Pope Francis has accepted Cardinal Angelo Becciu’s resignation as prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes and his renunciation of the rights associated with being a cardinal, the Vatican announced late Sept. 24.
International News
Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws Target Christians, Activists Charge
Shakeel Rafael’s brother is currently sitting in a jail cell in Pakistan awaiting trial on blasphemy charges. Nadeem Samson has been behind bars for three years and his family has asked the State Department to put pressure on the government of Pakistan to release him.
Five Years Ago, Pope Francis Visited United States With Message of Encouragement
Although the thought of standing with throngs of people for hours at a time seems foreign now in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, it was something tens of thousands of Catholics were happy to do in Washington, New York and Philadelphia when Pope Francis made his visit to the United States five years ago.
Analysis: Explaining the Vatican’s Silence on the ‘Abraham Accords’
From the “dog that didn’t bark” files, it seems highly curious at first blush that a major peace accord for the Middle East was signed at the White House – with an explicitly religious reference in the title, no less – and, so far, the Vatican has had absolutely nothing to say about it.
U.N. Must Recommit to Serving the Common Good, Cardinal Parolin Says
Marking the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, Cardinal Pietro Parolin called on the United Nations to renew its commitment to the ideals upon which it was founded.
Vatican-China Agreement: Secretary Pompeo Enters the Debate
About 10 days before he was expected in Rome, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that the Vatican “endangers its moral authority” by considering an extension of its 2018 agreement with China on the nomination of bishops.
Pope, Spanish Bishops Voice Alarm Over Euthanasia Debate
During a meeting Sept. 19 with the heads of the Spanish bishops’ conference, Pope Francis expressed concern over a measure to legalize euthanasia soon to be discussed by Spain’s Senate.
Sanofi Pasteur Ends Use of Aborted Fetal Tissue for Polio Vaccines
Catholic pro-life leaders say they are seeing some progress in the development of vaccines with the use of ethical animal cell lines instead of cell lines derived from abortions.
Pope Francis Holds Private Meeting With Parents of LGBT Children
Pope Francis told a group of parents of LGBT children Sept.16 that God loves them as they are, and that the Church loves them because they are “children of God.” The pontiff’s words came during a short, private encounter with some 40 Italian mothers and fathers of LGBT children that took place following his Sept.16 general audience.
Ireland Could See Massive Drop in Numbers Going to Mass After Pandemic
Ireland could see the number of Mass-going Catholics drop by nearly a quarter when the COVID-19 pandemic ends.