Year: 2025

RINO Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Office Dismisses Daycare Fraud Allegations as ‘Cost of Doing Business’ – RINO Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s office has brushed off growing concerns about potential massive fraud in taxpayer-funded daycare centers, particularly in Columbus, which boasts the second-largest Somali population in the United States, as simply “the cost of doing business.” The governor’s office said that attempts to use daycare centers for fraud in Ohio have been “known to the state for decades,” and implied that those who did not think it was an issue are naive. The post RINO Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Office Dismisses Daycare Fraud Allegations as ‘Cost of Doing Business’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More

RINO Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Office Dismisses Daycare Fraud Allegations as ‘Cost of Doing Business’ – RINO Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s office has brushed off growing concerns about potential massive fraud in taxpayer-funded daycare centers, particularly in Columbus, which boasts the second-largest Somali population in the United States, as simply “the cost of doing business.” The governor’s office said that attempts to use daycare centers for fraud in Ohio have been “known to the state for decades,” and implied that those who did not think it was an issue are naive. The post RINO Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Office Dismisses Daycare Fraud Allegations as ‘Cost of Doing Business’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

RINO Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s office has brushed off growing concerns about potential massive fraud in taxpayer-funded daycare centers, particularly in Columbus, which boasts the second-largest Somali population in the United States, as simply “the cost of doing business.” The governor’s office said that attempts to use daycare centers for fraud in Ohio have been “known to the state for decades,” and implied that those who did not think it was an issue are naive.

The post RINO Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Office Dismisses Daycare Fraud Allegations as ‘Cost of Doing Business’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Read More
WATCH LIVE: Trump Kicks off America’s 250th Year with New Years Show and Washington Monument Lighting to Tell the Story of America – The Washington Monument is the home of a New Year’s Eve show in Washington, D.C. The post WATCH LIVE: Trump Kicks off America’s 250th Year with New Years Show and Washington Monument Lighting to Tell the Story of America appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More

WATCH LIVE: Trump Kicks off America’s 250th Year with New Years Show and Washington Monument Lighting to Tell the Story of America – The Washington Monument is the home of a New Year’s Eve show in Washington, D.C. The post WATCH LIVE: Trump Kicks off America’s 250th Year with New Years Show and Washington Monument Lighting to Tell the Story of America appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

Washington Monument illuminated at night, featuring patriotic projections and the U.S. Capitol building in the background, highlighting a festive celebration.

Washington Monument illuminated at night, featuring patriotic projections and the U.S. Capitol building in the background, highlighting a festive celebration.

The Washington Monument is the home of a New Year’s Eve show in Washington, D.C.

The post WATCH LIVE: Trump Kicks off America’s 250th Year with New Years Show and Washington Monument Lighting to Tell the Story of America appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Read More
Federal Law Enforcement Officials Issue Warning About Possible Vehicle Attacks on New Year’s Eve –   As New Year’s Eve celebrations begin across the United States, law enforcement agencies are increasing security measures in major cities. The post Federal Law Enforcement Officials Issue Warning About Possible Vehicle Attacks on New Year’s Eve appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More

Federal Law Enforcement Officials Issue Warning About Possible Vehicle Attacks on New Year’s Eve –   As New Year’s Eve celebrations begin across the United States, law enforcement agencies are increasing security measures in major cities. The post Federal Law Enforcement Officials Issue Warning About Possible Vehicle Attacks on New Year’s Eve appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

FBI seal featuring the words "Department of Justice," "Federal Bureau of Investigation," and symbols representing fidelity, bravery, and integrity on a blue background.

FBI seal featuring the words "Department of Justice," "Federal Bureau of Investigation," and symbols representing fidelity, bravery, and integrity on a blue background.

  As New Year’s Eve celebrations begin across the United States, law enforcement agencies are increasing security measures in major cities.

The post Federal Law Enforcement Officials Issue Warning About Possible Vehicle Attacks on New Year’s Eve appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Read More

Gospel and Word of the Day – 01 January 2026 – A reading from the Book of Numbers 6:22-27 The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”   A reading from the Letter to the Galatians 4:4-7 Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.From the Gospel according to Luke 2:16-21 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.Being born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary as Man, "Word-God, he accepts time. He enters history. He submits to the law of human flow. He closes the past: with him there ends the time of expectation, that is, the Old Covenant. He opens the future: the New Covenant of grace and reconciliation with God. He is the new "Beginning" of the New Time. Every new year participates in this Beginning. It is the Year of the Lord. (…) Today the church particularly venerates the Motherhood of Mary.  This is, as it were, a last message of the octave of Christmas. Birth always speaks of the Begetter, of her who gives life, of her who gives man to the world. The first day of the New Year is Mother’s day. We see her then—as in so many pictures and sculptures—with the Child in her arms, with the Child at her breast. The Mother, she who begot and fed the Son of God. The Mother of Christ. There is no image that is better known and that speaks in a more simple way of the mystery of the Lord’s birth than that of the Mother with Jesus in her arms. Is not this image, perhaps, the source of our extraordinary confidence? Is it not just this image that allows us to live in the circle of all the mysteries of our faith, and, while contemplating them as "divine", to consider them at the same time so "human"? (Pope John Paul II, Homily, Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, 1 January 1979)

unitedyam

A reading from the Book of Numbers
6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”

 

A reading from the Letter to the Galatians
4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.

From the Gospel according to Luke
2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.

Being born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary as Man, "Word-God, he accepts time. He enters history. He submits to the law of human flow. He closes the past: with him there ends the time of expectation, that is, the Old Covenant. He opens the future: the New Covenant of grace and reconciliation with God. He is the new "Beginning" of the New Time. Every new year participates in this Beginning. It is the Year of the Lord. (…)

Today the church particularly venerates the Motherhood of Mary.  This is, as it were, a last message of the octave of Christmas. Birth always speaks of the Begetter, of her who gives life, of her who gives man to the world. The first day of the New Year is Mother’s day.

We see her then—as in so many pictures and sculptures—with the Child in her arms, with the Child at her breast. The Mother, she who begot and fed the Son of God. The Mother of Christ. There is no image that is better known and that speaks in a more simple way of the mystery of the Lord’s birth than that of the Mother with Jesus in her arms. Is not this image, perhaps, the source of our extraordinary confidence? Is it not just this image that allows us to live in the circle of all the mysteries of our faith, and, while contemplating them as "divine", to consider them at the same time so "human"? (Pope John Paul II, Homily, Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, 1 January 1979)

Read More

Michael’s Miscellany: Observe the Blue Snowball

unitedyam

If you have access to an 8-inch or larger telescope, look in the northern part of the constellation Andromeda the Princessfor a planetary nebula called the Blue Snowball. Insert an eyepiece that will give you a magnification around 100x, and you’ll see immediately why astronomers gave it that name. Specifically, point your scope roughly 4½° east of the magnitudeContinue reading “Michael’s Miscellany: Observe the Blue Snowball”

The post Michael’s Miscellany: Observe the Blue Snowball appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Read More
Take time to review the past year with God, pope suggests #Catholic – VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Before the final countdown to the New Year, Christians should take a moment to remember all God’s blessings of the past year and to reflect honestly on how they responded to those graces, Pope Leo XIV said. New Year’s Eve is a time to remember God’s great love and “to ask forgiveness for all the times we have failed to treasure his inspirations and invest the talents he has entrusted to us in the best possible way,” the pope said Dec. 31 at his weekly general audience. Thousands of visitors and pilgrims, bundled up on the frigid winter morning, gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the final audience of 2025. Pope Leo highlighted three “important events” of the past year: “some of them joyful, such as the pilgrimage of so many of the faithful on the occasion of the Holy Year; others painful, such as the passing of the late Pope Francis, and the scenarios of war that continue to convulse the planet.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Before ringing in the New Year, he said, “the church invites us to place everything before the Lord, entrusting ourselves to his providence, and asking him to renew, in us and around us, in the coming days, the wonders of his grace and mercy.” The Jubilee pilgrimage of millions of Catholics around the world in 2025 is a reminder that “our whole life is a journey, whose final destination transcends space and time, to be fulfilled in the encounter with God and in full and eternal communion with him,” the pope said. And passing through one of the Holy Doors during a Jubilee, praying for pardon, he said, “expresses our ‘yes’ to God, who with his forgiveness invites us to cross the threshold of a new life, animated by grace, modeled on the Gospel, inflamed by love” for one’s neighbor. Stepping through a Holy Door, he said, “is our ‘yes’ to a life lived with commitment in the present and oriented toward eternity.” Pope Leo ended his talk by quoting St. Paul VI’s talk at a general audience at the end of the Holy Year 1975: “God is Love! This is the ineffable revelation with which the Jubilee, through its teaching, its indulgence, its forgiveness and finally its peace, full of tears and joy, has sought to fill our spirit today and our lives tomorrow. God is Love! God loves me! God awaited me, and I have found him! God is mercy! God is forgiveness! God is salvation! God, yes, God is life!” Pope Leo prayed that certainty of God’s everlasting love and mercy would “accompany us in the passage from the old to the new year, and then always, in our lives.”
Read More

Take time to review the past year with God, pope suggests #Catholic – VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Before the final countdown to the New Year, Christians should take a moment to remember all God’s blessings of the past year and to reflect honestly on how they responded to those graces, Pope Leo XIV said. New Year’s Eve is a time to remember God’s great love and “to ask forgiveness for all the times we have failed to treasure his inspirations and invest the talents he has entrusted to us in the best possible way,” the pope said Dec. 31 at his weekly general audience. Thousands of visitors and pilgrims, bundled up on the frigid winter morning, gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the final audience of 2025. Pope Leo highlighted three “important events” of the past year: “some of them joyful, such as the pilgrimage of so many of the faithful on the occasion of the Holy Year; others painful, such as the passing of the late Pope Francis, and the scenarios of war that continue to convulse the planet.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Before ringing in the New Year, he said, “the church invites us to place everything before the Lord, entrusting ourselves to his providence, and asking him to renew, in us and around us, in the coming days, the wonders of his grace and mercy.” The Jubilee pilgrimage of millions of Catholics around the world in 2025 is a reminder that “our whole life is a journey, whose final destination transcends space and time, to be fulfilled in the encounter with God and in full and eternal communion with him,” the pope said. And passing through one of the Holy Doors during a Jubilee, praying for pardon, he said, “expresses our ‘yes’ to God, who with his forgiveness invites us to cross the threshold of a new life, animated by grace, modeled on the Gospel, inflamed by love” for one’s neighbor. Stepping through a Holy Door, he said, “is our ‘yes’ to a life lived with commitment in the present and oriented toward eternity.” Pope Leo ended his talk by quoting St. Paul VI’s talk at a general audience at the end of the Holy Year 1975: “God is Love! This is the ineffable revelation with which the Jubilee, through its teaching, its indulgence, its forgiveness and finally its peace, full of tears and joy, has sought to fill our spirit today and our lives tomorrow. God is Love! God loves me! God awaited me, and I have found him! God is mercy! God is forgiveness! God is salvation! God, yes, God is life!” Pope Leo prayed that certainty of God’s everlasting love and mercy would “accompany us in the passage from the old to the new year, and then always, in our lives.”

unitedyam

Take time to review the past year with God, pope suggests #Catholic –

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Before the final countdown to the New Year, Christians should take a moment to remember all God’s blessings of the past year and to reflect honestly on how they responded to those graces, Pope Leo XIV said.

New Year’s Eve is a time to remember God’s great love and “to ask forgiveness for all the times we have failed to treasure his inspirations and invest the talents he has entrusted to us in the best possible way,” the pope said Dec. 31 at his weekly general audience.

Thousands of visitors and pilgrims, bundled up on the frigid winter morning, gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the final audience of 2025.

Pope Leo highlighted three “important events” of the past year: “some of them joyful, such as the pilgrimage of so many of the faithful on the occasion of the Holy Year; others painful, such as the passing of the late Pope Francis, and the scenarios of war that continue to convulse the planet.”

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Before ringing in the New Year, he said, “the church invites us to place everything before the Lord, entrusting ourselves to his providence, and asking him to renew, in us and around us, in the coming days, the wonders of his grace and mercy.”

The Jubilee pilgrimage of millions of Catholics around the world in 2025 is a reminder that “our whole life is a journey, whose final destination transcends space and time, to be fulfilled in the encounter with God and in full and eternal communion with him,” the pope said.

And passing through one of the Holy Doors during a Jubilee, praying for pardon, he said, “expresses our ‘yes’ to God, who with his forgiveness invites us to cross the threshold of a new life, animated by grace, modeled on the Gospel, inflamed by love” for one’s neighbor.

Stepping through a Holy Door, he said, “is our ‘yes’ to a life lived with commitment in the present and oriented toward eternity.”

Pope Leo ended his talk by quoting St. Paul VI’s talk at a general audience at the end of the Holy Year 1975: “God is Love! This is the ineffable revelation with which the Jubilee, through its teaching, its indulgence, its forgiveness and finally its peace, full of tears and joy, has sought to fill our spirit today and our lives tomorrow. God is Love! God loves me! God awaited me, and I have found him! God is mercy! God is forgiveness! God is salvation! God, yes, God is life!”

Pope Leo prayed that certainty of God’s everlasting love and mercy would “accompany us in the passage from the old to the new year, and then always, in our lives.”

– VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Before the final countdown to the New Year, Christians should take a moment to remember all God’s blessings of the past year and to reflect honestly on how they responded to those graces, Pope Leo XIV said. New Year’s Eve is a time to remember God’s great love and “to ask forgiveness for all the times we have failed to treasure his inspirations and invest the talents he has entrusted to us in the best possible way,” the pope said Dec. 31 at his weekly general audience. Thousands of visitors and pilgrims, bundled up on the

Read More
Pope Leo XIV ends 2025 urging Catholics to examine conscience and entrust new year to God – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered for his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media Dec 31, 2025 / 08:08 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV used the Vatican’s final general audience of 2025 on Wednesday to invite Catholics to look back on the past year with gratitude and repentance, and to place what lies ahead in God’s hands.In St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 31, the pope said 2025 brought both joy and sorrow, citing the jubilee pilgrimage of the faithful as well as “the passing of the late Pope Francis” and “the scenarios of war that continue to convulse the planet.”“At its end,” Leo said, “the Church invites us to place everything before the Lord, entrusting ourselves to his providence, and asking him to renew, in us and around us, in the coming days, the wonders of his grace and mercy.”Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile to pilgrims gathered for his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican MediaHe tied that end-of-year spiritual “dynamic” to the Church’s Te Deum observance, saying the hymn of praise and thanksgiving helps believers recognize God’s gifts and renew hope. Leo noted that the prayer includes lines such as: “You are God: We praise you,” “In you, Lord, is our hope,” and “Have mercy on us.”According to the Vatican’s published schedule, Leo was set to celebrate first vespers for the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, at 5 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by the Te Deum.In his catechesis, the pope encouraged an honest examination of conscience, calling the faithful to reflect on God’s action over the past year, to evaluate their response to his gifts, and to ask forgiveness for times they failed to follow his inspirations or invest well the talents entrusted to them.Leo also returned to a core jubilee image, describing life as a pilgrimage. “This reminds us that our whole life is a journey,” he said, one that reaches its true fulfillment in “the encounter with God and in full and eternal communion with him.”Pope Leo XIV greets a young pilgrim during his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican MediaThe pope pointed to another emblematic jubilee practice, the passage through the Holy Door, describing it as a concrete sign of conversion and of the believer’s yes to God, who “invites us to cross the threshold of a new life, animated by grace, modeled on the Gospel.”Looking to Christmas, Leo recalled St. Leo the Great’s preaching on the universal joy of Christ’s birth: “Let the saint rejoice … let the sinner rejoice … let the pagan take courage.” The pope said that invitation extends to all, including those who feel weak or fragile, because Christ has taken human frailty upon himself and redeemed it.To close, Leo cited St. Paul VI’s reflection at the end of the 1975 Jubilee, saying its core message can be summed up in a single word: “love.” He then repeated Paul VI’s emphatic profession of faith, including: “God is love! … God is mercy! God is forgiveness! … God, yes, God is life!”This story was first published by ACI Stampa, CNA’s Italian-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Read More

Pope Leo XIV ends 2025 urging Catholics to examine conscience and entrust new year to God – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered for his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media Dec 31, 2025 / 08:08 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV used the Vatican’s final general audience of 2025 on Wednesday to invite Catholics to look back on the past year with gratitude and repentance, and to place what lies ahead in God’s hands.In St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 31, the pope said 2025 brought both joy and sorrow, citing the jubilee pilgrimage of the faithful as well as “the passing of the late Pope Francis” and “the scenarios of war that continue to convulse the planet.”“At its end,” Leo said, “the Church invites us to place everything before the Lord, entrusting ourselves to his providence, and asking him to renew, in us and around us, in the coming days, the wonders of his grace and mercy.”Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile to pilgrims gathered for his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican MediaHe tied that end-of-year spiritual “dynamic” to the Church’s Te Deum observance, saying the hymn of praise and thanksgiving helps believers recognize God’s gifts and renew hope. Leo noted that the prayer includes lines such as: “You are God: We praise you,” “In you, Lord, is our hope,” and “Have mercy on us.”According to the Vatican’s published schedule, Leo was set to celebrate first vespers for the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, at 5 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by the Te Deum.In his catechesis, the pope encouraged an honest examination of conscience, calling the faithful to reflect on God’s action over the past year, to evaluate their response to his gifts, and to ask forgiveness for times they failed to follow his inspirations or invest well the talents entrusted to them.Leo also returned to a core jubilee image, describing life as a pilgrimage. “This reminds us that our whole life is a journey,” he said, one that reaches its true fulfillment in “the encounter with God and in full and eternal communion with him.”Pope Leo XIV greets a young pilgrim during his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican MediaThe pope pointed to another emblematic jubilee practice, the passage through the Holy Door, describing it as a concrete sign of conversion and of the believer’s yes to God, who “invites us to cross the threshold of a new life, animated by grace, modeled on the Gospel.”Looking to Christmas, Leo recalled St. Leo the Great’s preaching on the universal joy of Christ’s birth: “Let the saint rejoice … let the sinner rejoice … let the pagan take courage.” The pope said that invitation extends to all, including those who feel weak or fragile, because Christ has taken human frailty upon himself and redeemed it.To close, Leo cited St. Paul VI’s reflection at the end of the 1975 Jubilee, saying its core message can be summed up in a single word: “love.” He then repeated Paul VI’s emphatic profession of faith, including: “God is love! … God is mercy! God is forgiveness! … God, yes, God is life!”This story was first published by ACI Stampa, CNA’s Italian-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

unitedyam

Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered for his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

Dec 31, 2025 / 08:08 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV used the Vatican’s final general audience of 2025 on Wednesday to invite Catholics to look back on the past year with gratitude and repentance, and to place what lies ahead in God’s hands.

In St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 31, the pope said 2025 brought both joy and sorrow, citing the jubilee pilgrimage of the faithful as well as “the passing of the late Pope Francis” and “the scenarios of war that continue to convulse the planet.”

“At its end,” Leo said, “the Church invites us to place everything before the Lord, entrusting ourselves to his providence, and asking him to renew, in us and around us, in the coming days, the wonders of his grace and mercy.”

Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile to pilgrims gathered for his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile to pilgrims gathered for his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

He tied that end-of-year spiritual “dynamic” to the Church’s Te Deum observance, saying the hymn of praise and thanksgiving helps believers recognize God’s gifts and renew hope. Leo noted that the prayer includes lines such as: “You are God: We praise you,” “In you, Lord, is our hope,” and “Have mercy on us.”

According to the Vatican’s published schedule, Leo was set to celebrate first vespers for the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, at 5 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by the Te Deum.

In his catechesis, the pope encouraged an honest examination of conscience, calling the faithful to reflect on God’s action over the past year, to evaluate their response to his gifts, and to ask forgiveness for times they failed to follow his inspirations or invest well the talents entrusted to them.

Leo also returned to a core jubilee image, describing life as a pilgrimage. “This reminds us that our whole life is a journey,” he said, one that reaches its true fulfillment in “the encounter with God and in full and eternal communion with him.”

Pope Leo XIV greets a young pilgrim during his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a young pilgrim during his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

The pope pointed to another emblematic jubilee practice, the passage through the Holy Door, describing it as a concrete sign of conversion and of the believer’s yes to God, who “invites us to cross the threshold of a new life, animated by grace, modeled on the Gospel.”

Looking to Christmas, Leo recalled St. Leo the Great’s preaching on the universal joy of Christ’s birth: “Let the saint rejoice … let the sinner rejoice … let the pagan take courage.” The pope said that invitation extends to all, including those who feel weak or fragile, because Christ has taken human frailty upon himself and redeemed it.

To close, Leo cited St. Paul VI’s reflection at the end of the 1975 Jubilee, saying its core message can be summed up in a single word: “love.” He then repeated Paul VI’s emphatic profession of faith, including: “God is love! … God is mercy! God is forgiveness! … God, yes, God is life!”

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, CNA’s Italian-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Read More
CNA’s top Catholic moments of 2025 #Catholic Pope Leo XIV greets a girl in a wheelchair during an audience with members of Italian Catholic Action on Dec. 19, 2025 at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media Dec 31, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA). 2025 was filled with impactful moments — from the death of Pope Francis to the election of the first American-born pope, Leo XIV, to hundreds of thousands of young people who gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth to the canonization of the Church’s first millennial saint.Here are some of the top Catholic moments of 2025:Death of Pope FrancisThe new year began with Catholics around the world uniting in prayer for Pope Francis’ health as he entered the hospital on Feb. 14. He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome due to a respiratory infection that progressed to bilateral pneumonia, requiring a prolonged hospitalization that lasted almost six weeks. View this post on Instagram On March 23, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital and gave a blessing from the hospital window to the faithful who were gathered. View this post on Instagram Soon after, on March 29, the late pontiff was readmitted to the hospital with difficulty breathing. On April 21, the day after Easter, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 from a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse, according to the death certificate published just over 12 hours after Francis’ death.More than 400,000 people filled St. Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26 as the world said goodbye to the first Latin American pope, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years.Conclave and election of Pope Leo XIVOn May 7, 133 cardinal electors gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the start of the conclave. After four ballots, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected on May 8 as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church and took the name Pope Leo XIV. A Chicago native, he became the first American pope in Church history.Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers as the bells of the basilica began to toll, confirming the election of a new pontiff. The crowds gathered as word spread throughout Rome that a new pope had been chosen. View this post on Instagram Jubilee of YouthOne of Pope Leo’s first major events was the Jubilee of Youth, which was held in Rome from July 28 to Aug. 3. Roughly 1 million young adults from around the world filled the streets of Rome as each day was filled with different opportunities and events for the young people to experience the richness of the Catholic faith.On Aug. 2, Pope Leo XIV was greeted by the largest crowd he had addressed during his pontificate thus far for the evening vigil at Tor Vergata, an outdoor venue 10 miles east of Rome. An estimated 1 million people were in attendance. The Holy Father arrived by helicopter and then drove through the grounds on the popemobile, waving to the cheering young people before the prayer service began.Pope Leo XIV approaches Tor Vergata in Rome by helicopter on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. | Credit: Vatican MediaMinneapolis school shootingThe Catholic community was shaken when a school shooting took place on Aug. 27 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Two children were killed and 20 were injured. The shooter was identified as Robin Westman — who was born “Robert” and identified as a transgender woman — who died by suicide shortly after shooting through the windows of the church during a weekday school Mass.The Holy Father sent his condolences and offered prayers for the victims. He described the event as an “extremely difficult” and “terrible” tragedy.People attend a vigil at Lynnhurst Park to mourn the dead and pray for the wounded after a gunman opened fire on students at Annunciation Catholic School on Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. | Credit: Scott Olson/Getty ImagesCanonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio FrassatiOn Sept. 7, two of the Church’s most beloved blesseds became saints: Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. The canonizations of the two men, promulgated before an estimated 70,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, were the first of Leo XIV’s pontificate.During his homily, the pope said: “Today we look to St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis: a young man from the early 20th century and a teenager from our own day, both in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him.”“Dear friends, Sts. Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives but to direct them upwards and make them masterpieces,” he added. View this post on Instagram Newman made doctor of the ChurchThe Catholic Church gained a new doctor of the Church on Nov. 1 , when Pope Leo XIV declared St. John Henry Newman a doctor of the Church, recognizing the English cardinal and theologian — one of the most influential converts from Anglicanism — as a towering figure of faith and intellect in modern Catholicism.“Newman’s impressive spiritual and cultural stature will surely serve as an inspiration to new generations whose hearts thirst for the infinite and who, through research and knowledge, are willing to undertake that journey which, as the ancients said, takes us ‘per aspera ad astra,’ through difficulties to the stars,” the pope said in his homily.On All Saints’ Day 2025, St. John Henry Newman was proclaimed a doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIV. | Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo featured at NCYCOn Nov. 21, Pope Leo took part in his first digital encounter with American youth during the National Catholic Youth Conference, which took place Nov. 20–22 in Indianapolis.The conference featured Catholic speakers, daily Mass and adoration, music and worship, breakout groups and workshops, and interactive exhibits with games, vendors, meetups, and live radio shows.The main attraction of the conference was the hourlong live, virtual dialogue the pope had with those in attendance. Five young people were chosen to ask the Holy Father questions, which ranged from prayer to technology to friendships and the future of the Church. Pope Leo gave those gathered invaluable advice regarding the several different topics discussed.First papal trip to Turkey and LebanonPope Leo visited Turkey and Lebanon during his first papal trip from Nov. 27–Dec. 2. The wide-ranging international visit included historic ecumenical encounters, deeply symbolic gestures of prayer, and pastoral visits to Christian communities under pressure. The Holy Father highlighted the importance of unity, peace, and fraternity, and brought encouragement to a region marked by ancient faith and present suffering.Pope Leo XIV visits the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the “Blue Mosque,” in Istanbul, Turkey, on Nov. 29, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Read More

