Vatican official calls for shared responsibility in protecting planet

Cardinal Pietro Parolin told the U.N. Climate Summit that "warming of the climate system is unequivocal. It is a very serious problem which ... has grave consequences for the most vulnerable sectors of society and, clearly, for future generations."

All nations need to respond to terrorism, Vatican official tells U.N.

Addressing the U.N. Security Council, the Vatican's secretary of state said "terrorism represents a fundamental threat to our common humanity." Nations must come together "to fulfill our primary responsibility to protect people threatened by violence and direct assaults on their human dignity," Cardinal Pietro Parolin said.

Wish a fond farewell to Bishop Thomas at cathedral

Everyone is invited to join Bishop Daniel E. Thomas for an evening prayer liturgy, benediction and reception Wednesday, Oct. 1 before he leaves for Toledo, Ohio to be installed Oct. 22 as that diocese’s eighth bishop.

Jesuit keeps love of creation, justice for the poor foremost in life

There's a twinkle in the eye of Jesuit Father Albert Fritsch as he looks at the small orchard of plum and apple trees on the grassy field that runs between his home and St. Elizabeth Church, where he has served as pastor for the past 10 years.

Frequently asked questions about the extraordinary synod of bishops

When and where is it? What is this? What is its purpose?

Details on World Meeting of Families emerge as countdown begins

Monday, Sept. 22 marked exactly one year before the start of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, so organizers for the event took the occasion to brief staff of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on the latest details.

Get the go-ahead from Congress before another war

The lesson of Vietnam is that presidents should not begin wars unilaterally and then dare Congress to pull the plug on them afterward, writes John Garvey. President Obama should seek permission from Congress for this war in Iraq and Syria. And Congress should give it to him.

Bishop Cupich named to succeed Cardinal George as Chicago archbishop

The Archdiocese of Chicago now knows who will succeed Cardinal Francis E. George.

Despite 50 years of ‘War on Poverty,’ prosperity for many seems elusive

According to the Census Bureau's new statistics, released Sept. 16, poverty in the United States is down, but only slightly.

Doctrinal wars? Both sides fire over Communion for divorced, remarried

The extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family will not open until Oct. 5, but some of its most prominent members are already publicly debating what is bound to be one of its most controversial topics: the eligibility of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion.