History On November 16, 1989 on the campus of the Central American University in San Salvador, six Jesuit priests were pulled from their beds in the middle of the night and executed. The military officers who carried out the killing went unpunished for decades. Five of six Jesuits were Spanish citizens. In 2008 the Spanish ...read more

An expert in Arabic and Islamic studies examines ISIS and Boko Haram and explains how Western nations should respond to Islamic extremism. How are you going to spend the next five minutes of your time?  You could browse social media or check your email, but how about meeting a fascinating person and learning something relevant ...read more

Among the many topics discussed in our recent 2015 Year in Review program was the highly anticipated and much debated Synod of Bishops part two, on the vocation and mission of the family today. It was easily the biggest news story in the Catholic world last year, and could very well carry over into 2016. That’s ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For January 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Interreligious Dialogue – That sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice. Christian Unity –That by means of dialogue and fraternal charity and with the ...read more

On Wednesday morning, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, Pope Francis presided over the Eucharistic celebration in the Vatican Basilica. Below is the text of the homily the Pope pronounced after the proclamation of the Holy Gospel and the proclamation of the day of Easter, which this year is celebrated on March 27: The words of the ...read more

A Palestinian Christian prays in the Church of Nativity on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, West Bank. CNS photo/Debbie Hill ...read more

Fireworks light up the night sky near a giant Christmas tree along a bay walk in Palawan, Philippines, Dec. 1, 2011. The Philippines, a mainly Roman Catholic country, is known for its rich pageantry around the Advent and Christmas season. CNS photo/Romeo Ranoco, Reuters ...read more

Children touch the wings of a man dressed as an angel as he holds a sign reading “Christmas with Jesus is happiness” in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Dec. 13, 2011. Members of the Christian church Psalm 100 regularly dress as angels holding signs with religious messages for people to read. CNS photo/Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters ...read more

St. Mary’s Cathedral is illuminated by a 246-foot projected Lights of Christmas display Dec. 13, 2012 in Sydney. CNS photo/Tim Wimborne, Reuters ...read more

Pope Francis delivered the homily at Mass on New Year’s Day, the Solemnity of the Mother of God, in St. Peter’s Basilica. Below, please find the full text of the official English translation of his prepared remarks. Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – World Day of Peace, 1 ...read more