Is Latin the best language for exorcisms?

New Catholic Relief Services' chairman has strong Middle East focus

Bishop Gregory John Mansour, a Maronite bishop with experience in Middle East issues, will be the next chairman of Catholic Relief Services, the foreign aid arm of the U.S. bishops.

Pope taps Tallahassee bishop to lead St. Petersburg diocese

by Elise Harris

On Monday the Vatican announced that Pope Francis has named Bishop Gregory Parkes of Pensacola-Tallahassee as the new head of the St. Petersburg diocese, where he will take over as their fifth bishop.

Scientists play a key role in solving global problems, Pope Francis says

by Elise Harris

Pope Francis told a group of scientists Monday that their role in finding creative solutions to the world’s problems is more urgent than ever, and praised increasing collaboration between scientific and religious communities.

In new musical, disability rights activist tackles assisted suicide

Physician-assisted suicide has been a subject of controversy for several years, but Liz Carr is taking the issue somewhere it has never been before: the musical theatre.

Papal Advent advice: Don't be dominated by material things

The season of Advent is a reminder to us to open our horizons and have concern for more than just material things, the Pope said Sunday during his Angelus address.

In Syrian monastery, priest who escaped ISIS sees signs of hope

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The fourth-century saint Mar Elian’s relics survived the Islamic State’s destruction of the Syrian monastery that bears his name, and a priest who escaped captivity says these are among the signs of hope for Syria.

What are human-animal chimeras, and why are they problematic?

By Matt Hadro

After the National Institutes of Health proposed federal funding of projects to possibly create a human-animal hybrid, Catholic ethicists voiced serious moral and legal concerns.

Is Latin the best language for exorcisms?

By Mary Rezac

With the September debut of the new T.V. series The Exorcist, based on the horror film series of the same name from the 1970s, another wave of fascination with the supernatural has also surfaced.

UPDATED: Fidel Castro, communist leader who met three Popes, dies at 90

by Elise Harris

After hearing of the death of Fidel Castro, former president and leader communist revolution in Cuba, late Friday evening, Pope Francis sent a telegram offering his prayers for the deceased and the entire nation.

The Green Pope isn't who you think it is.

By Mary Rezac

There once was a Pope called “The Green Pope.”