World News
Desire for power is an obstacle to serving God, pope says
In his teaching, Jesus made it clear that "he who commands must become like one who serves," the pope said Nov. 8 in his homily during Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Pope: World needs a justice system open to hope, not just punishment
After celebrating Mass with detainees and people who had been in prison, Pope Francis called on governments to mark the end of the Year of Mercy by extending clemency to deserving inmates.
In China, new bishops must have papal approval, spokesman says
No matter what the motivation or how seriously threatened one may believe the Catholic Church in China is, the ordination of bishops without a mandate from the pope is a serious violation of church law, the Vatican said.
Dutch cardinal says papal encyclical on gender theory might be needed
Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht, Netherlands, said even Catholic parents were beginning to accept that their own children can choose their genders partly because "they don't hear anything else."
Pope issues new statutes for Pontifical Academy for Life
The main goal of the academy, as founded in 1994 by St. John Paul II, is still "the defense and promotion of the value of human life and the dignity of the person," according to the new statutes, which were published Nov. 5 at the Vatican.
Deceased cardinals, bishops witnessed to God’s mercy, pope says
The Vatican booklet for the Mass listed the seven cardinals and 136 bishops from around the world who died since Oct. 25, 2015. The deceased included five bishops from mainland China, all of whom had served time in prison or labor camps because of their ministry.
Cardinal Nichols apologizes to unmarried women coerced to give up babies
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster expressed regret for the actions of the church in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s when about 500,000 British women were encouraged to give up their babies for adoption.
All people long for mercy, pope tells religious leaders
Authentic religions help people understand that they are, in fact, loved and can be forgiven and are called to love and forgive others, Pope Francis said.
Foundation of faith: Religious patch cracks left in wake of disaster
When the Benedictine monks in Norcia led residents in prayer before the ruins of their medieval city, they showed one way the church steps into action in times of crisis.
All Souls feast is a hopeful reminder of the resurrection, pope says
Through his death on the cross, Jesus "opened for us the door of hope where we will contemplate God," the pope said Nov. 2 at an evening Mass amid the tombs of Rome's Prima Porta cemetery.