World News
Priest, parishioner among casualties in Madrid explosion
A priest ordained only six months died, along three others including an electrician who was investigating a boiler room because of a strong smell of gas at the parish center.
Pope ‘deeply saddened’ by twin suicide bombings in Baghdad
Pope Francis expressed his condolences to the Iraqi president after two suicide bombings in Baghdad claimed the lives of dozens of people in a crowded market.
Chaldean Catholics in Iraq praying that pope visit will be possible
Despite security concerns and questions about the making such a trip in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholics in Iraq are praying and hoping the planned March visit will occur.
Cardinal Pell: Vatican financial reform making ‘massive’ progress
Pope Francis' efforts to reform the Vatican's finances, such as removing financial assets from the control of the Secretariat of State, would bring much-needed accountability, said the former prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy.
Christians must show world what journey to unity looks like, pope says
Pope Francis said unity requires prayer, love and fighting the devil, who always sows division. God, on the other hand, "has another way. He takes us as we are, different, sinners and always nudges us toward unity."
Pope urges nations to create a world free from nuclear arms
Marking the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons coming into force Jan. 22, Pope Francis urged nations to work toward a world free from nuclear arms. More than 13,000 such weapons are held by nine countries.
Vatican revokes arrest warrant against woman linked to finance scandal
The extradition request to Italy for financial analyst Cecilia Marogna, hired as a consultant to a cardinal accused of embezzlement, was dropped so that she may face a trial at the Vatican.
‘For the love of God, send us oxygen,’ plead bishops in Brazil’s Amazon
During this second wave of COVID-19 in the Amazon region, people are dying not only because of overcrowded hospitals but from a shortage of oxygen tanks. Bishops are watching "our sisters and brothers die of suffocation; a terrible death."
COVID-19 and ecumenism: Pandemic prompts prayer, action
Mutual charity and virtual ecumenical prayer among Christians have been good effects of the pandemic, highlighted in the 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 18-25.
Rome university reverses decision to honor Father Pavone
Father Frank Pavone, founder of Priests for Life, is a staunch supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump and had become controversial for his political rhetoric and for continuing tensions with his bishop.