Catholic News Agency ROME — The first “selfie” of retired pontiff Benedict XVI is making the rounds on social networks.

By Rick Musacchio Catholic News Service SAN ANTONIO — As William Carmona lay gravely ill in a San Antonio hospital bed, he repeatedly questioned his classmates from nearby Assumption Seminary: “Where is Bishop Choby?” “When will he get here?” And finally: “How many more hours until he ordains me?” Carmona, …

By Ezra Fieser Catholic News Service  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Poverty, violence and changing social norms are causing the disintegration of the family structure across Latin America, church workers in the region said in advance of the October gathering of bishops in the Vatican to discuss pressures families face.

Anyone who’s ever owned a dog has probably sat and wondered from time to time what’s going on in that furry head.

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.