U.S. & World News

Discerning the will of God means being able to listen to one's own heart and recognize the Lord's presence in the unexpected events of life, Pope Francis said.

The Vatican Library, one of the world's oldest libraries, has launched a new scholarly journal to help promote high-quality research, dialogue across cultures and sharing knowledge related to the library's holdings, said Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonca, Vatican librarian and archivist.

Catholics in the Prince Albert Diocese joined the local Anglican bishop and others across Saskatchewan and the nation in praying for the victims and survivors of a stabbing spree on the James Smith First Nation and in nearby Weldon, Saskatchewan.

The Polish bishops' conference has cautiously endorsed new government demands for $1.29 trillion in reparations from Germany for damage during World War II, although a spokesman said the church hoped this would not impede relations between the neighboring countries.

Calling sexual abuse "diabolical" and a "monstrosity," Pope Francis underlined there is "zero tolerance" for those in the church who are guilty of abuse.

The plenary assembly of the German Synodal Path meeting in Frankfurt Sept. 8-10 will start by debating a 32-page text on sexual morality, which could be adopted at the meeting, as could eight other texts, some of which contain far-reaching proposals for reforms in the church.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster congratulated the United Kingdom's new prime minister, Liz Truss, and urged her to immediately halt the country's declining living standards.

The annual Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Sept. 1 launched the new school year for students and faculty members at The Catholic University of America.