Europe

The Latest

In March 2022, these Stations of the Cross in the diocese of Augsburg, southern Germany, were vandalized.

Hate crimes against Christians on the rise in Europe, report says

Nov 15, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Observatory for the Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe documented more than 500 anti-Christian hate crimes in 2021. Read more

The United Nations General Assembly in New York.

African nations stand alone against abortion rights, gender ideology at the UN 

Sep 16, 2022

By Edie Heipel

The resolution includes language stating that countries must provide “access to safe abortion” as a “human right.” Read more

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Legal abortions fall by 90% in Poland after court eliminates exception for fetal defects

Aug 3, 2022

By CNA Staff

If it had not been for the change in the law about 1,000 children would have lost their lives in... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in Paul VI Hall on March 16, 2022.

Pope Francis to Europe’s Catholic bishops: The blood of Ukrainian children stirs our consciences

Mar 18, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘We would never have thought to see such scenes again,’ the pope said. Read more

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New report finds freedom of conscience under threat in France, Spain, and Sweden

Dec 7, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The report said further developments could lead to ‘complete exclusion of Christians from certain professions.’ Read more

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference on the journey from Athens to Rome, Dec. 6, 2021.

Pope Francis: EU commission guide discouraging word ‘Christmas’ was an anachronism

Dec 6, 2021

By CNA Staff

He noted that a series of ideologies had attempted to pull up Europe’s Christian roots. Read more

Pope Francis visits the Mavrovouni refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos on Dec. 5, 2021

Pope Francis calls migrant crisis a ‘shipwreck of civilization’ during refugee camp visit

Dec 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis visited the Mavrovouni migrant reception and identification center located along the shore of the island of Lesbos, Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., pictured at the Vatican on Oct. 10, 2018.

EU Catholic bishops lament ‘anti-religious bias’ in guide discouraging word ‘Christmas’

Dec 1, 2021

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Hollerich said that Christmas was part ‘of European reality.’ Read more

The aftermath of a fire at the Parish of St. Paul in Corbeil-Essonnes, France, July 4, 2020.

Nearly 1,000 hate crimes against Europe’s Christians recorded in 2020

Nov 16, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Poland had the most hate crimes reported against Christians, with 241 incidents in 2020. Read more

The sixth national Walk for Life in Zagreb, Croatia, May 29, 2021.

How does U.S. abortion law compare to those in European countries?

Oct 11, 2021

By Luke Coppen, Hannah Brockhaus

The United States is one of only seven countries that allow elective abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and its... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich celebrates Mass at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 10, 2021.

At International Eucharistic Congress, cardinal says ‘faith in Europe has become a very small flame’

Sep 10, 2021

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Hollerich said he prayed that ‘missionary dimension of faith may be rediscovered in Europe.’ Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Viktor Orbán take part in a discussion at the Bled Strategic Forum, Slovenia, Sept. 1, 2021.

Cardinal Parolin and Viktor Orban talk migration ahead of papal trip to Hungary

Sep 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis is due to meet with Hungary’s prime minister on Sept. 12. Read more

Pro-life leader: Report decrying ‘religious extremist funders’ should spur Catholics to defend life

Jun 25, 2021

By CNA Staff

The report claimed to identify more than 50 “anti-gender actors operating in Europe.” Read more

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, president of the Polish bishops’ conference, pictured in Warsaw Feb. 12, 2020.

Polish Catholic archbishop urges European Parliament to reject abortion report

Jun 23, 2021

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki made the appeal on the eve of a crucial vote. Read more

The European Parliament.

Soros and IPPF-funded EU parliamentarians aim to blacklist reputable Christian groups

Jun 22, 2021

By CNA Staff

The European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) a group of European parliamentarians committed to compel the recognition... Read more

Robert Schuman in August 1949. Credit: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-19000-2453 (CC-BY-SA 3.0)

EU founding father Robert Schuman declared 'venerable' by Pope Francis

Jun 19, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has declared venerable the French statesman Robert Schuman, known as a key “founding father” of the European Union. Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., pictured at the Vatican on Oct. 10, 2018 (before he was named a cardinal).

Cardinal: Religious freedom will be Europe’s ‘great problem of the future’

Jun 16, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘We must be on guard,’ said Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich. Read more

A prayer for COVID-19 victims at Westminster Cathedral in London, England, pictured July 3, 2020. Credit: Mazur/cbcew.org.uk.

Catholic bishops across Europe join in Lent prayer for victims of coronavirus pandemic

Feb 19, 2021

Catholic bishops across Europe will join together in prayer throughout Lent for victims of the coronavirus pandemic.   Read more

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States within the Holy See's Secretariat of State, at the Vatican Oct. 27, 2017.

Vatican archbishop expresses ‘grave concern’ at rise in attacks on believers at prayer

Dec 4, 2020

A Vatican archbishop expressed “grave concern” Thursday at the rise in attacks on believers praying in places of worship.  Read more