ASUNCION, Paraguay – The Bishops of Paraguay made an urgent appeal for peace after hundreds of demonstrators set fire to the National Congress building in Asuncion on the night of March 31.

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM PARAGUAY - Before arriving in the United States in September, Pope Francis said, he will study American criticisms of his critiques of the global economy and finance.

ASUNCION, Paraguay - Pope Francis returned to his roots July 12 when he visited Banado Norte, a poor neighbourhood near the Paraguay River where residents battle seasonal flooding and face possible eviction.

CAACUPE, Paraguay - Pope Francis was as close to home as he has been since becoming pope in March 2013 as he celebrated Mass at Paraguay's popular shrine of Our Lady of Miracles of Caacupe. ]]> International Sun, 12 Jul 2015 07:30:00 -0400 /home/international/item/20561-pope-honours-st-john-paul-s-historic-visit-to-paraguay /home/international/item/20561-pope-honours-st-john-paul-s-historic-visit-to-paraguay

ASUNCION, Paraguay - Arriving in Paraguay July 10, Pope Francis paid tribute to the historic visit to the country made in 1988 by St. John Paul II, a visit many people saw as contributing to the end of one of the world's longest military dictatorships. ]]> International Sat, 11 Jul 2015 15:00:00 -0400 /home/international/item/20539-pope-francis-trip-to-paraguay-brings-joy-to-ottawa-woman /home/international/item/20539-pope-francis-trip-to-paraguay-brings-joy-to-ottawa-woman

OTTAWA - Nine months ago Rosa Frias was blessed to meet Pope Francis and tell him about obstacles she faced in opening a childrenöÏÓãÊÓƵapp clinic in her home town of Limpio, Paraguay. So the PopeöÏÓãÊÓƵapp visit to Paraguay July 10-12 has special significance for Frias now that her dream has come true and her clinic has been opened.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will depart July 5 on a much-anticipated trip to Latin America, seen as a homecoming for the Argentine pontiff and likely to draw attention to key challenges in the region.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will meet a gay married activist in Paraguay next month, according to an LGBT rights group in that country.

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican denied Pope Francis had dismissed a controversial Paraguayan bishop because of his mishandling of sex abuse accusations, attributing the decision instead to other failings of governance and friction with fellow bishops.