International News

News from outside of Canada.

Pope says Fatima visit is pilgrimage of peace and hope

May 10, 2017

VATICAN CITY – In a video message to the people of Portugal, Pope Francis said he would visit Fatima as a pilgrim of peace and to entrust the world to Mary's immaculate heart.

South Korean Catholics hope new president can unify nation

May 10, 2017

Catholics in South Korea have high expectations for unity, equality and an end to corruption under the country's newly elected president, Moon Jae-in.

Italian archdiocese, five religious orders to divest from fossil fuels

May 10, 2017

WASHINGTON – Nine Catholic organizations, including five religious orders and an archdiocese in Italy, plan to divest from fossil fuel corporations in an action timed to send a message to the upcoming G7 summit.

Filipino bishops praise cross-country march against death penalty

May 10, 2017

LINGAYEN, Philippines – The Catholic bishops of the Philippines have praised a cross-country march showing opposition to the restoration of the death penalty.

Blessing of cross begins rebuilding of Iraqi towns destroyed by Islamic State

May 10, 2017

MOSUL, Iraq – With the blessing of the cross raised up in the city of Bakhdida May 2, the reconstruction of the towns in the Plain of Nineveh in Iraq destroyed by the Islamic State officially began.

Pope tells Latin American bishops corruption is grave threat

May 10, 2017

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Pope Francis warned bishops from across the Western Hemisphere that corruption poses a grave threat to the people of Latin America. He also reiterated calls for the church to work closely with people to renew their hope.

Head of French bishops welcomes Macron's election

May 9, 2017

PARIS – The head of the French bishops' conference welcomed the election of President-elect Emmanuel Macron and said he hoped June legislative elections would not place the country "in an ungovernable situation."

Priest kidnapped in Yemen pleads for help in video message

May 9, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Indian Salesian Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was kidnapped in Yemen more than a year ago, in a video message pleaded for the Indian government and the Catholic Church to do more to secure his release.

Jesuits to return 525 acres of South Dakota land to Rosebud Sioux

May 9, 2017

ST. FRANCIS, S.D. – The Jesuits are returning more than 500 acres in South Dakota to the Rosebud Sioux. The formal return of the property is expected to be complete sometime in May.

Mexican bishops call for action on missing persons, mass graves

May 9, 2017

MEXICO CITY – The Mexican bishops' conference has issued a call for action on the cases of the country's thousands of missing persons, most of whom disappeared during the country's decades-long drug war and whose bodies are increasingly being unearthed from mass graves.