By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Given the “grave situation in Iraq,” Pope Francis has asked Cardinal Fernando Filoni to travel to the region to meet church and government officials, but especially to meet Christians chased from their homes by militants of the Islamic State.

By Elizabeth Wong Barnstead Catholic News Service  NORTHVILLE, Mich. — When St. John Paul II canonized 103 Korean martyrs in 1984 in Seoul, South Korea, Dr. Alexius Hong was there to attend the canonization Mass. “This will be the second pope who visits Korea,” said Hong of Pope Francis’ plans …

By Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has appointed Father Bohdan J. Danylo, a seminary rector in Connecticut, to head the Ukrainian Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Ohio.

By Patrick Downes Catholic News Service  HONOLULU — The Vatican has designated Honolulu’s Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace as a minor basilica in recognition of its historic and spiritual significance.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The sign of peace at Mass has not always led to serenity among liturgists or within the congregations gathered each Sunday in Catholic churches around the world.

College can mark the first taste independence for young people, and with that come many challenges and opportunities.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals continue to study the most effective and efficient way to organize the Roman Curia, a large bureaucracy with a long history of expansions and a few, short-term, attempts at consolidation.

By Jean Parietti Catholic News Service  KENT, Wash. — After Anthony Adams received a baseball-bead rosary at Mike Sweeney Catholic Baseball Camp, he posted a photo of it on Instagram. “Like it if you love God and you like my baseball rosary,” the 12-year-old wrote.

By Winston Pierre Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — The head of a Michigan-based tour company that leads trips to the Holy Land said the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas so far has not had an impact on pilgrimages he and his associates lead.

By Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — To end the U.S.-Mexico border crisis, the United States must address the flow of illegal drugs and arms and the harmful economic policies forcing children and families to leave Central America for the U.S., said the chairman of the U.S. bishops‘ Committee on International …