CNA’s top Catholic moments of 2025 #Catholic Pope Leo XIV greets a girl in a wheelchair during an audience with members of Italian Catholic Action on Dec. 19, 2025 at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media Dec 31, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA). 2025 was filled with impactful moments — from the death of Pope Francis to the election of the first American-born pope, Leo XIV, to hundreds of thousands of young people who gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth to the canonization of the Church’s first millennial saint.Here are some of the top Catholic moments of 2025:Death of Pope FrancisThe new year began with Catholics around the world uniting in prayer for Pope Francis’ health as he entered the hospital on Feb. 14. He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome due to a respiratory infection that progressed to bilateral pneumonia, requiring a prolonged hospitalization that lasted almost six weeks. View this post on Instagram On March 23, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital and gave a blessing from the hospital window to the faithful who were gathered. View this post on Instagram Soon after, on March 29, the late pontiff was readmitted to the hospital with difficulty breathing. On April 21, the day after Easter, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 from a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse, according to the death certificate published just over 12 hours after Francis’ death.More than 400,000 people filled St. Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26 as the world said goodbye to the first Latin American pope, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years.Conclave and election of Pope Leo XIVOn May 7, 133 cardinal electors gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the start of the conclave. After four ballots, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected on May 8 as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church and took the name Pope Leo XIV. A Chicago native, he became the first American pope in Church history.Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers as the bells of the basilica began to toll, confirming the election of a new pontiff. The crowds gathered as word spread throughout Rome that a new pope had been chosen. View this post on Instagram Jubilee of YouthOne of Pope Leo’s first major events was the Jubilee of Youth, which was held in Rome from July 28 to Aug. 3. Roughly 1 million young adults from around the world filled the streets of Rome as each day was filled with different opportunities and events for the young people to experience the richness of the Catholic faith.On Aug. 2, Pope Leo XIV was greeted by the largest crowd he had addressed during his pontificate thus far for the evening vigil at Tor Vergata, an outdoor venue 10 miles east of Rome. An estimated 1 million people were in attendance. The Holy Father arrived by helicopter and then drove through the grounds on the popemobile, waving to the cheering young people before the prayer service began.Pope Leo XIV approaches Tor Vergata in Rome by helicopter on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. | Credit: Vatican MediaMinneapolis school shootingThe Catholic community was shaken when a school shooting took place on Aug. 27 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Two children were killed and 20 were injured. The shooter was identified as Robin Westman — who was born “Robert” and identified as a transgender woman — who died by suicide shortly after shooting through the windows of the church during a weekday school Mass.The Holy Father sent his condolences and offered prayers for the victims. He described the event as an “extremely difficult” and “terrible” tragedy.People attend a vigil at Lynnhurst Park to mourn the dead and pray for the wounded after a gunman opened fire on students at Annunciation Catholic School on Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. | Credit: Scott Olson/Getty ImagesCanonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio FrassatiOn Sept. 7, two of the Church’s most beloved blesseds became saints: Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. The canonizations of the two men, promulgated before an estimated 70,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, were the first of Leo XIV’s pontificate.During his homily, the pope said: “Today we look to St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis: a young man from the early 20th century and a teenager from our own day, both in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him.”“Dear friends, Sts. Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives but to direct them upwards and make them masterpieces,” he added. View this post on Instagram Newman made doctor of the ChurchThe Catholic Church gained a new doctor of the Church on Nov. 1 , when Pope Leo XIV declared St. John Henry Newman a doctor of the Church, recognizing the English cardinal and theologian — one of the most influential converts from Anglicanism — as a towering figure of faith and intellect in modern Catholicism.“Newman’s impressive spiritual and cultural stature will surely serve as an inspiration to new generations whose hearts thirst for the infinite and who, through research and knowledge, are willing to undertake that journey which, as the ancients said, takes us ‘per aspera ad astra,’ through difficulties to the stars,” the pope said in his homily.On All Saints’ Day 2025, St. John Henry Newman was proclaimed a doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIV. | Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo featured at NCYCOn Nov. 21, Pope Leo took part in his first digital encounter with American youth during the National Catholic Youth Conference, which took place Nov. 20–22 in Indianapolis.The conference featured Catholic speakers, daily Mass and adoration, music and worship, breakout groups and workshops, and interactive exhibits with games, vendors, meetups, and live radio shows.The main attraction of the conference was the hourlong live, virtual dialogue the pope had with those in attendance. Five young people were chosen to ask the Holy Father questions, which ranged from prayer to technology to friendships and the future of the Church. Pope Leo gave those gathered invaluable advice regarding the several different topics discussed.First papal trip to Turkey and LebanonPope Leo visited Turkey and Lebanon during his first papal trip from Nov. 27–Dec. 2. The wide-ranging international visit included historic ecumenical encounters, deeply symbolic gestures of prayer, and pastoral visits to Christian communities under pressure. The Holy Father highlighted the importance of unity, peace, and fraternity, and brought encouragement to a region marked by ancient faith and present suffering.Pope Leo XIV visits the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the “Blue Mosque,” in Istanbul, Turkey, on Nov. 29, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

unitedyam

Pope Leo XIV greets a girl in a wheelchair during an audience with members of Italian Catholic Action on Dec. 19, 2025 at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media

Dec 31, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

2025 was filled with impactful moments — from the death of Pope Francis to the election of the first American-born pope, Leo XIV, to hundreds of thousands of young people who gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth to the canonization of the Church’s first millennial saint.

Here are some of the top Catholic moments of 2025:

Death of Pope Francis

The new year began with Catholics around the world uniting in prayer for Pope Francis’ health as he entered the hospital on Feb. 14. He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome due to a respiratory infection that progressed to bilateral pneumonia, requiring a prolonged hospitalization that lasted almost six weeks.

On March 23, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital and gave a blessing from the hospital window to the faithful who were gathered.

Soon after, on March 29, the late pontiff was readmitted to the hospital with difficulty breathing. On April 21, the day after Easter, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 from a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse, according to the death certificate published just over 12 hours after Francis’ death.

More than 400,000 people filled St. Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26 as the world said goodbye to the first Latin American pope, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years.

Conclave and election of Pope Leo XIV

On May 7, 133 cardinal electors gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the start of the conclave. After four ballots, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected on May 8 as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church and took the name Pope Leo XIV. A Chicago native, he became the first American pope in Church history.

Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers as the bells of the basilica began to toll, confirming the election of a new pontiff. The crowds gathered as word spread throughout Rome that a new pope had been chosen.

Jubilee of Youth

One of Pope Leo’s first major events was the Jubilee of Youth, which was held in Rome from July 28 to Aug. 3. Roughly 1 million young adults from around the world filled the streets of Rome as each day was filled with different opportunities and events for the young people to experience the richness of the Catholic faith.

On Aug. 2, Pope Leo XIV was greeted by the largest crowd he had addressed during his pontificate thus far for the evening vigil at Tor Vergata, an outdoor venue 10 miles east of Rome. An estimated 1 million people were in attendance. The Holy Father arrived by helicopter and then drove through the grounds on the popemobile, waving to the cheering young people before the prayer service began.

Pope Leo XIV approaches Tor Vergata in Rome by helicopter on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV approaches Tor Vergata in Rome by helicopter on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media

Minneapolis school shooting

The Catholic community was shaken when a school shooting took place on Aug. 27 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Two children were killed and 20 were injured. The shooter was identified as Robin Westman — who was born “Robert” and identified as a transgender woman — who died by suicide shortly after shooting through the windows of the church during a weekday school Mass.

The Holy Father sent his condolences and offered prayers for the victims. He described the event as an “extremely difficult” and “terrible” tragedy.

People attend a vigil at Lynnhurst Park to mourn the dead and pray for the wounded after a gunman opened fire on students at Annunciation Catholic School on Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. | Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images
People attend a vigil at Lynnhurst Park to mourn the dead and pray for the wounded after a gunman opened fire on students at Annunciation Catholic School on Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. | Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati

On Sept. 7, two of the Church’s most beloved blesseds became saints: Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. The canonizations of the two men, promulgated before an estimated 70,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, were the first of Leo XIV’s pontificate.

During his homily, the pope said: “Today we look to St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis: a young man from the early 20th century and a teenager from our own day, both in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him.”

“Dear friends, Sts. Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives but to direct them upwards and make them masterpieces,” he added.

Newman made doctor of the Church

The Catholic Church gained a new doctor of the Church on Nov. 1 , when Pope Leo XIV declared St. John Henry Newman a doctor of the Church, recognizing the English cardinal and theologian — one of the most influential converts from Anglicanism — as a towering figure of faith and intellect in modern Catholicism.

“Newman’s impressive spiritual and cultural stature will surely serve as an inspiration to new generations whose hearts thirst for the infinite and who, through research and knowledge, are willing to undertake that journey which, as the ancients said, takes us ‘per aspera ad astra,’ through difficulties to the stars,” the pope said in his homily.

On All Saints’ Day 2025, St. John Henry Newman was proclaimed a doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIV. | Credit: Vatican Media
On All Saints’ Day 2025, St. John Henry Newman was proclaimed a doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIV. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo featured at NCYC

On Nov. 21, Pope Leo took part in his first digital encounter with American youth during the National Catholic Youth Conference, which took place Nov. 20–22 in Indianapolis.

The conference featured Catholic speakers, daily Mass and adoration, music and worship, breakout groups and workshops, and interactive exhibits with games, vendors, meetups, and live radio shows.

The main attraction of the conference was the hourlong live, virtual dialogue the pope had with those in attendance. Five young people were chosen to ask the Holy Father questions, which ranged from prayer to technology to friendships and the future of the Church. Pope Leo gave those gathered invaluable advice regarding the several different topics discussed.

First papal trip to Turkey and Lebanon

Pope Leo visited Turkey and Lebanon during his first papal trip from Nov. 27–Dec. 2. The wide-ranging international visit included historic ecumenical encounters, deeply symbolic gestures of prayer, and pastoral visits to Christian communities under pressure. The Holy Father highlighted the importance of unity, peace, and fraternity, and brought encouragement to a region marked by ancient faith and present suffering.

Pope Leo XIV visits the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the “Blue Mosque,” in Istanbul, Turkey, on Nov. 29, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV visits the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the “Blue Mosque,” in Istanbul, Turkey, on Nov. 29, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Read More
8 stories that made 2025 a true year of hope – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV walks through the Holy Door carrying the jubilee cross while leading the Holy See’s pilgrimage on June 9, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media Dec 31, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). 2025 was the Jubilee Year of Hope — and the news often seemed determined to put that promise to the test. But from conversions to hidden acts of heroism, miracles amid the ashes, and powerful gestures from Pope Leo XIV, these eight stories show why this extraordinary year can truly be remembered as a time when hope shone bright.1. Tabernacle survives Los Angeles wildfiresIn Pacific Palisades, California, Corpus Christi Catholic Church burned to the ground during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, but firefighters found the tabernacle completely intact amid the ashes, with the Blessed Sacrament preserved. The image of the untouched tabernacle quickly went viral, becoming a powerful sign of Christ’s presence and hope for a parish community that had lost almost everything.2. ‘I only kneel before God’: A martyr in MyanmarIn Myanmar, Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win was killed on Feb. 14 after reportedly refusing to kneel before armed men, declaring: “I only kneel before God.” His last words and martyrdom spread across Catholic media as a stark witness that fidelity to Christ is worth more than life itself, even amid violent persecution.3. Three priest brothers care for their mother with Alzheimer’sA moving story from Brazil showed three priests — Father Sildo César da Costa, Father Sérgio Luís da Costa, and Father Silvano João da Costa — who are brothers, taking turns caring for their elderly mother suffering from Alzheimer’s. Their hidden, daily sacrifice offered a living catechesis on the Fourth Commandment and reminded many that priesthood and family love are not opposed but can be beautifully united in humble service.4. Large family devoted to Sacred Heart walks away from serious crashA large Catholic family, consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, survived a serious car accident without losing a single member. They publicly thanked the Lord and the Virgin Mary for their protection, renewing interest in enthroning the Sacred Heart in homes and in trusting God in moments of danger.“It all happened in a matter of seconds,” José María Mayoral, the father of the family, who lost control of the car and crashed into the median, then into the right guardrail, and finally rolled over before coming to a stop, told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.According to Mayoral, several truck drivers and families who witnessed the accident stopped to help. “They all agreed on one thing: It was a miracle that no one was hurt,” he added.For the family, the explanation was clear: Their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was not just a tradition “but a living and profound trust.”He shared that after this experience his mission became even more clear: “Continue spreading this devotion, continue to trust him, and continue to testify that, even in the midst of danger, his love is the safest refuge.”5. Marriage restored through St. John Paul II’s theology of the bodyThe testimony of Carmen García and Carlos Mejía recounted how their deeply wounded marriage was healed through the catecheses of St. John Paul II and the Proyecto Amor Conyugal apostolate — a program being taught to married couples throughout dioceses in Spain that teaches the true meaning of marriage based on St. John Paul II’s “theology of the body.”Their story shows that when couples embrace God’s plan for marriage, even relationships marked by atheism, infidelity, or deep wounds can be renewed and transformed.6. Pope Leo XIV’s strong words for marriage and the familyDuring the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly, Pope Leo XIV said during his homily on June 1 that marriage is “not an ideal but the measure of true love between a man and a woman” and called families “the cradle of the future of humanity.” His clear and hopeful teaching inspired parishes and movements to deepen catechesis, accompaniment, and defense of the family in a confused cultural climate.7. Historic ecumenical moments in England and RomeFor the first time in 500 years, a pope and the king of England prayed together in the Sistine Chapel, as Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III led an Ecumenical Prayer for the Care of Creation on Oct. 23. This was historic as it marked the first time since the Protestant Reformation that a reigning British monarch and a pope have prayed together during a royal state visit to the Vatican. View this post on Instagram In another historic gesture, more than 50 Catholic priests processed into Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate Mass in honor of the feast of the Translation of St. Thomas Becket on July 7, reconnecting England with its ancient Catholic roots and offering a powerful sign of reconciliation and remembrance. This historic event drew over 800 Catholics — the largest congregation to be in the cathedral since the Reformation — blending faith, history, and culture in a powerful tribute to England’s Catholic roots. Loading Facebook post… 8. Saints and miraclesThe beatification cause of Sister Clare Crockett — an inspirational young Irish religious sister who died in 2016 — officially opened on Jan. 12 in Madrid, Spain, formally recognizing her as a servant of God and drawing many young people to her joyful, radical witness. Another story of hope was that of Antonia Raco, a 67-year-old Italian woman long affected by an incurable neurodegenerative illness who was announced as the 72nd official miracle taking place in Lourdes on April 16.After bathing in the waters at Lourdes in 2009, Raco “began to move independently,” after which “the effects of the infamous illness immediately and definitively disappeared,” the Italian Diocese of Tursi-Lagonegro in Italy said in a statement.“I had wanted to go to Lourdes since I was a child,” Raco recalled in a press conference on July 25. That wish came true in 2009, when she and her husband, Antonio, traveled to the shrine with the Italian pilgrimage association Unitalsi.The experience, however, was not exactly as she had once imagined: She arrived in a wheelchair, already struggling to breathe and swallow.On the second day, sanctuary volunteers brought her to the baths. “We prayed together. That’s when I heard a beautiful young female voice say three times: ‘Don’t be afraid!’”
Read More

