France
The Latest
French cathedral burns in suspected arson fire
A fire being investigated as arson at a historic cathedral in western France Saturday morning has been contained, according to... Read more
Lourdes offers digital pilgrimage as shrine struggles without pilgrims
As global coronavirus cases have surpassed 13 million, Lourdes is offering a digital pilgrimage this week to pray for the... Read more
French archbishop criticizes push to pass bioethics law amid pandemic
The archbishop of Paris has criticized the French parliament’s decision to debate a controversial bioethics bill which would increase access to... Read more
French investigation: sex abuse of minors in Catholic Church tops 3,000 victims over 70 years
Over the last seven decades at least 3,000 children were sexually abused by Catholic clergy or officials in France, according... Read more
French church bells ring in show of solidarity during coronavirus pandemic
Church bells rang simultaneously across France at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night, in a show of national unity amidst the COVID-19... Read more
French Catholics begin novena as Lourdes closes for first time in history
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes has closed for the first time in over a century following new restrictions... Read more
Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal Barbarin as Archbishop of Lyon
The Vatican announced Friday that Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Philippe Barbarin as archbishop of Lyon after... Read more
French cardinal acquitted by appeal court of failing to report abuse
Cardinal Philippe Barbarin has been acquitted by a French appeals court of failing to report sexual abuse by a diocesan... Read more
French Senate passes controversial IVF bill
The French Senate this week passed a bill that would allow access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for single women and... Read more
French Senate debates IVF law after thousands protest in Paris streets
Debate began on a bioethics bill in the French Senate Tuesday after tens of thousands of people marched through the... Read more
French bishops approve removing parents’ gender from baptismal forms
The French Catholic bishops’ conference permanent council has approved a recommendation to remove references to the sex of parents on... Read more
Ban on elderly nun’s habit in retirement home went too far, French mayor says
An elderly nun in France has received an apology from a French mayor after retirement home staff wrongly rejected her,... Read more
Europe heatwave could damage Notre-Dame, architect warns
Almost four months after a fire destroyed the roof of Notre-Dame de Paris, officials are concerned that the building is... Read more
French lawmakers pass bill on Notre-Dame; new report says cathedral nearly collapsed during fire
France’s Parliament on Tuesday passed a bill on the rebuilding of Notre-Dame Cathedral— three months after a fire destroyed the... Read more
Rise in crimes against churches in France shock faithful, prompt reflection
Vandalism, theft, arson and other increasing attacks on churches in France have led to debates about their causes, amid shock... Read more
Vincent Lambert dies after removal of food and water
Vincent Lambert, a 42 year-old quadriplegic man, died in a French hospital Thursday morning, more than one week after doctors... Read more
Say Mass for Vincent Lambert, Paris archbishop tells priests
The Archbishop of Paris, Michael Aupetit, has asked priests of his archdiocese to offer Mass for the intention of Vincent... Read more
Holy See waives diplomatic immunity for accused nuncio to France
The Holy See has announced it has revoked the diplomatic immunity of the apostolic nuncio to France, Archbishop Luigi Ventura,... Read more
Burkini dispute shuts down public pools in one French town
Reviving a three-year old debate over what constitutes appropriate swimwear for women at the beach, a French city shut down... Read more
No evidence that Notre-Dame fire was intentional, investigators say
An initial investigation into the devastating fire that consumed much of Notre-Dame cathedral in April has found no signs of... Read more
