World News
Citing risks, English bishops tell chaplains not to give last rites
Because of the lack of protective equipment, priests in hospitals are being told to counsel dying COVID-19 patients -- 1,000 are dying a day in the U.K. -- by telephone rather than give them last rites.
On Holy Thursday, pope thanks God for world’s priests
In a mostly empty St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis said he could not let the Mass of the Lord's Supper go by without remembering the world's priests. "Today, all of you, brother priests, are here with me at the altar."
Pope offers blessing for Holy Saturday online showing of Shroud of Turin
The Archdiocese of Turin will host a prayer service online featuring what is believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus on Holy Saturday, April 11 at 11 a.m., as Christians contemplate Jesus lying in the tomb.
Canadian chaplain volunteers to be jailed rather than leave inmates
With Canada's federal prison system stopping all visits, a Catholic priest has offered to be incarcerated rather than leave inmates without spiritual care, even as COVID-19 infections are rising in prisons.
Pope sets up new panel to study women deacons
Pope Francis established the 12-member international commission as a follow-up to a previous group that studied the history of women deacons in the New Testament and the early Christian Church.
Pandemic is prime time for conversion of people, governments, pope says
The present uncertainty is also a time for change of heart, and for a future of creativity, Pope Francis said. Once the pandemic is past, people must not "file it away and go back to where we were."
Largest city in Ecuador overwhelmed by COVID-19
As people die at home and bodies are wrapped lovingly on the streets of Guayaquil, observers are linking travel to Europe and inadequate preparation for the rising number of coronavirus cases and deaths.
Cardinal Pell released from prison after court overturns conviction
Australian Cardinal George Pell has been released from prison after 405 days behind bars after the Australia's high court unanimously overturned his 2018 verdict that found him guilty of molesting two 13-year-old boys in 1996.
Pope on Palm Sunday: Life, measured by love, is meant to serve others
With a small procession down the empty central nave of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis began Holy Week without the presence of the faithful due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Asian cardinal says Communist Party to blame for covering up COVID-19
Cardinal Bo of Myanmar called the Chinese Communist Party "morally culpable" for initially covering up the full dangers of the virus, which originated in Wuhan, China.