Children gather with parish priests for a photo on the steps of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in the village of Fufengxian, in China’s Shaanxi province, in late July. The Catholic parish was marking its 17th anniversary in a region known for its apple groves. Photo & description: Catholic News Service ...read more

After the recitation of the Angelus, Pope Francis renewed his call for peace in Syria. “It is not confrontation that offers hope to resolve problems, but rather the ability to meet and dialogue.” The Holy Father called on the International Community to do everything in its power to help the “beloved Syrian nation” find a ...read more

Published in 1954 during a Marian Year, Ad Caeli Reginam is Pope Pius XII’s encyclical on the Queenship of Mary. In it he details the great Church history and tradition of addressing the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Queen. Why Queen? Among the many examples Pius quotes St. Alphonus Ligouri: “Because the virgin ...read more

Tonight on perspectives:  The pope receives a group of Japanese students, and Members of the European parliament  nominate Pope Francis for a Prize. ...read more

Many people remember the stunning views of the hillside town to which Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI retreated on February 28, 2013. Castel Gandolfo has been an official papal residence for five centuries. This summer is the second summer in the history of the town that the reigning pope has not spent the summer there. Cindy ...read more

A few years ago, I picked up a book called The Diet Alternative. The author, Diane Hampton, told the story of how she found herself overweight, resorting to unhealthy eating and living habits, and not knowing how she’d gotten there. Her realization reached her during an eating binge and purge, when she realized she didn’t know ...read more

A reflection on Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in honour of his feast day. ...read more

Those were the three thoughts Pope Francis left with us during the Closing Mass on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. This was the climax of the week, when we gather for the source and summit of our Faith. And after a week of surprises and simple, yet powerful messages, these three thoughts summarised it ...read more

Pope Francis watches as young people dramatize building a church, during the WYD Rio 2013 vigil on Copacabana Beach. The performance was inspired by God’s call to St. Francis “rebuild my church” and symbolized the constructive role of young people in today’s church. — (CNS Photo/ Paul Haring) ...read more

The final days of World Youth Day Rio were an exercise is letting God surprise us all. Days of rain made the field at Guaratiba unusable and the final events were moved to Copacabana Beach. Cariocas (residents of Rio) are used to having parties on the beach. They have two giant parties there every year: ...read more