MANILA, Philippines – Catholic leaders have spoken out against a drug war that has left thousands dead, and the Philippines' new president is not taking the criticism well.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Following a school shooting in Monterrey, Mexico last week, the local archbishop offered his prayers and support.

ROME, Italy – Pope Francis on Monday confirmed the election of Monsignor Fernando Ocariz Braña as Prelate of Opus Dei. The priest becomes the third successor of St. Josemaria Escriva as head of the personal prelature.

WASHINGTON – On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy, an international pro-life regulation that is generally seen as an indicator of an incoming president’s views on abortion.

EDINBURGH, Scotland – A 12 year-old boy has been charged with threatening and abusive behaviour following an incident on Tuesday at a Catholic Church in Scotland.

MONTREAL – Claude Paradis was impoverished and homeless, living on the streets of Montreal. He struggled with addiction to both alcohol and drugs, with a future so bleak, he considered ending his own life.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Fr. Francisco Lopez Sedano is an 80-year-old Mexican exorcist. In the past 40 years of service, he has conducted at least 6,000 exorcisms.

BERLIN, Germany – A German artist was fined after doing 27 pushups on a Catholic altar and posting a video of the stunt online.

CARACAS, Venezuela – The bishops of Venezuela have urged that elections take place in the country in a timely manner, in light of the crisis of hyperinflation and chronic shortages of goods facing their nation.

VATICAN CITY – In reaction to a new book claiming that Pope Francis has in fact done little to combat clerical sex abuse, and that Cardinal George Pell is implicated, the Australian cardinal's office has dismissed the claims as motivated by opposition to reform.