International News

News from outside of Canada.

Mudslides protected ancient Vatican necropolis from ravages of time

December 12, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Slipping hillsides of clay, mud and gravel entombed an enormous necropolis below today's Vatican City State, keeping its underground "city of the dead" safely sealed for two millennia.

Central African leaders tell of humanitarian crisis in Bangui

December 12, 2013

OXFORD, England - Catholic leaders in the Central African Republic spoke of a humanitarian crisis and criticized attempts to fuel interreligious clashes in their nation.

Bishops lead protesters in prayer after night of police action in Kiev

December 11, 2013

ROME - In the deep of the freezing night, security forces moved into Ukraine's Independence Square intent on dislodging protesters who had spent weeks talking, singing and praying for their country.

Mandela 'touched my heart, my soul, my life,' says ex-fellow prisoner

December 10, 2013

JOHANNESBURG - Former South African President Nelson Mandela looked down on the tens of thousands of people gathered at his memorial service in Johannesburg and smiled as he watched them celebrate his legacy, said Andrew Mokete Mlangeni, a Catholic who was imprisoned for decades with the late anti-apartheid icon.

European body accepts Vatican report on fighting financial crime

December 10, 2013

VATICAN CITY - A European body that investigates government efforts to combat financial crimes has confirmed the Vatican has made significant progress in reducing the risk that its institutions could be used for money laundering and financing terrorism.

Ukraine protest is spiritual movement, bishop says

December 10, 2013

ROME - When Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Borys Gudziak addressed the crowds in Kiev's Independence Square Dec. 8, he focused on the youth and told them they could change the country.

Pope advances sainthood causes, including Puerto Rican schools pioneer

December 9, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of 13 candidates, including the "father of Puerto Rican public education" and the Canadian founder of a religious order dedicated to helping unwed mothers.

Pope, with Egyptian Catholic leader, prays for Middle East Christians

December 9, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Concelebrating Mass with the leader of Egypt's Coptic Catholics, Pope Francis prayed for the safety and religious liberty of Christians in the Middle East.

Mandela praised for inspiring others to uphold human dignity

December 7, 2013

WASHINGTON - Pope Francis joined church and government leaders from around the world in crediting Nelson Mandela for a steadfast commitment to promoting human rights and upholding the dignity of all people in response to the death Dec. 5 of the former president of South Africa.

Iconic Mandela had touch of humanity

December 6, 2013

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Nelson Mandela, who led the struggle to replace South Africa's apartheid regime with a multiracial democracy, died Dec. 5 at his home in Johannesburg.