Catholic News Service

Pope Francis knows his appeals for an end to the war in Ukraine carry little weight with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but he also knows he has an obligation to continue speaking out and rallying others to join him in praying for peace.

Prosecutors in El Salvador have brought charges against a former president for the murders of six Jesuits in 1989, a crime carried out by soldiers during a brutal civil war in the Central American country.

Christians have a right to remain in Iraq and the obligation to contribute to the country's growth and recovery, which will require collaboration among the churches and a commitment to interreligious dialogue, Pope Francis said.

The Vatican is ready to facilitate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

The Supreme Court heard arguments Feb. 23 on whether Biden administration officials sought sufficient public comment and gave notice before ditching a Trump-era rule that denies a green card to recent immigrants who may need economic assistance.

The Faith for Earth Dialogue seeks to demonstrate the power and potential of faith-based organizations and faith leaders in shaping discussions at the UNEA as well as engaging in dialogue with other stakeholders.

President Biden announced Feb. 25 at the White House that he has chosen a "proven consensus builder" by nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, a federal appeals court judge, to serve on the Supreme Court.

While the world is prone to responding to violence with violence at the expense of lives, livelihoods and the earth itself, Butigan and other teachers of nonviolence are encouraging the world to seek alternatives when a threat is present.

Pope Francis' April visit to Malta, while brief, will include stops at three cities and an island, as well as meetings with authorities, local Catholics and migrants.

For some U.S. prelates, such as Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Brooklyn, New York, the Feb. 24 news of Russia's invasion of Ukraine hit close to home.

Ambassadors to the Holy See, priests, religious and laity packed Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere to overflowing Feb. 24, pleading to God for peace in Ukraine.

Solar panels at Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis are being integrated into lesson plans in science and theology classes to help students learn about renewable energy and how care for creation is an important aspect of the Catholic faith.

As war broke out in Europe Feb. 24, with Russia's early morning attacks on various parts of Ukraine, Catholics in the U.S. joined Pope Francis in prayers for the people of the East European nation and for peace.

European Catholic leaders appealed for peace and expressed alarm about the potential for "a humanitarian catastrophe" after Russia attacked Ukraine.

In two separate Masses marking Black History Month, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory stressed that the annual monthlong observance is not just an opportunity to celebrate the gifts and accomplishments of African Americans.

Christians must persevere in generously doing good in the world, bolstered by prayer and by fighting evil in their own lives, including an addiction to digital media, Pope Francis said.

As Russia fired missiles on several Ukrainian cities and Russian troops reportedly landed in Odessa, the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church affirmed the right of Ukrainians to defend their homeland and assured his people that God would watch over them.

Everybody on Madagascar's east coast has a story about the night Cyclone Batsirai struck. The storm left 120 people dead and destroyed the homes and businesses of many families.

A fire that caused $1 million in damage to a Catholic school in suburban Cleveland Feb. 19 was deliberately set, fire investigators said.

With coronavirus cases declining in every state, many Catholic school officials are lifting mask requirements at diocesan schools following the lead of governors' announcements about lifting mask mandates for the general public, and in some cases, schools.