World News
Pope Benedict: St. John Paul’s life marked by mercy, not moral rigidity
The continuity between St. John Paul II and Pope Francis is rooted in the message of God's divine mercy for all men and women, retired Pope Benedict XVI said in a letter.
St. Peter’s Basilica reopens to the public
Almost 10 weeks after St. Peter's Basilica was closed to the public in cooperation with Italy's COVID-19 lockdown measures, the faithful and tourists were allowed back in May 18.
Vatican announces Laudato Si’ anniversary year
The Vatican announced that it will mark the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment with a yearlong series of initiatives dedicated to the safeguarding and care for the Earth.
Pope joins interreligious prayer, begging God to end pandemic
"We are all united as human beings, as brothers and sisters, praying to God each according to our own culture, traditions and beliefs ... that the Lord would stop this pandemic," Pope Francis said May 14.
Church’s 1684 response to pandemic would be familiar today
The Catholic Church's acceptance of a ban on gathering for public worship and following other civic COVID-19 restrictions reflects its centuries-long view of the harmony of faith, service and science.
Italy grants temporary residency to migrant farmworkers
In an effort to boost its crippled agriculture industry, the Italian government will allow residency for agricultural workers without proper immigration documents.
Britain says churches can’t open until July 4; UK bishops not happy
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's blueprint to ease the national lockdown says places of worship in England and Wales will be closed even to private prayer for at least another seven weeks.
Papal academy fosters ethics, alliances in AI debate
Given the huge impact technology and artificial intelligence will have on humanity and the environment, the Pontifical Academy for Life is encouraging more ethical and moral reflection in the multidisciplinary field.
Church leaders oppose Israeli plans to annex West Bank
Moving forward with an Israeli plan to unilaterally annex West Bank land could mean the end to the already languishing Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, said the heads of the Holy Land churches.
On anniversary of Nazi surrender, German Catholics’ suffering recalled
When Germany surrendered to Allied Forces May 7, 1945, Catholics saw a nation and their church shattered, even if some of its members were complicit in the Nazi regime. Its martyrs are remembered today.