Pope denounces fake news in meeting with media (AP) Pope Francis denounced fake news about COVID-19 and vaccines Friday, blasting the “distortion of reality based on fear” but also urging that people who believe such lies are helped to understand true scientific facts. Francis met with Catholic journalists who have formed a fact-checking network to try to combat misinformation about the pandemic. Francis has frequently called for responsible journalism that searches for the truth and respects individuals, and his meeting with the “Catholic fact-checking” media consortium furthered that message…

Grotto at Virginia parish vandalized (CNA) Police are investigating after a grotto at a Catholic parish in Burke, Virginia was vandalized Tuesday evening.  Nativity Catholic Church, is vowing to raise money to replace the statues, which were damaged beyond repair Jan. 25. The parish’s grotto depicted Our Lady of Fatima speaking to the three child visionaries. In a Jan. 26 letter to his parish, Fr. Bob Cilinski said he was “so saddened” when the vandalism was discovered…

After COVID, Cardinal Gregory “back at work” (CNS) Resuming his public ministry following a period of quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 Dec. 31, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory in an interview said he was doing well and happy to be back at work. “I’m doing fine,” he said following a Jan. 23 Mass he celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in the Washington suburb of Waldorf. He also dedicated the church’s new altar, designed and built by parishioners…

Mel Gibson: Church needs a “housecleaning” (Newsweek) In an interview with Extra host Billy Bush, Gibson was asked if his decision to team up with fellow Catholic Mark Wahlberg for the upcoming faith-themed biopic Father Stu was part of an effort to “get back to the good” of the church. “Back to basics,” Gibson, 66, responded. “Of course, it’s lamentable all the stuff that’s gone on. Like any institution, it’s capable of being corrupt. And, you know, it is sad to see, but as always, I don’t think it’s the institution that’s at fault…

RIP Sister Janet Mead (The Deacon’s Bench) Sister Janet Mead, the South Australian nun who became internationally famous for her rock rendition of The Lord’s Prayer, has died aged 84…