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World News

Same-sex civil unions 'good and helpful to many', says Pope Francis

The pontiff said marriage is "a sacrament between a man and woman that can't be changed", but he supports civil laws that try to help those who have "a diverse sexual orientation".

Germany

German archbishop's resignation rejected by pope

Pope Frances refused to accept the resignation of the Archbishop of Hamburg, who offered his resignation in March after reported mishandling of sexual abuse cases.

Slovakia

Pope Francis visits Slovakia highlighting inclusion and reconciliation

The pope met visited a Roma settlement where he urged greater integration with Slovak society, the day after atoning for Christian complicity in the Holocaust.

Hungary

Pope Francis' trip to Hungary is first papal visit in 25 years

After Hungary, Pope Francis will travel onto Slovakia.

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Vatican

'Resign? Forget about it': Pope Francis plays down health fears

"Now I can eat everything'

Germany

‘Priests bless guinea pigs’: Vatican’s same-sex unions stance slammed

"This bothers and annoys me," said Germany's health minister Jens Spahn. "But it does not lead to me turning away from my belief or the church."

USA

Defrocked cardinal McCarrick charged with sexually assaulting boy

Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked by Pope Francis over the sexual molestation of children and adults, has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage boy in the 1970s.

Poland

Soaring numbers are quitting Catholic Church in Poland, say activists

Campaigners say as many as 3,000 people have issued statements of apostasy this year - and that this is six times higher than last year.

Poland

Polish Catholic Church reveals hundreds of new sexual abuse claims

From July 2018 to the end of 2020 368 cases of sexual assault, committed between 1958 and last year, were reported to the Polish Catholic Church.

World News

Founding father of EU Schuman moves ahead on sainthood path

Robert Schuman, an architect of European integration, has moved ahead on the Catholic church's path toward possible sainthood, the Vatican said.

Germany

German cardinal resigns over Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the Archbishop of Munich and Freising, said that the church had hit a "dead end" but that he hoped there would be a "turning point".

Germany

German Catholics to bless gay couples despite a Vatican ban

Some Catholic priests in Germany are defying the Vatican by blessing same-sex couples in a move set to increase tensions between conservatives and progressives.

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Hundreds of dogs receive the blessing of Saint Lazarus in Nicaragua

Hundreds of dogs received the blessing of Saint Lazarus, the protector of animals and the sick in Nicaragua, along with their owners - Catholic devotees.

Germany

Cologne church child abuse report finds officials guilty of neglect

A long-awaited report into abuse in the Catholic church in Cologne found hundreds of children have been sexually abused since 1975, with high-ranking officials neglecting their duties to report cases.

Czech Republic

Fund for reconstruction of Czech church down to bare bones

The unusual place of worship is decorated with the remains of about 60,000 people, most of whom died from the Black Death.

Vatican

Pope appoints first woman to senior Synod post with voting rights

Nathalie Becquart's appointment to the Synod of Bishops reflects Pope Francis' wish to see women play a greater decision-making role in the Church, the Vatican says.

Ireland

Watch: Irish PM apologises for abuse at mother and baby homes

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin also called on leaders of the Catholic church in the country to do the same on behalf of the diocese, which he said "behaved so badly".

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Thousands of Filippino faithful gather at church to see rare statue

A parade involving the centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ, which is believed to have miraculous healing powers, was cancelled because of the pandemic.

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Italian volunteers handout Christmas lunch boxes to the poor

In the Italian capital, dozens of refugees, poor and homeless people attended a charity event on Friday where they received lunch boxes and gifts from a Catholic community.

USA

Pope appoints Wilton Gregory as first African American cardinal

The announcement came days after Pope Francis grabbed headlines for voicing support for civil unions for gay couples.