International

Ukraine’s Catholic leader says Biden visit generated new hope

Ukraine’s top Catholic prelate says the surprise visit of US President Joe Biden on Monday has given the country’s people new hope on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Speaking via Zoom with a handful of Italian journalists, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said “the Russian army has literally […]

Francis says Popes, Jesuit generals normally should reign ‘for life’

Pope Francis revealed a slightly wary take on papal resignations in a candid conversation with his fellow Jesuits during a recent trip to Africa, saying he believes the papacy is for life and that stepping down should not become a habit in Catholicism. The pope was in Africa Jan. 31-Feb. 5, visiting both the Democratic […]

Pope Francis planning India, Mongolia trips after Lisbon, Marseille

Pope Francis said on February 5 he is planning to visit India next year and is studying a possible trip to Mongolia later in 2023 in what would be a first for a Pope. The Pope outlined his upcoming travel schedule during his flight back to Rome from South Sudan, wire agency AP reported. He confirmed that he […]

No clarity in Cardinal Grech’s view of the Synod

Addressing the European assembly of the Synod on Synodality, Cardinal Mario Grech—the secretary-general of the Synod—has given a strong indication of the Vatican’s plans for the worldwide assembly. In a homily preached during Mass at Saint Vitus cathedral in Prague on February 8, Cardinal Grech prayed that “our endeavour not become an exercise in exclusive […]

European Catholics debate final outcome of Synod on Synodality assembly in Prague

European Catholics debated on February 9 morning the contents of a final document that will influence the discussions of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican in the fall. On the final day of public speeches in Prague on Feb. 9, the 200 delegates at the European Continental Assembly were asked if the assembly’s final […]

Pope Benedict’s Parting Challenge

With all that has been said about the passing of Pope Benedict XVI, most of it neglects the larger historical context—his prediction of the end of our era and his vision for the one to follow it. One must begin back in the decade following the horrors of World War I in April 1917. By […]

Many Ukrainians are fleeing to the Greek Catholic Church in Lviv, which has a long and complex history in the Orthodox faith

Since its creation in the 16th century, this church has been an important cultural and intellectual resource for Ukrainian id-entity. Most Ukrainians regard themselves as Orthodox, not Catholic. But with anywhere from 4.5 million to 6.5 million members, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is the third-largest church in Ukraine, representing about 10% to 15% of the Ukrainian population. Despite […]

Chinese Christians start prayer campaign amid state purge

Members of a Protestant House Church in northern China, forcibly shut down last year, launched a prayer campaign for the well-being of detained pastors, leaders, and their family members amid a government crackdown, says a report. Five prayer requests were sent to the members as the authorities in the Yadou district of Shanxi province have […]

Indian bishops slam terror attack on tourists in India’s Kashmir

No action taken against police who assaulted Catholic priests in India