Nation/World

Members of a Catholic youth group were shot at and robbed as they transported earthquake relief to southern Mexico, leaving two volunteers hospitalized. Another volunteer was sexually assaulted.

From transcripts of a private audience Sept. 28 with the Jesuits in Columbia Pope Francis said, philosophy, like theology cannot be done in “a laboratory,” but must be done “in life, in dialogue with reality.” Jesus, who is “the greatest reality” of all, always started with people’s real lives to lead them toward God.

Pope Francis has approved specific “action points” or concrete proposals the Vatican wants to see incorporated into the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees which goes hand in hand with a much more personalized effort to encourage individual Catholics to meet a migrant or refugee and listen to that person’s story.

Christ calls believers to welcome migrants and refugees “with arms wide open, ready to give a sincere, affectionate, enveloping embrace,” Pope Francis said, launching the “Share the Journey” campaign of Catholic charities around the world.

If the martyrdom of Blessed Stanley Francis Rother “fills us with sadness,” it also “gives us the joy of admiring the kindness, generosity and courage of a great man of faith,” Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, said Sept. 23 in Oklahoma City.

The latest version of a Republican measure in the Senate to repeal the Affordable Care Act must be amended to protect poor and vulnerable Americans, said the chairmen of four U.S. bishops’ committees.

From St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Pope Francis is expected to officially launch the “Share the Journey” global campaign Sept. 27 to support those who have fled their homes seeking a safe life for their families.

Pope Francis offers young people advice to remain full of hope.