Catholic News Service

The Archdiocese of Denver said Oct. 10 that Catholics "continue to pray for the conversion of those who carry out acts of desecration against our churches, statues and religious symbols."

The president of the Polish bishops' conference said that in meetings with a Vatican official, several church leaders criticized "disproportionate punishments" inflicted on bishops accused of cover-ups in comparison with convicted abusers.

Christian freedom means respecting other cultures and traditions rather than finding ways to impose, Pope Francis said.

Evacuated in August as the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the head of the now-interrupted Catholic mission said this is a time of "advent," waiting for God to reveal how the church can be present in the country again.

Pope Francis has signed a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Pope John Paul I, clearing the way for his beatification.

Salvadoran bishops released details on the January beatifications of Rutilio Grande, Manuel Solórzano, Nelson Rutilio Lemus and Cosme Spessotto, but also encouraged participation locally, to curb COVID-19 infections.

Pope Francis named Msgr. Diego Giovanni Ravelli as the new master of papal liturgical ceremonies, the Vatican said.

The archbishop confirmed the Biden-pope meeting indirectly: "It would be an anomaly if he did not meet the pope while in Rome," especially since Biden is the first Catholic president in 58 years.

People should ask themselves whether their faith has become a "commercial relationship" with God or if it is a relationship built on freedom, love and generosity, Pope Francis said.

As Pope Francis launched the consultation process for the 2023 Synod of Bishops at the Vatican Oct. 9-10, the Catholic Church in Australia was closing out an exercise in the process of "synodality," which the pope has described as "walking together."

Members gathered for the first assembly of Australia's Plenary Council have backed calls to ensure the Catholic Church in the country more fully embraces its liturgical diversity, particularly the rich presence of Eastern churches.

The Catholic Church must move to action to protect children and to guarantee justice for victims and survivors, said Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna.

Vatican says secretary of state will head the delegation to the U.N. climate conference in November.

Pope Francis said he intends to declare as a doctor of the church St. Irenaeus of Lyon, the second-century theologian known for his defense of orthodoxy amid the rise of gnostic sects.

Academic institutions must promote interdisciplinary studies that contribute to safeguarding creation, pope says.

A group of Black Catholic administrators is calling on "Catholic leaders to do something, to say something" about undertones of racism they say is playing out in the treatment of Haitians at the U.S.-Mexico border.

After meeting privately with Pope Francis, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters that one of the issues they discussed was the importance of the church addressing the clerical sexual abuse scandal.

The coronavirus pandemic has provided an opportunity for humanity to band together for the common good, said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge has signaled that the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will offer Catholic Church backing for an Indigenous voice in the nation's constitution.

The increasing and extreme economic inequality in the world is rooted in an ideology of individualism in which investments and prosperity are aimed only at driving profit not helping the common good, said Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher.