Religion News Service

Francis has changed the style of being pope, attacked clericalism, empowered the laity, opened the church to conversation and debate and changed the pastoral and public priorities of the church.

Pretending our problems don't exist might help us relax in the moment, but it comes with a real cost in the long run.

A Virginia office of the FBI is apparently concerned that racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists are seeking alliances with radical-traditionalist Catholics, according to a leaked memo dated Jan. 23.

Churches, with their large parking lots that often sit empty during the week, could help provide a solution to the growing demand for electric vehicle charging stations.

It is not easy to be a follower of Jesus. Anyone who thinks it is, is simply not listening to him. Leviticus asks us to be holy like God; Jesus asks us to love like God, who lets the sun shine on the good and the bad.

Kyle Meyaard-Schaap's Following Jesus in a Warming World is a field guide for Christian climate action.

A blog post from a senior fellow from the Council on Foreign Relations attacking the pope's diagnosis of the causes of African underdevelopment doesn't tell the whole story says Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese.

Antarctica may be the most secular continent in the world, filled with scientists on missions of discovery. But for those who are looking for spirituality, there is a lot to be discovered there, too.

If people want to spend their millions promoting Jesus, they can, because the United States is a free country.

Most Catholics see the eucharistic prayer as centered on the consecration of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. But the eucharistic prayer is addressed in thanks and praise to the Father, not to Jesus.

Today's Christian Eucharist is a combination of the Jewish synagogue service and Passover meal as adapted by the early Jewish Christians.

The Eucharist is not to make Jesus present so we can worship him, says Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese. If you want to adore Christ in the Eucharist, go to Benediction, not to Mass.

Rain is beautiful and nourishing, to be appreciated and celebrated. Rain can also be inconvenient and destructive in our climate-challenged world. What is it that enables some people to see the same phenomenon as something to endure, while others see it as something to celebrate?

For two marketing classes taught at North Catholic High School in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, a career and college counselor at the school invited three owners of a local store to talk about how they run their small business. As part of their visit in December, the store owners offered each student a small crystal.

Critics are questioning whether the change is a full departure from the past or merely cosmetic.

Congress approved the transfer of the land at Oak Flat to Resolution Copper in 2014 in exchange for 6,000 acres elsewhere, but the Western Apache claim that the site has unique spiritual meaning.

Australian Cardinal George Pell was cowardly and disloyal in authoring an anonymous memorandum attacking Pope Francis.

So-called traditionalists have lost two icons in recent weeks, deflating opposition to reform on women's roles.

A new report looking at in-person worship attendance patterns found that a third of those surveyed never attend worship services, up from 25% before the start of the pandemic.

Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops Jan. 5 to recognize a 36-hour truce throughout Ukraine during the Orthodox Christmas holiday weekend. The announcement came in response to an appeal by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, who called for a cease-fire lasting from noon Jan. 6  through Jan. 7.