World News
Australian church prepares for council to discern its future
An assembly next month will "undertake the necessary work to rebuild confidence in the probity and trustworthiness of the Catholic community in this country."
Pope congratulates Queen Elizabeth II on Platinum Jubilee
Pope Francis sent well-wishes as the reigning British monarch began the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of her coronation as well as the public celebration of her 96th birthday.
Pope appeals for end to Russian blockade of Ukraine grain exports
With hundreds of millions of lives at risk because of the Russian blockade, Pope Francis appealed for a resolution to the crisis and a "guarantee (of) the universal human right to food."
Pope announces new cardinals, including U.S. Bishop McElroy
The 68-year-old bishop of San Diego will be among 21 prelates whom Pope Francis said he will create cardinals in a ceremony in Rome Aug. 27.
Pope to visit Congo, South Sudan in July
Despite trouble walking, Pope Francis will travel as planned July 2-7 to two African nations that are rich in natural resources but have been torn apart by violence not only for political power, but also for control of the resources.
Danger of famine looms in Kenya as bishops launch aid appeal
With climate change inducing the fourth year of drought and complicated by the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine, rural livelihoods have been snuffed out, leaving millions of people on the verge of starvation.
World Meeting of Families opens June 22 in Rome and online
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the congress for a year but also prompted a look at new ways to involve Catholic families from around the world and help them to minister to each other.
For native peoples, pope’s age is advantage: He’s an elder
When Pope Francis visits Canada and its Indigenous people in July, his apology for sex abuse in the church will carry extra weight because of his 85 years, say scholars.
Mexico’s Supreme Court upholds norms on abortion for rape, incest
The requirement that access to abortion be provided in cases of rape and incest, and for sexually assaulted minors, was upheld in a 10-1 decision.
Polish archbishop urges Vatican to revise attitude
The archbishop criticized the Vatican's "naive and utopian" attitude to the war in Ukraine and urged Rome not to focus on ties with Russia at the expense of Eastern and Central Europe.