8 stories that made 2025 a true year of hope – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV walks through the Holy Door carrying the jubilee cross while leading the Holy See’s pilgrimage on June 9, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media Dec 31, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). 2025 was the Jubilee Year of Hope — and the news often seemed determined to put that promise to the test. But from conversions to hidden acts of heroism, miracles amid the ashes, and powerful gestures from Pope Leo XIV, these eight stories show why this extraordinary year can truly be remembered as a time when hope shone bright.1. Tabernacle survives Los Angeles wildfiresIn Pacific Palisades, California, Corpus Christi Catholic Church burned to the ground during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, but firefighters found the tabernacle completely intact amid the ashes, with the Blessed Sacrament preserved. The image of the untouched tabernacle quickly went viral, becoming a powerful sign of Christ’s presence and hope for a parish community that had lost almost everything.2. ‘I only kneel before God’: A martyr in MyanmarIn Myanmar, Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win was killed on Feb. 14 after reportedly refusing to kneel before armed men, declaring: “I only kneel before God.” His last words and martyrdom spread across Catholic media as a stark witness that fidelity to Christ is worth more than life itself, even amid violent persecution.3. Three priest brothers care for their mother with Alzheimer’sA moving story from Brazil showed three priests — Father Sildo César da Costa, Father Sérgio Luís da Costa, and Father Silvano João da Costa — who are brothers, taking turns caring for their elderly mother suffering from Alzheimer’s. Their hidden, daily sacrifice offered a living catechesis on the Fourth Commandment and reminded many that priesthood and family love are not opposed but can be beautifully united in humble service.4. Large family devoted to Sacred Heart walks away from serious crashA large Catholic family, consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, survived a serious car accident without losing a single member. They publicly thanked the Lord and the Virgin Mary for their protection, renewing interest in enthroning the Sacred Heart in homes and in trusting God in moments of danger.“It all happened in a matter of seconds,” José María Mayoral, the father of the family, who lost control of the car and crashed into the median, then into the right guardrail, and finally rolled over before coming to a stop, told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.According to Mayoral, several truck drivers and families who witnessed the accident stopped to help. “They all agreed on one thing: It was a miracle that no one was hurt,” he added.For the family, the explanation was clear: Their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was not just a tradition “but a living and profound trust.”He shared that after this experience his mission became even more clear: “Continue spreading this devotion, continue to trust him, and continue to testify that, even in the midst of danger, his love is the safest refuge.”5. Marriage restored through St. John Paul II’s theology of the bodyThe testimony of Carmen García and Carlos Mejía recounted how their deeply wounded marriage was healed through the catecheses of St. John Paul II and the Proyecto Amor Conyugal apostolate — a program being taught to married couples throughout dioceses in Spain that teaches the true meaning of marriage based on St. John Paul II’s “theology of the body.”Their story shows that when couples embrace God’s plan for marriage, even relationships marked by atheism, infidelity, or deep wounds can be renewed and transformed.6. Pope Leo XIV’s strong words for marriage and the familyDuring the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly, Pope Leo XIV said during his homily on June 1 that marriage is “not an ideal but the measure of true love between a man and a woman” and called families “the cradle of the future of humanity.” His clear and hopeful teaching inspired parishes and movements to deepen catechesis, accompaniment, and defense of the family in a confused cultural climate.7. Historic ecumenical moments in England and RomeFor the first time in 500 years, a pope and the king of England prayed together in the Sistine Chapel, as Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III led an Ecumenical Prayer for the Care of Creation on Oct. 23. This was historic as it marked the first time since the Protestant Reformation that a reigning British monarch and a pope have prayed together during a royal state visit to the Vatican. View this post on Instagram In another historic gesture, more than 50 Catholic priests processed into Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate Mass in honor of the feast of the Translation of St. Thomas Becket on July 7, reconnecting England with its ancient Catholic roots and offering a powerful sign of reconciliation and remembrance. This historic event drew over 800 Catholics — the largest congregation to be in the cathedral since the Reformation — blending faith, history, and culture in a powerful tribute to England’s Catholic roots. Loading Facebook post… 8. Saints and miraclesThe beatification cause of Sister Clare Crockett — an inspirational young Irish religious sister who died in 2016 — officially opened on Jan. 12 in Madrid, Spain, formally recognizing her as a servant of God and drawing many young people to her joyful, radical witness. Another story of hope was that of Antonia Raco, a 67-year-old Italian woman long affected by an incurable neurodegenerative illness who was announced as the 72nd official miracle taking place in Lourdes on April 16.After bathing in the waters at Lourdes in 2009, Raco “began to move independently,” after which “the effects of the infamous illness immediately and definitively disappeared,” the Italian Diocese of Tursi-Lagonegro in Italy said in a statement.“I had wanted to go to Lourdes since I was a child,” Raco recalled in a press conference on July 25. That wish came true in 2009, when she and her husband, Antonio, traveled to the shrine with the Italian pilgrimage association Unitalsi.The experience, however, was not exactly as she had once imagined: She arrived in a wheelchair, already struggling to breathe and swallow.On the second day, sanctuary volunteers brought her to the baths. “We prayed together. That’s when I heard a beautiful young female voice say three times: ‘Don’t be afraid!’”

unitedyam

Pope Leo XIV walks through the Holy Door carrying the jubilee cross while leading the Holy See’s pilgrimage on June 9, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

Dec 31, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

2025 was the Jubilee Year of Hope — and the news often seemed determined to put that promise to the test. But from conversions to hidden acts of heroism, miracles amid the ashes, and powerful gestures from Pope Leo XIV, these eight stories show why this extraordinary year can truly be remembered as a time when hope shone bright.

1. Tabernacle survives Los Angeles wildfires

In Pacific Palisades, California, Corpus Christi Catholic Church burned to the ground during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, but firefighters found the tabernacle completely intact amid the ashes, with the Blessed Sacrament preserved. The image of the untouched tabernacle quickly went viral, becoming a powerful sign of Christ’s presence and hope for a parish community that had lost almost everything.

2. ‘I only kneel before God’: A martyr in Myanmar

In Myanmar, Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win was killed on Feb. 14 after reportedly refusing to kneel before armed men, declaring: “I only kneel before God.” His last words and martyrdom spread across Catholic media as a stark witness that fidelity to Christ is worth more than life itself, even amid violent persecution.

3. Three priest brothers care for their mother with Alzheimer’s

A moving story from Brazil showed three priests — Father Sildo César da Costa, Father Sérgio Luís da Costa, and Father Silvano João da Costa — who are brothers, taking turns caring for their elderly mother suffering from Alzheimer’s. Their hidden, daily sacrifice offered a living catechesis on the Fourth Commandment and reminded many that priesthood and family love are not opposed but can be beautifully united in humble service.

4. Large family devoted to Sacred Heart walks away from serious crash

A large Catholic family, consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, survived a serious car accident without losing a single member. They publicly thanked the Lord and the Virgin Mary for their protection, renewing interest in enthroning the Sacred Heart in homes and in trusting God in moments of danger.

“It all happened in a matter of seconds,” José María Mayoral, the father of the family, who lost control of the car and crashed into the median, then into the right guardrail, and finally rolled over before coming to a stop, told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.

According to Mayoral, several truck drivers and families who witnessed the accident stopped to help. “They all agreed on one thing: It was a miracle that no one was hurt,” he added.

For the family, the explanation was clear: Their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was not just a tradition “but a living and profound trust.”

He shared that after this experience his mission became even more clear: “Continue spreading this devotion, continue to trust him, and continue to testify that, even in the midst of danger, his love is the safest refuge.”

5. Marriage restored through St. John Paul II’s theology of the body

The testimony of Carmen García and Carlos Mejía recounted how their deeply wounded marriage was healed through the catecheses of St. John Paul II and the Proyecto Amor Conyugal apostolate — a program being taught to married couples throughout dioceses in Spain that teaches the true meaning of marriage based on St. John Paul II’s “theology of the body.”

Their story shows that when couples embrace God’s plan for marriage, even relationships marked by atheism, infidelity, or deep wounds can be renewed and transformed.

6. Pope Leo XIV’s strong words for marriage and the family

During the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly, Pope Leo XIV said during his homily on June 1 that marriage is “not an ideal but the measure of true love between a man and a woman” and called families “the cradle of the future of humanity.” His clear and hopeful teaching inspired parishes and movements to deepen catechesis, accompaniment, and defense of the family in a confused cultural climate.

7. Historic ecumenical moments in England and Rome

For the first time in 500 years, a pope and the king of England prayed together in the Sistine Chapel, as Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III led an Ecumenical Prayer for the Care of Creation on Oct. 23. This was historic as it marked the first time since the Protestant Reformation that a reigning British monarch and a pope have prayed together during a royal state visit to the Vatican.

In another historic gesture, more than 50 Catholic priests processed into Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate Mass in honor of the feast of the Translation of St. Thomas Becket on July 7, reconnecting England with its ancient Catholic roots and offering a powerful sign of reconciliation and remembrance. This historic event drew over 800 Catholics — the largest congregation to be in the cathedral since the Reformation — blending faith, history, and culture in a powerful tribute to England’s Catholic roots.

Loading Facebook post…

8. Saints and miracles

The beatification cause of Sister Clare Crockett — an inspirational young Irish religious sister who died in 2016 — officially opened on Jan. 12 in Madrid, Spain, formally recognizing her as a servant of God and drawing many young people to her joyful, radical witness.

Another story of hope was that of Antonia Raco, a 67-year-old Italian woman long affected by an incurable neurodegenerative illness who was announced as the 72nd official miracle taking place in Lourdes on April 16.

After bathing in the waters at Lourdes in 2009, Raco “began to move independently,” after which “the effects of the infamous illness immediately and definitively disappeared,” the Italian Diocese of Tursi-Lagonegro in Italy said in a statement.

“I had wanted to go to Lourdes since I was a child,” Raco recalled in a press conference on July 25. That wish came true in 2009, when she and her husband, Antonio, traveled to the shrine with the Italian pilgrimage association Unitalsi.

The experience, however, was not exactly as she had once imagined: She arrived in a wheelchair, already struggling to breathe and swallow.

On the second day, sanctuary volunteers brought her to the baths. “We prayed together. That’s when I heard a beautiful young female voice say three times: ‘Don’t be afraid!’”

