Doctors: Advances since Roe confirm abortion ‘takes life of unborn child’

At 15 weeks' gestation, a fetus responds to touch. The neurotransmitters and nerves needed to process and transmit pain signals have formed, and most of the spinal cord has hardened into bone.

Mass marks end of diocesan phase of inquiry for Day’s sainthood cause

More than 1,500 people filled St. Patrick's Cathedral Dec. 8 to witness the formal end of the diocesan phase of the sainthood cause for Dorothy Day.

Court examines death-row inmates’ claims of ineffective counsel

The Supreme Court's last case of the year Dec. 9 looked at when death-row inmates can raise claims that they were given ineffective counsel.

Survey: Most don’t see reasons to seek vaccine religious exemption as valid

A poll released Dec. 9 showed a strong majority of Americans don't see the reasons for a religious exemption to the coronavirus vaccine as valid.

Vatican Nativity crèche inspired by Peru’s Andean region

The representation of Peru's diverse Indigenous communities in this year's Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square embodies the joy and hope of their faith, said Peruvian Bishop Carlos Alberto Salcedo Ojeda of Huancavelica, Peru.

More example than exhortation: Pope’s 2021 illustrated teaching on kinship

From a vaccination clinic in the atrium of the Vatican audience hall to a visit to the ancient Iraqi city of Ur and later to a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece, Pope Francis demonstrated throughout 2021 what he means by seeing all people as brothers or sisters.

Our Lady of Fatima statue near national shrine in Washington vandalized

Days ahead of a major Marian feast day in the Catholic Church, a marble statue of Our Lady of Fatima near the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington was vandalized, with Mary's hands and nose cut off, her face scratched and the cross on her crown broken off.

Restoration at Church of the Nativity shows what cooperation can do

When restoration on the Church of the Nativity's wooden beams and leaking roof began in 2013 with the blessing of the three custodial churches, everyone involved was aware of the historic significance of the venture. It was the first time in 540 years that any repair work was done on the church on the site where Jesus was born.

Knights’ documentary on St. Joseph now available to view online for free

The Knights of Columbus made its latest documentary, "St. Joseph: Our Spiritual Father," available to view for free at kofc.org beginning Dec. 8 to coincide with the end of the "Year of St. Joseph."

Water a meter high: South Sudan bishop seeks help as floods continue

Bishop Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwok of Malakal, South Sudan, called for support as floods continued to devastate his diocese, creating a complex web of challenges.