US News

Advent wreath.

Everything you need to know about the Advent wreath

Dec 3, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Advent wreaths are traditionally made from evergreen branches and have four candles, which represent the four weeks of Advent.  Read more

Advent candles.

What is Advent anyway?

Dec 3, 2023

By CNA Staff

Need a refresher on Advent? Here’s some info that can help you live a great Advent this year. Read more

A 17th-century Japanese depiction of St. Francis Xavier from the Kobe City Museum collection.

The unlikely hero of India: St. Francis Xavier 

Dec 3, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

St. Francis Xavier is a patron saint of missionaries and missions and led an unlikely life of adventure and heroism. Read more

For Advent 2023, Blessed Is She created a devotional for women called "Found."

Advent 2023: 5 Catholic resources to help prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus

Dec 2, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

With the hustle and bustle of holiday festivities, it’s easy to lose track of what truly makes this time of... Read more

A religious sister from the Monastery of Bethlehem in Livingston Manor, New York, hand-paints a pitcher.

Christmas 2023: Handmade gifts from Catholic monasteries

Dec 2, 2023

By Zelda Caldwell

From soap and china to cakes and rosaries, these unique gifts are special to receive — and proceeds support the... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Witnesses testify to torture by Nicaraguan dictatorship at hearing on imprisoned Catholic bishop 

Dec 1, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Among the witnesses testifying at the hearing titled “An Urgent Appeal to Let Bishop Álvarez Go” were several Nicaraguan exiles.  Read more

Marijuana leaves.

Denver archbishop: Why I wrote a pastoral letter on marijuana

Dec 1, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

In a Nov. 28  interview, Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver explained what motivated him to write a pastoral letter on... Read more

President Ronald Reagan and his Supreme Court justice nominee Sandra Day O'Connor on July 15, 1981.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a swing vote on abortion, dies   

Dec 1, 2023

By Matt McDonald

President Ronald Reagan nominated O’Connor to the U.S. Supreme Court in July 1981, fulfilling a campaign promise to name the... Read more

Credit: Mark Van Scyoc/Shutterstock

U.S. bishops urge public to petition Biden administration over rule denying funds to pregnancy centers

Dec 1, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The U.S. bishops are urging the public to petition the Biden administration to revise a rule that the bishops say... Read more

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America’s Catholics weigh in on Pope Francis’ climate change priorities

Dec 1, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The pope’s foray into climate science variously draws both praise and consternation from Catholics in the U.S. Read more

Florida governor and Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis (left) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom appear on screen from the press room during a debate held by Fox News in Alpharetta, Georgia, on Nov. 30, 2023.

In unique governors’ debate, DeSantis and Newsom bicker, trade criticism

Dec 1, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The event, billed as “The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate,” was broadcast on Fox News and moderated by network... Read more

YDisciple is a streaming project aimed at providing training resources for adults and teaching materials for youth. It announced in November 2023 it is partnering with the Juan Diego Network to adapt the YDisciple project to the Spanish language and the needs of Latino culture.

NET Ministries launches outreach to U.S. Hispanic youth

Nov 30, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

According to a Pew Research study, 60% of Catholics under the age of 18 in the United States are Hispanic. Read more

St. Agnes Cathedral, Diocese of Rockville Centre

New York diocese offers $200 million to abuse victims in largest-ever settlement offer

Nov 30, 2023

By Tina Dennelly

The plan includes an immediate cash payout of a minimum of $100,000 to claimants with a lawsuit and a $50,000... Read more

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Deaths by suicide reach ‘highest number ever recorded’; ideation likely higher, expert says

Nov 30, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Suicide rates have been steadily increasing for about 50 years, one expert says, which is likely due to a combination... Read more

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Activist group pushes to enshrine abortion rights in Arkansas constitution

Nov 29, 2023

By Daniel Payne

An activist group in Arkansas this week announced an effort to pass a state constitutional amendment protecting the right to... Read more

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New Catholic PR agency looks to help Catholics become ‘strengthened in the faith’

Nov 29, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Sophia Communications seeks to promote a variety of Catholic organizations and endeavors by “spreading the faith via the media.” Read more

Voting booths on Election Day.

Some pro-life lawmakers urge new approach amid electoral results

Nov 28, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Some pro-life lawmakers are trying to moderate their position on abortion in response to these results, but others are doubling... Read more

CNA

When an Oregon town told a church to limit its meals to the homeless the DOJ stepped in

Nov 28, 2023

By Daniel Payne

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Brookings, Oregon, has for years regularly provided meals for homeless people in the area up... Read more

Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie during a visit to Unbound's headquarters in November 2023.

Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie partners with child sponsorship charity for special milestone 

Nov 28, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The Catholic child sponsorship charity Unbound announced Tuesday that Roumie, of “The Chosen,” has partnered with them to sponsor their... Read more

Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 24, 2022.

Here are Pope Francis’ liturgies for Christmas 2023 at the Vatican

Nov 28, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

As the season of Advent draws near, the Vatican has published the schedule of Pope Francis’ liturgies for Christmas through... Read more