News/International
Education, trauma counseling key to helping Syrian refugees in Lebanon
By Dale Gavlak, Catholic News ServiceZAHLE, Lebanon – On a rainy spring day, the misery of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees is compounded as they shelter in dilapidated shanties dotting a long muddy swathe of the verdant Bekaa Valley.
Ex-Vatican PR consultant loves Trump even if Pope Francis doesn’t
By Rosie Scammell, Religion News ServiceROME – It’s hard to see how Francesca Chaouqui could find herself any more at odds with Pope Francis than she already is, given that the Italian PR consultant is on trial in the Vatican for leaking sensitive documents that made the pontiff’s reform efforts look bad.
Pope reminds world of suffering in war-torn Ukraine
By Gaby Maniscalco, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Pope Francis' pleas for humanitarian aid for Ukraine is bringing needed attention to a forgotten war, said Ukrainian Catholic leaders.
Young nun, postulants among hundreds of Ecuador earthquake victims
By Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON – Six members of the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother, including a young nun from Northern Ireland, are among the dead in the strongest earthquake to strike Ecuador since 1979.
From nightmare to dream: Syrian refugees thank Pope for safety
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceROME – After less than 48 hours in Rome, "dream" is the word used most often by the six Syrian adults Pope Francis brought back to Italy with him from a refugee camp in Greece.
Kenyan nun killed in Yemen remembered during memorial Mass
By Francis Njuguna, Catholic News ServiceNAIROBI, Kenya – A Kenyan member of the Missionaries of Charity killed in an attack on a nursing home in Yemen was remembered during a memorial Mass as defending her Catholic faith at the time of her death.
'It makes you weep,' Pope says of refugees' stories
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM GREECE – When an aide suggested Pope Francis offer to fly some Syrian refugees back to Rome with him, the pope said he agreed immediately because it was "an inspiration of the Holy Spirit."
Stigma, lack of health care, fake drugs impeding HIV fight, speakers say
By Carol Glatz , Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – The fight against HIV/AIDS is being hampered by continued stigma against those who are infected, a lack of access to appropriate medical care and fake antiretroviral drugs pedaled on the black market, said activists taking part in a Caritas Internationalis conference that wrapped up this week.
Pope prays for refugees, brings 12 Syrians back to Rome
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceMYTILENE, Greece – Pope Francis' five-hour visit to Greece ended with him offering safe passage to Italy to 12 Syrian Muslims, half under the age of 18.
Pope, Orthodox leaders listen to cries of refugees, urge help
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceMYTILENE, Greece – Although their speeches were punctuated with policy appeals, Pope Francis and Orthodox leaders focused their visit to the island of Lesbos on the faces, stories and drawings of refugees.
Bernie Sanders says invite to Vatican not an endorsement
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said attending a Vatican conference on Catholic social teaching did not represent a political endorsement of his run for higher office.