From a Catholic perspective, it is fair to say that Archbishop John Ireland put Minnesota on the map. But he failed in his most cherished project: a new model for Catholic education.

In a joint statement, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of San Diego and Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico called for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestine and the release of Israeli hostages.

Pope Francis said businesses must “be increasingly guided not simply by the pursuit of fair profit, but also by high ethical standards, especially with regard to the less developed countries.”

A Reflection for Memorial of St. Anthony, Abbot, by Michael J. O’Loughlin

“Winning the battle against lust, against the ‘objectification’ of the other, can be a lifelong endeavor,” Pope Francis said today in his general audience.

How can the church unite clarity of teaching with pastoral closeness to people in their struggles?

“It’s difficult to imagine it,” the pope said when asked how he imagines hell. “What I would say is not a dogma of faith, but my personal thought: I like to think hell is empty; I hope it is.”

This week, the New England Patriots parted ways with their legendary head coach, Bill Belichick. Did he get too much credit for the team’s success?

A Reflection for Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, by Kevin Christopher Robles

The Supreme Court has limited the consideration of race in admissions, but Catholic schools may still pursue diversity by selecting students likely to advance social justice after they graduate.