Pope ties Church movements Mass to Pentecost

May 19, 2013 - 07:22 am .- St. Peter’s Square was “transformed into an open-air Cenacle,” Pope Francis said after he celebrated Pentecost with Church movements.

Spirit's surprises are way to happiness, Pope teaches

May 19, 2013 - 06:58 am .- Around 200,000 pilgrims packed St. Peter’s Square to celebrate Pentecost with Pope Francis, who called on them to be open to “God’s surprises” because they bring true happiness.

Church to celebrate St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi

May 19, 2013 - 06:02 am .- On May 25, the Catholic Church celebrates Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, an Italian noblewoman of the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries who became a Carmelite nun distinguished for her intense prayer life and devotion to frequent Holy Communion.

Catholic Charities USA laments food assistance cuts

May 18, 2013 - 04:03 pm .- Catholic Charities USA and other agencies across the country harshly criticized a $21 billion cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program included in the Farm Bill introduced recently to Congress.

Study shows undocumented immigrants largely Christian

May 18, 2013 - 01:01 pm .- A new study says that undocumented immigrants to the U.S. tend to be more Christian than the general population, while new legal permanent residents tend to be less Christian.

Gossip is like slapping Jesus, Pope asserts

May 18, 2013 - 09:15 am .- Pope Francis spoke today about how gossip by Christians is a “slap” to Jesus “in the person of his children.”

American seminarians win Clericus Cup second time

May 18, 2013 - 07:30 am .- The North American Martyrs succeeded in clinching the Clericus Cup for the second year in a row, beating the seminarians from Mater Ecclesiae by a score of 1-0.

Donohue says IRS probe triggered by Catholics United

May 18, 2013 - 06:02 am .- Bill Donohue of the Catholic League said he was “stunned” that the IRS investigated his organization in 2008, charging that the Democrat-leaning group Catholics United filed the complaint and used it to argue that CNN should drop him as a commentator.

Marriage advocates plan to sue IRS over leaks

May 17, 2013 - 05:03 pm .- The National Organization for Marriage is filing a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, after its confidential tax return was leaked from the agency to the group's chief political opposition.

Peruvian bishop recalls 25th anniversary of John Paul II's visit

May 17, 2013 - 04:00 pm .- Archbishop Jose Antonio Eguren of Piura recounted the Eucharistic love and call to holiness of Blessed Pope John Paul II on his second visit to Peru, 25 years ago.

Spanish bishop exhorts faithful to speak out against abortion

May 17, 2013 - 12:02 pm .- Bishop Demetrio Fernandez of Cordoba, Spain, is calling on the faithful not to remain silent about the genocide of abortion and to work for “policies inspired in the culture of life.”

Pope's mission app launch spreads Gospel

May 17, 2013 - 11:30 am .- With the touch of an iPad, Pope Francis became the first pontiff to unlock a new smartphone application and expanded the Church’s footprint in the digital world.

Pope tells story of bishop who felt 'unworthy'

May 17, 2013 - 10:35 am .- Pope Francis told the story of a man who felt ashamed of being a bishop to say that people should not worry of being sinners but should concentrate on allowing Jesus to transform them.

Pope points mission societies toward young churches

May 17, 2013 - 09:58 am .- Pope Francis met this afternoon with the directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies and encouraged them to help “the young churches” that operate in difficult and sometimes hostile circumstances.

Pope's plan to visit Bonaria shrine thrills pastor

May 17, 2013 - 05:05 am .- Father Giovannino Tolu said his heart began racing when he heard that Pope Francis will the visit the shrine he oversees on the Italian island of Sardinia, making it the fourth time he has received a pontiff.

Pro-life groups claim to be among IRS targets

May 17, 2013 - 04:02 am .- Along with its targeting of conservative political groups for extra scrutiny, Internal Revenue Service employees also reportedly singled out pro-life leaders for intimidation.

Gay adoption bill could downsize Catholic agencies

May 17, 2013 - 02:04 am .- As a new bill aims to bar federal funding of adoption services that do not place children with gay couples, an Illinois Catholic leader warned a similar law there downsized faith-based agencies.

Vatican representative at UN pleads for end to Syria 'bloodbath'

May 17, 2013 - 12:06 am .- The apostolic nuncio to the United Nations urged those with influence over the warring parties in Syria to encourage them to end the violence and seek peace.

'Chasm' exists between Pope, liberation theology

May 16, 2013 - 08:04 pm .- Even though Pope Francis is deeply concerned for the poor and has been praised by liberation theologians, there is a stark divide between the pontiff and them, according to a Vatican analyst.

Catholic professor says IRS audit deterred her criticisms of Obama

May 16, 2013 - 05:18 pm .- A Catholic professor says that an IRS audit that may have been politically motivated made her much less likely to criticize President Barack Obama in her writings.