World News
Algerian martyrs bear witness to dialogue, peace, pope says
The lives of 19 religious men and women martyred during the Algerian civil war are a testament to God's plan of love and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, Pope Francis said.
Surprise! Pope makes several impromptu visits
Pope Francis made surprise visits Dec. 7 and 8 to people receiving medical care far from their homes, to a dozen intellectually challenged young people and to the staff of a major Rome newspaper.
Marking feast day, pope asks Mary’s care of families seeking refuge
The pope concluded his public celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, by making the traditional papal visit to a statue of Mary erected in Rome's historic center to honor Catholic teaching that Mary was conceived without sin.
Woman dumps acid on priest hearing confessions in Managua
Father Mario Guevara, 59, was immediately taken to the hospital Dec. 5 and treated for burns.
Canadian bishops talk with pope about abuse policy, indigenous peoples
At the end of their annual plenary in September, the bishops vowed to implement a new set of guidelines dealing with abuse protection, prevention, care and reconciliation.
Christmas spirit in the air as Vatican unveils Nativity scene, tree
Hundreds of people in St. Peter's Square Dec. 7 applauded as white curtains unfurled, revealing a 52-foot wide artistic representation of Jesus' birth made entirely of sand and dubbed the "Sand Nativity."
Paris archbishop to pray for France as fuel taxes canceled
Demonstrations, known as the "yellow vest" protests after the high-visibility vests worn as a symbol of French citizens' demands, were set to continue, despite the cancellation of the fuel tax increase. At least four people have died since the protests began in mid-November.
German prosecutors launch crackdown on church sex abuse
German police and prosecutors are launching investigations into clergy sexual abuse following the Sept. 12 leak of a report containing evidence of 3,700 alleged child sex abuse cases in the Catholic Church over a 68-year-period.
Vatican leads talks to expand testing, care of HIV-positive kids
Responding to the deaths of tens of thousands of children from AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses, the Vatican brought together physicians and representatives of drug companies and humanitarian agencies to strategize ways to improve care for children and adolescents who are HIV-positive.
Vatican urges adoption of global compacts on migration, refugees
Welcoming the finalization of global compacts on migration and on refugees, the Vatican urged nations to adopt the nonbinding agreements to protect people who are on the move and to promote their orderly acceptance in new countries.