Atheist group says 9/11 museum shouldn’t display cross-shaped beams

An atheist group says a 17-foot-tall cross-shaped steel beam found in the wreckage of the 9/11 attacks should not be displayed in the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, scheduled to open in May near the site of the former World Trade Center.

Pope Francis has ‘added new life’ to office he holds, U.S. bishops say

In his first year as the 265th successor of Peter, Pope Francis "has brought to light new dimensions of the Petrine ministry and added new life to the office he holds," the U.S. bishops' Administrative Committee said March 11. The committee also noted the impact that Pope Francis' leadership and simple lifestyle have had on the world.

Woman who saved dozens wants to stay in Tacloban community she loves

Mention the name of Maria Rosevilla Margate and many of the residents of the community known as Barangay 54A nod approvingly. They know exactly where to find her. Maria Margate's effort to shelter dozens of neighbors in her family's concrete-walled home at the peak of the storm is well-known in the barangay.

Concerns raised about pace of U.S. response to global religious rights

The role of an ambassador-level position in bringing attention to abuses of religious freedom internationally is being emphasized by those who want a vacancy filled quickly or another position created to focus on specific regions -- or both.

Vatican medical experts OK reported miracle attributed to archbishop

A seven-member team of medical experts convoked by the Vatican reported there is no natural explanation for the survival of a child delivered stillborn and whose heart did not start beating until 61 minutes after his birth.

Pope shares anecdotes, talks to priests about mercy, hearing confession

The pope's annual Lenten meeting with Rome pastors focused on the priest's call to be a minister of mercy.

Crisis in Ukraine ‘replay’ of what led up to World War II, says priest

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an extremely dangerous situation that should be of concern to all Americans, said a prominent Ukrainian Catholic priest.

Pope, in interview, suggests church could tolerate some civil unions

Pope Francis suggested the Catholic Church could tolerate some types of nonmarital civil unions as a practical measure to guarantee property rights and health care. He also said the church would not change its teaching against artificial birth control but should take care to apply it with "much mercy."

Lent comes ‘to reawaken us,’ pope says at Ash Wednesday Mass

ROME (CNS) — Lent is meant to wake up Christians and help them see that God can give them the strength to change their...

Use Lent to shed apathy to sin, poverty, indifference to God, pope says

Lent is a time to shed lazy, un-Christian habits and snap out of one's apathy toward people harmed by violence, poverty and not having God in their lives, Pope Francis said. Lent is time to "change course, to recover the ability to respond to the reality of evil that always challenges us."