World News
Cardinal calls Salvadorans to reflect on true meaning of martyrdom
The country's real martyrs, Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez of San Salvador said, "never stained their hands with blood," and they were "men and women who strove to love God and their neighbors."
Kenyan bishops urge calm as opposition rejects early results
Catholic bishops in Kenya called for calm in the East Africa nation, as pockets of violent postelection protests left at least five dead in opposition strongholds.
Italians debate whether rescuing migrants at sea can be a crime
For years Italy has been the first port of call for refugees and migrants desperate to reach Europe and, as Pope Francis often has noted, the country has received little help from its European Union partners in rescuing, caring for and processing the newcomers.
Ex-Vatican diplomat: U.S., North Korea must return to negotiating table
The nuclear threat North Korea poses "creates serious difficulties," said a Vatican archbishop. But the U.S. and its Asian allies must seek an inclusive negotiated solution that places the common good first.
Philippine nun works to help users avoid death in drug war
The anti-drug war has claimed from 2,000 to more than 7,000 lives, both in police operations and vigilante-style or extrajudicial killings. Duterte has vowed to end the drug menace and exterminate those involved in it by whatever means necessary.
Responding to priests, Vatican investigates Indonesian bishop
The Vatican has appointed an apostolic visitor to investigate claims by Indonesian priests that their bishop had a mistress and misappropriated church funds.
Pope prays for Christian victims of violent attacks in Africa
The pope led pilgrims in praying a Hail Mary for the victims of a deadly shooting Aug. 6 at St. Philip's Catholic Church in Ozubulu, located in Nigeria's southern state of Anambra. He also prayed for Christians killed following an attack at a mission in Gambo, Central African Republic.
Vatican official hints at unofficial agreement with China on bishops
Observers have been increasingly confident that a process has been put in place as the two sides work toward a formal agreement, especially after the appointment of five new bishops in 2015 and 2016 that were recognized by both sides.
Pope Francis appoints bishops to serve two Chaldean eparchies
Pope Francis has named Bishop Emmanuel Challita of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Addai of Toronto as bishop of the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle in San Diego. He also named Bishop Frank Kalabat of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle, based near Detroit, as administrator of Eparchy of Addai of Toronto.
Israeli archaeologists think they found lost Roman city of Julias
After decades of searching, Israeli archaeologists working on the shores of the Sea of Galilee believe they have uncovered the lost Roman city of Julias, home of the apostles Peter, Andrew and Philip.