Author Archive
Father Solanus Casey recalled as beloved friar who showed mercy to others
IMAGE: CNS By Mike Stechschulte DETROIT (CNS) — Sixty years after his death, Capuchin Father Solanus Casey is on his way to sainthood. Pope Francis announced May 4 that Detroit’s beloved friar, who earlier had been named venerable, met the requirements for beatification and will be named “blessed” — the …
‘Ad limina’ meeting was a ‘sharing among shepherds,’ Cuban bishop says
IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves ROME (CNS) — Having a group meeting with Pope Francis was not like attending a lecture, but it was a moment of communion and sharing among friends and shepherds, a Cuban archbishop said. “When people call it an audience, it sounds like we’re …
Church leaders view religious freedom order as positive step
By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — Many religious leaders viewed President Donald Trump’s executive order on religious freedom, which he signed in a White House Rose Garden ceremony May 4, as a step in the right direction. In the ceremony for National Day of Prayer prior to signing the executive …
Pope Francis to meet Trump at Vatican May 24
By WASHINGTON (CNS) — President Donald Trump will visit the Vatican and meet with Pope Francis May 24 as part of his first foreign trip as president. White House officials said the visit will be part of a trip that will include stops in Israel and Saudi Arabia before Trump …
Pope advances sainthood causes of U.S. priest, Vietnamese cardinal
IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of Wisconsin-born Capuchin Father Solanus Casey, five religious, four laypeople and two cardinals, including Vietnamese Cardinal Francois Nguyen Van Thuan. The pope approved the decrees during an audience May 4 with …
Pope, Myanmar leader meet, launch diplomatic relations
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Shortly after Pope Francis met privately with Myanmar’s de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Holy See and Myanmar announced they were establishing full diplomatic relations. The Vatican announced May 4 that the pope would appoint a nuncio to the southeast Asian …
Belgian Brothers to allow euthanasia for nonterminal psych patients
IMAGE: CNS photo/Julien Warnand, EPA By Simon Caldwell MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — A group of psychiatric care centers run by a Catholic religious order in Belgium has announced it will permit doctors to undertake the euthanasia of “nonterminal” mentally ill patients on its premises. In a nine-page document, the Brothers …
Egypt is a beacon of hope and refuge, pope says at audience
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Just as it had been for centuries, Egypt can be a sign of hope for those who long for peace, Pope Francis said. During his weekly general audience May 3, the pope reflected on his recent visit to Egypt …
Hungry, scared South Sudanese stay in cathedral compound for protection
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Jeffrey By Paul Jeffrey WAU, South Sudan (CNS) — Rita Williams slept under a tree beside St. Mary Catholic Cathedral, her three hungry children beside her. Around them, as many as 16,000 other displaced people filled the cathedral compound, hoping the church would keep them safe as …
‘Pedaling priests’ complete 340-mile bicycle trek for vocation prayers
IMAGE: CNS photo/Jennifer Willems, The By Jennifer Willems PEORIA, Ill. (CNS) — After riding bicycles a little more than 340 miles over five days, three young priests of the Diocese of Peoria sailed across the Indiana state line April 28, bringing Priests Pedaling for Prayers to a close. “It does …