Local Catholics answer Pope Francis’ call for prayer, fasting

In his address to the nation Sept. 10, President Barack Obama indicated he would delay a possible military strike against Syria while pursuing a diplomatic path to ending the crisis.

Pope: It’s impossible to live out Gospel without help from Christ, Mary

What God asks of people is too difficult and demanding to do without help from Jesus and Mary, Pope Francis said.

USCCB president: CHA support of health care rules ‘less than helpful’

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said the Catholic Health Association's acceptance of rules governing women's access to contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Act was "less than helpful" to the bishops' effort to seek changes in the mandate.

Pope, writing in secular newspaper, urges dialogue with nonbelievers

Writing in one of Italy's major secular newspapers, Pope Francis called for a "sincere and rigorous dialogue" between the church and nonbelievers as an "intimate and indispensable expression" of Christian love.

Pope hears officials’ input on reforming Vatican bureaucracy

Pope Francis met with Vatican officials Sept. 10 to hear their questions and suggestions about his ongoing reform of the Vatican bureaucracy.

Legislative summit on the death penalty

Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo A. Nevares will be participating in a legislative summit on the death penalty at 9 a.m. Sept. 13 in Hearing Room 1 of the Arizona State Senate, 1700 W. Washington Street.

Pope calls selfishness the cause of war while praying for peace in Syria

Leading a crowd in prayer for peace in Syria, Pope Francis said that war is ultimately caused by selfishness, which can be overcome only though expressions of fraternity and never with violence.

Thousands flock to Rome armed with power of prayer in fight for peace

For the thousands of people who turned out for a solemn vigil in St. Peter's Square, the power of prayer and hopes for peace are still mightier than the world's weapons and wars.

Just war in attacking Syria? Some see cloudy, some see clear answers

Even with just war theory as a guide, the answers remain murky to moral and ethical questions about whether a military strike is the appropriate response to what U.S. officials believe was a chemical attack against Syrian civilians, analysts said.

Making peace is now part of pope’s job

Pope Francis is leading the Catholic Church on an extraordinary campaign to prevent President Barack Obama's proposed military strike on Syria. On Sept. 4, the pope appealed to leaders of the G-20 nations to "lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution" to the Syrian civil war and promote instead a "peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiation."