Cardinal Angelo Comastri pets a donkey during the blessing of farm animals and Italian military horses outside Peter’s Square at the Vatican Jan. 17.
International News
Another Priest Found Dead in Mexico
A Catholic priest has been found dead in northern Mexico, marking another attack on clergy in a country where the widespread violence of the past decade has not spared church leaders.
Maltese Bishops: Divorced Could Receive Communion
Under certain circumstances and after long prayer and a profound examination of conscience, some divorced and civilly remarried Catholics may return to the sacraments, said the bishops of Malta.
Pope Baptizes Babies from Earthquake Region
In a gesture of closeness to those who lost loved ones and homes following several devastating earthquakes, Pope Francis baptized 13 babies from central Italy in a private ceremony.
Outrage Over Gasoline Prices in Mexico
Mexican Catholic officials called for calm as angry protests over hikes in the government-set gasoline price consume the country.
Pope: Warm Hearts Heat Homeless
Looking out over St. Peter’s Square where icicles hung from usually bubbling fountains, Pope Francis prayed for the homeless.
Almost 4M Visitors Attended Papal Events in Jubilee Year
More than 3.9 million pilgrims visited and attended papal events, liturgies or prayer services during the Holy Year of Mercy in 2016, the Vatican said.
Maternal Instinct: Pope Francis Wants Church to Be a Loving Mother
A number of feast days over the Advent and Christmas seasons gave Pope Francis a fresh opportunity to pay homage to the world’s mothers and insist further on how and why he wants the entire Church to become more maternal.
Pope’s New Year Request: Do a Good Deed Daily
Whether the new year will be good or not depends on us choosing to do good each day, Pope Francis said.
Pope to Resume ‘Ad Limina’ Visits with World’s Bishops
For Pope Francis, the Year of Mercy will be followed by the Year of the “Ad Limina” Visits.