Listen to this week's edition of our reflections on the Gospel reading for the twenty-first Sunday in ordinary time, where Jesus tells his disciples to strive to enter through the narrow gate, prepared by the late Jill Bevilacqua.

Fr. Antony Kadavil reflects and comments on the readings at Mass for the twenty-first Sunday in ordinary time. He says that Jesus clearly explains that anyone who follows him through the narrow gate of sacrificial serving and sharing love will be saved.

As the US state of Texas executes a man on death row, Bishop Frank Dewane of Florida reasserts the Catholic Church’s stance on the death penalty.

Father Paul Moonjely, executive Director of Caritas India, told Vatican News how through its partners at the local diocesan level, they are trying to reach out to people hit by floods and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains.

The Bishops of Benin say they are continuing with their mediation efforts to resolve the political crisis in the country that followed disputed elections in April. Their statement comes after some media outlets reported that the Church had withdrawn from negotiations.

Young people from around the world take part in the 5th World Youth Parliament, hosted at the Pontifical University of Salamanca, in Spain.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference issues a statement calling for the development of a “Christian spirituality of ecology” which begins in personal and family life.

The Asian chapter of SIGNIS, the global forum of Catholic audio-visual communicators, released a message at the end of their assembly in New Delhi, India, August 4-8.

Pakistan’s religious minorities have submitted a 10-point memorandum asking Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government to adopt policies to safeguard the rights of minorities and women.

Wednesday August 21st, marks the 140th anniversary of the Apparition at Knock, in which the Blessed Virgin Mary; St Joseph; Saint John the Baptist; and Christ, as the Lamb of God upon the altar, appeared to townspeople in a small village in western Ireland.

Pakistan’s religious minorities have submitted a 10-point resolution asking Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government to adopt policies to safeguard the rights of minorities and women.

Sudan’s generals and protest leaders agree to name a Coptic Orthodox woman to the 11-member transitional ruling council.

During his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis reflects on how the Christian community is born of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and grows through the mutual sharing of life among the Lord’s disciples.

The most recent UNICEF report says some 3.2 million children in Venezuela need humanitarian aid as conditions across the country continue to deteriorate.

Catholics in Mozambique’s Archdiocese of Maputo have made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Assumption in Ressano Garcia. The pilgrimage’s aim was to pray for the success of Pope Francis’ visit to the country early next month.

At the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis continues his catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, saying solidarity between Christians builds up God’s family. The official English-language summary of his reflection is below:

The local Church in Australia and the Holy See react to the decision of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia, on the dismissal of Cardinal George Pell’s appeal.

After the decision on Cardinal George Pell’s appeal was delivered Wednesday morning in Australia, the Holy See Press Office published the following statement:

The two sides will address bilateral relations, some aspects of ecclesial life and the future visit of Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Russia says it is not obligated to share data about an explosion with a suspected nuclear-powered cruise missile that killed at least five nuclear engineers and caused a brief spike in radiation. The announcement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed there was no threat from the accident.