Several years ago, a friend who had immigrated from the former Soviet Union told me, “Canada is the greatest place on Earth. It is a paradise.” While I felt flattered on behalf of my country to hear those words, I also wondered what in our country made him so effusive.

EDMONTON – Mike Paonessa visits the Edmonton Remand Centre every week to pray the rosary with inmates, and drives around the inner-city Boyle Street neighbourhood to provide coffee and food to the needy.

VATICAN – God always loves and generously gives first before asking for fidelity to his commandments -- which are the words of a loving father showing people the right way to live, Pope Francis said.

MANILA, Philippines – After calling God “stupid,” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday that he will seek to have a dialogue with the country’s bishops’ conference in an effort to repair relationships.

VATICAN – Scientists and people of faith always must admit they don't know everything, and they must never be afraid to explore and discover more, Pope Francis told astronomy students and experts.

It’s big news for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien that Amazon has made a billion-dollar commitment to bring to television a five-season series based on the epic Lord of the Rings fantasy saga.

VATICAN – The worst enemies in a young person's life aren't the problems they may face, Pope Francis said.

Sixteen-year-old Justin Alvarado has practice every day after school during the cross-country and track-and-field seasons. He is also a member of the FC Emery soccer club, with practices two to three times a week. 

I have found God inescapable for most of my life. Even when I try to run away, there He is. 

VATICAN – For more than 50 years, the writings of retired Pope Benedict XVI on the relationship between faith and politics have insisted that the measure of human freedom is the extent to which each person acknowledges being dependent on the love of God, Pope Francis wrote.

It’s normal to return anger with anger, bitterness with bitterness, cunning with cunning.  

VATICAN – Baptism requires rejecting Satan and professing one's full faith in God, Pope Francis said.

VATICAN – Young people want to know they are valued members of the Catholic Church and that their questions and struggles are taken seriously enough that someone will spend time with them discussing issues rather than simply repeating "prefabricated" responses, said delegates to a meeting in Rome.

Stacey Leitmann was preparing herself for a tough day.

Mary Filangi was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. It was a time of great fear and sorrow and helplessness, but even in the darkest moments, she never felt lost.