Florida bishops say use of death penalty ‘sanctions revenge’
Using capital punishment to show that killing is wrong "sanctions revenge," Florida's seven Catholic bishops said in a letter to Gov. Rick Scott.
Pope Francis: What have you done to make the Church holy, welcoming?
All Catholics must ask themselves what they personally have done lately to build up the holiness of the Church and ensure people feel welcomed and loved in it, Pope Francis said.
Pope prays for Chinese Catholics, talks about loving one’s enemies
In the face of difficulty, it's natural to hope just to get by, but being Christian means patiently enduring trials and overcoming oppression with love, Pope Francis said at a Mass that included special prayers for China.
Pope Francis plans to complete encyclical on faith, spokesman says
Continuing a papal tradition of finishing a predecessor's work in progress, Pope Francis intends to complete an encyclical -- on the virtue of faith -- begun during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.
Vatican organizing worldwide, simultaneous eucharistic adoration June 2
Vatican officials are making strategic phone calls to some of the world's most far-flung dioceses, trying to verify that in each of the world's inhabited time zones there will be an organized hour of eucharistic adoration coinciding with 5-6 p.m. Rome time June 2.
Catholic singer-songwriter aims to bring Christ to ‘10,000 places’
Singer-songwriter Audrey Assad seeks to bring a message of Pope Francis about building bridges to the music business. "Paul is a pontifex, a builder of bridges," the pope said at a Mass May 8.
Being priest was ‘everything’ to man ordained two days before he died
Ordination "meant everything" to Father Scott R. Carroll. "His dream was to be ordained a priest." That's how the 46-year-old priest was remembered by Father Keith Stripe, pastor of his home parish of St. Joseph.
Gauchos and God: Pope draws life lessons from Argentine cowboy culture
Dressed in a woolen poncho, leather boots and silver spurs, the traditional gaucho was the cowboy of Argentina's immense plains, herding cattle and living a simple, hard life far from family and close to nature.
New leader of Friars Minor says pope has energized Franciscans
The new minister general of the Order of Friars Minor said the Franciscans are united, energized and challenged by the ministry of the new pope, whose name honors their founder, St. Francis of Assisi.
World record holder celebrates 70 years of priestly ministry
Meet up with a nearly 96-year-old Holy Cross priest who has many accolades to his name including papal appointments, involvement in the civil rights movement, a Centennial medal from Catholic Charities USA and longest-serving president of the University of Notre Dame. Fr. Hesburgh, who is also the oldest and longest-serving priest of the United States Province for the Congregation of the Holy Cross, still works daily in his office on the 13th floor of the library that bears his name.
