By Sam Lucero VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church needs the extraordinary Holy Year to become an effective witness of God’s divine mercy, Pope Francis said. “The jubilee is a favorable time for all of us, so that in contemplating divine mercy, which surpasses every human limitation and shines …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Open Road Films By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican newspaper said the Oscar-winning film, “Spotlight,” is not anti-Catholic. “It is not an anti-Catholic movie, as has been written, because the film succeeds in giving voice to the alarm and deep pain” experienced by the Catholic …

By WASHINGTON (CNS) — A group of 30 Christian leaders, including Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, has asked for a meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry in advance of the State Department’s declaration of genocides taking place around the world. The group believes Middle East Christians should be …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Kim Ludbrook, EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Salvation is not found through extraordinary things or powerful people and alliances, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass. God offers it freely in response to “simple” acts of faith, like helping those in need, he said. “In …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican released Pope Francis’ liturgical schedule for March and April, including Holy Week and Easter. The pope’s schedule includes a penitential celebration and a consistory for several causes of canonization. However, the schedule does not say where he …

IMAGE: CNS photo/David Gray, Reuters By SYDNEY (CNS) — The Vatican’s prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Cardinal George Pell, told a special hearing of Australia’s Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that he was not trying “to defend the indefensible.” Commencing the morning of Feb. …

By SYDNEY (CNS) — The Vatican’s prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Cardinal George Pell, told a special hearing of Australia’s Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that he was not trying “to defend the indefensible.” Commencing the morning of Feb. 29 — 10 p.m. Feb. …

Elder High School held a special event Monday afternoon to announce the school’s newest principal, Kurt Ruffing. Ruffing will replace Tom Otten who has served as principal for the last 19 years. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati distributed the following release in concert with the announcement. The Elder Board of Trustees is …

Mount St. Joseph University, a Catholic university located in Cincinnati, announced Monday the selection of the school’s seventh president. The new president, H. James Williams, will take over for interim president Joel Thierstein, who led the school during the search and following the resignation of previous president Tony Aretz. Aretz served …

IMAGE: CNS/Bob Roller By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — By reflecting on the Passion of Christ, the author of the Way of the Cross meditations for Pope Francis’ Good Friday service said he will focus on the suffering unfolding in the world today and how “the martyrs of the …