International News

News from outside of Canada.

How 2014 is shaping up at the Vatican

January 9, 2014

VATICAN CITY - After a year that included the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and a series of celebrated innovations by Pope Francis, it is hard to imagine 2014 at the Vatican could be nearly as eventful. Of course, the biggest stories are likely to be those that come by surprise, but in the meantime, here are developments bound to loom large in Vatican news over the coming year:

Jerusalem's Latin patriarch hopes pope's May visit is 'cry for peace'

January 6, 2014

AMMAN, Jordan - Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem welcomed the announcement of Pope Francis' May visit to the Holy Land and said he hopes the pilgrimage will be a "cry for peace," particularly for Palestinians, Israelis, Syrians and others beset by conflict.

Philly priest released from prison after court reversed conviction

January 3, 2014

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia archdiocesan priest was released from a Pennsylvania state prison Jan. 2 after an appeals court reversed his conviction for endangering child welfare by his handling of a sex abuse case.

For some Syrian Christian refugees, Christmas was not a happy time

December 27, 2013

AMMAN, Jordan - Some Syrian Christian refugees sheltering in neighboring Jordan did not have a happy Christmas, fearful for their uncertain future as the violent conflict in their homeland grinds on past 33-months with no end in sight.

Man seriously injured after setting self on fire in St. Peter's Square

December 19, 2013

VATICAN CITY - A 51-year-old man was severely injured after he set himself on fire in St. Peter's Square.

Mandela statue fitting end to mourning period, says ex-Cabinet member

December 16, 2013

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - The unveiling of a statue of Nelson Mandela in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, was a fitting end to 10 days of mourning for the democracy icon, said Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, a South African priest who served in Mandela's Cabinet.

Chaldean patriarch says extremism threatens Christians and Muslims

December 16, 2013

ROME - "Extremist political Islam is growing in the Middle East," prompting Christians to flee and causing death and upheaval among Christians and moderate Muslims alike, said the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

Fine line separates Advent, Christmas in the Philippines

December 14, 2013

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - In the Philippines, the Christmas season starts in September, but the final nine days of Advent have special meaning.

Lonergan offers ‘therapy for confused cultures’

December 12, 2013

ROME - Cultures confused about truth and allergic to all things definite can find a source of healing in the thought and method of late Canadian Jesuit Bernard Lonergan.

Indian prime minister apologizes after Christian marchers beaten

December 12, 2013

NEW DELHI - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh apologized to church leaders for the police beating of protesters -- including priests and nuns -- during a march to Parliament advocating for rights for low-caste Christians.