World News
In El Salvador, Jesuit program offers alternatives to gangs, emigration
Jonathan Sandoval saw opportunity in a metalworking lathe.
With no pope in residence, Vatican opens gardens of summer villa
The aisle is paved with stone from an ancient Roman road; the apse is made of carefully trimmed evergreen bushes; the columns are tall, thin cypress trees; and the nave is a lily pond, complete with gold fish.
Family love gives security, ability to hope for better world, pope says
A healthy society relies on citizens who learn love, responsibility, loyalty, acceptance of others and solidarity from their family relationships, Pope Francis said.
Pope asks for international action to help Iraq’s persecuted Christians
Pope Francis asked Catholics around the world to pray for tens of thousands of Christians from villages in northeastern Iraq who were forced from their homes in the middle of the night by Islamic State militants.
Pope’s finance chief talks Vatican reform
Pope Francis wants a "poor church for the poor," but that "doesn't necessarily mean a church with empty coffers," said Cardinal George Pell, "and it certainly doesn't mean a church that is sloppy or inefficient or open to being robbed."
Photo of the day
A protester and Orthodox clergyman light a petrol bomb during clashes with pro-government forces at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 7. Tensions flared in Kiev's Independence Square, the scene of street protests that toppled a Moscow-backed president in February, when protesters still camped there clashed with city workers who tried to clear away their tents. (CNS photo/Konstantin Chernichkin, Reuters)
Priest in Libya says church leaders will remain in solidarity
A Catholic official in Libya said church leaders would remain in the country to support Muslims as well as Christians who remained.
Spanish priest known for working with gangs jailed again in El Salvador
A Salvadoran judge ruled that Spanish Passionist Father Antonio Rodriguez, known for his work in rehabilitating gang members, should remain in jail, accused of various crimes regarding gang activities.
Pope offers prayers for victims of earthquake in China
As Chinese authorities raised the official death toll from an Aug. 3 earthquake in the southern Yunnan province, Pope Francis offered public prayers for the victims and their families.
Pope urges young people to use their freedom to share love, faith
Meeting 50,000 altar servers, Pope Francis urged young Catholics to make careful use of their freedom, treasure their dignity as sons and daughters of God and make time to pray each day.