World News
Pope challenges bishops on youths’ exodus after confirmation
"Young people are leaving (the church) -- why are they making this decision?" Pope Francis asked Portuguese bishops. Today, "our proposal of Jesus is not convincing."
On persecuted Christians, pope calls out complicity of idle countries
Governments who not only take no action to stop anti-Christian persecution are accomplices in their deaths, Pope Francis said today at Mass with Armenian Catholic leaders.
Doctrine, pastoral realities are not at odds, pope tells theologians
In fact, theologians can help by “taking both the ecclesiastical tradition and current reality very seriously, placing them in dialogue with one another.”
Church agencies highlight growing urgency of Europe’s refugee crisis
Catholic aid agencies have urged Europeans not to turn against migrants seeking refuge from Syria and other countries, in what media reports describe as the continent's greatest refugee movement since World War II.
Pope Francis visits optician in Rome’s shopping district
The pope visited a store to buy only lenses for his new prescription, and to keep his old frames, which he bought in cash at the shop last year for $6.
Pope meets Israeli president, expresses hopes for peace
Pope Francis and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin met to discuss ways to bring about peace and justice in the volatile Middle East as sectarian and ethnic heat up resulting in increased suffering in Christian and other minority communities.
Britons crying out for more generous response to migrants
The British government has refused to accept migrants fleeing the Middle East and Africa at a time when hundreds of thousands of them are risking their lives to enter Western Europe.
Faith includes recognizing one’s sinfulness, pope says
Admitting one's own sinfulness is a vital element of faith; it is as important as recognizing that Jesus is Lord, Pope Francis told the faithful attending morning Mass in his private residence recently. He urged his flock to set pride aside and admit shortcomings.
Cuban bishop: Pope’s visit comes at time of hope for people
The upcoming visit to Cuba by Pope Francis, along with renewed diplomatic relations between that nation and the United States, give the Cuban people hope for a better future. The pope will greet all aspects of Cuban society from its leaders to its young people.
Administering mercy: Facilitating forgiveness does not downplay sin
The first step, of course, is to recognize an action is a sin and confess it, expressing contrition and a willingness to do penance.