By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — New proposed regulations governing the contraceptive mandate under the Affordable Care Act continue to violate basic principles of religious freedom, said the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In comments filed March 20 with the Department of Health and Human Services, the USCCB raised …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For the good of all people, the care of the poor and the future of the Earth, religions must cooperate in reminding modern men and women that God exists and has a plan for their lives and their behavior, Pope …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS)— Although attempts were made to simplify the ceremony, Pope Francis officially inaugurated his ministry as pope and bishop of Rome in a liturgy filled with biblical symbolism and signs of the universality of his mission. Also Read: Inaugural homily: Pope Francis …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis‘ papal motto is based on the Gospel account of “The Call of St. Matthew,” the tax collector, in a homily given by St. Bede the Venerable. The pope decided to keep his episcopal motto and coat of arms …

Follow Pope Francis’ trip to the United States HERE. By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said that “as things got dangerous” in the conclave voting, he was sitting next to his “great friend,” Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes “who comforted me.” When the former Cardinal …

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph Pope Benedict XVI made history by becoming the first pope to send a tweet, and again by becoming the first pope to officially join Twitter. Pope Francis, already fast becoming known as a pope of the people, has now followed in those footsteps. The …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis is “a Jesuit’s Jesuit” who understands the importance of St. Francis of Assisi in the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, said the Jesuits’ secretary for the promotion of the faith. U.S. …

See most recent stories on the pope and the Catholic Church here By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph Memes, almost by their very nature, are modern. The world means “a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes” but as we’ve reported …

Staff Report The Catholic Telegraph The new pope is His Holiness Pope Francis. He is the first to take that name. Read more about Pope Francis: Following Benedict’s footsteps, Pope Francis joins Twitter The top 5 Pope Francis memes Getting to know Pope Francis World offers words of hope, joy …

This period of sede vacante will end sooner rather than later as 115 cardinal electors in Rome are now in a conclave where in a spirit of prayer and discernment they will select the next pope. Refresh this page often for continuing updates of news related to the conclave and …