IMAGE: CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Corrupt business practices that seek to profit from the sick and the dying are a cancer to hospitals entrusted with the care of the most vulnerable, especially children, Pope Francis said. Doctors, nurses and those who work …

BETTER TO GIVE Few customs have suffered more than the custom of giving gifts at Christmas. Commercialism and exploitation are two of the chief malefactors; sentimentality is another But for all the super merchandising, the phony glitter and the abuse of carols and even the scriptures, giving gifts continues to …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis and members of the international Council of Cardinals advising him on church governance deliberated on defining the role of Secretariat of State and its relationship to other Vatican offices. Meeting with Pope Francis Dec. 12-14, the Council of Cardinals worked on …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christmas is a time to open your heart to the little and wondrous things found in baby Jesus — born poor and defenseless so he could be near and bring hope to everyone, Pope Francis said. “The most beautiful joy …

St. James the Greater Third graders in White Oak enjoyed some time with the University of Cincinnati Bearcat on the basketball court

IMAGE: CNS photo/Gary Cameron, Reuters By Kurt Jensen WASHINGTON (CNS) — Organizers of the March for Life made it clear Dec. 13 that although they’re “cautiously optimistic” about eventually overturning the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision with a Donald Trump administration and a Republican-controlled House and Senate, they don’t …

After the general assembly sent two pro-life bills to Governor John Kasich last week, opponents of abortion and abortion promoters held their breath to see what he would do. Today, they had their answer. If the governor had done nothing, both bills (one banning abortion as soon as a fetal …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Larry W. Smith, EPA By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — While today’s family farmers worldwide are tested as never before, the church believes they can contribute to a more just ordering of life, said a new document issued Dec. 7. “The circumstances facing the family in farming are …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Even though Pope Francis was planning a “normal” workday for his birthday, well-wishers can help brighten it up with special tweets and emails. Turning 80 Dec. 17, Pope Francis was going to start the day with Mass together with cardinals living in Rome, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/SANA news agency By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis urged Syrian President Bashar Assad to do everything possible to end the war in his country, to protect civilians and to ensure humanitarian agencies can deliver emergency aid to the people. Syria’s SANA news agency reported …