Having closely monitored the development of Saint Death's burgeoning cult on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, I had expected a condemnation by the Vatican, although I am somewhat surprised that it came before any such statement made by U.S. bishops.

WASHINGTON -- Republican and Democrats sparred this week on where Jesus Christ would stand on food stamps, a federal program that supported 47 million...

Some things are so important they shouldn't be complicated. An old Italian woman once told me the only sin is not to be kind. It's a wise summary of the greatest commandment: to love the Lord with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. Catholicism can be as easy as that.

MEXICO CITY — The Vatican's culture minister says Mexico's folk Death Saint is a blasphemous symbol that shouldn't be part of any religion. Car...

As the Cardinal entered his office, I rose and we embraced each other in what could best be described as a bear hug! The Cardinal then turned to me and said, "You are most welcome here." Do you know what is radical about that statement?

"The Catholic Church: What Everyone Needs to Know" makes clear that this institution is less monolithic than it seems; no wonder the book's mantra is: "It's complicated."

Having determined that "in the public square ... the days of fat, balding Irish bishops are over," Cardinal Timothy Dolan has chosen, as his stand-in, a woman who seems the very model of a modern media messenger from the political right. If Dolan had more confidence in his message, he wouldn't need her.

By Ann Marie Somma Religion News Service DERBY, Conn. (RNS) The Rev. Janusz Kukulka can't say for sure that his parishioners are sinning more, bu...

I'm a Catholic / but I think Islam is beautiful / Some think I'm interested in converting / No, I'm not / it just makes me think of the one above

The confluence of theological concerns, religious competition, new Latin American influence at the Vatican and media coverage have resulted in Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi's condemnation of the cult of Santa Muerte as the embodiment of Latin America's "culture of death."

I encourage patients to continue seeking spiritual support from their pastor or spiritual director and continue finding solace in the Scriptures. Spiritual exercises and practices are perfectly compatible with things like taking a medication and going to psychotherapy. They can all work hand in hand.

Pat Robertson recently attempted to explain why more miracles seem to happen for "simple, humble" foreigners than for Americans, and he said it has to...

Spring is a sign of renewal and rebirth. It's the counterpart to the reawakening of humanity. I am comforted that the darkness in the church is being rooted out. I still have hope that one day it will again feel like home to me.

The decisions made during Francis' first Holy Thursday as pope will signal much about just what sort of father Francis will be: a loving one who values his daughters as much as his sons, who truly listens and is willing to admit his own mistakes, or a father who signals merely a shift in papal style but not in substance?

Francis of Assisi is among the most beloved saints of the Church. In taking the name Francis, the new pope has signaled to the world something of his intentions for his papacy.

St. Francis' whole program of the "Gospel Life," was about the renunciation of power that placed barriers between him and others, him and God, and him and the rest of creation. Pope Francis seems to understand the significance of his name.

As Vice President Joe Biden prepares to lead a U.S. delegation to Tuesday's installation Mass for Pope Francis, he has reignited a familiar controvers...

While Catholic and Islamic services are different, many of our practices are the same, and I felt overwhelmed by a feeling of our shared human endeavours to get closer to the divine.