A group of women and children who were the families of Albanian nationals who joined Islamic extremist groups fighting in Syria and Iraq have returned to their homeland. Their arrival Sunday comes amid a debate in several other countries in Europe on what to do with fighters and supporters of groups such as the Islamic State.

The urgent need to care for the environment, in particular the ocean, coping with Covid and nurturing the faith were top priorities at the just concluded Caritas Oceania Annual Forum.

African Church leaders appeal for unity and communion in Christ who helps overcome all divisions in order to confront the many challenges facing the continent and our world.

Amidst Myanmar’s worsening humanitarian situation, with growing numbers of displaced people, a food crisis and a surge in Covid-19 infections, the United Nations has pledged its continued solidarity and presence with the people.

This week, Catholic Bishops in South Sudan paid a solidarity visit to President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Pope Francis sent a message of condolence on the death of Jesuit Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, who died 29 July in Rome, aged 98. He had been the oldest member of the College of Cardinals. He was created Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI, who called him “a great exegete.”

A new UN report has singled out Madagascar as one of the world's two newest "highest alert" hunger hotspots.

In a new report, FAO and WFP warn that fighting, red tape and lack of funding are blocking famine relief efforts, leading to worsening acute food insecurity in the world.

Pope Francis joins religious organizations and world leaders in calling for an end to the scourge of human trafficking on the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

From Thursday, the Global Catholic Climate Movement will be known as the Laudato sí Movement. Climate and integral ecology are at the heart of the Movement, which takes its cue from Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on care for our common home. Speaking with Vatican News, the executive director of LSM, Tomás Insua, speaks about a “synodal journey” aimed at a deeper ecological conversion. As the Movement continues to renew itself, Pope Francis offers a word of thanks for its work.

In the diocese of Viana, Angola, meetings have been underway for almost a month in parishes, groups, movements and Christian communities to provide everyone with training and information on the diocesan synodal assembly that will be held in mid-October, a step towards the Synod of Bishops in 2023. Fr. Domingo Pestana, the coordinator of the commission and of the secretariat created with the aim of listening to and gathering the contributions of each person, reflects on the initiatives.

The official image for upcoming World Meeting of Families has been: Jesuit artist and theologian Marko Ivan Rupnik has produced an image dedicated to the Wedding at Canat. The eagerly awaited 10th World Meeting of Families will take place in Rome from June 22 to June 26, 2022, after the event was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In 10 episodes, one each month, we bring you a video with the Pope's reflections and first-hand testimonies of families from across the world on the theme of the family. The initiative is a joint collaboration between the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, and Vatican News, and aims to 're-read' the Apostolic Exhortation, with the aid of downloadable material prepared for personal and community reflection. Because, as Pope Francis reminds us: being a family is always "primarily an opportu

Indian citizens, concerned about values enshrined in the country’s Constitution, observed July 28 as National Justice Day in honour of late the Jesuit rights activist.

The Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM) publishes its weekly map of pandemic incidence rates in Pan-Amazonia as the death toll reaches 100,000 people. The report stresses that more vaccines and more immunisation is needed to fight the virus.

Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ, astronomer and Director of the Vatican Observatory, talks about new space frontiers, space travel and the need to take care of the entirety of our common home.

Haiti`s new Prime Minister Ariel Henry is pledging his government is working towards holding elections as quickly as possible, to regain stability and democracy, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

The Bishops’ Conference of Guatemala (CEG) voice their opposition to the firing of leading anti-corruption prosecutor, Juan Francisco Sandoval, highlighting that the move will cause “irreparable damage” to the justice system of the country.

70 years from the landmark UN Refugee Convention, the number of refugees in the world are the highest ever seen. A UNHCR Representative talks about the lasting value of the Convention.

Pingliang’s new co-adjutor bishop (bishop with right of succession) is the fifth shepherd appointed since the Provisional Agreement on the nomination of bishops between the Vatican and China entered into force.

As a 3-day United Nations meeting on food systems concluded on Wednesday in Rome, Caritas Internationalis urged decision-makers to include the rights of the poor in all discussions and decision-making processes.

The trial over the use Secretariat of State funds began on Tuesday in the courtroom of the Vatican Museums. The defense attorneys for the ten defendants presented preliminary motions. The next hearing is scheduled for October 5.

