IMAGE: CNS photo/Flavio Lo Scalzo, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As more countries continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the term "lockdown," normally used to describe confining prisoners to their cells, has taken on a whole new meaning. Yet for Stefania …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Octavio Duran By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — In life, El Salvador’s St. Oscar Romero had an open line of communication with the church in the United States, whose leaders and laity often supported the archbishop of San Salvador when he objected to military aid or training of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit By Dennis Sadowski CLEVELAND (CNS) — Several Catholic charitable agencies are among more than 200 nonprofits urging Congress to include $60 billion in aid to help them meet an expected surge in requests for services from unemployed people. The coming wave of clients …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Thomas Mukoya, Reuters By Bronwen Dachs CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) — Africa’s informal settlements, where running water is scarce, make for a "perfect storm" as COVID-19 spreads through the continent, said a prominent South African Jesuit. In these crowded settlements on the edges of Africa’s cities, taps …

IMAGE: Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Citing the increasing loss of lives to COVID-19 and a lack of medical resources, an Iranian cleric has urged Pope Francis to do what he can to help get U.S. sanctions against Iran lifted. "Without judging the root causes of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — While most of the work at a religious order’s general headquarters continues in lockdown, a group of Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit found an additional activity where they could use their hands, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Soe Zeya Tun, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As more and more countries start to feel the economic pinch due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis urged business leaders to seek solutions that will not hurt employees and their families. "Each (country) must find …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis offered prayers for everyone, particularly families, facing financial difficulties because of the pandemic. "Let us pray today for people who are beginning to experience economic problems because they cannot work due to the pandemic, and all of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Alberto Lingria, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27. The formal blessing — usually given …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While conferences and meetings can be postponed for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter cannot, with the exception of the chrism Mass, said the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. "By …