IMAGE: CNS photo/Mike Blake, Reuters By WASHINGTON (CNS) — As the nation made preparations to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed gratitude for “the gift of immigrants and refugees to the country,” but also appealed for their protection. “As we do every year, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Natalie Hoefer, The Criterion By Natalie Hoefer INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — The sound of more than 20,000 teens screaming and singing along with racuous music of Christian hip-hop band TobyMac was loud. The sound of the same number of youths in silent prayer was deafening. These external and internal …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The theological work and papal teaching of retired Pope Benedict XVI “continue to be a living and precious heritage for the church,” Pope Francis said. The pope met Nov. 18 with the winners of the 2017 Ratzinger Prize, named for the retired pope …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Putting the brakes on dangerous and distracted driving, Pope Francis criticized using mobile phones when at the wheel and treating roads like racetracks. While praising the work and sacrifice of police officers dealing with transit and highway patrol, he also cautioned them against …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican announced it had launched a new investigation into reports about sexual abuse in a pre-seminary for young adolescents run by the Diocese of Como, Italy, but located inside the Vatican. Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman, issued a statement Nov. 18 saying that …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — People have a basic choice in the way they live: either striving to build up treasures on earth or giving to others in order to gain heaven, Pope Francis said. “What we invest in love remains, the rest vanishes,” the …

IMAGE: CNS By DETROIT (CNS) — Blessed Solanus Casey always said that “as long as there is a spark of faith,” there can be no discouragement or sorrow, said Cardinal Angelo Amato, head of the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes. His words were accompanied by “the concrete practice of faith, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — Hey, Smithsonian, there’s a new kid on the block. It’s the Museum of the Bible, just a few blocks from the National Mall in Washington. With its opening to the public Nov. 18, it will tell visitors how the Bible …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Luong Thai Linh, Pool via Reuters By HONG KONG (CNS) — Officials in China’s eastern Jiangxi province have replaced religious images displayed by Christian families with portraits of the country’s leader, Xi Jinping. Ucanews.com reported that, on Nov. 12, pictures were uploaded to the popular social messaging service …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — People who are dying must be accompanied with the love of family members and the care of medical professionals, but there is no requirement that every means available must be used to prolong their lives, Pope Francis said. “Even if we know that …