IMAGE: CNS photo/Joshua Roberts, Reuters By Ann Rodgers PITTSBURGH (CNS) — The Pittsburgh Diocese said Bishop David A. Zubik is making every effort to achieve a swift negotiated solution to the diocese’s dispute with the federal government over religious freedom in relation to the federal contraceptive mandate, as directed by …

IMAGE: CNS photo/CJ Gunther, EPA By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — Today’s “economic and political forces have led to increasingly lowered economic prospects for Americans without access to higher education, which is having a direct impact on family health and stability,” said Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami. He made …

IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis condemned the attack on Bastille Day celebrations in France, calling it an act of “blind violence.” The pope expressed his “deep sorrow” and “spiritual closeness” with the French people in a message to Bishop Andre Marceau of Nice. …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Will Oliver, EPA By LONDON (CNS) — An English cardinal said he was delighted by the appointment of Theresa May as Britain’s new prime minister because of the commitment she has shown in the fight against human trafficking. Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Bishops’ Conference …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Erik Lesser, EPA By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The shooting of police officers July 7 near the end of a demonstration in Dallas to protest fatal shootings by police officers in Louisiana and Minnesota earlier in the week “calls us to a moment of national reflection,” said the president …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ARMENIA (CNS) — Catholics and other Christians not only must apologize to the gay community, they must ask forgiveness of God for ways they have discriminated against homosexual persons or fostered hostility toward them, Pope Francis said. “I think …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis told the heads of women’s religious orders from around the world that he would set up a commission to study the New Testament deaconesses and he also insisted more can and should be done to involve lay and …

IMAGE: CNS/Nancy Wiechec By Thandiwe Konguavi EDMONTON, Alberta (CNS) — The specter of assisted suicide is leading aging people to “fear an institution that should be the last thing they should ever fear — a hospital,” said Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith. “But the strong feeling is, ‘If I can’t speak …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When people do not want to say “yes” to God, they usually do not say “no,” they just hide like Adam and Eve did after they sinned, Pope Francis said. “Today is the feast of ‘yes,’” the pope said during his early morning …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM MEXICO (CNS) — With physicians across Central and South American urging women to postpone pregnancy because of the Zika virus that causes birth defects, Pope Francis said using contraceptives could be a “lesser evil.” Holding a news conference Feb. …