International News

News from outside of Canada.

Pope prays for victims of Oklahoma tornado

May 21, 2013

VATICAN CITY - As the death toll rose from the massive tornado that struck near Oklahoma City May 20, Pope Francis offered a special prayer for the victims during his early morning Mass May 21 and later offered his condolences through his Twitter account.

Mideast Christians in dire straits

May 21, 2013

JERUSALEM - Extremism in Syria and Iraq is growing and could jeopardize the safety of all Christians, warned Church leaders in the region.

Philadelphia abortionist convicted of murder

May 16, 2013

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia jury May 13 found Dr. Kermit Gosnell guilty of murder in the deaths of three babies born alive during abortions and acquitted him of a fourth similar charge. He also was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death by a drug overdose of a patient who had an abortion.

Marian statue connects Pope's native city of Buenos Aires with Sardinia

May 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' native city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, has a centuries-old connection with the Italian island city of Cagliari, Sardinia.

Vatican tells Cardinal O'Brien to leave Scotland for period of prayer, penance

May 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who resigned as archbishop after admitting to sexual misconduct, will leave Scotland "for several months for the purpose of spiritual renewal, prayer and penance," the Vatican said.

Vatican bank to publish annual report, launch website

May 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - As part of ongoing efforts to promote transparency and chip away at the myths surrounding what is commonly called the Vatican bank, its new president announced it will have a website by the end of the year and will publish its annual report.

Church silent after ex-Guatemalan dictator found guilty of genocide

May 14, 2013

GUATEMALA CITY - Church officials in Guatemala did not comment in the days after a former dictator, Gen. Efrain Rios Montt, was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Asia, Africa lead growth in worldwide Church

May 13, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The number of Catholics in the world and the number of bishops, priests, religious men and seminarians all increased in 2011, while the number of women in religious orders continued to decline, according to Vatican statistics.

Pope greets 30,000 marchers in pro-life walk

May 13, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Tens of thousands of demonstrators joined peacefully in Italy's third annual March for Life May 12, which ended with a personal greeting from Pope Francis.

Pope warns comfortable living causes 'gentrification of the heart'

May 13, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis warned against "gentrification of the heart" as a consequence of comfortable living, and called on the faithful to "touch the flesh of Christ" by caring for the needy.