IMAGE: CNS photo/Mohammed Saber, EPA By Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM (CNS) — A heat wave in Israel and the Palestinian territories in July and near-record electricity usage — where it was available — are indications that, despite the continuous political tensions here, Christians, Muslims and Jews are facing a common enemy …

By Josephine von Dohlen WASHINGTON (CNS) — In 2014, the Islamic State removed hundreds of families of religious minorities from their homes in Karamdes, a mostly Christian town on the Ninevah Plain in Iraq. Just over two years later, the town, also known as Karemlash, was liberated. The Knights of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Archdiocese of Irbil By Josephine von Dohlen WASHINGTON (CNS) — In 2014, the Islamic State removed hundreds of families of religious minorities from their homes in Karamdes, a mostly Christian town on the Ninevah Plain in Iraq. Just over two years later, the town, also known as Karemlash, …

By Deborah Gyapong OTTAWA, Ontario (CNS) — When no priests were available, the bishop of the Quebec Diocese of Rouyn-Noranda sought and received Vatican permission for a local nun to officiate at a recent wedding. While the story has been portrayed around the world as a sign that Pope Francis …

By Deborah Gyapong OTTAWA, Ontario (CNS) — When no priests were available, the bishop of the Quebec Diocese of Rouyn-Noranda sought and received Vatican permission for a local nun to officiate at a recent wedding. While the story has been portrayed around the world as a sign that Pope Francis …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The ancient practice of orienting church buildings East to West — with the entrance facing West and the altar toward the East — was symbolic of the connection that exists between light and hope, Pope Francis said. “What does it mean to be …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The ancient practice of orienting church buildings East to West — with the entrance facing West and the altar toward the East — was symbolic of the connection that exists between light and hope, Pope Francis said. “What …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Kate Capato, Visual Grace By Valerie Schmalz NAPA, Calif. (CNS) — It is in the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 to a poor Indian convert that we can see God’s plan and care for America today, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said in …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Kate Capato, Visual Grace By Valerie Schmalz NAPA, Calif. (CNS) — It is in the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 to a poor Indian convert that we can see God’s plan and care for America today, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said in …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy of the Little Brothers of Jesus By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When Pope Francis chose one of the Little Brothers of Jesus to be rector of the Diocese of Rome’s main seminary, members of the order founded by Blessed Charles de Foucauld were stunned. “The …