IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christian hope is not the same as being optimistic about the future, but is knowing that whatever dark or frightening things are going on in one’s life, God is there offering protection and light, Pope Francis said. Holding his general …

IMAGE: EPA By Beth Griffin NEW YORK (CNS) — Christians in the Middle East face extinction because of genocide, wars and international indifference to their plight, according to panelists at a Dec. 5 interfaith forum in New York. A concerted multilateral effort to establish a safe haven for them while …

IMAGE: CNS By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has launched a beta version of its website in English and has included its template for local guidelines on preventing sexual abuse, resources for a day of prayer for the victims and survivors as well …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Debbie Hill By Judith Sudilovsky BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) — Even the Christmas decorations seem more cheerful this year in Bethlehem. A new display of Santa’s reindeer and sleigh were about to alight at the main traffic circle on Manger Street, and a big white Christmas tree made …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Catholic Charities By Rose Ybarra MCALLEN, Texas (CNS) — Blessing the ground for a new respite center in McAllen is a sign of the Catholic Church’s commitment to be available and helpful to immigrant families, who “are enduring many, many tragic situations in their lives,” said Brownsville …

IMAGE: CNS/Oscar Durand By Oscar Durand ISTANBUL (CNS) — Sami Dankha, his three brothers and their families used to kick off Christmas celebrations by attending a packed Christmas Eve Mass at St. Thomas Church in Baghdad. Wearing brand new clothes and sporting fresh haircuts, they would spend the night chatting, …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis pleaded with a group of billionaires to take seriously their personal obligation to share their resources and make a real commitment to doing business in a way that helps other people realize their potential, too. The global economic …

IMAGE: CNS By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has recognized the martyrdom of Father Stanley Rother of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, making him the first martyr born in the United States. The Vatican made the announcement Dec. 2. The recognition of his martyrdom clears the way for his …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Thaier Al-Sudani, Reuters By Doreen Abi Raad BEIRUT (CNS) — The Syriac Catholic patriarch said he was horrified to see widespread devastation and what he called “ghost towns” during a recent visit to northern Iraq. Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan wrote in an email to Catholic News Service …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Tennessee Highway Patrol, handout via Reuters By Bill Brewer PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (CNS) — St. Mary’s Catholic Church was at ground zero in the wildfires that devastated parts of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Nov. 28, and while flames reached to within yards of the tourist city church, …