NATION/WORLD

The bishops who head the El Paso and Dallas dioceses in Texas have asked Gov. Greg Abbott to halt an order that could result in shutting down, by the end of August, Catholic Charities facilities in Texas that care for foster and migrant children, saying that doing so violates state laws protecting religious freedom.

Ten Polish nuns have been approved for beatification as martyrs 76 years after they were killed while resisting rape and facing other atrocities by Soviet soldiers in the final months of World War II.

Lawmakers in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz approved a bill decriminalizing abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It was the second such decriminalization measure approved in Mexico in barely two weeks.

With violence rising and a government crackdown against dissidents continuing, Zambia's Catholic bishops have called for peaceful and fair elections as voters prepare to go to the polls Aug. 12.

Highlighting the importance and gifts of older people has been a constant refrain throughout Pope Francis' ministry.

Pope Francis expressed his condolences after a suicide bombing in a busy market in Baghdad claimed the lives of dozens of people.

For Father Stephen Hilgendorf, it has been a long journey from his role as a priest in the Anglican tradition.

Msgr. Jeffrey D. Burrill, the general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops since November, has resigned from the post after the USCCB "became aware of impending media reports alleging possible improper behavior by Msgr. Burrill," said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, USCCB president.

Pope Francis sent a letter of encouragement to residents of a Mexican diocese afflicted by battling drug cartels, a conflict that has cast attention on the lawlessness covering wide swaths of Mexico and the government's inability to pacify the country.

With his strong Bronx accent and sly smile, Msgr. Joseph Carroll was a San Diego icon.