News/International

The inner courtyard of the Al-Azhar University.

Vatican to restart stalled talks with Egypt's Al-Azhar University

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CAIRO - The Vatican will restart its stalled dialogue with Sunni Islam's main theological centre, Al-Azhar University, said Fr. Rafic Greiche, spokesman for Egypt's Catholic Church.

A man throws a flare in the direction of Interior Ministry members during a rally in Kiev, Ukraine, Dec. 1. The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church condemned police violence against "peaceful demonstrations" after President Viktor Yanukovich's decision not to seek closer ties with the EU.

Ukrainian church leaders condemn police violence against protesters

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KIEV, Ukraine - The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and other Catholic leaders condemned police violence against "peaceful demonstrations" after President Viktor Yanukovich's decision not to seek closer ties with the European Union.

Rescue workers lift the wreckage of a police helicopter onto a trailer Dec. 2 in Glasgow, Scotland. Glasgow Archbishop Philip Tartaglia celebrated a special Mass for those affected by the crash at the popular pub near his cathedral.

Glasgow archbishop tells of shock as he saw images of pub crash

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GLASGOW, Scotland - Glasgow Archbishop Philip Tartaglia was winding down for the evening when a police helicopter plunged through the roof of a popular pub near his cathedral, killing at least nine people.

Pope Francis presents a gift to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a private audience at the Vatican December 2.

Pope meet with Israel's Netanyahu, discusses Middle East peace

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel Dec. 2, and discussed prospects for peace in the Middle East and the pope's still-unscheduled trip to the Holy Land.

German bishops eye guidelines for divorced Catholics to take Communion

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WARSAW, Poland - Church officials in Germany defended plans by the country's bishops' conference to allow some divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion, insisting they have the Pope's endorsement.

Pope Francis shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a private audience at the Vatican Nov. 25.

At Vatican meeting, pope discusses ongoing war in Syria with Putin

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VATICAN CITY - Peace in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing war in Syria, topped the agenda Nov. 25 as Pope Francis welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Vatican.

People pray near a crucifix during Mass Nov. 24 in the damaged Basilica of the Holy Child in Tacloban, Philippines. Super Typhoon Haiyan, the most powerful storm to make landfall this year, bamaged the basilica when it struck the central Philippines Nov. 8, killing thousands and displacing more than 4 million people.

Small acts of kindness ease hardships typhoon survivors face

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MANILA, Philippines - Two weeks after Super Typhoon Haiyan laid waste much of central Philippines, the exodus from the worst-hit areas brought an influx of about 15,000 evacuees to Manila where lay Catholics have been responding to pressing needs.

Pope marks 80th anniversary of 'Terror-Famine of Ukraine'

Pope marks 80th anniversary of 'Terror-Famine of Ukraine'

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VATICAN CITY - The day before he was to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis greeted Ukrainians marking the 80th anniversary of the "Holodomor" or "Terror-Famine of Ukraine."

Girl stands in front of destroyed building in Syria, which is still home to one of the worst global crisis.

Syrian crisis threatens to destabilize region

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OTTAWA - The crisis in Syria is worsening and threatens to destabilize the whole region as winter approaches, said Carl Hétu, general secretary of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association Canada.

A 6-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy on Nov. 19 in the devastated waterfront shanty town of Guiuan, Philippines, in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. Amidst the chaos and devastation, child traffickers can kidnap children under the guise of helping them.

A perfect storm for child predators

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VATICAN CITY - An Irish missionary in the Philippines warned that the chaos and hunger in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan provide the perfect setup for child traffickers.

A woman washes clothes near makeshift tents Nov. 9 on the 40-acre diocesan compound in Bossangoa, Central African Republic. Bishop Nestor-Desire Nongo Aziagbia of Bossangoa says more than 35,000 people are living on the compound, seeking protection from rebels who are targeting Christians.

In Central African Republic, thousands turn to bishop for protection

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WASHINGTON - More than 35,000 people are living on the 40-acre diocesan compound in Bossangoa, Central African Republic, seeking protection from rebels who are targeting Christians, said the local bishop.

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