To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

×
      LATEST NEWSOPINIONCLIMATEECONOMY POLITICS RIGHTS & JUSTICEWAR & PEACE
      LATEST NEWS
      OPINION

      pope francis

      Pope Francis in Canada

      Vatican Rejects 'Doctrine of Discovery', Used to Justify Colonial Conquest and Land Theft

      One Native American group hopes the historic move "is more than mere words, but rather is the beginning of a full acknowledgment of the history of oppression and a full accounting of the legacies of colonialism."

      Brett Wilkins
      Mar 31, 2023

      In a historic shift long sought by Indigenous-led activists, the Holy See on Thursday formally repudiated the doctrine of discovery, a dubious legal theory born from a series of 15th-century papal decrees used by colonizers including the United States to legally justify the genocidal conquest of non-Christian peoples and their land.

      In a joint statement, the Vatican's departments of culture and education declared that "the church acknowledges that these papal bulls did not adequately reflectthe equal dignity and rights of Indigenous peoples" and "therefore repudiates those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of Indigenous peoples, including what has become known as the legal and political 'doctrine of discovery.'"

      Keep ReadingShow Less
      News
      doctrine of discovery
      Pope Francis

      In Christmas Address, Pope Francis Calls for Covid-19 Vaccines to Reach World's Poorest

      "Open hearts to ensure that necessary medical care—and vaccines in particular—are provided to those peoples who need them most," the pope prayed.

      Julia Conley
      Dec 25, 2021

      Amid reports of rising Covid-19 cases in parts of the Global South, Pope Francis on Saturday marked Christmas Day by repeating a call for vaccines to reach poor countries and noted that nearly two years after the coronavirus crisis was declared a global pandemic, the public health emergency has taken international attention from other crises affecting some of the world's poorest people.

      "Through dialogue, mutual respect, and recognition of the rights and cultural values of every human being, the values of solidarity, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence may prevail in the hearts of the peoples of the Americas."

      Keep ReadingShow Less
      News
      Covid-19
      Pope Francis arrives for a meeting with religious leaders in the Hall of Benedictions on October 4, 2021 in Vatican City

      To End 'Deafening Noise of War,' Pope Says Nations Must Fund Education Over Weapons

      "The pursuit of a genuine process of international disarmament can only prove beneficial for the development of peoples and nations," the pope said in his World Peace Day message.

      Andrea Germanos
      Dec 21, 2021

      Pope Francis has released a new peace message in which he rebukes soaring military spending and praises work and activism that uplift the common good.

      "We ought to esteem and encourage all those young people who work for a more just world."

      Keep ReadingShow Less
      News
      SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
      Quality journalism. Progressive values. Direct to your inbox.
      Follow Us
      Most Popular

      A Few Thoughts on This Admission: I Am Old

      Democratic Senators Sound Alarm Over Koch-Backed Plot to 'Eviscerate' Regulatory State

      On a Road Towards the American Nightmare

      Netanyahu Shows Map of 'New Middle East'—Without Palestine—to UN General Assembly

      Nebraska Woman Gets Two Years in Prison After Giving Abortion Pills to Teen Daughter

      House GOP Unveils Budget With Trillions in Cuts to Medicaid, Food Benefits, and More

      'Extremely Serious': AOC Becomes First House Progressive to Call for Menendez Resignation

      'Total Sh*t Show': McCarthy Sends Lawmakers Home as GOP Pushes US Toward Shutdown

      Proposed Budget Offers Horrifying Vision of What Republicans Would Do If They Could

      Al Gore to Fossil Fuel Industry: 'Get Out of the Way'

      Independent, nonprofit journalism needs your help.
      Please Pitch In
      Today!