By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — Few people think of Iowa City, Iowa, as a hotbed of medical research. But in a roundabout way more Catholics are beginning to take notice of a Catholic, pro-life medical research center. This summer’s ALS ice bucket challenge craze has netted nearly …

By Catholic News Service  CLEVELAND — The Catholic Universe Bulletin, which has served Catholics in the Diocese of Cleveland for 140 years, will cease publication of its print edition at an unspecified date in 2015. Bishop Richard G. Lennon of Cleveland, in announcing the news Aug. 22, said he would …

Press Release TOLEDO — The Holy Father, Pope Francis, today named the Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas as the eighth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo in America. Bishop Thomas has been serving as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania since his Episcopal Ordination on July …

By Catholic News Service CHICAGO — Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George is participating in a clinical research trial for a new cancer drug, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Aug. 22. Cardinal George was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2006 and had a recurrence of cancer announced in 2012.

When the Game Stands Tall, a sports drama from Affirm Films and Mandalay Pictures based on the true story of a Catholic California high school football team, is a wholesome flick. The movie was released on August 22.

Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis phoned the bereaved family of a U.S. journalist killed by Islamic State militants in Syria. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the pope phoned relatives of the late James Foley on Aug. 21 to console them for their loss and assure …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Human trafficking destroys the lives of millions of children, women and men each year, making it a real threat to peace, the Vatican said as it announced Pope Francis‘ 2015 World Peace Day message would focus on the phenomenon.

By Catholic News Service ROCHESTER, N.H. — In April 2013, the parents of slain U.S. journalist James Foley attended a prayer vigil at Marquette University in Milwaukee to pray for their son, who at that time had disappeared in Syria.

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM SEOUL, South Korea — Pope Francis said the use of force can be justified to stop “unjust aggressors” such as Islamic State militants in northeastern Iraq, but he declined to endorse U.S. military airstrikes against the militants and …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service SEOUL, South Korea — Starting his first visit to Asia, Pope Francis urged South Korean political and civic leaders to seek peace on their divided peninsula and strengthen their nation’s commitment to democracy and social justice. “Peace is not simply the absence of …