IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With large sheets of plain plywood blocking public access to the Holy Stairs, one woman lovingly touched a large color photograph of the stairs, made the sign of the cross, lowered her head and prayed. For centuries, the faithful …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Juan Medina, Reuters By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Tweeting with hashtags that translate as “Closed ports” and “Open hearts,” Italy’s interior minister disputed claims that the Italian government was complicit in leaving a migrant to die in the Mediterranean Sea as she clung to a board from …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — The “prosperity gospel” that U.S. President Donald Trump and many of his advisers and followers seem to espouse does not promote solidarity for the common good, but sees God as giving his blessings to the rich and punishing the poor, said …

IMAGE: CNS photo/EPA By NEW DELHI (CNS) — Facing child trafficking allegations at one of its homes for unmarried mothers in India, the Missionaries of Charity said the order condemns the actions of individuals involved and stressed that these are unrelated to the order. A baby born in Nirmal Hriday …

IMAGE: By Maureen Pratt ANAHEIM, Calif. (CNS) — Jesuit Father Robert J. Spitzer, former president of Gonzaga University, launched a cutting-edge catechetical website to confront the rising tide of unbelief spurred by an increasingly skeptical, science-saturated society. Developed through Father Spitzer’s Magis Center, based in Garden Grove, Credible Catholic offers …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Oswaldo Rivas, Reuters By MANAGUA, Nicaragua (CNS) — As attacks on Catholic clergy continue and anti-government protesters are besieged by Nicaraguan police and paramilitaries, the bishops said they would pray an exorcism prayer. The bishops said July 20 would be a day of prayer and fasting “as an …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jed DeKalb, courtesy State of Tennessee By Theresa Laurence NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) — Bishops J. Mark Spalding of Nashville, Richard F. Stika of Knoxville and Martin D. Holley of Memphis have written to Gov. Bill Haslam urging him to “use your authority as governor to put an end …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Fabio Frustaci, EPA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — All Christians are called to be missionaries, concerned more with sharing the Gospel than with earning money or even with being successful at winning converts, Pope Francis said. “A baptized person who does not feel the need to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Lucas Jackson, Reuters By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — In 2008, Kenan Thompson of “Saturday Night Live” unveiled a “financial expert” character named Oscar Rogers on the “Weekend Update” segment. His advice on the economy, shouted loudly and often as the nation was careening into the Great Recession, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Michael Brown, Catholic Outlook By Michael Brown NOGALES, Mexico (CNS) — Dominican Sister Donna Markham, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, grew emotional talking about the harrowing stories she heard from immigrants about the life they left behind to seek refuge in the United States. “The suffering …