Calling all people of goodwill to care for one another as brothers and sisters, Pope Francis urged people not to despair of making the world a better place, but to start creating the world they want through personal action and political lobbying.
International News
Analysis: Like a Century Ago, a Papal Encyclical Tries to Shed Light on a Dark Time
Has Pope Pope Francis provided the Church with the resources to navigate another such great global struggle and come out the other side, alive and kicking? Only time will tell, but when that assessment eventually is drawn up, the conversation almost certainly will begin with ”Fratelli Tutti”.
Pope Francis Signs New Encyclical in Assisi
Bringing the Vatican official in charge of translations with him, Pope Francis signed his new encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship,” at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi, source of the document’s title and inspiration.
Pope Francis Visits Assisi to Sign new Encyclical in First Trip Since COVID-19
In his first trip outside Rome since the coronavirus pandemic began, Pope Francis celebrated Mass Saturday at the tomb of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, and signed his new encyclical on human fraternity.
Proposed Legislation Could Help Tens of Millions of Children Overseas, CRS Says
New legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives could be a “triumph for the tens of millions of children overseas whose potential is yet to be realized,” according to the U.S. bishops’ international development agency.
Cardinal Parolin ‘Surprised’ by Pompeo’s China Rebuke, Says Article Wasn’t Right Venue
Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said Sept.30 he was “surprised” when his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, published a Sept. 18 article criticizing the pope for his position on China, saying it wasn’t the right venue for the discussion to take place.
Pope Chooses Theme for World Communications Day
Even when physical proximity is impossible, Catholic communicators can use the media to reach out to people, help them experience the closeness of the church and invite them to follow Jesus more closely, the Vatican said.
Vatican Proposes Renewal of Agreement With China on Bishops’ Appointments
The Vatican has proposed to the Chinese government that they extend an agreement signed in 2018 regarding the appointment of bishops, Vatican Media reported.
Church Leaders Condemn Anti-Christian Harassment in India
An over 100-foot high cross was removed from a hill behind a church in southern India by government officials, despite the protests of the parish priest.
Return to Mass a Concern for European Bishops in COVID Aftermath
Over the weekend, the heads of European bishops’ conferences held a virtual pow-wow to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on both the Church and society, highlighting new forms of poverty and reduced numbers at Sunday Masses as key areas of concern.