Effort needed to bridge racial divide in church, society, says Black bishop

The racial divide in American society and within the Catholic Church is one that needs to be bridged so that healing and progress can take place, said retired Bishop Edward K. Braxton of Belleville, Illinois.

Rosary is ‘our true weapon’ for facing today’s challenges, says bishop

Given the challenges facing the Catholic Church and the faithful in the world today, the rosary "is our true weapon, which heaven gave us for our time," said Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Astana, Kazakhstan.

Appeals court again reinstates Texas abortion law

A U.S. court of appeals temporarily stayed the recent injunction on the Texas abortion law while it reviews the state's request to reinstate the ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Pope calls Russian Catholics to work toward ‘goal of communion’

Catholics in Russia are called to be "an evangelical seed" that bears the fruit of communion and unity, especially with Orthodox Christians, Pope Francis said.

Women religious have key role in synod process, pope says

Women religious have an essential role in the process of creating a more synodal church and in preparations for the Synod of Bishops, not just through their prayers and participation, but also by listening to people not usually part of such church activities, Pope Francis said.

U.S. nuncio says he’ll stay, help prepare for synod, Biden-pope meeting

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the 75-year-old apostolic nuncio to the United States, said when he met Pope Francis at the Vatican Sept. 6, the pope asked him to remain in his post instead of retiring.

Faith is not a transactional relationship with God, pope says at Angelus

People should ask themselves whether their faith has become a "commercial relationship" with God or if it is a relationship built on freedom, love and generosity, Pope Francis said.

Pope blesses nun held captive nearly five years by insurgents in Mali

The day after authorities announced her release from kidnappers in Mali, Colombian Sister Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti was at the Vatican for a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and was greeted by Pope Francis.

By listening to Holy Spirit, synod can be process of healing, pope says

A synod calls on everyone to become experts in "the art of encounter" in a way that is uplifting and transformative, Pope Francis said, formally opening the process leading up to the assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 2023.

Indiana Catholic, a former U.S. senator, is Vatican ambassador nominee

President Joe Biden will nominate Catholic lawyer Joseph Donnelly of Indiana, a former member of the U.S. House and Senate, to be the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.