Europe News

Pavica Vojnović, who has led pro-life vigils in Pforzheim, southwest Germany.

Court hears pro-life challenge to German municipality’s prayer vigil ban

May 13, 2021

In 2019, the municipality in Pforzheim, southwest Germany, denied pro-lifers permission to hold vigils near a pre-abortion advisory center. Read more

Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça celebrates Mass at Fatima, Portugal, May 13, 2021.

Cardinal at Fatima shrine: World needs ‘spiritual restart’ after pandemic

May 13, 2021

Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça was preaching on the May 13 feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Read more

Pope John Paul II collapses after being shot on May 13, 1981, in St. Peter’s Square.

‘I was in shock’: Polish cardinal recalls assassination attempt on St. John Paul II 40 years on

May 13, 2021

The Polish pope collapsed into the arms of Msgr. Dziwisz when he was struck by four bullets on May 13,... Read more

Pope Francis receives German foreign minister Heiko Mass in a private audience at the Vatican, May 12, 2021.

German foreign minister welcomes day of same-sex blessings ahead of papal audience

May 12, 2021

Heiko Maas backed the blessing ceremonies held in around 80 German cities on May 10. Read more

Polish Bishop Jan Tyrawa.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Polish bishop after ‘Vos estis’ investigation

May 12, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Bishop Jan Tyrawa was investigated for negligence in handling clerical abuse cases. Read more

London, England.

Italian broker for Vatican’s London property arrested in UK

May 12, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The arrest, which took place May 11 in London, was requested by an Italian judge. Read more

The icon of Our Lady of Budslau.

Revered icon of Our Lady unscathed after Belarus church fire

May 11, 2021

The icon of Our Lady of Budslau has been venerated for centuries in a village north of the capital, Minsk. Read more

A blessing service as part of a day of action in defiance to the Vatican’s ruling on same-sex unions in the Youth Church in Würzburg, Germany, May 10, 2021.

German Catholics defy Vatican with blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples

May 10, 2021

Ceremonies took place in around 80 cities, though the precise number of services is unknown. Read more

The flag of Germany.

Father Weinandy: ‘If the German Synodal Way is not heading for schism, it has fooled a lot of people’

May 10, 2021

The theologian made the comment after the German bishops’ leader said the country’s Catholics were not “schismatics.” Read more

The hand of the statue of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Square, pictured Feb. 28, 2013.

German Catholic group calls on bishops to unite with Rome

May 10, 2021

The appeal came ahead a day of protest in Germany against the Vatican’s “no” to same-sex blessings. Read more

The Catholic Cathedral of Limburg in Hesse, Germany.

George Weigel: Church in Germany called to fidelity to revelation

May 10, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Church in Germany is called to follow revealed truth rather than the spirit of the times, George Weigel, biographer... Read more

Rosario Livatino.

Rosario Livatino beatified in Sicily, honored as ‘martyr of justice and faith’

May 9, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Blessed Rosario Livatino, a Catholic judge brutally killed by the mafia in 1990, was beatified Sunday in the Cathedral of... Read more

Churches in Germany are flying LGBT pride flags in response to the Vatican’s ‘no’ to same-sex blessings.

German Catholic diocese hosts event declaring same-sex blessings a case of ‘not if, but how’

May 7, 2021

The Diocese of Essen held the conference ahead of a nationwide event defying the Vatican’s “no” to same-sex blessings. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

German Catholic bishops’ leader: We are not ‘schismatics’

May 6, 2021

Bishop Bätzing said the German Church remains close to Rome, despite tensions over same-sex blessings, Communion for Protestants, and the... Read more

St. Peter's Dome.

‘Security consultant’ says Cardinal Becciu asked her to compile ‘files’ on Vatican personnel

May 6, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cecilia Marogna made the allegation in an interview aired on an Italian investigative news program. Read more

The San Galgano reliquary, stolen in 1989.

Stolen 14th-century reliquary found in police raid of art collector’s home in Sicily

May 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Barbara Jatta, director of the Vatican Museums, hailed the rediscovery of the reliquary as “a nearly unprecedented find.” Read more

The Royal Courts of Justice, which houses the High Court and Court of Appeal of England and Wales.

Court to hear challenge to UK’s Down syndrome abortion law in July

May 4, 2021

Heidi Crowter, a woman with Down syndrome, and Máire Lea-Wilson, a mother whose 23-month-old son has the genetic condition, are... Read more

Firefighters respond to the fire at Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church, in Lille, France

Church fire in Northern France reportedly contained

May 4, 2021

By Matt Hadro

A fire broke out on Monday evening at Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church, in Lille, France, and has reportedly been contained. Read more

The interior of the Church of St. Louis of the French (San Luigi dei Francesi) in Rome, Italy

EU to showcase the European history of Rome’s Catholic churches

May 4, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Weekly walks to 26 of Rome’s churches with historic ties to European nations will take place in May and June. Read more

The nave of Saint-Ouen Abbey in Rouen, Normandy, France.

Why France is losing one religious building every two weeks

May 4, 2021

By Solène Tadié

France’s religious heritage is in a precarious state. This is why. Read more