International News

News from outside of Canada.

Hegseth announces 'Office of Religious Affairs' in speech on Pentagon policy

Kate Scanlon · October 2, 2026

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the creation of a new "Office of Religious Affairs" during a speech Sept. 30 on Pentagon policy.

African bishops express solidarity with Zambia's arrested Archbishop Banda, local Catholics amid unrest

Fredrick Nzwili · October 2, 2026

Catholic bishops in Africa expressed solidarity and closeness to Archbishop Alick Banda of Lusaka, Zambia, and the Zambian bishops conference, following the prelate's arrest over a car gift.

New nuncio appeals for unity, cautions German bishops against diverging from Rome

Junno Arocho Esteves · October 1, 2026

The new apostolic nuncio to Germany, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, warned the country’s bishops against charting a separate course for the local Church, reminding them that Catholic unity relies on fidelity to the papacy and the Eucharist.

Pope's blessing of special needs daughter recognizes 'segment of humanity often set aside'

Caroline de Sury · September 30, 2026

A photograph of Pope Leo XIV blessing Marie-Garance, a 10-year-old girl in a blue dress who has multiple disabilities, went viral after the pope encountered her in Paris Sept. 26.

Pope Leo XIV says he's not losing sleep over AI apocalypse fears

Courtney Mares · September 28, 2026

On the return flight to Rome from his four-day visit to France Sept. 28, Pope Leo XIV said that the prospect of artificial intelligence destroying humanity does not keep him up at night.

Moved by Pope Leo's empathy, French abuse survivors urged action on 'systemic' failures

Junno Arocho Esteves · September 28, 2026

French survivors of clergy sexual abuse who met with Pope Leo XIV in Lourdes said they were struck by the pontiff's deep personal empathy and his frank acknowledgment of the institutional failures that allowed the crisis to fester within the Church.

Pope: Europe must return to path of dialogue, not military buildup, to end 'senseless slaughter'

Junno Arocho Esteves · September 28, 2026

Pope Leo XIV urged European leaders to courageously choose peaceful dialogue and guard themselves against the illusion that military buildups are the answer to conflicts threatening the continent.

In Lourdes, Pope Leo rejects 'false compassion' of assisted dying, condemns abortion of the disabled

Courtney Mares · September 28, 2026

Amid the wheelchairs, crutches, and prayer intentions of the 150,000 pilgrims in Lourdes, France, Sept. 27, the pope spoke out strongly against the practice of assisted suicide for the sick and abortion of the disabled, designating the Marian shrine as a blessed place for "professing the beauty and sanctity of life."

Pope Leo XIV arrives in Paris, urging French leaders to protect the right to life

Courtney Mares · September 25, 2026

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Paris Sept. 25 beginning his four-day trip to France by urging French leaders not to forget their duty to protect every human life in a forceful speech at the Élysée Palace condemning "assisted dying," abortion and surrogacy.

Pope Leo shares childhood memories of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen on flight to Paris

Courtney Mares · September 25, 2026

On the papal flight to Paris Sept. 25, Pope Leo XIV recalled spending time with his family as a child watching Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, who was beatified the day before in St. Louis, sharing the truths of the faith on television.