Pastors find options to help coax people back to Sacrament of Reconciliation
DETROIT - When Fr. Benjamin Kosnac decided to start offering confessions 30 minutes before every Mass, he wasn't sure anyone would come.
Vatican statistics report increase in baptized Catholics worldwide, strong growth in Africa and Asia
VATICAN CITY - The number of baptized Catholics worldwide has grown at a faster rate than that of the world's population, according to Vatican statistics.
Pope Francis calls murdered nuns in Yemen ‘today’s martyrs’
Pope Francis said four nuns executed by gunmen in Yemen at a home where they cared for elderly and disabled residents are “today’s martyrs.”
Pope Francis changes remarriage rules (for heads of state)
There is intense anticipation in the Catholic Church — and no small amount of anxiety for traditionalists — over what Pope Francis will say about Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics in a key document expected in the coming weeks.
Oscar-winning Spotlight not anti-Catholic
VATICAN CITY - The Vatican newspaper has come to the defense of the Oscar-winning film, Spotlight, which has been viewed as “anti-Catholic” by some observers.
For 'Mercy Friday' initiative, Pope visits young addicts at rehab center
VATICAN CITY - In the second of his "Mercy Friday" gestures, Pope Francis spent two hours with a group of young adults at a Catholic-run residential drug rehabilitation center.
Ordination is call to service, says new Bishop Tighe
VATICAN CITY - In the presence of family, bishops and priests from Ireland and colleagues from the Vatican, Irish Msgr. Paul Tighe was ordained a bishop Feb. 27 by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.
Vatican envoys risk their lives to end 'World War III,' archbishop says
VATICAN CITY - Even in the midst of bombings, Vatican ambassadors stay put, risking their lives while working to end what Pope Francis has termed a "piecemeal" World War III, said the Vatican minister of foreign affairs.
Long forgotten altar stone a relic of Church’s past
TORONTO - Finding a portable altar stone containing first class relics among the forgotten items in the basement of the Paulist Centre for Catholic Evangelization caught Fr. Michael McGourty by surprise.
Pope's Via Crucis meditations will look at crosses humanity bears today
VATICAN CITY - By reflecting on the Passion of Christ, the author of the Way of the Cross meditations for Pope Francis' Good Friday service said he will focus on the suffering unfolding in the world today and how "the martyrs of the 21st century are undoubtedly the apostles of today."
Fresh start: Pope calls for integration of divorced into Church life
VATICAN CITY - Those who hope Pope Francis will give divorced and civilly remarried Catholics a blanket welcome back to Communion and those who fear he will open the doors to such a possibility are both likely to be disappointed by his decision.