World News

The Laudato Si’ Higher Educational Center, led by Cardinal Fabio Baggio, launched a global alliance for ecological conversion at a March 9-10 conference at Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo. At the conference, co-sponsored by the University of Notre Dame, “we had about 90 representatives from 60 universities around the world, many ... read more

The president of the Italian Episcopal Conference expressed prayerful solidarity in a letter to the Patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic churches in the Middle East. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna lamented the “exacerbation of violence that continues to cause suffering, wounds and mourning, weighing especially on the most fragile: families, children, the elderly, the ... read more

The Pontifical Academy for Life, in collaboration with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has launched Scientists for Peace, the dicastery announced on March 11. “At a time when the language of war and the unleashing of violence are taking on a tragic global significance, which also limits scientific research, scientists and academics ... read more

(Image: CNS photo/Carlo Allegri, Reuters) Since we are halfway through Lent, it’s a good moment to consider how it’s been going. The purpose of our self-denial is conversion, as we learn to let go of control and to depend more upon God. The essence of Lent consists of a forty-day fast, originally ... read more

Competition seems an indelible mark of humanity, and far better it be directed into sporting rivalries than to military ones, writes NCR columnist Michael Sean Winters. ... read more

Every week, sometimes every day, a group of religious sisters and priests visit the imprisoned at Camp East Montana, an immigration detention center that resembles a sprawling tent city in the desert. ... read more

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain visited the cathedral there to express his support for the Catholic community amid Iranian attacks on the nation. ... read more

An Indian missionary sister in Ethiopia who was held captive by terrorists for several days in 2023 met with Pope Leo XIV on March 11. “For years I have lived in Ethiopia as a Sister of the Imitation of Christ, committed to bringing healing, hope, and love, building healthy relationships in one of ... read more

The Holy See Press Office confirmed that that Lebanon’s minister of foreign affairs called his Vatican counterpart on March 10 to request the Holy See’s help in preserving the Christian presence in southern Lebanon amid Israeli attacks on Hezbollah forces in the region. “I asked the Holy See to intervene and mediate to help ... read more

Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Father Pierre el-Raï as he renewed his appeal for prayers for peace. ... read more

Continuing his series of Wednesday general audiences on the Second Vatican Council and its documents, Pope Leo XIV devoted his March 11 audience to the Church as the People of God—a people that everyone is called to enter. ... read more

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute,and when the demon had gone out,the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.Some of them said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,he drives out demons."Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.But he knew their thoughts and said to ... read more

There is a net of love by which you can catch souls. — St. Teresa of Kolkata ... read more

Today, the mid-point of Lent, was celebrated with somewhat joyful spirit in ancient times. This day was a breathing space in the center of Lent's austerities. Today's ancient Entrance Antiphon and Opening Prayer express this encouraging spirit. Modern Lent is less austere, less in need of any breathing space. Today's lesson: be faithful to God, ... read more

The final report of the Synod on Synodality’s study group “Women’s Participation in the Life and Leadership of the Church” raises the possibility of “reformulating” certain competencies and functions of priests, deacons, and bishops to give women greater responsibility in the Church, while noting that the issue of the female diaconate “is not ripe.”“It is ... read more