NEWS

Faye Arellano says that for Filipinos living overseas, faith is the most important thing that they carry with them. Pope Francis is expected to visit the Philippines, Asia’s most-Catholic nation, Jan. 15-19.

Papal visit a 'healing balm' to long-suffering Filipinos, says Canadian

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The pastoral visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines, which culminates Jan. 18 at an outdoor Mass expected to draw more than four million people, is being dubbed as a “mercy and compassion visit,” said Faye Arellano of Toronto.

Father Matthieu Dauchez, director of The Blessed Charles de Foucauld Home for Girls, poses with residents Jan. 13 in Manila, Philippines. Father Dauchez said there are between 6,000 to 10,000 street children in metro Manila.

Former street kids want Pope to visit during Philippines papal visit

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MANILA, Philippines - Father Matthieu Dauchez knows the children he works with are not the only poor people in the Philippines, but that has not stopped him from lobbying loudly and praying constantly that Pope Francis will stop by.

Pope Francis releases a dove at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary in Madhu, Sri Lanka, Jan. 14.

In Madhu, pope tells Sri Lankans reconciliation requires repentance

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Pope Francis told Sri Lankans seeking reconciliation after two-and-a-half decades of civil war that, before they can forgive each other, they must repent of their own sins.

Auxiliary Bishop Matthias Heinrich of Berlin makes remarks during a Jan. 13 vigil in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The vigil was organized by Muslim groups for the victims of the Jan. 7 shootings by gunmen at the Paris offices of the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo

German Catholics criticize anti-Islam marches, but urge understanding

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OXFORD, England - German Church leaders have criticized an anti-Islamic movement that staged mass demonstrations in Dresden and other cities, but they also urged a better understanding of public fears.

Pilgrims from Goa, India, hold a sign thanking Pope Francis before the canonization Mass of St. Joseph Vaz at Galle Face Green in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 14. St. Vaz was born in Goa.

Pope proclaims Joseph Vaz Sri Lanka's first saint

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Canonizing Sri Lanka's first saint, who ministered to Catholics under persecution three centuries earlier, Pope Francis proclaimed what he called the "fundamental human right" of religious freedom.
Members of the Yezidi religious minority who fled from violence in Mosul, Iraq, receive humanitarian aid Aug. 21 in Dohuk province, in the northern part of the country. Catholic relief agencies are trying raise more money for additional aid in the region.

Funding for D&P to help Iraqi refugees through winter

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Thousands of refugees who fled Mosul, Iraq, six months ago, now living in tents near the border with Turkey, will get more stable and winter-ready housing thanks to an extra $2.4 million in government funding given to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.

Pope Francis accepts a card from Filipino reporter Lynda Jumilla Abalos of ABSCBN television while greeting media aboard the papal flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 12. The card was made by the children of the journalist to welcome the pope to the Philippines.

Filipino Catholic media already planning follow-up to papal visit

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MANILA, Philippines - Long before Pope Francis left the Vatican for his January trip to Asia, Jesuit Father Emmanuel "Nono" Alfonso and his colleagues were already working on the "what's next" part of hosting a papal trip.

Syrian refugees warm themselves around a fire Dec. 3 in Ankara, Turkey. Martin Mark, right, executive director of Office of Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto welcomes Canada’s pledge to bring in more refugees from the Middle East, but wished the government had consulted with refugee advocates before making its announcement.

Catholic sponsors set to answer call as Canada to take in 13,000 refugees

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TORONTO - Catholic refugee sponsors stand ready to do their part in bringing 10,000 Syrian refugees to Canada, but they want to hear more from the federal government about its plans.

Bishops from around the world pray during a Jan. 12 Mass at the Carmelite Monastery in Bethlehem, West Bank. Sixteen bishops of the Holy Land Coordination were on a two-day visit to Gaza Jan 11-12.

Bishops see signs of resilience in Gaza, despite destruction

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BETHLEHEM, West Bank - Despite the immense destruction still evident in Gaza following the war there last summer, the resilience of the people gave hope to 16 bishops of the Holy Land Coordination during their visit to the Gaza Strip Jan. 11-12.

Toronto Tamil Catholics will gather for a Mass of thanksgiving to celebrate the canonization of Joseph Vaz Jan. 18 at St. Theresa's Shrine of the Little Flower Church.

Toronto Tamils welcome Pope's 'message of healing'

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TORONTO - Pope Francis’ mission of healing to Sri Lanka will be a critical moment for Toronto’s huge Tamil community, which includes thousands of refugees still mourning relatives killed in the 26-year Sri Lankan civil war, said Tamil priest and theologian Fr. Joseph Chandrakanthan.

Pope Francis and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena visit in a presidential office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 13.

Pope tells Sri Lankans reconciliation means dialogue, 'pursuit of truth'

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Arriving in Sri Lanka, a country recovering from two-and-a-half decades of ethnic and religious civil war, Pope Francis said reconciliation would require its people to explore their painful recent history and accept persistent differences within their multicultural society.

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