International News

News from outside of Canada.

For Pope, Church reform is spiritual exercise, not a project

December 5, 2013

VATICAN CITY - For Pope Francis, the reform of the Catholic Church and its structures "isn't a project, but an exercise of the Spirit" that will take time, said Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga.

Zimbabwe's bishops say country more polarized than before elections

December 5, 2013

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe is more polarized now than it was before this year's general elections, said the country's bishops.

Vatican to restart stalled talks with Egypt's Al-Azhar University

December 4, 2013

CAIRO - The Vatican will restart its stalled dialogue with Sunni Islam's main theological centre, Al-Azhar University, said Fr. Rafic Greiche, spokesman for Egypt's Catholic Church.

Ukrainian church leaders condemn police violence against protesters

December 3, 2013

KIEV, Ukraine - The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and other Catholic leaders condemned police violence against "peaceful demonstrations" after President Viktor Yanukovich's decision not to seek closer ties with the European Union.

Glasgow archbishop tells of shock as he saw images of pub crash

December 2, 2013

GLASGOW, Scotland - Glasgow Archbishop Philip Tartaglia was winding down for the evening when a police helicopter plunged through the roof of a popular pub near his cathedral, killing at least nine people.

Pope meet with Israel's Netanyahu, discusses Middle East peace

December 2, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel Dec. 2, and discussed prospects for peace in the Middle East and the pope's still-unscheduled trip to the Holy Land.

German bishops eye guidelines for divorced Catholics to take Communion

November 28, 2013

WARSAW, Poland - Church officials in Germany defended plans by the country's bishops' conference to allow some divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion, insisting they have the Pope's endorsement.

At Vatican meeting, pope discusses ongoing war in Syria with Putin

November 26, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Peace in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing war in Syria, topped the agenda Nov. 25 as Pope Francis welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Vatican.

Small acts of kindness ease hardships typhoon survivors face

November 25, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Two weeks after Super Typhoon Haiyan laid waste much of central Philippines, the exodus from the worst-hit areas brought an influx of about 15,000 evacuees to Manila where lay Catholics have been responding to pressing needs.

Pope marks 80th anniversary of 'Terror-Famine of Ukraine'

November 25, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The day before he was to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis greeted Ukrainians marking the 80th anniversary of the "Holodomor" or "Terror-Famine of Ukraine."