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 …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Like a sprout, humility needs to be nourished so that the Holy Spirit may grow within all Christians, Pope Francis said. While some believe that “being humble means being polite, courteous and closing your eyes in prayer,” accepting humiliation is the only …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Men and women contemplating a vocation to the priesthood, consecrated life or marriage should not be afraid because God wants only for them to experience the joy that comes from serving others, Pope Francis said. “Our slowness …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Advent is a time to be watchful and alert to the ways one strays from God’s path, but also to signs of his presence in other people and in the beauty of the world, Pope Francis said. Reciting the Angelus prayer Dec. 3, …