News
Pope Francis will lead the parades in Philadelphia
Two papal parades, new logistical details and 30,000 tickets for closer access will allow thousands a better glimpse of the pope in Philadelphia later this month.
Doctrine, pastoral realities are not at odds, pope tells theologians
In fact, theologians can help by “taking both the ecclesiastical tradition and current reality very seriously, placing them in dialogue with one another.”
Five judges write rare dissent over court’s decision not to take appeal
A three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit had said that the Little Sisters and their fellow plaintiffs against the federal government are not substantially burdened by the process set out by the Department of Health and Human Services by which they can avoid requirements to provide contraceptive coverage to employees as mandated by the Affordable Care Act.
Church agencies highlight growing urgency of Europe’s refugee crisis
Catholic aid agencies have urged Europeans not to turn against migrants seeking refuge from Syria and other countries, in what media reports describe as the continent's greatest refugee movement since World War II.
Pope Francis visits optician in Rome’s shopping district
The pope visited a store to buy only lenses for his new prescription, and to keep his old frames, which he bought in cash at the shop last year for $6.
Grotto highlights homelessness and Mary as ‘untier of knots’
"The Knotted Grotto" at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul contains 3,000 prayers in the form of knotted ribbons on a lattice-work dome. Much money and more ribbons have been collected to help homeless people.
Pope to celebrate ‘simple weekday Mass’ for 20,000 in NYC
“Simple” takes on a new dimension when the pope is the celebrant, and the congregation clears security checkpoints hours before the Sept. 25 Mass at Madison Square Garden.
Pope meets Israeli president, expresses hopes for peace
Pope Francis and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin met to discuss ways to bring about peace and justice in the volatile Middle East as sectarian and ethnic heat up resulting in increased suffering in Christian and other minority communities.
Britons crying out for more generous response to migrants
The British government has refused to accept migrants fleeing the Middle East and Africa at a time when hundreds of thousands of them are risking their lives to enter Western Europe.
Priest legally changing his name to get around Facebook policy
Facebook told a Byzantine monk he had to change his name to comply with the regulations on authentic identities. Religious and clergy may not use their titles on the social media site.