World News

Pope tells struggling Europe he has a dream for its future

As Europe faces an unprecedented influx of immigrants and refugees while struggling to counter continued economic woes, Pope Francis urged the continent to step up to its responsibilities with renewed hope, not cower behind walls and treaties.

Electricity could go long way to stemming violence, says Nigerian bishop

The lack of electricity means that people cannot do ordinary work without a generator, and generators are expensive, said Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto, in the country's northwest.

German cardinal says ‘unauthorized people’ in Rome veto bishop nominations

"In the name of the law, these unlawful outside influences must be set aside and a proper voice given to those who'll be living with the chosen candidate," said Cardinal Karl Lehmann of Mainz.

Buddhists, Christians know eco-crisis is an ‘ego-crisis,’ cardinal says

Each year, the pontifical council sends greetings to Buddhists around the world for the feast which commemorates three significant events in the life of the Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment and his death.

Britain makes U-turn on resettling Syrian child refugees

Prime Minister David Cameron announced May 4 that the U.K. will at minimum take in 3,000 children from refugee camps in the Middle East. He was seen as balancing compassion and a concern for trafficking.

Wildfires force evacuation of entire Canadian city

A bishop in the Alberta province was grateful there were no deaths or injuries during the evacuation of Port Arthur's 70,000 people within a few hours. The city was already reeling from an economic slowdown.

Vatican magazine gives voice to women in the church, official says

"Women-Church-World," a new monthly magazine published by the Vatican's newspaper, will highlight women in the church and "pave the way to a new habit" of listening to women, said a Vatican cardinal.

Nothing can keep God from seeking those who stray, pope says

God is not part of humanity's "throwaway culture," Pope Francis said today. "God loves everyone, seeks out everybody -- one by one. The shepherd will be found where the lost sheep is."

Pope might have to buy a drink for soldiers’ bishop

In a military tradition, a bishop with the U.S. Archdiocese for Military Services gave Pope Francis a unit coin. If the next time he and the archbishop meet and the pope doesn't have the coin, he agreed to buy wine.

Countries asking for help to handle millions of refugees

At this month's World Humanitarian Summit, countries and aid organizations, including Catholic agencies, will seek aid for the 50 million refugees and 40 million displaced people they are hosting.