World News
Pope congratulates retired pontiff on anniversary of priestly ordination
Pope Francis offered warm wishes to retired Pope Benedict XVI, who at age 94 is "the contemplative of the Vatican," on the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination.
Quebec cardinal tells First Nations of hope for healing
Cardinal Gérald Lacroix said the hundreds of unmarked graves found at former schools run by Catholic communities have revealed "a very dark page" in the history of Canada. "God did not fail. We have failed," he said at the Shrine of Ste.-Anne-de-Beaupré.
Two more First Nations Catholic churches destroyed in ‘suspicious’ fires
June 26 blazes leveled churches on the Hedley and Chopaka Native Reserves in British Columbia, bringing to five the total number of churches on Canadian Indigenous land damaged or ruined within a week.
Pope prays for victims, condemns violence in Mexican border city
Following random gun attacks that killed 19 civilians in Reynosa, Pope Francis called for conversion and consolation as drug cartels terrorize ordinary citizens.
Only God can quench thirst for peace, pope tells Middle East patriarchs
In a June 27 letter on the first "Day of Peace in the Middle East," the pope said the region's tapestry of peaceful coexistence can come undone "if violence, envy and division tears even one of those threads."
Writing about LGBTQ ministry, pope says God loves all his children
In a June 21 letter to Jesuit Father James Martin, Pope Francis said "God's 'style'" is marked by "closeness, compassion and tenderness" toward each individual.
Pope, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken meet at Vatican
Climate change, migration and geopolitical hot spots were on the agenda during the 40-minute meeting June 28, Pope Francis' second with an official of the Biden Administration.
European Parliament calls access to abortion a human right
Despite strong criticism from European bishops and pro-life groups, members of the European Parliament adopted a report that says doctors or hospitals that object to performing abortions put "women's lives in danger."
Vatican summit can make ‘positive contribution’ in Lebanon, official says
Pope Francis' July 1 meeting with Lebanon's Christian leaders is an opportunity for the Holy See to make a difference in the country's continuing political and economic crisis, said the Vatican foreign minister.
Disgraced Polish archbishop elected mayor; more bishops sanctioned
Archbishop Slawoj Glodz, dismissed last August from his archdiocese after being sanctioned by the Vatican for ignoring sexual abuse by his clergy, has been elected mayor of his hometown.