Catholic News Service

While much of the focus has been on the Supreme Court, state legislatures, governors and juries in the ongoing fight to abolish capital punishment in the United States, the head of the Death Penalty Information Center suggested that counties may be key.

The Vatican's Fides agency said 23 people working for the church worldwide died violent deaths in 2017, the majority victims of attempted robberies.

In Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, California and Mexico City, recovery was slow and deep pain remained from a string of natural disasters as 2017 ended.

The ratcheting up of North Korea's missile testing and fears about its quest to launch a nuclear weapon have gotten the attention of leaders worldwide, including Pope Francis.

Retired Bishop William Curlin, who served as the third bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte from 1994 until his retirement in 2002, died of cancer Dec. 23 at Carolinas Medical Center.

Catholic patriarchs of the Middle East — with hope, despite uncertainty in the region — called for peace, security, prayer and solidarity at Christmastime.

Only when Christ is the focus of the Christmas season do all the colorful lights, carols, special meals and traditions help create a festive and joyous atmosphere, Pope Francis said.

The chairman of the U.S. bishops' migration committee and the heads of four Catholic agencies have urged the administration to extend Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador.

Blessed Paul VI could be declared a saint in 2018, perhaps during the Synod of Bishops, according to the newspaper of his home diocese.

Callista Gingrich presented her letters of credential to Pope Francis, formally assuming her duties as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.

Cardinal Bernard Law, who resigned as archbishop of Boston when it became clear he had knowingly transferred priests accused of sexually abusing children, made mistakes as all people do, Cardinal Angelo Sodano said at his funeral.

Christians have good reason to be joyful and should let it shine in their faces rather than sport sad, pessimistic looks, Pope Francis said.

Republican lawmakers cheered passage of an overhaul of the federal tax system even as Bishop Frank Dewane expressed concerns about its effect on low income families.

Don't be late for Mass believing the introductory rites do not matter, Pope Francis told visitors and pilgrims Dec. 20 during his weekly general audience.

A new law deepening Mexico's dependence on soldiers for public security purposes has provoked alarm from some clergy and Catholic human rights organizations, who warn that it could provide a pretense for cracking down on peaceful protests.

People need factual and trustworthy news that avoids sensationalism and whipping up heated reactions, Pope Francis said.

Sitting on the bare pavement outside a Catholic church, an Afghan refugee woman, dressed in a bright floral headscarf, calls out plaintively to passersby, begging for coins.

Pope Francis met with Jordan's King Abdullah II at the Vatican, two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital provoked outrage in the Middle East. 

The Knights of Columbus, based in New Haven, announced it is committing $1.4 million to repair or help rebuild churches destroyed or badly damaged by the hurricanes that hit Texas, Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Only relics that have been certified as authentic can be exposed for veneration by the faithful, said a new Vatican instruction.