Appealing to need for unity, pope restores limits on pre-Vatican II Mass

Saying he was acting for the good of the unity of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has restored limits on the celebration of the Mass according to the Roman Missal in use before the Second Vatican Council, overturning or severely restricting permissions St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI had given to celebrate the so-called Tridentine-rite Mass.

Genocide charges ‘must be pursued,’ Smith says at religious freedom summit

Charges of genocide -- whoever the victim, whoever the perpetrator -- "must be pursued," Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said July 14 at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington.

Supreme Court sets October date for Kentucky’s abortion case

The Supreme Court announced it will hear oral arguments Oct. 12 in a case from Kentucky's attorney general, who is defending the state's abortion law that was struck down by a lower court.

Coalition launches campaign to prepare legal resource for migrants

Immigrant advocates, including Catholic organizations, launched a campaign July 13 to provide legal aid those who may need it, in case Congress, under the Biden administration, approves some type of reform.

Court hears church’s lawsuit over Washington state law on abortion coverage

A Seattle-area Christian church is fighting a Washington state law that requires churches to provide coverage for abortion despite their religious or moral objections.

Pope released from hospital, prays at Rome basilica

Ten days after undergoing intestinal surgery, Pope Francis was released from Rome's Gemelli hospital, the Vatican confirmed.

Franciscans elect Italian as 121st successor to St. Francis of Assisi

Members of the general chapter of the Order of Friars Minor elected Rome-born Father Massimo Fusarelli as the new minister general of the worldwide Franciscan order.

Court sides with church, archdiocese in lawsuits filed by music director

A federal appeals court July 9 dismissed a lawsuit filed against a Chicago Catholic parish and the Chicago Archdiocese by a former parish music director.

ICE announces reversal of policy of detaining pregnant, nursing migrants

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency involved in deportations and other immigration-related detention proceedings, announced July 9 it would not detain, arrest or take into custody pregnant or nursing migrants for violating immigration laws except in exceptional circumstances.

Persecution worsens for Christians in post-coup Myanmar, experts say

Christians and ethnic minorities in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar are facing increased oppression under the junta that overthrew the civilian government on Feb. 1, experts said during an online forum.