World News
Educate young to care for others, for the earth, pope tells teachers
"God gives us not only life, he gives us the earth, he gives us all of creation," the pope told an estimated 5,000 educators and students gathered for an outdoor meeting at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador.
Same-sex votes show society abandoning its heritage, cardinal says
The referendum in Ireland and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage show Western society is abandoning its Christian legal foundations, said Australian Cardinal George Pell.
Building unity in church, society is key to evangelization, pope says
Catholics will never be effective evangelizers if they are squabbling among themselves, and they cannot show the world how faith in Christ responds to the human yearning for freedom and peace if they are divided, Pope Francis said.
Philippine bishops to decide whether to establish climate change desk
The federation wants each bishops' conference in 22 countries to set up such a desk to support action plans to mitigate the impact of climate change and also study Pope Francis' "Laudato Si'" encyclical.
Prominent Jesuit, murdered in ’80, hailed for aiding Bolivian democracy
Jesuit Father Luis Espinal was returning from a movie in March 1980 when he was intercepted, tortured and killed. His remains were found in a landfill. Paramilitaries were blamed for his death. Outrage ensued, with an estimated 70,000 Bolivians attending his burial in La Paz.
Families need prayers, mercy, courage, including from synod, pope says
Even if a pastoral proposal for helping a Catholic family with problems seems scandalous at first, it is possible God could use that proposal to bring healing and holiness, Pope Francis said.
From Argentina, an exodus to see Pope Francis in Paraguay, Bolivia
"There's a special affection for (Jorge Mario) Bergoglio, now Pope Francis," said Father Lorenzo de Vedia, better known as Padre Toto, pastor in Villa 21-24. "The day he was elected people ran out into the streets as if they had won the World Cup, with the photos they have of him confirming their child, etc."
Jesuit church where pope will pray in Ecuador known as ‘Baroque icon’
When Pope Francis enters the Jesuit church here July 7 for a moment of private prayer, he will step into an architectural gem where trees once grew up through the floor.
Christians share same baptism, must pray together, pope tells gathering
Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox must pray together and work hand-in-hand helping the poor, Pope Francis told thousands of Catholic charismatics and members of other Christian communities.
Returning to South America, pope says countries owe debt to their poor
Although still thousands of miles from his birthplace in Argentina, Pope Francis made a homecoming of sorts July 5 when he landed in Ecuador, greeted by cheering crowds and the sights and sounds of South America.