IMAGE: Nancy Wiechec By Simon Caldwell WASHINGTON (CNS) — There is an extensive history of Catholic missions in the U.S. Though the original 13 British colonies in what is now the U.S. largely had Protestant populations, Catholic missionaries helped shape the economic, political and religious values as other parts of …

IMAGE: USA Today Sports By CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) — Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers, the team going up against the Denver Broncos in the Feb. 7 Super Bowl, credits his parents and his Catholic faith for making a positive impact on his NFL career and his outlook …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Sister Carol Hoverman By Cindy Wooden DUBUQUE, Iowa (CNS) — As the eyes of the nation focused on the Iowa caucuses Feb. 1, the 13 congregations of Catholic Sisters of the Upper Mississippi River Valley wanted to capture the attention of participants to call for an end to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Henry Romero, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis is scheduled to have more than two hours alone with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in Cuba in addition to signing a declaration with the patriarch before flying on to Mexico for a Feb. 12-17 …

By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will not be an actor in a proposed movie based on the Gospels, a Vatican spokesman said. While details about how the pope may or may not be involved in the movie project are not yet known, it was clear the pope was …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said his reasons for going to Mexico are “easy and simple.” “I want to come as a missionary of mercy and peace,” the pope said in a video message to the Mexican people released …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Praying is not like taking an aspirin, something one does just to feel a little better, Pope Francis told thousands of members of Padre Pio Prayer Groups from around the world. Prayer is not a business negotiation with God, either, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although the number is not high, it is no longer “exceptional” to have priests turn down an appointment as bishop, said Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. Speaking Feb. 1 about the annual course his office …

By Joseph McAleer ROME (CNS) — Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Rome’s Circus Maximus to protest against a proposed bill that would grant legal recognition to nonmarried heterosexual and homosexual couples and give them the right to adopt children. Although not officially sponsored by the Catholic Church or …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Chaz Muth By Chaz Muth RALEIGH, N.C. (CNS) — When Aida Sarkisian and her family left their home in Iraq for the U.S., it wasn’t because they wanted to. It was because their survival depended on it. The refugees received death threats as far back as 2006 in …