By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — A new study issued by the Pew Research Center shows that restrictions on religion around the world, both by governments and their citizens, are once again on the rise after having ticked downward in prior years. Of the 198 countries and self-administered territories in …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The cross, loving service and humble sacrifice are the only way to overcome evil and give hope to the world, Pope Francis said. Those who love their own lives and always hunger for more are the losers, the pope said …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The cross, loving service and humble sacrifice are the only way to overcome evil and give hope to the world, Pope Francis said. Those who love their own lives and always hunger for more are the losers, the pope said …

By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican stamp and coin office has big plans for early May: the release of stamps marking retired Pope Benedict XVI’s 90th birthday and important events in the life of the church spanning almost 2,000 years. The Philatelic and Numismatic Office said the stamp sheet …

IMAGE: CNS By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican stamp and coin office has big plans for early May: the release of stamps marking retired Pope Benedict XVI’s 90th birthday and important events in the life of the church spanning almost 2,000 years. The Philatelic and Numismatic Office said the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Mohamed Hossam, EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Despite recent and repeated terrorist attacks against Egypt’s minority Christian communities, Pope Francis will not cancel his visit to Egypt. “The pope’s trip to Egypt proceeds as scheduled,” Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman, told Catholic News Service by email …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Two weeks after the U.S. State Department honored her as a Woman of Courage, a Salesian sister from Syria told reporters President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb a Syrian air base is another step back from peace. “I always …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Two weeks after the U.S. State Department honored her as a Woman of Courage, a Salesian sister from Syria told reporters President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb a Syrian air base is another step back from peace. “I always …

IMAGE: CNS photo/EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As extraordinary as the apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, nearly 100 years ago were, the sanctity of the shepherd children did not hinge on their having seen Mary, a cardinal said. “The apparition of the Virgin Mary was an occasion, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As extraordinary as the apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, nearly 100 years ago were, the sanctity of the shepherd children did not hinge on their having seen Mary, a cardinal said. “The apparition of the Virgin Mary was an occasion, …