President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the nation’s highest civilian honor, the White House said Jan. 11.
National News
Pope Offers Prayers for Those Impacted by LA Wildfires
“I am praying for all of you,” Pope Francis said, using his televised Sunday Angelus address to speak directly to the people impacted by the wildfires in Southern California.
Catholics Mobilize Relief Efforts as Deadly Los Angeles Wildfires Leave Thousands Displaced
As deadly wildfires ravage Los Angeles, Catholics are mobilizing to help those impacted.
March for Life Speakers to Include DeSantis, Bishop Thomas
Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., and Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, Ohio, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, will be among the speakers at the 52nd annual March for Life, the group said Jan. 9.
Carter State Funeral Mourners Celebrate Former President as Man of Faith, Ideals
Mourners including all five living U.S. presidents attended the late President Jimmy Carter’s funeral Jan. 9 at the Washington National Cathedral, the first time they have all been in public together since 2018, and an increasingly rare occurrence in an era of bitter partisanship.
Archbishop Calls for Prayers as Los Angeles Faces Devastating Wildfires
Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles has called for prayers as wildfires continue to sweep through parts of southern California, having killed at least five people and forced thousands to flee their homes.
Biden Cancels Final Foreign Trip, Including Papal Audience, Amid California Wildfires
President Joe Biden has canceled his upcoming trip to Italy, including an audience with Pope Francis, in order to “remain focused on directing the full federal response” in the wake of the devastating wildfires raging in California, the White House said.
Catholic Climate Policy Advocates Express Concern About Some Trump Proposals
President-elect Donald Trump Jan. 7 reiterated his call for some companies that make investments in the U.S. economy to bypass some environmental regulations.
Faith, Religious Music Helped Shape Carter’s Beliefs, World Views
Jimmy Carter’s legacy is firmly cemented in America and worldwide. It includes many accomplishments both during and after his presidency, all of which can be traced back to the foundation of his faith and the religious music that he cherished. Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100, has been called the first “rock ‘n’ roll president,” and he certainly was, embracing friendships with artists like Willie Nelson, Gregg Allman, Charlie Daniels, Larry Gatlin, Johnny Cash, and Bob Dylan, to name a few.
Families Are ‘Not Alone’ In Sorrow Over Deaths, Injuries Suffered In NOLA Terror Attack, Biden Says
Saying he carried with him the sorrow of the nation for a “horrific act of terrorism” on New Year’s Day that claimed the lives of 14 people on Bourbon Street, President Joe Biden told grieving families at an interfaith prayer service Jan. 6 at St. Louis Cathedral that they would one day be released from their shared pain.