Catholic News

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A confirmation Mass is held at St. Mary Parish on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Lower confirmation ages, stronger catechesis: Dioceses seek to strengthen faith of youth

Dec 19, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

These decisions indicate a growing desire to strengthen the formation of youth in the Catholic faith. Read more

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Canada launches ‘national consultation’ on ‘advance requests’ for euthanasia

Dec 19, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The Canadian government is actively soliciting citizen input for a proposal to legalize “advance requests” in which citizens can prearrange... Read more

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of Health and Human Services, arrives for meetings at the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Dec. 16, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

Trump’s HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reassures pro-life senators with policy plans

Dec 18, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

Although Kennedy has supported legal abortion, he has told pro-life senators in closed-door meetings that he would oppose taxpayer funds... Read more

St. Januarius and the miracle of the liquefaction of his blood contained in a relic.

Following prolonged wait, the blood of St. Januarius liquefies again

Dec 18, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

The faithful of the city of Naples in Italy experienced profound relief when they witnessed the liquefaction of the blood... Read more

U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. Supreme Court will hear case on South Carolina defunding Planned Parenthood

Dec 18, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

The court’s ruling will determine whether states can prevent funds from covering non-abortion services at abortion facilities. Read more

Monsignor Roger Landry.

Pope Francis names Father Roger Landry a monsignor

Dec 18, 2024

By Matt McDonald

Father Roger Landry is now Monsignor Roger Landry — but he says he’s not ready to abandon the title “Father”... Read more

The oldest known stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments, dating from A.D. 300 to 800, was sold at Sotheby’s on Dec. 18, 2024, in New York City. Expected to sell for $1 million to $2 million, it went for $5.04 million. Inscribed with the commandments in Paleo-Hebrew script, the tablet was discovered during railroad excavations along the southern coast of Israel in 1913.

Ten Commandments tablet surpasses estimates at Sotheby’s despite authenticity questions

Dec 18, 2024

By María J. Moriarty

A contentious Ten Commandments tablet has sold at Sotheby’s for $5.04 million — more than twice its high estimate of... Read more

Pope Francis addresses pilgrims gathered for his general audience on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis prays for Cyclone Chido victims in France’s poorest overseas territory

Dec 18, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Pope Francis on Wednesday prayed especially for Cyclone Chido victims in the French territory of Mayotte during his weekly general... Read more

Blessed Martyrs of Compiègne were guillotined for their faith on July 17, 1794.

Pope Francis declares French Martyrs of Compiègne saints via equipollent canonization

Dec 18, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Mother Teresa of St. Augustine and her 15 companions, who were guillotined in Paris as they sang hymns of praise,... Read more

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the Vatican’s current doctrinal chief and principal drafter of “Fiducia Supplicans,” is shown during the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican, Oct. 9, 2023.

One year later, Vatican document on same-sex blessings not causing much of a stir

Dec 18, 2024

By Matt McDonald

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued “Fiducia Supplicans” in December 2023 — what has been the effect... Read more

Pope Francis speaks with young men during a general audience.

Pope Francis calls on young people to protect their authenticity and dignity at work

Dec 18, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

An encouraging message from Pope Francis to young people participating in LaborDì, a day of reflection to promote decent work. Read more

St. Nicholas, by Jaroslav Čermák (1831-1878).

Santa’s tomb? Coffin of St. Nicholas may have been found — but there’s a catch

Dec 18, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The discovery could muddy the conventional wisdom about the true resting place of the saint’s relics, which is currently believed... Read more

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Today is an ember day. What’s that?

Dec 18, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Wednesday, Dec. 18, is a special day in the Catholic Church, though relatively few Catholics probably realize it. Read more

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Michigan attorney general releases fourth report on alleged abuse in state dioceses

Dec 17, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The attorney general’s report, released on Monday, looks at reported abuse in the Diocese of Lansing. Read more

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

As he turns 88, 8 + 8 interesting things about Pope Francis

Dec 17, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

On the occasion of his 88th birthday, CNA highlights some interesting facts about Pope Francis. Read more

An Ontario judge has acquitted Linda Gibbons, a 76-year-old Christian grandmother and pro-life activist who was charged with protesting within an “buffer zone” outside an abortion clinic.

Judge acquits 76-year-old Canadian pro-life activist 

Dec 17, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Linda Gibbons was on trial for holding up a sign outside a Toronto abortion facility that performs abortions up to... Read more

Pope Francis meets political authorities, civil leaders, and diplomats in the Republican Palace in Baghdad on March 5, 2021.

Pope Francis reveals he survived two threats to his life in Iraq

Dec 17, 2024

By Elias Turk

Pope Francis has revealed in a new book, “Spera,” that he narrowly escaped two attempts on his life during his... Read more

Pope Francis laughs with some religious sisters at his general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Aug. 30, 2023.

Pope Francis pens essay on humor: ‘Irony is a medicine’

Dec 17, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

“The Gospel, which urges us to become like little children for our own salvation (Matthew 18:3), reminds us to regain... Read more

Holy Mass is celebrated in Mariamite Greek Melkite Catholic Cathedral, Damascus, on Dec. 15, 2024.

One week after regime change, Syrian church bells ring out in hope

Dec 17, 2024

By Souheil Lawand

This past Sunday, churches in Syria witnessed a remarkable surge in attendees across cities and towns as people gathered to... Read more

Bishop-elect Iyad Twal was appointed by Pope Francis on Dec. 17, 2024, as auxiliary bishop of the patriarchal diocese of Jerusalem of the Latins for Jordan and as titular bishop of Siminia.

Pope Francis appoints new auxiliary bishop for Jordan and the titular see of Siminia

Dec 17, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for Father Iyad Twal’s appointments. Read more