World News
Pope tells cardinals they are servants, not courtiers
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating Mass with the newest members of the College of the Cardinals one day after their elevation, Pope Francis urged them to regard their new role not as one of worldly honor but of humble service and sacrifice.
Cardinals’ agenda shows pope’s priority: Removing obstacles to faith
The variety of matters Pope Francis is asking his cardinals to address at this time -- from the Vatican's finances to its central administration to family life and marriage -- are all objects of a common concern, one the pope has made clear he regards as overriding.
Cardinals outline broad approaches to family ministry, spokesman says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As some 150 cardinals from around the world gathered with Pope Francis to talk about the family, their two days of discussion focused particularly on three points: the Christian vision of people and family life; essential pastoral programs to support families; and ministry to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics.
Pope calls for ‘intelligent, courageous, loving’ approach to families
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A two-day meeting of 150 cardinals and cardinals-designate at the Vatican, led by Pope Francis, is considering pastoral practices for the family, which he said "our present situation requires," including a talk by one cardinal on divorced and civilly remarried Catholics.
Pope: By taking care of elders, families show world all life has value
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis told the Pontifical Academy for Life the worst thing about growing old is not becoming weaker or infirm, but the "abandonment, the exclusion, the deprivation of love" in today's "throwaway culture."
In unusual video, pope speaks of his longing for Christian unity
A Pentecostal pastor Pope Francis knew in Argentina recorded on a video on an iPhone in which the pope said all Christians share blame for their divisions. He insists God will bring the miracle of Christian unity to completion.
Japanese bishops say Catholics’ minority status challenges faith life
In their published response to the Vatican survey on the family, Japan's Catholic bishops said, among other findings, that most Japanese Christians end up marrying non-Christians, pray mostly as individuals, and are "overwhelmed by society's values."
Pope, Ukrainian church leaders call for end to violence in Ukraine
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After a night of violent confrontations between protesters and police and the deaths of more than two dozen people, Pope Francis and Ukrainian church leaders called Feb. 19 for an end to all violence and a serious commitment to dialogue for the good of Ukraine.
Bishops with local ties named to Vatican congregation
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis confirmed the top leadership of the Congregation for Eastern Churches and named among its new members Byzantine Archbishop William C. Skurla of Pittsburgh and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and an Allentown native who studied at St. Charles Seminary.
New London cardinal calls U.K.’s new welfare reforms ‘disgrace’
LONDON (CNS) -- Welfare reforms in the United Kingdom are leaving people hungry and destitute, said Cardinal-designate Vincent Nichols of Westminster.