Destroying creation is destroying a gift of God, pope says at audience
Polluting or destroying the environment is like telling God one does not like what he created and proclaimed to be good, Pope Francis said. On the other hand, he said, safeguarding creation is safeguarding a gift of God.
Continuing a series of audience talks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis said the gift of knowledge helps people see creation with God's eyes.
Soldiers lay down weapons for rosaries as they pray, pay homage to Mary
It looked like any other military parade with bands playing, flags waving and thousands of men and women marching in colorful uniforms decorated with medals and ribbons. But instead of impressive displays of tanks and trucks, troops from dozens of nations fell in line behind religious banners, a large wooden cross and a rose-strewn statue of Mary.
Cardinal hopes synod will find new ways to share teaching on family
Initial reviews of responses from around the world on questionnaires about church teaching on the family in advance of this fall's extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family show that the teaching is misunderstood, said a cardinal who will run one the synod's sessions.
In Holy Land, Pope Francis will focus on unity, not ignore conflict
On Pope Francis' first trip to the Holy Land, May 24-26, his agenda will focus on the search for Christian unity, particularly between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. But inevitably, in a region so rich in history and so fraught with conflict, he will address other urgent issues, including dialogue with Jews and Muslims, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the plight of the Middle East's shrinking Christian population.
Conference attendees agree that the family must be valued by everyone
The first Asian Conference on the Family explored the challenges that traditional families face with the growing acceptance worldwide of same-sex marriage and the ready availability of contraceptives and legalized abortion. Young adults, including a Philippine basketball star, also weighed in on what they value about their families and shared the positive contributions they have made to help keep a "happy home."
If you want peace, end arms trade and help immigrants, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- If individuals and nations are serious about protecting human rights and promoting peace, they must do much more to curb...
‘Black mass’ outcry leads to cancellation, prayers, impromptu event
A Harvard University student group's plan to conduct a satanic ritual "black mass" May 12 on campus brought a public outcry, leading to its formal cancellation and an apparently impromptu off-campus version of the event, as well as a well-attended alternative Catholic holy hour.
The planned event had drawn wide criticism from religious leaders as well as students, alumni and faculty at Harvard.
God makes no one struggle with life’s challenges alone, pope says
God is always by our side, never giving us more than we can handle, Pope Francis said.
The countless women and men who stand tall through enormous difficulties, pain and especially persecution, are armed with the divine gift of fortitude that gives them the strength and hope to go on, he said. His talk continued a series on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Cardinal, at Catholic prayer breakfast, calls for immigration reform
Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, the keynote speaker at the 10th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, issued a call for immigration reform.
Letters to Irish priest reveal Jackie Kennedy’s struggles with faith
Newly released letters between former U.S. first lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Vincentian Father Joseph Leonard, who died in 1964, are set to be auctioned in Dublin in June. She explained that she did not want to be bitter "or bring up my children in a bitter way" and was "trying to make my peace with God."
