World News
Failure to protect creation will incur God’s judgment, pope says
World leaders are running out of time and must address the challenges of climate change before it's too late, Pope Francis said in a letter to Catholics in Scotland where the U.N. Climate Change Conference concludes Nov. 12.
Peace requires global disarmament, pope says in message
Criticizing the idea of deterrence through the stockpiling of weapons, Pope Francis said it has led to "humanitarian tragedies." He called for integral disarmament worldwide in his message sent to the Paris Peace Forum.
Polish church leaders offer support for refugees, but back border security
Poland's military archbishop urged security forces to prevent the illegal entry of refugees and migrants from Asia and the Middle East. The country's Catholic bishops called for a nationwide collection to help those amassing on the frontier with Belarus.
Closer Vatican-Russia ties could benefit the world, prelate says
During his visit to Russia, the Vatican foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher praised "strengthened" relations between the two nations, and urged greater cooperation. He cited Russia's "capacity to alleviate tensions in conflict situations."
‘History is going to hold us to account,’ says marcher at climate protest
During the U.N.'s COP26 conference, thousands of Catholics took to the streets of the United Kingdom, among 100,000 demonstrators supporting action to halt climate change and reverse ecological degradation.
Palestinian leader meets pope, Vatican secretary of state
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had a 50-minute private meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican Nov. 4. Conversations with Vatican officials stressed the need to increase dialogue in the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.
East Timor bishop dies, receives country’s highest honor
A co-recipient of the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in achieving his nation's independence from Indonesia, Bishop Basilio do Nascimento died Oct. 30 at age 71. He was honored for "promoting Christian values ... for the sake of human dignity."
Accompany, pray for people with depression, burnout, pope says
"Sadness, apathy and spiritual tiredness" can dominate the lives of people "who are overloaded due to the rhythm of life today," said Pope Francis in a new video. "Let us try to be close to those who are exhausted, to those who are desperate, without hope."
CRS helps Afghan farmers facing climate-induced drought, hunger
Conditions in which crops won't germinate and livestock have died are "the worst in living memory in Afghanistan," said a Catholic Relief Services official. Some 2 million people face famine as the region heads into the lean winter season.
Pilgrim’s path: Parsing what the president said the pope said
A closer look at the record-long Oct. 29 meeting between Pope Francis and President Biden suggests a pastoral, rather than political, approach on the issue of abortion and Communion.