World News
African bishops praise caregivers of people with HIV, AIDS
As the Year of Mercy neared, the bishops of Africa and Madagascar held up the work of families and local faith communities in caring for people with AIDS as a strong example of unconditional love.
Climate deal must be transformative, papal envoy tells leaders in Paris
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, who was speaking on behalf of Pope Francis, called for a climate agreement with a foundation of justice and fairness. World leaders attending the Conference of Parties Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 in Paris, France, are discussing carbon emission limits.
At Bangui mosque, Pope pleads for peace among Christians, Muslims
Pope Francis ended his papal visit to Central Africa by urging Christians and Muslims to live peacefully. He implored Christians and Muslims to act as brothers and sisters because they are created by the same God.
Choice is clear, pope says: Protect environment or destroy it
The international community is facing a stark and serious choice on climate change, Pope Francis said in Kenya before next week's climate conference in Paris. "We have no right" to remain indifferent to human dignity, he said.
Pope ends Kenya visit defending rights of poor, denouncing tribalism
Pope Francis visited Nairobi's Kangemi neighborhood, a slum with tiny dwellings made of cinder block, tin or reclaimed boards. The homes are jumbled together with dirt paths running between them.
Ugandans give pope exuberant welcome as he urges unity
Dancers wearing traditional attire and playing drums and horns welcomed Pope Francis to their capital where he mentioned the Ugandan martyrs who "remind us of the importance that faith, moral rectitude and commitment to the common good" play in Africa.
Refugees headed to U.S. are fully vetted, official says
The extensive vetting process that all refugees undergo before arriving in the United States "screens out any possible threat of terrorism," said the executive director of the U.S. bishops' Migration and Refugee Services.
Arriving in Kenya, pope says tolerance, respect are keys to peace
Pope Francis was greeted at Nairobi's main airport by a small group of dancers, women ululating and President Uhuru Kenyatta. The pope then traveled past hundreds of offices and factories where employees lined the road to greet him.
Journalists claim freedom of press at ‘VatiLeaks’ trial
All five people accused of involvement in leaking and publishing confidential documents about Vatican finances were present at the opening of the criminal trial in a Vatican courtroom Nov. 24.
Refugees in Lebanon, facing new reality, get help at Catholic-run clinic
A school principal, a physics teacher and a businessman who simultaneously ran five enterprises were among the 50,000 Iraqi Catholics driven out by ISIS last year to Lebanon, where they now get aid as refugees from a facility of the Good Shepherd Sisters.