International

Sister Raffaella Petrini appointed president of Vatican governorate

Pope Francis has appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, as president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and president of the Governorate of Vatican City State, the Vatican announced Saturday. According to the Feb. 15 bulletin from the Holy See Press Office, Petrini will assume her new roles on March 1. She succeeds Cardinal […]

Christians in Burkina Faso face terrorist attacks, banditry

More than 200 terrorists attacked three villages in western Burkina Faso at the end of January, leaving at least 26 people dead, including at least six Christians. Houses were set ablaze by the attackers, forcing residents to flee. Less than a week later, further attacks led to more deaths. News of the terrorist assaults was […]

Kenyan bishops emphasize collective responsibility to transform nation

Ahead of the 2025 Lenten season starting on March 5, Catholic Bishops in the East African nation have reminded Christians to journey together, bear one another’s burdens and be instruments that ignite transformation in society. The Church in Kenya has themed the 40-day journey of reflection: “The Kenya we desire.” “As we reflect on The […]

Ukraine: Three years of unwavering Church relief efforts amid war

Three years of war in Ukraine have left the country in a tragic humanitarian situation. Every day, millions of Ukrainian children, women, and men face immense difficulties in surviving: over 12.7 million people are in urgent need of assistance, while 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries in search of a safe haven. […]

Continued improvement in Pope’s clinical condition confirmed

A Holy See Press Office communiqué on Thursday Feb. 27 evening confirms that Pope Francis’ clinical condition continues to show improvement. Additional days of clinical stability are needed before the prognosis can be lifted. “The Holy Father’s clinical condition is confirmed to be improving again today. He alternated high-flow oxygen therapy with a Ventimask. Due […]

Pope Francis to U.S. bishops amid mass deportations: Dignity of migrants comes first

Pope Francis addressed the bishops of the United States on Feb. 11 about the country’s ongoing mass deportation of unauthorized immigrants, urging Catholics to consider the justness of laws and policies in light of the dignity and rights of people. In a letter published Feb. 11, the pope – while supporting a nation’s right to […]

DR Congo: At least 3000 killed amid fears of widening conflict

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who captured Goma, a major city in eastern Congo’s North Kivu province, are seeking to reassure its over 2 million residents, hold-ing a rally and promising safety and stability under their admini-stration. The rally on February 06 in Goma’s city stadium was part of the efforts by the rebel group to shore […]

Mass attendance ticks back up nationa-lly after pandemic falter, data suggests

After years of uncertainty over whether in-person Mass attenda-nce numbers would ever rebound after plummeting during the COVID-era lockdowns, new data suggests that Mass attendance levels have quietly returned to 2019 levels nearly six years later. Despite the apparent uptick, however, a return to 2019 levels still means only a quarter of U.S. Catholics attend […]

Salesians elect Maltese priest Fabio Attard as Don Bosco’s 11th successor

Pope Francis does not accept Cardinal Koch’s resignation: could continue at least until anniversary of Council of Nicea