By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Vatican approved new statutes and bylaws for the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious, ending a seven-year process of investigating the group and engaging in dialogue with its officers to ensure greater harmony with church teaching.

By Matt Hadro CNA/EWTN News  The head of the U.S. Bishops‘ international peace committee supports the new framework for Iran’s nuclear program and is asking the U.S. Congress not to “undermine” the deal. “We welcome the most recent step the United States and its international partners have taken with Iran …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, Pope Francis said atrocities from the past have to be recognized — not hidden or denied — for true reconciliation and healing to come to the world.

CNA/EWTN News The numbers are in: almost 600 Catholic men will be ordained priests for the U.S. in 2015, an increase of more than 100 from last year. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, N.C. said April 7 that the increase in ordination numbers is “encouraging.” The bishop, who heads …

By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Children are never a “mistake” and no sacrifice is too great for an adult to make so that children can feel their worth, Pope Francis said. During his weekly general audience in a chilly, but sunny St. Peter’s Square April 8, …

By Christopher S. Pineo & Gregory L. Tracy Catholic News Service BOSTON — As the trial of Boston Marathon bombing defendant Dzhokhar Tsarnaev went to the jury April 6, the Catholic bishops of Massachusetts released a statement reiterating the church’s teaching on the death penalty. The Catholic Church opposes the …

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.