World News
Italian priests, religious women are among victims of COVID-19
Elderly religious were among the nearly 2,000 people who have died in Italy because of illness connected with the coronavirus. In one diocese, six priests died in the past week.
Public won’t be admitted to papal Holy Week liturgies
Although Italy will ban public gatherings including Mass until April 3, the Vatican said liturgies beginning with Palm Sunday on April 5 "will take place without the physical presence of the faithful."
Churches cancel Masses in effort to stem pandemic
UPDATED -- In an effort to stem the coronavirus, bishops' conferences and dioceses in the U.S. and around the world began suspending public Masses. More than 153,000 cases worldwide have led to some 5,700 deaths.
Text of pope’s prayer to Mary during coronavirus pandemic
Pray the words of a prayer translated from Pope Francis' video message March 11 in which he entrusted the care of people suffering from the effects of coronavirus to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Pope entrusts world threatened by coronavirus pandemic to Mary
In a video message broadcast March 11, a day of prayer and fasting in Italy, the pope prayed to the Blessed Mother to "not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial" but to "deliver us from every danger."
Mexican women strike for end of violence, indignities
Tens of thousands of women protested and millions more participated in a national strike March 8-9 to oppose the murder of women and girls, workplace harassment, insecurity, public groping -- and Mexico's machismo culture.
Sodalitium movement should be ‘dissolved,’ cardinal says
Sodalitium Christianae Vitae and any other religious movement mired in sexual abuse should be disbanded, said a Peruvian cardinal. Its founder and other officials are accused of abuse and financial irregularities.
Vatican closes St. Peter’s Square, Basilica to tourists
St. Peter's Basilica has turned silent as the Vatican closed sites to tourists from March 10 through at least April 3 to help stop the spread of the coronavirus among large groups of people.
Pope urges priests to tend to sick during epidemic
Pope Francis prayed that priests would find the courage to visit those who are sick and aid health care professionals during the coronavirus epidemic while also keeping themselves and others safe.
Catholic Church in Germany to increase payments to abuse survivors
The German bishops, responding to criticism from survivors of clergy sexual abuse, will begin paying more compensation "at the higher end" of the current range between 5,000 euros ($5,650) and 50,000 euros per case.