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July 2016

July 29

Terror attacks confound French authorities with shifting tactics and targets

July 29, 2016

PARIS – The urgent pleas for national unity heard after every terrorist attack in France are sounding ever more strained as the killers inspired by the Islamic State group nimbly shift their tactics and targets and confound the politicians struggling to combat them.

Pope pays tribute to Holocaust victims in silence, prayer

July 29, 2016

OSWIECIM, Poland – Sitting with head bowed and eyes closed, Pope Francis paid silent tribute to the victims of one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.

'Make trouble' by creating culture of respect, Pope tells Cuban youths

July 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Fear nothing, break the chains that may bind you and bring hope to the world, Pope Francis told young people attending a special World Youth Day gathering in Cuba.

Charges against Planned Parenthood video creators dropped

July 29, 2016

HOUSTON – The Harris County district attorney's office dropped the last remaining charges against David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt July 26.

Pope tells very ill kids 'no easy answers' to questions on suffering

July 29, 2016

KRAKOW, Poland – Questions about suffering have "no easy answers," Pope Francis said in a visit to Children's University Hospital.

Into the wilderness of mercy

July 29, 2016

There is something about welcoming and initiation that connects so much to this idea of mercy. Baptism is first, of course, an introduction and welcoming of a new person into the Catholic community, but it also results in the automatic washing away of all sins. This cleansing, this figurative flood of forgiveness, just given automatically without need for confession or admission of sin or anything, is such a monumental act of mercy. As a baptized-as-an-adult Catholic, it is this act of mercy that’s recently begun to stick out to me, and it’s what’s been on my mind as I travel on this pilgrimage with my group.

Mexican state lawmakers passes abortion ban

July 29, 2016

MEXICO CITY – Lawmakers in the Mexican state of Veracruz have approved a state constitutional amendment banning abortion and "defending life from the moment of conception until natural death."

'Evangelical moment': World Youth Day often fosters vocations

July 29, 2016

KRAKOW, Poland – In a giant circus tent on Piastowska Street, next to the Jagiellonian University's sports center, a rock band wound up its full-volume refrain against a dazzling background of lights and streamers.

Can Clinton-Kaine bring Catholic voters back to the Democrats?

July 29, 2016

PHILADELPHIA – If there is one constant in this unconventional presidential campaign it is the unpredictability — and importance — of the Catholic vote.

July 30

Faith inspired gold medallist well beyond the track

July 30, 2016

Most people would know the story of Eric Liddell from the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, where his character was featured along with his Olympic “rival” Harold Abrahams. No less compelling than the Oscar-winning movie — though taking less creative licence — For the Glory portrays a more comprehensive and historically accurate Liddell by exploring the role his faith played throughout his life.

'Go out,' keep writing Gospel of mercy, Pope tells clergy, religious

July 30, 2016

KRAKOW, Poland – Catholic priests and nuns must renounce their personal interests and create a church that "goes into the world" with "living writers of the Gospel," Pope Francis said.

Mass at the Shrine of St. John Paul II

July 30, 2016

On Saturday morning, at the Sanctuary of St John Paul II in Krakow, Pope Francis offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for priests, religious men and women, consecrated persons, and seminarians.

Pope Francis: Cruelty did not end at Auschwitz; it continues today

July 30, 2016

KRAKOW, Poland – Humankind's cruelty did not end with the Holocaust, but rages on in the suffering of those living through war, homelessness and persecution, Pope Francis said.

Olympic pressure? Wrestler relies on faith to help him cope

July 30, 2016

WASHINGTON – Kyle Snyder's knack for making history began during his junior year of high school, when he helped win the first-ever state championship for the wrestling team of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, Maryland. In March 2015, Snyder helped Ohio State win its first national title in wrestling, and in September of that same year, Snyder became the youngest world champion in the history of USA wrestling.

July 31

Catholics often first responders to slaves at sea, U.S. official says

July 31, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Catholic pastoral workers play a crucial role in coming to the aid of "sea slaves" — fishermen who are held in inhumane conditions on the high seas for what can be years, a U.S. Department of State official said.

From marshy to manicured: Gardens' gruesome past grows into green haven

July 31, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Today's lush and immaculately manicured Vatican Gardens were once just a sprawl of mosquito-infested swamps, clay hillsides and hardy grape vines.

Some fast-food chains now blocking customers' internet access to porn

July 31, 2016

WASHINGTON – When the U.S. bishops urged a national policy of net neutrality, they wanted to make sure that internet access was made equally available to all people.

Don’t tuck life away, take risks, Pope tells young people

July 31, 2016

KRAKOW, Poland – Take risks and do not let life's obstacles get in the way of encountering the true joy and life that Jesus can give, Pope Francis told more than 1 million young people.

Palestinian, Israeli pilgrims share faith, locale in Field of Mercy

July 31, 2016

KRAKOW, Poland – At least for a few minutes at World Youth Day, the physical barriers between Palestinian and Israeli communities were nonexistent.

Nigerians hope WYD experiences will help country overcome its challenges

July 31, 2016

KRAKOW Poland – Cosmos Nandi-Esom said he is a politician back home in Nigeria.