World News
European church leaders welcome court ruling on religious rights
OXFORD, England (CNS) -- Catholic Church representatives have welcomed a European Court judgment reaffirming the autonomy of religious communities, but warned that pressure could continue to restrict religious rights.
Support missions, enter ‘flood of joy’ of sharing God’s love, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Engaging in or supporting missionary activity allows Christians to enter the "flood of joy" that comes from experiencing God's love and sharing it with others, Pope Francis said.
World must help unaccompanied minors fleeing violence, official says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- On rickety boats crossing the Mediterranean Sea or on trains through Mexico or desert paths crossing the U.S.-Mexican border, a huge increase in the number of children traveling alone to flee war or violence calls for urgent action by the international community, a Vatican official said.
Church rediscovers its role as mother by welcoming, loving, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- "I like to dream of a church that lives the compassion of Jesus," Pope Francis told more than 7,000 priests, religious, catechists and parish council members from the Diocese of Rome.
Pope: It’s ‘intolerable’ markets have the power to decide people’s fate
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said it was "increasingly intolerable" that the world's financial markets have the power to determine people's fate instead of being at the service of people's needs.
Pope appeals for peace in Iraq, announces plans to visit Albania
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis expressed his fears over increasing violence in Iraq and prayed for peace, security and reconciliation in the country.
Pope, Anglican archbishop urge joint action to share God’s love
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although they have not yet reached full unity, Roman Catholics and Anglicans continue their dialogue, come together in prayer and work side by side, including on a new project to combat human trafficking around the world.
Could Pope Francis go to China?
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When Pope Francis visits South Korea, Aug. 14-18, he will take part in Asian Youth Day with delegates from some 30 countries, preside over the beatification of 124 Korean martyrs and meet with President Park Geun-hye.
Pope Francis says world economic system inevitably leads to war
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- "We are in a world economic system that is not good," the pope said in a wide-ranging interview. "A system that in order to survive must make war, as great empires have always done." He also condemned religious fundamentalism and said he does not worry about his personal security because, "at my age I don't have much to lose."
Pope blasts arms merchants and human traffickers, decries child labor
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis denounced those responsible for human trafficking, slave labor and arms manufacturing, and called on everyone, especially families, to do all they could to safeguard "the healthy upbringing" of all children so they could look to the future with hope.