VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Families are weakened and destroyed by war, "the mother of all forms of poverty," as well as by economies and policies that worship money and power, Pope Francis said. "It's almost a miracle" that, even in poverty and crisis, the family can keep on going, safeguarding its bond...
Read full story »

Q. Recently, at a Catholic boys' high school, the priest who is the campus minister gave first holy Communion and also (during the same ceremony) the sacrament of confirmation to six young men. I'm certain that the priest received permission from our bishop to do this, but I have two questions. Fir...
Read full story »

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis seems to describe his life in the Vatican almost as if he were in prison -- at least as far as his freedom of movement goes. But that is not the first thing he cites when he talks about what he and prisoners have in common. When visiting a prison, he said, "I thin...
Read full story »

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A monthlong review of a key nuclear weapons treaty saw the nuclear powers stepping back from an opportunity to alter the status quo, much to the disappointment of Catholic peace advocates. The disappointment stems from the failure of the nuclear weapons states to heed the argume...
Read full story »

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Couples who are seeking to marry, even those who have lived together, should value their engagement period as a time to grow in mature love and in profound knowledge of each other, said Pope Francis. The pope urged couples not to rush into marriage. Maturation in love before m...
Read full story »

Q. Figures from the Old Testament are never referred to as saints. Were there no saints in those days? (Albany, New York) A. Your question is an excellent one, and the answer is a bit complex. It is true that, in the Catholic Church, Old Testament figures have not been formally canonized and given...
Read full story »

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- At least two major newspapers' editorial boards and a dozen members of Congress have joined the chorus calling for an end to jailing families whose immigration cases are pending as well as other reforms of immigrant detention. The editorial boards of The New York Times and The S...
Read full story »

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Consumers want products that are environmentally friendly, and businesses that are not on board are already starting to feel the pinch, said the CEO of the multinational Unilever. Paul Polman, CEO of the company that owns brands like Lipton, Ben & Jerry's and Suave, told a...
Read full story »

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Parents must not exclude themselves from their children's lives and, despite what some "experts" may say, they must take an active role in their children's education, said Pope Francis during his general audience in St. Peter's Square May 20. "It's time for fathers and mothers...
Read full story »

Q. I am a 68-year-old woman and am seriously considering converting to Catholicism. But I have been married more than once, have now been divorced for 11 years and, prior to the divorce, was separated for 10 years. I was exposed to Catholicism at an early age (when the service was in Latin), and I...
Read full story »