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Help end death penalty, debt burden, war, pope tells activists

Working to build dialogue, peace and justice in "our complex and violent world" is a huge and difficult task that requires seeking the common good, he said in a written message to participants at a conference in Rome.

Detroit’s archbishop, imam decry terrorism, pledge to work together

Archbishop Allen Vigneron's visit to the Islamic House of Wisdom came at the invitation of Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi. In matters of religious liberty, "We need to stand together as witnesses today," the archbishop said.

U.S. Catholic leaders visiting Iraq challenged to go home, work for peace

"You have come to listen to your brothers and sisters in Iraq who are suffering. The situation is very hard. We cry out with one voice, 'Don't forget us,'" Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad said.

Religion must be key part of foreign policy, says Madeleine Albright

"There are some who might want to engage in such a bridge-building effort without bringing religion into the conversation -- to them I say, 'Good luck,'" she added.

Pope to visit Armenia in June, then Georgia, Azerbaijan in autumn

Releasing the dates of both trips at the same time was seen as a diplomatic necessity given the ongoing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave in Azerbaijan.

Climate change action is not about taking jobs away, cardinal says

"The same pope cannot be encouraging us to advise bishops to create jobs for people and create joblessness. It's about the need to look beyond; from what appears to be short-term goals to transform it into long-term visions.

Cupich: Pope has ‘intuition about where people live their actual lives’

It does not offer any new rules or norms. Rather, Pope Francis urges careful reflection on ministry to families and, especially, greater consideration in the language and attitude used when working with those who do not fully live church teaching.

Three parishes in So. Phila., two in Delaware County, will partner in June

As announced last weekend, two groups of parishes each will begin a “partnership” that calls for parishes and their churches not to close but to be managed jointly by one pastor.

Transition plan eases sting of Hilltown Catholic school’s closure

Although declining enrollment is forcing St. Agnes-Sacred Heart School to close, financial aid will amount to half of the $3,935 current tuition rate to encourage enrollment at one of six nearby Catholic schools.

Pope urges kidnappers to release captives, including Salesian in Yemen

Father Uzhunnalil was kidnapped from a home for the aged and disabled run by the Missionaries of Charity in Aden. Four Missionaries of Charity and 12 others were murdered in the attack.