Pope to send Cardinal Parolin to Congo, South Sudan
ROME — Although he postponed his own trip to Congo and South Sudan, Pope Francis has asked Cardinal Pietro Parolin, his secretary of state, to visit the two countries July 1-8, the Vatican press office said. Pope Francis had been scheduled to visit Kinshasa and Goma, Congo, July 2-5 and to make an ecumenical pilgrimage […]
Use your vacation well, pope tells young people
ROME — Whether resting, traveling, working, serving others or going on a retreat, when students use their school breaks well, they are on the path to greater maturity, Pope Francis said. “Besides recreation and rest, I know that some of you use this time to offer help voluntarily in solidarity initiatives; others devote themselves to […]
Archbishop asks church to be in solidarity with migrants who died in truck
SAN ANTONIO — The archbishop of San Antonio offered prayers for dozens of people found dead as well as more than a dozen survivors discovered June 27 in sweltering conditions in a semitruck. Authorities said June 28 the death toll rose overnight to 50. Originally, first responders pulled 16 people — 12 adults and four […]
Archbishop, Ukrainian president call missile strikes on mall terrorist act
LVIV, Ukraine — Russian missile strikes on a Ukrainian mall with about 1,000 civilians inside were the “largest terrorist attack in Europe in decades,” said Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, major archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. On June 27, two Russian missiles hit Amstor Shopping Mall in Kremenchuk, an attack the archbishop called “an event of […]
Pope asks Catholics to study Vatican II before Holy Year 2025
ROME — Before celebrating the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis is asking Catholics around the world to dedicate time in 2023 to studying the documents of the Second Vatican Council. Presenting the official logo for the Holy Year June 28, Archbishop Rino Fisichella also announced the pope’s plan for helping Catholics prepare for the celebration: […]
These U.S. companies will pay staff abortion travel expenses
Starbucks coffee shop. / AKS.9955/wikimedia. CC BY SA 4.0 Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 28, 2022 / 13:54 pm (CNA). As some states ban or regulate abortion following the Dobbs decision, numerous companies have announced they will provide financial assistance to employees traveling for abortions. In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court ruled […]
Vatican's pro-life chief: After Roe, Catholics must also fight for gun control
While Pope Francis has clearly condemned abortion, the Vatican has repeatedly pushed for a pro-life message that extends to life-related issues beyond ending abortion, which has been a focus for the American church.
Mine can be built on Apache sacred site, Oak Flat, federal appeals court rules
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the government can proceed with the transfer of Oak Flat to a private venture that’s planning an underground copper mine. The Apache Stronghold coalition said they will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Speakers: 'Embracing historical memory' strengthens church ministries today
Finding healing and exploring ways to work more effectively with diverse communities was the focus of the general session on the second day of the “Alive in Christ: Young, Diverse, Prophetic Voices Journeying Together,” a multicultural national gathering of Catholic ministry leaders.
This Pride Month, Catholic Church shows clear, if subtle, shifts toward LGBTQ welcome
From welcoming transgender women at the Vatican to promoting LGBTQ outreach around the world, some advocates say Pope Francis has created a space for inclusion without fear.