By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Keeping the “Christ” in “Christmas” is part of not giving in to pressure to conform to the “norm” and become like nonbelievers, Pope Francis said in a morning homily. Giving in to the things of the world is like saying, “Let’s put our …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Using God’s name to try to justify violence and murder is “blasphemy,” Pope Francis said Nov. 15, speaking about the terrorist attacks on Paris. “Such barbarity leaves us dismayed, and we ask ourselves how the human heart can plan and …

IMAGE: EPA By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Here is a translation of a statement issued by the director of the Holy See press office, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, shortly after the terror attacks in Paris Nov. 13. Here in the Vatican we are following the terrible news from Paris. We …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Doreen Abi Raad By Doreen Abi Raad BEIRUT (CNS) — When a man dressed head-to-toe in black entered the room where Father Jacques Mourad was being held by the Islamic State, the Syriac Catholic priest thought his time to become a martyr had come. “That moment was really …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Rungroj Yongrit, EPA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Holiness is a life lived in faith and the ability to recognize how very close God is to each person, Pope Francis said. Pope Francis, who began but never finished a doctorate based on the writings of Father …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — At nearly 92 years of age, Italian Bishop Luigi Bettazzi says his long life is due to constant changes. To live is to change, said the retired bishop of Ivrea, and that goes for the church as well as for …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Alex Cruz, EPA By David Agren CUAUTITLAN IZCALLI, Mexico (CNS) — Mexican Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu has confirmed that Pope Francis will visit the capital, Mexico City, along with the states of Chihuahua and Chiapas — on the northern and southern borders respectively — and Michoacan in …

IMAGE: CNS photo/handout via EPA By Jonathan Luxmoore OXFORD, England (CNS) — Church leaders in Central African Republic said the pope’s Nov. 29-30 visit will go ahead, despite warnings that international peacekeepers may be unable to ensure his safety. “We’re full of hope the Holy Father’s presence will bring great …

IMAGE: CNS photo/larry Smith, EPA By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — President Barack Obama may have denied the permit for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to carry tar sands oil from Alberta in western Canada to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries, but Nebraskans Susan and Jim Dunavan aren’t so sure …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Laypeople are not second-class members at the service of the church hierarchy, but are disciples of Christ called to “enliven every environment, every activity and every human relationship according to the Gospel,” Pope Francis said. The pope sent a message Nov. 10 …