While the 88-year-old pope was back at the Vatican and had appeared briefly on the balcony of Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 23, the Sunday he was discharged, to offer his blessing, he was following doctors’ orders to rest and did not make a televised or public appearance.
World News
Toddler’s recovery from drowning attributed to Blessed McGivney novena
An Arizona couple whose toddler survived a drowning incident March 2 is attributing his miraculous recovery to intercessions from Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, along with a multitude of saints and what they count as thousands of prayers from across the country and the world.
As Kansas Catholics pray, a Satanic group’s ‘black mass’ turns violent, with arrests
A Satanic group’s effort to conduct a “black mass” at the Kansas Statehouse March 28 turned violent, leading to arrests, while across the street the state’s Catholic archbishop led hundreds in peaceful prayer before the Eucharist for those who “seek to mock our merciful God.”
Tragic earthquake hits war-torn Myanmar, with massive death toll and little aid
On March 28, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the Mandalay-Sagaing region in southwestern Myanmar, causing multistory buildings to collapse and raising concerns about a significant death toll.
Pope Francis prays for victims of deadly wildfires in South Korea
Pope Francis offered prayers and expressed deep concern over the deadly wildfires in South Korea, which have claimed at least 28 lives and caused widespread damage.
St. John Paul II’s worldview spreads to new generations via camping, YouTube, travel
Camp Wojtyla is one of numerous Catholic organizations in the U.S. inspired by St. John Paul and his deep faith, intellect and cultural perception, and dedicated to his model of evangelization.
First Christian lay-led hospital in Bangladesh will tend to the poor with special fund
The Charity Fund of Divine Mercy Hospital was launched March 24 in the capital city of Dhaka to provide medical care to the poorest patients in Bangladesh.
Brother of Terri Schiavo says fight to protect life at all stages more urgent than ever
Bobby Schindler spoke about Terri Schiavo ahead of the 20th anniversary of her death — a death that followed a years-long legal battle that made international headlines and captured the attention of then-President George W. Bush, U.S. members of Congress and even the Vatican.
After Notre Dame, another iconic French church will get its spire back after 180 years
Following the restoration of Notre Dame in Paris, significant work began in March on the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis basilica, located near Paris. This historic site, known as the necropolis of French kings, is undergoing a major reconstruction project.
Papal preacher: Measure your life by Christ, not social media likes
Christians should resist the temptation to be swayed by applause, popularity or approval, especially in a culture driven by social media and instant recognition, instead grounding their lives firmly in Christ, the preacher of the papal household said.
Australian sociologist: Church must tackle clergy sexual misconduct with adults
A possible 50 percent of priests are unchaste, a sociologist who studies clergy sexual abuse and misconduct told a webinar audience March 24.
Seitz: U.S. policy shift making migrants fearful, creating a less welcoming nation
OSV News interviewed Bishop Mark J. Seitz, who heads that diocese, for his thoughts on current U.S. immigration policy and the challenges faced by those he serves in his borderlands community. Bishop Seitz currently chairs the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration.