World News
Congo church suspends mediation bid amid rising tension
"Only an inclusive dialogue which respects the constitutional order will provide a framework for resolving our crisis," said Archbishop Marcel Utembi Tapa of Kisangani, president of the Congolese bishops' conference.
Rigid attachment to ideology saddens the Holy Spirit, pope says
While following doctrine is important, those who focus solely on its strict observance can "reduce the Spirit and the Son to a law," Pope Francis said Oct. 6 during an early morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
World has a duty to protect refugees, Vatican representative says
While national concerns about an influx of migrants and refugees may be legitimate, no country should lose sight of the fact that the influx is made up of real people whose lives are in danger, a Vatican official told a U.N. meeting.
Catholic commissions: EU must be more democratic to avoid breakup
The European Union must be more democratic and less centralist if it is to avoid other disgruntled member states following the U.K. out of the bloc, Catholic justice and peace groups said.
Pope, Anglican archbishop call for unity in mission, service
Pope Francis and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury together charged 19 pairs of Catholic and Anglican bishops to return to their home countries and work together to promote joint prayer, joint proclamation of the Gospel and, especially, joint works of charity and justice.
Philippine bishops’ leader ‘in endless grief’ over drug war
Archbishop Villegas expressed shame over news reports of the Philippines' war on drugs that has killed thousands, and comments of the country's leaders marked by "lies and vulgarity never heard before."
Pope: Church’s mission is to attract people to Christ, not proselytize
St. Therese of Lisieux was a reminder that an authentic witness is proclaimed through a union with Christ "in prayer, adoration and in concrete charity, which is serving Jesus, who is present in the least of our brothers and sisters," Pope Francis said.
Offer African youth access to sacred texts, pope tells telecom company
Pope Francis praised a U.K.-based telecommunications firm for providing African children, particularly refugees, access to online educational resources.
Hurricane Matthew tears through Haiti as aid workers prepare to respond
Rains whipped by 145-mile-per-hour winds from Hurricane Matthew shattered Haiti's southwest peninsula, downing trees, ripping open makeshift wooden homes and causing widespread flooding Oct. 4.
Albanian president unveils statue of St. Teresa, a ‘daughter of Albania’
Hundreds gathered for the ceremony outside St. Athanasius Catholic Church where the figure of the founder of the Missionaries of Charity cradling a child in her arms has been installed.