World News

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE) has released a position paper, “A Just Transition that protects Human Dignity, Work and Communities.” “Europe’s commitment to ecological transformation is both necessary and urgent,” COMECE stated. “At the same time, it raises profound social, economic and ethical questions.” COMECE warned that “among ... read more

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, called for the “development of effective measures” to prevent and punish crimes against humanity. Addressing a UN committee on January 19, Archbishop Caccia said that the “the duty to prevent and counter crimes against humanity rests first and ... read more

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago / Daniel Ibanez/CNA Three cardinals don’t speak for the Church (Catholic Culture): “When three American cardinals issued a statement on American foreign policy earlier this week, their comments naturally commanded public attention.” Jay Leno honors ‘for better or worse’ marriage vow as wife battles dementia (Fox News): ... read more

In their latest act of sacrilege, the nationalist group is honoring a ferocious advocate and architect of the first Trump administration's family separation policy and the main animator of the aggressive ICE crackdown. ... read more

In a wounded, polarized world, "people are not merely asking for efficiency or strength," writes Stan Chu IIo. "They are searching for leadership that can heal, rehumanize and sow hope where cynicism has taken root." ... read more

The document, titled "Be Born Again," is a guide to help the leading organization representing religious life in Latin America and the Caribbean discern and take action. ... read more

While world leaders are focused on ceasefire negotiations, Pope Leo XIV's leadership fills a critical gap in the work of reorienting conflict parties toward lasting peace. His upcoming travels can set the stage. ... read more

The Vatican has released Pope Leo’s Message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, commemorated on February 11 (background). The Pope’s message, dated January 13 and released January 20, is entitled “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another’s pain.” The message has three parts: The gift of encounter: the joy ... read more

Pope Leo XIV has written a Latin-language letter commemorating the 1200th anniversary of the beginning of St. Ansgar‘s evangelizing mission in Denmark. ... read more

At a press conference presenting Pope Leo XIV’s message for the upcoming World Day of the Sick (video), Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, contrasted fleeting online encounters with the “real” encounters to which Christ and Pope Leo call us. ... read more

St. Agnes Feast date: Jan 21 On Jan. 21, the Roman Catholic Church honors the virgin and martyr St. Agnes, who suffered death for her consecration to Christ. Although the details of Agnes' life are mostly unknown, the story of her martyrdom has been passed on with reverence since the fourth century. ... read more

David spoke to Saul:"Let your majesty not lose courage.I am at your service to go and fight this Philistine."But Saul answered David,"You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him,for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth."David continued:"The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of ... read more

I opened the Gospels at random, and the words my eyes fell on were these: “Then he went up on the mountainside and called to him those whom it pleased to call; so these came to him.” — St. Thérèse of Lisieux ... read more

The Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Agnes (c. 304). St. Agnes, like St. Cecilia, is to be numbered among the most famous martyrs of Rome. When the Diocletian persecution was at its height, and when priests as well as laymen were apostatizing from the faith, Agnes, a girl of twelve, freely chose to die ... read more

Q. My 13-year-old daughter is begging me to be allowed to date. She claims all the other kids in her eighth grade class are allowed to go out with their boyfriends and girlfriends, and she is the only one who isn’t permitted to socialize this way. Eighth grade seems far too young to permit kids ... read more