Pope Francis

June 03, 2020

Brazil recorded yet another day of record-high deaths due to the novel coronavirus, as leadership continues to shrug off the crisis. In Mexico, tens of thousands of people are returning to work in the auto factories along the US-Mexico border. World leaders, including the pope, have called out systemic racism in response to George Floyd's killing.

Top of The World

Coronavirus restrictions start to loosen in Europe; Oil-producing nations agree to 10% cut in output; Trump's coronavirus promises largely unfulfilled

COVID-19: The latest from The World

April 13, 2020

Spain is starting to loosen some restrictions, as there are signs things are starting to improve in the fight against the novel coronavirus. Also, oil-producing nations will cut production by nearly 10%. And a month after the US declared a state of emergency, many of the president's promises to address the pandemic remain unfulfilled. And faith leaders have been confronted with many challenges to tradition in the time of the coronavirus.

Easter season goes virtual as coronavirus locks out tradition

COVID-19: The latest from The World

April 10, 2020

With many churches closed or affected by coronavirus lockdown restrictions for the Easter season, Christians of various denominations around the world have come up with novel ways to keep the faith.

Lockdowns and entry bans imposed around the world to fight coronavirus

March 16, 2020

France and Spain joined Italy in imposing lockdowns on tens of millions of people, Australia ordered self-isolation of arriving foreigners and other countries extended entry bans as the world sought to contain the spreading coronavirus.

Top of The World

California coronavirus patient wasn't tested for days; Sectarian violence in India; Duck, duck, bio weapon?

February 27, 2020

A California patient might be the first in the US to have contracted COVID-19 through community spread. In India, the worst sectarian violence in decades has brought harsh criticism to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while in South Sudan, peace might be close at hand. And a bio weapon more powerful than pesticides could be ... an army of ducks?

Pope says he would confront Trump directly on border wall

May 28, 2019

Pope Francis said he was willing to tell USPresident Donald Trump in person that it is wrong to build border walls and appeared to warn him not to resume a policy of separating families.

Religion

Pope opens child sex abuse conference, promising 'concrete' remedies

February 21, 2019

Pope Francis promised that concrete actions against child sexual abuse by priests would result from a conference he opened on Thursday.

Religion

A new chapter, with the same old words, in the Catholic child abuse scandal

August 20, 2018

To people who have spent their lives studying and combating the Catholic child abuse scandal, the revelations from last week’s grand jury report on six dioceses in Pennsylvania are numbingly familiar.

Religion

The Vatican seems to be keen for a deal with Beijing

February 08, 2018

Pope Francis appears to be eager to make a historic compromise with the Chinese government for the sake of Chinese Catholics. His critics worry that he’s making a huge mistake.

Pages

A bishop who likes luxury is getting called on the carpet in Vatican City

October 14, 2013

A German Bishop is leading a lavish lifestyle and spent $42 million on his residence. That's not going down well with a new pope who is living in a guest house and driving a battered car.

Caught in a bad romance?

December 03, 2013

Poor Ukraine is caught between two lovers as its president searches for a happy end to this love triangle. Amazon's cute little PrimeAir drone, delivering packages like a stork delivers babies, has about the same level of reality. And we explore the many faces of yoga, in today's edition of the Global Scan.

The wrong way to nurture a new country

January 13, 2014

The situation in Sudan continues to spiral out of control. In Afghanistan, a family decided to try and make the 10-year-old girl a suicide bomber. And liberal Catholics may be disappointed the more they consider the political leanings of the current pope. In this edition of the Global Scan, everyone is taking sides.

New evidence suggests systematic torture by Syria's government

January 21, 2014

New images and reports have surfaced of wholesale torture and starvation on the part of the Syrian regime, just as peace talks to end the war are set to start on Wednesday. On the US west coast, scientists dispel fears that Pacific Ocean fish are contaminated with Fukushima radiation. And side-by-side men's toilets at an Olympic venue have become a social media joke. That and more, in today's Global Scan.

Is the Russian bear awakening?

January 27, 2014

Rumors of possible Russian intervention abound as protests in the Ukraine escalate. And even the Pope's weekend prayer for peace in the country ended in an ominous sign. Working-class stiffs in the Republic of Congo show that style isn't exclusive to the rich. And a New Zealand doc doesn't let a shark attack ruin his day, in today's Global Scan.

The UN criticizes the Vatican over its handling of child abuse cases

February 05, 2014

The UN has published a scathing report that criticizes the Vatican's handling of child abuse cases.

Iranians build an American aircraft carrier, sort of

March 21, 2014

Is Iran expecting relations with the US to go south again? US officials say Iran is building a replica of the aircraft carrier the USS Nimitz — seemingly as a propaganda ploy. An imam who spoke for al-Qaeda after 9/11 says he became the terrorist organization's spokesman by accident. And the pope breaks with Italy's mafia, in today's Global Scan.

Obama's visit to the pope was about more than just politics

March 27, 2014

President Barack Obama met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday. Both sides described the meeting as cordial, and Obama professed himself a "great admirer" of the new pontiff. Despite the bonhomie, there are issues that divide the two men.

Pope Francis led this Argentine to embrace his faith once more

March 27, 2014

There is little doubt the new Catholic leader is changing the church's image around the world. For one Argentine says the Pope has changed his faith.