Vatican U.N. representative reports high interest in papal visit

Archbishop Bernardito Auza, head of the Holy See's permanent observer mission at the United Nations, told Vatican Radio: "There is so much interest. Everybody wants to see the pope, even from a distance. The dream of so many is to have a selfie with the pope."

Knights’ founder drew principles from ‘heart of Gospel,’ says archbishop

"Father McGivney's charity as a parish priest," Archbishop Lori said, "revealed a soul that had been transfigured, changed, transformed by the Holy Spirit into the living image of God's glory, that is to say, his love. How many lives has Father McGivney's ministry changed and transformed?"

Seminary’s goal to form ‘happy, healthy, holy priests,’ says rector

"Appropriate attention is given to men on what it means to be formed as a priest, but men's formation cannot take place in isolation."

Papal message for World Peace Day to focus on overcoming indifference

Selfishness and fear keep too many people ignorant of the suffering of others and prevent them from finding creative ways to express solidarity and to promote peace, said a statement from the Vatican's justice and peace office.

Forgiveness at heart of healing after Ferguson violence, says archbishop

"Jesus tells us that if we receive him as the bread of life, we will have his life within us," Archbishop Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis said in his homily at a Mass for peace and justice Aug. 9 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. "He shows what this life means on the cross, when he forgives those who killed him."

Church leaders remind Iraqi refugees in Jordan they are not alone

A papal envoy and top Mideast Catholic leaders, including the patriarchs of Iraq and Jerusalem, reminded the world that the persecuted Christians of Iraq are not to be forgotten or abandoned.

Not everyone likes a two-state solution in the Middle East

A Catholic reader rejects the Vatican's support for a Palestinian homeland, and Father Ken Doyle says that is OK.

Dozens of Christians feared to be among 230 kidnapped in Syria

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syria-based activist Bebars al-Talawy said they have no information where militants took their captives after overrunning the heavily populated town of Qaryatain. Al-Talawy put the number of Christians abducted at 60.

British composer’s music chosen for official Year of Mercy hymn

Paul Inwood and 89 other composers around the world had two months to submit their compositions of the music for the official hymn of Year of Mercy.

Knights of Columbus hear of Christian persecution in Middle East

The threat of Christianity's extinction in the region of its birth was a major theme at the Knights' Supreme Convention being held in Philadelphia.