A group including students from Sacred Heart Academy and Presentation Academy in Louisville, Ky., listen to a speaker during the seventh annual prayer service for the victims of human trafficking in 2019 at Jefferson Square Park in downtown Louisville. A Vatican representative said the protection of rights and human dignity is not exclusive to the wealthy but also to the most vulnerable, especially victims of human trafficking.

Justice, dignity not just 'privilege of the rich,' Vatican official says

VATICAN CITY -- Addressing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a Vatican representative said the protection of rights and human dignity is not exclusive to the wealthy but also to the most vulnerable, especially victims of human trafficking.

Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis, Tenn., puts his hands on newly ordained priest Father Joseph Hastings at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church June 13, 2020.

New priest says deep prayer helped him sort out life, led to his vocation

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -When Father Joseph Hastings, 33, was growing up, he had dreams like most young boys. He wanted to be a basketball player. He thought about being an actor.
He came from a devout Catholic family that spent family time together in adoration and distributing food at the Missionaries of Charity shelter in North Memphis.
God's Word on Sunday: We do not earn what God gives us

God's Word on Sunday: We do not earn what God gives us

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 2, Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 145; Romans 8:35, 37-39; Matthew 14:13-21

What is the catch? Whenever we hear that something is “free,” our suspicions kick in. There must be some hidden angle — nothing is free, we will have to pay in some way.

Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, is pictured in this 2018 photo on Capitol Hill in Washington. Archbishop Gallagher recently said the Catholic Church has grown complacent to the persecution of Christians.

Vatican foreign minister: Religious freedom must be protected

MANCHESTER, England -- The Catholic Church has failed to defend Christians effectively, partly because it historically accepted persecution as part of its "community story," a Vatican official said.

Souvenirs are displayed at a 2019 demonstration in Madrid against the exhumation of Spain's former dictator, Gen. Francisco Franco. The Vatican released a statement July 21, 2020, distancing itself from any involvement in the Spanish government's decision to exhume Franco's remains, a divisive issue in that country.

Vatican denies involvement in decision to exhume former Spanish dictator

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican distanced itself again from any involvement in the Spanish government's decision to exhume the remains of the country's late dictator, Gen. Francisco Franco.

The Chinese national flag flies in front of a Catholic church in Huangtugang, China, in this 2018 photo. As the Vatican-China agreement on the naming of bishops approaches two years, Beijing is still lagging behind in giving concessions compared with those made ahead of the deal by the Vatican.

As Vatican-China agreement approaches two years, opinion still divided

VALLA BEACH, Australia -- China has announced that Bishop Paul Ma Cunguo of Shuozhou, a Vatican-recognized bishop, has joined the official state-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.

Children perform for Pope Francis, who made a surprise visit to their summer program in the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall July 20, 2020. About 100 children of Vatican employees are attending the program for the month of July.

Pope Francis makes surprise visit to summer camp

VATICAN CITY -- When Zoe, 10, showed up late for summer camp at the Vatican, she did not expect to see Pope Francis there.

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican is seen through a window of Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome in this 2018 file photo. On July 20, 2020, the Vatican issued a new instruction on pastoral care that emphasizes the role of lay men and women in the church's mission, but said most parishes must be led by priests.

Vatican: Laity have role, but most parishes must be led by priests

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican's Congregation for Clergy issued a new instruction on pastoral care that specifies the role of lay men and women in the church's mission of evangelization and offers guidance in parish reforms and restructuring.

The Judgment of Solomon from the pilgrimage church of Frauenberg in Styria, Austria.

God's Word on Sunday: Wisdom can never be taken for granted

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 26 (Year A) 1 Kings 3:5-12; Psalm 119; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52

Imagine that we were offered the granting of one wish. This has been a familiar theme in folklore and legends, and people amuse themselves by thinking of all the possibilities — something like winning the lottery.

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica is pictured at the Vatican.

Vatican releases guide on how leaders must handle abuse allegations

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a 17-page document offering a step-by-step guide for how bishops, religious superiors and canon lawyers are supposed to handle accusations of alleged abuse by clerics against minors.

God's Word on Sunday: Kindness is sign of strength

God's Word on Sunday: Kindness is sign of strength

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 19 (Year A) Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 86; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43

How should power, strength and sovereignty be expressed? Not in domination, harshness or the imposition of personal will on others. Wisdom describes true power and sovereignty as righteousness, and righteousness as gentleness, patience and mercy.

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