This Jan. 22 marks the 41st year since abortion became legal in the United States throughout the nine months of pregnancy. The 1973 Supreme Court decisions Roe v. Wade and its companion case, Doe v. Bolton, created one of the most sweeping licenses for abortion in the world. Since then, more than 5...
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Baptism isn't just some formal ritual, it profoundly changes people, giving them unwavering hope and the strength to forgive and love others, Pope Francis said. "With baptism, we are immersed in that inexhaustible source of life that is Jesus' death, the greatest act of love i...
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Welcoming in a new year, Pope Francis said it was time to stop provoking and ignoring violence, tragedy and conflict in the world, and begin building peace at home. "Justice and peace at home, among us -- you begin at home and then you move on to all of humanity. But we have t...
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  VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said Christmas is an occasion of joy but also a lesson in humility, when the faithful are called to imitate the example of God-made-man. The pope made his remarks during his final 2013 weekly public audience in St. Peter's Square. "God abases himself, desce...
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  VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A year ago, Timothy Schmalz's bronze sculpture “Jesus the Homeless” had been rejected by St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York and St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto. But in late November, Pope Francis blessed the sculpture at one of his weekly general audienc...
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating the first Christmas since his election, Pope Francis preached the goodness and tenderness of God, and prayed that men and women around the world would allow God's grace to transform them into peacemakers. "Let us allow our hearts to be touched, let us allow ourselv...
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- People must stand united against the scandal of hunger while avoiding food waste and irresponsible use of the world's resources, Pope Francis said. People should "stop thinking that our daily actions do not have an impact on the lives of those who suffer from hunger firsthand,...
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis is not seeking fame or accolades, but being named Time magazine's Person of the Year will make him happy if it helps attract people to the hope of the Gospel, said the Vatican spokesman. "It's a positive sign that one of the most prestigious recognitions in the in...
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis accepted a proposal to set up a special commission on the sexual abuse of children, which will advise him on ways to prevent abuse and provide pastoral care for victims and their families. Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, a member of the pope's advisory Counci...
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- If Germans are known for being punctual, it turns out even their trees show up early. This year's Christmas tree from Bavaria's Bohemian Forest was scheduled to arrive on the feast of St. Nicholas, Dec. 6. Instead, cameramen and photographers had to scramble Dec. 5, when image...
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