World News
In statement, Philippine bishops break silence on ‘disturbing issues’
In a pastoral statement issued at the end of their meeting in Manila Jan. 28, the bishops asked forgiveness from the faithful "for the length of time that it took us to find our collective voice."
Church leaders call Philippine church attack ‘heinous and evil’ terrorism
Bomb explosions killed at least 20 people and injured about 100 others inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel during Mass Jan. 27. Islamic State reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Vatican underlines support of universal health care coverage
The Vatican observer to the U.N. told the World Health Organization that the church supports stronger and sustainable essential health care services on the way toward achieving universal health coverage.
Real Catholic media don’t look for heretics everywhere, official says
"In some Catholic communications media, there is no compassion," the pope said. Instead, one finds "schism, condemnation, malice, fury, self-aggrandizement (and) the denunciation of heresy."
Bishops must realize seriousness of abuse crisis, pope says
The primary goal of the Vatican's February summit on clerical sexual abuse and child protection is to help bishops understand the urgency of the crisis, Pope Francis said.
As World Youth Day closes, pope prompts volunteers to keep serving
Volunteers at Panama's World Youth Day showed it was possible to renounce one's interests in favor of others, the pope said.
At lunch in Panama, U.S. pilgrim questions pope on abuse crisis
Brenda Noriega, a youth minister from California, told journalists that although the experience of sharing a meal with the pope was "amazing," she said the crisis facing the Catholic Church in the United States was an issue "that we couldn't avoid talking about."
Jesus’ love does not use labels, pope tells young detainees in Panama
Just like the Pharisees, many today shun Jesus' merciful love toward sinners and prefer to use labels that stigmatize a person's past, present and future, Pope Francis said.
Search for Christian unity is making progress, Vatican official says
Despite some new tensions and continuing struggles to overcome centuries of division, "practically the whole of Christianity is in a process of advancing beyond the controversies and competition of the past, toward greater understanding, trust and solidarity," said Bishop Farrell.
Panama mosque offers free water to World Youth Day pilgrims
While hundreds of vendors sold water to the thirsty, the Muslim community at the oldest mosque in Panama City gave it away for free near a banner that said, "Welcome Pilgrim Friends."