Pope Francis names British-born Matteo Bruni as spokesman

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis named a new Vatican spokesman Thursday, tapping Matteo Bruni, the British-born official who has handled media logistics for papal trips, in the latest shakeup of the Vatican's communications operations. Bruni takes over from Alessandro Gisotti, who became interim spokesman...

Pope Francis has named a new Vatican spokesman, tapping British-born Matteo Bruni

Editorials from around Pennsylvania

Recent editorials of statewide and national interest from Pennsylvania's newspapers: Altoona Mirror on allegations of sexual abuse by members of the clergy July 11 Trust that Roman Catholic Church officials will do the right thing about allegations of sexual misconduct by members of the clergy is in question in...

Priest donates to miners affected by Blackjewel bankruptcy

HARLAN, Ky. (AP) — A priest in Kentucky handed out more than $20,000 on Monday to miners struggling to pay bills after the coal company they work for filed for bankruptcy protection. People crowded Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Harlan as Father Jim Sichko signed checks for more than 100 miners who are...

Pope urges better protection of fishermen's human rights

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is encouraging efforts to safeguard the human rights of fishermen and mariners. Francis tweeted that he is praying for them and their families and noted that Sunday is a day dedicated to seafarers and fishermen. Francis tweeted: "I encourage every effort to protect and...

Man at center of French soul-searching on life support dies

PARIS (AP) — A French man who was in a vegetative state for 11 years while his wife and parents disagreed over his continued medical care died Thursday, and a prosecutor quickly ordered an autopsy and an investigation. Vincent Lambert, 42, died in a hospital east of Paris nine days after doctors stopped...

Correction: Today in History for Sunday, July 7

In a Today in History for Sunday, July 7 that was sent in advance on July 1, The Associated Press erroneously attributed the Thought for Today to Margaret Fuller, American critic and social reformer (1810-1850), rather than to Thomas Fuller, English clergyman, historian and author (1608-1661). A corrected version...

Sistine Chapel Choir director quits after funding scandal

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the Sistine Chapel Choir director in the wake of a funding scandal. The Vatican said Wednesday that Monsignor Massimo Palombella will be temporarily replaced by Monsignor Marcos Pavan, currently in charge of the boys' division of what's...

The Latest: Sea rescue group says Malta will take 44 ashore

ROME (AP) — The Latest on Europe's response to mass migration (all times local): 11:30 p.m. German humanitarian group Sea-Eye says the crew of its ship rescued 44 people from a wooden boat in the Mediterranean Sea. The sea rescue group says its ship, the Alan Kurdi, picked the boat passengers up on Monday...

Pope: Migrants are people, not just a social issue

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has prayed for migrants in a special Mass, saying they are people and not just a social issue. The Mass, celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica on Monday, marked the sixth anniversary of the pope's visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa on July 8, 2013. Francis had been pope for only...