The head of the Tanzanian bishops’ conference warned of a growing threat from militant Islamists and urged police and government to act more forcefully against violence and intimidation.

The Boy Scouts of America’s National Council voted late May 23 to allow openly gay youths admittance as members into the 103-year-old organization, effective Jan. 1, 2014.

In the face of difficulty, it’s natural to hope just to get by, but being Christian means patiently enduring trials and overcoming oppression with love, Pope Francis said at a Mass that included special prayers for China.

Human trafficking is “a despicable activity, a disgrace for our societies, which describe themselves as civilized,” Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis will visit the birthplace of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, on the saint’s feast day, Oct. 4. The Vatican confirmed the trip May 23.

By Carol Glatz The depth of a bishop or priest's love for Jesus and his willingness to give up everything for God are the litmus test for how well the pastor is fulfilling his ministry, Pope Francis said. "We are not the face of an organization or an organizational necessity," he told hundreds of Italian bishops during a solemn ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica May 23. "We are calle...

Pope Francis received a bloodstained relic of slain Archbishop Oscar Romero as a gift from El Salvador’s President Mauricio Funes Cartagena.

Late last year, retired Bishop Pedro Casaldaliga was forced to leave his home in Sao Felix do Araguaia because of his work against squatters who had invaded indigenous land in Mato Grosso state. Bishop Casaldaliga, 85, known for his defense of the Xavante indigenous group, was whisked away by members of CIMI, the Brazilian bishops’ Indigenous Missionary Council, to a safe house for an undetermined period.Bishop Erwin Krautler of Xingu, CIMI president, has been under police protection since 2007, when he was put on a hit list for his work with landless peasants and the indigenous communities.

A Chinese priest who recently arrived in the Philippines said that, this year, he did not make his usual May trek up Sheshan hill outside Shanghai, where thousands of pilgrims offer special prayers to Mary, Help of Christians. Speaking to Catholic News Service on the condition of anonymity, the priest said that, until he left China, Shanghai priests — who currently have no bishop — were still discussing how to proceed with the month’s largest pilgrimage, May 24. Shanghai Bishop Jin Luxian died April 27; his Vatican-approved successor, Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin, is under house arrest.

Christians are called to welcome and cooperate with the good accomplished by members of other religions or no religion at all, promoting a culture of dialogue and peace, Pope Francis said.