World News

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

<p>A renowned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sao-paulo-council-priest-investigation-58cd6… Catholic priest</a> confirmed Tuesday that he was ordered by Sao Paulo's archbishop to stop broadcasting his services and avoid social media postings all-together, following attacks from right-wing figures who denounce his actions as leftist.</p><p>With 2.3 milli ... read more

After two years of war and heartbreak, the ceasefire — despite violations — has given some hope that the war will end in the foreseeable future. While residents recognize hostilities could escalate, the atmosphere in Jerusalem and Bethlehem is palpably more festive for the holidays this year, with a full schedule of public holiday bazaars, ... read more

Bing Guan Candles are lit by a framed photo of mass-shooting victim Ella Cook at a makeshift memorial near Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Dec. 15, 2025. ‘Brown lost a bright light with Ella’s passing, but we entrust her to our Lord Jesus, who she loved and believed in, confident in his ... read more

San Diego Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano celebrates Mass at St. Augustine’s School on Dec. 5, 2021, to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. / Credit: John Gastaldo/Catholic Diocese of San Diego Vatican City, Dec 17, 2025 / 10:18 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ramón Bejarano, currently auxiliary bishop of San Diego, ... read more

By CNA Staff Vatican City, Dec 17, 2025 / 10:18 am Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ramón Bejarano, currently auxiliary bishop of San Diego, as the next bishop of Monterey in California. The appointment was publicized on Dec. 17 by the Holy See Press Office at the Vatican ... read more

Vogue included Pope Leo XIV in its list of the 55 Best Dressed People of 2025, an unranked roundup of what the fashion outlet called "extremely fashionable characters." ... read more

Diocese of Joliet YouTube video Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois. A native of Illinois like the Pope, Bishop Hicks has led the Joliet Diocese since September 2020. ... read more

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Dec 17, 2025 / 09:58 am Pope Leo XIV has chosen Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, to be the next archbishop of New York — the most consequential U.S. episcopal appointment of Leo’s pontificate thus far. The appointment was confirmed ... read more

Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois. / Credit: Diocese of Joliet YouTube video Vatican City, Dec 17, 2025 / 09:58 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV has chosen Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, to be the next archbishop of New York — the most consequential U.S. episcopal appointment ... read more

Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois. | Credit: Diocese of Joliet YouTube video Vatican City, Dec 17, 2025 / 09:58 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV has chosen Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, to be the next archbishop of New York — the most consequential U.S. episcopal appointment ... read more

Fernando Mendoza shared a touching salute in Spanish to his parents and grandparents, who all came to the United States from Cuba. ... read more

"I'm worried about the tone of the country, because it goes far beyond the campaign," Cardinal Fernando Chomali of Santiago said after meeting candidates prior to the first round of voting in November. "I'm worried about the tone on social media, I'm worried about the tone in the streets." ... read more

Jesus exaggerates in today’s Gospel when He claims not to know the day or the hour when He will come again. Christ occasionally makes such overstatements to drive home a point we might otherwise miss. His point here is that the exact “hour” is not important. What is crucial is that we not postpone our ... read more

A caller on my radio show today asked whether angels are responsible for the “vibrations” heard throughout the universe. He had come across a speaker who suggested something along those lines and wanted to know if it was odd speculation or if the Church actually teaches anything that resembles it. His description mixed a few ... read more