"The situation here is worse than the (post-) earthquake scenario. It will be a very harsh Christmas for us this year," Father Pius Perumana, director of Caritas Nepal, said Dec. 22 from Kathmandu, the capital.

"It isn't a question of opposing someone else's position or defending particular values for their own sake, but rather of interpreting the unchanging summons of the Gospel in a deeply evangelical way for the present times," Archbishop Polak explained.

The announcement was made Dec. 23 in Aachen, Germany by the prize's executive committee. Citing his address to the European Parliament in 2014, the committee commended the pope's message of "peace and understanding" as well as "compassion, tolerance, solidarity and the integrity of creation throughout his pontificate."

The heart of the child is open to more than just the mere physical gifts that are spread beneath the tree; the child’s heart is more receptive to the possibilities that Christmas offers that the jaded and often hardened adult heart would be.

Cardinal Wuerl is, in short, a lot like Francis, even though the two seem to differ so dramatically in temperament and background.

St. Francis reached back in time to reclaim Christ’s poverty.

Daily Advent Reflections, Day 25: We cannot go it alone as Christians.

This is a place where Catholic social tradition meets the world and the world meets Catholic social tradition.

'Beyond Civil Rights,' by Daniel Geary

'Church of Spies,' by Mark Riebling

'Keeping the Vow,' by D. Paul Sullins

Pope Francis has approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata, thus paving the way for her canonization on Dec. 17. The postulator for her sainthood cause, the Rev. Brian Kolodiejchuk of the Missionaries of Charity, said the second miracle that was approved involved

The students see the monks as “hardcore,” not just believing the Gospel but living it.

Unrestricted MercyIn “Proclaim the Jubilee” (12/7), Marc Tumeinski says the Jubilee Year of Mercy should be a time to experience the sacramental expressions of mercy in the Mass and reconciliation. The coming year may be a graced opportunity to experience all three forms of the sacrament

Middle-class families are justified in feeling abandoned by both political parties.

Sandra Bland's traffic stop became part of a national dialogue on race and police use of force

Pope Francis is setting standards for the contemporary bishop.

Arthur Miller's 'A View From the Bridge' stripped to its essence is a painful family tragedy.