World News
Forensic experts to study ‘thousands of bones’ found in Vatican ossuaries
During a search for the remains of a young Italian woman missing for more than 30 years, workers discovered an enormous number of bones inside two ossuaries in a building next to a Vatican cemetery.
Pope writes Syrian president, urging him to protect civilians, seek peace
Pope Francis urged Syrian President Bashar Assad to put an end to his country's eight-year-long conflict and seek reconciliation for the good of the nation and its vulnerable people.
Congolese church leaders urge international help to contain Ebola
Catholic Church representatives are urging international action to contain the often fatal disease in Congo's eastern provinces. Almost 2,500 cases have been reported in the latest outbreak.
Northern Irish bishops accuse Britain of hijacking bill to allow abortion
UPDATED - Abortion and same-sex marriage will be made legal in Northern Ireland -- both measures passed in the British Parliament -- unless self-government in the province is restored within three months, a process that has stalled for two years.
Syriac Christians living near border fear Turkey military incursion
Syrian Christians fear a Turkish military incursion into the area east of the Euphrates River would displace thousands of Christians who live in villages and towns along the Syrian-Turkish border.
Priest says Chaldeans in northern Iraq face uncertainty in return to homes
Chaldean Christians in northern Iraq are determined to continue their 2,000-year-long mission despite the near-deadly blow inflicted by Islamic State forces and new challenges from nongovernment militias, said a priest ministering in the region.
Pope appoints new Vatican press office director
Pope Francis appointed Matteo Bruni to serve as director of the Vatican press office, replacing Alessandro Gisotti, who had been serving as interim director since Dec. 31.
Philippine bishops call for ‘ecological conversion’ amid climate crisis
The Philippine bishops' news service reported on a nine-page pastoral letter on the environment. The first half of the letter offers a reflection on the state of the environment, and the second half recommends concrete ecological actions.
As Ethiopia works for reform, church tries to support people in many ways
The Catholic Church in Ethiopia is leading peace and reconciliation efforts while it does what it can to help the millions of people who have fled their homes in an upsurge in communal violence.
‘We cannot absorb the migrant population,’ say Guatemalan bishops
Guatemala's bishops criticized the idea of the country entering into an agreement with the U.S. government to deem it a "safe third country" for asylum-seekers.