Young Catholics must set the world on fire with their Faith, Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher told about 20,000 young people gathered in a former Olympic Stadium. “You must be spiritual flamethrowers. You must have the awesomeness of an Australian bush fire, without the destruction,” he said at the opening of the Australian Catholic Youth Festival.…

A US Senator stopped short of specific legislative proposals during a Christian conference, but spoke openly of religious faith as he offered support for beleaguered Christian communities under threat from ISIS in the Middle East. Senator Marco Rubio said: “I’m a deep believer that our foreign policy should be infused with our most deeply held…

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 Vatican A Nativity scene and Christmas tree, like those displayed in St Peter’s Square, are visible reminders of God’s benevolence and closeness to all men and women, Pope Francis said. “Every year, the Christmas Nativity scene and tree speak to us through their symbolic language. They make more visible what is captured in the experience…

Seventy-eight prisoners were baptised, confirmed, and received their First Holy Communion in an Argentine prison. The inmates are entering the Catholic Church after working with the Diocese of San Isidro’s prison ministry, which operates in the greater Buenos Aires metropolitan area. The ministry has been active since 2007 in both male-only and mixed gender units…

Following days of violence and backlash after US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Vatican appealed for “wisdom and prudence” to prevail. The announcement sparked anti-US protests throughout Asia and the Middle East, including a four-day protest in the Palestinian territories, Reuters reported. An Israeli security guard in…

Expectations are high among refugees in makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar days after Pope Francis met with 16 Rohingya refugees in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. On his way back to the Vatican, the Pontiff admitted he wept during his encounter with the Muslim refugees who have fled from religious persecution in Myanmar›s neighbouring Rakhine State. “I…

UK Catholic leaders urged the British government to accept more child refugees from northern France after reports that hundreds of young people are being forced to sleep outdoors in low temperatures. An English and Scottish bishop said the situation of migrants waiting in the French port of Calais for the opportunity to cross the English…

There is a resounding belief that the Pope’s message of peace in Myanmar will make a difference in the country among those who attended the Papal trip. Robert Taylor, from England, attended the Kyaikkasan Grounds Mass and the Mass for youth at St Mary’s Cathedral. Travelling with his wife Rachel and three-year-old daughter Beth, he…