World News
Pope visits towns in central Italy devastated by earthquake
Amid the devastation wrought by an earthquake in central Italy, Pope Francis quietly prayed and offered words of consolation to survivors and those assisting in relief efforts. "I want to be close to the people," he said.
Catholics warn against new rules on religion in China
Since the underground Catholic Church is illegal in China, proposed new regulations will mostly affect the church's open community, which will be heavily fined for "unauthorized pilgrimages," among other offenses.
Tolerance is good for society, the soul, pope says at Azerbaijani mosque
In addition to leaders of the country's majority Shiite Muslim community, representatives of the Jewish community, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Lutheran Church attended the gathering.
Gay, transgender people deserve pastoral care, pope says
"People must be accompanied like Jesus would accompany them," he said. "When a person who has this situation arrives before Jesus, Jesus certainly will not say, 'Go away because you are homosexual.' No."
Unity and division: Ecumenical realities on display at papal Mass
Vatican officials and people involved in Catholic-Orthodox relations had hoped that Georgian Orthodox Ilia II would send an official delegation to the Mass despite rules preventing the church's clergy from attending a non-Orthodox liturgy.
Pope encourages Azerbaijan’s Catholics to be people of faith, service
Officials said about 300 people -- more than half the number of Catholics in the entire country -- were in the church for the Mass.
Dialogue, respect for differences are key to progress, pope says
Cooperation, peace and prosperity come when people know how to hold fast to their cultural and religious identities without ever denigrating or trying to deny the rights and identities of others, Pope Francis said.
Pope sees ‘global war’ against marriage, urges church help for couples
The only way to defend marriage against the onslaught, he said, is to help couples "make peace as soon as possible, before the day ends, and don't forget the three words: 'May I?' 'Thank you' and 'Forgive me.'"
When political choice is tough, pray and vote your conscience, pope says
Flying back to Rome from Azerbaijan Oct. 2, the pope was asked by a reporter what U.S. Catholics should do in a presidential election where both candidates hold some positions contrary to church teaching.
Vatican office holds meeting on role of women in the church
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith spent three days listening to women theologians, Scripture scholars and other experts talk about roles women have played in the Catholic Church and roles they could play in the future.