News/International

Ken Hackett, U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, sits for a video interview about the upcoming papal trip to the United States at his embassy offices in Rome Aug. 4.

Ambassador expects Pope to challenge Americans to live nation’s ideals

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VATICAN CITY - The U.S. ambassador to the Holy See believes Pope Francis is not traveling to the United States in September to scold anyone, but to challenge the country's people to live up to their ideals.

Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley says that the Catholic charities have helped countless pregnant women find life-affirming alternatives to abortion, in a letter addressed to senators. O'Malley is pictured in this May 3 photo.

U.S. cardinal urges senators to back measure to defund Planned Parenthood

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WASHINGTON - The head of the U.S. bishops' pro-life committee Aug. 3 urged U.S. senators to take the federal money that goes to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and instead fund women's health care providers that do not promote abortion.

An L.A. judge called the sale of the former convent of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to a restauranteur is invalid. Katy Perry’s offer for the convent is pending on the judge’s decision.

Judge sides with L.A. archbishop on contested convent sale, Katy Perry’s offer in limbo

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LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County Superior Court James Chalfant ruled July 30 that the contested sale of the former convent of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to restaurateur and urban developer Dana Hollister is invalid.

At the time of the unauthorized transaction, the archdiocese had already accepted an alternate offer from pop star Katy Perry, supported by three of the five sisters.

For the third consecutive summer, Pope Francis has decided to remain at the Holy See instead of the papal palace at Castel Gandolfo in Italy.

Pope Francis shuns summer palace again; locals say town losing tourism

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CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Pope Francis is shunning the expansive papal summer palace in Castel Gandolfo for the third time since 2013, a choice that is causing frustration among locals who rely on the tourists a papal visit brings.

Pro-life groups condemn Health Canada abortion drug approval

Pro-life groups condemn Health Canada abortion drug approval

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OTTAWA - Pro-life groups and at least one pro-life Member of Parliament have condemned Health Canada’s July 29 approval of abortion drug RU-486 or mifepristone.

Young adults who watch TV for long periods of time with little physical activity could lead to worse cognitive functions as they go into their midlives, according to a San Francisco-based institute.

New study shows link between TV viewing and Alzheimer's

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WASHINGTON - As if it couldn't get worse for the television industry.

Younger people are leaving TV for other modes of visual entertainment -- the computer and the smartphone, for example. This makes TV viewing more and more the province of older Americans, who have been watching the boob tube ever since the kids of the baby-boom generation welcomed the first TV set their parents brought into the house.

U.S. Franciscan Father Michael Perry, minister general of the Order of Friars Minor, is pictured at the Franciscan headquarters in Rome June 12. Fr. Perry says the canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra is a chance to enter into a dialogue with all cultures and people, especially the Californian native peoples.

Serra canonization should be call to respect cultures, superior says

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ROME - The canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra honours a famous missionary who was motivated by love of God, but it also is a call to recognize how the process of evangelization must respect peoples and their cultures, said the head of the Franciscan order.

Papal parenting guide: Francis delivers his own how-to for families

Papal parenting guide: Francis delivers his own how-to for families

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Pope Francis knows the family is made up of real people living in the real world, which is why he often gives down-to-earth advice.

Carol Remer of Battle Creek, Iowa, leads a chant during a "Women Betrayed" rally in Sioux City July 28. Demonstrations were held in 65 cities across the country calling for an end to federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

Videos on value of fetal tissue prompt renewed call to pro-life awareness

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OXNARD, Calif. - It is uncertain that a California pro-life group's ongoing series of undercover videos that show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the illegal marketing and sale of fetal tissue will lead to defunding for the nation's leading provider of abortion services.

Jesse Craig, vice president of Right to Life at the University of Utah, speaks at the Women Betrayed event in Salt Lake City July 28. Demonstrations were held in 65 cities across the country calling for an end to federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

'Women Betrayed' rallies across U.S. urge defunding of Planned Parenthood

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SALT LAKE CITY - Pro-life advocates from across the Salt Lake Valley rallied peacefully in front of Planned Parenthood July 28, calling for state and federal officials to investigate and defund Planned Parenthood.

An undercover video published by The Center for Medical Progress shows a Planned Parenthood official discussing selling fetal body parts and the abortion procedure needed to keep them intact.

Cardinal says Planned Parenthood videos illustrate 'throwaway culture'

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WASHINGTON - Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley said that Planned Parenthood officials' videotaped descriptions of how fetal tissue and organs are procured for researchers during abortions illustrates what Pope Francis calls today's "throwaway culture."

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