Global Church News

“Launch us on an adventure of mercy”: Pope Francis welcomes World Youth Day pilgrims to Krakow

Jul 29, 2016

Thursday afternoon at Blonia Park in Krakow, Pope Francis finally met the estimated half a million Catholic pilgrims who have flocked to the city for World Youth Day 2016.
Text of Pope’s Q-and-A With Italian Youth

Jul 29, 2016

“Peace builds bridges; hatred is the builder of walls. You must choose in life: either to build bridges or to build walls”
Pope Francis falls while conducting Mass in Poland

Jul 28, 2016

Pope Francis has fallen during a visit to Czestochowa, Poland. The pontiff was walking on stage, about to address the waiting crowd, but suddenly fell.
Qara Kelisa, the feast of St Thaddeus of the Armenians in the oldest church in the world

Jul 28, 2016

Located in northwestern Iran, on the border with Azerbaijan and Turkey, the monastery was built, according to tradition, in 68 AD after the martyrdom of the Apostle of Christ. Hundreds of Armenians from Iran and Armenia gather each July to baptise their children, as well as eat and sing together.
In first balcony talk, Pope tells youth to 'make chaos'

Jul 28, 2016

On his first night in Krakow Pope Francis was already stirring things up with participants in WYD by hosting an off-the-cuff Q and A and telling them to ‘make chaos’ by spreading the joy of their faith.
The story of Poland's majestic 'underground salt cathedral'

Jul 28, 2016

Located just southeast of Krakow, the Wieliczka salt mine is famous for many things – most notably its underground chapels, made entirely out of rock salt.
"Do not give in to fear": Young Iraqis appeal to France

Jul 28, 2016

The French and other European nations affected by terrorism "must not give in to fear. Listen to those of us who live with terror every day: the real
Francis to Polish Leaders: Remember the past, but look to the future

Jul 28, 2016

After landing in Krakow on Wednesday, Pope Francis told Polish leaders to take a look at their history and use it as an inspiration to take the good and leave the bad behind, including when it comes to modern-day issues such as migration.
Pope Francis warns world 'is at war' after Europe attacks

Jul 28, 2016

However, he stressed he did not mean a war of religions, but rather a conflict over "interests, money, resources".
Fr Hamel was martyred ‘in odium fidei’, says Archbishop Fisher

Jul 28, 2016

Archbishop Fisher called for solidarity with other religions, and said the attackers targeted the Christian faith