Some Irish believe lives were saved by country’s prohibition on abortion
DUBLIN (CNS) — In the last major pro-life rally ahead of Ireland’s May 25 referendum on whether to liberalize the country’s abortion laws, thousands gathered to say “no” to far-reaching proposals that could see abortion on demand up to 12 weeks, and even later in some cases.
Pope expresses concern about ‘spiral of violence’ in Holy Land
JERUSALEM (CNS) — As the world witnesses “another outburst of hatred and violence, which is once again bleeding all over the Holy Land,” the head of Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarchate called for prayers for peace.
St. Damien de Veuster of Molokai
Born in Tremelo, Belgium, Joseph de Veuster left school at 13 to work on the family farm. Six years later he joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, taking the name Damien.
Pope: Faith says ‘no’ to Satan, ‘yes’ to God
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Baptism requires rejecting Satan and professing one’s full faith in God, Pope Francis said.
Pope: In baptism, Holy Spirit, not magic, protects people from evil
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The sacrament of Baptism isn’t a good luck charm but a gift from God that enables Christians to overcome evil, Pope Francis said.
Pope leads prayers for inter-Korean summit
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis led thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square in prayers for the success of the inter-Korean summit, scheduled for April 27.
Ordaining new priests, pope asks them to be merciful
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Ordaining 16 men to the priesthood, Pope Francis urged them to be merciful with the people who approach them, especially in the confessional.
St. Thomas Aquinas meets bluegrass in best-selling album by Dominicans
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Bluegrass music may not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Dominicans, but for the 10 Dominican brothers and priests at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington who recently released their debut album, “The Hillbilly Thomists,” the two have a lot in common.
Pope commemorates life of beloved Italian bishop who served poor
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The church needs courageous men and women like Italian Bishop Antonio Bello of Molfetta, who imitated Jesus’ closeness to the poor and the downtrodden, Pope Francis said.
‘Is my dad in heaven?’ little boy asks pope
ROME (CNS) — After circling a massive, crumbling public housing complex on the outskirts of Rome, Pope Francis had an emotional encounter with the neighborhood’s children.
