Police in the Philippines have warned that protecting Pope Francis during his five-day visit to the country next week is expected to be much more difficult than protecting US President Barack Obama who visited the nation’s capital, Manila, last year. While the Philippine National Police (PNP) has not received any information on a threat to…

Two Irish bishops will be part of an international delegation visiting the Holy Land next week to show support for the Christian community in Gaza. Joining a delegation of 14 prelates from Europe, America and South Africa who will travel to the Holy Land from January 11-15, Bishop Kieran O’Reilly, the newly appointed Archbishop of…

Almost six million pilgrims and visitors joined Pope Francis for an audience, liturgy or prayer at the Vatican in 2014, the Vatican has confirmed. The Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Vatican office that coordinates the audiences and distributes the free tickets to Papal audiences and liturgies, said a total of 5,916,800 people attended a…

“Pupils will ultimately be the ones who suffer as a result of any further cuts”

Sri Lankan Catholics are looking forward to Pope Francis’ canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz on January 14, but the enthusiasm and eagerness of Fr Cosme Jose Costa stands apart. “It is Blessed Joseph Vaz’s intercession that saved my life, and I look forward with deep gratitude (to) this great event,” said Fr Costa, a 76-year-old…

“It builds who you are”

Pope: true charity takes compassion that does not demand conversion ‘Quality of life’ proponents who think the gravely ill lead lives not worth living are peddling a great lie, Pope Francis said in a message for the 2015 World Day of the Sick. Criticising approaches that devalue human lives, especially the lives of those who suffer from serious illness, Pope Francis highlighted the importance…

A four-day Christmas fast by the administrator of Wexford cathedral and his Church of Ireland counterpart has raised more than €40,000 for local charities in the town. Fr Jim Fegan carried out his 16th Christmas fast this year, joined by Canon Arthur Minion on his third fast, outside St Iberius Church in Wexford town in…

Germany's Catholic bishops have published a report detailing their views on marriage and family; it suggests most bishops now believe sacraments should be available to divorced and remarried Catholics who do not have an annulment. "This document contains reflections only and has no juridical power," said Matthias Kopp, spokesman for the Bonn-based bishops' conference. He…

“We should be prepared to discuss questions that arise openly” – theologian