Staff Report In honor of Pope Francis, who is in the midst of a July 5-12 visit to Latin America, we almost renamed this Friday Photo feature, “Fun Hat Friday.” There’s a long history of papal headwear. Many years ago, popes wore a tiara. Francis and past pontiffs frequently wear a …

By Matt Hadro CNA/EWTN News After the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, some county clerks have voiced religious objections to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Does legal protection for them exist? “Frankly, there’s no reason why they [the clerks] should have to resign,” Ken Connelly, legal counsel for the …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  LA PAZ, Bolivia — Praising Bolivia’s efforts to include all its citizens in the country’s economic, political and social life, Pope Francis also defended the record and the right of the Catholic Church to be an active member of society and the right of the bishops …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — Even if a pastoral proposal for helping a Catholic family with problems seems scandalous at first, it is possible God could use that proposal to bring healing and holiness, Pope Francis said. Encouraging and celebrating family life during a Mass July 6 in …

By Julie Asher Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — Religious freedom is “the human right that guarantees all other rights,” Miami Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski said July 4 in his homily at the closing Mass of the U.S. bishops’ fourth annual Fortnight for Freedom. That right “has its foundation in the very …

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — In a June 29 order, the Supreme Court continued to shield several Pennsylvania religious institutions from having to provide employees with health care coverage that includes contraceptives. The order in a case filed by the bishops and the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Erie, …

By Kerri Lenartowick Catholic News Agency More than 10 years ago, Joseph Prever found himself scouring the internet for anything that might help him: he was gay, Catholic, and confused. Resources were scarce for a man struggling with homosexuality and trying to remain faithful to the Church’s teaching.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In word and deed, Pope Francis will take his vision of a Catholic’s approach to family life, parish life, charity, economics, immigration and good governance to Cuba and the United States during a Sept. 19-27 visit. Visiting both Cuba and the United …

By Julie Asher Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON (CNS)— Analyzing the ramifications of the June 26 same-sex marriage ruling for the Catholic Church at the national, state and local levels will take time, said Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore. It has implications for “hundreds, if not thousands” of laws at all …

CNA/EWTN News The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the continued use of a drug that has been accused of causing excruciating pain in several controversial state executions. The 5-4 ruling in Glossip v. Gross was announced June 29. Lawyers for three death-row inmates in Oklahoma had argued before …