Details: President Obama revealed on January 15, 2016, during an interview with YouTube personality Ingrid Nilsen, that he carries a variety of faith-based items with him during his busy days. The items, according to the President, are often given to him by people he has met over the years and that he therefore finds meaningful. One of the items he often carries in his pocket is the beautiful rosary presented to him by Pope Francis during his journey to the... Read more

From the Diocese of West Palm Beach comes this strong statement on their website, following up on the allegations that made headlines earlier in the week: In response to recent media coverage of allegations made against the diocese, the Diocese of Palm Beach is issuing the following statement: “The Diocese of Palm Beach is very disappointed in the actions of Father John Gallagher who, through a complete misrepresentation of the case of Father Jose Palimattom, has brought unfair and slanderous... Read more

This didn’t get much attention when it happened yesterday, but it’s worth noting for both the questioner (a Catholic) and the answer. From The New York Times:  On Monday, at a town-hall-style event in a school gymnasium here, Jessica Manning, 36, a high school guidance counselor from Pella, Iowa, told Mrs. Clinton that as a Catholic and a Democrat, she felt conflicted. She explained that she had called into a Catholic radio show to discuss whom to support in the... Read more

From the Staten Island Advance:  A petition is calling for a Staten Island Ferry honoring Catholic social activist and borough resident Dorothy Day. Sally Kennedy of New Brighton wants one of three new boats being added to the city’s ferry fleet to be named for the writer, religious figure and co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement because of her legacy. “Dorothy Day did a lot of charity work and lived a compassionate life and is an inspirational woman,” Kennedy said. Kennedy... Read more

This historic meeting—the first  of its kind in nearly 20 years—prompted some conversation that the Vatican described as “cordial.” From CNS:  Meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the Vatican, Pope Francis told him he had high hopes for peace. And while Pope Francis usually asks those he meets for their prayers, the Shiite cleric pre-empted the pope’s request and said, “I ask you to pray for me.” President Rouhani, who was in Europe to build political and economic ties after... Read more

This story popped up yesterday in the The Independent newspaper in Ireland, and quickly garnered attention on social media: Fr John A Gallagher (48) is living in a friend’s home after locks at his parochial house were changed and he was placed on medical leave by his bishop in the Diocese of Palm Beach. He claims he was told by a church official to put a paedophile priest on a plane rather than cooperate with police. A local police chief, so... Read more

Marking the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Holy Father had this say: “As Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the Catholic Church, I wish to ask mercy and forgiveness for the un-Gospel like behavior of Catholics toward Christians of other Churches. At the same time, I invite all Catholic brothers and sisters to forgive if they, today or in the past, have suffered offense by other Christians. We cannot erase what has been, but we do not... Read more

A great get, over at ChurchPOP:  ChurchPOP tracked down the priest who presided over this historic Mass, Fr. Patrick Behm, and interviewed him about his experience. “It was incredible,” Fr. Behm told ChurchPOP, “easily one of the highlights of my time as a priest.” Fr. Behm is the parochial vicar of All Saints’ Parish in Le Mars, IA as well as parochial vicar of St. Patrick’s Parish in Akron, IA, and the chaplain of Gehlen Catholic High School in Le Mars. He... Read more

“Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting... Read more