More than 2 billion people in over 50 countries were set to go to the polls in 2024, according to the Center for American Progress, but Pope Francis has said he is worried that people are more disconnected than ever from the governments that are meant to provide for their well-being.

The Vatican expressed its concern about the violence waged at a political rally in the United States and it offered its prayers for the nation, the victims and peace.

Popes past and present — including Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, St. John Paul II, St. Paul VI, St. John XXIII and Pope Pius XII — have championed credit unions.

St. Peter’s Basilica hired two women to its team of “sanpietrini,” the church’s specialized artisans and workers, for the first time since the basilica’s maintenance office was established 500 years ago.

Former President Donald Trump was rushed offstage by Secret Service agents as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee was campaigning in Butler, Pa., after shots were fired July 13.

At age 33, Hasina Omari has survived familial disapproval of her career choices (becoming Afghanistan’s first female fighter pilot), nearly 370 flight hours of night and weekend missions, and expecting a baby while escaping the Taliban’s takeover of her home country.

Catholics who will not be among the more than 40,000 people attending the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17-21 will be able to watch or listen to key portions of the event, including the evening revival sessions with popular Catholic speakers and musicians, including Bishop Robert E. Barron, Father Mike Schmitz and Matt Maher.

Pope Francis met July 11 with Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, head of external church relations for the Moscow Patriarchate, the Vatican announced.

The Nicaraguan government closed the country’s most prominent Catholic radio station as the Sandinista regime continues to persecute the church and increasingly infringe on citizens’ religious freedom and the ability to worship.

The Israeli military July 10 called for all Palestinians to leave Gaza City and head south, as the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace urged civilians not be targeted and “remain outside the sphere of combat.”