A deadly bomb that exploded during a Mass Dec. 3 killed at least four people and injured dozens at a university in a predominantly Muslim city in southern Philippines.
International News
In COP28 Message, Pope Insists Climate Change Is a ‘Religious Problem’
Though absent from the COP28 summit in Dubai due to ongoing concerns for his health, Pope Francis sent a message for the inauguration of the first Faith Pavilion at a United Nations climate event, stressing the responsibility of religious leaders in caring for the planet.
For Second Week in a Row, Ailing Pope Speaks From Private Residence
Pope Francis on Dec. 3 recited his noontime Angelus address from his private residence rather than St. Peter’s Square in order to avoid changing temperatures as he continues treatment for what the Vatican has described as lung inflammation caused by bronchitis.
Texas Immigration Bill Will Likely Face Legal Challenge
Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, is expected to sign an immigration bill that would make it a state crime to cross into Texas from Mexico. Catholic organizations including the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops have opposed the legislation.
Pope Cancels Dubai Trip Over Health Concerns
Just hours after a Vatican news conference confirming Pope Francis’ trip to Dubai this weekend for a United Nations climate summit, the Vatican announced Tuesday that it has been canceled upon medical advice due to an ongoing infection causing lung inflammation.
US, Japanese Bishops Hail UN Summit on Prohibiting Nukes as ‘Journey Toward Hope’
A cohort of Japanese and U.S. Catholic bishops have applauded this week’s meeting of nations that have formally joined the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as “another historic step on the journey toward hope, toward the light, toward a world free of nuclear weapons.”
Israel-Hamas Truce Has Been Extended by Two Days; More Hostages Scheduled to be Released
Qatar’s foreign affairs ministry said Nov. 27 that an agreement has been reached to extend the Israel-Hamas truce for another two days. The announcement was made by a ministry’s spokesperson on X on the final day of a four-day cease-fire in which hostages abducted by Hamas in October have been released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Citing Lung Inflammation, Pope Curtails Schedule Ahead of Dubai Trip
As a result of what the Vatican described on Monday as an inflammation of his lungs, for which he’s receiving antibiotic treatments, Pope Francis has postponed several commitments in the coming days in order to preserve his strength for a planned Dec. 1-3 trip to Dubai for the COP-28 climate change summit.
Pope Holds Separate Meetings With Israelis, Palestinians at Vatican
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With hopes growing for a temporary, humanitarian cease-fire, Pope Francis met at the Vatican Nov. 22 with relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas and, separately, with relatives of Palestinians suffering under the Israeli siege of Gaza.
Destination Dubai: Pope Heads to Climate Conference to Press for Action
When Pope Francis visits Dubai in the United Arab Emirates Dec. 1-3 to address the opening of the U.N. Climate Change Conference, he will be the first pope ever to attend one of the global gatherings that began in 1995.