Pope Francis
Ukrainian Greek Catholics lament lack of support by Vatican amid war with Russia
Pope Francis recently praised Russian historical figures in a speech to Russian youth. To members of Ukraine’s Greek Catholic community, these comments were deemed "painful" amid the ongoing war with Russia, and put a spotlight on their needs and concerns.
Pope Francis apologizes to Canada's Indigenous communities. But some say it doesn't go far enough.
Pope set for historic apology for school abuses in Canada
A growing number of clerical sexual abuse survivors are coming forward in Latin America
Report reveals more than 200,000 children abused by clergy in France
Blinken pushes back against lawmakers' criticism of Afghanistan withdrawal.
Top of The World: The US’ top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, defended the country’s withdrawal from Afghanistan before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. And, Pope Francis has begun a four-day visit to Slovakia after a seven-hour stop in Hungary. Also, nearly 45% of young people interviewed in a global survey say they feel anxiety or distress about climate change
Mired in crises, Lebanon marks 1 year since horrific blast
Lebanon on Wednesday marked one year since the horrific explosion at the port of Beirut that killed more than 200 people and injured thousands.
Influential German archbishop offers to resign over church abuse
Top of The World: Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the archbishop of Munich and Freising and confidante of Pope Francis, offered to resign on Friday over the church abuse scandal. And, US President Joe Biden has expanded a blacklist of Chinese companies started by the Trump administration. Also, Facebook is reportedly planning to end a policy that exempted politicians from certain moderation rules.
Spiritual leaders seek to spur an 'ecological conversion'
From Native American traditions to Eastern thought to mainstream Catholicism, spiritual teachings call on humanity to live in harmony with nature.
What the debate over Biden receiving Communion may mean for the world
Most US Catholics believe President Biden should receive Communion, despite his stance on abortion. The push by conservative US bishops to deny him the Eucharist may have more of an impact in other countries.
Argentina's lower house approves bill legalizing abortion
Lawmakers in Argentina's lower house on Friday passed a bill that would legalize elective abortions to the 14th week of pregnancy, a proposal from President Alberto Fernández in response to long-sought demands from women's rights activists in the homeland of Pope Francis.
Confusion over Trump's health raises concerns about national security; Nagorno-Karabakh violence continues; Pope Francis says market capitalism has failed
President Donald Trump on Monday began his fourth day at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he is being treated for COVID-19. And, missile strikes and violent fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh are continuing in the mountainous Caucasus region. Also, Pope Francis said on Sunday in a new document titled “Fratelli Tutti,” that the coronavirus pandemic has shown that market capitalism has failed
COVID-19 deaths rise in Brazil; Iceland quashes virus; World leaders respond to systemic racism
Brazil recorded yet another day of record-high deaths due to the novel coronavirus, as leadership continues to shrug off the crisis. In Mexico, tens of thousands of people are returning to work in the auto factories along the US-Mexico border. World leaders, including the pope, have called out systemic racism in response to George Floyd's killing.
Coronavirus restrictions start to loosen in Europe; Oil-producing nations agree to 10% cut in output; Trump's coronavirus promises largely unfulfilled
Spain is starting to loosen some restrictions, as there are signs things are starting to improve in the fight against the novel coronavirus. Also, oil-producing nations will cut production by nearly 10%. And a month after the US declared a state of emergency, many of the president's promises to address the pandemic remain unfulfilled. And faith leaders have been confronted with many challenges to tradition in the time of the coronavirus.
Easter season goes virtual as coronavirus locks out tradition
With many churches closed or affected by coronavirus lockdown restrictions for the Easter season, Christians of various denominations around the world have come up with novel ways to keep the faith.