VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI and Russian President Vladimir Putin spent 25 minutes speaking privately March 13, discussing Catholic-Orthodox relations and ways to strengthen the relationship between the Vatican and the Russian government. Although two translators were present for the private meeting in Pope Benedict’s library, they told reporters that the pope and Putin...Read More

Here are two more stories from the opposite ends of life, about a little girl and an aging lady.Read More

Steve Spurrier has been a member of St. Pius X, Rodgers Forge, since the day he was baptized, some 44 years ago. Now married with three children he is active in marriage preparatory classes, coaching sports teams in the parish and school and playing the drums for the group “40 more days” which helps celebrate...Read More

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Diocese of Belleville’s Catholic Charities agency has joined three other Illinois Catholic Charities agencies in a lawsuit against the state seeking to continue operating their foster care and adoption programs since the passage of a law legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples.Read More

Last Saturday I stopped by the Social Ministries Convocation at Seton Keough High School. Bishop Mitchell Rozanski accompanied me in the visit; Bishops Malooly and Madden came by later in the day. This gathering, organized by Monsignor William Burke with the help of a special committee, brought together hundreds of people from around the Archdiocese...Read More

SYDNEY – Three Catholic entities in Australia apologized “with a deep sense of regret and heartfelt sorrow” over forced adoption practices involving thousands of single mothers that occurred in past decades.Read More

WASHINGTON – Fated to be remembered principally as the vice presidential nominee who had to step down because of treatment for depression, Sen. Thomas Eagleton also made his mark in the Senate as a strong opponent of abortion and harsh critic of the war in Vietnam. Sen. Eagleton died March 4 at St. Mary’s Health...Read More

MADRID – For Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela of Madrid, there’s no déjà vu in hosting his second international World Youth Day.Read More