World News

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed: Scotland bishops on assisted suicide legislation: ‘Safeguards do not work’ The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is urging Catholics to express opposition to the latest assisted suicide legislation proposed in the country to their representatives in Parliament. “One ... read more

Courtesy of Father Nicholas Vaskov Visitors are only permitted to ascend the Holy Stairs replica on their knees. For nearly 100 years, pilgrims have ascended St. Patrick’s marble stairs, experiencing Christ’s Passion and the vision of a pastor devoted to the poor. ... read more

“The Faithful: Women of the Bible” follows the stories of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel and how each of these women shaped the story of salvation. Left to right: Actress Natacha Karam as Hagar, Minnie Driver as Sarah, and actor Jeffrey Donovan as Abraham in Fox’s “The Faithful: Women ... read more

A new biblical series will depict the Book of Genesis through the eyes of the book’s most well-known women. “The Faithful: Women of the Bible” follows the stories of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel and how each of these women, and their descendants, shaped the story of salvation.The three-week event will begin airing on ... read more

The Focolare Movement‘s general assembly reelected Margaret Karram, its leader since 2021, to a second five-year term as president. ... read more

Two Polish priests who have ministered in Belarus for over a decade have left the country after the government refused to permit their continued ministry in the nation. Bishop Antoni Dziemianko of Pinsk described the “forced departure” of Fathers Paweł Kruczek and Adam Straczyński as “very painful.” Belarus, an Eastern European nation of ... read more

Mary Harper explains the positive dimension of choosing what to wear and what it can express, urging Catholics to invite the Holy Spirit into their fashion choices. According to Catholic author Mary Harper, the way we dress can be a way to express faith, human dignity, and personal identity. Harper, author of “The Liturgical Style ... read more

According to Catholic author Mary Harper, the way we dress can be a way to express faith, human dignity, and personal identity.Harper, author of “The Liturgical Style Guide,” in which she explores how faith should influence how we dress, noted that the Bible shows the symbolic importance of clothing: “It’s actually pretty amazing how, throughout ... read more

Pope Leo XIV received Msgr. Karel Orlita and Father Francesco Bamonte, I.C.M.S., the president and vice president of the International Association of Exorcists, in a half-hour audience on March 13. The exorcists, according to a statement issued by the association, discussed “the painful and increasingly widespread situation of people seriously disturbed by the extraordinary ... read more

Amid the Iran war, Masses have been suspended in Qatar, and all pastoral activities except for Masses have been suspended in Bahrain and Kuwait. “There is also concern about Holy Week,” Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., the vicar apostolic of Northern Arabia, told Agenzia Fides, the news agency of the Pontifical Mission Societies. “We have ... read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, sent a message in Pope Leo XIV’s name to participants in a webinar for the International Day of Mathematics. “His Holiness encourages the participants to consider how mathematicians can be hopeful signs to the wider world,” Cardinal Parolin wrote in his March 13 ... read more

Father Roberto Pasolini, the Preacher of the Papal Household, devoted his second weekly Lenten sermon to “Fraternity: The grace and responsibility of fraternal communion” (full text). ... read more

Luis Nava, a high school freshman at the International Academy in Michigan, takes to heart that he wants to be ready to answer any questions from his peers but also to better understand his Catholic faith. He began an online newspaper called The Catholic Michigander, where he tackles some of those questions and more.Nava is ... read more

Luis Nava, a high school freshman in Lake Orion, Michigan, felt inspired to help peers find their voice and live their Catholic faith. Luis Nava, a freshman at the International Academy and an alumnus of St. Joseph School in Lake Orion, Michigan, shares a presentation about his online newspaper, The ... read more

Pope Leo expressed his gratitude to members of the FADICA Catholic philanthropy network as the organization celebrated its 50th anniversary. “Jesus taught us that in discerning how to help our neighbor, we must imitate the example of the Good Samaritan, who selflessly gave of his time and resources to someone whom he had ... read more