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St. Nicholas, by Jaroslav Čermák (1831-1878).

5 things to know and share about St. Nicholas

Dec 6, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

How much do you know about the man whose feast falls on Dec. 6? Read more

The Holy House of Our Lady in the Shrine of Loreto.

How could the Holy House of Mary in Nazareth have ended up in Loreto, Italy?

Dec 10, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Catholic pilgrims have flocked to the Holy House of Loreto since the 14th century to stand inside the walls where... Read more

A bridge over the Mississippi River near St. Louis.

Why the mighty Mississippi was once named ‘River of the Immaculate Conception’

Dec 9, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

“Immaculate” is not a word most people would use to describe the Mississippi River’s famously muddy waters. But Father Jacques... Read more

The last ordinary public consistory to create new cardinals took place on Sept. 30, 2023.

What is a consistory? Your questions answered

Dec 6, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Here’s everything you need to know about this Saturday’s consistory. Read more

Cardinals outside the Paul VI Hall.

21 new cardinals to reflect Catholic Church’s unity amid geographic expansion

Dec 4, 2024

By Kristina Millare

While the College of Cardinals will still largely be European, after the Dec. 7 consistory more than 90 countries will... Read more

The contemplative Sisters of the Monastery of Bethlehem in Livingston Manor, New York, support themselves by offering their hand-painted chinaware and other unique gifts for sale.

Christmas 2024: Handmade gifts from 14 Catholic monasteries

Dec 8, 2024

By Zelda Caldwell

A guide to some of our favorite handmade gifts to give and receive from religious communities and monasteries. Read more

Archbishop Laurent Ulrich presides at the first Mass in the reopened Cathedral of Notre Dame on Dec. 8, 2024.

First Mass celebrated in restored Notre Dame cathedral

Dec 9, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, on Dec. 8 celebrated the first Mass during which the altar of the restored... Read more

Pope Francis places the red biretta on Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, archbishop of Naples, during the consistory for the creation of 21 new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica, Dec. 7, 2024.

Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals, including archbishops of Tehran and Toronto

Dec 7, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The pope highlighted that the term “cardinal” symbolizes a “hinge,” emphasizing their vital role as in holding the Church together. Read more

A firefighter in Rome pays tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary by laying a wreath of fresh flowers at her statue atop a column near the Spanish Steps at dawn on Dec. 8, 2023.

Immaculate Conception on an Advent Sunday: When to go to Mass?

Dec 7, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated each year on Dec. 8. This year its observance is “transferred” to... Read more

A painting of Franciscan missionary Pedro de Gante with Juan Diego, whom the friar baptized along with Diego’s wife in 1525.

Meet the Franciscan friar who baptized St. Juan Diego

Dec 9, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Many people know the story of St. Juan Diego but are less familiar with the Franciscan missionary who baptized him. Read more

Pope Francis is shown the new popemobile, an electric Mercedes, on Dec. 4, 2024, at the Vatican.

Mercedes-Benz presents Pope Francis with new modified G-Wagon ‘popemobile’

Dec 4, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Ola Källenius, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz, presented the pope with a white and chrome key fob inside a white box... Read more

Activist and detransitioner Chloe Cole was among the speakers at a rally on the steps of the United States Supreme Court on Dec. 4, 2024, as justices heard oral arguments in a challenge to a Tennessee law banning transgender surgeries for minors.

Detransitioner Chloe Cole, Matt Walsh speak at rally on the steps of the Supreme Court 

Dec 5, 2024

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Tensions were high at times, as a rally organized by a coalition of trans-rights activists shared the space outside the... Read more

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Bible boom: Why are people buying so many Bibles?

Dec 5, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

As recently reported by the Wall Street Journal, Bible sales rose 22% in the U.S. through the end of October... Read more

Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich knocks on the door of Notre-Dame Cathedral during a ceremony to mark the reopening of the landmark cathedral in central Paris on Dec. 7, 2024.

Notre Dame Cathedral ‘back in the light’ after glorious reopening  

Dec 7, 2024

By Solène Tadié

The reopening ceremony of the restored Notre-Dame of Paris Cathedral was held Saturday evening in the presence of numerous religious... Read more

Pope Francis delivers the homily during Mass on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in St. Peter's Basilica, Dec. 8, 2024.

Pope Francis links Mary’s humility to modern church at Mass with new cardinals

Dec 8, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis celebrated the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with the news cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica, calling Christians to... Read more

Cardinals follow the ceremony during the ordinary public consistory for the creation of new cardinals at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Dec. 7, 2024.

Analysis: What Pope Francis’ new cardinals reveal about future conclave

Dec 8, 2024

By Andrea Gagliarducci

While he has appointed 78% of electors, factors including limited gatherings and logistical challenges suggest the next conclave’s outcome remains... Read more

Pope Francis gazes up at the bronze statue of Mary atop the 39.4-foot column at Rome’s Spanish Steps, Dec. 8, 2024.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis marks Immaculate Conception in Rome with prayer, surprise art visit

Dec 8, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis marked the Immaculate Conception by visiting to two of Rome’s most important Marian sites, followed by an unexpected... Read more

Pope Francis blesses a toddler during his general audience on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis: Preaching must rely on Holy Spirit, keep homilies under 10 minutes

Dec 4, 2024

By Kristina Millare

“Preachers must preach an idea, a feeling, and a call to action. Beyond eight minutes the preaching starts to fade,... Read more

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio.

New film on Padre Pio provides intimate look into saint’s life from those who knew him

Dec 7, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The documentary drama “Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: Man of Hope and Healing” will make its television debut on EWTN on... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the College of Cardinals on July 1, 2024.

What does it mean that almost half of the new cardinals will be from religious orders?

Dec 6, 2024

By Marco Mancini, Matthew Bunson

Out of the 21 cardinals who will be created on Dec. 7 in the 10th consistory of Pope Francis, 10... Read more