World News
Evangelize in cities without fear of pluralism, says pope
The church must evangelize in the world's big cities "without fearing pluralism" or ceding to discrimination, said Pope Francis in his message to an international evangelization conference in Barcelona, Spain.
First world day against human trafficking set for February
The first International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking has been announced for Feb. 8, the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese slave who eventually was freed and became a Canossian nun.
Pope says he would ‘never close the door’ on talks with Islamic State
The door to negotiations with ISIS "is always open," the pope told reporters. He also said “terrorism” could describe not only the actions of such extremist groups but also those of some national governments using military force unilaterally.
Pope calls European Parliament to rejuvenate ‘grandmother’ Europe
The 77-year-old grandson of European immigrants to Argentina, Pope Francis urged the European Parliament to value the continent's faiths and recuperate a sense of responsibility for the common good to rejuvenate Europe's social, political and economic life.
Pope urges Europe to nurture religious roots, sow peace in its borders
The project of European unity and cooperation, ensuring peace on the continent and helping others find peace as well, requires a real commitment to dialogue and respect for others, Pope Francis said.
Break down isolation and stigma of autism, pope says
Pope Francis called the daily challenges for people with autism spectrum disorders and their families "a cross" and noted the need to develop more "comprehensive and accessible" support networks.
Pope meets Curia to discuss reform; names new head of worship office
The same day he spent three hours meeting the heads of Vatican offices to discuss the reform of the Roman Curia, Pope Francis named 69-year-old Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah to be the new prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.
Glowing tributes, huge crowds mark canonization of Indian saints
More than 100,000 pilgrims thronged the Chavara shrine in southern Kerala state as Kuriakose Elias Chavara was canonized by Pope Francis Nov. 23 at the Vatican along with Euphrasia Eluvathingal, a member of the religious order founded by St. Chavara.
Church launches Year for Consecrated Life
The first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30, marking the start of the new liturgical year, will also inaugurate the Year for Consecrated Life.
Muslims: Stand up to ISIS militants, patriarch says
Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad implored moderate Muslims to reject "terrorism in the name of religion" and challenge the actions of Islamic State militants against minorities in Iraq.