World News
Pope: Stopping climate change, poverty go hand-in-hand
Heads of states at the U.N. climate change conference in Paris must do everything possible to mitigate the effects of both climate change and poverty "for the good of our common home," Pope Francis said.
Vocations, Catholic community life must serve each other, Pope says
Vocations are born within the Christian community, Pope Francis said, and every Catholic has a responsibility to pray for vocations and encourage those called to the priesthood or religious life.
In Rome or at home, Catholics urged to take part in Year of Mercy
The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization, the office organizing events for the Holy Year, presented details about some of the events planned at the Vatican and the services available for pilgrims.
Through thick and thin: Pope urges youths to read the Bible
Pope Francis wrote about his Bible and his Bible-reading habits in the preface to the German-language study guide, "Youth Bible for the Catholic Church." Other language versions are expected in 2016.
Church must first evangelize itself, pope says
"Mission, in fact, is a force capable of transforming the church within itself even before it does so in the life of peoples and cultures," the pope told participants of the plenary assembly of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Potential terrorists threatened pope, say police in Italy, Kosovo
The four are accused by police of publishing messages "against the person of the Holy Father," and saying, "Remember, there will not be another pope after this one; he will be the last."
Homeless, poor get star treatment at Vatican movie premiere
"To this exceptional premiere, the Holy Father wished to invite the poor, the homeless, refugees and the people most in need, together with the volunteers, religious and lay people, who work daily in charity," a statement from the papal almoner's office said.
Missionary spirit means giving witness, not proselytizing, pope says
Faith in Jesus Christ is shared first through "witness then with words," the pope said Dec. 2 at his weekly general audience.
State’s attempt to abolish death penalty marked at Rome’s Colosseum
Rome's Colosseum was lit in honor of the U.S. state of Nebraska's attempt to abolish the death penalty and as part of Cities for Life Day, a worldwide event that supports a global end to capital punishment.
Northern Ireland’s bishops call court ruling on abortion ‘disquieting’
While Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, the 1967 legalization of abortion only extended to England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland retains the earlier 1861 prohibition on abortion.