France

The Latest

French Senate in June, 2019.

French Senate debates IVF law after thousands protest in Paris streets

Jan 21, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Debate began on a bioethics bill in the French Senate Tuesday after tens of thousands of people marched through the... Read more

Baptism.

French bishops approve removing parents’ gender from baptismal forms

Jan 15, 2020

The French Catholic bishops’ conference permanent council has approved a recommendation to remove references to the sex of parents on... Read more

Ban on elderly nun’s habit in retirement home went too far, French mayor says

Nov 22, 2019

An elderly nun in France has received an apology from a French mayor after retirement home staff wrongly rejected her,... Read more

Notre-Dame de Paris.

Europe heatwave could damage Notre-Dame, architect warns

Jul 25, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

Almost four months after a fire destroyed the roof of Notre-Dame de Paris, officials are concerned that the building is... Read more

Notre-Dame de Paris.

French lawmakers pass bill on Notre-Dame; new report says cathedral nearly collapsed during fire

Jul 17, 2019

France’s Parliament on Tuesday passed a bill on the rebuilding of Notre-Dame Cathedral— three months after a fire destroyed the... Read more

(CC0 1.0)

Rise in crimes against churches in France shock faithful, prompt reflection

Jul 11, 2019

Vandalism, theft, arson and other increasing attacks on churches in France have led to debates about their causes, amid shock... Read more

Vincent Lambert.

Vincent Lambert dies after removal of food and water

Jul 11, 2019

Vincent Lambert, a 42 year-old quadriplegic man, died in a French hospital Thursday morning, more than one week after doctors... Read more

Vincent Lambert.

Say Mass for Vincent Lambert, Paris archbishop tells priests

Jul 10, 2019

The Archbishop of Paris, Michael Aupetit, has asked priests of his archdiocese to offer Mass for the intention of Vincent... Read more

Archbishop Luigi Ventura, then-Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, speaks at a Mass and Concert held in Ottawa, April 2, 2009.

Holy See waives diplomatic immunity for accused nuncio to France

Jul 8, 2019

The Holy See has announced it has revoked the diplomatic immunity of the apostolic nuncio to France, Archbishop Luigi Ventura,... Read more

Burkini dispute shuts down public pools in one French town

Jun 29, 2019

Reviving a three-year old debate over what constitutes appropriate swimwear for women at the beach, a French city shut down... Read more

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the day after a massive fire damaged parts of the roof and structure.

No evidence that Notre-Dame fire was intentional, investigators say

Jun 27, 2019

An initial investigation into the devastating fire that consumed much of Notre-Dame cathedral in April has found no signs of... Read more

Emmanuel Macron.

France’s mandatory teen service program draws serious religious freedom concerns

Jun 27, 2019

France’s soon-to-be mandatory Universal National Service program for teens has drawn serious religious freedom concerns, with critics noting that the... Read more

The original clock at Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Via Shutterstock

'Near twin' of Notre Dame clock found in storage

Jun 25, 2019

A clock nearly identical to the one destroyed in the fire at Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris has been found in... Read more

Catholics from Syria and Iraq walk the Chartres pilgrimage June 10, 2019.

Pentecost pilgrimages in France, Middle East link Catholics in prayer

Jun 19, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Catholics walked through Syria’s Wadi al-Nasara, or “Valley of the Christians,” this Pentecost, praying the rosary, alternating between the Arabic... Read more

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament along route of Chartres pilgrimage June 9, 2019.

Chartres Pentecost pilgrimage draws 14,000

Jun 13, 2019

By Courtney Mares

More than 14,000 Catholics walked 62 miles from Paris to Chartres Cathedral in three days in an annual Pentecost pilgrimage... Read more

Notre-Dame de Paris.

Notre-Dame's first Mass since fire to be said Saturday

Jun 12, 2019

The first Mass in Notre-Dame de Paris since the cathedral's April fire will be said Saturday evening in a side... Read more

Notre-Dame de Paris.

French Senate stipulates that Notre-Dame be rebuilt as it was

May 28, 2019

The French Senate on Monday passed a bill on the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris, the city's cathedral, adding a... Read more

Vincent Lambert.

Severely disabled French man taken off, returned to life support

May 21, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

A severely disabled French man, who has been artificially fed and hydrated in a hospital in northeastern France for over... Read more

French bishops’ conference to hear testimonies from children of priests

May 20, 2019

French bishops will meet with the children of priests in June to hear their testimonies of hidden suffering.  Read more

The rose window at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris.

Archbishop of Paris: Notre-Dame restoration donations still needed

May 16, 2019

One month after a fire destroyed the roof and spire of the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Archbishop... Read more