Mary Theisen-Lappen could never have planned out her own path to the Summer Olympics in Paris.

A Catholic bishop in Chicago from an Eastern church whose origins go back to St. Thomas the Apostle has joined some 300 faith leaders in sounding an alarm over religious persecution in India.

The “days of easy faith are over,” and a “new generation of Catholic men” are needed in the church, said the head of the Knights of Columbus at the global Catholic fraternal organization’s annual gathering.

Prominent Catholics have joined church leaders in condemning a wave of riots across the United Kingdom, while also urging greater understanding of current social grievances.

As Iraq marked 10th anniversary of Islamic State group-induced terror recognized by the United Nations as genocide, and subsequent tragic Christian exodus, a top Iraq cardinal said that evil will not last and Christians called for more support for Iraq’s ancient Yezidi community still struggling for restitution and justice.

The Vatican confirmed Aug. 9 that seven priests expelled from Nicaragua arrived in Rome Aug. 8. They had been detained in an assault on a diocese headed by an outspoken bishop as the Ortega regime continued debilitating the Catholic Church and forcing its critics into exile.

Pope Francis said he dreams of visiting China one day and, especially, praying at the Shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan near Shanghai.

Lucas Oil football stadium was packed July 17 with tens of thousands of people completely silent in prayer before a large monstrance holding the Eucharist.

Praising the 2.1 million members of the Knights of Columbus for their faith, charity and defense of life, Pope Francis asked them to continue to pray and work for peace.

The devastation wrought by the wildfires in West Maui last year is unmatched in recent history.