Deteriorating conditions in Syria prompted Pope Benedict XVI to cancel a planned visit by a delegation of cardinals and bishops.

Blessed Pope John XXIII published “Peace on Earth” on April 11, 1963, in direct response to the Cuban missile crisis.

More than 500 people were killed in Syria during what had been proposed as a four-day ceasefire to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

Statements on preaching and ways that bishops can utuilize new technologies are among the items the U.S. bishops will consider when they gather in Baltimore for their annual meeting.

As Catholic Charities USA responds to victims of Hurricane Sandy, donations can be made online at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org or by calling (800) 919-9338.

The aim of interreligious dialogue is not to come to some sort of agreement on religious principles that everyone can accept, Vatican officials say.