World News
Police foil scam artists’ attempt to enter into Vatican bank
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Vatican security officers stopped two men -- one American and one Dutch -- trying to enter the Vatican bank with a briefcase full of fake bonds March 29. The men did not have Vatican bank accounts nor an appointment with anyone at the bank.
Pope confirms heads of Vatican curial agencies
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis confirmed the head of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and named among its new members Australian Cardinal George Pell, Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, and Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin of Indianapolis.
Surprise: Pope leads by example, is first to go to confession
During a penitential liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica March 28, a priest showed Pope Francis which confessional the pope would be using to hear confessions. Pope Francis pointed to another confessional nearby, indicating that he himself was going to first confess.
Vatican to display Bibles on parchment, vellum and microchip
An exhibit of nearly 200 rare Biblical texts, including three fragments of the Dead Sea scrolls, an original copy of the King James Bible printed in 1611 and the microchip Bible that traveled to the moon and back on Apollo 14 in 1971, are on display for free at the Vatican April 2-June 22.
Blessed John Paul played major role in fall of Soviet communism
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics venerate Blessed John Paul II for his holiness, as demonstrated, among other ways, by his globetrotting evangelism and long-suffering endurance in the papacy despite his illness.
Jordan transfers desert patch into new refugee camp for Syrians
AZRAQ, Jordan (CNS) -- This desolate dusty patch of desert near Jordan's borders with Syria and Iraq is soon to be home to the latest victims of Syria's three-year civil war.
Philippine cardinal praises both sides in peace deal for ‘wisdom’
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- The Philippines' newest cardinal was among 1,000 guests who witnessed the peace agreement between the government and the country's largest Muslim rebel group.
Pope Francis, President Obama meet privately at Vatican
UPDATED -VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In their first encounter, Pope Francis received U.S. President Barack Obama at the Vatican March 27 for a discussion that touched on several areas of tension between the Catholic Church and the White House, including religious freedom and medical ethics.
Pope to politicians: Follow God’s love, reject self-serving corruption
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis warned government officials against abandoning the path of God's love and liberating salvation for the dead-end road of self-righteous corruption.
Short pontificate, long impact: Blessed John XXIII launched reforms
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although he served as pope for less than five years, Blessed John XXIII left one of the most lasting legacies in the Catholic Church's history by convening the Second Vatican Council.