Religion News Service

Acutis' "reputation of holiness," part of any saint's cause, has taken the church by storm. He is referred to by many names: the saint in sneakers, the patron of the Internet, God's jester or — as Francis described him — the saint next door.

Around the world, we are "witnessing an alarming rise in attempts to discredit, politicize or suppress scientific knowledge," the Vatican says in a new Pontifical Academy of Sciences document defending the freedom of science.

As the archbishop threads the needle between two leadership roles that have never been held by the same man, he has shied away from publicly criticizing President Donald Trump, even when issuing statements critical of Trump administration actions on Iran or mass deportations.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops took a firm but mixed approach to the bill, while other Catholic leaders signed an interfaith letter asking senators to oppose the bill.

The Eucharist is supposed to be the sacrament of unity, but sadly liturgy still divides Catholics, especially when it comes to the Traditional Latin Mass. Is compromise possible that can respect both unity and diversity in the church?

The Homeland Security Committee named the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities USA among those under scrutiny.

U.S. Catholic bishops are quietly criticizing Trump's budget policies in a letter to Capitol Hill. It's a good letter, but in today's media landscape, they need to do more than that, writes Fr. Thomas Reese.

At an event celebrating the city's native son, Cardinal Blase Cupich spoke on immigration and the undocumented in his "Sermon on the Mound."
 

At one demonstration, faith leaders spread out in front of the line of officers, held hands and occasionally burst into song.

The Trump administration, like barbarians and terrorists, is capable of destroying but not building, says Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese.

"It is the vocation of the prophet to keep alive the ministry of imagination," he wrote.

The church's concern about global warming cannot die with Pope Francis. The ball has been passed to Pope Leo XIV

"The Jesus I know never charged a leper a co-pay," said the Rev. William Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach.

A partnership between St. John's University in Queens, New York, and United States Customs and Border Protection to inaugurate an immigration enforcement training center has sparked tensions among the university community.

Faith groups say thousands remain locked in limbo as the administration drags its feet.

Following St. Augustine, it appears Leo does not see unity as everyone singing the same note but rather as a choir singing in harmony. But eventually, the choir director will have to give some directions.

In the days after Pope Leo XIV's election, his eldest brother's past posts supporting President Donald Trump got media attention, not only for Louis Prevost's allegiance to MAGA, but also for content that included slurs and conspiracy theories.

African and European bishops say European leaders are prioritizing their own countries' benefits from African land deals, ahead of creating a system that is equitable and positive for African communities. 

In his first major foreign policy address, Pope Leo XIV focused on the three words he considers the aim of Vatican diplomacy: peace, justice and truth.