World News
In Chile, Caritas moves materials into area hit by quake, aftershocks
MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- Caritas Chile has continued moving materials into an area of northern Chile hit hard by an April 1 earthquake and the subsequent aftershocks, which have prevented some people from sleeping in their homes.
Pope declares by decree three new saints for the Americas
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Without a canonization ceremony, Pope Francis declared three new saints for the Americas, pioneers of the Catholic Church in Brazil and in Canada.
Holy Land Catholic leaders: Stop speaking of Christian persecution
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Repeated references to persecution of Christians, "usually referring only to what Christians suffer at the hands of criminals claiming to be Muslims, plays into the hands of extremists," said Catholic leaders in the Holy Land.
Mexican state files complaints against railways over migrants
MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- The state of Veracruz has filed criminal complaints against two railway operators for failing to keep Central American migrants from stealing rides atop northbound trains.
Lebanese students discover a smile is a two-way street
BEIRUT (CNS) -- Bringing the face of Jesus to the poor is an experience a group of Lebanese 10th graders will long remember about this Lent.
In Nigeria, bishop advises country to channel youths’ energy — or gangs will
LAGOS, Nigeria (CNS) -- The Boko Haram insurgency would be stopped if the Nigerian government took care of young people, said Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto, Nigeria. "When a government or a parent fails in this regards ... criminal rings and so on will recruit our children and offer them a future," he said.
Family business owners opposing U.S. contraception mandate meet pope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Christian family behind a lawsuit seeking an exemption to a U.S. government health care coverage mandate met with Pope Francis and thanked him for underlining the importance of religious freedom.
Pope says married couples called to be icons of God’s love
Pope Francis spoke about marriage and asked the estimated 45,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square April 2 to pray for the world's families, especially for couples experiencing difficulty. The sacrament of marriage, he said, "leads us to the heart of God's plan, which is a plan of covenant with his people and with all of us."
Pope asks Curia to find ways to implement ‘Joy of Gospel’ in its work
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis called together the heads of all Vatican offices to discuss how they could integrate into their work the teaching of his apostolic exhortation, "Evangelii Gaudium" ("The Joy of the Gospel").
Sick, disabled people are witnesses to encounter with Christ, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Only those who recognize their own limits can accept the great gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, which is why Catholics with disabilities are such important and powerful witnesses of faith, Pope Francis said March 29.