IMAGE: CNS photo/Thaier Al-Sudani, Reuters By Doreen Abi Raad BEIRUT (CNS) — The Syriac Catholic patriarch said he was horrified to see widespread devastation and what he called “ghost towns” during a recent visit to northern Iraq. Patriarch Ignace Joseph … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Tennessee Highway Patrol, handout via Reuters By Bill Brewer PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (CNS) — St. Mary’s Catholic Church was at ground zero in the wildfires that devastated parts of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Nov. 28, and while … Continue reading →

By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has recognized the martyrdom of Father Stanley Rother of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, making him the first martyr born in the United States. The Vatican made the announcement Dec. 2. The recognition … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Tennessee Highway Patrol, handout via Reuters By GATLINBURG, Tenn. (CNS) — Catholic parishioners in the Diocese of Knoxville are among those who have lost homes and businesses in the wildfires that ravaged tourist areas in the Great … Continue reading →

By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Prayer services and special Masses will be held in many dioceses across the country as the U.S. Catholic Church has asked that the Dec. 12 feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe be a day of prayer … Continue reading →

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Upholding the truth and moral values isn’t easy, especially for young people, Pope Francis said. “But with God’s help and with the sincere will to do good, every obstacle can be overcome,” he … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — More than 70 presidents at Catholic colleges and universities have signed a statement pledging their support for students attending their schools who are legally protected … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/Christina Gray, Catholic San Francisco By Christina Gray SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) — Thomas Myron Hooker lived the last 20 years of his life without a roof over his head, but his death proved he was hardly without a … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Year of Mercy and its series of papal reflections may be over, but compassion and acts of mercy must continue and become a part of everyone’s daily lives, Pope … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano, handout By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The morning after screening his film, “Silence,” for about 300 Jesuits, the U.S. director Martin Scorsese had a private audience with Pope Francis. During the 15-minute audience Nov. 30, Pope … Continue reading →