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Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo was manager of the respective schools of nursing, midwifery, and medical laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala in Nigeria. The priest, who was ordained in 2015, was reportedly murdered on Dec. 26, 2024.

Catholic priest in Nigeria murdered by ‘unidentified assailants’

Jan 2, 2025

By Jude Atemanke

After the death of Nigerian priest Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo the day after Christmas, the diocese appealed for prayers “for... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims and visitors gathered for the Angelus on Dec. 29, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

This is Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of January

Jan 2, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

“All children and youth have the right to go to school, regardless of their immigration status,” the pope said. Read more

Pope Francis on April 25, 2023, appointed Bishop Timothy Senior as bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Bishop urges faithful to fight ‘scourge of human trafficking’ in Pennsylvania

Jan 2, 2025

By Daniel Payne

In a Dec. 29 pastoral letter Bishop Timothy Senior said he was “shocked and appalled” to learn about the extent... Read more

Pope Francis prays during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 9, 2024.

Pope Francis ‘deeply saddened’ by New Orleans attack, offers prayers

Jan 2, 2025

By Courtney Mares

The pope sent a condolence message to New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond on Jan. 2 offering prayers for the souls... Read more

Pilgrims cross the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Dec. 25, 2024.

How can the Jubilee of Hope strengthen your faith? Here’s what you need to know

Why is the jubilee such an important event for Catholics? The answer is simple: It offers an extraordinary opportunity to... Read more

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Catholics weigh in on Australia’s social media ban: ‘A void in our children’s spiritual lives’

Jan 2, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

Australian lawmakers recently passed a law — the first of its kind in the world — banning children under age... Read more

FBI investigators arrive at the scene where a pickup truck crashed into a work lift after allegedly driving into a crowd of New Year’s revelers in the French Quarter of New Orleans on Jan. 1, 2025.

UPDATE: Driver slams car into New Year’s crowd in New Orleans: 15 killed, archbishop offers prayers

Jan 1, 2025

By Tina Dennelly

“Our prayers go out to those killed and injured in this morning’s horrific attack on Bourbon Street,” New Orleans Archbishop... Read more

Supporters of former president Donald Trump watch as he holds a rally in the historically Democratic district of the South Bronx on May 23, 2024, in New York City.

New poll shows Latino voters helped Trump win the overall Catholic vote in 2024 election

Jan 1, 2025

By Tyler Arnold

According to the data, a large portion of Trump’s improved performance among Catholics came from Latino voters while a smaller... Read more

Cardinal Angelo Amato.

Vatican sets funeral for Cardinal Amato as Pope Francis praises ‘faithful servant’

Jan 1, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis praised the late cardinal’s “priestly spirit” and theological preparation, highlighting his decades of service. Read more

Pope Francis speaks to the crowd gathered on St. Peter’s Square, Jan. 1, 2025.

In New Year’s Angelus, pope ties debt forgiveness to peace

Jan 1, 2025

By AC Wimmer

In his first Angelus address of 2025, Pope Francis called for debt relief for the world’s poorest nations and renewed... Read more

Pope Francis delivers his homily during the Jan. 1, 2025, Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, marking both the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and the 58th World Day of Peace.

Pope Francis preaches peace, protection of life in New Year’s homily

Jan 1, 2025

By AC Wimmer

“Protecting life, caring for wounded life, restoring dignity to the life of every ‘born of woman’ is the fundamental basis... Read more

St. Peter’s Basilica.

Making a pilgrimage to Rome for the jubilee? Here’s what you should know

For Jubilee 2025 pilgrims, the experience of arriving in Rome will be new due to the reconditioning of a disused... Read more

Andrei Rublev, “The Nativity,” 1405.

Why the Church begins the year celebrating Mary, the mother of God

Jan 1, 2025

By John Grondelski

Catholic teaching has held together the mystery of “one Person with two natures” from the very beginning. Read more

Pope Francis presides over vespers and the Te Deum of thanksgiving in St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 31, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis: Last day of 2024 a time to reflect on the ‘universal vocation’ of Rome 

Dec 31, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Pope Francis celebrated first vespers for the vigil of the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter’s Basilica... Read more

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How to gain a plenary indulgence for the end of the year and the beginning of 2025

Dec 31, 2024

By Diego López Marina

A plenary indulgence is remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. Read more

Bishop Carlos Herrera is president of the Bishops’ Conference of Nicaragua.

Bishop expelled from Nicaragua asks for prayers for the people

Dec 31, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Ortega-Murillo dictatorship expelled Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera from Nicaragua on Nov. 13, a few days after he had criticized... Read more

Pope Francis on Dec. 29, 2024, appointed Bishop Roberto Calara Mallari as new bishop of the Diocese of Tarlac in the Philippines.

Pope Francis appoints new bishop for Philippines’ Tarlac Diocese

Dec 31, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Bishop Roberto Calara Mallari, 61, will succeed the late Bishop Enrique Macaraeg to become the fourth bishop of the Tarlac ... Read more

The Syrian town of Maaloula.

Safety concerns escalate for Christians in historic Syrian town

Dec 31, 2024

By Souhail Lawand

Christians in Maaloula in western Syria have been living with an intensifying fear for their safety, exacerbated by a recent... Read more

Participants pray during a peace walk in Baltimore promoted by the Archdiocese of Baltimore,  Monday, Dec. 30, 2024.

Catholics join other faith leaders for Baltimore prayer walk in memory of homicide victims

Dec 31, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The coalition met at St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish in the city’s Irvington neighborhood before holding a prayer walk to My... Read more

St. Mary’s Basilica in Phoenix.

Arizona bishops express ‘grave concern’ over possibility of migrant arrests at churches

Dec 31, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The signers of the op-ed included Bishop John Dolan of Phoenix and Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Tucson as well... Read more