World News
Priests in Singapore, Europe have key roles in marriage preparation
Amid recent controversy caused by comments from Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, that priests have "no credibility" in marriage preparation, international trends show that priests remain a vital part of the process.
U.S. altar servers bring tradition, heritage to Rome
The annual gathering, which began as a meeting of German altar servers with the pope, has expanded worldwide and brought an estimated 60,000 young men and women from 19 countries to the Vatican.
Catholics collect aid for victims of deadly Indonesian earthquake
The magnitude 6.4 quake struck Lombok, Indonesia's popular tourist island, July 29, killing at least 16 people, injuring 355 others and forcing more than 5,100 people from their homes, according to the country's national disaster agency.
Latin Patriarchate objects to Israel’s new nation-state law
The patriarchate said the law is a "cause of great concern" because the rights of Palestinian citizens, who make up 20 percent of Israel's population, are not protected by the law. He also raised concern for the rights of Israel's Christian citizen under the law.
Indian Catholic leaders protest call to ban sacrament of reconciliation
"This demand is absurd and it displays ignorance about the sacrament of confession," said Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, president of Catholic Bishops Conference of India.
Struggle against virus isn’t over, say Catholics at global AIDS meeting
Despite rumors of its demise, the AIDS pandemic is far from over, and churches must continue to play a critical role in combating the disease.
Pope makes surprise visit to elderly friend in Rome
People in a quiet residential neighborhood of Rome were surprised when a blue Ford Focus came to a stop, and Pope Francis stepped out.
Syriac Catholic bishops call attention to plight of persecuted faithful
In their final statement from the July 23-27 gathering, the bishops noted that they have "raised their voices high in front of the world, denouncing the calamities" which have especially affected the Syriac church, particularly in Syria and Iraq.
Help those in need, never waste food, pope says
Leftovers should be eaten later or given to someone in need who will eat them, he said, advising people to talk to their relatives who lived through the aftermath of the Second World War and ask what they did with any uneaten food.
Archbishop convicted of failure to report abuse resigns
UPDATED - Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Philip Wilson, who had been found guilty by an Australian court of failing to inform police about child sexual abuse allegations in the Adelaide archdiocese.