Read More
Rest in peace: Looking back at notable Catholics who passed away in 2025 #Catholic Credit: udra11/Shutterstock Dec 31, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA). The past year has seen several notable Catholics pass away — from public officials to the vicar of Christ himself.Here’s a rundown of some prominent Catholics around the world who left us in 2025:Pope Francis (Dec. 17, 1936 — April 21, 2025)The Holy Father, Pope Francis, passed away at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.The first Latin American pope in history as well as the first Jesuit pope, Francis led the Church through significant canonical and catechetical reforms, urging the faithful to reach out and minister to those on the margins of society while preaching the mercy of God.Upon his death he left the legacy of what Cardinal Kevin Farrell said was a life “dedicated to the service of God and his Church,” one that urged the faithful to “live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.”Pope Francis was succeeded in the chair of St. Peter by Pope Leo XIV on May 8.Mabel Landry Staton (Nov. 20, 1932 — Feb. 20, 2025)Mabel Landry Staton, a trailblazing athlete who briefly set an Olympic record at the 1952 Summer Olympics, died on Feb. 20 at age 92.Representing the United States at the Olympic games in Helsinki in 1952, Staton — known as “Dolly” after a nickname from her father — set a record in the long jump category at 19 feet 3.25 inches. Though the record only lasted for several minutes before New Zealand athlete Yvette Williams bested it, Staton would go on to win medals in the 1955 Pan American Games.The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Staton served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Thomas More Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, as well as on the board of the Black Catholic Ministry of the Diocese of Camden.According to the Inquirer, Staton “could still outsprint some of the local high school boys in her 70s.”Alasdair MacIntyre (Jan. 12, 1929 — May 21, 2025)Alasdair MacIntyre, a towering figure in moral philosophy and a Catholic convert credited with reviving the discipline of virtue ethics, died on May 21 at age 96.His seminal 1981 work “After Virtue” reshaped contemporary moral and political philosophy, emphasizing virtue over utilitarian or deontological frameworks.Known by many as “the most important” modern Catholic philosopher, MacIntyre’s intellectual and spiritual journey spanned atheism, Marxism, Anglicanism, and ultimately Roman Catholicism.James Hitchcock (Feb. 13, 1938 — July 14, 2025)James Hitchcock — a noted historian of the Catholic Church, popular author, and longtime college professor — died on July 14 at age 87.Hitchcock was remembered by friends and colleagues as a man of prophetic insight who defended Church teaching and helped to make the Catholic intellectual tradition accessible for his students and readers.Hitchcock taught history at Saint Louis University from the late 1960s until 2013. Some of the most popular of the dozen books he wrote include his one-volume “History of the Catholic Church: From the Apostolic Age to the Third Millennium,” published in 2012 by Ignatius Press.Frank Caprio (Nov. 24, 1936 — Aug. 20, 2025)Frank Caprio, who served as a Providence, Rhode Island, municipal court judge for nearly 40 years and came to be known as “America’s nicest judge,” passed away on Aug. 20 from pancreatic cancer.Caprio gained worldwide fame for a lenient judicial style that blended justice, extreme empathy, and mercy when his courtroom was televised in a program called “Caught in Providence.”The program began in 1999 and went viral in 2017, achieving hundreds of millions of views since then. The show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2021 and has a YouTube channel with nearly 3 million subscribers.Caprio told EWTN News in February that he always kept in mind something his father, a hardworking Italian immigrant with a fifth-grade education, had impressed upon him: “What might seem like a small fine to some was something that many couldn’t afford.”“Your case is dismissed” became Caprio’s signature phrase.Thomas A. Nelson (March 1, 1937 — Aug. 16, 2025)Thomas A. Nelson, the founder of TAN Books — a Catholic publishing house known for its books promoting traditional Catholicism in the post-Vatican II era — died Aug. 16 at age 88.Nelson, who had previously worked as a teacher, founded TAN Books and Publishers Inc. in Rockford, Illinois, in 1967 and an accompanying printing plant in 1978. In addition to being Nelson’s initials, TAN is an acronym for the Latin phrase “Tuum Adoramus Nomen” (“Let Us Adore Thy Name”).Under Nelson’s ownership, TAN became known for publishing orthodox Catholic books, including reprints of classic Catholic works on theology, Scripture, traditional devotions, the Traditional Latin Mass, and the lives of the saints as well as new titles on these subjects by contemporary authors.Katharine, Duchess of Kent (Feb. 22, 1933 — Sept. 4, 2025)The Duchess of Kent, who became the first senior British royal to be received into the Catholic Church since the 17th century, died on Sept. 4 at the age of 92.Renowned for her natural charm, compassion for the sick and downtrodden, and commitment to serving others, the duchess was a much-loved and hardworking British royal whose popularity was enhanced by her own personal suffering and self-effacing nature.She was received into the Church in January 1994 by Cardinal Basil Hume. Up until then, no senior royal had publicly been received into the Church since 1685.Katharine spoke favorably of the Church’s moral precepts. “I do love guidelines and the Catholic Church offers you guidelines,” she once told the BBC. “I have always wanted that in my life. I like to know what’s expected of me.”Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt (Aug. 21, 1919 — Oct. 9, 2025)Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved Catholic nun who became known across the country at the age of 98 as the chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team, died Oct. 9 at the age of 106.Sister Jean was born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on Aug. 21, 1919, to Joseph and Bertha Schmidt. She was raised in a devout Catholic home in San Francisco’s Castro District.In 1937, she joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and took the name Sister Jean Dolores. In 1991, she joined the staff at Loyola Chicago and three years later became part of the basketball team, first as an academic adviser before transitioning to chaplain.Sister Jean led the team in prayer before each game — praying for her players to be safe, for the referees to be fair, and for God’s assistance during the game.She also admitted to praying for the opposing team, though “not as hard.”Sister Mary Michael of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, PCPA (Feb. 25, 1931 — Nov. 10, 2025)Sister Mary Michael of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, PCPA, died on Nov. 10 at age 94 after roughly three-quarters of a century of religious life.Sister Mary Michael was the last of the original five nuns who, along with EWTN foundress Mother Angelica, began the Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale, Alabama.Born Evelyn Shinosky on Feb. 25, 1931, to Joseph and Helen Shinosky, she entered Sancta Clara Monastery in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 15, 1951, and received the habit and her new name the following May.Her passing marked the end of an era at EWTN and at the monastery — one that saw both the launch of the global Catholic network and the expansion of the religious community to include the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery.Paul Badde (March 10, 1948 — Nov. 10, 2025)Paul Badde, author of many well-known books such as “Benedict Up Close,” “The Face of God,” and “The True Icon,” died on Nov. 10 at the age of 77 after a long illness. Badde was also a veteran contributor to EWTN and CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.Born in Schaag, Germany — a small village on the Lower Rhine — he studied philosophy and sociology in Freiburg as well as art history, history, and political science in Frankfurt. Before embarking on a journalistic career, Badde worked as a teacher for several years.A founding editor of Vatican Magazine, Paul and his wife, Ellen, had five children. Sister JoAnn Persch (June 27, 1934 — Nov. 14, 2025)Longtime immigrant rights advocate Sister JoAnn Persch died on Nov. 14 at age 91.Two weeks before her death, Persch attempted to bring Communion to detainees at the Broadview, Illinois, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility where for decades the Sisters of Mercy ministered to migrants and refugees. Officials denied her entry.Persch and Sister Pat Murphy were founding members of the Su Casa Catholic Worker House in Chicago, serving refugees from Central America who were survivors of war, torture, and political persecution.May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Read More

Rest in peace: Looking back at notable Catholics who passed away in 2025 #Catholic Credit: udra11/Shutterstock Dec 31, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA). The past year has seen several notable Catholics pass away — from public officials to the vicar of Christ himself.Here’s a rundown of some prominent Catholics around the world who left us in 2025:Pope Francis (Dec. 17, 1936 — April 21, 2025)The Holy Father, Pope Francis, passed away at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.The first Latin American pope in history as well as the first Jesuit pope, Francis led the Church through significant canonical and catechetical reforms, urging the faithful to reach out and minister to those on the margins of society while preaching the mercy of God.Upon his death he left the legacy of what Cardinal Kevin Farrell said was a life “dedicated to the service of God and his Church,” one that urged the faithful to “live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.”Pope Francis was succeeded in the chair of St. Peter by Pope Leo XIV on May 8.Mabel Landry Staton (Nov. 20, 1932 — Feb. 20, 2025)Mabel Landry Staton, a trailblazing athlete who briefly set an Olympic record at the 1952 Summer Olympics, died on Feb. 20 at age 92.Representing the United States at the Olympic games in Helsinki in 1952, Staton — known as “Dolly” after a nickname from her father — set a record in the long jump category at 19 feet 3.25 inches. Though the record only lasted for several minutes before New Zealand athlete Yvette Williams bested it, Staton would go on to win medals in the 1955 Pan American Games.The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Staton served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Thomas More Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, as well as on the board of the Black Catholic Ministry of the Diocese of Camden.According to the Inquirer, Staton “could still outsprint some of the local high school boys in her 70s.”Alasdair MacIntyre (Jan. 12, 1929 — May 21, 2025)Alasdair MacIntyre, a towering figure in moral philosophy and a Catholic convert credited with reviving the discipline of virtue ethics, died on May 21 at age 96.His seminal 1981 work “After Virtue” reshaped contemporary moral and political philosophy, emphasizing virtue over utilitarian or deontological frameworks.Known by many as “the most important” modern Catholic philosopher, MacIntyre’s intellectual and spiritual journey spanned atheism, Marxism, Anglicanism, and ultimately Roman Catholicism.James Hitchcock (Feb. 13, 1938 — July 14, 2025)James Hitchcock — a noted historian of the Catholic Church, popular author, and longtime college professor — died on July 14 at age 87.Hitchcock was remembered by friends and colleagues as a man of prophetic insight who defended Church teaching and helped to make the Catholic intellectual tradition accessible for his students and readers.Hitchcock taught history at Saint Louis University from the late 1960s until 2013. Some of the most popular of the dozen books he wrote include his one-volume “History of the Catholic Church: From the Apostolic Age to the Third Millennium,” published in 2012 by Ignatius Press.Frank Caprio (Nov. 24, 1936 — Aug. 20, 2025)Frank Caprio, who served as a Providence, Rhode Island, municipal court judge for nearly 40 years and came to be known as “America’s nicest judge,” passed away on Aug. 20 from pancreatic cancer.Caprio gained worldwide fame for a lenient judicial style that blended justice, extreme empathy, and mercy when his courtroom was televised in a program called “Caught in Providence.”The program began in 1999 and went viral in 2017, achieving hundreds of millions of views since then. The show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2021 and has a YouTube channel with nearly 3 million subscribers.Caprio told EWTN News in February that he always kept in mind something his father, a hardworking Italian immigrant with a fifth-grade education, had impressed upon him: “What might seem like a small fine to some was something that many couldn’t afford.”“Your case is dismissed” became Caprio’s signature phrase.Thomas A. Nelson (March 1, 1937 — Aug. 16, 2025)Thomas A. Nelson, the founder of TAN Books — a Catholic publishing house known for its books promoting traditional Catholicism in the post-Vatican II era — died Aug. 16 at age 88.Nelson, who had previously worked as a teacher, founded TAN Books and Publishers Inc. in Rockford, Illinois, in 1967 and an accompanying printing plant in 1978. In addition to being Nelson’s initials, TAN is an acronym for the Latin phrase “Tuum Adoramus Nomen” (“Let Us Adore Thy Name”).Under Nelson’s ownership, TAN became known for publishing orthodox Catholic books, including reprints of classic Catholic works on theology, Scripture, traditional devotions, the Traditional Latin Mass, and the lives of the saints as well as new titles on these subjects by contemporary authors.Katharine, Duchess of Kent (Feb. 22, 1933 — Sept. 4, 2025)The Duchess of Kent, who became the first senior British royal to be received into the Catholic Church since the 17th century, died on Sept. 4 at the age of 92.Renowned for her natural charm, compassion for the sick and downtrodden, and commitment to serving others, the duchess was a much-loved and hardworking British royal whose popularity was enhanced by her own personal suffering and self-effacing nature.She was received into the Church in January 1994 by Cardinal Basil Hume. Up until then, no senior royal had publicly been received into the Church since 1685.Katharine spoke favorably of the Church’s moral precepts. “I do love guidelines and the Catholic Church offers you guidelines,” she once told the BBC. “I have always wanted that in my life. I like to know what’s expected of me.”Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt (Aug. 21, 1919 — Oct. 9, 2025)Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved Catholic nun who became known across the country at the age of 98 as the chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team, died Oct. 9 at the age of 106.Sister Jean was born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on Aug. 21, 1919, to Joseph and Bertha Schmidt. She was raised in a devout Catholic home in San Francisco’s Castro District.In 1937, she joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and took the name Sister Jean Dolores. In 1991, she joined the staff at Loyola Chicago and three years later became part of the basketball team, first as an academic adviser before transitioning to chaplain.Sister Jean led the team in prayer before each game — praying for her players to be safe, for the referees to be fair, and for God’s assistance during the game.She also admitted to praying for the opposing team, though “not as hard.”Sister Mary Michael of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, PCPA (Feb. 25, 1931 — Nov. 10, 2025)Sister Mary Michael of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, PCPA, died on Nov. 10 at age 94 after roughly three-quarters of a century of religious life.Sister Mary Michael was the last of the original five nuns who, along with EWTN foundress Mother Angelica, began the Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale, Alabama.Born Evelyn Shinosky on Feb. 25, 1931, to Joseph and Helen Shinosky, she entered Sancta Clara Monastery in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 15, 1951, and received the habit and her new name the following May.Her passing marked the end of an era at EWTN and at the monastery — one that saw both the launch of the global Catholic network and the expansion of the religious community to include the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery.Paul Badde (March 10, 1948 — Nov. 10, 2025)Paul Badde, author of many well-known books such as “Benedict Up Close,” “The Face of God,” and “The True Icon,” died on Nov. 10 at the age of 77 after a long illness. Badde was also a veteran contributor to EWTN and CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.Born in Schaag, Germany — a small village on the Lower Rhine — he studied philosophy and sociology in Freiburg as well as art history, history, and political science in Frankfurt. Before embarking on a journalistic career, Badde worked as a teacher for several years.A founding editor of Vatican Magazine, Paul and his wife, Ellen, had five children. Sister JoAnn Persch (June 27, 1934 — Nov. 14, 2025)Longtime immigrant rights advocate Sister JoAnn Persch died on Nov. 14 at age 91.Two weeks before her death, Persch attempted to bring Communion to detainees at the Broadview, Illinois, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility where for decades the Sisters of Mercy ministered to migrants and refugees. Officials denied her entry.Persch and Sister Pat Murphy were founding members of the Su Casa Catholic Worker House in Chicago, serving refugees from Central America who were survivors of war, torture, and political persecution.May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

unitedyam

Credit: udra11/Shutterstock

Dec 31, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

The past year has seen several notable Catholics pass away — from public officials to the vicar of Christ himself.

