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Pope Francis meets with students in Paul VI audience hall on May 31, 2014.

Pope Francis back from Ariccia with new seeds planted

Feb 27, 2015

By Elise Harris

After a weeklong spiritual retreat outside of Rome, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to the priest who led the reflections,... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Dec. 3, 2014.

This Lent, the Pope has a message for lapsed Catholics: It's never too late

Feb 27, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Fallen away Catholics are being invited to “come home” this Lent through a worldwide initiative led by Pope Francis, which... Read more

Fr. Alexis Prem Kumar (second from left) seen with his family after his release, February 2015.

Jesuit priest's cheerful disposition kept hope alive during Afghan captivity

Feb 27, 2015

By Elise Harris

A key player in working for the release of a Jesuit priest held by suspected Taliban militants in Afghanistan for... Read more

Paper money.

Are wealthy US foundations paying to suppress religious freedom?

Feb 13, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

Questions are being raised over two U.S. foundations that have poured more than three million dollars into abortion rights, LGBT... Read more

Pope Francis hugs a former homeless girl Glyzelle Palomar at a youth rally in Manila Jan. 18

What Pope Francis learned from homeless girl: 'Cry with the suffering!'

Jan 17, 2015

Pope Francis praised Filipino former homeless girl Glyzelle Palomar for asking why God allows children to suffer, saying her tearful... Read more

Fr. Federico Lombardi speaks at a press conference Feb. 11, 2013.

Prayers asked for woman killed in freak accident at papal Mass

Jan 17, 2015

A local woman was killed at an airport near Tacloban, Philippines where Pope Francis had just celebrated Mass for thousands... Read more

Pope Francis met with street children during his visit to the Philippines on Jan. 16, 2015.

A simple, intense encounter: Pope Francis and Manila's street kids

Jan 17, 2015

By Elise Harris, Alan Holdren

Deviating from his schedule of events in the Philippines, Pope Francis had a brief but emotionally intense encounter with former... Read more

Ensemble Tropical Rainfall Potential Map for  Mekkhala passing over the Philippines.

What the Pope wasn't able to say in the Philippines

Jan 17, 2015

On Jan. 17, Pope Francis visited the Philippine city of Tacloban, which is still recovering from the devastating effects of... Read more

Maan George Hanna, an Iraqi Christian refugee at a church shelter in Jordan.

Iraqi Christians say there's no going home after rise of Islamic State

Jan 7, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

Christians lived in Iraq for nearly two thousand years, but the violent rise of the Islamic State has convinced many... Read more

Dr. William E. May, of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America, died Dec. 13, 2014.

William May, the prof who renounced his dissent from Humanae Vitae

Dec 18, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

William E. May, a professor who retracted his one-time dissent from Humanae vitae and became an influential pro-life teacher and... Read more

Conscience rights for DC religious schools threatened by city vote

Dec 10, 2014

By Matt Hadro

The Washington D.C. city council has stripped religious schools of legal protection against certain discrimination lawsuits, voting unanimously to repeal... Read more

Marquette University.

Catholic profs told to report opposition to 'gay marriage' as harassment

Dec 9, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

An anti-harassment training presentation at a Catholic college encourages employees to report critics of “gay marriage” – and could reflect... Read more

Syrian refugee and Caritas Jordan volunteer Amer Fahd Al Naser, his wife Noor and their sons at their apartment in Jordan, Oct. 27, 2014.

Amid Syrian refugee relief, Christians and Muslims find fellowship

Nov 20, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

A Syrian Muslim refugee aided by the Catholic relief agency Caritas Jordan now volunteers to help other refugees, saying the... Read more

Sr. Cristina sings on

Singing nun's Madonna cover: not like a prayer

Oct 22, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

Although it may have been well intentioned, an Italian nun’s choice of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” as her first single... Read more

Carina Nebula, NGC 3324.

Holy See to UN: Share the riches of outer space

Oct 22, 2014

The exploration of outer space can deepen our faith in God and our understanding of the world, and its benefits... Read more

Mass is said at the St. John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C., for the late Pope's optional memorial, Oct. 22, 2014.

Hundreds flock to US shrine to celebrate first feast of St John Paul II

Oct 22, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Hundreds of pilgrims and faithful from all states of life flocked to Washington, D.C.'s St. John Paul II Shrine on... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, speaks to CNA Oct. 22, 2014.

Ecumenical dialogue in the spotlight as Pope's Turkey trip approaches

Oct 22, 2014

By Elise Harris

The cardinal heading the Church’s council for Christian Unity has expressed his hope that Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Turkey... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during a Wednesday General Audience.

The Pope's advice on how to overcome jealousy and pride

Oct 22, 2014

By Ann Schneible

In his weekly address for the Wednesday general audience, Pope Francis offered advice on fighting those tendencies which “dismember” the... Read more

Dr. Geraldine Kelley, a translator of entries in the

The USSR's Catholic martyrs suffered, but they suffered for God

Oct 22, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

Catholic victims of the Soviet Union’s cruel anti-Christian persecutions faced execution, exile and arbitrary imprisonment for their faith – and... Read more

Robert George.

Religious freedom deteriorating, but don't despair, official says

Oct 21, 2014

Although religious freedom conditions around the globe are worsening, Americans should see this fact as a cause for motivation rather... Read more