International News

News from outside of Canada.

Some in Buenos Aires shocked that their humble prelate is pope

March 16, 2013

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Lawyer Diego Morales often walks past the Metropolitan Cathedral in this South American capital. He recently popped in, however, taking a moment for prayer and reflection and to give thanks for what was previously unthinkable: that local Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio would be elected pope.

Pope Francis: Don't give in to pessimism, courageously share Gospel

March 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Never give in to the devil's pessimism, discouragement and bitterness, Pope Francis said; Christians need to share the Gospel message with joy and courage because it will truly answer people's deepest needs.

Pope Francis: Choosing a Jesuit as a reformer -- on many levels

March 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The church has turned to religious orders for popes at various times over the centuries, often when in need of a reformer, and such may have been the cardinals' thinking again when they elected Pope Francis.

Latino Catholics filled with hopes for new pope

March 15, 2013

WASHINGTON - Three hours had passed since the Vatican announced the first Latin American pope, but the gathering of mostly immigrants from Central and South America couldn't stop smiling and couldn't stop building a mountain of hopes pegged to the papal election of Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

New pope 'figure of unity' for all Catholics, says USCCB president

March 15, 2013

WASHINGTON - Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, congratulated the newly elected pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who took the name Francis.

World offers words of hope, joy to Pope Francis

March 15, 2013

WASHINGTON - Catholic leaders worldwide expressed words of hope and joy in calling upon Catholics to come together as one body behind the papacy of Pope Francis.

Sequestered by conclave, cardinals missed births, rain, cellphones

March 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - While the cardinal electors were intensely praying and choosing the next pope, they were utterly unaware of the huge crowds waiting outside braving the rain and whether the smoke really worked, said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York.

Catholics must walk in Lord's presence, Pope says at first Mass

March 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Without faith in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, the Church is nothing more than a "pitiful NGO," Pope Francis said in his first homily as Pope.

Vatican releases Pope's initial schedule

March 14, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, began a briefing about the election of the Pope Francis, a Jesuit, by apologizing that he was a bit in "shock."

Latin Americans say Pope's election is recognition of global South

March 14, 2013

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Latin Americans said the election of the first Pope from the region is recognition of the role the global South plays in the Church's future.