Here’s a rundown of some prominent Catholics around the world who left us in 2025:

Pope Francis (Dec. 17, 1936 — April 21, 2025)

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, passed away at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.

The first Latin American pope in history as well as the first Jesuit pope, Francis led the Church through significant canonical and catechetical reforms, urging the faithful to reach out and minister to those on the margins of society while preaching the mercy of God.

Upon his death he left the legacy of what Cardinal Kevin Farrell said was a life “dedicated to the service of God and his Church,” one that urged the faithful to “live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.”

Pope Francis was succeeded in the chair of St. Peter by Pope Leo XIV on May 8.

Mabel Landry Staton (Nov. 20, 1932 — Feb. 20, 2025)

Mabel Landry Staton, a trailblazing athlete who briefly set an Olympic record at the 1952 Summer Olympics, died on Feb. 20 at age 92.

Representing the United States at the Olympic games in Helsinki in 1952, Staton — known as “Dolly” after a nickname from her father — set a record in the long jump category at 19 feet 3.25 inches. Though the record only lasted for several minutes before New Zealand athlete Yvette Williams bested it, Staton would go on to win medals in the 1955 Pan American Games.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Staton served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Thomas More Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, as well as on the board of the Black Catholic Ministry of the Diocese of Camden.

According to the Inquirer, Staton “could still outsprint some of the local high school boys in her 70s.”

Alasdair MacIntyre (Jan. 12, 1929 — May 21, 2025)

Alasdair MacIntyre, a towering figure in moral philosophy and a Catholic convert credited with reviving the discipline of virtue ethics, died on May 21 at age 96.

His seminal 1981 work “After Virtue” reshaped contemporary moral and political philosophy, emphasizing virtue over utilitarian or deontological frameworks.

Known by many as “the most important” modern Catholic philosopher, MacIntyre’s intellectual and spiritual journey spanned atheism, Marxism, Anglicanism, and ultimately Roman Catholicism.

James Hitchcock (Feb. 13, 1938 — July 14, 2025)

James Hitchcock — a noted historian of the Catholic Church, popular author, and longtime college professor — died on July 14 at age 87.

Hitchcock was remembered by friends and colleagues as a man of prophetic insight who defended Church teaching and helped to make the Catholic intellectual tradition accessible for his students and readers.

Hitchcock taught history at Saint Louis University from the late 1960s until 2013. Some of the most popular of the dozen books he wrote include his one-volume “History of the Catholic Church: From the Apostolic Age to the Third Millennium,” published in 2012 by Ignatius Press.

Frank Caprio (Nov. 24, 1936 — Aug. 20, 2025)

Frank Caprio, who served as a Providence, Rhode Island, municipal court judge for nearly 40 years and came to be known as “America’s nicest judge,” passed away on Aug. 20 from pancreatic cancer.

Caprio gained worldwide fame for a lenient judicial style that blended justice, extreme empathy, and mercy when his courtroom was televised in a program called “Caught in Providence.”

The program began in 1999 and went viral in 2017, achieving hundreds of millions of views since then. The show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2021 and has a YouTube channel with nearly 3 million subscribers.

Caprio told EWTN News in February that he always kept in mind something his father, a hardworking Italian immigrant with a fifth-grade education, had impressed upon him: “What might seem like a small fine to some was something that many couldn’t afford.”

“Your case is dismissed” became Caprio’s signature phrase.

Thomas A. Nelson (March 1, 1937 — Aug. 16, 2025)

Thomas A. Nelson, the founder of TAN Books — a Catholic publishing house known for its books promoting traditional Catholicism in the post-Vatican II era — died Aug. 16 at age 88.

Nelson, who had previously worked as a teacher, founded TAN Books and Publishers Inc. in Rockford, Illinois, in 1967 and an accompanying printing plant in 1978. In addition to being Nelson’s initials, TAN is an acronym for the Latin phrase “Tuum Adoramus Nomen” (“Let Us Adore Thy Name”).

Under Nelson’s ownership, TAN became known for publishing orthodox Catholic books, including reprints of classic Catholic works on theology, Scripture, traditional devotions, the Traditional Latin Mass, and the lives of the saints as well as new titles on these subjects by contemporary authors.

Katharine, Duchess of Kent (Feb. 22, 1933 — Sept. 4, 2025)

The Duchess of Kent, who became the first senior British royal to be received into the Catholic Church since the 17th century, died on Sept. 4 at the age of 92.

Renowned for her natural charm, compassion for the sick and downtrodden, and commitment to serving others, the duchess was a much-loved and hardworking British royal whose popularity was enhanced by her own personal suffering and self-effacing nature.

She was received into the Church in January 1994 by Cardinal Basil Hume. Up until then, no senior royal had publicly been received into the Church since 1685.

Katharine spoke favorably of the Church’s moral precepts. “I do love guidelines and the Catholic Church offers you guidelines,” she once told the BBC. “I have always wanted that in my life. I like to know what’s expected of me.”

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt (Aug. 21, 1919 — Oct. 9, 2025)

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved Catholic nun who became known across the country at the age of 98 as the chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team, died Oct. 9 at the age of 106.

Sister Jean was born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on Aug. 21, 1919, to Joseph and Bertha Schmidt. She was raised in a devout Catholic home in San Francisco’s Castro District.

In 1937, she joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and took the name Sister Jean Dolores. In 1991, she joined the staff at Loyola Chicago and three years later became part of the basketball team, first as an academic adviser before transitioning to chaplain.

Sister Jean led the team in prayer before each game — praying for her players to be safe, for the referees to be fair, and for God’s assistance during the game.

She also admitted to praying for the opposing team, though “not as hard.”

Sister Mary Michael of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, PCPA (Feb. 25, 1931 — Nov. 10, 2025)

Sister Mary Michael of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, PCPA, died on Nov. 10 at age 94 after roughly three-quarters of a century of religious life.

Sister Mary Michael was the last of the original five nuns who, along with EWTN foundress Mother Angelica, began the Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale, Alabama.

Born Evelyn Shinosky on Feb. 25, 1931, to Joseph and Helen Shinosky, she entered Sancta Clara Monastery in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 15, 1951, and received the habit and her new name the following May.

Her passing marked the end of an era at EWTN and at the monastery — one that saw both the launch of the global Catholic network and the expansion of the religious community to include the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery.

Paul Badde (March 10, 1948 — Nov. 10, 2025)

Paul Badde, author of many well-known books such as “Benedict Up Close,” “The Face of God,” and “The True Icon,” died on Nov. 10 at the age of 77 after a long illness. Badde was also a veteran contributor to EWTN and CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.

Born in Schaag, Germany — a small village on the Lower Rhine — he studied philosophy and sociology in Freiburg as well as art history, history, and political science in Frankfurt. Before embarking on a journalistic career, Badde worked as a teacher for several years.

A founding editor of Vatican Magazine, Paul and his wife, Ellen, had five children.

Sister JoAnn Persch (June 27, 1934 — Nov. 14, 2025)

Longtime immigrant rights advocate Sister JoAnn Persch died on Nov. 14 at age 91.

Two weeks before her death, Persch attempted to bring Communion to detainees at the Broadview, Illinois, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility where for decades the Sisters of Mercy ministered to migrants and refugees. Officials denied her entry.

Persch and Sister Pat Murphy were founding members of the Su Casa Catholic Worker House in Chicago, serving refugees from Central America who were survivors of war, torture, and political persecution.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Read More
Man Achieves American Dream Of Working Hard And Paying Taxes For 50 Years So He Can Fund Fraudulent Somali Daycares #BabylonBee – MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Local factory worker Hector Flintstock has been working hard, following the law, saving money, and paying taxes for 50 years, and is finally able to achieve his lifelong retirement dream of funding a fraudulent Somali daycare center.
Read More

Man Achieves American Dream Of Working Hard And Paying Taxes For 50 Years So He Can Fund Fraudulent Somali Daycares #BabylonBee – MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Local factory worker Hector Flintstock has been working hard, following the law, saving money, and paying taxes for 50 years, and is finally able to achieve his lifelong retirement dream of funding a fraudulent Somali daycare center.

unitedyam

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Local factory worker Hector Flintstock has been working hard, following the law, saving money, and paying taxes for 50 years, and is finally able to achieve his lifelong retirement dream of funding a fraudulent Somali daycare center.

Read More
Obituary: Sister Carolyn Nicolai, a Franciscan Sister of Peace, 85 #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Jan. 2, at St. Pius X Parish in Tucson, Ariz., for Sister Carolyn Nicolai (formerly Sister John Vianney), a Franciscan Sister of Peace, who died on Dec. 14 after a brief time in hospice at The Center Nursing Facility in Tucson, also in Arizona. She was 85. Sister Nicolai was born in 1940 in Teaneck, N.J., to Marie and C. W. Nicolai and had a sister, Marie, who later married Jim Wyble and had five children: Daniel, Kenneth (K.C.), Carolyn, Janet, and Mark. Sister Nicolai grew up in Ridgefield Park, Bogota, and Kinnelon, all in New Jersey. She graduated from Butler High School in 1958 and then attended Miller Secretarial School. Sister Nicolai was employed as a secretary in New York City until 1960. That year, Sister Nicolai entered the Franciscan Sisters of Peace in Peekskill, N.Y. and began a life of service that spanned 65 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and education from Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, N.Y., and a master’s degree in religious education from St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y. During her early years of ministry, Sister Nicolai taught in several Catholic elementary schools in New York and New Jersey. Though she loved teaching, she also felt called to minister to the elderly in the Kennedy Residence in Pompton Lakes, N.J., and Bethany Residence in Wayne, N.J. She was also a pastoral associate at St. Nicholas Parish in Passaic, N.J. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In 1989, Sister Nicolai moved to Arizona. There, she was a pastoral associate at St. Joseph’s Parish in Winslow, then served the Yaqui and Tohono Oodham Tribes at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Tucson, and, for 20 years, became the diocesan director of Pastoral Ministry to Nursing Homes with Carmelite Father Angelo Mastria, starting in 1994. Sister Nicolai received the Employee of the Year Award from Catholic Community Services of South Arizona in 1996. For more than 20 years, Sister Nicolai volunteered in prisons and later mentored women released from prison. After retiring from active ministry in 2015, she continued serving the elderly and mentoring the women she had come to love. Sister Nicolai spent her final years at Atria Bell Court Gardens Senior Living, where she formed many friendships and ministered through prayer and presence. She loved people, animals, and music. Sister Nicolai is survived by her nephews, Kenneth (K.C.) and Mark, her niece, Carolyn, several grand-nieces, many cousins, and her Franciscan of Peace community. A Mass will be celebrated with Sister Nicolai’s Franciscan Sisters of Peace at a later date at Marian Woods in Hartsdale, N.Y. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Yonkers, N.Y. immediately following the Mass.  
Read More

Obituary: Sister Carolyn Nicolai, a Franciscan Sister of Peace, 85 #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Jan. 2, at St. Pius X Parish in Tucson, Ariz., for Sister Carolyn Nicolai (formerly Sister John Vianney), a Franciscan Sister of Peace, who died on Dec. 14 after a brief time in hospice at The Center Nursing Facility in Tucson, also in Arizona. She was 85. Sister Nicolai was born in 1940 in Teaneck, N.J., to Marie and C. W. Nicolai and had a sister, Marie, who later married Jim Wyble and had five children: Daniel, Kenneth (K.C.), Carolyn, Janet, and Mark. Sister Nicolai grew up in Ridgefield Park, Bogota, and Kinnelon, all in New Jersey. She graduated from Butler High School in 1958 and then attended Miller Secretarial School. Sister Nicolai was employed as a secretary in New York City until 1960. That year, Sister Nicolai entered the Franciscan Sisters of Peace in Peekskill, N.Y. and began a life of service that spanned 65 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and education from Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, N.Y., and a master’s degree in religious education from St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y. During her early years of ministry, Sister Nicolai taught in several Catholic elementary schools in New York and New Jersey. Though she loved teaching, she also felt called to minister to the elderly in the Kennedy Residence in Pompton Lakes, N.J., and Bethany Residence in Wayne, N.J. She was also a pastoral associate at St. Nicholas Parish in Passaic, N.J. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In 1989, Sister Nicolai moved to Arizona. There, she was a pastoral associate at St. Joseph’s Parish in Winslow, then served the Yaqui and Tohono Oodham Tribes at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Tucson, and, for 20 years, became the diocesan director of Pastoral Ministry to Nursing Homes with Carmelite Father Angelo Mastria, starting in 1994. Sister Nicolai received the Employee of the Year Award from Catholic Community Services of South Arizona in 1996. For more than 20 years, Sister Nicolai volunteered in prisons and later mentored women released from prison. After retiring from active ministry in 2015, she continued serving the elderly and mentoring the women she had come to love. Sister Nicolai spent her final years at Atria Bell Court Gardens Senior Living, where she formed many friendships and ministered through prayer and presence. She loved people, animals, and music. Sister Nicolai is survived by her nephews, Kenneth (K.C.) and Mark, her niece, Carolyn, several grand-nieces, many cousins, and her Franciscan of Peace community. A Mass will be celebrated with Sister Nicolai’s Franciscan Sisters of Peace at a later date at Marian Woods in Hartsdale, N.Y. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Yonkers, N.Y. immediately following the Mass.  

unitedyam

Obituary: Sister Carolyn Nicolai, a Franciscan Sister of Peace, 85 #Catholic –

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Jan. 2, at St. Pius X Parish in Tucson, Ariz., for Sister Carolyn Nicolai (formerly Sister John Vianney), a Franciscan Sister of Peace, who died on Dec. 14 after a brief time in hospice at The Center Nursing Facility in Tucson, also in Arizona. She was 85.

