News/International

Mourners carry the body of a Palestinian man, who was killed during clashes at the Israel-Gaza border, during his April 2 funeral in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. In his Easter appeal for peace throughout the world, Pope Francis made special mention of the ongoing "carnage" in Syria and the recent violence along Israel's border with the Gaza Strip.

Pope's Easter appeals for peace include special prayers for Syria, Gaza

By
VATICAN – In his Easter appeal for peace throughout the world, Pope Francis made special mention of the ongoing "carnage" in Syria and the recent violence along Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, violence the Pope said had not spared "the defenseless."
Pope Francis arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 28.

Pope Francis to have cataract surgery next year

By
VATICAN – During a customary visit to a prison on Holy Thursday, Pope Francis revealed that he has cataracts and is planning to have an eye operation to correct them next year.

The head of Regina Coeli prison in Rome made a comment during the visit about the importance of being “far-sighted” about prisoners’ rehabilitation.

Pope Francis responded, “This is good. Because at my age, for example, cataracts arrive and one does not see reality well. Next year, we will have to have an operation.”

He encouraged the inmates to have clear eyes – what he called “cataract surgery for the soul” – in order to see and spread hope.

Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that is common as people age, is usually correctable with a routine surgery.

The pope, who turned 81 in December, maintains a rigorous schedule and still makes several international trips per year. He had a portion of one lung removed when he was young, due to an infection, but is considered to be in generally good health.

Chinese bishop detained briefly during Holy Week

Chinese bishop detained briefly during Holy Week

By
HONG KONG – A Chinese bishop was taken away by authorities but was back home the next day, according to a news report.
Pope Francis kisses Peter Lombardi, 12, of Columbus, Ohio, after the boy rode in the popemobile during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 28. Receiving a kiss from the Pope was a wish come true for Peter, who has Down syndrome and has survived leukemia.

Dream come true: Boy meets Pope and rides popemobile

By
VATICAN – While many people hope to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis and greet him, 12-year-old Peter Lombardi got something even better than he imagined.
Youth tack on notes and ideas to a world map while putting together the pre-Synod meeting document for Pope Francis Mar. 22, 2018.

World’s youth lay out hopes at pre-synod meeting 

By

Young people are ready and willing to be leaders in the Church, said youth delegates at an unprecedented pre-synodal meeting of young people in Rome. 

A military truck maneuvers next to destroyed buildings in the war-torn city of Marawi, Philippines. There will be no Holy Week observance this year in Marawi almost a year after extremist gunmen occupied the southern Philippine city.

No Holy Week observance planned in war-torn Philippine city

By
MANILA, Philippines – There will be no Holy Week observance this year in Marawi almost a year after extremist gunmen occupied the southern Philippine city.
A child sleeps in a suitcase in Beit Sawa, Syria, March 15.

U.S., world urged to help Jordan aid refugees, end Syrian civil war

By
SOUTHERN SHUNEH, Jordan – The United States has a responsibility to help Jordan as it struggles to support hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and must actively seek to end Syria's long civil war, American human rights advocate Kerry Kennedy told a conference on forced migration.
Pope Francis poses March 26 in Clementine Hall at the Vatican with Italian state police who work in the General Inspectorate for Public Security. The pope thanked the officers for their service and praised their personal sacrifice in protecting others.

Like St. Joseph, police protect pilgrims from danger, Pope says

By

VATICAN – Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to the men and women who work day in and day out protecting him and millions of pilgrims who visit St. Peter's Basilica each year.

French police officers and investigators are seen March 23 at a supermarket after a hostage situation in Trebes. Pope Francis joined leaders praising a French police officer who "gave his life out of a desire to protect people" during a terrorist attack.

Pope praises French policeman who gave his life to save hostage

By
VATICAN – Pope Francis joined leaders praising a French police officer who "gave his life out of a desire to protect people" during a terrorist attack.
Students from Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Md., pray during a March 24 Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington. The Mass, sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, was celebrated to give students an opportunity to pray before participating in the March for Our Lives.

U.S. Catholic school students join peers in march against gun violence

By
WASHINGTON – In the parish hall of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, elders handed markers to younger members of the parish as they filled in posters with the Gospel-based message from the Book of Isaiah that they wanted others to see at the March for Our Lives event the next day: "And the children will lead us."
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, walks behind youths attending a pre-synod meeting as they participate in the Way of the Cross at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome March 23. The meeting is being held in preparation for the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment this October at the Vatican

Young people ask for a humble Church, welcoming and merciful

By
VATICAN – Young people want to know they are valued members of the Catholic Church and that their questions and struggles are taken seriously enough that someone will spend time with them discussing issues rather than simply repeating "prefabricated" responses, said delegates to a meeting in Rome.
Page 5 of 455