By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis ditched a 1,250-word prepared speech to students saying it would be “a tad boring” to read out loud and opted instead to just quickly hit the high points and spend the rest of the time answering people’s questions.

By Jonathan Luxmoore Catholic News Service  WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — A Czech cardinal welcomed final court approval of government plans to pay billions of dollars to churches in compensation for their losses under communist rule. On June 3, the Constitutional Court cleared the way for the implementation of a 2012 …

By Mark Pattison  Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON (CNS) — The head of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting said the Boy Scouts’ vote in May to admit homosexual youth into their ranks is “not in conflict with Catholic teaching,” something by which “we should be encouraged.”

By Allan F. Wright Catholic News Service Henry Libersat, a deacon for the Diocese of Orlando, Fla., offers a timely book on practical ways to speak about Jesus and the church in “Catholic and Confident: Simple Steps to Share Your Faith” (Servant Books; Cincinnati, 2012; 93 pp., $10.99).

By Megan Walsh The Catholic Telegraph  Support for immigration reform has been increasing in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Cincinnati City Council unanimously declared Cincinnati a “immigrant friendly” city this past March. Last week, representatives from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati attended an Advocacy Day on May 21 sponsored by the US …

By John Mulderig Catholic News Service  NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and Blu-ray releases from Catholic News Service.

By Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.

Staff Report On Sunday, June 2, Pope Francis will preside over an hour of eucharistic exposition in Rome at 5:00 p.m. Italian time. The pope has asked all Catholics to join him in prayer to celebrate the feast day of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In the face of difficulty, it’s natural to hope just to get by, but being Christian means patiently enduring trials and overcoming oppression with love, Pope Francis said at a Mass that included special prayers for China. During the Mass …

By Joseph Austin Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON (CNS) — Singer-songwriter Audrey Assad seeks to bring a message of Pope Francis about building bridges to the music business.