Two Jesuit astronomers from the Vatican Observatory were part of recent discoveries: one finding a new member of the solar system and another finding evidence for a long-lost galaxy “eaten up” by the Milky Way.
International News
U.N. Wants Faith Groups to Help Work Against Plastic Pollution
A senior U.N. official urged religious groups to help reach a global agreement to curb plastic pollution, amid experts warning that single-use or disposable plastics were choking the planet.
Vatican Announces Contest to Design Holy Year 2025 Logo
The Vatican is looking for designs for the official logo for the Holy Year 2025 that will highlight its theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Vatican Announces Theme for World Day of Migrants and Refugees
Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2022 will reflect on the importance of including migrants and refugees in building a better world, the Vatican announced.
Ukraine’s Caritas Branch Braces for Crisis as Threat of War Looms
As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate and the threat of a full-scale war between the two becomes more palpable, Ukraine’s charitable Caritas organization has said it is preparing for a possible humanitarian crisis should there be an invasion.
Local Ukrainian Catholics Seek Divine Intervention in Crisis with Russia
On Tuesday, anxiety filled Ukrainians worldwide as Russian military forces moved into eastern portions of the country that contain citizens of Russian heritage who align with Moscow. Among them are members of several Ukrainian Catholic Church parishes in Brooklyn and Queens.
Celibacy Not ‘Divine Law’ for Priests, but Promotes Holiness, Speakers Say
The requirement that most priests in the Latin rite of the Catholic Church be celibate has theological and spiritual foundations and not only practical motivations, said speakers at an international conference on priesthood.
Colombia’s Highest Court Legalizes Abortion Up to 24 Weeks
Colombia became the latest country in Latin America to expand access to abortion Monday as the nation’s Constitutional Court voted to legalize the procedure until the 24th week of pregnancy.
Advocates Call for Help for Black Migrants from Biden Administration
Faith-based organizations called on the Biden administration Feb. 17 to combat “anti-Black racism in the U.S. immigration system.”
Sisters Debunk Myths, Educate Africans to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
Religious sisters in the West African nation of more than 31 million people have been working hard to debunk COVID-19 vaccine myths that are rampant, ranging from denial that the virus exists to various false side effects.