Pope Francis pleaded for the international community to take stronger, coordinated steps to "annihilate" the Ebola virus and help the millions of people impacted by the disease."As the Ebola virus epidemic worsens, I want to express my deep concern for this relentless illness that is

The task of the Catholic Church is not only to teach people how to pray, but how to live authentically Christian lives, two leaders of the Ukrainian Catholic Church said.The church's ministers also have an obligation to accompany, support and minister to their followers in the midst of strife an

Refugees of the conflict line up for cold weather gear.

Look to the East for canonical-spiritual balance, synod members say

Gathered with Pope Francis, members of the Synod of Bishops on the family issued a message of solidarity, support and prayers for all families suffering the impact of war and violence, especially in Iraq and Syria.The members prayed particularly for those who, "because of the Christian faith th

The "freedom of expression" that characterized preparations for the Synod of Bishops on the family—especially in responses to a Vatican questionnaire—"will also characterize the synod assembly, which certainly will take place in a climate of respect for every position, mut

Force alone cannot stop it, custodian of the Holy Land says

As Ukrainians prepared to mark their Aug. 24 Independence Day under the cloud of fierce fighting in the East, Catholic leaders condemned the threat to Ukraine's territorial integrity and prayed for a speedy end to the hostilities.At the same time, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, major archbishop

For World Peace Day Message: a focus on a persistent global problem

Pope Francis, in mourning for the deaths of his nephew's wife and two small children, thanked people at his weekly general audience Aug. 20 for their prayers.After each of the priests who translate the pope's words offered him condolences for the tragedy that struck his family, Pope Francis