World News
Pope Benedict denies latest rumors about Fatima ‘secret’
Sixteen years after the Vatican released the text of the so-called Third Secret of Fatima, rumors cyclically arise claiming that the Vatican still is keeping part of Mary's message secret.
Pope Francis, or his successor, to visit Ireland for meeting of families
The World Meeting of Families will be held in Dublin in 2018, and the city's archbishop said the pope pledged to visit there, possibly along with Northern Ireland.
Venezuelans fight hunger, fear as civil unrest and crime increase
The downturn in international oil prices in 2015 sent Venezuela's oil-dependent economy into free fall, immersing the country in a crisis marked by runaway inflation, scant food and medicine, and a rise in violence.
Brazilian churches change Sunday practices due to swine flu outbreak
All across the country, parishes are keeping church windows and doors open for greater air circulation especially during Masses. Hand-holding is suspended, and Communion is to be taken in the hand only.
Pope rules Vatican review needed to set up diocesan religious order
The consultation "is to be understood as necessary for the validity of the erection of a diocesan institute of consecrated life," said the ruling approved by Pope Francis
Vine and branches: Chaplains work to uproot radicalization in prisons
Governments and international entities are paying more attention to the problem of radicalization taking root and spreading in prisons, said Msgr. Paolo Rudelli.
Pew survey of Mideast Muslims: Religion less central to those in Israel
The survey found that compared to other religious groups in Israel -- including Jews, Christians and Druze -- Israeli Muslims are highly devout, but at rates lower than Muslims in neighboring countries.
Do not give in to fear in helping migrants, pope tells diplomats
While the international community should continue working for peace in war-torn countries, it also must work to help migrants escaping violence as well as those caring for them, Pope Francis said.
Head of Italian bishops says new law equates marriage, civil unions
While some supporters of the new law insisted the law did not recognize gay marriage, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco said the differences are only in the vocabulary used and in "easily circumvented legal devices."
Focus on mercy is Catholic-Lutheran common ground, cardinal says
The commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017 can be a time to celebrate the fact that Christians are no longer "on the path of separation, but that of unity," said Cardinal Kasper,