NATION/WORLD

At a national gathering marking the 100th anniversary of the National Council of Catholic Women, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory thanked the women for their years of dedication to the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis has approved a brief set of new norms for the Chapter of St. Peter's Basilica -- whose priest-members provide liturgical and pastoral service in the basilica -- that will only be in effect for one year while its statutes are being revised.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Pro-Life Activities, encouraged Catholics to receive one of the coronavirus vaccines if they discern that it is appropriate to do so.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, called for prayers and respect for human life following the bombing outside of an airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, that claimed the lives of 170 Afghan citizens and 13 U.S. service members.

Without prayer, especially from the many religious men and women in contemplative life, the journey of the next Synod of Bishops "will surely not bear the hoped-for fruit," said Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.

Complaining is a poison that causes anger, resentment and sadness, and closes one's heart to God, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis named Msgr. Guido Marini, who has served as papal master of ceremonies since 2007, as bishop of the Diocese of Tortona.

With increased violence unfolding in Afghanistan, Pope Francis appealed to all Christians to fast and intensify their prayers.

The Philadelphia-based Catholic Medical Association Aug. 26 joined in a lawsuit challenging the Biden administration's mandate that doctors and hospitals perform gender-transition procedures on any patient despite any moral or medical objections of the doctor or health care facility.

Pope Francis held a private audience with Nadia Murad, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and survivor of the Islamic State-led genocide in Iraq, Aug. 26 at the Vatican.