World News

Catholic leaders: Papal trip was blessing for Christian, Muslim Egyptians

Pope Francis' historic, 72-hour visit to Cairo has left a profound mark on Egyptians, Catholic leaders said, as they anticipate increased ties with fellow Orthodox Christians and Muslims.

Catholic leaders urge Israel to meet Palestinian hunger strikers’ demands

The prisoners are seeking an improvement in their prison conditions and an end to administrative detention, which allows Israel to hold prisoners almost indefinitely without having to charge them with a crime.

Pope calls for peace amid deadly protests in Venezuela

The country has descended into chaos after years of food shortages and economic turmoil under embattled President Nicolas Maduro's government.

New head of Knights of Malta to lead reform efforts

Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre, elected April 29 to lead the Knights of Malta for a one-year period, will work on a constitutional reform that "will address potential institutional weaknesses."

Keep fit by moving forward, reaching out, pope tells Catholics

The morning after returning from a two-day trip to Egypt, Pope Francis spent more than an hour in St. Peter's Square with people celebrating the 150th anniversary of Catholic Action in Italy.

Pope: U.S., North Korea need diplomatic solution to escalating tensions

"The path (to take) is the path of negotiation, the path of a diplomatic solution," he said when asked about U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to send Navy warships to the region.

True faith means loving others to the extreme, pope tells Egypt’s Catholics

The only kind of fanaticism that is acceptable to God is being fanatical about loving and helping others, Pope Francis said on his final day in Egypt.

Text of common declaration on baptism, by Pope Francis, Pope Tawadros

Here is the text of the common declaration on baptism between Pope Francis and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II, signed April 28.

Pope, Coptic patriarch honor martyrs, urge unity for peace

Placing flowers, lighting a candle and praying at the site where dozens of Coptic Orthodox Christians were killed by an Islamic State militant last year, Pope Francis and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II paid homage to those who were killed for their faith.

Russian Catholic official criticizes court ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses

"Churches like ours don't recognize the Jehovah's Witnesses as Christian and don't engage in dialogue with them, but we must distinguish theological issues from legal rights," said Msgr. Igor Kovalevsky.