World News
Bishop: Framework on Iran’s nuclear program a step to advancing peace
Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, said April 8 in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and April 13 in letters to every member of Congress that the framework was a milestone in the long-standing negotiations to curb the "unacceptable prospect of Iran developing nuclear weapons."
With Vatican reorganization, new cardinals head into curia
Pope Francis assigned 15 of the new cardinals he created in February to lead pontifical councils widely expected to be merged into new departments.
Sex abuse commission members meet cardinal over Chilean bishop
Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston and Vatican advisers will discuss with Pope Francis the case of a bishop accused of covering up sexual abuse by a priest.
Pope headed to South America in July, Latin American officials say
Pope Francis is expected to visit Bolivia and Paraguay -- two fast-growing countries but still among the poorest on the continent -- plus Ecuador July 6-12.
Armenian Catholics and Orthodox seek unity their martyrs enjoy
As the Catholic and Armenian churches move closer to full unity, Pope Francis and the Armenian patriarch said their martyrs were already united in heaven.
Pope terms Armenia massacres ‘genocide,’ angering Turkey
Turkey recalled its ambassador to the Vatican after Pope Francis referred to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, in which up to 1.5 million Armenians and others were killed.
Year of Mercy will be time to heal, to help, to forgive
Mercy is what makes God perfect and all-powerful, Pope Francis said in his document officially proclaiming the 2015-2016 extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.
Do more to help the poor, pope tells leaders of the Americas
Governments cannot be content "to hope that the poor collect the crumbs that fall from the table of the rich," Pope Francis told 35 heads of state from North, Central and South America.
Nuns, priests in Congo call for end to ongoing genocide
The kidnappings and killings of hundreds of innocent children and adults and the displacement of tens of thousands in Congo must stop, 10 religious orders in Africa said.
Catholic center offers haven for Iraqi, Syrian children in Istanbul
The center began 20 years ago as a temporary response to refugees coming from Iraq. Conflict in the region continues, and today 300 children are enrolled. Watch a video on this story.