Europe

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A member of the Tunisia’s national guard stops a fishing boat in the sea bordering Tunisia and Libya as they check vessels for illegal migrants trying to reach Europe, Tuesday, May 5, 2015.

After Tunisian shipwreck kills 40, archbishop urges world to tackle migration crisis

Oct 24, 2025

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Archbishop Lhernould said the Oct. 22 sinking of a migrant boat off the coast of Tunisia that killed 40 people... Read more

Candle lights in Fourvière Basilica, in Lyon, France, on Dec. 8, 2022.

‘Christianophobia’ resurfaces in Europe as attacks rise against Christians

Oct 3, 2025

By ACI MENA

In 2023 alone there were 2,444 incidents of violence against Christians across 35 European countries, including 1,000 cases in France. Read more

Thousands of demonstrators joined the March for Life on Cologne, Germany, on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2025.

German march for life draws bishops and thousands in peaceful protest

Sep 23, 2025

By AC Wimmer

The peaceful demonstrations marked the third year of simultaneous marches in both cities. Participants carried colorful balloons and signs defending... Read more

The European Parliament building in Brussels, Belgium.

Christian rights group challenges ‘extremism’ claims in EU abortion lobby report

Aug 6, 2025

By Alexander Folz

The European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights in June released a report linking Christian pro-life organizations to “religious... Read more

Young people raise their voices from the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere on Aug. 1, 2025.

‘We’re not spiritual tourists’: Young people sign manifesto in Rome for Europe with a soul

The initiative invites young Christians across the continent to open up a new pathway to faith and hope in view... Read more

Migrants aboard an inflatable vessel in the Mediterranean Sea approach the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney in 2013. Carney provided food and water to the migrants aboard the vessel before coordinating with a nearby merchant vessel to take them to safety.

Catholic youth urge European leaders to address migrant crisis with charity, understanding

Jul 17, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

This year’s written contribution by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union Youth Net centers on solutions... Read more

The dome of the Cathedral of St. Bavo in Haarlem, the Netherlands.

Catholic ‘creative minority’ revitalizing Church in the Netherlands, Dutch cardinal says

May 31, 2025

By Kristina Millare

The Church in the Netherlands is gaining momentum thanks to the “creative minority” of young people rediscovering the Catholic faith,... Read more

Cardinals outside the Paul VI Hall.

21 new cardinals to reflect Catholic Church’s unity amid geographic expansion

Dec 4, 2024

By Kristina Millare

While the College of Cardinals will still largely be European, after the Dec. 7 consistory more than 90 countries will... Read more

The historic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint-Omer, in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, was ravaged by arson on the night of Sept. 2, 2024.

Nearly half of 2,500 anti-Christian hate crimes in Europe were in France, report says

Nov 20, 2024

By Madalaine Elhabbal

The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe report said 2,444 anti-Christian hate crimes occurred from 2023 to... Read more

Believers gather at the Namugongo Shrine for the Martyrs’ Day Pilgrimage on June 3, 2024, in Uganda. The Catholic population in Africa surpassed 272.4 million people in 2022 after seeing a rise of more than 7.3 million people — the largest increase of any continent, according to Vatican statistics released in October 2024.

Vatican statistics: Catholic population shrinks in Europe, rises everywhere else

Oct 18, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

The Catholic population decline coincided with a total population reduction on the continent, which recorded a net loss of 517,000... Read more

Pope Francis prays during Mass at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024

In Belgium, Pope Francis gives strong warning over scandal of abuse, cover-up

Sep 29, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Holy Father urged the Belgian bishops to bring the evil of abuse to light and not to cover up... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at Laeken Castle in Belgium on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, where he is greeted by the Belgian royal family, Queen Mathilde and King Philippe.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis meets king and queen of Belgium at Laeken Castle

Sep 27, 2024

By Courtney Mares

King Philippe ascended the Belgian throne in 2013 and holds the title “Rex Catholicissimus,” or “(Most) Catholic Majesty.”  Read more

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin attends a plenary session during the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on June 16, 2024.

Vatican secretary of state warns of Europe’s low birth rates, ‘demographic winter’

Sep 26, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Cardinal Pietro Parolin in an interview with Vatican Media said Europe “greatly needs” to rediscover its Christian roots and face... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at his general audience in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.

Pope Francis says the Catholic Church is ‘more alive’ outside of Europe

Sep 18, 2024

By Courtney Mares

In his first general audience since returning from the longest international trip of his pontificate, the pope expressed gratitude to... Read more

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn speaks at the launch of Amoris Laetitia at the Vatican on April 8, 2016.

Cardinal Schönborn: ‘We must accept the decline of Europe’

Sep 10, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The Austrian cardinal said that despite the decline of the Church’s influence in Europe, he is convinced that the Church... Read more

Altar servers.

German AfD party member challenges removal from church volunteer positions

Jul 25, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The decision, supported by the Archdiocese of Paderborn, has sparked controversy and will likely lead to legal challenges. Read more

Smoke billows from the spire of Rouen Cathedral in Rouen, northern France, on July 11, 2024.

Firefighters quell blaze at French cathedral

Jul 11, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Rouen Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol confirmed the incident on social media, sharing an image showing smoke rising from the cathedral’s spire. Read more

The Catholic Cathedral of Limburg in Hesse, Germany.

400,000 Germans quit Catholic Church as talks between Vatican, Synodal Way continue

Jul 1, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The meeting on Friday resulted in Rome demanding the Germans change the name of the body and agree it cannot... Read more

At his Angelus address June 9, 2024, Pope Francis  asked people to pray for the people who are suffering in Myanmar and in Ukraine, giving a special shoutout to some Ukrainians who were in the crowd waving flags.

EU bishop: Elections show citizens concerned about Ukraine war

Jun 25, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The bishop also spoke about the importance of pushing the new EU commission and parliament to reinforce diplomatic action toward... Read more

People cast their ballot in a polling station on June 6, 2024, in The Hague, Netherlands. Voters in 27 European Union countries go to the polls over the next four days to elect members of the European Parliament.

Catholic group urges European Parliament to address ‘demographic winter,’ protect children

Jun 7, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

As this weekend’s elections kick off across EU member states, the policy toolkit “invites incoming parliamentarians to prioritize families in... Read more