World Jun 01 Vatican law now criminalizes abuse of adults by priests, laity Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly criminalize the sexual abuse of adults by priests who abuse their authority, and to say that laypeople who hold church office can be sanctioned for similar sex crimes.
World Mar 15 Vatican bars same-sex union blessing, says God ‘can’t bless sin’ The Vatican's orthodoxy office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a formal response Monday to a question about whether Catholic clergy can bless gay unions. Its conclusion was "negative."…
World Mar 07 Where IS ruled, pope calls on Christians to forgive, rebuild Pope Francis urged Iraq’s Christians on Sunday to forgive the injustices against them by Muslim extremists and to rebuild as he visited the wrecked shells of churches and met ecstatic crowds in the community’s historic heartland, which was nearly erased…
World Mar 06 Pope, top Iraq Shiite cleric deliver message of coexistence Pope Francis walked through a narrow alley in Iraq’s holy city of Najaf for a historic meeting with the country’s top Shiite cleric Saturday, and together they delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence in a country still reeling from…
World Mar 05 Pope arrives in Iraq to rally Christians despite pandemic Pope Francis arrived in Iraq on Friday to urge the country’s dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns to make his…
World Dec 27 ‘Believe in science’: EU kicks off COVID-19 vaccine campaign Doctors, nurses and the elderly rolled up their sleeves across the European Union to receive the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine Sunday in a symbolic show of unity and moment of hope for a continent confronting its worst health…
Health Dec 12 Italy’s staggering virus toll poses uncomfortable questions Italy could soon reclaim a record that nobody wants — the most coronavirus deaths in Europe — after the health care system again failed to protect the elderly and the government delayed imposing new restrictions.
World Nov 11 Pope Francis vows to end sexual abuse after report on church cover-up Pope Francis is vowing to rid the Catholic Church of sexual abuse and offering prayers to victims of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.
World Nov 10 Vatican investigation finds Pope John Paul II, other leaders downplayed or dismissed allegations against ex-Cardinal McCarrick A Vatican investigation into ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has found that a series of bishops, cardinals and popes downplayed or dismissed reports that he slept with seminarians.
World Nov 02 Vatican breaks silence, says pope’s civil union comments were taken out of context The Vatican says Pope Francis’ comments on gay civil unions were taken out of context, but still confirmed Francis’ belief that gay couples should enjoy legal protections.