World News
Pope is challenging church to revitalize roots in Christ, cardinals say
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In just one year, Pope Francis has made a powerful impact on the Catholic Church worldwide, a number of cardinals have said. Members of the College of Cardinals gathered in Rome for a series of meetings in late February, and several spoke to Catholic News Service about the Argentine pope's budding legacy.
Pope asks prayers for Ukraine; archbishop says country in danger
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As uncertainty reigned in Ukraine and Russian troops appeared to have control of the Crimean peninsula, Pope Francis again asked the world's Christians to pray for Ukraine and urged the parties involved in the conflict to engage in dialogue.
The quotable pope: Top 10 sayings of Pope Francis
Pope Francis has given the church a bounty of memorable sound bites in his first year as pontiff. Here are 10, in no particular order.
As in Bosnia, Syrian activists urged to use nonviolence
A Franciscan priest who worked in Bosnia in the 1990s, with its "vortex of violence," told peace Syrians they should use nonviolence in their peacemaking efforts. "If you do something, God will help you," the priest said. "You have to start."
Pope names aide to post at new economy secretariat
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has named the Maltese monsignor who initially served as his personal secretary to be the general secretary of the new Secretariat for the Economy. Msgr. Alfred Xuereb, 55, had served as assistant personal secretary to Pope Benedict XVI and stepped up as Pope Francis’ secretary when the new pope […]
Cardinal outlines possible paths to Communion for divorced, remarried
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic Church needs to find a way to offer healing, strength and salvation to Catholics whose marriages have failed, who are committed to making a new union work and who long to do so within the church and with the grace of Communion, Cardinal Walter Kasper told the world's cardinals.
Pope urges sympathy, outreach to couples whose marriages fail
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Those who recognize marriage as a sacrament, a divine blessing and a reflection of God's love for humanity should have even greater sympathy for husbands and wives whose relationships have failed, Pope Francis said.
Nuns in Central African Republic reported safe as armed militia retreat
OXFORD, England (CNS) -- Catholic church leaders in the Central African Republic said they believe European nuns working in the country are "generally safe," after reports of rape by retreating armed groups.
Vatican releases pope’s Lenten schedule, including penitential service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' calendar of liturgical services for March and April -- including Holy Week and Easter -- includes the addition of a Lenten "penitential service," but does not say where he will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper.
Ignorance about marriage is no reason to change doctrine, cardinal says
Just because people don't understand Jesus' word doesn't mean it can or should be changed, said the head of the church's doctrinal office in the Vatican. "It would be paradoxical if the church said, 'Since not everyone knows the truth, the truth isn't obligatory for the future.'"