News/International

Pope Francis listens as Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, speaks during a meeting with members of the commission at the Vatican April 21.

Pope meets his advisory commission on child protection

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VATICAN – In its efforts to help advise the Pope, the Roman Curia, bishops' conferences and local churches on protecting minors from abuse, a Vatican commission listened to abuse survivors from Great Britain and discussed the results of Australia's public inquiry into its country's institutional responses to abuse.
Pope Francis speaks after the "Regina Coeli" prayer April 2017 from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Pope calls for end to 'needless bloodshed' in Nicaragua

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VATICAN – Pope Francis called for an end to violence in Nicaragua after several days of protests against proposed social security legislation led to the deaths of more than two dozen people.
The Peace House, the venue for the summit between the Koreas, is pictured April 18 at the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea. Leaders of both Koreas will meet April 27 for a historic summit just inside South Korean territory.

South Korean bishop hopes North-South summit brings results

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SEOUL, South Korea – Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon of Uijeongbu has been waiting years for this moment, with the leaders of the two divided Koreas poised to meet for a historic summit just inside South Korean territory April 27.
Pope Francis talks during his pastoral visit to Alessano, Italy, April 20.

Pope commemorates life of beloved Italian bishop who served poor

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VATICAN – The church needs courageous men and women like Italian Bishop Antonio Bello of Molfetta, who imitated Jesus' closeness to the poor and the downtrodden, Pope Francis said.
Malteser International works with Wayuu refugees.

‘Triple crisis’ afflicting Venezuelan refugees

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While the biggest refugee crisis in the Western Hemisphere languishes in media obscurity, one Catholic agency is working with the most vulnerable Venezuelan refugees flooding the back country of Colombia’s borderlands.

ennifer Riordan is seen in this 2015 file photo. Riordan, a Catholic wife and mother from Albuquerque, N.M., was a passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight and died from injuries she suffered when one of the plane's engines broke apart and burst into the cabin through a window.

Mother killed on Southwest flight was firm believer in Catholic schools

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WASHINGTON – Tributes from business leaders and politicians alike described Jennifer Riordan – the 43-year-old passenger who died April 17 from injuries suffered on Southwest Flight 1380 when its engine exploded -- as a devoted mother, community leader, mentor and volunteer.
Former first lady Barbara Bush, the wife of one U.S. president and the mother of another, died April 17 at age 92 at her home in Houston. She is pictured in a 2002 photo.

Bush recalled for her 'unwavering love, devotion' to family, community

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HOUSTON – Former first lady Barbara Bush "was a model public servant and set a standard for her unwavering and loving devotion to both family and community," said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston Houston in offering his prayers and "heartfelt condolences" to the Bush family.
German bishops celebrate Mass in Trier Cathedral in this 2013 file photo.

Pope calls German bishops to Rome to discuss Communion sharing

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VATICAN – Pope Francis has asked German bishops to come to Rome to discuss pastoral guidelines for possibly allowing some non-Catholics married to Catholics to receive the Eucharist, the German bishops' conference said.
Amy Grenhan, Sinead Slattery and Miriam Smith pose at the launch of the Love Both campaign in Dublin. A May 25 referendum proposes to remove the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution, which gives protection for unborn children.

Irish pro-lifers launch 'vote no' campaign for referendum on unborn

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DUBLIN – Pro-life activists have launched a campaign urging citizens to vote no in a forthcoming referendum to remove the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution. That amendment provides legal protection for unborn children "with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother."
Altar servers lead a Palm Sunday procession March 25 in Youtong, in China's Hebei province.

No minors allowed: Chinese Catholics warned to follow rules on religious affairs

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HONG KONG – Catholics in China's Henan province have been warned that venues will be closed if they do not adhere to the revised regulations on religious affairs.
This is a screen grab from the April 9 Facebook page of BBC The Social. A Scottish bishop has criticized BBC for making a film that describes the Eucharist as smelling "like hate." The video, produced by BBC Scotland, a publicly funded "public service broadcaster," seeks to show how people who experience same-sex attraction continue to be made to feel outcast and ostracized in 2018.

Scottish bishop criticizes BBC film for mockery of Eucharist

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PAISLEY, Scotland – A Scottish bishop has criticized the BBC for making a film that describes the Eucharist as smelling "like hate."
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