Fifteen World Youth Day pilgrims from Ukraine, most of whom had lost a father or other close relative in the war, had a private meeting with Pope Francis Aug. 3.

A Catholic Church that has grown weary in countries shaken by the clerical sexual abuse crisis and cultural trends toward secularism must look anew to Jesus to revive their “restless” enthusiasm for sharing the Gospel, Pope Francis said.

Joyful, singing crowds were walking through Lisbon long after the opening Mass of World Youth Day 2023 was over Aug. 1. The atmosphere surprised even those that lived in the Portuguese capital throughout their lives.

Arriving at the edge of the European continent for World Youth Day, Pope Francis urged Portuguese officials to return to their maritime roots by setting sail toward new horizons of hope and helping build a Europe “capable of recovering its youthful heart.”

A lawsuit filed July 31 in Oklahoma is seeking to block state funding for what could become the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school if it survives the legal challenge.

Former President Donald Trump was indicted Aug. 1 by special counsel Jack Smith over his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The Knights of Columbus 141st Supreme Convention held Aug. 1-3 in Orlando gathered Knights, both lay and clergy, from all over the globe at the Orlando World Center Marriott, showing its international reach and “Catholic” nature of the brotherhood, encompassing men of diverse cultures, languages and continents all held together by the same faith in Jesus Christ.

In his address for the 141st Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus, Patrick Kelly illustrated how the Knights’ goal of being “first in faith, first in charity” drew its source from a commitment to follow Jesus Christ.

The mountaintop monastery at Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, facing the sea, has been a place of pilgrimage and tours for peoples of all faiths.

The U.S. Senate passed a national defense spending bill for fiscal year 2024 shortly before their August recess without language in the Republican-led House’s version of the bill barring abortion or coverage for gender transitions.