News/International

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.

PARIS – The powerful Grand Mosque of Paris will pull out of a new, state-sponsored Muslim foundation, criticizing “interference” in how Islam is exercised, at a time of simmering tensions surrounding France’s second-largest faith, its spokesman said.

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.

VATICAN CITY – Conveying Pope Francis' closeness to the Syrian people, a Vatican delegation visited Aleppo following the end of the hostilities that left thousands dead and the city in ruins.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Within hours after a shooting at an event that originated as a religious feast, a brigade of about 125 young Catholic evangelizers launched a "To the Streets With Christ" campaign Jan. 21, making their presence heard throughout the packed streets of Old San Juan.

VATICAN CITY – The Irish bishops are just finishing up their first ad limina visit to Rome in 10 years – a time that’s been marked by a rapid increase in secularism, the legalization of same-sex marriage and the country's tragic clerical sex abuse crisis.

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

REYNOSA, Mexico – Priests in factory towns say they're hearing concerns from parishioners as U.S. President Donald Trump demands companies stop investing into Mexico and start returning jobs north of the border.

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.

VATICAN CITY – As President Donald Trump was being sworn in, Pope Francis told an interviewer it would be "reckless" to pass judgment on the new president before he had a chance to do anything.