women and children.

Local responsibility, not disunity: Pope moves toward decentralization

Pope Francis talks about the need for a "healthy decentralization" in the Catholic Church, but how that should look and work has been a topic of debate since the Second Vatican Council.

Fallen Houston police sergeant ‘lived’ beatitudes, Texas cardinal says

Sgt. Steve A. Perez died after driving into high water during Hurricane Harvey. The 35-year veteran officer was trying to find his way to work as Harvey's record rainfall flooded hundreds of streets in the fourth largest city in the nation.

Vatican diplomat recalled from U.S. during child-porn investigation

A member of the Vatican diplomatic corps serving in Washington is involved in a criminal investigation, the Vatican said Sept. 15. The U.S. State Department notified the Holy See Aug. 21 "of a possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images."

Church facilities in Miami Archdiocese spared major damage during Irma

Even the initial reports from the hardest hit portion of the archdiocese -- the lower Keys, where the Category 4 storm made landfall Sept. 10 -- were cautiously optimistic.

Priest in constant recovery mode for parishioners who ‘lost everything’

Three weeks after Hurricane Harvey ripped through the Texas Gulf, where it first made landfall and flattened or tore apart homes and businesses in its path, residents were still picking up the pieces, literally, while dealing with no running water or electricity and limited cellphone service.

Wuerl: Pope sees ‘journeying together’ as essential to life of church

The process of "journeying together" reflects not only the pontiff's pastoral approach, but also offers a template for how priests and laypeople can accompany others to help them understand and live the faith, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl said.

Mount St. Mary’s hosts weekend in honor of last Fatima apparition

The National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Maryland is the site of the Oct. 13-15 observance of the last apparitions of Mary in Fatima 100 years ago, featuring rosary devotions, confessions and Mass.

Holy Land trip helps U.S. military veterans overcome PTSD

Heroes to Heroes has taken 14 groups of U.S. veterans -- including those who served in Vietnam -- to meet with their Israeli counterparts and visit holy sites. It is a peer-support program with the goal of helping achieve spiritual healing and preventing suicide.