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Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord in St. Peter's Basilica Jan. 6, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis at Epiphany Mass: ‘If we do not worship God, we will worship idols’

Jan 6, 2021

As he celebrated Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Wednesday, Pope Francis urged Catholics to devote... Read more

Pope Francis creates five new cardinals during a consistory in St. Peter's Basilica on June 28, 2017.

The College of Cardinals in 2021: Who could vote in a future papal conclave

Jan 6, 2021

By CNA Staff

As of the first month of 2021, the College of Cardinals is composed of 229 members, 128 of whom are... Read more

Hospital quarantine room. Stock image via Shutterstock

As LA County limits emergency care amid COVID surge, ethicists weigh in

Jan 6, 2021

By Matt Hadro

Los Angeles County has announced it is limiting non-COVID emergency care, due to hospitals having reached a “point of crisis”... Read more

Father Michael Pfleger / Photo: Daniel X. O'Neil CC BY 2.0

Father Michael Pfleger, activist Chicago priest, faces claim of abusing minor

Jan 5, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

The outspoken activist Chicago priest Father Michael Pfleger faces an allegation that he sexually abused a minor over 40 years... Read more

Priest collar.

North Dakota concludes investigation of clerical sex abuse

Jan 5, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

An 18-month-long investigation into child sexual abuse in North Dakota’s two dioceses has concluded, the state’s attorney general announced Monday.  Read more

Joe Biden.

Abortion advocates push for big changes in 2021 under Biden administration 

Jan 5, 2021

Looking ahead at 2021, abortion advocates are hoping the incoming presidential administration will bring policy changes and new personnel who... Read more

Philippine Catholics lament police killings of indigenous people during arrest

Jan 5, 2021

Catholic and human rights groups have condemned the killing of nine indigenous group leaders, who were shot as authorities arrested... Read more

Births of babies with Down syndrome in Europe fall sharply amid increased prenatal testing

Jan 5, 2021

The number of babies with Down syndrome who were born in Europe fell by half between 2011 and 2015— confirming... Read more

The camp for internally displaced persons at St Peter Claver Cathedral in Bangassou, CAR, Oct. 21, 2017.

Central African Republic rebels seize Bangassou, bishop reports

Jan 5, 2021

The Central African Republic city of Bangassou has been captured by rebels aligned with an ex-president, Bishop Juan José Aguirre... Read more

Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, head of the Maronite Church. Credit: Aid to the Church in Need.

Lebanese cardinal urges leaders to help country avoid ‘total collapse’

Jan 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Lebanon’s Maronite patriarch has said that the country could be facing “the risk of total collapse” amid a deepening economic and... Read more

The flag of Scotland. Credit: Lynx Aqua/Shutterstock.

Scotland's bishops protest against closure of churches amid new lockdown

Jan 5, 2021

The Scottish Catholic bishops have protested the closing of churches as part of Scotland’s newest coronavirus lockdown.  Read more

Cardinal Josip Bozanić of Zagreb prays in front of a destroyed church in Žažina, Croatia on Jan. 4, 2021. Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Zagreb.

Croatia's Catholic bishops give $1 million in relief to earthquake victims

Jan 5, 2021

The Croatian bishops’ conference is donating over $1 million in emergency aid to victims of the country’s December earthquake.  Read more

Bishop David Tencer takes part in a press conference at the Vatican on Oct. 17, 2018. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Catholic bishop in Iceland appeals for lifting of 10-person Mass limit

Jan 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Iceland’s only Catholic bishop has called on the government to lift the country’s 10-person limit on Mass attendance, arguing that... Read more

Credit: Eliška Zeisková (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Pontifical university patents beer giving drinkers taste of the Middle Ages

Jan 5, 2021

A pontifical university in Poland is patenting a beer that will give drinkers a taste of the Middle Ages.  Read more

Pope Francis baptizes a child in the Sistine Chapel on Jan. 12, 2020.

Pandemic forces Pope Francis to cancel annual baptism ceremony in Sistine Chapel

Jan 5, 2021

Pope Francis will not baptize babies in the Sistine Chapel this Sunday due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Read more

 Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) leads the opening prayer for the U.S. House of Representatives Jan. 3. Credit: CSPAN

‘Amen’ is not gendered, and ‘A-woman’ is nonsense, Hebrew scholar says

Jan 4, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The word “amen” is not a gendered word and the term “a-women” is entirely made up, a professor of theology... Read more

Credit: Maksym Kapliuk/Shutterstock.

Pro-life activists target Georgia races that will decide control of Senate

Jan 4, 2021

By Matt Hadro

Tuesday elections to fill two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia will decide partisan control of the chamber—and pro-life advocates are... Read more

Man who filmed 'prank video' at Mass in Canada charged with hate crime

Jan 4, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

A 25-year-old man who late last year interrupted a Mass in Canada by exposing himself as part of a “prank... Read more

Argentine boy saved from stray bullet by crucifix

Jan 4, 2021

Several hours before the beginning of 2021, a 9-year-old Argentine boy was saved from a stray bullet by a small... Read more

Dan Lipinski calls for protection of 'most vulnerable' as he leaves US Congress

Jan 4, 2021

By Matt Hadro

On Sunday, one of the last pro-life House Democrats said farewell to Congress after serving eight terms.  Read more