Former Vice President Mike Pence condemned Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s anti-Catholic persecution in comments at a religious freedom summit in Washington Jan. 30, arguing the U.S. should alter its existing trade agreement with that government if its religious persecution continues.

A new report shows a continued decrease in the number of permanent vocations to consecrated life in the U.S. — but key factors such as family life, devotional practices, Catholic education and personal encouragement can positively impact those numbers.

Catholics need to know what their words and gestures at Mass signify and evoke, a liturgical expert said.

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland, the former shepherd of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, plans to address the upcoming Conservative Political Action Conference’s annual Ronald Reagan Dinner as a keynote speaker in February, CPAC announced.

Ten children from Gaza in need of medical attention arrived in Rome on a military plane late Jan. 29, the first group of young patients who will receive treatment in Italy thanks to the lobbying of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land and negotiations involving the governments of Italy, Israel, Palestine and Egypt.

A leading Catholic immigration advocate has raised questions about whether restrictions in a bipartisan border proposal now before Congress will help the situation or make it worse for migrants trying to enter the U.S.

Father Robert Hoeffner and his sister, Sally Hoeffner, were found slain at a Palm Bay, Fla., residence on the evening of Jan. 28, as police investigated a domestic disturbance at another area home that turned deadly.

France’s bishops stand in solidarity with farmers protesting across the country. After days of protests in the local provinces, farmers were determined to block the main roads leading to Paris, with spectacular traffic jams of tractors and farm vehicles they formed Jan. 29 across the French capital.

Keeping the Catholic faith and caring for the poor, sick and afflicted are inseparable, Pope Francis said.

A television or radio network that calls itself Catholic must help people overcome their prejudices, seek the truth with charity and build bridges between people, Pope Francis said.