NATION/WORLD

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Documents in the Vatican Secret Archives and the archives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith prove it was a “myth” that Blessed Paul VI largely set out on his own in writing “Humanae Vitae,” the 1968 encyclical on married love and the regulation of births.

ROME (CNS) — The Diocese of Rome formally opened the sainthood process for a young Italian wife and mother who avoided inducing a premature birth and invasive treatment for cancer while she was pregnant.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Fifty years ago, an encyclical was released affirming a long-held teaching of the Catholic Church, yet it became one of the most controversial encyclicals in recent Church history.

Fifty years later, what consequences of the widespread use of artificial birth control does the U.S. and world see? How close are they to what Pope Paul VI predicted?

WASHINGTON (CNS) — New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, called July 19 for a national prayer campaign effort that “the change in the U.S. Supreme Court will move our nation closer to the day when every human being is protected in law and welcomed in life.”

The author has told the team's story twice — first via a CNN article and after seeing reader comments that were both rewarding and disturbing, it turned into a book idea. "And I was off to the races," she wrote.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God does not conform to people’s expectations, and He often presents Himself and His graces in surprising ways, Pope Francis said.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As war continues to threaten the land of Jesus’ birth and to undermine the existence of Christian communities there, the international community must learn from the errors of the past and do more to bring lasting peace to the Middle East, Pope Francis said.

The two have stayed in contact for decades and the Supreme Court nominee still goes to a Mass about monthly where the priest is the celebrant.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Defending the weak or hopeless and becoming a servant to those most in need is the best promotion one can ever receive, Pope Francis told new and old cardinals.