International News

News from outside of Canada.

Iraqi Christians hope to build on papal visit

November 17, 2021

ANKAWA, Iraq -- Nahla and Valentina like to stop and pray at Mar Elia Chaldean Catholic Church in the centre of this small majority Christian community. The grounds of the church once sheltered several hundred Christians who were forced to flee their homes in 2014 when Islamic State militants attacked Mosul and surrounding villages some 80 kilometres away.

Polish church leaders offer support for refugees, but back border security

November 11, 2021

WARSAW, Poland -- Poland's military archbishop urged security forces to prevent the illegal entry of refugees and migrants, as the country's bishops' conference announced a nationwide collection to help those amassing on the frontier with Belarus.

Salesians arrested amid Ethiopian violence

November 10, 2021

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Ethiopian government forces raided a centre run by the Salesians of Don Bosco in Addis Ababa Nov. 5 and arrested 17 people, including priests, religious brothers and employees.

Pope Francis condemns attack on Iraqi prime minister's residence

November 9, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis condemned a drone attack on the Iraqi prime minister's residence as a "vile act of terrorism" and expressed his hope that all people in the country would pursue peace through dialogue.

French bishops set out new reforms in wake of abuse report

November 8, 2021

LOURDES, France -- France's Catholic bishops have unveiled new measures to counter sexual abuse by clergy after an October report by an independent commission estimated more than 330,000 children had been abused since the 1950s.

Biden attends Mass in Rome, tells reporters of his admiration for Pope Francis

November 1, 2021

ROME -- Pope Francis "is a man who has a great empathy. He's a man who understands that part of his Christianity is to reach out and forgive," U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters in Rome Oct. 31.

U.S. President Biden visits Pope Francis at the Vatican

October 29, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis and U.S. President Joe Biden had an unusually long meeting at the Vatican Oct. 29, talking about the climate crisis and poverty, among other issues.

Myanmar military arrests seven Caritas workers

October 20, 2021

YANGON, Myanmar -- Myanmar's military has arrested seven workers from the Catholic Church's social arm who were on a mission to provide aid for internally displaced persons in conflict-stricken Kayah state.

Pope Francis shares letter of abuse victim

October 20, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- An adult survivor of abuse by a priest appealed to the world’s seminarians to become good priests and to make sure the “bitter truth” always prevails, not silence about scandals and their cover-up.

Migrant shelter in southern Mexico denounces raid by armed individuals

October 19, 2021

MEXICO CITY -- A Catholic migrant shelter in southern Chiapas state said unidentified individuals forced their way into the premises -- the latest act of intimidation against migrant defenders in the region.