News
Global Catholic population tops 1.28 billion; half are in 10 countries
The 2017 "Annuario Pontificio," or Vatican yearbook, and a new edition of the Vatican Statistical Yearbook report that the countries with the most Catholics are, in order: Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, United States, Italy, France, Colombia, Spain, Congo and Argentina.
Papal envoy praises ‘spiritual climate’ of Medjugorje
Polish Archbishop Henryk Hoser of Warsaw-Praga, named by Pope Francis in February to study the pastoral situation in the small town and the needs of pilgrims, held a news conference April 5 after a week in Medjugorje.
Bishops say church committed to addressing ‘scourge’ of human trafficking
Decrying "the evil of human trafficking" as an "international, national and local scourge," three Catholic bishops whose dioceses cover portions of Maryland said their state "is not immune from this tragic reality."
Cardinal, other pro-life leaders praise decision to defund U.N. agency
UPDATED - The U.S. State Department announced that it would no longer contribute to the U.N. Population Fund because of the agency's involvement in China's Population and Family Planning Law, long known as the "one-child policy."
Catholics to open climate march with Mass, prayer, Capitol Hill visits
March organizers are expecting hundreds of thousands of people to travel to Washington April 29 in a broad showing of grass-roots support for federal government action in addressing climate change.
Philippine bishops say they oppose Duterte’s policies, not the man
The head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines assured the government that the country's church leaders are not against President Rodrigo Duterte.
South African bishops: Zuma resignation would not solve all problems
Corruption must be rooted out at every level of government in South Africa, said the country's Catholic bishops.
Pope horrified by ‘unacceptable massacre’ in Syria
UPDATED - Pope Francis strongly condemned a shocking chemical attack in Syria that left some 70 people, including at least 10 children, dead.
Church will do all it can ‘to end scourge of violence,’ Chicago cardinal says
The Archdiocese of Chicago will create a new fund that will support new and existing neighborhood-based anti-violence programs. As of April 5, 773 people were shot in Chicago this year, with 151 homicides.
Film on holy Black priest draws hundreds to seminary for vocation focus
More than 200 people came to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary April 2 to see the documentary “Tolton” on Father Augustus Tolton. The event also appealed for young men, especially those of color, to discern a vocation to priesthood.