Padre Pio showed the world that 'God is real,' Cardinal O'Malley says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- St. Pio of Pietrelcina did not boast of his fame or holiness but instead showed that God "chooses the weak to confuse the strong,"...
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Help the poor and the planet, pope tells young economists, entrepreneurs
ROME (CNS) -- Acknowledging how young people have been given a world marked by inequality, injustice, war and environmental degradation, Pope Francis urged...
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Northern Ireland census shows more Catholics than Protestants
DUBLIN (CNS) -- More people in Northern Ireland now identify as Catholic than Protestant for the first time in the history of the jurisdiction, new census...
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Cardinal Parolin, Russian foreign minister meet at U.N.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the U.N....
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What is the Doctrine of Discovery and will Vatican statement affect it?
TORONTO (CNS) -- A date for a new papal statement on the Doctrine of Discovery, promised by Pope Francis on his way home from Canada to Rome, has not been...
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Papal envoy delivers aid to Ukraine under gunfire
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Polish Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, papal almoner, said he and several others came under gunfire while delivering humanitarian aid...
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Editor says renewal of Vatican agreement with China is on the horizon
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As the October deadline approaches for the extension of the Vatican's agreement with the Chinese government, the newly appointed...
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Russian priest says Catholics, including clerics, fear conscription
A senior Russian priest dismissed President Vladimir Putin's threats of nuclear war as "just words," but said many young Catholics now fear being forcibly...
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Honor Aquinas, don't instrumentalize him, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When reflecting on and teaching about St. Thomas Aquinas or any of the great theologians or philosophers, there is a danger of using...
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Making room: Catholics with disabilities hope synod will hear their voices
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Gospel of St. John tells the story of Jesus' encounter with a man who was born blind. Upon seeing him, the disciples asked Jesus...
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Making money must serve spiritual mission, pope tells Norbertines
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A religious community must make sure its economic activity serves its mission, fulfills its charism and never becomes an end in itself,...
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Prayers, support needed for those with Alzheimer's disease, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Marking World Alzheimer's Day Sept. 21, Pope Francis asked people to pray for all those affected by the illness, including families...
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Pope calls for increased assistance to those hit by Hurricane Fiona
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As Hurricane Fiona swept across the Caribbean, leaving behind numerous victims and material destruction, Pope Francis called for...
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Pope decries savagery, monstrosities against people in Ukraine
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Highlighting the "terrible situation" unfolding in Ukraine, Pope Francis again called for prayers for the nation's "noble and martyred"...
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UPDATE: Bishops in Belgium authorize prayer for committed gay couples
BRUSSELS (CNS) -- The Flemish-speaking bishops of Belgium have appointed a contact person for ministry to and with gay Catholics and have authorized prayer...
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Vatican basilica provides background for new film on St. Peter
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For two weeks in October, the facade of St. Peter's Basilica will be the screen for the nighttime showing of a short film about the...
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Cardinal prays at queen's funeral, signaling Charles' openness to dialogue
LONDON (CNS) -- An English cardinal took part in the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in an indication of openness of the British Royal family to ecumenical...
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'Enough is enough,' say Cameroon bishops after kidnapping, church burning
YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon (CNS) -- Catholic bishops in Cameroon's war-torn English-speaking regions said they were left in "shock and utter horror" following...
Read MoreCardinal: Candidates for sainthood must be inspirational models of holiness
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While all Christians are called to live a life of holiness, only some are recognized as having lived life in such a way that they...
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Pope Francis' representative in Ukraine shot at while delivering aid
Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Pope Francis' representative in Ukraine, was shot at Saturday as he delivered humanitarian aid near the city of Zaporizhzhia,...
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Archbishop Paul Gallagher to represent Pope Francis at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral
Pope Francis' representative at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be veteran Vatican diplomat Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Holy See press office...
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To serve, not be served: Curia called to help bishops, bishops' conferences
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' reform of the Roman Curia emphasizes work in the Vatican as a service not only to the pope, but also to dioceses and...
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Pope: Under right conditions, nations may buy weapons for self-defense
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM KAZAKHSTAN (CNS) -- Under the right moral conditions, a country has the right to purchase weapons to defend itself from those...
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Pope urges world leaders to 'work for peace, not weapons'
NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (CNS) -- Speaking on behalf of dozens of religious leaders, Pope Francis called on world leaders to put an end to violence and bloodshed...
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Kazakh bishop says his criticisms of pope are sign of collegiality
NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (CNS) -- Awaiting the arrival of Pope Francis, a bishop who frequently criticizes Pope Francis told reporters that speaking up when...
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Lebanese nun says she learned from writing icon for London shrine
BEIRUT (CNS) -- In London, prayers now rise up to God from the shrine of Mary, Mother of Persecuted Christians, and also from Lebanon, where the shrine's...
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Pope: Religions must be purified of extremism, self-righteousness
NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (CNS) -- As war, violence and extremism in countries around the world threaten the lives of countless men, women and children, religions...
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Arriving in Kazakhstan, pope makes case for peace
NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (CNS) -- Arriving in Kazakhstan, a country that borders Russia, Pope Francis said he came as a "pilgrim of peace" at a time when...
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Germany's fourth synodal assembly ends with proposals for reforms
FRANKFURT, Germany (CNS) -- The fourth plenary assembly of the Synodal Path in Frankfurt ended Sept. 10 with a series of far-reaching reform resolutions. They...
