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FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis calls for prayers for victims of recent terrorist attacks in Syria as he reads a statement during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 25.

Mercy received must be mercy shared, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY – God’s mercy is infectious and must be shared with others, Pope Francis said.

Priests carry the statue of the Black Madonna during a procession around the Church of the Black Madonna to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary on Aug. 15, 2016, in Letnica, Kosovo.

Pilgrims crowd church where Mother Teresa once prayed

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LETNICA, Kosovo – The thousands of pilgrims who flocked to the bright white Church of the Black Madonna this year were hoping to receive the gift of grace that one of its most famous parishioners once experienced.

Pope Francis greets Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of Dallas in Washington in September 2015. Pope Francis has named the Texas bishop to head the Vatican's new office for laity, family and life.

Farrell headed to Vatican, says importance of marriage, family vocation at core for society's future

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DALLAS – The importance of the vocation of marriage and the family is at the core for the future of not only the Catholic Church, but of society, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of Dallas said at a news conference Aug. 17.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, is seen in Philadelphia Sept. 22, 2015. Pope Francis appointed him the new chancellor for the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family and new president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

Pope: Mercy, pastoral care should guide research on life, family

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VATICAN CITY – Appointing Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia as the new chancellor for the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family and new president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Pope Francis said he wanted to make sure the two bodies help the church offer better care to people who are hurting.

Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Denis J. Madde, at podium, receives an ovation Aug. 10 during the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans.

US Lutherans approve document recognizing agreement with Catholic Church

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Nearly 500 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Castle Church door, the largest Lutheran denomination in the U.S. has approved a declaration recognizing “there are no longer church-dividing issues” on many points with the Roman Catholic Church.

Thai women walk past a billboard in Bangkok July 28. Pope Francis prayed for all exploited women and girls during the feast of the Assumption at the Vatican Aug. 15.

Pope prays for exploited women, Mary's intercession on feast of Assumption

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VATICAN CITY – Celebrating the feast of the Assumption just three days after visiting a group of young women rescued from the sex trade, Pope Francis prayed for all exploited women and girls.

Pope Francis meets with heads of departments of the Roman Curia at the Vatican May 18. The Apostolic Penitentiary is one of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia.

Unlocking forgiveness: Vatican tribunal promotes pardon

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VATICAN CITY – The Apostolic Penitentiary has nothing to do with a jail cell and everything to do with ensuring repentant sinners experience God's mercy.

David Boudia and Steele Johnson embrace after winning a silver medal in men's synchronized 10m platform on Aug. 8, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro. Johnson, 20, says his identity as a Christian gave him peace during the competitions.

Faith at the Olympics: Does it give an athlete an edge?

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When Team USA members David Boudia and Steele Johnson emerged simultaneously crying and smiling from their final dive Aug. 8 at the Rio Olympics, the silver medal in men’s synchronized platform diving was theirs.

A painting of Saint Sebastian by Raphael, 1501-1502.

Who is St. Sebastian and why do athletes claim him?

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The 2016 Summer Olympics kick off with the lighting of the Olympic Torch on Aug. 5. The Olympic Games are a secular endeavor, but religion is everywhere, if you know where to look. For example, athletes who are religious may say a little extra prayer to St. Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes and of the host city of Rio de Janeiro. Who was St. Sebastian and how did he come to be the symbol of both?

Pope Francis poses with clergy and women religious during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 7, 2015. The Pope has appointed a panel of six women and six men to study women deacons

Pope names six women, six men to panel to study women deacons

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VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has appointed six men and six women to a commission to study the issue of women deacons, particularly their ministry in the early church.

August 2, 2016
Pope Francis speaks as he leads the July 30 World Youth Day prayer vigil at the Field of Mercy in Krakow, Poland.

World Youth Day 2016 closing Mass

Pope Francis delivered the homily at Mass in Krakow, Poland, on Sunday - World Youth Day - for a crowd of pilgrim faithful estimated at upward of one million people. The theme of the Holy Father's remarks to the gathered youth was how to overcome obstacles to building a real relationship with Jesus - whether they be obstacles that arise in one's own soul or obstacles one will inevitably encounter in the world and in society.

Olympic wrestler Kyle Snyder speaks to students at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md., Sept. 23, 2015. The former student is headed to Brazil to compete in the Summer Games.

Olympic pressure? Wrestler relies on faith to help him cope

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WASHINGTON – Kyle Snyder's knack for making history began during his junior year of high school, when he helped win the first-ever state championship for the wrestling team of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, Maryland. In March 2015, Snyder helped Ohio State win its first national title in wrestling, and in September of that same year, Snyder became the youngest world champion in the history of USA wrestling.

July 30, 2016
Pope Francis uses incense as he celebrates Mass with priests, religious and consecrated persons at the St. John Paul II Shrine in Lagiewniki, a suburb of Krakow, Poland, July 30.

Mass at the Shrine of St. John Paul II

On Saturday morning, at the Sanctuary of St John Paul II in Krakow, Pope Francis offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for priests, religious men and women, consecrated persons, and seminarians.

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