Review: Thomas Merton, unfiltered

Patrick Collins gives a close read of Thomas Merton’s correspondence in ‘A Focus on Truth: Thomas Merton’s Uncensored Mind.’

Vatican official inaugurates nunciature in Abu Dhabi

ROME — The opening of a new apostolic nunciature in the United Arab Emirates is a testament to fraternity and goodwill between Muslims and Christians, said Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony in Abu Dhabi Feb. 4, Peña, the substitute secretary for general affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, said the […]

Responding to wave of overdoses, Argentine bishop calls for action

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The president of the Argentine bishops’ conference expressed sorrow and called for action on addiction after the consumption of contaminated cocaine claimed at least 23 lives and hospitalized dozens more in the low-income suburbs of Buenos Aires. Bishop Óscar Ojea of San Isidro, conference president, tweeted Feb. 2, “I am deeply […]

Pope praises projects to recycle objects, reintegrate people into society

ROME — Pope Francis and his guests listened as a violinist played a tune from a famous Italian composer on a multicolored violin made by prisoners using the wood of a shipwrecked migrants’ boat. He also accepted several boxes containing hundreds of hosts for use at Mass; prisoners made some of them, as did residents […]