As the wave of violence torments gang-decimated Haiti, six male religious, a lay teacher and a priest were kidnapped in two separate incidents Feb. 23 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.
International News
At Least 15 Catholics Dead in Attack During Mass in Burkina Faso
At least 15 people were killed in an attack by gunmen on Catholics gathered for Sunday Mass in a Burkina Faso village Feb. 25, according to multiple news reports.
Pope Cancels Another Day of Meetings Because of Flu Symptoms
Saying Pope Francis was continuing to experience “mild flu-like symptoms,” the Vatican announced he had canceled his appointments again Feb. 26.
Pope Francis Cancels Audiences Due to ‘Mild Flu’
By Elise Ann Allen ROME — (Crux) On Saturday morning the Vatican announced that Pope Francis, who suffers from various health maladies and had two hospital stays last year, canceled his scheduled audiences for the day due to a mild flu. In a Feb. 24 statement, the Vatican said that “due to a mild flu-like […]
Vatican Aims to Draw Young ‘Digital Pilgrims’ to Rome’s Papal Basilicas
The Vatican is seeking to draw pilgrims to the four historic papal basilicas scattered around Rome — not physically, but virtually, through a website and podcast aimed at drawing young people into the spiritual depth of Rome’s sacred spaces.
Israel Chastises Top Papal Aide for ‘Deplorable’ Gaza Remarks
A growing rift between the Vatican and Israel was exacerbated Wednesday, when the Israeli ambassador to the Holy See hit back against a top Vatican official who said the ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza is disproportionate.
Church Leaders Make Plea 2 Years After Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
As Ukraine prepares to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion Feb. 24, Church leaders of the war-torn country urged people not to forget the suffering and devastation that continues to take place.
Argentina’s First Female Saint Works New Miracle With Pope, Populist President
Argentina’s first female saint arguably worked yet another miracle at her own canonization Mass Sunday, bringing Pope Francis and rightwing populist Argentine President Javier Milei, known for his derogatory remarks about the pontiff, together for a warm embrace.
Northern Ireland Has Catholic Leading Its Government for the First Time in History
Ireland’s most-senior churchman hailed an agreement that sees a Catholic take the top political job in Northern Ireland for the first time in its history as an “opportunity for a fresh start and a new beginning.”
Pope, in Letter to Jews in Israel, Condemns Antisemitism as a Sin
In a letter addressed to “my Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel,” Pope Francis expressed his heartbreak at the violence unleashed by the Hamas attack on Israel in October and he repeated the Catholic Church’s condemnation of all forms of antisemitism and anti-Judaism.