After a severe storm set off flooding that breached dams in eastern Libya, leading to the deaths of thousands of people, Pope Francis sent his condolences and prayers.
International News
Mexican pro-life groups question validity of high court’s abortion decision
The Mexican bishops’ conference expressed dismay with a recent Supreme Court ruling, decriminalizing abortion on the federal level. Along with several Mexican pro-life groups, they questioned the validity of the Sept. 6 decision, arguing it applies to the litigant and is not applicable nationwide.
In Poland, Care for Ukraine Refugees Shifts From Immediate to Long-Term Needs
On March 9, 2022, Valentina Polischak fled Huliaipole, Ukraine. It was four days after Russian soldiers had invaded her small town in the southern part of the country, about 90 miles northwest of Mariupol, and “shot all of the cars and homes,” leaving it without running water or electricity.
Border Shelter for Pregnant Migrants is Consistent Pro-Life Effort, Co-Founder Says
A shelter near the U.S.-Mexico border for pregnant migrants run by a pro-life leader is preparing to welcome the first infant born while the mother is staying at the shelter, its co-founder told OSV News.
Small Polish Town Gears Up for Beatification of Entire Family Killed For Sheltering Jews
Around 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 1, a woman approached the Ulma family grave in a Markowa cemetery, bowed her head, and prayed. She was there primarily to visit her mother’s grave on the anniversary of her death, but also to pay respects to the Ulma family, knowing that her father had played music at Józef and Wiktoria Ulma’s wedding in 1935.
Pope’s Peace Envoy Meets Ukraine Bishops Amid Fallout Over ‘Great Mother Russia’ Remarks
In a session with Catholic bishops from Ukraine Thursday, Sept. 7, Pope Francis’s personal peace envoy told the Ukrainian prelates that “victory” in the war with Russia would be “peace, and never the humiliation of the enemy.”
Document Found Detailing Convents in Rome That Hid Jews from the Nazis
Catholic and Jewish institutions announced Sept. 7 the discovery of a previously unpublished list of several thousand people, mostly Jews, who were hidden in Catholic convents and monasteries in Rome during the Nazi occupation of the city.
Vatican says Ulma Child Was Born During Mother’s Execution
With a beatification Mass for the Ulma family set for Sept. 10, the Vatican emphasized that all nine members of the Polish family are considered martyrs, including the child that was born during the massacre.
Mexico’s High Court Overturns State Abortion; Move Could Bring End to Restrictions Nationwide
Mexico’s Supreme Court overturned a state-level abortion ban, a decision observers say could hasten the removal of restrictions on the procedure nationwide.
Pope Says Religion and Culture Can be Misused to Frighten and Oppress
When religion or culture is used to sow division or to impose a certain world view on others, it becomes an ideology, Pope Francis said.