World News
Pope renews Argentine passport, identity card
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis is the sovereign of Vatican City and has a Holy See passport. But even dressed in papal white, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is an Argentine citizen with a brand new passport and national identity card.
After pastoral prodding, HIV no longer means death in Peru
A U.S. priest working among people with HIV and AIDS in Lima, Peru, sees much success in treating them, but also much more to be done. That includes government funding for antiretroviral drugs and care in overcrowded hospitals and prisons.
Facing the truth about ourselves is a step toward holiness, pope says
ROME (CNS) -- Being truthful about what is in one's heart isn't always easy, but it is an essential step to living a good and holy life, Pope Francis told members of a parish on the western outskirts of Rome.
Cardinals give pope recommendations on Vatican bank, financial affairs
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis met for the third time in late February with his international Council of Cardinals, an eight-member group advising him on the reform of the Vatican bureaucracy and other issues.
Pope to engaged couples: After ‘I do,’ comes ‘may I, thank you, sorry’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Greeting thousands of engaged couples on the feast of St. Valentine, Pope Francis told them not to be afraid of building a permanent and loving relationship in a culture where everything is disposable and fleeting.
Belgium passes law to allow euthanasia for small children
BRUSSELS (CNS) -- Belgian legislators voted to make their country the world's first to allow euthanasia for small children, despite vigorous opposition from the Catholic Church and all main religious groups.
Spanish bishop says no abortions OK, even though conference backs bill
MADRID (CNS) -- A Spanish bishop urged medical personnel to stop performing abortions, as new church-backed legal restrictions passed their first parliamentary hurdle.
Pope: Catholic educators must share Gospel with multicultural society
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said Catholic educators should engage in dialogue with increasingly multicultural societies in order to share the Gospel more widely.
Meeting Jewish group, pope asks prayers for his Holy Land trip
The modern relationship between Jews and Catholics, Pope Francis told leaders of the American Jewish Committee Feb. 13, has a "theological foundation." The two communities also must find ways to work together to construct "a more just and fraternal world."
Archbishop urges Anglicans to ‘challenge fear’ of discord on issues
LONDON (CNS) -- The archbishop of Canterbury has appealed for unity in the Church of England following a decision to fast-track legislation to allow the consecration of women as bishops by Christmas.