IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Nativity scene and Christmas tree, like those displayed in St. Peter’s Square, are visible reminders of God’s benevolence and closeness to all men and women, Pope Francis said. The traditional Christmas displays are “the signs of the heavenly …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Chaz Muth By Chaz Muth WASHINGTON (CNS) — As Gabe Bouck enters Advent, a season in which Catholics are urged to answer God’s call for conversion, the seminarian is reminded of the melodic voice that inspired him to become Catholic. The former Baptist recalled attending his first Mass …

Editor’s note: Our October issue featured an article highlighting the twinning relationship between three parishes in the archdiocese with parishes in Dominica. Shortly after we went to press, the island was ravaged by the most powerful hurricane in its history. Its twinning partners are committed to aiding in Dominica’s recovery …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Debbie Hill By Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM (CNS) — In an open letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, Christian leaders in Jerusalem said U.S. recognition of the city as the capital of Israel could have dire regional consequences. “We have been following, with concern, the reports about the possibility …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Shannon Stapleton, Reuters By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a new letter to members of Congress, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, outlined a sweeping package of changes in pending tax reform legislation to ensure the final bill is “morally acceptable.” Bishop Dewane, chairman of the …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Young people in Myanmar and Bangladesh are a source of hope for a peaceful future in their countries after years of war and suffering, Pope Francis said. As is customary, at his general audience Dec. 6, the first after …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump planned to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Pope Francis expressed his concern that such a move would further destabilize the Middle East. Pope Francis said he could not …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Rick Wilking, Reuters By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court seemed equally divided in the long-anticipated oral arguments Dec. 5 about the baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple because of his religious beliefs. Even Justice Anthony Kennedy’s comments went …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Katie Rutter By Katie Rutter SANTA CLAUS, Ind. (CNS) — Belief in that iconic Christmas figure, the rotund merry man with a bag full of presents, inspires thousands of children to write letters addressed to “Santa Claus” each year. Surprisingly, many of these wish lists actually do get …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Describing them as “authentic magisterium,” Pope Francis ordered the official publication of his letter to a group of Argentine bishops and their guidelines for the interpretation of “Amoris Laetitia,” his apostolic exhortation on the family. According to a brief note by Cardinal Pietro …