Vatican News - English

Malawians encouraged to be evangelizers to the ends of the earth

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 15:31:34 GMT

The Malawian Pontifical Missionary Society launches preparations three months ahead of World Mission Sunday celebrated annually in October.

Fifth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy postponed to 2021

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 15:02:35 GMT

The World Apostolic Congress on Mercy reschedules its fifth Congress to 10 – 15 August 2021, due to restrictions caused by the Covid-19 crisis.

Lebanon’s government quits over deadly explosion

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 14:03:26 GMT

Lebanon’s prime minister and cabinet resign in response to outrage over last week’s massive explosion in Beirut.

Belarus opposition leader flees to Lithuania amid crackdown

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 13:59:51 GMT

The primary political opponent of the longtime president of Belarus has reportedly fled the nation amid a massive police crackdown on protests. Lithuania says it provides shelter to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who earlier brought her young children outside the country.

Lebanon: ‘message of fraternity – east and west’

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 12:39:52 GMT

The Eparch of the Eparchy of St Maron of Brooklyn expresses “great hope” that Lebanon will once again flourish and “make her way back to being that ‘Switzerland’ of the Middle East.”

Mauritius: fear of major ecological crisis

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 12:07:27 GMT

Mauritius is preparing for the worst after a Japanese oil tanker struck a coral reef on 25 July and began leaking over 1,000 tons of oil.

Pope baptizes Siamese twins, mother thanks him

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 10:21:57 GMT

Hermine Nzotto, the mother of conjoined baby girls who were successfully separated in an extraordinary surgery at Rome’s Bambino Gesù hospital in June, writes to Pope Francis, thanking him for baptizing her daughters a few days ago.

Pope expresses gratitude to Knights of Columbus for 'creativity of charity'

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 09:50:58 GMT

Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin writes on behalf of Pope Francis to the Knights of Columbus, saying Pope Francis is grateful for their contribution to the Church's mission of evangelization.

Nigerian Bishops: "Stop the killing"

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:05:36 GMT

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) expresses concern on insecurity in the country and calls on the government to “put a complete stop to the killing of innocent people.”

Belarus President wins election

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 14:19:57 GMT

Election officials in Belarus say the county's longtime President Alexander Lukashenko has won his sixth consecutive term, taking over 80 percent of the vote. Monday's announcement followed a night of riots in which dozens of people were injured, and possible one person was killed amid mounting anger over his perceived autocratic style.

Philippines Bishops explain opposition to death penalty

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 14:08:15 GMT

In a statement issued at the beginning of August, the Bishops of the Philippines reiterate their opposition to the reintroduction of the death penalty in their country.

Irish prelate delivers message for Nagasaki Day

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 13:36:35 GMT

Eamon Martin, the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, delivered a message on the anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki in 1945, saying that the use and possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.

"Black Day” protest against discrimination of India's Dalit Christians

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 13:09:44 GMT

The Indian Constitution grants social benefits and privileges to Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist Dalits for their uplift but denies them to Muslim and Christian Dalits. The August 10 "Black Day" protest by Indian Christians is against this discrimination.

International community pledges help for Lebanon

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 12:43:20 GMT

World leaders have pledged millions of dollars for disaster-struck Lebanon, during an online aid summit aimed at helping the country.

Covid-19: AMECEA creating awareness for vulnerable children

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 12:09:58 GMT

The Communications Department of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) partners with Catholic Care for Children (CCC) to raise awareness for care for vulnerable children amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Belarus president faces unprecedented opposition in vote

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 15:15:30 GMT

Voters in Belarus go to the polls on Sunday amid mounting protests against President Alexander Lukashenko, Europe's longest-ruling head-of-state.

International conference seeks to help Lebanon

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 14:53:27 GMT

World leaders have been discussing emergency aid for Lebanon after Tuesday's devastating explosion in Beirut.

UN: indigenous peoples must be included in strategies against pandemic

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 13:59:53 GMT

The United Nations marks International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9. The UN chief has released a message for this year’s observance, whose theme is, “COVID-19 and indigenous peoples’ resilience”.

Japan’s Bishops promote peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 12:03:01 GMT

As Catholics in Japan commemorate the 75th anniversary of the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by an atomic bomb, their Bishops take steps to promote peace and abolish nuclear weapons.

Pope at Angelus: Appeal for solidarity with Lebanon

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 10:20:11 GMT

At the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis calls on the Church in Lebanon to continue to be close to their people, and appeals for “generous aid” from the international community.