World News
Two die in earthquake on Italian island
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake, which struck at 8:57 p.m. local time, measured a magnitude of 4.3. Ischia is located off the coast of Naples.
Cardinal Parolin visits Russia, focuses on ecumenism and peace
Although he said planning a papal trip to Russia was not on the agenda, the Vatican secretary of state said his visit to Moscow was designed to build on the meeting Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill had in Cuba in 2016.
Dublin archbishop outlines themes to prepare for World Meeting of Families
In his homily delivered to a packed basilica at Knock Shrine in County Mayo, Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said while there is no family that is ideal, there are "families who struggle, at times heroically."
Chicago youth travel to Salvador, bring back ideas for dealing with gangs
The U.S. youth said that, unlike in Chicago, the young Salvadorans they met who were not involved in gangs care for one another.
Secret deal? Author hopes Vatican archives shed light on efforts to end Holocaust
Secret negotiations between Heinrich Himmler and a Swiss Catholic politician, hired by a Jewish woman and helped by an Italian papal nuncio, may have contributed to ending the mass extermination of the Jewish people, according to a Canadian researcher.
‘Blood flowing on sidewalks’: 2 Philippine prelates criticize drug war
Two prominent Philippine bishops criticized the government's war on drugs after a week in which more than 80 people were reportedly killed in stepped-up efforts to end drug use.
Pope leads prayers for an end to ‘inhuman violence’ of terrorism
Reciting the Angelus prayer at midday, the pope asked an estimated 10,000 people in St. Peter's Square to pray in silence and then to join him in reciting the Hail Mary for the victims of the attacks the previous week in Burkina Faso, Spain and Finland.
Christians must unite in witnessing hope to troubled world, pope says
Pope Francis sent a hand-signed message to the Italian synod of the Methodist and Waldensian churches, saying that it is more important than ever for Christians to witness together that God is stronger than the violence and evil taking place in the world.
Church leaders oppose Bolivian law stripping protection for native lands
The measure signed into law by President Evo Morales in mid-August opens the Isiboro Secure National Park and Indigenous Territory, known as TIPNIS for its Spanish initials, to highway construction and other development.
Pope urges respect for the life and dignity of migrants, refugees
With millions of people fleeing violence, persecution and poverty around the globe, individual nations must expand options that make it possible for migrants and refugees to cross their borders safely and legally, Pope Francis said.