World News
Against the tide: the pope rallies a counterculture
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Of the many strands of continuity between the pontificates of Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI, none is clearer than their common conviction that Christian faith puts the believer at odds with the materialist "idols" of today's secular society.
Pope writes to world’s Muslims at end of Ramadan, urges mutual respect
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As a sign of his "esteem and friendship," Pope Francis said he personally wanted to write this year's Vatican message to Muslims about to celebrate the end of their monthlong Ramadan fast. The pope's message, released by the Vatican Aug. 2, focused on the need for Catholics and Muslims to promote respect for one another, especially through the way they educate their youth.
Slovenian archbishops resign because of ties to financial collapse
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Two Slovenian archbishops, including the president of the Slovenian bishops' conference, resigned because of their connection to multimillion-dollar financial losses by the Archdiocese of Maribor.
Pope, with fellow Jesuits, prays for ‘grace of shame,’ humility
ROME (CNS) -- Celebrating the feast of St. Ignatius with more than 200 of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis prayed that he and all of them would receive "the grace of shame" for their failures and the humility to recognize that whatever good they accomplish is really done by the Lord.
Vatican bank launches website to boost transparency, media relations
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In an effort to shake its image as a secretive, scandal-ridden institute and improve its relationship with the media, the Vatican bank has launched its own website.
Ireland’s pro-lifers vow to repeal new abortion law
DUBLIN (CNS) -- Irish pro-life campaigners vowed to work to repeal a new law that permits abortion in limited circumstances. President Michael D. Higgins signed the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill July 30 after tense parliamentary debates during which several legislators resigned.
Syria’s war creates havoc, priest’s whereabouts unknown, nuncio says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The war in Syria is like a factory churning out nothing but death, destruction and suffering, said Archbishop Mario Zenari, Vatican nuncio to Syria. Even though the Vatican was unable to confirm July 30 news reports that a Jesuit priest had been kidnapped in Syria, the nuncio said hundreds of innocent people there find themselves abducted for political leverage or economic extortion.
Returning to Rome, pope discusses plans for future trips
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- At the end of his first foreign trip, Pope Francis told reporters that it's good for a pope to travel and there are plans in the works for visits in Italy, to Jerusalem, to Asia, but nothing planned soon for his Argentine homeland. "I think papal trips are always good," he said July 28 during the flight back to Rome after a week in Brazil.
At least 38 pilgrims killed in crash after visiting Padre Pio shrine
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In addition to 38 people killed when a bus plunged off an elevated highway in a mountainous region of southern Italy July 28, another 19 people were reported seriously injured, including passengers of nearby vehicles. A number of the victims were children. Only 11 people were pulled alive from the wreckage, Vatican Radio and other news outlets reported.
In Brazil, Pope Francis shows power of his simple actions, frank words
RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) -- If Blessed John Paul II had an actor's mastery of the dramatic gesture and Pope Benedict XVI engaged the faithful most effectively through his learned and lucid writing, Pope Francis showed the world on his first international trip that his forte as a communicator is the simple, seemingly artless action that resonates powerfully in context.