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The German Medical Assembly, the annual meeting of the German Medical Association, has lifted the professional ban on assisted suicide.

Instead of comfortable footwear, participants in Germany's third ecumenical convention, or kirchentag, will need stable internet connections.

Mexico`s Zapatista rebels, famed for their masks and pipes, are planning to launch a symbolic invasion of Spain, to mark the 500th anniversary of the Conquistador incursion into Mexico.

The sainthood causes of seven men and women -- including the hermit Blessed Charles de Foucauld and the Indian martyr Devasahayam Pillai -- cleared their final hurdle May 3 during an "ordinary public consistory," a meeting of the pope, cardinals and promoters of sainthood causes that formally ends the sainthood process.

Pope Francis is scheduled to open a meeting discussing the challenges posed by Italy's low birthrate.

Charity and fraternity in one's family and community is the first step in helping establish the kingdom of God in a world that is increasingly divided, Pope Francis said.

Ahead of the global “Thy Kingdom Come” prayer initiative to be held between the celebrations of the Ascension and Pentecost, from 13 to 23 May 2021, the Bishops of England and Wales are encouraging Catholics to pray for and share their faith with people who don’t belong to the Church.

As most of Italy eased COVID-19 restrictions in late April, most residents of Italy's assisted living and nursing homes were locked in "an eternal red zone" -- not leaving the facilities, not having any visitors and, in more than half the homes, not even having access to video calls with loved ones, according to the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Pope Francis approved a new set of laws that require Vatican officials and employees to sign a declaration stating they have not been and are not suspected of committing crimes, including money laundering, corruption or exploitation of minors.

While Bishop-designate Christian Carlassare already has forgiven his attackers, he said finding the truth about why he was shot in the legs at his home in Rumbek, South Sudan, will help achieve reconciliation.

A Catholic bishop from eastern Ukraine said tensions remain high despite an announced withdrawal of Russian forces.

OXFORD, England (CNS) -- Polish Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, scheduled to be beatified Sept. 12, was ready to seek agreements in a Christian spirit, but also firmly believed "certain boundaries could not be crossed," said a leading theologian and political scientist.

ROME – With Russia building up its troops in the border with Ukraine, Archbishop Borys Gudziak, the current head of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, is warning the conflict is not only a threat for the region, but for the world.

BONN, Germany (CNS) -- Thomas Sternberg, 69, president of the Central Committee of German Catholics, announced April 23 he will not seek reelection to the post in November.

LANDSKRONA, Sweden (CNS) -- After making the arduous trek from his native Eritrea to the coastal town of Sundsvall, Sweden, in 2014, Solomon Tesfay dreamed of a better life for himself, his wife and three children.

LANDSKRONA, Sweden (CNS) -- Refugees and asylum-seekers who arrived in Sweden hoping to build a better life now find themselves in a precarious situation as the country considers new migration policies that threaten their legal status.

The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church thanked Pope Francis for publicly voicing concern about the ongoing war in Eastern Ukraine and the increased presence of Russian troops on border.

"We must make every effort to reestablish a genuine dialogue between the cardinal, senior members of the diocesan leadership and the grassroots of the church," said Tim-O. Kurzbach, president of the Cologne archdiocesan council of Catholics.

Foreign travel to Italy dropped almost 70% in 2020, and while many people hope vaccination campaigns will allow some form of recovery by late summer or early fall, no one is predicting a speedy recovery.

A novel fundraising approach to restore one of the most iconic monuments in the world, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, enables donors to have a piece of history.