International News

JERUSALEM -- Two unearthed Byzantine church complexes shed light on the tradition of Christian pilgrimage in the Holy Land.

PEORIA, Ill. -- With joy and thanksgiving, officials and faithful throughout the Diocese of Peoria and around the globe welcomed the announcement Nov. 18 that Pope Francis has called for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in Peoria Dec. 21.

MEXICO CITY -- Nicaraguan church authorities have reclaimed control of Immaculate Conception Cathedral in the national capital, Managua, after a pro-government mob burst into the building, which was hosting a group of mothers holding a hunger strike to demand the release of the political-prisoner children.

PEORIA, Ill. -- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified Dec. 21, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria announced late Nov. 18.

BEIRUT -- While Lebanon continues to be engulfed in a massive protest movement, the country's Catholic leaders called on demonstrators to be peaceful and civilized.

WASHINGTON -- No one can deny that the act was horrific. Six priests found face down on a lawn with bullet holes through various parts of their bodies. One was in his bathrobe.

LIMA, Peru -- Chile's bishops called for national dialogue and an end to the violence that has wracked the country for the past month.

HONG KONG, China  (CNA) -- Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have continued to escalate into violence, with many apparent incidents of forceful police tactics, including at a Catholic church, caught on camera and uploaded to social media.

BALTIMORE -- The U.S. bishops added their assent to a call to have St. Irenaeus declared a doctor of the church.

SYDNEY -- The High Court of Australia has decided to give Cardinal George Pell, 78, a final chance to argue against his conviction on five counts of child sexual abuse.