ArcaMax

CHICAGO — Catholics across the region are celebrating the historic announcement that the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the church was born and raised in the Chicago area.

In his first words as Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost announced “peace be with you,” invoking a message of dialogue and care for those in need ...Read more

President Donald Trump Thursday congratulated Pope Leo XIV, calling it a “great honor” that the Chicago-born pontiff has become the first pope born in the U.S.

“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope,” Trump wrote on his social media site. “What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country.”

Trump ...Read more

ROME — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Roman Catholic pontiff, the first ever pope from the United States and a possible bridge between the moderate and hard-line sides of a divided Church.

Prevost, 69, chose the name of Leo XIV for his pontificate and was greeted by thousands of cheering faithful as he stepped out onto a ...Read more

ROME — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Roman Catholic pontiff, the first ever pope from the United States and a possible bridge between the moderate and hard-line sides of the Church.

Prevost, 69, chose the name of Leo XIV for his pontificate and was greeted by thousands of cheering faithful as he stepped out onto a balcony ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has agreed in principle to settle more than 100 childhood sexual abuse lawsuits filed against it last year in San Diego and across California, according to recent court filings in the cases.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs and the Utah-based LDS church, often referred to as the Mormon ...Read more

Q: What do you as a rabbi want from the new pope? – (From F)

A: As it turns out, I want the same things from a new pope that I would want from a new rabbi – plus the ability to run a worldwide, multicultural, multi-billion-dollar institution representing more than a billion Catholics.

I want a pope who believes that Christ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: If God knows every thought we have – good or bad (especially the bad) – why is it necessary for us to tell Him what we’re thinking and how we’re feeling and behaving? – G.B.

A: There are no secrets from God. The Bible says, “You alone know each human heart” (1 Kings 8:39, NLT). Should...Read more

BALTIMORE — Sex abuse survivors scoffed at the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s claim of “charitable immunity” in bankruptcy court and encouraged others Wednesday to sue the church before financial damages face new limits next month.

“Just when you think you may be reaching the end of the Catholic Church’s road of hypocrisy, they find a ...Read more

As more than 130 voting cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to begin the secret process to elect the next head of the Holy See, a new poll finds that a plurality of U.S. Catholics want Pope Francis’ successor to continue his teachings.

The papal conclave includes the most electors ever — the bulk of them appointed by the late ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I’m in awe after getting a prayer answered, though I prayed without really believing God would answer my request. I had longed to go as a missionary to Ukraine after the war broke out. Many obstacles were put in my way, and every door I tried to open seemed to slam in my face. Greatly discouraged,...Read more

A new Washington state law requires Catholic priests and other religious community leaders of different faiths to report potential child abuse to state authorities.

But does the law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on May 2 raise constitutional issues?

The question is central to a new federal civil rights probe launched under President Donald Trump...Read more

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was a 50-1 betting long shot to be elected pope in 2013, when the former Argentine cardinal beat the odds and took the name Pope Francis.

Bettors are banking on another long shot to succeed Pope Francis, who died April 21 at age 88.

While Italian cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle continue to...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My grandmother keeps warning me not to make bad choices in life. I respect her as one who has always made good decisions, and our family has benefited greatly. But does God really care about the decisions we make, and if so, why? Isn’t the natural pathway of life to just live and learn from our ...Read more