World News

Pope names women as full members of congregation for religious

Pope Francis named six superiors of women's religious orders, a consecrated laywoman and the superior of the De La Salle Christian Brothers to be full members of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Ministry in wartime requires extra care, pope tells Ukrainian bishops

Being a pastor in a country at war means being with people, leading them closer to Jesus and celebrating the liturgy in a way them helps them experience a bit of heaven on earth, Pope Francis told bishops from Ukraine.

Migrants are people, not just a social issue, pope says at Mass

Christians are called to follow the spirit of the beatitudes by comforting the poor and the oppressed, especially migrants and refugees who are rejected, exploited and left to die, Pope Francis said.

Pope meets Putin; two leaders talk about Ukraine, Syria, Venezuela

Pope Francis welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Vatican July 4, and the two discussed the ongoing wars in Eastern Ukraine and in Syria, the Vatican said. Russia plays a major role in both conflicts.

World becoming more elitist, cruel toward the excluded, pope says

Lamenting the exploitation of natural and human resources for the privileged few, Pope Francis said the church must seek "those who have fallen away," especially the vulnerable who "are left with the crumbs at the banquet."

Why migrants flee: ‘They put a gun to my head,’ Honduran mom says

From gang violence to devastating droughts to lack of basic health care and education, migrants describe why they are escaping Central American countries for anywhere else, including Mexico.

Irish newspapers apologize, pay ex-seminarian for false claims

Three Irish newspapers have apologized and paid compensation to a former seminarian after admitting they falsely claimed he was expelled from formation after being found in bed with another seminarian.

Nun tries to warn Central Americans: Travel through Mexico is dangerous

Sister Diana Munoz Alba said she does her best to inform migrants of the risks and realities on the road. She also tries to disabuse shelter dwellers of any erroneous ideas -- such as the existence of immigration documents for them.

Program works to heal Iraqi Christians suffering in mind, soul

After enduring persecution, violence and uprooting, a group of Iraqi religious and laypeople are on the path to healing.

Pope gives relics of St. Peter to Orthodox patriarch

The bronze case contains nine of the bone fragments discovered during excavations of the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica that began in the 1940s.