World News

Christian churches on front lines, fighting climate-change damage

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- When representatives of Catholic development organizations arrived in Warsaw to lobby for action at an intergovernmental conference on climate change, many also urged greater involvement by their own church. But Christians worldwide are already at the forefront in combating climate-change damage, which is being felt by many local church communities.

Asking God ‘why’ attracts his fatherly love, pope tells Filipinos

Referring to the death and destruction Super Typhoon Haiyan caused in the central Philippines in early November, Pope Francis told members of Rome's Philippine community, "Why do these things happen? It can't be explained. There are many things that we cannot understand."

Pope: Social doctrine keeps finance from falling prey to idol of profit

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a world where profit reigns over human dignity, solidarity has become a "dirty word" and risks being removed from the dictionary, Pope Francis said via a video message for a meeting on Catholic social teaching.

Archbishop urges steps to address ‘ethical challenge’ of climate change

A church-run conference in Poland brought together Catholic leaders, politicians, climate scientists and civil society groups, who called on governments to reduce their reliance on coal, oil and other fossil resources.

Pope prays for peace, full religious freedom for all in Middle East

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After a two-hour private meeting with the patriarchs and major archbishops of the Eastern Catholic churches, Pope Francis prayed for peace and full religious freedom throughout the Middle East.

In Central African Republic, thousands turn to bishop for protection

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- More than 35,000 people are living on the 40-acre diocesan compound in Bossangoa, Central African Republic, seeking protection from rebels who are targeting Christians, said the local bishop.

Vatican, Google team up to bring ancient Christian catacombs to light

Using advanced laser techniques, restorers have uncovered vivid late fourth-century frescoes inside a Roman complex of early Christian tombs depicting Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and SS. Peter and Paul accompanying Christians into the afterlife. Jesus' face resembles portraits of the Emperor Constantine, who legalized Christian worship exactly 1,700 years ago.

Egyptian university hoping to restart stalled talks with Vatican

CAIRO (CNS) -- Officials at Egypt's Al-Azhar University said they are eagerly awaiting a message from the Vatican that could jump-start their stalled talks. Their dialogue faltered and was eventually suspended altogether by Al-Azhar in 2011 after a series of remarks made by now-retired Pope Benedict XVI.

Mass graves, no food: Church aid workers see great needs in Philippines

A team of disaster assessors found people who had had very little to eat nine days after Super Typhoon Haiyan struck. An aid worker said along with 90 percent of the houses in one area swept away by the storm, "all the food supplies were washed away, all the nonfood items, like blankets, mosquito nets, everything is just gone."

Catholics must learn to make mission a priority, says Boston cardinal

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- The United States is experiencing a "transition from a strong cultural Catholicism to an intentional Catholicism," and that requires "a new evangelization (that) responds to the questions of today," said Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley.