World News
Indian church conference leads to national Christian women’s movement
BANGALORE, India (CNS) -- A national conference of women religious and others on the impact of the Second Vatican Council has led to the establishment of a national Christian women's forum.
The cost of sainthood: Cardinal announces plan to contain fees
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Having a holy son or daughter formally recognized as a saint by the universal church could easily cost a quarter of a million dollars. But experts say the church isn't selling halos; it's compensating professionals doing serious research, so that a pope can solemnly declare his certainty a person is in heaven.
On abortion and contraception, Vatican puts words in context
When Pope Francis publicly used strong language about abortion Jan. 13, his words had even more impact given the setting: not before clergy or Catholic doctors, but in a room full of ambassadors, mostly from countries where abortion is legal.
Kerry, Vatican counterpart meet on Syria, Mideast, U.S. health mandate
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal-designate Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, hosted a lengthy meeting with his U.S. counterpart, John Kerry, to discuss ongoing tensions in the Middle East, as well as the U.S. bishops' concerns about the Obama administration's health care mandate.
Experts at Vatican workshop call for end of weapons flow to Syria
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A Vatican study group is urging world leaders to stop the flow of arms into Syria and to press for an immediate and complete cease-fire there with no political preconditions.
Pope supports efforts to help parents of disabled, remove barriers
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Meeting a leading Italian campaigner for the rights of people with disabilities, Pope Francis promised to encourage greater support for the parents of young people with disabilities and to support efforts to make churches and church buildings accessible.
Pope says abortion, hunger, environmental damage threaten peace
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said world peace requires the defense of human dignity from violations such as world hunger, human trafficking and abortion.
Pope to moms: It’s OK to breast-feed in public, even in Sistine Chapel
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis assured mothers that breast-feeding their babies in public, even during a papal Mass in the Sistine Chapel, is OK.
New cardinal counts Pope Benedict, liberation theologian as friends
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Archbishop Gerhard L. Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was the first Vatican official formally confirmed in his post by Pope Francis and will be among the first 19 men the pope inducts into the College of Cardinals.
Cardinal-designate Parolin coordinates Curia, Vatican diplomacy
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In his dual roles as coordinator of the Roman Curia and chief Vatican diplomat, Cardinal-designate Pietro Parolin has said he hopes to imitate the joy and the simplicity with which Pope Francis has carried out his ministry.