The Vatican this week called for an “urgent” delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria. “Recent developments coming from Syria seem to reinforce the feeling of helplessness in front of an endless human tragedy,” said Monsignor Richard Gyhra, chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations. Gyhra Read more
The number of baptized Catholics in Europe is growing, showed figures released by the Vatican this week. Data from the Vatican’s Central Office for Church Statistics show that the Church in Europe grew by two percent between 2005 and 2014. Although 40 percent of the continent is Catholic, that figure has not changed in nearly Read more
The Vatican will hold a consistory on March 15 to approve the canonization of five men and women, including Blessed Teresa of Kolkata. The meeting, also known as an “ordinary public consistory,” formally ends the process of approving a new saint. Vatican observers expect that Blessed Teresa’s canonization will take place on Sept. 4, the Read more
The Vatican on Wednesday said there is “a lack of political will on the part of the different institutions of the international community” to address attacks on the right of religious freedom. The comments were made during a United Nations Human Rights Council discussion on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion Read more
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi described the testimony made by Cardinal George Pell before the royal commission into child sexual abuse as “dignified.” Pell “must be accorded the appropriate acknowledgment for his dignified and coherent personal testimony, from which yet again there emerges an objective and lucid picture of the errors committed in many ecclesial Read more
The Vatican released Pope Francis’ liturgical schedule for March and April, including Holy Week and Easter. The pope’s schedule includes a penitential celebration and a consistory for several causes of canonization. However, the schedule does not say where he will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Greg Burke, vice director of the Read more
Pope Francis’s secretary, 34-year-old Miriam Wuolou of Eritrea, was found dead earlier this week — and the Vatican is calling foul. Wuolou’s body was discovered in her Rome apartment by police after her brother raised concern that she wasn’t answering her phone. She was seven months pregnant and suffered from diabetes, which can prove dangerous Read more
In many ways, the story of the church starts with Peter. With the words, “And I tell you, Peter, that on this rock I will build my church,” Jesus appoints Peter as head of his new church and charges him with the responsibility to build it from the ground (Matt. 16). Throughout the centuries, biblical Read more
Praying for action on climate change and a kava ceremony in the heart of the Catholic church were all part of the journey leading up to last year’s momentous Paris climate change talks, according to the leader of the Pacific Climate Warriors. Koreti Tiumalu told the ‘In the Eye of the Storm‘ climate change conference Read more
The Vatican is reportedly investigating a possible miracle which may lead to the canonisation of Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman. The Archdiocese of Chicago has investigated the inexplicable healing of a young American mother who prayed for Cardinal Newman’s intercession when she became afflicted by a “life-threatening pregnancy”. Doctors who treated her reported that they Read more