Christians can't ignore differences on life issues, Pope says
VATICAN CITY - Christianity has something to say about human dignity, and "it would be a shame" if differing positions on the sanctity of all human life or on marriage were to increase the divisions among Christian churches and communities, Pope Francis said.
Pope decries 'inhuman terrorist acts' in Australia, Pakistan and Yemen
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis decried the "inhuman terrorist acts" that killed scores of people the previous day in Australia, Pakistan and Yemen.
Vatican seeks to bury the hatchet with American nuns
VATICAN CITY - The Vatican ended a six-year inquiry into U.S. nuns with a report designed to bury their differences and celebrate their contribution to the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan cuts ties with anti-abortion crusader Frank Pavone
NEW YORK - In the latest clash between the Catholic hierarchy and one of the church’s leading anti-abortion crusaders, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan accused the Fr. Frank Pavone of continuing to stonewall on financial reforms, and Dolan said he is cutting ties with his group, Priests for Life.
Destroy hatred, not enemies, to bring peace, papal preacher says
VATICAN CITY - Peace does not come from wiping out enemies, it comes from destroying all hatred with prayer, dialogue and friendship, including in the Church and within the Roman Curia, said the preacher of the papal household.
Monstrance fished from reservoir centerpiece of new adoration chapel
BALTIMORE - A man fishing at the Loch Raven Reservoir in north Baltimore County some two decades ago was convinced he had snagged a big fish after his line hooked something substantial.
Synod disagreement part of a dialogue, Pope says
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis used his weekly audience Dec. 10 to challenge media reports of “clashes between factions” at the recent bishops’ Synod on family issues.
Vatican investigates two former bank managers in embezzlement case
VATICAN CITY - The Vatican City prosecutor has opened an investigation into possible embezzlement by two former top officials at the Institute for the Works of Religion, more commonly called the Vatican bank.
Pope issues decrees in sainthood causes of eight women
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis recognized the miracles needed for the canonization of two Palestinian nuns and of a French woman who founded a religious order.
Former Protestant loved stumping Catholics with Bible verses
OTTAWA - Catholic apologist Tim Staples used to love stumping Catholics with Bible verses in the days he was a Pentecostal, until he met a Catholic who stumped him.
Pope Francis speaks: 5 takeaways from another blockbuster interview
VATICAN CITY - Gay marriage was never on the agenda at the recent Synod of Bishops on the Family and the subject “did not cross our minds,” Pope Francis said in a new headline-grabbing interview.