The number of Catholics in the world and the number of priests and permanent deacons rose slightly in 2013, while the number of men and women in religious orders declined, according to Vatican statistics.
Vatican
Pope Sends Prayers, Donation to Nepal
Pope Francis prayed for those affected by the deadly earthquake in Nepal, encouraged rescue and emergency workers in their efforts, and sent an initial donation of $100,000.
Terrorists Planned Attack on the Vatican
Italian police arrested at least nine people in what officials described as a terrorist cell that had planned, in 2010, to strike at the Vatican with a suicide bomber.
Healthy Relationships Key to Celibate Living
Consecrated men and women must honestly assess their attitudes toward abuse, as well as toward celibacy, said Sister Mary Lembo of the Center for Child Protection at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University.
Pope to Visit Cuba?
Discussions about Pope Francis possibly visiting Cuba in September are so preliminary that the idea cannot be considered more than a hypothesis, the Vatican said.
Vatican, LCWR Reach Agreement on Bylaws
The agreement ended a seven-year process of investigating the group and engaging in dialogue with its officers to ensure greater harmony with Church teaching.
Pope Encourages, Cautions Work of Vocation Directors
Despite fewer vocations to consecrated life, those responsible for formation in religious institutes must know how to say no to unsuitable candidates, so as to avoid a “graver crisis of quality” down the road, said Pope Francis.
UN Conference Urges World to Dump Nukes
Representatives of eight interfaith and interreligious organizations said the moral argument is the strongest one in the stalled international effort to abolish nuclear weapons.
Pope Prays for Defense of Christians
Christians live the joy of the Resurrection when they share a smile with someone, weep with those who mourn and defend the rights of those persecuted for their faith, Pope Francis said.
Announcing the Holy Year
Celebrating the first vespers for Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis formally will deliver the “bull of indiction” or proclamation of the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.