Coveted as a spiritual and political capital by both Israelis and Palestinians, the status of the city of Jerusalem has stood out as one of the pivotal topics in their ongoing peace negotiations.
Bishop Cornelius Arap Korir of Eldoret called on the Kenyan government to better prepare first responders in disaster-management techniques.
An Italian missionary said although Islamist extremists are targeting Christians all over the Central African Republic, “the bloodiest treatment has often been reserved for Catholic catechists.”
The election of Pope Francis inspired an immediate slew of biographies, but Stephen B. Whatley decided he would do something different — he would paint him. His oil on canvas portrait of the Argentine pope, measuring 28 inches by 20 inches, has now been unveiled at a Westminster Cathedral exhibition that runs until Aug. 22.
With admiration and big smiles all around, the lifelong soccer fan Pope Francis met the star players and coaches of the Argentine and Italian national soccer teams hoping to compete for the World Cup in 2014.
A pair of priests have been denounced to the Interior Ministry for allegedly stirring up social unrest in a southern Mexican state rife with violence and vigilante movements.
During World Youth Day celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, July 23-28, many worshippers in the crowds could be seen swaying from side to side, arms raised in the air, wearing rapt or joyous expressions on their faces.
The last formal exhortation to the 115 cardinals who elected Pope Francis in March included reminders of the importance of presenting the Catholic faith in its entirety, the need to recognize the errors of church members and the need for unity within the Catholic community.
Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo, Sri Lanka, expressed “shock and distress” in accusing the military of storming a Catholic church and firing on residents who had sought refuge there.
As part of the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to ensure that all its financial activity complies with international standards, particularly those aimed at preventing money laundering and the financing of terrorism, Pope Francis has expanded the role and the reach of the Vatican’s Financial Intelligence Authority.