NEWS

Students at Christ the King School in Mesa just returned from Christmas break, but are already leaving the classroom again.

"The church's forgiveness must be every bit as broad as that offered by Jesus on the cross and by Mary at his feet," Pope Francis said.

At least 100 mayors in Mexico have been attacked over the past 10 years as criminal groups attempt to infiltrate and corrupt local governments.

Ongoing refurbishment of the National Mall and strict new regulations that require temporary flooring to protect the grass, moved the rally from the West Front of the Capitol to the Washington Monument grounds.

The explosive global refugee crisis — likely the top debate-generating news story of 2015 — seems destined to dominate domestic and foreign politics for years to come.

Choirsters from St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Scottsdale were among the 6,000 gathered. They held concerts at several churches in Rome and were scheduled to sing in St. Peter's Basilica on New Year's Day.

Five parishes throughout the Diocese of Phoenix’s metro area are hosting “Faustina: Messenger of Divine Mercy” Jan. 5-10.

Drawing on lessons from the angels, the little town of Bethlehem, Caesar Augustus, shepherds and the Magi, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, highlighted true peace and the key to finding it in his Christmas message during Midnight Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral.

After claiming 2014 to be the worst year for religious persecution in China since the Cultural Revolution, observers in and outside the country say 2015 saw the situation deteriorate further.

There were a dozen of them known by name in the last year. The interfaith gathering also remembered those who remain unknown.