By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Christians live the joy of the Resurrection when they share a smile with someone, weep with those who mourn and defend the rights of those persecuted for their faith, Pope Francis said. Reciting the “Regina Coeli” prayer with thousands of people …

By Ann Schneible CNA/EWTN News   Pope Francis, in his General Audience address for Holy Week, said that the Christian martyrs of today, by the shedding of their blood, join with Christ in serving the Church through their witness. “Even today,” the Pope said in off-the-cuff remarks, “there are many …

CNA Indiana’s passage of a Religious Freedom Restoration Act last week has created havoc and been met with loud opposition from gay rights activists. But a poll this month found that most Americans agree with such religious freedom laws.

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — U.S. millennials, born between 1980 and 2000, don’t want to be pigeonholed into categories. They are predominantly religiously unaffiliated and not identified by any political party. They are more ethnically and racially diverse than the general population. This group of 18- to …

CNA/EWTN News U.S. officials has confirmed that Pope Francis will make a stop at the White House to meet with President Barack Obama on Sept. 23, during his trip to the United States for the World Meeting of Families. “The President and the First Lady will welcome His Holiness Pope …

By Elise Harris CNA/EWTN News  During his weekly general audience Pope Francis spoke about the gift and call of the Christian family, and urged attendees to pray for the intentions of the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the family. “The Church needs a prayer full of love for the family …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — The number of Catholics in the world and the number of priests and permanent deacons rose slightly in 2013, while the number of men and women in religious orders declined, according to Vatican statistics. For the second year in a row, …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — At the end of Pope Francis’ spontaneity-filled meeting with priests, seminarians and religious in the cathedral of Naples, the vial of dried blood of the city’s patron saint appeared to miraculously liquefy. After Pope Francis blessed the congregation with the reliquary …

By Nate Madden Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — The number of Catholic marriages in the United States is at its lowest point since 1965. Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate keeps records of Catholic Church statistics going back to 1965, tracking such things as the total number …