News
Catholics, Orthodox must work to heal divisions, pope says
On the day Bulgarian Orthodox celebrate as "St. Thomas Sunday" and read the Gospel about the apostle asking to touch the wounds of the risen Lord, Pope Francis said the divisions within Christianity are "painful lacerations on the body of Christ, which is the church."
Churches in Sri Lanka closed for second week in fear of new attacks
Catholic leaders canceled Sunday Masses as Sri Lanka’s churches remained closed for a second week for fear of new terrorist attacks after the Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed more than 250 people.
Pope to Bulgarians: Treasure identity as crossroads of cultures
Pope Francis asked Bulgarians to be welcoming of and sympathetic to the migrants and refugees who arrive in their country hoping to get to Western Europe.
Pope sends condolences to Sri Lanka’s Christians in wake of bombings
In the wake of deadly Easter terrorist attacks on Sri Lanka churches and other sites, Pope Francis condemned the brutal killings and called on all Sri Lankans to strengthen efforts to foster peace and justice.
Pope invites Ukrainian Catholic Church leaders to Vatican
The pope's desire for the meeting, set for July 5-6, is "a sign of his closeness to the Ukrainian Catholic Church" in Ukraine and other parts of the world, the Vatican press office said in a communique May 4.
Pope names relator general, special secretaries for Amazon synod
The relator is responsible for providing a comprehensive outline of the synod's theme at the beginning of the meeting and for summarizing the speeches of synod members before work begins on concrete proposals for the pope.
Mexico celebrates beatification of first laywoman
The beatification Mass of Blessed Maria Concepcion Cabrera was celebrated May 4 by Cardinal Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, at the famed basilica.
Barracks life teaches diversity is not a threat, pope tells Swiss Guard
Life in a military barracks -- with so many different people living in such close proximity -- teaches much needed social, spiritual and ethical values, Pope Francis told new recruits to the Swiss Guard.
Early evacuation in India spares more than 1 million from deadly cyclone
A powerful cyclone ripped through eastern India and sideswiped Bangladesh, leaving a trail of destruction and more than 30 deaths. Authorities said the evacuation of 1.2 million people from more than 10,000 villages prior to Cyclone Fani's landfall prevented a larger death toll.
Father Francis Gallagher dies, was former pastor in Croydon
Ordained in 1964 by Archbishop John Krol, Father Gallagher served mostly as a parochial vicar at several archdiocesan parishes before he was named pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Croydon.