World News
Pope, cardinal advisers discuss nominating bishops, role of nuncios
The Council of Cardinals, often referred to as the C9, met April 11-13 with Pope Francis. The pope appointed the council to help advise him on the reform of the Roman Curia, as well as on church governance more generally.
New U.S. nuncio worked in Mexico during a difficult period
He became known for working behind the scenes and acting discreetly in a country where church and state were estranged until 1992.
Pope’s visit to Greece comes at time of fear, uncertainty for refugees
The northern border with Macedonia closed in February, and the European Union and Turkey signed an agreement to forcibly return to Turkey those not applying for asylum in Greece.
Aid official tells of stories from Syria, urges label of ‘genocide’
John Pontifex said the criteria for genocide under the U.N. Convention on Genocide had been met in Syria and Iraq and that "an appalling and despicable crime" was unfolding against Christians and other faith groups.
Papal Foundation makes generous donation to pope’s efforts
More than $15 million was distributed by the foundation in 2015, Vatican Radio said. The funds aided "housing, hospitals, educational institutions, and pro-life programs around the world."
Syrian Christian families who fled to Europe begin to return home
Suleiman al Khalil, the mayor of Sadad, told Russian media April 6 of the influx of Christians returning to the city after Russian forces defeated the al Nusra Front, reported Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Pope: Beware of ‘polite persecution’ disguised as culture, progress
Those who suffer this kind of persecution are not persecuted "for confessing Christ's name, but for wanting to have and manifesting the values of the son of God," he said April 12 during the Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Help end death penalty, debt burden, war, pope tells activists
Working to build dialogue, peace and justice in "our complex and violent world" is a huge and difficult task that requires seeking the common good, he said in a written message to participants at a conference in Rome.
U.S. Catholic leaders visiting Iraq challenged to go home, work for peace
"You have come to listen to your brothers and sisters in Iraq who are suffering. The situation is very hard. We cry out with one voice, 'Don't forget us,'" Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad said.
Pope to visit Armenia in June, then Georgia, Azerbaijan in autumn
Releasing the dates of both trips at the same time was seen as a diplomatic necessity given the ongoing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave in Azerbaijan.