World News
Commission starts planning global report on child protection efforts
With a renewed membership, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors met at the Vatican in late October and laid the groundwork for devising an annual report on child protection efforts by the Catholic Church globally.
Vatican announces plans for Christmas tree, Nativity scene, stamps
The Nativity scene that will sit under a 98-feet-tall silver fir tree in the middle of St. Peter's Square this year will feature 19 life-sized figures carved in cedar by artisans in the northeastern Italian town of Sutrio.
Synod reports show enthusiasm for mission, but also identify obstacles
The reports sent to the Vatican from local and national listening sessions show "a deep, deep hunger for a new confidence in the church, a confidence in its ability to proclaim the Gospel to a world so deeply in need."
Cries for peace can’t be ignored, pope says at interreligious meeting
Pope Francis told the crowd, which included other Christians as well as Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists: "Peace is at the heart of the religions, their sacred writings and their teaching."
Vatican joins International Olympic Committee’s appeal for peace
The challenges and threats facing humanity and the planet can be confronted effectively if all people come together in "a spirit of solidarity," said Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, in an appeal also supported by three Vatican dicasteries.
Pope: Church’s concern for the family goes beyond focus on couples
The importance of the family for the Catholic Church and for society means that theological reflection on family life and pastoral responses to the joys and problems of families must focus on more than the relationship between a husband and wife, Pope Francis said.
In Ukraine, Basilian sisters pitch in and prepare for war’s consequences
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February, members of the order have been caring for refugees, educating students, raising funds, visiting wounded soldiers and sending aid to the front lines.
Pope hails new Catholic-Jewish study center in Poland
The Abraham J. Heschel Center for Catholic-Jewish Relations at the Catholic University of Lublin will "foster appreciation of the common heritage, not only of the two religions, but also of the two peoples," said Pope Francis Oct. 19.
Dissidents, Catholic leaders want famous Minsk church reopened after fire
Belarus officials have been accused of intimidation after the Church of Sts. Simon and Helena, popularly dubbed the Red Church, was ordered to close following a suspicious Sept. 26 blaze.
Pope announces a second session for Synod of Bishops assembly
The additional gathering, scheduled to take place in October 2024, will allow for more time to discern how the Holy Spirit is calling the church to grow in "synodality," said the pope Oct. 16.