News/International

Riot police stand in formation as their colleagues attempt to extinguish a fire during clashes with anti-government protesters in Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 19. Ukraine's political crisis escalated sharply, with more than two dozen people killed and scores injured in violent, often fiery battles between demonstrators and police in Kiev.

Pope Francis, Ukrainian Church leaders call for end to violence in Ukraine

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VATICAN CITY - After a night of violent confrontations between protesters and police and the deaths of more than two dozen people, Pope Francis and Ukrainian Church leaders called Feb. 19 for an end to all violence and a serious commitment to dialogue for the good of Ukraine.

Philip M. Hall, a Tennessee pharmacist and Baptist church deacon who lost his job after an ongoing dispute over selling Plan B contraception, has sued his former bosses claiming he was fired because of his religious beliefs.

Pharmacist sues over dismissal for not issuing contraceptive pill

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Tennessee pharmacist and a Baptist church deacon who lost his job after an ongoing dispute over selling Plan B contraception has sued his former bosses, claiming he was fired because of his religious beliefs.

Sr. Rice photo cutline: Transform Now Plowshares activist Sr. Megan Rice as supporters rally May 6, 2013, at Market Square. Rice and fellow activists Greg Boertje-Obed and Michael Walli were sentenced on federal trespassing and destruction of property charges for the July 28 intrusion at a Tennessee nuclear plant.

U.S. nun, 84, to do hard time for nuclear plant break-in

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An 84-year-old nun was sentenced to nearly three years in prison Feb. 18 for breaking into a Tennessee nuclear facility in 2012.

Pope Francis poses with cardinal advisers during a meeting at the Vatican dated Oct. 1. Eight cardinals began closed-door meetings with the pope Oct. 1 to help him reform the Roman Curia and study possible changes in the worldwide Church. Pictured from left ar e: Chilean Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa, Italian Bishop Marcello Semeraro, secretary to the Council of Cardinals, Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias, German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Pope Francis, Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, Italia n Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, U.S. Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, Australian Cardinal George Pell and Congolese Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya.

Pope Francis, cardinal advisors study Vatican financial, administrative offices

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis met for the third time in late February with his international Council of Cardinals, an eight-member group advising him on the reform of the Vatican bureaucracy and other issues.

Emmanuel and Maria Rosevilla Margate pose for a photo with family members outside their home in Tacloban, Philippines, Feb. 10. The family huddled together in their block home Nov. 8, 2013, as Typhoon Haiyan made shambles of many homes in their community known as Barangay 54A.

Filipino woman who saved dozens wants to stay in Tacloban community she loves

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Mention the name of Maria Rosevilla Margate and many of the residents of the community known as Barangay 54A nod approvingly. They know exactly where to find her.

American baseball player Babe Ruth, publicity photo, 1918, Boston Red Sox

Babe Ruth's first baseball field at Catholic school to be preserved in Baltimore

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BALTIMORE - The baseball field where legendary slugger Babe Ruth learned to play the game is being preserved.

Thousands of people march in Madrid Feb. 8 to protest government legislation to limit abortions. The bill will restrict abortion rights to cases of rape and severe risk to a woman's physical or mental health.

Spanish bishop says no abortions OK, even though conference backs bill

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MADRID - A Spanish bishop urged medical personnel to stop performing all abortions, even though the church has backed new legislation that would still allow abortion in cases of rape.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, the leader of Indian Catholicism

Worldwide, Catholic bishop split on anti-gay laws

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The Roman Catholic hierarchy has generally been viewed as a unified bloc in opposition to gay rights, but the emergence of especially punitive measures against gays in various countries has opened unusually stark and public fissures among bishops in different nations.

Pro-European Union protesters pray during a rally on Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine.

Ukraine Church leader seeks prayers of solidarity

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WASHINGTON - Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev-Halych, Ukraine, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, capped a week-long visit to the United States by asking all people of goodwill to join Ukrainian Catholics in prayer to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Ukraine.

A child receives polio drops at a polio booth in the central Indian city of Bhopal in this 2008 file photo. Church workers said that, in some areas of India, it was difficult convincing mothers that administering polio drops would not make their children impotent.

Church workers rejoice, recall challenges as India declared polio-free

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KOTTAYAM, India - As the World Health Organization declared India "polio-free" Feb. 11, church health workers celebrated and reflected on the challenges they faced convincing parents to allow their children to get the vaccine.

Bas-relief honouring Korean martyrs at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. On Feb. 7 Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of 124 Catholics who were killed during widespread persecution in Korea in the 18th through 19th centuries.

Pope Francis clears way for beatification of 124 Korean martyrs

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of 124 Catholics who were killed during widespread persecution in Korea in the 18th through 19th centuries.

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