VATICAN – For its debut at the "Biennale di Venezia" International Architecture Exhibition, the Vatican commissioned 10 renowned architects from around the world to turn a small wooded plot on an island in the Venetian lagoon into a spiritual-artistic pilgrimage of chapels.

A celebration planned by the Canadian Goan Christian Group for St. Joseph’s parish in Mississauga on Oct. 14 will highlight the role that immigrants play in keeping the Church in Canada alive and vibrant.

ROME – One of the two women who died when an earthquake struck the Italian island of Ischia was killed by falling debris from a 19th-century church. The other died in her home, which was destroyed by the quake Aug. 21.

CHICAGO – Its members gather to comfort and encourage one another. They check in on the sick and struggling. They wish each other a happy birthday.

SHANGQIU – Local authorities in China’s Henan province reportedly destroyed a Christian church building last month, beating parishioners who tried to stop the demolition and detaining 40, the group China Aid says.

VATICAN CITY – The more women are involved in and contribute to communities, politics, economics and the church, the more positive changes will come about, Pope Francis said.

The true shepherd knows how to step down from his church, because he knows that he is not at the center of history, but is a free man who has served without compromises and without taking control of his flock. That was Pope Francis’ message during his homily at Mass celebrated on Tuesday in the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence.

On the second anniversary of the beatification of Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was killed in 1980 by military squadrons linked to the Regime in San Salvador as he defended the poor, Pope Francis recalled Romero’s religious fervor and passion for justice while warning the faithful against a ‘lukewarm’ Church.

OTTAWA – The New Atheists have argued Millennial Catholics out of the Church and they need to be argued back in, says Bishop Robert Barron.

REGENSBURG, Germany – Amid rising social unrest and an influx of Mideast migrants, German authorities – including Catholic Church officials – are facing criticism from ordinary people who believe their concerns are being ignored.

It has been one year since Amoris Laetitia was released and Pope Francis’ apostolic letter remains just as relevant today.

VATICAN CITY – As Christians in the Middle East continue to suffer innumerable hardships this Lenten season, the Vatican has announced that this year’s Good Friday Collection will benefit Christian communities in the Holy Land.

MANILA, Philippines – A southern Philippines church that was yards away from a police car bombing Christmas Eve was to have tighter security for the coming New Year's weekend, said the priest who was celebrating Mass when the explosion occurred.

Cardinal Willem Eijk of the Netherlands recently called on Pope Francis to write a major document on the growth of gender theory. Too many people, including Catholic parents, now accept that one can choose their own gender. Many Catholic school leaders in Canada have also bought into that idea.

TORONTO – After six years under construction, St. Michael's Cathedral is once again ready to welcome its flock on a daily basis.