Cardinal says pope will meet Shiite leader in Iraq (CNS) Cardinal Louis Sako, the Baghdad-based patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, told reporters Jan. 28 that Pope Francis’ March trip to Iraq is still on and that the pope plans to meet personally with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, leader of the country’s Shiite Muslim majority…

Pope grants plenary indulgences for participation in March for Life (CNA) Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence for those who take part in this year’s March for Life, an annual peaceful protest against abortion, which is set to take place virtually Jan. 29…

Inside Amanda Gorman’s Catholic parish (RNN) What used to be an Irish parish is now a predominantly Black and Latino congregation where, Rev. Kenneth Keke told Religion News Service, parishioners take pride in their community and often “push me to do something … to fight more.” “We need to liberate our people more,”  Keke said they tell him. “It’s like everybody here is a freedom fighter…”

Courts side with Catholic groups over transgender mandate (The Tablet)  Last week, a federal ruling in North Dakota flew under the radar that allows Catholic medical professionals, hospitals and organizations the right to refuse performing or providing insurance coverage for gender transition procedures, or insurance coverage for gender transition drugs, if it violates their religious beliefs…

Become a Patron!