One of the best connected figures in Rome offers guidance to the president on who to appoint as his Vatican ambassador.

President Donald Trump has yet to appoint his ambassador to the Holy See, a decision which is likely to be made soon, particularly given Trump is expected to visit Pope Francis in May.

Any foreign leader looking for advice on who to appoint as their envoy to the Vatican should look no further than Carla Powell, one of the best connected figures in Rome who frequently hosts cardinals and diplomats in her villa just outside the Eternal City.

“We must ... approach the question of the origin of evil by fixing the eyes of our faith on him who alone is its conqueror.” (CCC 385)

Some time ago the British atheist actor Stephen Fry went public with an eloquent and passionate condemnation of God for creating a world with children’s bone cancer, flesh-eating microbes and cannibalistic serial killers.

It’s a old rant, but a fair one because it brings us to ponder the nature of evil in the world.

It's tough to stay awake while praying at night—even for monks!

Insomnia. Truly no fun at all: the mind runs while the body lies paralyzed worrying about the bills, the kids, the new catalytic converter for the car, and the sad state of human affairs—the whole lot of human misery. And the “cures” for insomnia are sometimes worse than the disease: Ambien can cause stomach upset and sleepwalking; benzodiazipines can be habit-forming; acetaminophen “P.M.” is tough on the liver; Benadryl may bring on tachycardia or even high-blood pressure.

When it rests in my hands, I feel the full weight of the devotion upon my very soul.

I've always admired sturdy rosaries.

Like every Catholic, I need one that doesn't tangle while being transported in my pocket. I'd like one with a little heft to it to make me consciously slow down as I pray with them.

Though some may enjoy them, I’m not one for pretty, pastel colors for fear they'd clash with my Easter bonnet.

I wanted a rosary that was decidedly masculine.

The Church has no fear of being on the “wrong side of history”, for her Bridegroom is seated at the right hand of the Father.

There are often strident demands, coming from both within and outside the Church, that she change her teachings to conform to modern notions. Given our era’s preoccupation with sex, many of the demands for change involve related issues: homosexual acts, same-sex “marriage,” adultery (particularly divorce and “remarriage”), premarital sex, contraception, and abortion.

Marine Le Pen is in Lebanon to present her "recipe" to save Middle Eastern Christian communities whose condition has become more and more ground to geopolitical operations. A strategy in which also Trump and Putin, Fillon and Macron, among others, are taking part.

“Administration Journey” is a personal account of an administrator’s job within Church institutions, especially for the priest or consecrated, in community work and daily life among believers (church, parish, parish activities, visit to the sick and youth programs). Such are grace-filled moments in a priest’s life, where he practices the three-fold ministry and mission of Christ:priest, king and prophet.

Pope’s audience at the International Forum on “Migration and Peace”: “Integration and welcoming are a moral duty,” “One group of individuals cannot control half of the world’s resources”.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols gave the following homily on Saturday, February 18, at Mass for the visit and crowning of National Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, 18 February. Thousands came to venerate the statue of Our Lady, and relics of the Fatima visionary children Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto.

“One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. The confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.” (CCC 1493)