Pope Francis meets with children at Vatican summer camp
Like a grandfather in the midst of his grandchildren, Pope Francis this morning in the Paul VI Hall visited with around 250 young people from 5 to 13 years of age taking part in the 2023 summer camp initiative for children of Vatican employees. Amidst music and dance, the Pope spoke with the young people […]
Russia attacks Ukrainian ports after ending grain deal
Russia has warned Ukraine of security risks if it continues shipping grain out of Ukrainian Black Sea ports without Moscow’s approval. The Kremlin made the announcement after pulling out of a grain deal and then ordering overnight air strikes on Ukrainian port cities. Read all
Open Letter Against Transitional Procedures for Transgender Youth
The open letter, published in the Wall Street Journal on July 13, responds to a letter from Stephen Hammes, president of the Endocrine Society, where he said that medical treatment “improves the well-being of transgender people and reduces the risk of suicide.” It referred to “life-saving, gender-affirming care,” involving the use of hormones and irreversible […]
Russia: Duma Passes Law Banning Gender Transitions
“We will do everything to ensure that the future belongs to our families, to our children,” said Viatcheslav Volodine on 14 July. The President of the Lower House of the Russian Parliament (Duma) spoke at the end of the unanimous adoption, with 386 votes, of a law prohibiting any medical intervention aimed at changing a […]
How AI is helping to translate the Bible into rare languages
Joel Mathew, left, and Ulf Hermjakob, researchers at the University of Southern California’s Information Sciences Institute. / Courtesy photo St. Louis, Mo., Jul 18, 2023 / 07:00 am (CNA). Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are having their moment. AI image generators such as MidJourney have proven capable of creating almost any picture imaginable — even a […]
Pope Francis Names Four New Auxiliary Bishops of Los Angeles
Courtesy photos Father Brian Nunes (left), Father Matthew Elshoff, Father Slawomir Szkredka, and Monsignor Albert Bahhuth (right) have been named auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. ‘Each is a man of prayer who loves Jesus and has a deep desire to share God’s love and to serve God’s people. We are praying for […]
Cardinal says the pope’s visit to Mongolia’s tiny Catholic community will show his dedication
The young cardinal in charge of Mongolia’s tiny Catholic community said July 17 that Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to a country with just 1,450 Catholics is evidence of his willingness to travel to the farthest corners of the globe to minister to even a handful of the faithful.
A strong advocate for immigrant rights, retired Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Manz passes at 77
Retired Auxiliary Bishop John R. Manz of Chicago died unexpectedly July 15. No cause of death was released. He was 77.
Pope Benedict’s ex-secretary Archbishop Ganswein won’t get a job in Germany
The longtime secretary to the late Pope Benedict XVI won’t be given a permanent job in the German archdiocese where he has settled, but will lead regular services at Freiburg’s cathedral and can take on “individual assignments” such as confirmations, church authorities said July 17.
Catholic diocese in northern New York announces bankruptcy filing amid abuse lawsuits
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg in northern New York said July 17 that it was filing for bankruptcy protection as it faces more than 100 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse.