By Catholic News Service SELMA, Ala. (CNS) — The message of the civil rights movement has always been that all people are created in the image and likeness of God and that the dignity of all must be respected, said Mobile Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi. He was the main celebrant …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY  — Opening one’s heart to God’s forgiveness means also being willing to forgive others, Pope Francis said. “If I am not capable of forgiving, I’m not capable of being forgiven,” he said March 10 in the homily at his early morning Mass …

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service WASHINGTON  — The Supreme Court March 9 ordered the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its previous ruling and review — in light of the June Hobby Lobby decision — whether the University of Notre Dame must pay for coverage of contraceptives …

By Natalie Hoefer Catholic News Service NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (CNS) — In the dark of night over the Mediterranean Sea, the F-4 fighter jet was having problems. “We didn’t know if we could get the aircraft back to the carrier,” recalled Thomas “Wulf” Beckenbauer, who was riding in the rear seat …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY  — On International Women’s Day, Pope Francis thanked women, “who in thousands of ways, witness to the Gospel and work in the church.” The pope’s comments March 8 preceded a five-hour celebration in the Vatican of the ways Christian women minister to …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Christian faith and a moral life are responses to God’s mercy and not the result of “titanic” human effort, Pope Francis said. In meetings and Masses March 7-8, the pope repeatedly returned to the theme of the church as an agent …

By Catholic News Service NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The Knights of Columbus is providing $400,000 to relief programs sponsored by the Catholic Church in Ukraine. The violent conflict in Ukraine has created “an enormous humanitarian disaster in the freezing winter months,” the fraternal organization said in announcing the aid. Gifts …

By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON  — Two years after he was elected pope, Pope Francis’ popularity rating among U.S. Catholics is at 90 percent, surpassing Pope Benedict XVI’s best-ever popularity, and rivaling that of St. John Paul II. Pope Francis, who is scheduled to visit Washington, New York and Philadelphia …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY  — Catholics need to reach out to “baptized non-Christians,” those who have forgotten or walked away from their faith, Pope Francis said. The pope met March 6 with about 7,000 members of the Neocatechumenal Way, which guides members in an itinerary of …

By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY  — “Joy” is not a word people usually associate with strict fasting and penance — unless they are Eastern-rite Catholics. In the Eastern church, the penitential period that prepares believers to celebrate Easter, is called “Great Lent,” and its prayers invite the …