• Amid Israel-Hamas war, Pope Francis calls for worldwide peace on Christmas

    Amid Israel-Hamas war, Pope Francis calls for worldwide peace on Christmas

    Dec 25, 2023 02:18 PM EDT

    ... Bethlehem “is a place of sorrow and silence” this year. Francis’ annual “Urbi et Orbi” ("To the City and the World") speech typically offers a lament of all the misery facing the world, and this year’s edition was no different. From Armenia and Azerbaijan to Syria and Yemen, Ukraine ...

  • Vatican prosecutor seeks new trial after cardinal's embezzlement conviction

    Vatican prosecutor seeks new trial after cardinal's embezzlement conviction

    Dec 22, 2023 07:33 PM EDT

    ... given to prosecutors, which he said resulted in an investigation and trial that were “well distant from those adopted in a state of law.” He lamented that the defense wasn't allowed to call the pope or the Vatican secretary of state as witnesses, even though other testimony and documentation ...

  • As Israel expands ground war against Hamas, Gaza death toll exceeds 20,000

    As Israel expands ground war against Hamas, Gaza death toll exceeds 20,000

    Dec 22, 2023 03:59 PM EDT

    Martin Griffiths, the U.N. humanitarian affairs chief, lamented the world’s inaction. “That such a brutal conflict has been allowed to continue and for this long — despite the widespread condemnation, the physical and mental toll and the massive destruction — is an indelible stain on our collective conscience,” he wrote ...

  • Palestinian Christians prepare for a somber Christmas amid war as many grieve

    Palestinian Christians prepare for a somber Christmas amid war as many grieve

    Dec 22, 2023 02:42 PM EDT

    ... signed by several Christian pastoral leaders in Bethlehem. Addressed to President Joe Biden, it asked him to help stop the war. The signatories said they lamented all deaths, Palestinian and Israeli. “We want a constant and comprehensive ceasefire. Enough death. Enough destruction. ... This is our call and prayer this Christmas ...

  • At Iowa rally, Trump doubles down on comments about immigrants poisoning the nation's blood

    At Iowa rally, Trump doubles down on comments about immigrants poisoning the nation's blood

    Dec 20, 2023 03:14 PM EDT

    ... evidence, that they bring crime and potentially disease with them. "They come from Africa, they come from Asia, they come from South America," he said, lamenting what he said was a "border catastrophe." Trump made no mention of the Colorado Supreme Court's decision Tuesday to disqualify him from the ...

  • News Wrap: Ukraine commander says weapons in short supply

    News Wrap: Ukraine commander says weapons in short supply

    Dec 18, 2023 11:45 PM EDT

    ... a defense agreement with Finland, Pope Francis approved a policy change allowing priests to bless same-sex couples and a trial for democracy activist Jimmy Lye opened in Hong Kong as part of China's campaign to crush dissidents. ... Geoff Bennett: In the day's other headlines: A front-line ...

  • Migrants face eviction from emergency shelters in New York City as holidays approach

    Migrants face eviction from emergency shelters in New York City as holidays approach

    Dec 16, 2023 11:37 PM EDT

    ... been staying with her sister and two young nieces for the past four months. “They are going to leave me out in the cold,” Vasquez lamented in Spanish one chilly morning this month outside the hotel. “We don’t have an escape plan. The situation is difficult, even more so ...

  • Vatican cardinal sentenced to 5½ years in prison after being convicted of embezzlement

    Vatican cardinal sentenced to 5½ years in prison after being convicted of embezzlement

    Dec 16, 2023 06:52 PM EDT

    ... fair trial. The defense attorneys did praise Judge Giuseppe Pignatone's even-handedness and said they were able to present their arguments amply. But they lamented the Vatican’s outdated procedural norms gave prosecutors enormous leeway to withhold evidence and otherwise pursue their investigation nearly unimpeded. Andrea Tornielli, the Vatican ...

  • A quarter of United Methodist churches in U.S. have left during split

    A quarter of United Methodist churches in U.S. have left during split

    Dec 15, 2023 03:41 PM EDT

    ... don't know anyone that doesn't want everybody to live into what they believe God is calling them to do." Bickerton said he particularly laments the departure of many churches that are longtime, rural-area fixtures. "When Methodism came to the United States, it went to where the people ...

  • Argentina's newly sworn-in President Milei warns of shock adjustment to economy

    Argentina's newly sworn-in President Milei warns of shock adjustment to economy

    Dec 10, 2023 10:51 PM EDT

    ... of supporters in the capital, Buenos Aires. “We don’t desire the hard decisions that will be need to be made in coming weeks, but lamentably they didn't leave us any option.” South America's second largest economy is suffering 143 percent annual inflation, the currency has plunged and ...