World News

Church of the National Vow in Bogotá, Colombia. / Credit: Eduardo Berdejo ACI Prensa Staff, Dec 17, 2025 / 16:15 pm (CNA). The Colombian Senate passed a law on Dec. 15 that recognizes the historical, religious, and cultural value of the Church of the National Vow. ... read more

Church of the National Vow in Bogotá, Colombia. / Credit: Eduardo Berdejo ACI Prensa Staff, Dec 17, 2025 / 16:15 pm (CNA). The Colombian Senate passed a law on Dec. 15 that recognizes the historical, religious, and cultural value of the Church of the National Vow, a symbol of the country’s consecration to ... read more

Wikimedia Commons (L-R) Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI, and Pope John Paul II. COMMENTARY: ‘Ad Gentes,’ ‘Evangelli Nuntiandi’ and ‘Redemptoris Missio’ offer a potent reminder that the faithful are a key component of the Church’s mission to evangelize the world. ... read more

Paul Brady Photography Illinois State Capital Building in Springfield. Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki argued that Catholics 'must be free to live according to the 2,000-year-old teachings of our faith without government intrusion.' ... read more

Stephan Uttom Rozario Army personnel stand guard in front of St. Mary’s Cathedral Church in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 23, ahead of Christmas 2024. Christians make up less than 1% of the 180 million people in this Muslim-majority South Asian nation. ... read more

Diocese of Masaka Father Deusdedit Ssekabira of the Catholic Diocese of Masaka in Uganda is in police custody for alleged “violent subversive activities against state” following his abducted from his office in Katwe, Masaka city, by men wearing Uganda Army uniform on Dec. 3, 2025. In response to his disappearance, the bishop directed special ... read more

John Jansen Carolers outside Planned Parenthood in Aurora, Illinois, on Dec. 13, 2025. As Christmas Day approaches, nearly 100 caroling groups across the U.S. are gathering at various abortion facilities to sing. ... read more

Daniel Ibanez/CNA Pope Leo XIV spoke about the solution for restless hearts in his catechesis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 17. 2025. Leo noted that many people, despite having so much, feel empty at the end of the day. ... read more

Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV looks out from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after his election on May 8, 2025. As the 'best outfit of 2025,' the magazine cites his first appearance as pope on May 8 in the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. ... read more

John Gastaldo San Diego Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano celebrates Mass at St. Augustine’s School on Dec. 5, 2021, to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bishop Bejarano succeeds Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, who led Monterey before being appointed bishop of Austin, Texas, on July 2 and installed there on Sept. 18. ... read more

Diocese of Joliet Official portrait of Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois. Bishop Hicks has a diverse and impressive skillset. But how will his Midwestern sensibilities fare in the Big Apple? ... read more

Illinois state capitol in Springfield. / Credit: Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock CNA Staff, Dec 17, 2025 / 12:34 pm (CNA). Catholic leaders in Illinois are backing a coalition of pro-life pregnancy centers and doctors suing the state government over a law that requires them to refer women to abortion providers even if they object ... read more

By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Dec 17, 2025 / 12:34 pm Catholic leaders in Illinois are backing a coalition of pro-life pregnancy centers and doctors suing the state government over a law that requires them to refer women to abortion providers even if they object to the procedure on ... read more

Army personnel stand guard in front of St. Mary’s Cathedral Church in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 23, ahead of Christmas 2024. | Credit: Stephan Uttom Rozario Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec 17, 2025 / 11:32 am Recent attempts to sabotage Catholic churches, threats to Catholic educational institutions, and the current political context of the country mean the ... read more

By Stephan Uttom Rozario Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec 17, 2025 / 11:32 am Recent attempts to sabotage Catholic churches, threats to Catholic educational institutions, and the current political context of the country mean the upcoming Christmas will be a time of concern for Catholics in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. “There is a ... read more