World News
Australian bishops: Reject ageism, ‘old age will come to us all’
The bishops link Australia's treatment of the aged with Western discomfort around dying and point to the looming threat posed by euthanasia and assisted dying in a society that "idealizes notions of youthfulness and vitality."
Pope to bishops: Be good Samaritans; seek quality seminarians
In a nearly 40-minute prepared talk, the pope warned new bishops against using their office to be self-serving, but rather to share the holiness, truth and love of God.
Replacing God with money will cost you your dignity, pope says
Like the people of Israel who built a golden calf in the desert, people can fall prey to the allure of wealth since "all idols have something gold," the pope said Sept. 15 at an audience with members of the Italian Biblical Association.
Vatican: Abortion, attempted suicide always obstacles to ordination
The sacredness of human life is so absolute that performing or helping procure an abortion or attempting suicide is an obstacle to ordination as a Catholic priest, even if the man was not Catholic at the time the events occurred, said a new Vatican ruling.
Papal diplomats celebrate jubilee, attend talks on gender, Islam
As part of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis designated a jubilee Sept. 15-17 for all 108 apostolic nuncios who -- stationed across the globe -- work as permanent diplomatic representatives of the Holy See.
Changing canon law, pope brings Latin and Eastern practices closer
After more than 15 years of study and worldwide consultation, the conflicting rules were resolved by adopting the Eastern code's formulations for the Latin church as well, said Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta.
Philippine bishops’ head issues strong ‘no’ on restoring death penalty
The head of the Philippine bishops' conference set "ethical guidelines" against proposals to reinstate the death penalty as the country's war on drugs continues, with body counts increasing daily.
Orphaned world can find a mother in Mary, pope says
As she watched her son crucified and in agony, Mary "gave birth to us in that moment with so much pain; it is truly a martyrdom," the pope said Sept. 15 during a morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Papal advisers on sexual abuse expand reach, influence in Vatican
Though it has no real power, the committee that Pope Franics formed two years ago on protecting children from abuse has become the go-to team for educating church leaders worldwide on the issue.
Catholics, Orthodox meet to discuss synodality, papal primacy
Leading Catholic and Orthodox bishops were meeting in Italy to continue discussions on the key issue keeping their churches apart: the role of the bishop of Rome, the pope.