The most-read article of 2016 was on the remarks by Pope Francis at the popular movements gathering at the Vatican on Nov. 5, only a few days before the American presidential election. (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP)

Pope Francis and Donald Trump dominate our most read stories of 2016

by Michael J. O’Loughlin December 28, 2016

Besides politics, readers were interested in stories about liturgy, racism, interfaith issues and gender.

20161209t1027-6716-cns-vatican-letter-pope-year

Faith, In All Things

Pope Francis didn’t slow down in 2016 (and it doesn’t look like 2017 will be different)

by Michael J. O’Loughlin December 28, 2016

Though he turned 80 a couple of weeks ago, Pope Francis did not slow down in 2016.

Pope Francis delivers his Christmas message and blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 25. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Dispatches, Faith

In Christmas message, Pope Francis calls for peace

by Gerard O’Connell December 27, 2016

He prayed for people across the globe, and especially for the people of Aleppo.

Dispatches, Faith

One day after Christmas, Pope Francis focuses on contemporary Christian martyrs

by Gerard O’Connell December 26, 2016

“There are more martyrs in the world today than in the early centuries of Christianity,” Francis told thousands of pilgrims.

Pope Francis receives the "Bun of peace" at the Vatican Dec. 16 from Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez. (CNS photo/Vincenzo Pinto, pool via Reuters)

Faith, Signs Of the Times

Colombia Peacemakers

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources December 22, 2016

In an unexpected diplomatic initiative to consolidate the fragile peace accord in Colombia, Pope Francis on Dec. 14 brought together the country’s president, Juan Manuel Santos, and his archrival, former president Senator Álvaro Uribe, a strong opponent of the accord.

20161214t1502-6861-cns-year-end-refugees

Politics & Society, Signs Of the Times

Refugee Office

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources December 22, 2016

Moving quickly to strengthen the Section for Refugees and Migrants in the new Vatican department for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, Pope Francis has appointed as under secretaries a Canadian Jesuit, Michael Czerny, and an Italian member of the Scalabrini Fathers, Fabio Baggio. The Vati

Pope Francis leads a meeting with bishops and seminarians associated with Pius XI Seminary at the Vatican Dec. 10. The seminary prepares priests for the Puglia region of southern Italy. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

Faith, Signs Of the Times

Gay Priests Prohibited

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources December 22, 2016

The Vatican on Dec. 7 declared that persons with ‘homosexual tendencies’ cannot be admitted to Catholic seminaries.

sotb-20160408t1626-0744-cns-family-reaction-international

Faith, Signs Of the Times

Archbishop Coleridge: Resist ‘False Clarity’

by Michael J. O’Loughlin December 22, 2016

As the head of the Archdiocese of Brisbane on the east coast of Australia, the archbishop was a delegate to the meeting of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 2015.