Police fire tear gas into Haitian bishops’ Mass for freedom

A "Mass for the freedom of Haiti," led by Haitian bishops, turned violent at the end when police fired tear gas into the church.

Forced Islamization in Congo’s eastern provinces worries Catholic bishops

When an attack occurs in eastern Congo, the main causes are believed to be the illegal exploitation of mineral resources, competition for land and politics. But forced Islamization -- linked to extremists with ties to the Islamic State group -- is emerging as a new twist in violence in the mineral-rich provinces, said the country's Catholic bishops.

St. Teresa of Avila’s life of prayer made her ‘exceptional,’ pope says

While St. Teresa of Avila was outstanding in many ways, her union with Christ through prayer made her an "exceptional woman," Pope Francis said.

Pope wants church to be ‘the vanguard in society,’ archbishop says

Pope Francis' encyclical "Fratelli Tutti" is a "challenging document" because of the many issues it covers, but it's also "very practical" because it "talks about the foundations of our Catholic commitments to building a better society and a better world," Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez said April 15.

Rally seeks U.S. designation of Temporary Protected Status for more nations

An April 14 rally outside U.S. Customs and Immigration Services headquarters in Washington called for the United States to give Temporary Protected Status designation to nationals in several countries -- and to extend the designation to those who had been previously granted it.

With public rosaries, priest prays for peace, healing after shooting

Father Paul Shovelain, pastor of St. John the Baptist in New Brighton, Minnesota, received the alert about a 7 p.m. curfew on his cellphone April 12 after civil unrest in wake of the police-involved death of a Black man during a traffic stop in nearby Brooklyn Center.

For true healing, abuse survivors urge church to hear their stories

A trio of survivors of sexual abuse are inviting the Catholic Church -- from parishioners in the pews to the bishops who lead dioceses -- to join them on their journey toward healing and reconciliation.

Politics must be built from the bottom up, pope says

Politics can be regenerated by recognizing the importance of spirituality in people's lives, Pope Francis said.

Fraternity needed to address global challenges, Vatican official says

Fraternity is more than just a virtuous principle, it is a necessary means to confront the great humanitarian and social challenges facing the world, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.