Latest Catholic News

Pope Leo XIV addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for recitation of the Angelus on Jan. 1, 2026.

Pope Leo XIV urges prayers for peace in bloodied nations and wounded families

Jan 1, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday urged Catholics to pray for peace, “first, among nations bloodied by conflict and suffering,” and... Read more

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Jan. 1, 2026.

Leo XIV: The world is saved by welcoming all without fear

Jan 1, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Leo XIV called Catholics to a steadfast openness to other people, warning that peace will not be built through... Read more

Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile in St. Peter’s Square in October 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

Key dates on the agenda of the pope and Vatican for 2026

Jan 1, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Leo XIV is preparing for a busy 2026. Read more

Pope Leo XIV speaks to teenagers during a digital encounter at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis during the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) on Nov. 21, 2025. | Credit: Tessa Gervasini/CNA

10 New Year’s resolution ideas inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s advice to youth in 2025

Jan 1, 2026

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Here are 10 ideas from Pope Leo XIV’s advice to youth at NCYC 2025 in Indianapolis to help you deepen... Read more

Credit: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

How to obtain a plenary indulgence for the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026

Dec 31, 2025

By Diego López Marina

The Catholic Church offers special graces at both the close of a year and the beginning of a new year. Read more

2025 was a complex and multifaceted year for Christians in the Middle East, oscillating between supportive initiatives and messages of hope alongside persistent challenges. | Credit: Ismail Adnan/ACI MENA

Christians in the Middle East in 2025: Signs of hope and the struggle to remain

Dec 31, 2025

By Souhail Lawand

2025 was a complex and multifaceted year in the Middle East for Christians, a mixture of supportive initiatives and messages... Read more

Pope Leo XIV presides over first vespers (evening prayer) in St. Peter's Basilica in anticipation of the Jan. 1 solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on Dec. 31, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Leo XIV on New Year’s Eve: The future is in God’s hands

Dec 31, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Leo XIV presided over first vespers (evening prayer) at the Vatican on Wednesday in anticipation of the Jan. 1... Read more

A Planned Parenthood facility in Minneapolis. | Credit: Ken Wolter/Shutterstock

Appeals court allows White House cuts to Planned Parenthood in multiple states

Dec 31, 2025

By Daniel Payne

A federal appeals court will allow federal funding cuts to Planned Parenthoods that provide abortion, permitting a key Trump policy... Read more

Downtown Indianapolis is seen on March 10, 2021. | Credit: John McDonnell/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Indianapolis church files federal lawsuit to knock down parish after historic designation

Dec 31, 2025

By Daniel Payne

Overseers of an unused parish in Indianapolis have filed a federal lawsuit demanding the government allow the building to be... Read more

Prayer for the New Year 2026. | Credit: ACI Prensa

A special prayer to conclude 2025 and begin 2026

Dec 31, 2025

By ACI Prensa

As we close out 2025 and welcome 2026, now is the perfect time to thank God for the past year,... Read more

Afternoon prayers for the ecumenical youth gathering are taking place in the Accor Arena, which can accommodate more than 20,000 people. Credit: Taizé Community

Thousands of young Europeans are beginning the new year at ecumenical gathering

Dec 31, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Thousands of European youth are in Paris for an ecumenical event organized by the Taizé Community. Read more

“When I began hearing the confessions of the faithful, I understood that there can be no inner peace without forgiveness," said Father Pero Miličević.| Credit: Vatican Media

Bosnian Muslims murdered his family, but later as a priest he forgave them

Dec 31, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

Twenty years after his father and other relatives were murdered by Muslim militiamen in Bosnia, Father Pero Miličević was finally... Read more

Young people at the 2023 SEEK conference in St. Louis. | Credit: Photo courtesy of SEEK

SEEK 2026 set to kick off in 3 cities

Dec 31, 2025

By Amira Abuzeid

The annual Catholic SEEK conference will take place Jan. 1–5 in three U.S. cities: Columbus, Ohio; Denver; and Fort Worth,... Read more

Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered for his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV ends 2025 urging Catholics to examine conscience and entrust new year to God

Dec 31, 2025

By Marco Mancini

In St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 31, the pope said 2025 brought both joy and sorrow, citing the jubilee pilgrimage... Read more

Pope Leo XIV greets a girl in a wheelchair during an audience with members of Italian Catholic Action on Dec. 19, 2025 at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media

CNA’s top Catholic moments of 2025

Dec 31, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

2025 was filled with impactful moments — here are some of the top Catholic moments of the past year. Read more

Pope Leo XIV walks through the Holy Door carrying the jubilee cross while leading the Holy See’s pilgrimage on June 9, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

8 stories that made 2025 a true year of hope

Dec 31, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

These inspiring stories show why 2025 can truly be remembered as a time when hope shone bright. Read more

Credit: udra11/Shutterstock

Rest in peace: Looking back at notable Catholics who passed away in 2025

Dec 31, 2025

By Daniel Payne

In 2025, numerous notable Catholics entered eternal life — from public officials to the vicar of Christ himself.  Read more

Begum Khaleda Zia, former Bangladesh prime minister and chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, in 2010 at the Diploma Engineers Institute, Dhaka. | Credit: Mohammed Tawsif Salam, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, Catholic school alumna, dies at 80

Dec 30, 2025

By Sumon Corraya

Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, died at 80 after decades shaping the nation’s democracy and championing education... Read more

Aerial view of St. Peter’s Square filled with thousands of mourners including clergy and dignitaries gathered for Pope Francis’ funeral Mass under a clear blue sky on April 26, 2025, in Vatican City. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

More than 3 million people attended Vatican audiences and ceremonies in 2025

Dec 30, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

During 2025, more than 3 million people attended audiences and liturgical celebrations at the Vatican, a year that spanned the... Read more

Father Sylvester Okechukwu of the Diocese of Kafanchan in Nigeria was found murdered on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. | Credit: Diocese of Kafanchan, Nigeria

Courageous witnesses to the faith: 17 missionaries were murdered in 2025

Dec 30, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Throughout the world in 2025, 17 missionaries were killed for the faith, 10 from Africa alone. Read more