News
World needs humble leaders unafraid to meet their enemies, pope says
"Those politicians who do not know how to dialogue and confront each other are not leaders of peace," he told residents and supporters of Rondine-Citadel of Peace, a peace and reconciliation project based near Arezzo in central Italy.
Pope, President Abbas hope to restart peace process
Pope Francis and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas renewed their commitment to peace in the Holy Land and a two-state solution to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine, the Vatican said.
If gay priests, religious can’t be celibate, they should leave, pope says
The Catholic Church has been slow to recognize the presence of homosexual men in the priesthood, which is why superiors must exercise care in helping gay candidates prepare for a life of celibacy or leave the seminary, Pope Francis said.
Illegal drug makers, dealers are traffickers of death, pope says
Everyone must help in the fight against drugs, particularly governments which are called to confront the "traffickers of death" who produce, distribute or sell addictive substances, Pope Francis said.
Pope leads prayers for peace in ‘tormented’ Syria
Leading thousands of pilgrims in prayer, Pope Francis lit a candle in remembrance of the people of Syria, especially innocent children tormented by the country's eight-year conflict.
Church has much to do on abuse, but there ‘is hope for our future’
Reflecting on the U.S. Bishops' meeting last month, Archbishop Paul Etienne of Anchorage said the "people of God need to hear from their bishops" about the proceedings, which is what he wrote about in a Nov. 28 blog.
Landmark Ukrainian Catholic church in N.J. declared total loss after fire
The fire began in the right rear corner of the building in a concealed space between floors before it spread to the attic and then the church's roof.
3 worship sites in city, Chester County set to close
Our Lady of the Holy Souls and St. Leo in Philadelphia, plus St. Stanislaus Kostka in Coatesville, all have operated as worship sites after merging with nearby parishes. Escalating costs of maintaining them was the main reason for closure.
Solidarity with South Sudan celebrates 10 years of difficult mission
An international group of Catholics has spent the last decade developing new leaders in war-torn South Sudan, but its members have paid a heavy price for their accompaniment of that country's suffering people.
South Sudan Catholic leader: Taking more time with peace pact is good
After almost five years of civil war, South Sudan's leaders agreed to a new peace plan in September. Its implementation is spread over several months, which observers are applauding.