Pope Francis hopes to embark on the first-ever papal visit to the biblical land of Iraq in early March in a spiritual pilgrimage of sorts to the place known in Arabic as the “land of the two rivers” — the mighty Tigris and Euphrates — and once renowned as Mesopotamia, the “cradle of civilization.”
Catholic Faith
Black Catholic Is Trailblazer in Science; She Has Been Geneticist for 56 Years
As a child, Sheila Stiles Jewell played outside of the public housing where her family lived in Memphis. She felt one with nature weaving clover and catching bumblebees, not realizing that she was really feeding her curiosity for science and the natural world.
Home Run King Hank Aaron Overcame Racism to Excel On and Off the Field
Hank Aaron, who was baseball’s home run king for 33 years, overcame racism to make his mark in the game he loved. Aaron died Jan. 22 at age 86.
Lloyd Austin, Biden’s Pick for Secretary of Defense, Approved by Senate
Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star Army general, is President Joe Biden’s pick for secretary of defense. On Thursday, both houses of Congress voted to approve a waiver for him to be considered for confirmation since he has been retired for only four years, not the required seven. Now the Senate must vote on the actual confirmation.
Bishops Welcome Biden as President, Offering Prayers for the Common Good
Bishops throughout the country welcomed the inauguration of Joe Biden as the nation’s 46th president, saying it was a celebration of democracy and liberty, while praying for unity and reconciliation in the face of deep political divides.
Biden’s Inaugural Address Calls for Americans to Work for Unity
n his inaugural address Jan. 20, President Joe Biden said he is committed with his “whole soul” to bring this country together.
As Administration Change Nears, Experts Urge Bipartisan Approach to Religious Freedom
At a time when the ideological makeup of Capitol Hill is more divided than ever, the nation’s international religious freedom czar is calling on the next administration to maintain religious liberty as a bipartisan issue.
Manhattan #MediaNuns Stay Afloat, Keep Faith Alive
Even during a global pandemic, the Daughters of St. Paul continue to spread God’s word through a newly launched podcast series and brick-and-mortar operations. Here in New York City, one can find a group of nuns prepping for the Advent and Christmas seasons in the Pauline Books and Media storefront.
A Jewish Woman’s Journey Toward the Catholic Faith Amid Livestreamed Mass
For many Catholics, making the transition from in-person to livestreamed Mass during the pandemic has been a sobering experience. It has meant not being able to receive the Eucharist and participate in Mass with the rest of the faithful. That’s not Debbie Starkman-Zdyrko’s experience. She feels closer to her community and the Catholic faith now than she did before quarantine began.
Brunei Cardinal Says He Was ‘Hijacked’ Into Priesthood After Saying, ‘Oh, Hell No!’
A self-described ‘crypto-charismatic,’ Brunei’s new and first-ever recipient of a red hat, Bishop Cornelius Sim, said he never dreamed of being a priest, let alone a cardinal, but welcomes his appointment “with open arms.”