By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — A panel of theologians advising the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints‘ Causes voted unanimously to recognize the late Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero as a martyr, according to the newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference.

By Kevin J. Jones & Andrea Gagliarducci CNA/EWTN News  Pope Francis has voiced his “strongest condemnation” of the “horrible attack” on a French satirical newspaper that published insulting cartoons of Islam’s Prophet Mohammed, and he urged opposition to all hatred and violence. “Whatever may be the motivation, homicidal violence is …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Five cardinals dedicated a new wing of the U.S. seminary in Rome, its first major addition in more than 60 years. Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who as secretary of state is considered the highest Vatican official under the pope, led …

By Alan Holdren & Andrea Gagliarducci CNA/EWTN News  VATICAN CITY — Although it’s still not official, the Vatican’s Secretary of State confirmed today that Pope Francis will most likely visit Washington D.C. and New York during his visit to the United States. “I think the Pope will go to United Nations, …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Underscoring the geographical diversity of his selections, Pope Francis named 15 cardinal electors “from 14 nations of every continent, showing the inseparable link between the church of Rome and the particular churches present in the world.”

By Catholic News Service  ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland’s outgoing Gov. Martin O’Malley announced Dec. 31 he would commute the death sentences of the last four inmates on the state’s death row to life imprisonment without possibility of parole. 

Press Release Pope Francis, on World Day of Peace, stressed one resolution for everyone: to accept without reservation that “all people are in relation with others, from whom they differ, but with whom they share the same origin, nature, and dignity.”  The U.S. Catholic bishops echo this in their theme …

By Sarah McCarthy Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — “The biggest human rights rally in the world,” as one regular participant described it, will return to the nation’s capital for the annual March for Life Jan. 22. The 42nd rally on the National Mall and march to Capitol Hill marks the …

CNA/EWTN News Pope Francis issued a strong message to members of the curia this week, warning them against careerism and urging them to live the reality of the priesthood – as servants. “Sometimes,” the Pope said Dec. 22, curia members “feel themselves ‘lords of the manor’ – superior to everyone …

By Mary C. Uhler Catholic News Service  MADISON, Wis. — This year a group of families from the Diocese of Madison decided to sponsor a Nativity display at the Wisconsin Capitol, and it turns out it’s one of just a handful of creches on state capitol grounds around the country.