Sister Nicolai was born in 1940 in Teaneck, N.J., to Marie and C. W. Nicolai and had a sister, Marie, who later married Jim Wyble and had five children: Daniel, Kenneth (K.C.), Carolyn, Janet, and Mark. Sister Nicolai grew up in Ridgefield Park, Bogota, and Kinnelon, all in New Jersey. She graduated from Butler High School in 1958 and then attended Miller Secretarial School. Sister Nicolai was employed as a secretary in New York City until 1960.

That year, Sister Nicolai entered the Franciscan Sisters of Peace in Peekskill, N.Y. and began a life of service that spanned 65 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and education from Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, N.Y., and a master’s degree in religious education from St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y.

During her early years of ministry, Sister Nicolai taught in several Catholic elementary schools in New York and New Jersey. Though she loved teaching, she also felt called to minister to the elderly in the Kennedy Residence in Pompton Lakes, N.J., and Bethany Residence in Wayne, N.J. She was also a pastoral associate at St. Nicholas Parish in Passaic, N.J.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In 1989, Sister Nicolai moved to Arizona. There, she was a pastoral associate at St. Joseph’s Parish in Winslow, then served the Yaqui and Tohono Oodham Tribes at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Tucson, and, for 20 years, became the diocesan director of Pastoral Ministry to Nursing Homes with Carmelite Father Angelo Mastria, starting in 1994. Sister Nicolai received the Employee of the Year Award from Catholic Community Services of South Arizona in 1996.

For more than 20 years, Sister Nicolai volunteered in prisons and later mentored women released from prison. After retiring from active ministry in 2015, she continued serving the elderly and mentoring the women she had come to love.

Sister Nicolai spent her final years at Atria Bell Court Gardens Senior Living, where she formed many friendships and ministered through prayer and presence. She loved people, animals, and music.

Sister Nicolai is survived by her nephews, Kenneth (K.C.) and Mark, her niece, Carolyn, several grand-nieces, many cousins, and her Franciscan of Peace community.

A Mass will be celebrated with Sister Nicolai’s Franciscan Sisters of Peace at a later date at Marian Woods in Hartsdale, N.Y. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Yonkers, N.Y. immediately following the Mass.

 

– A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Jan. 2, at St. Pius X Parish in Tucson, Ariz., for Sister Carolyn Nicolai (formerly Sister John Vianney), a Franciscan Sister of Peace, who died on Dec. 14 after a brief time in hospice at The Center Nursing Facility in Tucson, also in Arizona. She was 85. Sister Nicolai was born in 1940 in Teaneck, N.J., to Marie and C. W. Nicolai and had a sister, Marie, who later married Jim Wyble and had five children: Daniel, Kenneth (K.C.), Carolyn, Janet, and Mark. Sister Nicolai grew up in Ridgefield Park,

Read More
Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, Catholic school alumna, dies at 80 – #Catholic – Begum Khaleda Zia, former Bangladesh prime minister and chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, in 2010 at the Diploma Engineers Institute, Dhaka. | Credit: Mohammed Tawsif Salam, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Dec 30, 2025 / 19:22 pm (CNA). Catholic leaders in Bangladesh are mourning the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, an alumna of Catholic-run St. Joseph’s School who became the country’s first woman prime minister and maintained a lifelong bond with the Catholic community. She died Tuesday morning local time at age 80 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka following a prolonged illness.“She knew us and we had a good relationship with her,” said Bishop Gervas Rozario, vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh. “She protected minorities when she was in power.”The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which she led for decades, announced her passing. “Amma (Mother) is no more,” acting chairman Tarique Rahman told senior leaders. The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, declared a three-day state of mourning and a public holiday for her funeral, to be held Wednesday at the National Parliament grounds.From ‘putul’ to prime ministerKhaleda Zia’s journey began in the classrooms of Catholic-run schools. Born in 1945 in Jalpaiguri, she spent her formative years at St. Joseph’s School in Dinajpur, where she was affectionately nicknamed “putul” (doll) by her principal, Sister Pia Fernandes.Father Albert Rozario recalled a memory from her time as the president’s wife. When taking her son for an admission test at St. Joseph’s School in Dhaka, she waited outside the gate until the principal, realizing who she was, invited her inside.Politics was not her chosen path. It was thrust upon her by tragedy following the 1981 assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman. As the BNP reeled from the loss of its founder, party leaders turned to the grieving widow to unite them and carry forward his legacy.She rose to the challenge, becoming BNP chairperson in 1984. The woman once nicknamed “doll” as a girl led the movement against the military dictatorship of Hussain Muhammad Ershad, earning a reputation as an “uncompromising leader.” Her perseverance paid off with an electoral victory in 1991, making her the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh.Supporter of ChristiansHer tenure was defined by reforms. She restored the parliamentary system and instituted the caretaker government model to oversee elections — a system meant to ensure fairness. She introduced free education for girls up to grade 10 and stipend programs for rural female students, boosting enrollment and literacy.“She played a significant role in increasing access to education, expanding opportunities for women and girls and strengthening basic social services,” Bishop Rozario noted.Her political life included three terms (1991–1996, a brief period in 1996, and 2001–2006) and intense rivalry. She endured imprisonment on corruption charges in 2018, release in 2020, and was finally acquitted in 2025 after a legal battle. Through it all, she remained a central figure in the nation’s consciousness.For the Christian community, she was an ally. Father Albert Rozario, who celebrated Christmas with her three times, remembered her inclusive spirit. “She used to say, ‘Christmas is not only for Christians, it is for people of all religions.’” That she died during the Christmas season has added a layer of resonance for many.Her passing has drawn condolences from across South Asia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted her “important contributions … to India-Bangladesh relations.” Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is traveling to Dhaka to pay his last respects alongside dignitaries from Pakistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives.In a televised address, Chief Adviser Yunus captured the national sentiment: “Today, our entire nation stands still in deep grief and sorrow… With her death, the nation has lost a great guardian.”
Read More

Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, Catholic school alumna, dies at 80 – #Catholic – Begum Khaleda Zia, former Bangladesh prime minister and chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, in 2010 at the Diploma Engineers Institute, Dhaka. | Credit: Mohammed Tawsif Salam, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Dec 30, 2025 / 19:22 pm (CNA). Catholic leaders in Bangladesh are mourning the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, an alumna of Catholic-run St. Joseph’s School who became the country’s first woman prime minister and maintained a lifelong bond with the Catholic community. She died Tuesday morning local time at age 80 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka following a prolonged illness.“She knew us and we had a good relationship with her,” said Bishop Gervas Rozario, vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh. “She protected minorities when she was in power.”The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which she led for decades, announced her passing. “Amma (Mother) is no more,” acting chairman Tarique Rahman told senior leaders. The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, declared a three-day state of mourning and a public holiday for her funeral, to be held Wednesday at the National Parliament grounds.From ‘putul’ to prime ministerKhaleda Zia’s journey began in the classrooms of Catholic-run schools. Born in 1945 in Jalpaiguri, she spent her formative years at St. Joseph’s School in Dinajpur, where she was affectionately nicknamed “putul” (doll) by her principal, Sister Pia Fernandes.Father Albert Rozario recalled a memory from her time as the president’s wife. When taking her son for an admission test at St. Joseph’s School in Dhaka, she waited outside the gate until the principal, realizing who she was, invited her inside.Politics was not her chosen path. It was thrust upon her by tragedy following the 1981 assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman. As the BNP reeled from the loss of its founder, party leaders turned to the grieving widow to unite them and carry forward his legacy.She rose to the challenge, becoming BNP chairperson in 1984. The woman once nicknamed “doll” as a girl led the movement against the military dictatorship of Hussain Muhammad Ershad, earning a reputation as an “uncompromising leader.” Her perseverance paid off with an electoral victory in 1991, making her the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh.Supporter of ChristiansHer tenure was defined by reforms. She restored the parliamentary system and instituted the caretaker government model to oversee elections — a system meant to ensure fairness. She introduced free education for girls up to grade 10 and stipend programs for rural female students, boosting enrollment and literacy.“She played a significant role in increasing access to education, expanding opportunities for women and girls and strengthening basic social services,” Bishop Rozario noted.Her political life included three terms (1991–1996, a brief period in 1996, and 2001–2006) and intense rivalry. She endured imprisonment on corruption charges in 2018, release in 2020, and was finally acquitted in 2025 after a legal battle. Through it all, she remained a central figure in the nation’s consciousness.For the Christian community, she was an ally. Father Albert Rozario, who celebrated Christmas with her three times, remembered her inclusive spirit. “She used to say, ‘Christmas is not only for Christians, it is for people of all religions.’” That she died during the Christmas season has added a layer of resonance for many.Her passing has drawn condolences from across South Asia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted her “important contributions … to India-Bangladesh relations.” Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is traveling to Dhaka to pay his last respects alongside dignitaries from Pakistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives.In a televised address, Chief Adviser Yunus captured the national sentiment: “Today, our entire nation stands still in deep grief and sorrow… With her death, the nation has lost a great guardian.”

unitedyam

Begum Khaleda Zia, former Bangladesh prime minister and chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, in 2010 at the Diploma Engineers Institute, Dhaka. | Credit: Mohammed Tawsif Salam, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dec 30, 2025 / 19:22 pm (CNA).

Catholic leaders in Bangladesh are mourning the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, an alumna of Catholic-run St. Joseph’s School who became the country’s first woman prime minister and maintained a lifelong bond with the Catholic community. She died Tuesday morning local time at age 80 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka following a prolonged illness.

“She knew us and we had a good relationship with her,” said Bishop Gervas Rozario, vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh. “She protected minorities when she was in power.”

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which she led for decades, announced her passing. “Amma (Mother) is no more,” acting chairman Tarique Rahman told senior leaders. The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, declared a three-day state of mourning and a public holiday for her funeral, to be held Wednesday at the National Parliament grounds.

From ‘putul’ to prime minister

Khaleda Zia’s journey began in the classrooms of Catholic-run schools. Born in 1945 in Jalpaiguri, she spent her formative years at St. Joseph’s School in Dinajpur, where she was affectionately nicknamed “putul” (doll) by her principal, Sister Pia Fernandes.

Father Albert Rozario recalled a memory from her time as the president’s wife. When taking her son for an admission test at St. Joseph’s School in Dhaka, she waited outside the gate until the principal, realizing who she was, invited her inside.

Politics was not her chosen path. It was thrust upon her by tragedy following the 1981 assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman. As the BNP reeled from the loss of its founder, party leaders turned to the grieving widow to unite them and carry forward his legacy.

She rose to the challenge, becoming BNP chairperson in 1984. The woman once nicknamed “doll” as a girl led the movement against the military dictatorship of Hussain Muhammad Ershad, earning a reputation as an “uncompromising leader.”

Her perseverance paid off with an electoral victory in 1991, making her the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh.

Supporter of Christians

Her tenure was defined by reforms. She restored the parliamentary system and instituted the caretaker government model to oversee elections — a system meant to ensure fairness. She introduced free education for girls up to grade 10 and stipend programs for rural female students, boosting enrollment and literacy.

“She played a significant role in increasing access to education, expanding opportunities for women and girls and strengthening basic social services,” Bishop Rozario noted.

Her political life included three terms (1991–1996, a brief period in 1996, and 2001–2006) and intense rivalry. She endured imprisonment on corruption charges in 2018, release in 2020, and was finally acquitted in 2025 after a legal battle. Through it all, she remained a central figure in the nation’s consciousness.

For the Christian community, she was an ally. Father Albert Rozario, who celebrated Christmas with her three times, remembered her inclusive spirit. “She used to say, ‘Christmas is not only for Christians, it is for people of all religions.’” That she died during the Christmas season has added a layer of resonance for many.

Her passing has drawn condolences from across South Asia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted her “important contributions … to India-Bangladesh relations.” Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is traveling to Dhaka to pay his last respects alongside dignitaries from Pakistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives.

In a televised address, Chief Adviser Yunus captured the national sentiment: “Today, our entire nation stands still in deep grief and sorrow… With her death, the nation has lost a great guardian.”

Read More

Prayer for a Blessing on the New Year: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, December 31, 2025 – #Prayer – O sacred and adorable Trinity, hear our prayers on behalf of our holy Father the Pope, our Bishops, our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, we beseech Thee, during the coming year, the whole Catholic Church; convert heretics and unbelievers; soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Thy friendship; give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world; pour down Thy blessings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and upon our …

unitedyam

O sacred and adorable Trinity, hear our prayers on behalf of our holy Father the Pope, our Bishops, our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, we beseech Thee, during the coming year, the whole Catholic Church; convert heretics and unbelievers; soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Thy friendship; give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world; pour down Thy blessings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and upon our …

Read More
Curiosity Sends Holiday Postcard from Mars – NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover used its black-and-white navigation cameras to capture panoramas at two times of day on Nov. 18, 2025, spanning periods that occurred on both the 4,722nd and 4,723rd Martian days, or sols, of the mission. The panoramas were captured at 4:15 p.m. on Sol 4,722 and 8:20 a.m. on Sol 4,723 (both at local Mars time), then merged together. Color was later added for an artistic interpretation of the scene with blue representing the morning panorama and yellow representing the afternoon one.
Read More

Curiosity Sends Holiday Postcard from Mars – NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover used its black-and-white navigation cameras to capture panoramas at two times of day on Nov. 18, 2025, spanning periods that occurred on both the 4,722nd and 4,723rd Martian days, or sols, of the mission. The panoramas were captured at 4:15 p.m. on Sol 4,722 and 8:20 a.m. on Sol 4,723 (both at local Mars time), then merged together. Color was later added for an artistic interpretation of the scene with blue representing the morning panorama and yellow representing the afternoon one.

unitedyam

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover used its black-and-white navigation cameras to capture panoramas at two times of day on Nov. 18, 2025, spanning periods that occurred on both the 4,722nd and 4,723rd Martian days, or sols, of the mission. The panoramas were captured at 4:15 p.m. on Sol 4,722 and 8:20 a.m. on Sol 4,723 (both at local Mars time), then merged together. Color was later added for an artistic interpretation of the scene with blue representing the morning panorama and yellow representing the afternoon one.

