World News

Pence at Georgetown says US should lead on religious liberty worldwide, addresses McCarthy ouster

October 5, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: 2024 Election, Feature, News, U.S. Congress, World News

Former Vice President Mike Pence Oct. 3 called himself “deeply disappointed” by California Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as speaker of the House of Representatives that same day, after eight House Republicans joined with Democrats to remove McCarthy from the role, the first such move in the history of the U.S. House.

Motherhood is not a liability but a gift to women, Vatican says at U.N.

October 5, 2023
By Justin McLellan
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News

Through a “narrow focus on pregnancy prevention” and the promotion of abortion, many international organizations too often view motherhood as a liability to the advancement of women, the Vatican said.

First Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage draws thousands to national shrine

October 5, 2023
By Rebecca W. Martin
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News

Over 3,000 pilgrims from across the United States filled the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Sept. 30, drawn by a shared love of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the rosary.

Synod begins work with focus on Holy Spirit and listening

October 4, 2023
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News

Pope Francis opened the work of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops asking members to meditate on ancient theological texts about the Holy Spirit, have the courage to be honest about their disagreements and focus much more on listening than on sharing their opinions.

For synod, questions around women’s diaconate run right through the priesthood

October 4, 2023
By Kimberly Heatherington
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News

As the Synod on Synodality opened Oct. 4 in Rome, among the most closely watched topics under discussion is the question of whether the Catholic Church can or will extend the permanent diaconate — restored after the Second Vatican Council — to women.

Pope, in document on climate crisis, criticizes science ‘deniers’

October 4, 2023
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Environment, Feature, News, Vatican, World News

After warning the world against ignoring the cries of the earth and the poor with his 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home,” Pope Francis intensified his critique with “Laudate Deum” (“Praise God”), warning against the selfish obsession with human power and the “irresponsible derision” of the reality of climate change.

House ousts McCarthy as speaker, setting stage for contentious debate over successor

October 4, 2023
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, U.S. Congress, World News

Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker of the House of Representatives Oct. 3, after eight House Republicans joined with Democrats to remove him from the role in a historic vote, setting the stage for a contentious process to elect a new speaker.

Pope addresses fears around synod: ‘Not a political gathering’

October 4, 2023
By Justin McLellan
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News

Members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops are not gathered in Rome to implement a “plan of reformation” but to walk together as a church that discerns God’s will for the present moment, Pope Francis said at the assembly’s opening Mass.

Pope gives Curia assignments to new cardinals

October 4, 2023
By Catholic News Service
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News

Four days after creating new cardinals, Pope Francis gave an extra job or two to the 18 prelates who are under the retirement age of 80.

U.S. delegates say prayer is key to preparation for synod

October 4, 2023
By Maria Wiering
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, World News

Bishop Rhoades is one of 14 U.S. bishops participating in the synod’s Oct. 4-29 general assembly meeting. Ten other voting nonbishop delegates appointed by Pope Francis also are attending from the United States and Canada.

Cardinal Burke says his concerns about synod are sign of faith

October 3, 2023
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, World News

U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke said when he and four other cardinals formally asked Pope Francis to respond to questions related to the synod on synodality, they were seeking reassurances about the “perennial truths” taught by the church and not attacking the person of Pope Francis.

Nicaraguan priests kidnapped from parishes amid continued crackdown on church

October 3, 2023
By David Agren
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News

A pair of priests have been reported abducted from their parishes in Nicaragua as the country’s increasingly totalitarian regime continues cracking down on the Catholic Church and silencing all dissenting voices.