Catholic News Service

The Catholic Church must dedicate itself to properly forming and safeguarding the conscience of its faithful, especially young people, Pope Francis said.

In the apostolic constitution Veritatis Gaudium ("The Joy of Truth"), the pope issued revised norms for what are known as "ecclesiastical universities and faculties." 

The U.S. suspension of $65 million in aid to the U.N. agency that deals with Palestinian refugees alarmed advocates who work with Palestinians living in camps.

The German bishops' conference decided to keep the traditional wording in the Lord's Prayer while the Italian bishops' conference changed the words of the prayer in their translation.

Eighty-seven religious leaders, including Toronto Cardinal Thomas Collins, have united to call on the Canadian government to strike down a new policy that requires organizations seeking summer jobs grants to confirm support for the pro-abortion and gender policies of the Liberal Party.

Retired Archbishop Daniel Buechlein of Indianapolis, a Benedictine priest for 53 years, died Jan. 25 at age 79.

A truly pastoral minister never leaves people to suffer on their own or to become a victim to their own errors and confusion, Pope Francis told members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

When different Christian churches recognize the validity of one another's baptisms, they are recognizing that God's grace is at work in them, Pope Francis said.

A religious brother, a campus ministry director and a youth minister have been named to represent the United States as young adult delegates at a pre-synod gathering in Rome in March.

To help parishes, groups, individuals and families better prepare for the World Meeting of Families, Vatican organizers are releasing a multimedia series of catechetical materials in five languages online.

A trust fund that supports a Catholic school network in inner-city Memphis, Tennessee, is running dry, forcing diocesan officials to announce that the schools will close.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston called for prayers for the victims killed and injured in a pair of school shootings in Kentucky and Texas.

All people have a right to freely profess their own religious beliefs without fear of duress, Pope Francis said, calling on the world community to do more to protect the Yezidi minority.

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, California, and named Auxiliary Bishop Myron Cotta of Sacramento, California, as his successor.

Churches in Afrin, Syria, are calling on the world to stop the slaughter of civilians during the Turkish military assault.

Global leaders must implement policies that support the family and offer real opportunities for the growth and development of all people, Pope Francis said.

Security forces in Congo violently dispersed protesters who were demanding that President Joseph Kabila hold fresh elections.

The idea of exceptionally ordaining older married men of proven virtue to celebrate the Eucharist in isolated Catholic communities is something that should be discussed, said Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.

The Capital One Arena in Washington, which typically hosts professional basketball and hockey games and sold-out concerts, was filled with thousands of youth from around the country who gathered there Jan. 19 to stand up for life.