World News
Woman to lead theological-pastoral aspect of Vatican communications
The director of the new theological-pastoral department of the Vatican Secretariat for Communications is Natasa Govekar, a theologian who specializes in the communication of faith through images.
Pope sends condolences after earthquake in Taiwan
"The Holy Father was saddened to learn of the suffering caused by the deadly earthquake which struck Tainan, leaving many people dead or seriously injured," read a message sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, on behalf of the pope.
Communist official to religious leaders: Promote Chinese culture
Yu Zhengsheng said religious leaders must form a bridge between the Communist Party and hundreds of millions of Chinese that follow the country's five officially recognized religions -- Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Buddhism and Taoism, reported ucanews.com.
Papal commission on sex abuse votes that member take leave of absence
Peter Saunders, founder and chief executive officer of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, told reporters, however, that he would not leave his position on the commission.
Ukrainian Catholics don’t expect much from pope-patriarch meeting
While differences still exist and muted optimism marks the meeting of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox leaders, finding a way to help persecuted Christians in the Middle East is seen as the biggest issue.
Negotiating table is only way to bring peace to Syria, pope says
"With great concern, I am following the tragic fate of civilians caught up in violent battles in beloved Syria and forced to abandon everything to flee the horrors of war," Pope Francis said Sunday in Rome.
Pope says he goes to Mexico as a ‘missionary of mercy, peace’
"I want to be as close as possible to you, but in a special way to those who suffer, to hug them and tell them that Jesus loves them very much, that he is always at their side," he said.
Open God’s heart with prayer, pope tells Padre Pio Prayer Groups
The pilgrims were in Rome for the Year of Mercy and a week of special events that included veneration of the relics of St. Padre Pio and St. Leopold Mandic, both Capuchin friars who often spent more than 12 hours a day hearing confessions.
Celibacy helps priests to ‘travel light,’ serve freely, cardinal says
Giving the keynote address Feb. 6 at a conference on priestly celibacy, Cardinal Parolin said the call to celibacy is not "antithetical to marriage," but rather a different way of giving one's self completely in a loving relationship.
From gangs to God: Mexican youths hopeful for papal visit
Caught in a cycle of violence, substance abuse and crime in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, some youths are getting scared and turning to God, and finding churches with open doors. Pope Francis will visit the city Feb. 17.