Catholic News Service

Russia's bishops said Catholics face dilemmas responding to a mass call-up for the war in Ukraine, and they urged President Vladimir Putin's government to recognize conscientious objection.

Pope Francis' theme for the next World Communications Day is a call for a peaceful dialogue that allows for uncomfortable truths to be spoken of without resorting to contentious and hostile debate, the Vatican announced.

While praising schools and universities that have developed education programs specifically for migrants and refugees, Pope Francis told them they also have work to do with their own students and staff.

One of the most powerful hurricanes in Florida's history, Hurricane Ian made landfall Sept. 28 in a direct hit on the Sunshine State with the extent of the damage not yet known in the Catholic dioceses of Venice and St. Petersburg.

Pope Francis said that while he has defined Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "unacceptable, repugnant, senseless aggression, barbaric (and) sacrilegious," he also said that too many people have taken a simplistic view of the war.

Damage inflicted to church properties throughout the Maritimes by post-tropical storm Fiona has yet to be tabulated, but it seems for the most part Catholic Church property escaped relatively unscathed after one of the strongest weather systems to ever hit Atlantic Canada.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's warnings that he would consider using nuclear weapons is a "repugnant threat" that shows the urgency of moving to eliminate nuclear weapons from arsenals around the world, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

As the Tampa Bay area on Florida's west coast prepared for Hurricane Ian, Bishop Gregory Parkes of St. Petersburg invited all in the diocese to pray to God "for the protection of life and property as we face this serious threat."

Jesus never abandons, coerces or blackmails anyone when they stray, rather, he patiently waits and is "our greatest and most faithful friend," Pope Francis said.

"The sustainability of tourism, in fact, is measured not only in terms of pollution, but also in the impact on the biodiversity of natural and social ecosystems," Cardinal Michael Czerny said.

Church groups in the Philippines issued an emergency appeal for aid to assist thousands of victims after Typhoon Noru hit the country, Catholics in Vietnam's central provinces evacuated ahead of the storm.

The archbishop of San Salvador found himself under verbal fire for seeming to back reelection efforts by the Salvadoran president, even though the country's constitution limits the post to one term.

Religious leaders in Ukraine called for safe return of prisoners of war, civilian hostages and all those who were forcibly taken to Russia.

A Vatican diplomat in southern Africa warned that deprivation and poverty among the laity could obstruct Pope Francis' vision of synodality in the region, where the challenges are widespread.

Biological engineering, such as gene therapy for treating human disease, is making such swift advancements that the public's knowledge and understanding of what is happening and what ethical and legal guidelines are needed are lagging too far behind, said speakers at a Vatican conference.

The Supreme Court begins its new term Oct. 3, jumping right back into the fray with cases that take on affirmative action, voting, immigration, the environment and freedom of speech.

Australian Archbishop Mark Coleridge will conduct an investigation into retired Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome, using a process established by Pope Francis in 2019.

A new economic model must be "an economy of friendship with the earth and an economy of peace," the pope said at the closing session of the Economy of Francesco event in Assisi.

"There has been six months of extreme weather and climate chaos" in Pakistan ahead of a historic monsoon season that has led to levels of destruction "hard to comprehend," said Columban Fr. Liam O'Callaghan.

Marking the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis called on everyone to work together to build a more inclusive and fraternal future.