REGINA, SASK. – As preparations during the First World War for an allied offensive against the German Empire were underway in Europe during the summer of 1917, residents of Regina were convinced that German-speaking immigrants in nearby St. Peter������Ƶapp Colony were preparing to attack the Prairie city.

VATICAN CITY – "The Virgin Mary has not appeared in Medjugorje," said Bishop Ratko Peric of Mostar-Duvno, the diocese in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which includes Medjugorje.

PARANAQUE, Philippines – A long-venerated icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help turned 150 last year, and many Filipinos’ Marian devotion has never been stronger.

SAN NICOLAS DE LOS ARROYOS, Argentina – Once a month, thousands of devout Catholics descend on this small industrial city, where a woman with little education but great faith said she began seeing visions of the Virgin Mary on Sept. 25, 1983.

On Tuesday, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Francis solemnly inaugurated the Jubilee Year of Mercy with the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

“This Extraordinary Holy Year is itself a gift of grace,” the Pope said in his homily  To pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them.”

The full text of Pope Francis’ prepared homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Inauguration of the Jubilee of Mercy can be found below:

National Geographic recently named the Virgin Mary as the world������Ƶapp most powerful woman. What an honour as Catholics to have our Mother seen to hold such a beautiful and mighty role on Earth, and to get this recognition from the secular world.

WASHINGTON - Maureen Orth, a special correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine who has written about music icons, world leaders and Hollywood celebrities, tackled a completely different subject for National Geographic magazine: the Virgin Mary.

VATICAN CITY - It took place in silence and lasted only a few minutes, but Pope Francis' time of prayer and contemplation before the Shroud of Turin was marked with gestures of reverence and tenderness.

ROME - Barbie has had a number of careers in her 55 years — flight attendant, veterinarian, astronaut, even president. Her latest role, however, is raising eyebrows.