International

Poor Clare sister from Maryland is elected abbess, succeeds Mother Angelica

BAL When Theresa Buck was still in high school at Mount de Sales Academy in the Baltimore suburb of Catonsville, she took a standardized assessment test meant to give some indication of the kind of career that would best suit her talents, personality and interests. Topping the list of potential careers, according to the assessment? […]

Afghan Christians Are Facing a Taliban Reign of Terror

After days of increasing dis-belief, America watched on Aug. 16 as President Joe Biden officially abandoned Afghanistan. We listened to his awkward speech as he publicly dismissed a 20-year American investment in blood and treasure while putting at risk untold thousands of Afghan lives. “America has spent $2trn in Afghanistan; more than 2,000 American lives […]

Crowd funded TV show tells the life of Christ for millions of viewers

At the end of his weekly public audience – and after unexpectedly taking a phone call in front of the cameras and the thousands of pilgrims who’d gathered in the Paul VI Hall to listen to him – Francis had his usual meet and greet with those who had listened to him preach. Among those waiting were […]

Salesians warn Venezuelan people ‘losing hope’ for country’s future

With more than 5.5 million people fleeing Venezuela in recent years because of lack of opportunities, the Salesians in the South American country are warning that the people don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. “We do not see effective responses against the coronavirus, although the situation was already very complicated before,” […]

Desperate Afghan Christians turned away at airport, aid groups say

With time running out to rescue civilians fleeing the Taliban, Afghan Christians and others whose names appear on U.S. government lists of qualified evacuees are being turned away at the airport in Kabul, representatives of aid organizations and others told CNA on August 25. “I was told by contacts from various groups working to rescue […]

This fall, papal travel will change with closure of pope’s favourite airline

After a 57-year stretch of loyalty to the same company, papal travel is set to change this fall with the closure of Italy’s national airline Alitalia, which has taken four popes to a total of 171 countries on all continents. Founded on Sept. 16, 1946, Alitalia is the flag carrier and largest airline in Italy, […]

Pope names Italian journalist to head Vatican publishing house

Pope Francis has appointed Lorenzo Fazzini, an Italian journalist, author and father of four, to be managing director of the Vatican Publishing House. The 43-year-old is the first layman to head the office, which is now operated by the Vatican Dicastery for Communication. He replaces Conventual Francis-can Father Giulio Cesareo, who had been appointed in […]

Pope names Salesian nun as dicastery secretary

Pope Francis has appointed a Salesian nun as interim secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Vatican announced. Sister Alessandra Smerilli replaces Monsignor Bruno Marie Duffé and Father Augusto Zampini, respectively secretary and assistant secretary of the Dicastery, both of whom have returned to their dioceses.” In an August 26 statement, the […]

Pope Leo XIV shares vision for papacy in age of artificial intelligence

Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms and motto: Here’s what they stand for