Politicians have an essential role in preserving the unity of a nation by working for the common good and promoting cooperation, especially when “the exasperation of contrasts” threatens to divide a country, Pope Francis told Indonesia leaders.

The U.S. Supreme Court Sept. 3 rejected Oklahoma’s effort to regain millions in federal family planning grants that the Biden administration rescinded over the state’s refusal to comply with its abortion referral requirements.

A federal appeals court recently upheld a lower court’s ruling in favor of granting a Title IX exemption for religious post-secondary institutions that receive federal funding.

As family, friends, teammates, coaches, media, acquaintances and even strangers struggled mightily to make sense of the devastating tragedy Aug. 29 that took the lives of National Hockey League star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother, Matthew, 29, no expression adequately conveyed the sense of loss that tore apart the fabric of a popular, much-loved family with deep Catholic roots.

Mexico’s outgoing president has compared himself to St. Francis of Assisi, highlighting his personal parsimony as a calling card in a country notorious for corrupt politics — while overlooking his own willingness to welcome politicians with checkered records into his political party.

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael R. Cote, 75, of Norwich, Connecticut, and appointed Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne of Hartford, Conn., as apostolic administrator of the diocese.

Pope Francis landed in Jakarta after a 13-hour flight from Rome and was greeted by the religious affairs minister of Indonesia and two children in traditional dress who offered him flowers.

Traveling on an ITA Airways plane, Pope Francis set off on the longest foreign trip of his papacy.

In what was a devastating Sunday morning for hostage families, Israel said Sept. 1 that it had recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose parents became outspoken global advocates for all hostages to be released.

The Holy Land’s sacred sites overflow with tourists in normal times, but with war in Gaza, most airlines have canceled flights to the region. The streets of the Old City of Jerusalem are deserted with merchant’s stalls shuttered.