World News
New Year may bring new opportunities for women at Vatican
Pope Francis opened 2020 with a strong call to acknowledge the dignity of women, end violence against them and stop the exploitation of women's bodies. Observers look for expanded church roles for women this year.
Amid threat of war, world must not give up hope, pope tells diplomats
During a Jan. 9 meeting with ambassadors from various nations, Pope Francis stressed that "evil, suffering and death will not have the last word," and that "even the most complex questions" can be faced and resolved.
Iraqis hope attacks, tensions by U.S., Iran will ease
The main concern of Iraqis, regardless of religion, is that foreign troops stop using their shattered homeland as a battlefield to settle scores. Baghdad demonstrators urge Americans and Iranians to "let us live in peace."
As violence escalates in Myanmar, bishop calls for dialogue
Bishop Alexander Pyone Cho of the Pyay Diocese said that ongoing fighting between the nation's military and armed ethnic militia has largely impacted civilian lives, with no end in sight.
China targets unregistered Catholic, Protestant churches
The Chinese government will bring about new regulations covering 41 religion-related topics Feb. 1, among them requiring churches to further spread the Communist party's principles.
‘No end in sight to the horror’: Australian bishops respond to fires
The president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said the bishops have implemented a national response to months of wildfires, which have killed at least 24 and destroyed more than 12 million acres.
Pope will celebrate Mass with bishops from 19 Mediterranean countries
At a late February meeting in southern Italy, Pope Francis will gather with more than 50 bishops from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East to discuss migration, evangelization, unemployment and other key issues.
Church workers assist after Jakarta floods leave 60 dead
Caritas Indonesia has been assisting 14 of the hardest-hit parishes in Jakarta Archdiocese and Bogor Diocese after deluges and landslides, among the worst on record, hit the Pacific nation's capital over the past several days.
Kenyan Catholic leaders alarmed at increase in terror attacks
Clerics fear that the U.S. assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani has incited revenge attacks on Christians by extremist groups such as al-Shabab.
Faith is about worshipping God, not oneself, pope says on Epiphany
The Three Kings model a journey "from the greatest form of bondage: slavery to oneself," said Pope Francis during the Jan. 6 feast day Mass at St. Peter's Basilica.