By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — The president of the German bishops’ conference urged priests to provide better pastoral care to Catholics who are homosexual, but he said, “I think that would not be right” when asked if he could imagine the Catholic Church blessing gay couples. The German bishops’ …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — “I am on a pilgrimage toward Home,” retired Pope Benedict XVI wrote, capitalizing the Italian word “casa” or “home.” Almost exactly five years after announcing his intention to be the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign, Pope Benedict …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Catholics should use the season of Lent to look for signs and symptoms of being under the spell of false prophets and of living with cold, selfish and hateful hearts, Pope Francis said. Together with “the often bitter medicine of the truth,” the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With so many direct attacks on human life, from abortion to war, Pope Francis said he is worried that so few people are involved in pro-life activities. Reciting the Angelus prayer at the Vatican Feb. 4, Pope Francis …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Chaz Muth By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The nationwide flu outbreak has prompted dioceses to take steps to suspend traditional rituals to prevent the spread of the virus as much as possible. From encouraging a simple nod or a smile during the sign of peace to draining holy water …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For the first time, the International Olympic Committee has invited a Vatican delegation not only to take part in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games, but also to attend its general meeting as an official observer. The delegation was to be led …

IMAGE: CNS photos/Jacqueline Dorme, Republican-Herald and Gregory A. Shemitz By PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — Two Ukrainian Catholic prelates have placed a culinary wager on the outcome of the Feb. 4 Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. Archbishop Stefan Soroka of Philadelphia, metropolitan of U.S. Ukrainian Catholics, is rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Dave Hrbacek, The Cath By Marie Wiering ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — Archbishop Bernard J. Hebda may be a Pittsburgh native, but like a true Minnesotan, he began a welcome video for Super Bowl visitors talking about the weather. “The weather here can get a little chilly this …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Roman Pilipey, EPA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Vatican efforts to honor those who suffer and die for their faith while trying to negotiate with oppressive regimes to expand religious freedom have been fraught with criticism and real pain for more than 50 years. For example, …

IMAGE: REUTERS By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ migration committee said Jan. 30 that the Catholic bishops welcomed the Trump administration’s proposal to give “Dreamers” a path to citizenship, but at the same time, they are “deeply troubled” about the plan’s “impact on family unity.” On …