By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Given the strong divisions sparked and fueled by “fake news,” Pope Francis is highlighting the importance of truth in his message for World Communications Day. The message will call for studying the causes and consequences of baseless information and will promote “professional journalism,” …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Lawmakers in Washington were urged to approve a bill introduced in Congress to ensure the fair and equal treatment for houses of worship damaged in natural disasters “by enabling them to seek aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.” The chairmen of …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While encouraging Catholics to reach out to migrants and refugees, the Vatican is reaching out to governments as they struggle to work out international policies and principles for dealing with the large number of people fleeing violence and poverty. The …

IMAGE: CNS/La Civilta Cattolica By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Seeing, understanding and engaging with people’s real lives does not “bastardize” theology, rather it is what is needed to guide people toward God, Pope Francis told Jesuits in Colombia. “The theology of Jesus was the most real thing of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Peter Finney Jr., Clarion Herald By Peter Finney Jr. NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas was rector of Mundelein Seminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago in the 1990s when then-Cardinal Joseph Bernardin was falsely accused of sexually abusing a minor seminarian during his previous tenure as …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Cathal McNaughton, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Politicians and community leaders must recognize the benefits of welcoming newcomers and not believe immigrants should be rejected automatically, said members of a panel launching the Caritas “Share the Journey” campaign. Immigrants and refugees need to be respected …

By Matthew Fowler VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The need to recognize women as having equal worth as men and allow them to fully exercise their human rights is increasingly urgent due to the “resurgence of divisions in today’s world,” a top Vatican official told the U.N. Human Rights Council in …

By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — In mid-September, the Trump administration announced the end of a special immigration status for nationals from the Northern African nation of Sudan, prompting outcry from Catholic groups who say they worry about the conditions the migrants will face upon their return. The administration said …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy State Department By UNITED NATIONS (CNS) — A Vatican official called on the world’s governments to strive more actively to prevent wars, protect human dignity and the environment and work toward a nuclear-free world. During an address to the United Nations General Assembly Sept. 25, Archbishop Paul …

By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — A prayer here, a share on social media there, a voice of support in a letter to the editor, even a get-to-know-others potluck. Supporting refugees and migrants can take many forms, and Pope Francis is hoping Catholics around the world will act over the …