India’s religious liberty on ‘downward trajectory,’ commission says
WASHINGTON — Witnesses called for U.S. intervention to end the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in India, including Christians, at a hearing on Capitol Hill. “Religious freedom in India is…
Commission sees opportunities to expand targeted sanctions on religious liberty offenders
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a fact sheet on May 6 that highlights opportunities to expand targeted sanctions against religious liberty violators. “There are various opportunities…
Fidelity, enthusiasm, and faith: Pope Leo XIV welcomes Swiss Guard recruits
Recruits of the Pontifical Swiss Guard took their oath of allegiance to Pope Leo XIV, solemnly pledging to serve and protect him. The ceremony took place May 6 in the…
Pope Leo meets U.S. Secretary of State Rubio amid tensions with President Trump
On Thursday Pope Leo XIV met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican, with the meeting coming amid tensions between the Holy See and U.S. President Donald…
Cardinal Parolin says talks with German bishops continue, calls sanctions talk premature
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said on Wednesday it would be premature to discuss sanctions against the German bishops for blessings of same-sex couples. Parolin, however, did…
Synod report condemns ‘devastating effects’ of conversion therapies for homosexual persons
The Vatican’s General Secretariat of the Synod published Tuesday the testimonies of two men in civil marriages with other men who describe from personal experience the tensions and wounds that…
Poll: Most Americans dislike Trump’s jabs at Pope Leo XIV, favor Leo’s call for peace
A poll found two-thirds of Americans have a positive view of Pope Leo XIV’s calls for peace amid the Iran war and a majority of people hold a negative view…
Pope Leo XIV appoints Jesuit priest as bishop of Honolulu
Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Michael T. Castori, SJ, as the new bishop of Honolulu on May 6. He is a member of the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits.…
Pope Leo XIV: Church serves coming of God’s kingdom in history
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV continued his catechesis on the documents of the Second Vatican Council at his Wednesday general audience, reflecting on the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium and…
U.S. bishop urges Congress to ‘put children and families first’ in appropriations process
The U.S. Catholic bishops are calling on Congress to move forward appropriations that promote families, protect unborn children, and support women. In a May 4 letter to Congress, Bishop Daniel…
René Henry Gracida, Corpus Christi bishop and World War II veteran, dies at 102
Bishop René Henry Gracida, who led multiple U.S. dioceses and whose career included combat service as a U.S. Army Air Corps tail gunner over Germany in World War II, died…
Pope Leo XIV says violence is a last resort, rejects Trump’s claim about supporting nuclear weapons
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Pope Leo XIV said violence must always be a last resort and rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that he supports Iran having a nuclear weapon.…