NATION/WORLD

The prayers of nuns and monks are like "oxygen" for all members of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said.

Every Christian has a vocation to respond to God's love and to share that love with others, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis has appointed 19 people as members of the Dicastery for Evangelization's first section and has named another 15 as consultants.

The president of the Pontifical Academy for Life affirms his opposition to euthanasia and assisted suicide but believes that to end confusion in the country, the Italian Parliament needs to make clear laws about withdrawing end-of-life care, his office said.

The ministry of lay Catholics, whether formally instituted by the church or simply inspired by the Holy Spirit to serve the needs of others, flows from baptism and a recognition that every Christian is called to take part in the mission of the church, Pope Francis said.

Jesus knows how to turn every difficulty or fall into a step forward, Pope Francis said.

By calling itself the "Papal Foundation" and supporting projects identified by the Vatican, members of the U.S.-based group have an obligation to promote the unity of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said.

When Alice Fantoni specialized in fine arts in high school, the question people posed over and over was, "But what will you do with that?"

Catholics gathered at the continental level say the Catholic Church must be united, not uniform, and embrace its many forms of expression throughout the world, said members of the synod preparatory commission after a weeklong meeting at the Vatican.

A "breakdown in communication" led to permission being given to a group of Anglican clergy who held an Anglican service in Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran, said Auxiliary Bishop Guerino Di Tora of Rome, vicar for the basilica's chapter.