World News
Church must adopt Jesus’ method, mentor youth, says U.S. synod observer
Church leaders and members need to be "spiritual mentors" -- like Jesus and the saints -- befriending, accompanying and enriching the lives of young people, one U.S. observer told the Synod of Bishops.
Vatican releases list of synod members drafting final report
Headed by Brazilian Cardinal Sergio da Rocha of Brasilia, the group of five cardinals, three bishops and four priests come from or work in Italy, India, Ghana, Ukraine, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil and Australia.
New saints shared a close friendship, professor says
Blesseds Paul VI and Oscar Romero crossed paths on their road to sainthood and formed a personal friendship that strengthened each other's resolve in the face of growing challenges, an Italian professor said.
Chinese bishop says agreement is sign that universal church is one
The Catholic Church is one throughout the world, and Pope Francis' agreement with the communist government of China is a sign of that, Bishop John Baptist Yang Xiaoting of Yan'an told members of a Rome parish.
St. John Paul II still challenges Catholics to be holy, pope says
The teachings, life and holiness of St. John Paul II can help guide and protect people on their daily journey toward Christ, Pope Francis said.
Vocation not limited to religious life, youth minister tells synod
Discovering and following one's vocation is about the choices one makes each day, a young observer told the Synod of Bishops.
Stir up stagnant church that only waits around, archbishop says
Where the church's enthusiasm for the Gospel mission has waned, "spiritual disruption" is needed for a church that goes out and doesn't wait for the young to come in, said an Australian bishop at the synod on youth.
Contempt for life is the source of all evil, pope says
Procuring an abortion is wrong, inhumane and like hiring a hit man "to fix a problem," Pope Francis said.
Youth synod groups focus on abuse, sexuality, friendship, mission
In their first reports to the full Synod of Bishops, many of the working groups reported that they had discussed the clerical sexual abuse crisis and, especially, its impact on young Catholics.
Iraqi archbishop fears more persecution, says IS went underground
Christianity in Iraq is just one wave of persecution away from extinction, said the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Basra.