West Bank candle-making workshop helps Palestinian women support families
When Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anointed Jesus' feet days before his crucifixion, she used the precious and expensive spikenard oil, which originates in the Himalayan Mountains of India and was brought to the Holy Land through the ancient spice trade.
Returning from Iraq, pope talks about ‘risks’ taken on trip
The Catholic Church's commitment to dialogue with other churches and with other religions flows from the Gospel, but Pope Francis said he knows some Catholics disagree.
Cleanse your hearts of anger, live the Gospel, pope says at Mass in Irbil
Having witnessed or even experienced persecution for their faith, the Christians of Iraq must be careful not to harbor thoughts of revenge, Pope Francis told them.
Papal trip to Iraq influences Muslims beyond Iraq’s borders, analyst says
Pope Francis' historic visit to the Middle East's most conflict-riven nation gives hope and comfort to Iraqis of all faiths, and some would even say to Arabs beyond Iraq's borders.
Life triumphs over death as Christians rebuild in Iraq, pope says
Amid the rubble and bombed out remains of four churches destroyed by Islamic State militants, Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who endured persecution and even death.
Living the beatitudes can change the world, pope says in Iraq
Pope Francis told Iraqi Christians that when they suffer discrimination, persecution or war, the Eight Beatitudes are addressed to them.
Hostility, violence are ‘betrayals’ of religion, pope says in Iraq
Traveling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters.
Pope, Iraqi Shiite leader affirm importance of dialogue, respect
In a low-key meeting followed closely in Iraq and beyond, Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential leader of Shiite Muslims in Iraq, spent 45 minutes speaking privately.
Remains of Father Emil Kapaun, Korean War military chaplain, identified
A U.S. government forensic team announced March 4 it has identified the remains of Father Emil Kapaun, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, who was an Army chaplain and died in a Chinese prisoner-of-war camp during the Korean War.
New Mexico abortion, assisted suicide bills called ‘gravely disappointing’
With abortion and assisted suicide front and center in the New Mexico Legislature, "I wonder, what have we become?" Santa Fe Archbishop John C. Wester said in a March 3 statement.
