News
Pope puts John Paul I on path to sainthood, declares him ‘venerable’
It marks the first major step on the path to sainthood for the pope who died in 1978 at the age of 65, shocking the world and a church that had just mourned the death of Blessed Paul VI.
Pope John Paul I’s speeches showed warmth, sense of history
During his brief pontificate in 1978, Pope John Paul I delivered 19 speeches -- many of which included folksy stories and examples from his own life.
You say you’re ‘spiritual but not religious’: What does that mean?
Despite how often people state their either/or preference (18%), they are outnumbered by people who are both spiritual and religious (29%) and by people who are neither (31%), says a new survey. "Interest in spirituality is increasing," said a Pew researcher.
Stop taking smartphone snapshots during Mass, pope says
The Mass is not a show, but a beautiful, transformative encounter with the true loving presence of Christ, Pope Francis said.
Amid political crisis, Kenyan bishop plan national dialogue forum
Kenyan Catholic bishops have announced plans to convene a national dialogue forum in the face of a political crisis, which they say has left the country's ordinary people on the brink of despair.
Vietnamese diocese begins rebuilding church ruined in ’67 U.S. air raid
Bishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hai Phong celebrated a special Mass Nov. 6 to begin the construction of the new church at the Hai Duong Martyrs Shrine, about 35 miles southeast of Hanoi.
Pope bans cigarette sales at the Vatican
"The reason is very simple: The Holy See cannot contribute to an activity that clearly damages the health of people," Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman, said in a Nov. 9 statement.
Rohingya crisis may grow worse, Caritas official warns
Although Bangladesh has welcomed a massive influx of Rohingya refugees from neighboring Myanmar in recent weeks, a Catholic aid official is worried that the welcome may soon be wearing thin.
Pope remembers Ukrainian priest who mentored him
peaking to a group of professors, students and alumni from the Pontifical Ukrainian College of St. Josephat, a seminary in Rome, the pope said he valued the lessons he learned as a boy from Bishop Stepan Chmil.
Groups urge passage of law protecting conscientious objection to abortion
Rep. Chris Smith, the New Jersey Republican who co-chairs the Bipartisan Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, made another push Nov. 8 for passage of the Conscience Protection Act.