United Nations

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Pope Francis: Ecosystem degradation ‘a clear outcome of economic dysfunction’

Jun 4, 2021

By CNA Staff

The pope issued a message marking the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City Flag.

World Health Organization grants Holy See permanent observer status

Jun 1, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

As a permanent observer, the Holy See will be able to participate in debates at the World Health Organization. Read more

Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič

Vatican diplomat criticizes ‘divisive’ UN Human Rights Council report on Islamophobia

Mar 10, 2021

A Vatican diplomat has said that a UN Human Rights Council report on Islamophobia risks “polarizing the international community.” Read more

World Food Program head David Beasley meets Pope Francis at the Vatican Jan. 28, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis meets World Food Program head as agency warns about child hunger

Jan 28, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis met on Thursday with the head of the World Food Program, as the organization issued a warning that... Read more

Credit: Oleksandr Lysenko/Shutterstock

Disability cannot be grounds for voluntary euthanasia, UN officials say

Jan 27, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

A disability rights organization praised United Nations human rights experts for condemning voluntary euthanasia on the basis of disability.  Read more

UN adopts resolution on protecting religious sites

Jan 22, 2021

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Thursday calling for greater efforts to protect religious sites from acts of terrorism... Read more

Flag of mozambique in the world map.

Situation 'desperate' in Mozambique following rise in extremist attacks

Nov 17, 2020

The United Nations human rights commissioner has called for international attention and aid in Mozambique in response to an escalating... Read more

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, pictured in Lebanon on Dec. 2, 2014.

Vatican diplomat: Catholics can help UN to live up to its principles

Oct 27, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations has said that faith-based organizations need to help the international community to see its... Read more

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. Courtesy photo.

Vatican to UN: It is immoral to threaten use of nuclear weapons as deterrence

Oct 21, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A Vatican official challenged the security theory of nuclear deterrence as immoral at the United Nations this week and called... Read more

A satellite in space. Public domain

Vatican asks UN to eliminate the risks of satellite collisions in outer space

Oct 19, 2020

By Courtney Mares

With more and more satellites orbiting the Earth, measures need to be taken to prevent collisions in outer space that... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 18, 2019.

Pope Francis laments that tons of food is thrown away as people starve

Oct 16, 2020

By Courtney Mares

In a video message for World Food Day, Pope Francis expressed concern that tons of food is being thrown away... Read more

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, pictured in Lebanon on Dec. 2, 2014.

Vatican to UN: pandemic makes 2030 poverty elimination goal even harder to achieve

Oct 16, 2020

The coronavirus crisis has made the international community’s goal of eradicating poverty by 2030 even harder to achieve, a Vatican representative told... Read more

United Nations Offices in Geneva, Switzerland, home of the UNHRC.

Addition of Cuba, China, Russia to UN Human Rights Council draws criticism

Oct 15, 2020

A human rights group in Cuba criticized the election of China, Cuba, and Russia to the UN Human Rights Council,... Read more

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. Courtesy photo.

Vatican to UN: cancel debts to help poor nations overcome pandemic

Oct 9, 2020

A Vatican representative called Wednesday for the cancelation of the debt of poor countries facing a “triple economic shock” as... Read more

Flag of the United Nations.

Investigate China for Uighur persecution, 39 nations tell UN

Oct 7, 2020

The United States joined 38 other countries Tuesday in signing a joint statement to the United Nations condemning Chinese human... Read more

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. Courtesy photo.

Vatican tells UN it is ‘deeply concerned’ by push to ‘reinterpret' foundations of human rights

Oct 7, 2020

A Vatican representative told the United Nations Tuesday that the Holy See was “deeply concerned” by moves “to reinterpret the... Read more

Francesca DiGiovanni, an undersecretary for multilateral affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State. Screengrab from Holy See UN YouTube channel.

Vatican official tells UN: Women deserve better than abortion

Oct 2, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A female Vatican official told the United Nations Thursday that resources that could be invested in basic healthcare, nutrition, and... Read more

Pope Francis records a video message delivered to the United Nations Sept. 25, 2020. Screengrab: Holy See UN.

In UN message, Pope Francis decries abortion and family breakdown

Sep 25, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis told the United Nations Friday that denying the existence of human life in the womb through abortion does... Read more

Sam Brownback speaking at “Washington Briefing 2007: Values Voter Summit.”

US ambassador issues religious freedom warning at UN event

Sep 25, 2020

By Matt Hadro

The U.S. religious freedom ambassador has warned against governments using the pandemic to crack down on religious minorities, in remarks... Read more

President Donald Trump addressing the United Nations General Assembly in 2017.

Trump to UN: Protect the unborn and religious minorities

Sep 22, 2020

By Matt Hadro

President Trump told world leaders that the United States is committed to “protecting unborn children” in remarks to the United... Read more