Bishop Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu of Minna, Nigeria, walks near the coffins of some of the victims of a 2012 Christmas bombing at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Nigeria, during a funeral for the victims. CNS photo/Afolabi Sotunde, Reuters ...read more

The Catholic Church’s ambassador to the UN explains what’s unique about papal diplomacy and why it’s badly needed in the world today. How are you going to spend the next five minutes of your time?  You could browse social media or check your email, but how about meeting a fascinating person and learning something relevant ...read more

Palestinian Catholic Samar Basir, 26, lights a candle while holding his niece, Salina, at the Church of Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Dec. 24, 2009. CNS photo/Debbie Hill ...read more

Children dressed as angels arrive to re-enact a Nativity scene during Christmas celebrations in 2011 in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. CNS photo/Dado Ruvic, Reuters ...read more

A Missionary of Charity nun chats with refugee children at Christmas lunch at the refugee camp at G Udaigiri, India. CNS photo/Anto Akkara ...read more

Today, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Pope Francis celebrated mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. During the liturgy with families from the Diocese of Rome and pilgrims from many countries who had come to Rome for the Jubilee of Families, the Pope pronounced this homily during the celebration of mass. The ...read more

So far we’ve looked at two things that must be present for mercy to take place, we’ve seen the direct relationship between mercy and love and forgiveness. We’ve also looked at why we are being invited to “walk through the door” of mercy this year. This week and next, as we celebrate Christmas and the beginning ...read more

Children dressed as angels take part in a Christmas festival in the streets of Managua, Nicaragua, Dec. 21, 2008. CNS photo/Oswaldo Rivas, Reuters ...read more

Two Iraqi boys hold candles as they pray for peace in Iraq and Syria during Mass at a Chaldean Catholic church in Amman, Jordan, Dec. 23, 2012. CNS photo/Ali Jarekji, Reuters ...read more

On the Solemnity of the Birth of the Lord, Pope Francis appeared on the Central Loggia of the Vatican Basilica and before imparting the “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing, gave his traiditional Christmas address to the faithful present in St. Peter’s Square and to all those listening via radio and television. Here is the Pope’s 2015 Christmas ...read more