By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Continuing initiatives aimed at a reconciliation with the Priestly Society of St. Pius X, Pope Francis has made it possible for bishops to ensure the validity of marriages celebrated in the traditionalist communities. A letter published by the Vatican April 4 said …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — Georgetown University has chosen April 18 as the date to rename two buildings on campus previously named for priests who sold 272 women, children and men into slavery for financial gain in 1838. The Jesuit university based in Washington announced …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Muscarelle Museum of A By Carol Zimmermann WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (CNS) — The culture wars of today have nothing on those from Renaissance times. In Florence, Italy, in 1497 — after people had been repeatedly warned that some instruments, books, sculptures, paintings and clothes could lead them away from …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Muscarelle Museum of A By Carol Zimmermann WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (CNS) — The culture wars of today have nothing on those from Renaissance times. In Florence, Italy, in 1497 — after people had been repeatedly warned that some instruments, books, sculptures, paintings and clothes could lead them away from …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The first three refugee families from Syria welcomed by the Vatican left their temporary homes to start their new lives in Italy, and three new families took their places in Vatican apartments. The papal Almoner’s Office, which helps coordinate Pope Francis’ acts …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will meet with the leader of one of the world’s leading Sunni Muslim institutions, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church and representatives of the Catholic Church on a two-day trip to Cairo. The pope is scheduled to arrive in Cairo …

IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves ROME (CNS) — While the wounds of past trials have healed, the scars that remain will serve as a reminder of strength and courage for future generations, Pope Francis told survivors of an earthquake. Visiting Carpi and Mirandola April 2, nearly five years after …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Carlos Barria, Reuters By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Now that lawmakers have withdrawn the American Health Care Act, Congress must “seize this moment to create a new spirit of bipartisanship” and make “necessary reforms” in existing health care law to address access, affordability, life and conscience, said three U.S. …

IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis returned to a practice he developed during the Year of Mercy: making a Friday-afternoon visit to people in need of or deserving special care. For the visit March 31, he chose the Sant’ Alessio-Margherita di Savoia Regional …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Four years ago, Ted Bergh was asking members of Congress to support food programs and comprehensive immigration reform, issues of deep concern to Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio, which he serves as CEO. Bergh was back on Capitol Hill March …