Archive for December 17, 2025

The European Parliament building in Brussels, Belgium.?w=200&h=150

By Bohumil Petrík

Why religion matters at the EU-Balkans summit today

The EU-Western Balkans summit on Dec. 17 in Brussels brings together European Union leaders and their counterparts from six Western... Read more

Schoolchildren attend a ceremonial welcome and tree planting at Aras an Uachtarain, the official residence of the president of Ireland, during a state visit by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancee, Charlene Wittstock, on April 4, 2011, in Dublin.?w=200&h=150

By Patrick J. Passmore

Christian religious education in Northern Ireland ruled unlawful; bishops respond

A U.K. Supreme Court ruling has found that Christian religious education taught in schools in Northern Ireland is unlawful, but... Read more

Pope Leo XIV looks out from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after his election on May 8, 2025.?w=200&h=150

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Vogue magazine includes Pope Leo XIV on its list of best dressed of 2025

Vogue magazine recently named Pope Leo XIV one of the 55 best-dressed people of 2025. Read more

Pope Leo XIV spoke about the solution for restless hearts in his catechesis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 17. 2025.?w=200&h=150

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Leo XIV: True treasure is found in the heart, not ‘too much doing’

Pope Leo XIV spoke about the solution for restless hearts in his catechesis at the general audience in St. Peter’s... Read more

Carolers outside Planned Parenthood in Aurora, Illinois, on Dec. 13, 2025.?w=200&h=150

By Kate Quiñones

At abortion facilities across the nation, carolers bring tidings of life

As Christmas Day approaches, nearly 100 caroling groups across the U.S. are gathering at various abortion facilities to sing Christmas... Read more

Father Deusdedit Ssekabira of the Catholic Diocese of Masaka in Uganda is in police custody for alleged “violent subversive activities against state” following his abducted from his office in Katwe, Masaka city, by men wearing Uganda Army uniform on Dec. 3, 2025.?w=200&h=150

By ACI Africa

Uganda army confirms arrest of priest over alleged state security threats

According to a statement, Father Deusdedit Ssekabira was arrested in connection with what the military says is “involvement in violent... Read more

Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois.?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Leo XIV to appoint next archbishop of New York

Bishop Ronald Hicks, 58, will succeed Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who has led New York, the second-largest U.S. archdiocese by population... Read more

San Diego Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano celebrates Mass at St. Augustine’s School on Dec. 5, 2021, to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe.?w=200&h=150

By CNA Staff

Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Ramón Bejarano to lead Monterey Diocese

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ramón Bejarano, currently auxiliary bishop of San Diego, as the next bishop of Monterey... Read more

Army personnel stand guard in front of St. Mary’s Cathedral Church in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 23, ahead of Christmas 2024.?w=200&h=150

By Stephan Uttom Rozario

Bangladesh Catholics face Christmas under military guard after church attacks

Bangladesh Catholics face Christmas under military guard after bomb attacks on St. Mary’s Cathedral and Catholic schools in Dhaka. Read more

Illinois state capitol in Springfield.?w=200&h=150

By Daniel Payne

Catholic leaders back pregnancy centers, doctors in federal suit over abortion referrals

The lawsuit challenges a 2016 Illinois rule that requires health care providers who refuse to perform abortions to refer women... Read more

Church of the National Vow in Bogotá, Colombia.?w=200&h=150

By Eduardo Berdejo

Colombian law recognizes historical importance of church dedicated to Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Colombian Senate passed a law on Dec. 15 that recognizes the historical, religious, and cultural value of the Church... Read more

Disabilities advocates in Buffalo, New York, during a candlelight vigil in opposition to assisted suicide.?w=200&h=150

By Kate Quiñones

Catholic bishops speak out as New York governor pledges to sign into law assisted suicide

The assisted suicide bill New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign allows doctors to give terminally ill patients drugs to... Read more

This image is preserved in the Church of San Vital, built in 386, in Rome.?w=200&h=150

By Victoria Cardiel

First painting in Rome of Our Lady of Guadalupe preserved in fourth-century church

The Church of St. Vitale is the oldest Christian church still standing in the center of Rome and contains the... Read more

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (at right) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (at left) and then-National Security Adviser Mike Waltz (at center).?w=200&h=150

By Amira Abuzeid

Pentagon chief announces reforms to U.S. military’s Chaplain Corps

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that he has issued a directive aimed at reforming the military’s Chaplain Corps. Read more