World News
Maronite patriarch hopes election of Lebanese president speeds unity
Under Lebanon's power-sharing system, the presidential post is reserved for a Maronite Catholic. Michel Aoun, 81, elected Oct. 31, is the only Christian head of state in the Arab world.
Most organ trafficking in Mozambique due to witchcraft, nun says
Efforts to help refugees who are targeted in attempts to harvest organs are hampered due to cultural fears of confronting those who engage in such practices, said Scalabrinian Sister Marines Biasibetti.
Pope offers new beatitudes for saints of a new age
New situations require new energy and a new commitment, he said, and then he offered a new list of beatitudes for modern Christians.
Vatican cardinal explains limits of eucharistic sharing
The Catholic Church, he told reporters, makes a distinction between "eucharistic hospitality for individual people and eucharistic communion."
English bishops launch online resources to help with death, bereavement
A website and Instagram page were launched Nov. 1 to offer advice on "helping people to die in peace" and to share resources on "death, dying and eternity."
Pope signals importance of diplomacy with red hat for nuncio in Syria
"It's a gesture of love for the martyred Syrian population and it is also a gesture of supporting diplomacy," Cardinal-designate Zenari said.
Priest hopes Duterte can help bring fellow missionary’s killer to justice
Justice is slow in the Philippines, but Father Peter Geremia is running out of patience as he awaits justice for the killers of a fellow priest.
Catholic Church never likely to ordain women, pope says
The question was settled in 1994 by St. John Paul II, who taught that because Jesus chose only men as his apostles, the ordination of women in the Catholic Church is not possible, Pope Francis said.
Pope, Lutheran leaders begin Reformation commemoration with prayer
Urging Catholics and Lutherans to take decisive steps toward unity, Pope Francis nevertheless offered no new openings to the idea of sharing Communion before full unity is achieved.
Philippine bishops urge All Souls’ Day prayers for drug war victims
"We pray for the forgiveness of their sins, we pray for the repose of their souls, and we pray for their redemption," Father Secillano said.