World News
Pope Francis praises road map for peace in Syria
The pope expressed "deep appreciation" for a Dec. 18 resolution that calls for a cease-fire, a unity government with a new constitution and presidential elections within two years. Civil war has raged in Syria for almost five years and led to a major migration crisis.
Creche is reminder God saves people with love, not force, pope says
"God does not love powerful people's imposing revolutions in history, and he doesn't use a magic wand for changing the situation," he said Dec. 18, meeting the people who donated the centerpieces of the Vatican Christmas decorations in St. Peter's Square. "Instead, he makes himself small, he becomes a baby, in order to draw us in with love."
Pope recognizes miracle needed to declare Mother Teresa a saint
Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata, thus paving the way for her canonization on Sept. 4, 2016.
From churches to pubs, Britain’s village carols live on at Christmas
Christmas caroling with deep roots in British folk history continues to thrive in England.
Pope Francis, on his 79th birthday, tells young people to avoid vengeance
Members of Catholic Action's children's section sang Happy Birthday to Pope Francis and presented him with a cake for his 79th birthday on Dec. 17 during his traditional pre-Christmas audience with them.
Experts praise Vatican’s finance laws, call for clampdown on crime
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — European experts on preventing financial crimes praised the Vatican for significant steps in establishing laws and procedures in line with international protocols, but called for “real results” in cracking down on infractions and prosecuting offenses. Moneyval — the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures […]
Central African Catholic leader sees positive effects of papal visit
"The pope came with a simple message that Christians and Muslims can fraternally live together in peace and harmony, despite what's happened here. I think this has touched the Muslim community and given us a real chance."
From Quebec to Sao Paulo, church doors help open Year of Mercy
North America's only Holy Door was reopened at Notre-Dame Cathedral for the Jubilee of Mercy, with Cardinal Gerald Lacroix calling it "a sensible and tangible sign of our God's open heart, from which springs and flows the wide river of mercy."
In Peace Day message, pope addresses death penalty, debt, migrants
He urged individuals, communities and nations to not let indifference, information overload or pessimism discourage them from concrete efforts "to improve the world around us, beginning with our families, neighbors and places of employment."
Online course helps bridge the gap between science and faith
The "Science and Faith in Dialogue" course, sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture, will be available in English starting Feb. 9, 2016. The goal of the online course is to bridge the gap between science and faith through education.