News/International

Runners head to finish line of the Boston Marathon as an explosion erupts nearby April 15. Two bombs exploded in the crowded streets near the finish line of the marathon, killing at least three people, including an 8-year-old boy, and injuring more than 140.

Boston cardinal says all feel 'deep sorrow' for victims of explosions

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Updated 04/18/13

BOSTON - Within hours of two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon April 15, Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley sent a message of prayer and support for those injured, their loved ones and those who experienced the trauma of the tragedy.

Pope Francis

Pope names international panel of cardinals to advise on Vatican reform

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VATICAN CITY - Amid rising concerns about corruption and mismanagement in the central administration of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis named an international panel of cardinals to advise him on the latest reform of the Vatican bureaucracy.

Following a February order by Russian President Vladimir Putin to conduct checks on NGOs in Russia, the local Catholic Church has seen a number of raids on its parishes and charities. Putin is seen here with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II in this 2008 CNS file photo.

Russian Catholics surprised at government raids on churches, charities

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OXFORD, England - Russia's Catholic Church expressed surprise and concern after a wave of raids on its parishes and charities, part of a government clampdown on organizations with foreign links.

The United Nations has come to an agreement — the Arms Trade Treaty — that will regulate international trade in conventional weapons. The treaty was agreed to on April 2, and Canada voted with the majority. Now, nations have to ratify the agreement.

Canada agrees to arms treaty

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For the first time in history the United Nations has voted to put rules in place to regulate the $70- billion per year international trade in conventional weapons. On April 2, just two weeks before the 50th anniversary of Pope John XXIIIs encyclical Pacem In Terris, the UN voted 154 to 3, with 23 abstentions, to adopt the conventional Arms Trade Treaty.

A mural in Derry, Northern Ireland, commemorates Bloody Sunday when British troops killed 13 unarmed Catholic protesters during the height of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. Catholic leaders are calling on the people to remain vigilant about violence in the country 15 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

Irish Catholic leaders say country must remain vigilant about violence

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DUBLIN - The Irish cannot afford to be complacent about violence, even though they have lived with a peace agreement for 15 years, said Ireland's most senior Catholic leader.

The Institute for the Works of Religion, popularly known as the Vatican bank, is located in the Bastion of Nicholas V in the Vatican. The tower is pictured in a 2009 file photo.

Vatican seeks expanded Moneyval review to show compliance efforts

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VATICAN CITY - A major European regulator will conduct an expanded evaluation of the Vatican's latest efforts to prevent money laundering and the funding of terrorism.

Worshippers pray in the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady Aparecida in 2007 in Brazil. Since his election in March, Pope Francis has echoed many of the concerns that he and fellow prelates raised in a conference of Latin American bishops six years ago in Aparecida.

With Pope Francis, the 'great continental mission' goes global

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LIMA, Peru - In his first weeks as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has echoed many of the concerns that he and fellow prelates raised in a conference of Latin American bishops six years ago.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon walks with Pope Francis during a meeting at the Vatican April 9.

Pope, U.N. head meet, discuss crises in Syria, Korean peninsula

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VATICAN CITY - Recognizing the important role each other plays on the global stage, Pope Francis and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met at the Vatican April 9, discussing common efforts to promote peace and protect human dignity.

Pope Benedict XVI greets former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during his weekly audience in 2009 in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Thatcher, a major figure in British and world politics and the only woman to become British prime minister, died April 8 at the age of 87.

Bishops, Pope offer prayers after death of Britain's Margaret Thatcher

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LIVERPOOL, England - The Catholic bishops of England and Wales offered prayers for the soul of Margaret Thatcher, the former British prime minister who died at age 87 following a stroke.

A young woman reacts as she and others watch a televised broadcast of the inaugural Mass of the pontiff on a giant screen outside of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 19.

In Argentina, some hope new Pope brings Catholics back to churches

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Rafaela Gonzalez spent the wee hours of March 19 watching the installation of the first Argentine pope on the big screens outside the city's cathedral. She spoke with admiration about Pope Francis, with disdain for the country's political picture and with concern for the church in a country with an overwhelmingly Catholic population, but a flock moving further from parishes, priests and church practices.

Pope Francis reaffirmed the importance of responding decisively to the problem of the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy and called on the Vatican office dealing with suspected cases to continue carrying out its mandate. He is seen leading t he Good Friday Way of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome March 29.

Pope urges decisive action against sex abuse

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis reaffirmed the importance of responding decisively to the problem of the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy and called on the Vatican office dealing with suspected cases to continue carrying out its mandate.

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