News
Iraqi priest rebuilds church in war-torn Mosul, hopes faithful follow
Christians are cautiously returning to Mosul, the once-bustling Iraqi city that for three years was the capital of the caliphate established by the Islamic State group.
Death penalty is fruit of laws lacking humanity, mercy, pope says
The death penalty is an inhumane form of punishment that ignores the primacy of mercy in the name of justice, Pope Francis said.
True Christmas celebrates Jesus, who is tender, humble, pope says
With Christmas just over a week away, visitors came to St. Peter's Square with their Baby Jesus figurines for a traditional blessing by the pope.
Pope celebrates his birthday with clients of Vatican pediatric clinic
Dozens of children, their parents and the clinic volunteers anticipated Pope Francis' 82nd birthday, singing for him and giving him a large cake Dec. 16. His birthday was the next day.
Vatican Museums to launch full virtual tour to increase accessibility
In the technology support department at the Vatican Museums, Villanova University student Justin Myers is spending a semester creating virtual tours of galleries, part of a larger project to make the museums accessible to everyone.
Archbishop Nienstedt’s ministry restricted in Minnesota archdiocese
Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Dec. 14 that until "all open allegations are resolved," his predecessor, Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, is not free to exercise public ministry in the archdiocese.
Faith advocates see victories in new farm bill
The farm bill that passed both houses of Congress by wide margins doesn't have money in it to protect endangered species, but it did preserve one that had been on the threatened list: bipartisanship.
L.A. archdiocese to seek charges against two nuns for embezzlement
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has changed its mind about not seeking charges against two women religious who were found to have "misappropriated" a "substantial amount" of money, perhaps up to half a million dollars, from one of its Catholic schools.
Religious freedom laws meant to be ‘shield, not sword,’ says speaker
Religious freedom is widely misunderstood, prone to being used only for political purposes and is identified by the public mostly with the Republican politicians. And its enshrinement in law requires constant vigilance on all sides.
Catechism revision adds impetus in death penalty abolition fight
The revision to section 2267 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls capital punishment "an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person," and commits the church to work "with determination" for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.