The church's reproach, while so far delivered diplomatically, raises the question of whether the ruling Law and Justice party could be at risk of losing some of its wide support among believers in a country where nine out of 10 citizens identify as Catholic.

Cardinal Nichols later issued a statement to express his horror at the fifth terrorist attack in the U.K. this year. "I am dismayed at yet another cowardly attack on innocent people, including young children, as they were commuting to work and school this morning."

Belgian religious order defies orders from Rome, setting up a confrontation over doctrine.

A leader in ecumenical relations, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor served as Catholic chairman of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission for two decades.

The pope denounced the attack as “a grave offence against the Creator.”

A van drove into a pedestrian zone killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 80 others.