World News
Irish commission: Grave for children was improper, but not a septic tank
When news of the common grave on the grounds of the former state-controlled home run by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Tuam was first reported in the media in 2014, an Irish newspaper claimed up to 800 children who died at the home had been buried in a septic tank.
The French in Canada find meaning of faith in cathedral blaze
The fire that ravaged a large part of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris offered an opportunity for French Catholics with Canadian connections to reflect on the impact the event can have on their faith.
God’s glory is shown on the cross, pope says at audience
The glory of God is not manifested with fanfare and applause but displayed through the love of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, Pope Francis said.
Pope’s Way of Cross will shine light on women ‘crucified’ by traffickers
Consolata Sister Eugenia Bonetti has led a major international effort by religious orders to fight human trafficking and help women and girls rebuild their lives after they were tricked by traffickers into prostitution. She was asked to write the meditations for this year's Way of the Cross at Rome's Colosseum.
Filipinos reminded in Holy Week to reflect on Jesus’ humility
Church leaders in the Philippines reminded the Catholic faithful to spend Holy Week, a public holiday in the predominantly Catholic country, "to know and understand deeply the humble Messiah."
Vatican firefighter says St. Peter’s at much less risk than Notre Dame
Maj. Paolo De Angelis, head of the Vatican fire department, told the Italian news agency ANSA April 16 that the structural differences between Notre Dame and the basilica and, especially, the differences in the materials used, make a catastrophic fire at St. Peter's less likely.
Notre Dame fire showed that beauty still matters, art historian says
As people in Paris and around the world watched in horror as flames consumed the roof of Notre Dame Cathedral, the blaze also stirred genuine emotions that could come only from witnessing the loss of beauty.
Archbishop invites Parisians to light a candle to dispel fire’s darkness
Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris invited the faithful to attend the annual chrism Mass at historic St. Sulpice Church April 17 in the wake of the massive fire that seriously damaged the historic Notre Dame Cathedral.
French leaders pledge Notre Dame Cathedral again will grace Paris skyline
Church leaders joined government officials in saying they expect that Notre Dame Cathedral's grandeur will be restored as firefighters extinguished the last flames of a fast-moving blaze that seriously damaged much of the iconic structure.
Hope from the ashes: Leaders vow to rebuild Notre Dame
The president of France and the archbishop of Paris have vowed to rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral after a devastating fire, continuing what a professor of architecture described as the natural lifecycle of a historic building.