An April 5 decision by a New York federal judge to lift age limits on purchases of over-the-counter emergency contraceptives should be “appealed and overturned,” according to an official of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops.

Members of the order hope that “the good example and holiness of Pope Francis will inspire young men to consider the Society of Jesus as a way to serve Christ and his church,” Father Paulson said.

When hundreds of thousands of young Catholics gather with Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro in the summer, reflections on safeguarding the environment will be part of the program.

“They are little known in the Arab and Muslim world and even less so in the Christian West. Bringing such Muslim texts to a wider audience is not only Father Scattolin’s passion, but his duty as a Christian”, says Comboni Father Giuseppe Scattolin.

Complaining frequently and stewing over disappointments can easily become an obsession that blocks one’s view of Jesus’ presence in difficult situations, Pope Francis said.

Releasing the calendar of Pope Francis’ liturgical celebrations for April and May, the Vatican confirmed he would keep the Year of Faith appointments set by his predecessor, retired Pope Benedict XVI.

By Easter Monday, it would be the shot seen around the world. But a day earlier, Christiana Gondreau could not have imagined that a chance encounter she and her 8-year-old son, Dominic, had with Pope Francis in the middle of St. Peter’s Square following his first Easter Mass would touch the hearts of so many around the globe.

Thirteen state attorneys general asked the federal government to expand the religious exemption under the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate to private companies.

Metaphors are used extensively in the Bible and they pop up just as often in Pope Francis’ talks and teachings. Some of his most vivid allegories as pope included his urging the world’s priests to be “shepherds living with the smell of sheep” by bringing Christ to people far from the faith

Many people come to Sauk Centre to visit the birthplace of famed novelist Sinclair Lewis, but four local men would argue that the small community can offer something much more — the gift of the Divine Mercy.