International News

News from outside of Canada.

Philippine bishops' leader 'in endless grief' over drug war

October 5, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine bishops' conference president has lamented "the slow erosion of Filipino values" as the Southeast Asian archipelago presses on with its war on drugs that has killed thousands.

Hurricane Matthew tears through Haiti as aid workers prepare to respond

October 4, 2016

WASHINGTON – Wind-whipped rains from Hurricane Matthew shattered Haiti's southwest peninsula, downing trees, ripping open makeshift wooden homes and causing widespread flooding Oct. 4 as aid workers waited for the storm to subside before mobilizing.

Pope visits towns in central Italy devastated by earthquake

October 4, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Amid the devastation wrought by an earthquake in central Italy, Pope Francis quietly prayed and offered words of consolation to survivors and those assisting in relief efforts.

As Catholic priests are killed in Mexico, questions and tensions rise

October 3, 2016

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Even in a rural Mexican community that has grown accustomed to the news of brutal killings, the abduction and murder of a popular Catholic priest has triggered profound shock and outrage.

Catholics warn against new rules on religion in China

October 3, 2016

WARSAW, Poland – Catholic experts warned that new rules on religion in China could severely hamper the church's work by curbing its foreign contacts and imposing heavy penalties for unauthorized activity.

When political choice is tough, pray and vote your conscience, says Pope on U.S. election

October 3, 2016

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN – Catholics facing difficult political choices must study the issues, pray about the election and then vote according to their consciences, Pope Francis said.

Tolerance is good for society, the soul, Pope says at Azerbaijani mosque

October 3, 2016

BAKU, Azerbaijan – As the spiritual leader of a tiny religious minority in Azerbaijan, Pope Francis told the leaders of the country's other religious communities that they share a responsibility to help people grow in faith, but also in tolerance for the faith of others.

Pope encourages Azerbaijan's Catholics to be people of faith, service

October 2, 2016

AKU, Azerbaijan – Catholics cannot "economize" when it comes to spending time in prayer with God and in service to other people, Pope Francis told members of Azerbaijan's tiny Catholic community.

Dialogue, respect for differences are key to progress, Pope says

October 2, 2016

BAKU, Azerbaijan – Cooperation, peace and prosperity come when people know how to hold fast to their cultural and religious identities without ever denigrating or trying to deny the rights and identities of others, Pope Francis said.

Kenyan churches demand HIV test for couples wanting to marry

October 2, 2016

NAIROBI, Kenya – Some Kenyan churches are demanding premarital HIV testing before weddings, a trend activists warn is infringing on the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.