World News
Pope speaks on U.S. gun violence, abortion debate, retirement rumors
Insisting he has no plans to retire, Pope Francis told Univision interviewers that President Biden should consult his bishop or parish priest about his stance on abortion, while calling for a better understanding of the causes of gun violence.
World’s Ukrainian bishops gather in Poland near border
Prevented by war from meeting in Kyiv, 40 Ukrainian Catholic bishops from around the world met in Poland, less than 10 miles from the border with their homeland, in early July.
Vatican joins U.N. treaty on climate change
The Holy See is now a formal party to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in "response to the challenges posed by climate change to humanity and to our common home."
Australian council in crisis after motions fail to get enough bishop votes
Australia's Plenary Council was disrupted July 6 after more than 60 of the 277 members protested issues regarding women in the church, including the defeat of a motion to support for the ordination of women as deacons.
China deploys monitors of religious activities online
The Chinese Communist Party is seeking to expand its apparatus to monitor and curb religious activities in cyberspace by deploying hundreds of "auditors" across the country, which concerns rights groups.
Pope wants to hear women’s voices in Dicastery for Bishops
"I am open to giving (women) an opportunity" to lead or serve in Vatican offices, including the committee that vets names for potential bishops around the world, Pope Francis told an interviewer July 2.
Brazilian Cardinal Hummes, friend of the pope, dies at 87
The former Vatican official, longtime champion of the poor and defender of the Amazon was a "good friend" of Pope Francis who inspired him to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi when he was elected pope.
In interview, pope condemns abortion, says he’s not resigning
Pope Francis also supported the Vatican's pact with China, dismissed speculation that he's preparing to resign and said he still hopes to be able to visit Russia and Ukraine in the fall "to serve the cause of peace."
Pope Francis reflects on his legacy in new interview
His achievements in more than nine years as pope, including curia reform, were the fruit of discussions by the College of Cardinals prior to his election.
Pope Francis and Vatican II: It’s not a battleground, but the future
For the Catholic Church in the modern world and its future health and holiness, Pope Francis is convinced that the Second Vatican Council --especially its liturgical reforms -- holds the key.