International

Pope cancels Dubai trip although Vatican says his health is improving

By OSV News | November 30, 2023 | 0 Comments

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – “With great regret”, Pope Francis has accepted his doctors’ advice to not travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from December 1-3 and is looking at alternative ways the Vatican can participate in the UN Climate Change Conference, the director of the Vatican press office said. The … Read More about Pope cancels Dubai trip although Vatican says his health is improving

Bishop Barron criticises synod report’s suggestion scientific advances could shift Church morality teaching

By OSV News | November 28, 2023 | 2 Comments

(OSV News) – Bishop Robert Barron said he is in “frank disagreement” with a section of a report from the Synod on Synodality indicating that scientific advances could prompt “rethinking” of the Church’s teaching on sexual morality. In an essay titled “My Experience of the Synod” published on November 21 on the website … Read More about Bishop Barron criticises synod report’s suggestion scientific advances could shift Church morality teaching

The real bishop behind Les Misérables is on the path to sainthood

By OSV News | November 24, 2023 | 1 Comment

PARIS (OSV News) – If classical literature characters could become saints, France has a perfect example. The real bishop behind Victor Hugo’s famous Les Misérables character is likely to be beatified. The French bishops, gathered in Lourdes from November 3-8 for their plenary assembly, voted in favour of opening the diocesan … Read More about The real bishop behind Les Misérables is on the path to sainthood

Israel agrees to hostage deal with Hamas; church leaders hope it will lead to end of war

By OSV News | November 23, 2023 | 1 Comment

JERUSALEM (OSV News) — The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, expressed his happiness at the late-night hostage-exchange agreement reached between Israel and Hamas Nov. 21, and said he hoped it would lead to end to the war which broke out after an Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on 22 … Read More about Israel agrees to hostage deal with Hamas; church leaders hope it will lead to end of war

Vatican aims to have a net-zero-emissions vehicle fleet by 2030

By OSV News | November 22, 2023 | 1 Comment

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – As part of a plan to reduce its CO2 footprint, Vatican City State has launched a programme to replace its existing vehicle fleet with electric vehicles. The city state’s “Ecological Conversion 2030” programme includes making all its vehicles CO2-neutral by 2030, according to a press release … Read More about Vatican aims to have a net-zero-emissions vehicle fleet by 2030

Catholics must not join Masonic groups, membership remains serious sin

By OSV News | November 16, 2023 | 4 Comments

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Catholics are still forbidden from joining Masonic organisations and, with an increasing number of Catholics joining Masonic lodges in the Philippines, the Vatican has urged the nation’s bishops to find a way to make clear the Church’s continued opposition to Freemasonry. “Membership in Freemasonry is very … Read More about Catholics must not join Masonic groups, membership remains serious sin