Pope Francis shares nuclear war concerns The role of the Church in a world shaken by war and other global issues was the subject Pope Francis raised with his diplomatic representatives around the globe September 8. “Unfortunately, Europe and the entire world are shaken by a particularly serious war, due to the violation of international…
Pope Francis beatified John Paul I, who reigned as pope for only 33 days, amid a thunderstorm in St Peter’s Square on Sunday. In his homily for the rainy beatification Mass on September 4, Pope Francis said that John Paul I “embodied the poverty of a disciple” through his “victory over the temptation to put…
Connecticut’s Catholic dioceses have condemned comments made in a video by a public elementary school assistant principal who admitted on hidden camera that he discriminates against Catholics in the hiring process. “The revelations that an official in the Greenwich school district discriminated against people of the Catholic faith who are seeking employment are extremely disturbing…
Pope Francis offered his prayers and praise for former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who died at age 91 August 30 in Moscow after a long illness. In a telegram sent to Gorbachev’s only child, Irina Virganskaya, the Pope conveyed his “heartfelt condolences” to her, all family members and those “who saw him as an esteemed…
Ukrainian bishops praise efforts to restart schooling disrupted by war Ukrainian bishops welcomed efforts to restart classes for a new school year and offered church basements as emergency air raid shelters for children. “The Ukrainian authorities know education is vital for the country’s future, so everything is being done to get youngsters back to school,…
An American religious sister ministering in Burkina Faso who was kidnapped in April is free and safe after nearly five months of captivity, according to her congregation and the local diocese. Sr Suellen Tennyson, 83, a New Orleans native, has served at a missionary outpost in northern Burkina Faso since 2014. She was abducted by…
The Diocese of Salford, UK has reiterated its commitment to preserving and protecting a historic Catholic mural in a church, following increasing concerns about its survival due to the threat of vandalism. The artwork was created in 1955 by George Mayer-Martin, a Hungarian Jew who sought refuge in the UK following the spread of Nazism…
Artists encouraged at Vatican to promote beauty and truth September 1 marked the final day of a two-day meeting in the Vatican’s Casina Pio IV aimed at promoting a conversation on how to use the arts to foster a culture of hope and unity. The “Vitae Summit”, organised by the Vitae Global Foundation, was animated…
Pope Francis created 20 new cardinals for the Catholic Church during a liturgy in St Peter’s Basilica Saturday. “Jesus calls us by name; he looks us in the eye and he asks: Can I count on you?” Pope Francis said in a homily addressed to the College of Cardinals and its new members on August…
Four Catholic nuns kidnapped in southeast Nigeria August 21 were released two days later, their order said. “With hearts full of joy, the Sisters of Jesus the Saviour wish to announce the unconditional and safe release of four of our sisters,” said a statement from Sr Zita Ihedoro, secretary-general. She thanked people for their “prayers…