News/International

New York Police Department barricades are seen Sept. 9 near the residence of Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Vatican nuncio to the United Nations, in New York City's Upper East Side community. The barricades will be used for security purposes when Pope Francis stays with Archbishop Auza during his visit to New York Sept. 24-26.

'Unprecedented' security for Pope despite no credible threats

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WASHINGTON - Less than a week before Pope Francis begins his highly anticipated trip to the United States, Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy said Sept. 16 there are no credible threats against the pontiff.

The U.S. flag flies in front of a mural of Pope Francis in New York City. Pope Francis’ 10th foreign trip will be the longest of his pontificate and, with stops in Cuba, three U.S. cities and the United Nations, it also will be a “very complex trip,” the papal spokesman said.

Pope comes to a nation divided

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One nation under God will have five days this month to consider its unity and its divisions, its aspirations and its relationship with God as Pope Francis comes to challenge, console, cajole and confound 325 million Americans.

Pope Francis blesses a painting depicting the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican

Getting personal with Pope Francis

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In two wide-ranging new interviews, Pope Francis discusses matters both weighty and personal, including the perils of his popularity.

What some papal pundits get wrong about the polls — and why

What some papal pundits get wrong about the polls — and why

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Did you know that Pope Francis is so over?

A Syrian refugee woman cries as she carries her baby through the mud to cross the border from Greece into Macedonia near the Greek village of Idomeni Sept. 10. Canadian Church leaders and organizations are demanding a stronger Canadian response to the refugee crisis.

Action demanded on refugees

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Church leaders and organizations are demanding stronger action from the Canadian government in response to the Syrian refugee crisis.

Philadelphia teen arrested in plot targetting Pope Francis

Philadelphia teen arrested in plot targetting Pope Francis

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A 15-year-old Philadelphia-area boy was arrested last month for allegedly pursuing an Islamic State-inspired plot against Pope Francis, two federal law enforcement officials said Sept. 15.

French residents greet Syrian refugees warmly, but many are wary

French residents greet Syrian refugees warmly, but many are wary

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CERGY-PONTOISE, France - When the first wave of Syrians and Iraqis arrived at this northwestern Paris suburb, Nabil Seghari signed up to volunteer with the Catholic charity spearheading the welcome efforts.

A demonstrator against "assisted dying" joins a protest outside the Houses of Parliament in London Sept. 11. Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark has welcomed the overwhelming defeat of a bill to legalize assisted suicide in England and Wales.

British Parliament rejects controversial right-to-die bill

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CANTERBURY, England - British parliamentarians on Friday (Sept. 11) soundly rejected a right-to-die bill that would have allowed people with less than six months to live to end their life legally.

Keep faith-based hiring discrimination, religious leaders tell Obama

Keep faith-based hiring discrimination, religious leaders tell Obama

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Seventy supporters of religion-based hiring discrimination urged President Obama Thursday (Sept. 10) to continue to permit government-funded faith groups to employ people with like beliefs.

Fr. Aktham Hijazin of Beit Jalla, West Bank, celebrates Mass Sept. 3 in front of Israeli border police. Israel is uprooting the trees to make the way for the controversial separation barrier in the Cremisan Valley.

Priest offers Mass daily at destroyed West Bank olive orchards

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BEIT JALLA, West Bank - Since hundreds of olive trees were uprooted to make room for a separation barrier through the Cremisan Valley adjacent to this largely Christian village, Fr. Aktham Hijazin, Annunciation parish priest, has been celebrating Mass daily behind red-and-white police tape.

A Syrian refugee woman cries as she carries her baby through the mud to cross the border from Greece into Macedonia near the Greek village of Idomeni Sept. 10.

European bishops say migration issue requires a continent-wide solution

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MANCHESTER, England - The European Union must adopt a common asylum policy "without delay" because it is unacceptable for refugees to "drown and suffocate" at the fringes of the bloc, said the European bishops.

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