Dozens of Assyrian Christians were abducted by Islamic State forces during a new offensive against a string of villages in northeastern Syria, aid and civil rights organizations reported.
International News
New Cardinals’ First Official Act: Three New Saints
VATICAN CITY – With the creation of the 20 new cardinals, the College of Cardinals expanded to 227 members, 125 of whom are under the age of 80 and therefore eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. After the new cardinals professed their faith by reciting the Creed and formally swore […]
‘Jesus Was the Last Word on Their Lips’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The 21 Coptic Christians who were beheaded by Islamic State militants died as martyrs, invoking the name of Jesus, said an Egyptian Catholic bishop. In line with Pope Francis’ assertion at morning Mass Feb. 17, Bishop Antonios Aziz Mina of Giza told the Fides news agency that the “diabolical” video of […]
Pope to Cardinals: Your Job Is to Serve Others
The Catholic Church cannot call itself Church if it is a “closed caste” where the sick, the wounded and sinners are shunned, Pope Francis told 20 new cardinals.
Ukraine: Confusion, Disinformation
TWO RECENT interviews in the National Catholic Register suggest that there is considerable confusion about what’s what in Ukraine. Those confusions reflect the success of the extraordinary Russian disinformation campaign that’s been underway for the past 15 months. They may also touch on the delicate, but important question of Russia’s attempts to buy influence in […]
Benedict XVI Has No Regrets About Retiring
He has never doubted his decision to resign, knowing it was the right thing to do for the good of the Church, said Archbishop Georg Ganswein, personal secretary to the retired pope.
Anticipated Encyclical on Environment Generates Groundswell of Excitement
The much-anticipated encyclical by Pope Francis on the environment, expected sometime this spring or early summer, is generating a lot of buzz in Washington and elsewhere.
Pope Mourns Copts Beheaded for Their Faith
Pope Francis called for prayers for the Egyptian Christians beheaded by Islamic State militants in Libya and asked that God recognize these men killed for their faith.
Pope, Cardinals Discuss Reform of Roman Curia
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Cardinals meeting at the Vatican discussed better ways to balance the responsibilities of local bishops and of the Roman Curia, said the Vatican spokesman. A recurring theme in the cardinals’ Feb. 12-13 meeting was “what is it that is done best where,” Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told journalists Feb. […]
Vatican Document Offers Homily Help
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – A homily at Mass is not a mini-catechism class, the Vatican says in a new document on homilies, but it is an opportunity to explain Church teaching using the Scripture readings and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “In the broadest sense, the homily is a discourse about the mysteries of […]