World fertility rates

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Marriage researchers Brad Wilcox (right) and Margarite Mooney on the stage of a panel discussion titled "Why Have Children?" on Feb. 15, 2025, at the New York Encounter conference in New York City.

New York Encounter panel: Marriage matters ‘more than ever’ amid falling birth rates

Feb 16, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Forecasts that 1 in 3 young adults in the U.S. today will never marry signify a closing of the “American... Read more

Pope Francis meets with participants of the “Care Is Work, Work Is Care” event sponsored by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on May 8, 2024, at the Vatican.

Migration helps offset serious problem of low birth rate in rich countries, Pope Francis says

May 9, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Addressing participants at an event titled “Care Is Work, Work Is Care,” the Holy Father reflected on decent work and... Read more

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Global fertility rates: Here’s how majority-Catholic countries rank against rest of world

May 7, 2024

By Jonah McKeown, Daniel Payne

Catholic populations have for years been associated with high fertility rates — but that has changed. Read more

Latest news

Thousands of faithful bearing candles surround the illuminated Colosseum in Rome during the traditional Via Crucis ceremony on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, where Cardinal Reina presided over the solemn procession.

Rome’s ancient Colosseum hosts Way of the Cross with pope’s theme of renewal

Sts. Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome, guard the entrance to Ponte Sant’Angelo, welcoming pilgrims as they begin their journey toward St. Peter’s Basilica.

PHOTOS: Angels of Rome’s Ponte Sant’Angelo guide pilgrims through Christ’s passion

Father Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, gives the homily during a two-hour Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion in St. Peter’s Basilica on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.

On Good Friday, Vatican preacher says authentic intelligence is found in self-giving love

U.S. Vice President JD Vance (right) and his family attend the Vatican’s Liturgy for the Lord’s Passion in St. Peter’s Basilica on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.

Vice President JD Vance attends Vatican Good Friday service

A damaged bus and vehicles after a Russian missile strike on Sumy, Ukraine, on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

Palm Sunday bombing in Ukraine claims 34 victims, including 15 children

A Senákulo performance in Marinduque, Philippines.

Faith on the streets: Holy Week plays in the Philippines depict passion of Jesus Christ

Pope Francis celebrates the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, March 29, 2024.

What are the Good Friday Reproaches?

A Greek Orthodox monk pours oil into the lamps in front of the edicule of the Holy Sepulcher, which contains the venerated tomb. The three communities responsible for the Holy Sepulcher are the Greek Orthodox, the Latin Catholic, and the Armenian. Every movement and schedule inside the basilica is governed by the Status Quo.

PHOTOS: Archaeologists uncover early use of site beneath Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem

According to Stephen de Silva, St. Albans Cathedral’s longest-serving guide of more than 45 years, religious brothers who lived in the cathedral’s abbey in the 14th century invented the original hot cross bun for both charitable and catechetical reasons.

The surprising Catholic origins of England’s hot cross bun

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti performs the washing of feet ritual for laypersons during the Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, April 17, 2025.

Washing of feet at Vatican highlights Holy Thursday call to reject world that ‘betrays’ for profit

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Apr 19
Blessed James Oldo
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