World News
Vatican releases instruction on identity, mission of religious brothers
The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life released a 50-page reflection "Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church" which highlights the importance of religious brothers and their mission of evangelization, fraternity and sacrifice.
Pope Francis will venerate Mary at Mexico shrine next year
During the Pope's visit to Mexico in February 2016, he will travel to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
Belgian bishops, pros agree: no euthanasia for ‘psychological suffering’
"We're always opposed to euthanasia, so we approve and support this initiative," Jesuit Father Tommy Scholtes, spokesman for the Brussels-based bishops' conference, told Catholic News Service Dec. 11.
Survival of Christianity in Middle East at critical point due to ongoing persecution
Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad said Christians continue to be persecuted, and dialogue and reconciliation in the region are being threatened.
Our Lady of Guadalupe enthusiasm overpowers devotion to St. Juan Diego
Although Juan Diego was declared a saint 13 years ago, a significant devotion to him has not developed since his canonization.
Pope Francis’ 2015: Family, ecology, but mostly mercy
From the heart of the universal church to the heart of Africa, the pope showed how Christians with a joyful, living faith take calculated risks, engage in discernment and even debate, and resist the natural temptation to stay safe and cozy at home, letting everything move along like it always has.
Pope Francis: Holy Year serves as reminder to put mercy before judgment
On the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica to inaugurate the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
With new Argentine president, analysts expect improved church-state ties
"The Argentine Catholic Church will get along much better with Macri than with the Kirchners," said Fernando Farias, a journalist and analyst with Argentine public radio in Buenos Aires.
Activists say human rights, financing pose obstacles to climate accord
Nilles, one of thousands of activists who are at the talks in Paris in hopes of influencing negotiators to safeguard the poor while combating global warming, told CNS it was "crucial" that human rights be part of the final text.
Vatican officials to be called to testify at ‘VatiLeaks’ trial
Vatican judges have granted a request by one of the defendants to have several prominent Vatican officials take the stand and testify in the so-called "VatiLeaks" trial regarding the leaking and publication of confidential documents.