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Pope Francis meets with the community of Rome's Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital at the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, Dec. 15, 2016.

Mary models for the sick 'surrender to God's will'

Dec 15, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Thursday announced the theme for the 25th World Day of the Sick, “Amazement at what God has... Read more

Italian priest cancels Nativity display to avoid offending people

Dec 15, 2016

An Italian priest is under fire from locals for deciding against setting up the typical Nativity scene in his town’s... Read more

Pope Francis speaks with the Diplomatic Corps Ac

Pope to ambassadors: make 'courageous' choice for nonviolence

Dec 15, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Thursday Pope Francis accepted the credentials of six new ambassadors to the Holy See, urging them to work toward... Read more

Who was that priest praying the rosary at the Army-Navy game?

Dec 15, 2016

By Matt Hadro

You might have seen an Army chaplain devoutly praying the rosary on the sideline during Saturday's Army-Navy football game. Who... Read more

Massachusetts churches claim victory in religious freedom lawsuit

Dec 15, 2016

By Matt Hadro

Four Massachusetts churches pulled their lawsuit against the state Monday after they received religious exemptions from the state's transgender law.  Read more

Dawn at the U.S. Capitol Building.

Major religious freedom law might get a Christmas upgrade

Dec 14, 2016

By Matt Hadro

After almost 20 years, a landmark religious freedom bill may finally be getting a big upgrade.  Read more

 Donald Trump.

Our Lady of Guadalupe asked to touch Trump's 'hardened heart'

Dec 14, 2016

Cardinal Norberto Rivera of Mexico City commended to Our Lady of Guadalupe the millions of migrants who have left behind... Read more

Ultrasound.

Ohio governor signs 20-week abortion ban, vetoes heartbeat bill

Dec 14, 2016

By Matt Hadro

On Tuesday, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) signed a bill banning abortions performed after five months of pregnancy in most... Read more

A view of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica from the Vaticans Apostolic Palace.

Mission, synodality key themes in latest round of cardinal meetings

Dec 14, 2016

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals met for the 17th time this week, with synodality and the Church’s “missionary drive” forming... Read more

Drop plans to expand death penalty, bishops ask Philippines

Dec 14, 2016

Catholic prayer and protests greeted proposals to expand the use of the death penalty in the Philippines, with the move... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to pilgrims during his Dec. 14, 2016, general audience.

Pope: the world desperately needs hope – and we are the messengers

Dec 14, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Wednesday spoke about the hope that the Child Jesus brings at Christmastime, saying it is our duty to... Read more

Children in South Sudan, which has suffered civil war since December 2013.

Year of Mercy was especially needed in South Sudan, bishop notes

Dec 14, 2016

By Matt Hadro

The Jubilee Year of Mercy was observed throughout the world but one bishop in South Sudan, suffering from war and... Read more

ISIS may be gone, but Mosul still faces a long winter ahead

Dec 14, 2016

Christians, Muslims and other victims of ISIS feel relief over the terrorist group being pushed back from the Nineveh Plain... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, Nov. 18, 2015.

In stressing error of clericalism, Francis calls for humble priests

Dec 13, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his homily at Mass Tuesday, Pope Francis spoke harshly about what he considers one of the great dangers of... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Guayaquil in Ecuador on July 6, 2015.

Pope Francis sends condolences on death of Opus Dei leader

Dec 13, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

On hearing of the Dec. 12 death of Bishop Javier Echevarría Rodríguez, the Prelate of Opus Dei, Pope Francis sent... Read more

Bishop Edward J. Burns in the Cathedral of the Nativity, in Juneau.

Juneau bishop to head Dallas diocese

Dec 13, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

After what was a very short vacancy for the Diocese of Dallas, the Vatican announced Tuesday that Bishop Edward J.... Read more

Redefining marriage doesn't redefine birth certificates, court says

Dec 13, 2016

Children’s birth certificates must be linked to biological parentage, the Arkansas Supreme Court has said in a ruling that involved... Read more

Pope Francis blows out candles on a cake for his 78th birthday in St. Peter's Square during his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 17, 2014.

This is how Pope Francis will celebrate his 80th birthday

Dec 13, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Saturday, Dec. 17, Pope Francis will celebrate his 80th birthday, which he will spend doing what he normally does:... Read more

How India's 'unreached' tribal areas are being evangelized

Dec 13, 2016

By Elise Harris

Every day in the remote villages of Northeast India courageous priests and nuns are braving the elements of the wild... Read more

New Christian thriller takes on proof of soul in DNA

Dec 12, 2016

By Perry West

What if proof for God's existence – and our very souls – could be found within our DNA?  Read more