The latest in a long line of studies, now numbering in the hundreds, if not thousands, shows that church attendance is good for your health.

VATICAN CITY – In his prayer video for the month of July, Pope Francis has asked Christians to join him in praying for those who have strayed from the faith, providing hope to them through the witness of our joy and actions.

A new poll suggests more Canadians than ever believe religion does more harm that good, but even the pollsters disagree on what the numbers mean for the future of faith in the country.

Canadians from coast to coast have reason to be proud of this country as it marks its 150th birthday, and the Catholic population — about 12.8 million — can be especially proud. Long before Canada was even a country, Catholics were putting their stamp on the history of this land.

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has looked favourably on His people and redeemed them.”

When Canada became a nation 150 years ago there was little debate about the prominent place of faith in society. Canada was to be built on Christian values. The founders rejected names such as Kingdom of Canada and Republic of Canada in favour of Dominion of Canada, a tribute to Psalm 72:8: “He shall have dominion from sea to sea.”

ISSELE-UKU, Nigeria – It was supposed to be a quiet retreat weekend last April for Fr. Sam Okwuidegbe, a Nigerian Jesuit priest and director of a local spirituality centre.

Staying connected to my faith has always been easy for me. During my high school years at Holy Name of Mary College School, I attended mandatory Mass once a month, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and participated in faith-related reflections for class.

When Friedrich Nietzsche declared that “God is dead” he added a question: What kind of a “sponge” does it take to wipe away the entire horizon?

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, who described himself as coming from "the ends of the earth," continues to go to the far reaches of the globe to seek those who will advise him and possibly elect the next Pope.

Baptisms. Weddings. Funerals. Masses. Confessions. These routine aspects of Catholic life today were rare and often inaccessible just five generations ago.

No matter how many times we hear that we live in a secular society, faith keeps popping up. An Angus Reid Institute Poll has found that a majority of Canadians don’t just have a faith, they use it.

HONG KONG – Every evening, no matter how busy or tired she may be, Yiu reads the Bible at home to her 7-year-old granddaughter. Sometimes, parishioners from Changzhi Diocese in north-central China's Shanxi province, come and join her, reports ucanews.com.

Ernesto Castro believes in putting his art where his faith is.

VATICAN CITY – On Sunday Pope Francis reflected on the May 13 canonization of the child visionaries St. Francisco and Jacinta Marto, saying that their faithfulness, despite their young age, reminds us to pay special attention to children in the ministry of the Church.