World News
Philippine, Russian bishops congratulate journalists for Nobel Peace Prize
Journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, received praise from Catholic leaders for their work to "safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace."
El Salvador church plans for beatification rites as COVID deaths rise
El Salvador's bishops released details for beatification ceremonies early next year in the capital city, but also encouraged local celebrations. Last week El Salvador recorded its highest number of COVID deaths since the pandemic began.
Pilgrims flock to beatified teen’s tomb in Assisi ahead of feast day
Since his beatification one year ago, an estimated 117,000 pilgrims visited the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the 15-year-old Italian teenager whose use of technology to spread devotion to the Eucharist has made him a model for young people.
Pope meets Pelosi; both speak at climate change meeting
Pope Francis met privately at the Vatican Oct. 9 with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was in Rome for a meeting of legislators from around the world in preparation for next month's U.N. climate summit. The pope stressed the role of governments in slowing climate change.
By listening to Holy Spirit, synod can be process of healing, pope says
"Are we prepared for the adventure of this journey?" Pope Francis asked Oct. 10 in opening the worldwide synod. "Or are we fearful of the unknown, preferring to take refuge in the usual excuses: 'It's useless' or 'We've always done it this way?'"
Australians close first phase of ‘walking together’ in Plenary Council
As Pope Francis launched the consultation process for the 2023 Synod of Bishops at the Vatican Oct. 9-10, the Catholic Church in Australia was closing out an exercise in the process of "synodality,"with extensive discussions "born of the Holy Spirit."
Report estimates 330,000 children abused in French church since 1950s
Most of the victims were pre-adolescent boys of all social backgrounds, and more than a third of the assaults were committed by laypeople. Some of the adults sexually assaulted were nuns or seminarians.
Church’s inability to put victims first is ‘moment of shame,’ pope says
According to a four-year investigation in France, an estimated 216,000 children were abused by priests since 1950, and more than 100,000 others were abused by lay employees of church institutions.
Citing lack of evidence, Vatican court clears two priests in sex abuse case
The court cited the expiration of the statute of limitations in absolving Father Gabriele Martinelli on two charges of abuse that allegedly occurred after the victim's age of 18.
Pope will not attend U.N. climate summit in Glasgow
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, will attend the COP26 summit Oct. 31-Nov. 12 in place of Pope Francis, the Vatican announced with no further details.