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Pope Francis blesses the tomb of Pope John Paul I with holy water in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Nov. 2, the feast of All Souls.
International News
Despite Violence, Pope Will Visit Central Africa
Despite continued instability and outbreaks of violence in the Central African Republic, the Vatican announced Pope Francis will spend about 33 hours in the country during a Nov. 25-30 visit to Africa.
Chinese Catholics Told to Adapt to Communist Rule
Authorities overseeing religion in China told a group of Catholic bishops and leaders to insist on “sinicization,” in a gathering that took place soon after Beijing concluded closed-door meetings with a Vatican delegation.
Synod Document Coming Soon
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said an apostolic exhortation on the family following the recently concluded Synod of Bishops could be released soon.
Arrests at Vatican Plug Leaks
A Vatican official and a former lay consultant on a pontifical commission were arrested for leaking documents to an Italian journalist who has announced plans to publish the documents in a book.
Tablet Reporter in Philippines
Tablet reporter Maria-Pia Negro Chin is currently in the Philippines with a contingent from Catholic Relief Services (CRS). They are examining the work of CRS there, especially in relation to the relief efforts following Typhoon Haiyan. Her reports will begin next week in The Tablet.
Vatican Denies Brain Tumor Rumor
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said an Italian newspaper’s claims about the pope’s health were “entirely unfounded.”
Disagreement At the Synod Over Results
Some synod members said the final report of the Synod of Bishops on the family did not create an opening for the divorced and civilly remarried to receive Communion. Other members took a different view.
In the End, Synod Set a Pastoral Tone
At the end of the family synod in Rome, Austen Ivereigh reports on how the world’s Catholic bishops managed to produce a consensus document that struck a fresh pastoral tone, even if there is still some disagreement.
Synod Topics Include Mixed Marriages and Abusive Spouses
Observers told the Synod of Bishops on the family to discourage Christian women from marrying Muslim men, urge priests not to tell women to return to abusive husbands, share the truth of Church teaching about marriage, and embrace single mothers who are alienated from the Church.