Catholic News

The Latest

St. Peter's Basilica.

Here's why Church teaching on 'gay marriage' did not change today

Oct 13, 2014

By Mary Farrow

The Catholic blogosphere exploded Monday after the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops released a document summarizing last week’s discussion.    Read more

Bishop attend a session of the Synod on the Family at the Vatican, Oct. 10, 2014.

Synod interim report: the Church must renew commitment to family

Oct 13, 2014

The approach to irregular unions must start from positive aspects, and stable couples should be accompanied in a development toward... Read more

Pope Francis greets the faithful at Rome's St. Stanislaus parish, May 4, 2014.

God is a God of surprises, Pope Francis preaches

Oct 13, 2014

By Ann Schneible

Speaking of the “God of surprises” in his homily at Mass on Monday, the Holy Father noted the unfortunate inability... Read more

Church in Burma explores challenges of openness to modernity

Oct 6, 2014

The bishops of Burma held communications and media workshops last week to help form the laity of the country to... Read more

Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest and general rapporteur of the Synod of Bishops, speaks at a June 26, 2014 press conference at the Vatican.

Family needed today as much as ever, synod official emphasizes

Oct 6, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The family is not an outdated model, and Catholics should defend it from the sins that call into question and... Read more

Retired pontiff Benedict XVI.

Benedict could attend Paul VI beatification, spokesman reveals

Oct 6, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Retired pontiff Benedict XVI may take part to Paul VI's beatification Mass Oct. 19, revealed Father Federico Lombardi, director of... Read more

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson.

Knights of Columbus' 'heroic' pro-life work wins Notre Dame prize

Oct 6, 2014

The Knights of Columbus and Supreme Knight Carl Anderson have been named the recipients of a University of Notre Dame... Read more

Pope Francis greets bishops and clergy in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Oct. 1 2014.

Be frank, humble – Pope Francis tells bishops at synod launch

Oct 6, 2014

By Elise Harris

During the opening session for the extraordinary synod on the family, Pope Francis told participants not to be afraid of... Read more

Loyola Marymount University.

Calif. abortion mandate deemed a 'flagrant violation' of civil rights

Oct 3, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

The California government “directly targeted” two Catholic universities and violated federally guaranteed civil rights by ordering their health insurance plans... Read more

Pope Francis listens as 85-year-old Sister Maria Kaleta speaks in Tirana's St. Paul Cathedral, Albania, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014.

Albanian nun tells Pope about faith amid Communist regime

Sep 25, 2014

Among the powerful moments on Pope Francis’ Sept. 21 trip to Albania was the Holy Father’s encounter with an 85... Read more

Pope Francis ebmbraces Rev. Ernest Troshani in Tirana's St. Paul Cathedral, Albania.

Testimony from Albania priest moves Pope to tears

Sep 25, 2014

With tears in his eyes, Pope Francis gave a warm embrace to Father Ernest Troshani Simoni, 84, one of the... Read more

Pope Francis.

Vanity is like an onion, Pope Francis says

Sep 25, 2014

In a colorful Thursday homily, Pope Francis highlighted the sin of vanity, saying that Christians must reject it by peeling... Read more

Cardinal Raymond Burke, prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, speaks with CNA Sept. 15, 2014.

Cardinal Burke: Media hijacking Synod on the Family

Sep 23, 2014

By Ann Schneible

Next month's Synod on the Family has undergone an attempted hijacking by some media sources, which are fueling expectations that... Read more

Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City carries the Eucharist in procession Sept. 21 to counter a black mass held at the city's civic music hall.

Thousands of prayerful witnesses dwarf black mass turnout in OKC

Sep 22, 2014

Thousands of Catholics across Oklahoma responded to a sparsely attended black mass in Oklahoma City with prayers, Eucharistic processions, and... Read more

Pope Francis speaks with journalists on the papal plane August 18, 2014.

Pope praises brotherhood forged among Albania's religions

Sep 22, 2014

Pope Francis on the return flight from Albania praised the country for its youth and its “higher culture” that is... Read more

Pope Francis at St. John Lateran basilica on June 19, 2014.

Pope gives flowers received in Albania to Blessed Mother

Sep 22, 2014

By Ann Schneible

In thanksgiving to the Blessed Mother for the success of his short but eventful trip to Albania, Pope Francis paid... Read more

Valentin and Vanessa, a Kosovar couple who attended Pope Francis' papal Mass in Albania.

Catholic-Muslim spouses say Pope Francis is for everybody

Sep 22, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A Catholic-Muslim married couple who traveled three hours from Kosovo to take part in Pope Francis’ Albanian visit say that... Read more

Papal and Albanian banners line Albania's streets.

Papal visit fosters Albanians' hopes

Sep 21, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis’ visit to Albania is a “gigantic event” for the religiously diverse country as it seeks a greater role... Read more

Pope Francis at vespers service at Tirana's Cathedral of St. Paul

Albanian martyrs knew God's consolation, Pope says off-the-cuff

Sep 21, 2014

God’s consolation for Albania’s martyrs and other persecuted Christians is a reminder for us all of the intimate consolation that... Read more

Pope Francis greets staff, youths and adolescents at Bethany Center in Albania Sept. 21.

Faith brings light to hardship, Pope Francis says at children's center

Sep 21, 2014

Pope Francis visited an Albanian center for abandoned children on Sunday, emphasizing in his remarks that Christian charity can help... Read more