Beyond the cavernous splendour of St Peter's, the Eternal City has an incomparable wealth of beautiful churches. But the typical first-time tourist is apt to make the wrong choice of visits, writes Ute Junker for traveller.com.au.
Let there be mercy
Today, for a number of reasons, we struggle to be generous and prodigal with God’s mercy, writes Ron Rolheiser. But God wants us all to come to the unlimited waters of divine mercy.
Weekly Papal Audience, rabbits, Paris attack
New to CathNews Perspectives for 2015, the best Catholic videos are featured on our CathNews on YouTube service.
Fr James Martin's meditation on Jesus
High profile American Jesuit James Martin’s book, Jesus: A Pilgrimage, is both an introduction to and an account of the pursuit of the grace of knowing Jesus Christ more intimately, writes Kevin Spinale for America magazine.
Domus Australia
This is the website of Domus Australia, a guest house in central Rome which offers a calm and welcoming refuge from the busy tourist pace of the Eternal City.
Sister Doreen's century of giving
Sister Doreen McOscar SM has died peacefully at the age of 100. She touched countless lives through her ministry in education, pastoral work and Congregational leadership of the Marist Sisters, and was loved to the last by her ex-pupils.
In praise of every day saints
There are many hidden saints - men, women, fathers and mothers, sick people, priests and others - who every day put into practice the love of Jesus; and this gives us hope, Pope Francis told the congregation at Mass at Santa Marta on Sunday.
Pope lights Gubbio tree, Irish Synod, Ukraine
The Feast of Immaculate Conception, Bethlehem lights Christmas tree, Nth Ireland adoption laws, Cardinal to meet Ethiopian Patriarch, Pakistan appeal for justice, and the Pope's message for Argentina election.
Caritas and compassion: A labour of love
Nicole Clements has had a long career in journalism, but she says her recent assignment to capture the essence of the work of Caritas Australia for the aid agency's 50th anniversary proved a particularly enriching journey into faith.
'Father, did bishops fight at the Synod?'
"Some may ask: 'Father, did bishops fight during the Synod?' No, I wouldn't say it was a fight. But strong words were said," declared Pope Francis at his general audience this week. "But this is the freedom we find in the Church."
'Make straight the way of the Lord'
John 1:6-8, 19-28 In Sunday’s gospel, St John the Evangelist presents St John the Baptist as one who came to testify to the light and 'make straight the way of the Lord.'
Earlier this year, Francis appointed Australia's Cardinal George Pell to modernise Vatican finances. In this article for The Catholic Herald, Cardinal Pell sets out what he has discovered so far.
Vatican II and our outstanding women religious
A new book documents the impact of the Second Vatican Council on the lives of 14 Australian women religious, two of whom are Good Samaritan Sisters, writes The Good Oil.
A 90-year-old Vinnies volunteer, Josephite historians celebrate Tenison Woods, Archbishop Fisher cites genocide, gender case for GST reform, musical outreach, Vic law reform, Council scraps prayer.
When Cambodia began emerging from the horrors of the Pol Pot regime in 1979, Caritas Australia was among the first on the scene assisting the broken nation back to its feet. This mini-documentary looks at the long road back from Year Zero.
Where does prayer meet action?
Sr Helen Prejean is an American Sister of St Joseph noted for her public activism in fighting the death penalty in America. In this video, she offers her wisdom on the power of prayer to bring focus and discernment before action.
Catholic schools outperform govt, Bishop Hanna's plea, ACU research row, Salesians celebrate, Good Sams go 'back to Coragulac,' New Norcia exhibition at State Library of Western Australia.
Phillip Hughes attended St Patrick's Catholic Primary School in Macksville, starred in the NSW Catholic primary schools cricket team, and was destined for Test glory. Fr Michael Alcock presided at his funeral on Wednesday.
World's largest nativity record, Catholics caught up in HK crackdown, Francis reflects on Christianity in Switzerland, Filipino youth to greet Pope, collapse of two-parent families in UK, NZ Catholic army chaplain drought, Irish marriage debate.