St. Anthony of Padua Church in Casa Grande, Arizona, reported that an early morning fire on Oct. 18 had damaged the church building.

Casa Grande's only Catholic church, St. Anthony's burned to ash in a fire that began late Friday. Federal agents are investigating.

This morning hundreds of people gathered for the first service since a fire damaged a beloved church in Casa Grande. Members of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church came together Sunday morning for the first time for mass after a fire ignited in the main worship area on Friday.

Critics argue the pact legitimizes China’s control over church affairs, while defenders say it helps support Catholics faithful to the Vatican in the Communist country.

China and the Vatican have agreed to extend an accord on the appointment of Catholic bishops in the communist country for a period of four years, the two parties said on Tuesday. The Vatican struck a landmark deal with the Beijing government in 2018.

China and the Vatican have agreed to extend an agreement on the appointment of bishops in China for a longer period of four years, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. The two sides will continue to hold talks in a constructive manner and advance the improvement of relations,