Caring for the sick is essential part of church’s mission, pope says

Caring for and healing the sick is an essential part of the Catholic Church's ministry, just as it was a constant part of Jesus' ministry, Pope Francis said.

Naming undersecretaries for synod, pope gives a woman a vote

Xaviere Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart will not be the first woman undersecretary of a major Vatican office, but she will be the first woman with a right to vote at a meeting of the Synod of Bishops.

U.S. Senate again fails to pass Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Failure to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act "shows just how extreme the majority of Senate Democrats are," said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life.

Kelly to succeed Anderson as Knights of Columbus CEO

Patrick Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, is the new leader of the Knights of Columbus, succeeding Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, who has headed the international fraternal organization as its CEO for more than two decades.

Speakers: Pandemic underscores call for genuine dialogue in ‘Fratelli Tutti’

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has underscored the need for and the many ways in which dialogue and understanding are essential for humankind, Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington and Bishop John E. Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, said Feb. 5.

Mexican bishops issue another appeal for anti-hunger program

Mexico's bishops have restarted an anti-hunger campaign, saying the pandemic has pushed millions of Mexicans into unemployment and poverty.

Virginia General Assembly votes to ban death penalty; governor supports move

Both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate have now passed bills that would abolish the death penalty in the state.

Biden repeats call for unity, says faith can show way forward in dark times

For many in the nation, this is a dark time because of job loss, hunger, evictions, sickness and death because of COVID-19, "so where do we turn? Faith" President Joe Biden said, addressing the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 4.

Keeping promise made at Jesuit event, Biden raises refugee cap to 125,000

In November, incoming U.S. President Joe Biden said at a Jesuit Refugee Service event that he would be heading in a dramatically different direction than the previous administration on refugee admissions.

Bishops in Republic of Congo worried presidential election won’t be fair

Catholic bishops in the Republic of Congo voiced "grave reservations" about the fairness of the March 21 presidential election, in which 77-year-old President Denis Sassou-Nguesso seeks a new term after 37 years in power.