Bishops in Northern Ireland voice their opposition against government moves to provide abortion services by March 2022. They call on the faithful and on all who share the Church’s views on the inviolability of life to engage local candidates and political parties to explain their position on this fundamental issue.

As Vietnam battles its worst surge in the Covid-19 pandemic, Vinh Diocese has been blessed with an abundance of priestly vocations, many of whom will be serving in other territories of the nation.

After migrants were allegedly robbed by police in Mexico, the Jesuit Refugee Service calls for an investigation on the treatment of migrants and refugees in Mexico.

The Pontifical Missionary Works of Slovakia is inviting the faithful to join in a prayer marathon to pray for the Pope and Slovakia which will take place from the 7-15 September.

Pope Francis encourages Brazilian Catholic communicators to be “instruments of reconciliation and unity” in a divided country.

Ethiopian bishops insist that it is never too late to stop the violence in the country’s conflict-ridden region of Tigray where war has been raging for over eight months. They recommend dialogue and reconciliation on the path toward peace.

At least 57 people drowned on Monday after a boat capsized off the Libyan coast near Khums in the latest tragedy in the Mediterranean where more than 1,100 men, women and children have lost their lives this year.

The Catholic Church in Japan dedicates its annual "Ten Days for Peace" prayer initiative to the theme "Protecting all life creates peace"

The Catholic Women Association of Cameroon held its 9th National Congress from 23 to 25 July 2021 under the theme: “Catholic Women called to holiness for the sanctification and holistic development of the world.”

Friday, July 30 is considered International Day of Friendship. Celebrate with these ways you can show the people you love the most just how much they mean to you.

Myanmar Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon delivered a homily on Sunday, drawing an analogy between Jesus' miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and Myanmar’s dire situation.

A rapid illness has taken the life of the 52-year-old Jesuit Father Bernd Hagenkord, who for more than a decade was responsible for the German-language programmes of Vatican Radio, and who later played a leading role in the launch of the Holy See's media reform.

Catholic Bishops in France say that omparing the new COVID-19 health pass to the Holocaust shows a "serious confusion of ideas”.

Pope Francis sends a message to the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres on the occasion of the UN Pre-Summit on Food Systems, which is taking place in Rome from the 26-28 July.

The UN Food Systems Pre-Summit in Rome aims to prepare the ground for a New York event that will provide solutions and kick-start action to combat global food insecurity and injustice.

Three months and six surgeries after being shot shortly after his appointment as the new Bishop of Rumbek in South Sudan, Fr. Christian Carlassare invokes the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession for peace in the landlocked northeastern African country.

The Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Julián Barrio Barrio celebrates Mass on Sunday to mark the feast of St James, the Apostle.

Following the social unrest that engulfed South Africa and eSwatini recently, women religious leaders in Southern Africa organised an online Day of Prayer to intercede for their countries.

Pope Francis prays for the victims of flash floods in the city of Zhengzhou, capital of China's Henan Province. He also remembers the Olympic games that started on Friday in Tokyo, blessing all those taking part.

The founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association says the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is an acknowledgment of the vital role they play in family life.

In his homily on the first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis insists on the importance of young and old coming together in a covenantal sharing of life.

The United Nations chief says the Olympic spirit “inspires and unifies us in troubled times”.

The Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy explains the Holy See’s consolidated balance sheet: the deficit is €66.3 million, but Peter’s Pence subsidized less than in previous years, increasing contributions made to the Churches most in need.

The 2020 balance sheet of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, APSA, made public for the first time, shows decreased contributions to the Roman Curia and decreased profits from investments. APSA’s president, Archbishop Nunzio Galantino, says APSA has been able to help those in financial difficulty; and notes that, although income has been reduced during the pandemic, there are nonetheless positive results as difficulties have brought out the desire to act “as a Church.”

As the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July, Bishop Denis Nulty, chair of the Irish Bishops’ Council for Marriage and the Family says grandparents have a lot to teach young people, and are the unsung heroes of the pandemic.

The Under-Secretary of the Synod of Bishops recalls the themes of the 1 July Day of Study and Reflection noting that as Pope Francis has stated, the synodal experience is a journey of listening to the Holy Spirit.

US lawmakers have voted to expand a visa programme for Afghans facing retribution for helping American troops and diplomats during two-decade war in Afghanistan.

The Olympics Games got underway in Tokyo on Friday celebrating the world's best athletes set to compete amid the COVID-19 pandemic.