Pope Francis waves as he rides away in a Fiat after a short arrival ceremony on the airfield at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington Sept. 22, 2015. (CNS photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters)

Catholic teaching has space for self-driving cars

by Brian Brennan July 6, 2018

The protection of human life is paramount in Catholic teaching, and it is the greatest argument for autonomous driving technology.

Water from the melting Aletsch Glacier in the Swiss Alps runs down through a hole in 2015. While everyone has a role and responsibility to help safeguard the planet, all governments must uphold commitments agreed upon in the Paris Accord on reducing climate change, Pope Francis said. (CNS photo/Denis Balibouse, Reuters)

News, Politics & Society

Pope Francis calls on world governments to uphold Paris climate accords

by Carol Glatz - Catholic News Service July 6, 2018

Without concerted and immediate efforts toward sustainable development, “There is a real danger that we will leave future generations only rubble, deserts and refuse,” Pope Francis said on July 6.

Demonstrators line up alongside a fence inside the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego on June 23 during a rally in support of immigrant families who had been separated at the U.S.-Mexico border. (CNS photo/David Maung)

Politics & Society, Vatican Dispatch

As global migration crisis worsens, Pope Francis calls for “mercy and solidarity”; bridges, not walls

by Gerard O’Connell July 6, 2018

“Before the challenges of contemporary movements of migration, the only reasonable response is one of solidarity and mercy,” Pope Francis said as he celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on July 6 for migrants and refugees.

Faith, News

Polish priest set for sainthood criticized for anti-Semitism

by Monica Scislowka - Associated Press and Nicole Winfield - Associated Press July 5, 2018

Pope Francis’ decision to move the World War II-era head of Poland’s Catholic Church a step closer to possible sainthood has hit a stumbling block, after two leading Jewish organizations and even Polish Catholic publications called him out for anti-Semitic views.

Faith, Vatican Dispatch

Pope Francis appoints first layperson as head of Vatican communications

by Gerard O’Connell July 5, 2018

Pope Francis has appointed Paolo Ruffini, 61, an Italian layperson with wide experience in print, radio and television, as the new Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication.

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Faith, Vatican Dispatch

Pope Francis to new cardinals and archbishops: learn from the apostle Peter

by Gerard O’Connell June 29, 2018

Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul with 14 new cardinals and gifted 27 new archbishops their palliums to bring home to their respective archdioceses.

Faith, News

German bishops resume Communion debate after ignoring pope’s request

by Zita Fletcher - Catholic News Service June 28, 2018

The German bishops’ conference said when the bishops meet in September, they will continue to examine the issue of Communion for Protestant spouses of Catholics.