News
Across the U.S., parish life is changing
Pope Francis won't have time on his U.S. visit in September to stop at churches representing a cross-section of Catholic parishes. But he might read the American Parish series starting today, which over three years examined several parishes.
Voting Rights Act at 50: Difficult questions remain on who gets to vote
Current right-to-vote laws vary from state to state. They can be arbitrary, depending on voting history and geographical boundaries. Legislation pending in Congress may change that.
Plight of Christians fleeing Iraq shakes archbishop’s faith
A Chaldean Catholic leader in Iraq inwardly quarrels with God over the flight of 100,000 Christians and others. Still, the archbishop sees providence working among the people.
Maryland group will walk to Philadelphia for papal Mass
A priest and an editor of the Baltimore Catholic newspaper will lead 20 pilgrims from the archdiocese's basilica in a 104-mile pilgrimage for the Sept. 27 Mass with Pope Francis.
Ancient texts of biblical world on exhibit at Penn Museum
Sumerian clay tablets, a papyrus fragment, illustrated manuscripts and early printed Bibles are on display at Penn, in time for the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis' visit.
From Fishtown to Rome: Local priest heads a global order
As a young man, Father David Nicgorski was a Philadelphia union roofer who began going on retreats, which spurred his vocation. Pope Francis named him to lead his religious order, and the priest reflects on his meeting with the pope.
The family and its mission; one month and counting
In four months, it will be Christmas, writes Archbishop Charles Chaput. If the Holy Family could make it to Bethlehem without downtown parking or a SEPTA pass, we can come to Philadelphia to share the gift of the World Meeting of Families with Pope Francis, one month from now.
New Orleans Archdiocese: Forever changed by Hurricane Katrina
Swept away by a flood of biblical proportions on Aug. 29, 2005, New Orleans 10 years later -- in so many ways new, improved and utterly resilient -- is a resurrection city.
Pope sits in the pew at daily Mass in Rome
The priest celebrant, surprised by Pope Francis sitting in the front pew, praised "the sensitivity of a man who was placed at the service of the entire church, but who wants to walk with all the faithful."
Little Sisters get reprieve as 2 courts rule on HHS mandate
Some church-run institutions lost their argument that they would be burdened by the process of opting out of providing contraceptive coverage to employees.