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Young must hasten to share God's love, pope says in WYD message
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Like Mary, who after the Annunciation went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth, young Catholics are called to welcome Jesus into...
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Pope asks for prayers before Kazakhstan visit
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis asked Christians to pray for him before he embarks on a three-day visit to Kazakhstan. The pope, who will attend the...
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British Catholics, Pope Francis pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
MANCHESTER, England (CNS) -- Catholics in the U.K. paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death Sept. 8 and the end of a reign that lasted more...
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Before her murder by insurgents, Italian nun called niece for prayers
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Perhaps just hours or less before her murder in northern Mozambique as militants swept into the area, Comboni Sister Maria De Coppi...
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Australian bishops offer Catholic schools guidance on identity, gender
Catholic bishops in Australia have released guidelines for the country's almost 2,000 Catholic schools on gender, urging school leaders to resist pressure...
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Wisdom of centuries: Swedish cardinal says much to learn from church's past
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The prophecies and revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden, who lived in Rome for nearly 20 years until her death in 1373, were known...
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Keep pushing forward, Chilean bishops say after voters reject constitution
MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- Bishops in Chile have urged citizens to push forward with trying to write a new constitution and reach a new social pact after voters...
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ENCORE: Pope calls on people to modify their lifestyles
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Humanity can no longer ignore the cries of the earth that is suffering due to greed and the excessive consumption of its resources,...
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How Eduardo Verastegui's latest film inspired him to fight human trafficking
Catholic actor Eduardo Verastegui has launched a national campaign in Mexico to combat human trafficking. Inspired by his latest film, "Sound of Freedom,"...
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Vatican Library invites world's scholars to read, contribute to new journal
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican Library, one of the world's oldest libraries, has launched a new scholarly journal to help promote high-quality research,...
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Discernment means recognizing God in the unexpected, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Discerning the will of God means being able to listen to one's own heart and recognize the Lord's presence in the unexpected events...
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German Synodal Path assembly set; some texts need approval from Vatican
BONN, Germany (CNS) -- The plenary assembly of the German Synodal Path meeting in Frankfurt Sept. 8-10 will start by debating a 32-page text on sexual...
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Cardinal congratulates new U.K. prime minister, urges focus on poor
MANCHESTER, England (CNS) -- Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster congratulated the United Kingdom's new prime minister, Liz Truss, and urged her to...
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Zero tolerance for priests guilty of abuse, pope says in interview
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Calling sexual abuse "diabolical" and a "monstrosity," Pope Francis underlined there is "zero tolerance" for those in the church...
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Pope issues new constitution, code for the Order of Malta
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For the unity and greater good of the Knights of Malta, Pope Francis has promulgated a new constitution and code for the order, appointed...
Read MoreBlessed John Paul I, 'the smiling pope,' showed God's goodness, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Beatifying Blessed John Paul I, Pope Francis praised the late pope for showing the world God's goodness and for living the Gospel...
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Pope prays for 'beloved Argentina' after assassination attempt against VP
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Following the attempted assassination of Argentine Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Pope Francis expressed his concern...
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Gorbachev, St. John Paul had great appreciation for each other
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who died at age 91 Aug. 30 in Moscow after a long illness, met several times with St....
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New cardinals feel honored, humbled, ready to promote renewal of church
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Becoming a member of the broad, unique body of the College of Cardinals is both a great honor and an invitation to help promote a...
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New duties do not diminish call to evangelize, pope tells cardinals
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Jesus' call to spread the Gospel should fill all Christians, especially those within the church hierarchy, with a sense of wonder...
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Pope: Correct view of tradition nurtures beauty, grandeur of the liturgy
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The liturgy must be nurtured with care and never be neglected or abused, Pope Francis said. "The liturgy is Christ's work and the...
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Family under attack by ideologies, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians are called to bring hope to those going through dark times, especially families who are threatened by ideologies prevalent...
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Pope praises Gorbachev's commitment to harmony, fraternity, progress
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis offered his prayers and praise for former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who died at age 91 Aug. 30 in Moscow after...
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New film on Mother Teresa seeks to put 20th-century saint back in spotlight
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With St. Teresa of Kolkata's death 25 years ago, there is an entire generation of young men and women who did not see much about...
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Death penalty encourages revenge, not justice, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The death penalty is an affront to human dignity that offers no solace to victims and denies the possibility for conversion of those...
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Synod official expresses confidence in Germany's Synodal Path
FREIBURG, Germany (CNS) -- Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, said he continues to have confidence in the Synodal Path of...
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Vatican says papal remarks on Dugina defended life, were not political
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' comments on the death of Darya Dugina, a 29-year-old commentator with a nationalist Russian TV channel, were meant...
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Newly created Cardinal McElroy celebrates Mass in Rome
ROME (CNS) -- Christian humility implies placing one's desire to maintain appearances or selfish interests aside and instead putting the well-being of...
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Without forgiveness, humility, pope says, then injustice, wars will rage
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The world will keep witnessing wars, violence and injustice as long as people fail to understand that true freedom comes from seeking...
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UPDATE: Pope creates 20 new cardinals, including San Diego bishop
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a ceremony to create 20 new cardinals, Pope Francis encouraged the College of Cardinals to have the same spiritual zeal for all...
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Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summons nuncio over papal comments on car bomb
KYIV, Ukraine (CNS) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, Pope Francis' ambassador to Ukraine, to express disappointment...
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