The “narrow gate” to salvation described by Jesus isn’t narrow because God is oppressive, but because pride bloats Christians and prevents them from entering God’s merciful embrace, Pope Francis said.
International News
Counter Terrorists’ Hatred With Education and Dialogue
Terrorists want to make peace-loving Christians and Muslims believe that it is impossible for them to live side by side; it is up to Christians and Muslims to prove them wrong, said French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran.
Pope Makes ‘Mercy Friday’ Visit to Rescued Women
Continuing his Year of Mercy practice of going one Friday a month to visit people facing special struggles, Pope Francis paid a surprise visit to a community helping 20 young women get their lives back together after being rescued from prostitution.
Gymnast Keeps Rosary Close When Competing
U.S. Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Simone Biles says when she travels, she sometimes takes with her a statue of St. Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes, and she also carries a rosary her mother gave her.
Missing Seminarian Found Dead in River
Law enforcement officials in Wichita announced that a body found some days earlier in the Arkansas River near one of the city’s park was the body of Brian Bergkamp, a seminarian from the Diocese of Wichita.
Mother Teresa’s Stamp
The Vatican will anticipate the canonization of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata with a special postage stamp, which will be released Sept. 2, two days before Pope Francis officially declares her a saint.
Iraqi Christians Not Sure They Will Be Able to Return Home
Iraqi Christians appear divided about whether they will be able to return home after Islamic State militants are flushed out of the battle-scarred Ninevah Plains region.
World Prepares To Honor St. Mother Teresa
At Mother Teresa’s home, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, the doors are open for all, and followers and admirers come every day, visiting and praying at her tomb.
Olympic Swimmer Prays Hail Mary Before Race
Before every race, swimmer Katie Ledecky offers a prayer. “The Hail Mary is a beautiful prayer and I find that it calms me,” she told the Catholic Standard in an email interview.
Pope Says World Is at War But It Is Not Religious
An economy that focuses on the God of money, not human beings, is the foundation of terrorism, Pope Francis said. Speaking to journalists aboard his return flight from Krakow, Poland, July 31, the pope also stressed that violence exists in all religions, including Catholicism, and it cannot be pinned to one single religion.