News
Cardinal tells COP24 climate needs present ‘challenge of civilization’
The Vatican challenged countries gathered for the 24th U.N. Climate Change Conference to focus on the needs of the present and the future as it worked to take swift action.
Ethicist: Gene-editing human embryos ‘a train wreck of a thing to do’
The revelation that a Chinese researcher had edited genes in human embryos and then implanted them in a woman violated research ethics and human dignity, said an ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.
Pope’s white Lamborghini up for raffle; winner gets trip to Rome
UPDATED - A custom-built 2018 Lamborghini Huracan coupe autographed by Pope Francis is back on the block, but, this time with an online fundraising platform, not at an elite European auction house.
During Advent, Trinidad musicians visit houses to sing of Jesus’ birth
"There is a tradition that started in Venezuela of carrying a gift of song to the homes, just as in English culture, there is caroling," explained Julio Torres, veteran parang musician and vocal coach. He added that parang is indigenous to Trinidad.
Do not be afraid of crises, pope tells Jesuits
There is no growth without some form of crisis and no victory without a battle, Pope Francis told a group of Jesuits.
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.