World News
Vatican says general absolution may be OK in pandemic
With the severe limits on people leaving their homes during the coronavirus pandemic, forgiveness of sins may be granted to the faithful without them personally confessing their sins first, the Vatican said.
Across Europe, shrines close in coronavirus fight
In Poland, France, Spain, Austria, Bosnia and Germany, Catholics are praying from home as priests and religious mounted "a great prayer to end" COVID-19.
Chinese diocese donates masks to Vatican, Italy, to help fight COVID-19
The Xi'an Diocese has donated 24,000 disposable medical masks to the Vatican and Italian religious communities and dioceses after the church in Italy earlier gave the same supplies to the Chinese.
Sao Paulo Archdiocese offers center to house homeless with COVID-19
The church already operates House of Prayer, with meals and activities for tens of thousands of homeless persons in the Brazilian capital, and can expand to care for those at risk for coronavirus.
Easter at home is an ‘opportunity for faith,’ Vatican official says
Catholics can turn the tragic situation of the pandemic into an experience of faith and hope at Easter even without church rites, said an Italian cardinal. It is a call "to create a beautiful network" of communication with loved ones.
Latin Americans cancel Mass amid pandemic
As a Bolivian woman with coronavirus was turned away from hospitals, an archbishop rejected "this climate of uncertainty and fear." Many countries in Latin America were canceling public Masses or limiting attendance.
Pandemic can be time to rediscover love, kindness, pope says
People must use this time to rediscover the importance of small, concrete gestures of affection toward others, Pope Francis said. As fatalities rise, "Consolation must now be everyone's commitment," he added.
Confession by phone could be right in some situations
A parish priest and canon lawyer in Italy is not looking for "a change in the sacramental practice, but to respond to a new situation" of isolation due to coronavirus.
Amid pandemic, half of U.S. seminarians in Rome go home
At the Pontifical North American College near the Vatican, 92 seminarians remained of the 192 enrolled this year. Universities in Rome closed March 5, and Italy began a nationwide lockdown March 10.
Public Mass ban in Italy leads to new focus on ‘spiritual Communion’
The practice of inviting Jesus into one's heart and soul when receiving the actual Eucharist isn't possible is part of Catholic tradition -- and necessary where Catholic Mass is not offered regularly.