Madalaine Elhabbal

Madalaine Elhabbal

Madalaine Elhabbal is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency, based at the Washington, D.C. headquarters of EWTN News.

Articles by Madalaine Elhabbal

An Israeli air strike hits Khiam, Nabatieh region in southern Lebanon, on Sept. 25, 2024. Credit: Mawan Semaan/ACI MENA

Patriarch Raï praises Lebanon border communities for staying on their land

Oct 3, 2025 / 07:00 am

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed.

Cardinal Robert McElroy gives his first homily as the shepherd of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on March 11, 2025. Credit: Patrick Ruddy/CNA

Cardinal McElroy calls for solidarity with immigrants lacking legal status

Sep 30, 2025 / 18:42 pm

Cardinal Robert McElroy described the Trump administration’s approach to immigration as “a comprehensive campaign to uproot millions of families.”

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for his general audience on Sept.24, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

UPDATE: Pope Leo XIV wades into Durbin debate

Sep 30, 2025 / 15:36 pm

Pope Leo XIV said U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin’s record should be considered in its totality and that Americans should search together for the truth on moral questions.

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte gives a speech during a campaign rally at Southorn Stadium on March 9, 2025, in Hong Kong, China. Credit: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte charged with murder

Sep 26, 2025 / 14:36 pm

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed.

Protesters wave the Union Jack and St. George’s Cross flags during the “Unite the Kingdom” rally on Westminster Bridge by the Houses of Parliament on Sept. 13, 2025, in London. Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Cardinal Vincent Nichols condemns words and symbols ‘co-opting Christianity’

Sep 25, 2025 / 16:48 pm

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and other English faith leaders condemned the “co-opting” of Christianity.

null Credit: Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock

Study finds gaps in psychological screening of priesthood candidates

Sep 25, 2025 / 06:00 am

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University conducted the study in collaboration with the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame.

U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Illinois. Credit: Public domain

Opposition mounts to Archdiocese of Chicago plan to fete Durbin

Sep 24, 2025 / 18:08 pm

Opposition is mounting against Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich’s decision to honor U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Illinois, with a “lifetime achievement award.”

A Mass in recognition of all immigrants is celebrated at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Credit: Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Bishop Seitz kicks off National Migration Week’s ‘Cabrini Pledge’

Sep 23, 2025 / 17:59 pm

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched the “Cabrini Pledge” intended to help Catholics in “witnessing to the God-given dignity of every person.”

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Cardinal Cupich defends decision to honor pro-abortion senator at immigration fundraiser

Sep 23, 2025 / 16:52 pm

Chicago archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich is defending his decision to honor pro-abortion Illinois Democrat Sen. Richard Durbin at an upcoming fundraiser. 

null Credit: Andrius Zemaitis/Shutterstock

Bomb squad called after Christian nonprofit in Ireland receives possible anthrax

Sep 20, 2025 / 08:00 am

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed.

A new mural painted by artist Adam Cvijanovic, the south and west panels seen here, was unveiled at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in New York. The mural, which is the largest permanent artwork commissioned for the cathedral in its 146-year history, celebrates the 1879 Apparition at Knock, Ireland, the faith of generations of immigrants to New York, and the service of New York City’s first responders. Credit: Diane Bondareff/AP Content Services for the Archdiocese of New York

Massive mural honoring New York City migrants unveiled at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Sep 19, 2025 / 18:20 pm

St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan has unveiled a 25-foot-tall mural honoring migrants to New York City.

This photo taken on Jan. 15, 2024, shows a Chinese flag fluttering below a cross on a Christian church in Pingtan in China’s southeast Fujian province. Credit: GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese government bans Catholic priests from teaching, evangelizing online

Sep 19, 2025 / 08:00 am

For “serious offenders,” the new regulations recommend religious institutions suspend their teaching activities or revoke their religious status.

Ethics and Public Policy Center scholar Mary Rice Hasson praised the Bishop of Toledo's recent pastoral letter, titled "The Body Reveals the Person: A Catholic Response to the Challenges of Gender Ideology." Credit: "EWTN News Nightly"/Screenshot

Toledo bishop’s letter on gender ideology ‘timely’ and ‘loving,’ Mary Rice Hasson says

Sep 18, 2025 / 15:00 pm

Mary Rice Hasson, head of the EPPC’s Person and Identity Project, praised Toledo Bishop Daniel Thomas’ pastoral letter on sex and gender identity issues.

Priests throughout the country have mentioned assassinated conservative Christian activisit Charlie Kirk in their homilies this week. Credit: ChoeWatt/Shutterstock

Homilies across U.S. take stock of Charlie Kirk assassination

Sep 16, 2025 / 18:24 pm

Catholic priests around the country have discussed the assassination of Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk during their homilies in the last week.

Reem Alsalem is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls. Credit: ADF International

UN expert joins detransitioner in urging governments to protect parental rights

Sep 16, 2025 / 16:44 pm

U.N. Expert on Violence Against Women and Girls Reem Alsalem has urged governments to support parents who seek to protect their children from “gender transition.”

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. Credit: Jack Haskins/EWTN News

CNA Newsmaker Interview: Kevin Roberts and living out the optimism of Charlie Kirk

Sep 16, 2025 / 08:20 am

CNA talks with Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts for the inaugural edition of its “CNA Newsmaker Interview” series.

Pilgrims at the canonization Mass for Sts. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati in St. Peter’s Square on Sept. 7, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

‘Surge of enthusiasm’ among Catholics in Asia after St. Carlo Acutis canonization 

Sep 13, 2025 / 06:00 am

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops headquarters in Washington, D.C., where Archbishop Timothy Broglio, USCCB president, said the Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation will continue “important work.” Credit: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

U.S. bishops’ conference creates a permanent subcommittee to address racism

Sep 12, 2025 / 16:34 pm

The newly-created Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation reflects the U.S. bishops conference’s “commitment to addressing the sin of racism.”

Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Credit: “EWTN News in Depth”

Benedictine College launches AI center on Carlo Acutis’ canonization day

Sep 11, 2025 / 18:37 pm

Here’s a roundup of the latest Catholic education news in the United States.

A makeshift memorial is seen at Timpanogos Regional Hospital in honor of political activist Charlie Kirk on Sept. 11, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Credit: George Frey/Getty Images

Politicians, faith leaders condemn political violence after Charlie Kirk assassination

Sep 11, 2025 / 13:04 pm

Faith leaders and political leaders are uniting their voices to condemn politically motivated violence following the assassination of Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk.