Religion News Service

Perspective: Touch is central to caring for the dying. Human dignity is at stake when the Supreme Court hears death row inmate John Henry Ramirez's plea that his pastor be allowed to lay hands on him as he is executed.

Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese: Last year, protesters were arrested after Junipero Serra's statue was torn down at a San Rafael mission. His statues were also attacked elsewhere. Bishops have labeled these attacks anti-Catholic; I think they should ask the following.

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI likely received the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in October, according to official Vatican reports that priority for the third dose was given to people over 60.

A conservative Catholic bishop in Texas praised a speech by actor Jim Caviezel this week, lauding remarks that included criticism of Pope Francis and were delivered at a conference connected to QAnon.

Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese: This will not be a pastoral meeting between the pope and one of the Catholic faithful. This is a meeting between the president of the United States and an influential world leader. 

A Vatican census released ahead of World Mission Day reveals growing numbers of Catholics in what Pope Francis often refers to as "the global peripheries," even as the number continues to diminish in Europe.

Faith leaders and actors were arrested outside the White House on Oct. 19 as they demanded in prayers and speeches voting rights legislation.

Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist and conservationist, noted that faith leaders could play a great role in bringing about change in the world.

In more than 12,000 columns by U.S. bishops between 2014 and 2019 — the period directly before and after the publication of Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home" — only 93 mentioned climate change, global warming or their equivalent at all.

Members of Apache Stronghold have led a spiritual convoy to San Francisco, where a court on Oct. 22 will hear an appeal the group has filed to keep land in Arizona they consider sacred from being transferred to a copper mining company.

The Pew Research Center found that 82% of Catholic adults said they were at least partially vaccinated as of August — data that included 86% of Latino Catholics and 79% of white Catholics.

The prelate who oversees Catholics in the U.S. military issued a statement Oct. 12 supporting service members who have refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on religious grounds.

Fr. Thomas Reese: Pope Francis should appoint Greta Thunberg to the Vatican delegation to COP26 with full diplomatic credentials so she can go anywhere, attend any meeting and speak out for the children of the world.

A year after the Junipero Serra statue toppling advocates are urging the Marin County district attorney to drop the felony charges against the five protesters who were arrested after the monument was torn down on Indigenous Peoples Day.

Every pope for the past 50 years — except John Paul I, who died after a month in office — has spoken and written about environmental issues.

On October 12, 1971, a glitzy, over-the-top performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar" opened on Broadway. Fifty years later, the show's impact is difficult to exaggerate. 

Fr. Thomas Reese: Floods of biblical proportions are coming. Plague, famine and war are forecast. But don't blame God. We are bringing the Apocalypse on ourselves.

A number of Catholic groups and Protestant denominations are calling for the United States to establish a Truth and Healing Commission to reckon with the country’s history of boarding schools.

Religious leaders to urge strong climate action at COP26 and commit to encouraging their congregations to care for creation.

Thomas Reese: Let's be honest. We are all cafeteria Catholics. The real question is how we avoid a food fight in the cafeteria. Disagreements should lead to conversations, not shouting.