World News
Pope prays for eventual visit to South Sudan, peace in Bolivia
Expressing his hope to visit South Sudan next year, Pope Francis appealed to the leaders there to continue to follow the path of dialogue and the common good.
Philippine bishop says child workers face dangerous conditions
Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose, chairman of the bishops' Commission on Catechism and Catholic Education, said the situation was alarming and sad.
Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says
Pope Francis urged greater efforts to reform prison systems, address the root causes of crime and ensure acceptance and reintegration once a person completes his or her sentence.
English cardinal: Priests would die rather than break seal of confession
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster told the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse that the English and Welsh bishops would reject any attempts to compel priests to report Catholics who admit to committing sexual abuse during confession.
Pope asks Catholics, Salvation Army to spread God’s love through service
Loving acts of service and charity not only help build up the Kingdom of God, they attract and influence others, Pope Francis said.
Christians are called to serve Christ in the poor, pope says
The pope spoke about the Gospel call to work for justice Nov. 7 when he met with about 200 people, Jesuits and their collaborators, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Jesuits' Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat.
Success in protecting ozone layer offers lessons for future, pope says
Decades of fruitful international cooperation on protecting the earth's ozone layer serve as an important lesson for guiding collaboration needed today, Pope Francis said.
European bishops mark 30th anniversary of fall of Berlin Wall
Catholic bishops from the European Union marked 30 years since the breaching of the Berlin Wall with tributes to those who worked for peaceful change, as well as warnings against resurgent "ideologies behind the building of walls."
No nukes: Pope expected to take aim at new arms race during Japan trip
Pope Francis' top aide made no secret of what will be on the pope's mind when he visits Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, Nov. 24: "the total elimination of nuclear weapons."
Indian bishop denies claims of misconduct, says accusers oppose reforms
A Catholic bishop in southern India has dismissed allegations of being a womanizer and fathering two children; he says the claims are a retaliatory response from priests opposed to his administrative reforms.