Observatory for Religious Freedom

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In a scene marked by deep sorrow and righteous anger, churches across Syria held funeral services for the victims of the suicide bombing that targeted St. Elias Church in the Syrian capital, Damascus. The attack claimed the lives of 25 people and left dozens injured.

Violence against Christians escalates in Syria

Jul 18, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

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

Latest news

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Leader of schismatic Colorado Springs group disregards excommunication

Chicago firefighters attend to a woman outside a doorway in video taken in November 2025 by Coalition Life.

Sidewalk counselor finds woman crying in pain outside Planned Parenthood clinic in Chicago

Joseph Karam (far left) arrived with his parents, his aunt and uncle, and a group of about 90 Lebanese-Americans from across the United States — all drawn by the significance of witnessing Pope Leo’s first international visit and experiencing it on Lebanese soil — for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, 2025.

Youth, migrant workers, and peacekeepers reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon

Grand prize-winning piece by Janielle Perez is on display at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., until Jan. 11, 2026. Perez is a student at Resurrection Catholic School in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Young artists’ images of Nativity win awards from Missionary Childhood Association

Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV among the most viewed and searched on Wikipedia and Google in 2025

Singer Michael Bublé called meeting Pope Leo XIV on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, “one of the greatest moments of my life,” adding that as he prepares to headline the Vatican’s annual Christmas concert for the poor, he hopes his example will encourage more people to speak openly about their faith.

Michael Bublé calls meeting Pope Leo XIV ‘one of the greatest moments of my life’

Pope Leo XIV meets with members of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation and the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities on Dec. 5, 2025.

How can AI serve the common good and not just the powerful? Pope Leo XIV responds

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

‘Peace Be With You!’ First full-length book by Pope Leo XIV set for February release

Paula Fitzgerald, Roxana Rueda Moreno, moderator Christian Soenen, Rosa Reyes discuss the effects of mass deportation at a conversation sponsored by the Georgetown Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life.

Leaders in Latino communities say mass deportation causes ‘fear and anxiety’

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Virginia school district concedes lawsuit by Catholic student over transgender policies

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