World News

More than two dozen reported dead after Julia lashes Central America

The Category 1 hurricane left much of the region buried in mud or covered in floods, with the death toll expected to rise in the coming days.

Pope prays for unity of church as he celebrates 60th anniversary of Vatican II

The 1962-1964 council reminded the church of what is "essential" -- namely, being "madly in love with its Lord and with all the men and women whom he loves," said Pope Francis at an Oct. 11 Mass for the occasion.

Thailand day care massacre an act of ‘unspeakable violence,’ pope says

The Oct. 6 attack, one of the world's worst mass shootings, claimed the lives of 36 people -- including at least 24 children -- at a day care center in northeast Thailand.

Tourist detained after toppling busts at Vatican Museums

A man, reported to be American, was detained by Vatican police Oct. 5 for the vandalism, which did not result in serious damage.

Germany’s Synodal Path continues to draw attention in Rome

German Catholics involved in that nation's Synodal Path are convinced the church must address the "systemic causes" of clerical sexual abuse scandal, a task that will require change, said synodal assembly member Charlotte Kreuter-Kirchhof.

Missionaries of hope have hearts renewed by Holy Spirit, pope says

In an Oct. 1 message to the Redemptorist order, Pope Francis invited members to "drink the new water that comes from the spring of the Holy Spirit."

Pope tells Putin: Stop the war

During his Oct. 2 Angelus address, Pope Francis called on Russia's president to end the "spiral of violence and death" cause by Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "to be open" to any "serious peace proposals."

Vatican says it restricted East Timor archbishop after abuse allegations

Following a Dutch newspaper's investigation, the Vatican stated it had become aware of the allegations against retired Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo of Dili several years ago, and had already placed restrictions on him.

Exiled Belarusian priest wants bishops to speak out for clergy

Father Viachaslau Barok, former finance officer of the Vitebsk Diocese, told Catholic News Service Sept. 28 he could not criticize the bishops' silence on public issues, because "every person who speaks their thoughts faces grave dangers."

Ukraine religious leaders call for return of POWS, criticize ‘referendums’

In a Sept. 23 statement, clerics said Russia violated international law through its inhumane treatment of prisoners, and its staged "votes" to annex portions of Ukraine.