World News
Iona: Scotland’s ‘thin place’ between earth and heaven
When the Irish St. Columba settled here with a dozen monks in the sixth century, it was a dangerous, forbidding place. Today, it's still a stark setting for religious contemplation.
Jesus restores life through compassion, not magic, pope says
Pope Francis canonized St. Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad of Sweden, who re-founded the Bridgettine sisters in the early 1900s, and St. Stanislaus Papczynski of Poland, founder of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception.
Resist pressure to ignore injustice, trafficking, pope tells judges
"I know, too, that to be a judge today, to be a public prosecutor and state attorney means risking your life," he told justice officials taking part in a summit on human trafficking and organized crime.
Kerry Kennedy recalls father’s 1966 speech during visit to South Africa
Overcoming hatred and establishing economic rights are the world's greatest challenges, human rights activist Kerry Kennedy said at the University of Cape Town.
Pope approves statutes of new office for laity, family, life
The statutes specify that it will be headed by a cardinal or a bishop, will have a secretary "who may be a layperson" and three undersecretaries who will be laypeople.
Pope to appoint advisory board in removing negligent bishops
The pope will now be assisted by a papally appointed "college of jurists," according to procedures that take effect Sept. 5.
Parents are kids’ ‘best bet’ to buffer outside world, U.N. conference hears
The future of humanity depends on parents' commitment to protect and nurture their children, instill values and help children mature as human beings, speakers told a United Nations event to mark the fourth annual Global Day of Parents.
Extreme faith: God makes big demands, gives infinite love, bishop says
"We are not an 'either-or' religion, we're the great 'both-and' religion" in which nothing can get in the way of divine mercy."
Pope calls for gathering to find ways to end, prevent drug abuse
Leading experts from around the world are being invited "to examine and discuss possible innovative socio-political solutions" to drug use, abuse and prevention, a papal academy said.
With ‘Brexit’ vote looming, Scottish independence remains live issue
If the rest of Britain votes to leave the European Union in a new referendum June 23, local politicians could demand a fresh independence ballot.