Pope Francis elevated five prelates to the College of Cardinals at a consistory on Wednesday afternoon, June 28.

The government of Turkey has seized more than 50 properties from the Syriac Orthodox Church in the country’s Mardin province.

A Mexican priest who was stabbed by an assailant after celebrating Mass at the Mexico City cathedral on May 15 has been moved out of a hospital intensive-care unit.

The Chinese government has brushed aside a Vatican expression of “grave concern” over the abduction of Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou.

A Vatican representative has suggested that when impoverished nations host refugees, aid to those nations should support both the refugees and the local victims of poverty.

During the first six months since assisted suicide became legal in the state of California, 111 people ended their own lives using drugs prescribed by their doctors.

Pope Francis said that trade unions should fulfill a prophetic role in society, in a June 28 meeting with members of the Confederation of Trade Unions in Italy.

The Italian daily La Stampa has published excerpts of memos from the US embassy at the Vatican to the Obama administration, offering insights on the policies and personality of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis told his public audience on June 28 that “the proclamation of the Kingdom of God always involves opposition,” and “the confession of faith always takes place in a climate of hostility.”

Brushing aside a protest from pro-life members, the British Medical Association (BMA) has voted to approve a motion calling for the decriminalization of abortion.