Read More

Gospel and Word of the Day – 31 December 2025 – A reading from the first letter of John 2:18-21 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number. But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.From the Gospel according to John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.“The Word was made flesh” is one of those truths to which we have grown so accustomed that the greatness of the event it expresses barely makes an impression on us. Effectively, in this Christmastide in which these words often recur in the Liturgy, we at times pay more attention to the external aspects, to the “colours” of the celebration rather than to the heart of the great Christian newness that we are celebrating: something that utterly defeats the imagination, that God alone could bring about and into which we can only enter with faith. The Logos, who is with God, is the Logos who is God, the Creator of the world (cf. Jn 1:1) through whom all things were created (cf. 1:3) and who has accompanied men and women through history with his light (cf. 1:4-5; 1:9), became one among many and made his dwelling among us, becoming one of us (cf. 2:14). (…) Thus it is important to recover our wonder at the mystery, to let ourselves be enveloped by the grandeur of this event: God, the true God, Creator of all, walked our roads as a man, entering human time to communicate his own life to us (cf. 1 Jn 1:1-4). And he did not do so with the splendour of a sovereign who dominates the world with his power, but with the humility of a child. (Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 9 January 2013)

unitedyam

A reading from the first letter of John
2:18-21

Children, it is the last hour;
and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared.
Thus we know this is the last hour.
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;
if they had been, they would have remained with us.
Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.
But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,
and you all have knowledge.
I write to you not because you do not know the truth
but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.

From the Gospel according to John
1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.

And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.

“The Word was made flesh” is one of those truths to which we have grown so accustomed that the greatness of the event it expresses barely makes an impression on us. Effectively, in this Christmastide in which these words often recur in the Liturgy, we at times pay more attention to the external aspects, to the “colours” of the celebration rather than to the heart of the great Christian newness that we are celebrating: something that utterly defeats the imagination, that God alone could bring about and into which we can only enter with faith. The Logos, who is with God, is the Logos who is God, the Creator of the world (cf. Jn 1:1) through whom all things were created (cf. 1:3) and who has accompanied men and women through history with his light (cf. 1:4-5; 1:9), became one among many and made his dwelling among us, becoming one of us (cf. 2:14). (…) Thus it is important to recover our wonder at the mystery, to let ourselves be enveloped by the grandeur of this event: God, the true God, Creator of all, walked our roads as a man, entering human time to communicate his own life to us (cf. 1 Jn 1:1-4). And he did not do so with the splendour of a sovereign who dominates the world with his power, but with the humility of a child. (Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 9 January 2013)

Read More
The Daycare Pirates of Somalia – Mainstream Media Calls It Islamophobia – By now, nearly everyone has seen, or at least heard of, Nick Shirley’s viral video uncovering fraud at several Minnesota daycare centers. The post The Daycare Pirates of Somalia – Mainstream Media Calls It Islamophobia appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More

The Daycare Pirates of Somalia – Mainstream Media Calls It Islamophobia – By now, nearly everyone has seen, or at least heard of, Nick Shirley’s viral video uncovering fraud at several Minnesota daycare centers. The post The Daycare Pirates of Somalia – Mainstream Media Calls It Islamophobia appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

Illustration of a Somali pirate with an assault rifle on a beach, featuring a rusted ship in the background, highlighting themes of piracy and adventure.

Illustration of a Somali pirate with an assault rifle on a beach, featuring a rusted ship in the background, highlighting themes of piracy and adventure.

By now, nearly everyone has seen, or at least heard of, Nick Shirley’s viral video uncovering fraud at several Minnesota daycare centers.

The post The Daycare Pirates of Somalia – Mainstream Media Calls It Islamophobia appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Read More
Google Censors Tina Peters Post on Christmas Day – Google Censors Tina Peters Article on Christmas Day.  Tina Peters spent her Christmas Day in prison in Colorado.  Despite having committed no crimes in her role as the elections head in Mesa County, Peters sits in prison.  Despite being pardoned by President Trump, Peters sits in prison. The post Google Censors Tina Peters Post on Christmas Day appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More

Google Censors Tina Peters Post on Christmas Day – Google Censors Tina Peters Article on Christmas Day.  Tina Peters spent her Christmas Day in prison in Colorado.  Despite having committed no crimes in her role as the elections head in Mesa County, Peters sits in prison.  Despite being pardoned by President Trump, Peters sits in prison. The post Google Censors Tina Peters Post on Christmas Day appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

Image showing a woman with white hair and a serious expression, alongside a Google logo, indicating she has been in prison for 447 days.

Image showing a woman with white hair and a serious expression, alongside a Google logo, indicating she has been in prison for 447 days.

Google Censors Tina Peters Article on Christmas Day.  Tina Peters spent her Christmas Day in prison in Colorado.  Despite having committed no crimes in her role as the elections head in Mesa County, Peters sits in prison.  Despite being pardoned by President Trump, Peters sits in prison.

The post Google Censors Tina Peters Post on Christmas Day appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Read More
Potential Conflict of Interest Rocks Charlie Kirk Murder Case – Utah Prosecutor’s Relative Was in the Crowd During the Assassination, Defense Demands Disqualification – Newly revealed court documents in the prosecution of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating conservative icon Charlie Kirk, have exposed a potential conflict of interest within the Utah County Attorney’s Office. The post Potential Conflict of Interest Rocks Charlie Kirk Murder Case – Utah Prosecutor’s Relative Was in the Crowd During the Assassination, Defense Demands Disqualification appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More

Potential Conflict of Interest Rocks Charlie Kirk Murder Case – Utah Prosecutor’s Relative Was in the Crowd During the Assassination, Defense Demands Disqualification – Newly revealed court documents in the prosecution of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating conservative icon Charlie Kirk, have exposed a potential conflict of interest within the Utah County Attorney’s Office. The post Potential Conflict of Interest Rocks Charlie Kirk Murder Case – Utah Prosecutor’s Relative Was in the Crowd During the Assassination, Defense Demands Disqualification appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

A group of professionals engaged in discussion during a meeting in a modern conference room.

A group of professionals engaged in discussion during a meeting in a modern conference room.

Newly revealed court documents in the prosecution of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating conservative icon Charlie Kirk, have exposed a potential conflict of interest within the Utah County Attorney’s Office.

The post Potential Conflict of Interest Rocks Charlie Kirk Murder Case – Utah Prosecutor’s Relative Was in the Crowd During the Assassination, Defense Demands Disqualification appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Read More
Pope Leo XIV warns against gambling, which ‘ruins many families’ – #Catholic – Credit: Zolnierek/Shutterstock Dec 30, 2025 / 10:45 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV warned about the danger that gambling poses to many families during a Dec. 29 audience with members of the National Association of Italian Municipalities.At the beginning of his address, delivered in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Holy Father explained that “the incarnation of the Son of God brings us face to face with a child, whose gentle fragility is in stark contrast to the crushing power of King Herod.”In this context, he emphasized that “the massacre of the innocents ordered by him not only represents a loss of a future for society but is also a manifestation of an inhuman power that does not know the beauty of love because it disregards the dignity of human life.”On the contrary, the pope explained that the birth of the Lord “reveals the most authentic aspect of all power, which is above all responsibility and service,” and noted that all authority must “embody the virtues of humility, honesty, and communion.”The pontiff thus alluded to the public commitment of the Italian association, reminding them of the importance of listening “as a social dynamic that activates these virtues,” specifically “to the needs of families and individuals, especially caring for the most vulnerable, for the good of all.”Pope Leo XIV focused his attention on certain realities that require special attention, such as the difficulties faced by families and young people as well as the loneliness of the elderly and the “silent cry of the poor.”In this regard, he emphasized that “our cities are not anonymous places but rather faces and stories that must be safeguarded like precious treasures.”He also quoted Venerable Giorgio La Pira, known as “the holy mayor” of Florence, who maintained that his fundamental duty was to care for and alleviate anyone who was suffering. In this way, the pope stated that “social cohesion and civic harmony require, first and foremost, listening to the least among us and the poor.”He then urged the members of the National Association of Italian Municipalities to “become models of dedication to the common good, fostering a social alliance for hope.”Problem of gambling addictionAfter lamenting that cities are experiencing forms of marginalization, violence, and loneliness “that demand to be addressed,” Pope Leo specifically warned against gambling, “which ruins many families.” Citing the latest report from Caritas Italy, he emphasized that this type of gambling addiction is a “serious problem of education, mental health, and social trust.”“We cannot forget other forms of loneliness from which many people suffer: mental disorders, depression, cultural and spiritual poverty, and social abandonment. These are signs that indicate how much hope is needed. To bear witness to it effectively, politics is called to forge authentically human relationships among citizens, promoting social peace,” the pontiff said.He also urged that administrative activity promote “the talents of individuals, giving cultural and spiritual depth to cities.”At the end of his address, he asked the members of the association to have “the courage to offer hope to the people, planning together the best future for their lands, in the logic of integral human development.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Read More

Pope Leo XIV warns against gambling, which ‘ruins many families’ – #Catholic – Credit: Zolnierek/Shutterstock Dec 30, 2025 / 10:45 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV warned about the danger that gambling poses to many families during a Dec. 29 audience with members of the National Association of Italian Municipalities.At the beginning of his address, delivered in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Holy Father explained that “the incarnation of the Son of God brings us face to face with a child, whose gentle fragility is in stark contrast to the crushing power of King Herod.”In this context, he emphasized that “the massacre of the innocents ordered by him not only represents a loss of a future for society but is also a manifestation of an inhuman power that does not know the beauty of love because it disregards the dignity of human life.”On the contrary, the pope explained that the birth of the Lord “reveals the most authentic aspect of all power, which is above all responsibility and service,” and noted that all authority must “embody the virtues of humility, honesty, and communion.”The pontiff thus alluded to the public commitment of the Italian association, reminding them of the importance of listening “as a social dynamic that activates these virtues,” specifically “to the needs of families and individuals, especially caring for the most vulnerable, for the good of all.”Pope Leo XIV focused his attention on certain realities that require special attention, such as the difficulties faced by families and young people as well as the loneliness of the elderly and the “silent cry of the poor.”In this regard, he emphasized that “our cities are not anonymous places but rather faces and stories that must be safeguarded like precious treasures.”He also quoted Venerable Giorgio La Pira, known as “the holy mayor” of Florence, who maintained that his fundamental duty was to care for and alleviate anyone who was suffering. In this way, the pope stated that “social cohesion and civic harmony require, first and foremost, listening to the least among us and the poor.”He then urged the members of the National Association of Italian Municipalities to “become models of dedication to the common good, fostering a social alliance for hope.”Problem of gambling addictionAfter lamenting that cities are experiencing forms of marginalization, violence, and loneliness “that demand to be addressed,” Pope Leo specifically warned against gambling, “which ruins many families.” Citing the latest report from Caritas Italy, he emphasized that this type of gambling addiction is a “serious problem of education, mental health, and social trust.”“We cannot forget other forms of loneliness from which many people suffer: mental disorders, depression, cultural and spiritual poverty, and social abandonment. These are signs that indicate how much hope is needed. To bear witness to it effectively, politics is called to forge authentically human relationships among citizens, promoting social peace,” the pontiff said.He also urged that administrative activity promote “the talents of individuals, giving cultural and spiritual depth to cities.”At the end of his address, he asked the members of the association to have “the courage to offer hope to the people, planning together the best future for their lands, in the logic of integral human development.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

unitedyam

Credit: Zolnierek/Shutterstock

Dec 30, 2025 / 10:45 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV warned about the danger that gambling poses to many families during a Dec. 29 audience with members of the National Association of Italian Municipalities.

At the beginning of his address, delivered in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Holy Father explained that “the incarnation of the Son of God brings us face to face with a child, whose gentle fragility is in stark contrast to the crushing power of King Herod.”

In this context, he emphasized that “the massacre of the innocents ordered by him not only represents a loss of a future for society but is also a manifestation of an inhuman power that does not know the beauty of love because it disregards the dignity of human life.”

On the contrary, the pope explained that the birth of the Lord “reveals the most authentic aspect of all power, which is above all responsibility and service,” and noted that all authority must “embody the virtues of humility, honesty, and communion.”

The pontiff thus alluded to the public commitment of the Italian association, reminding them of the importance of listening “as a social dynamic that activates these virtues,” specifically “to the needs of families and individuals, especially caring for the most vulnerable, for the good of all.”

Pope Leo XIV focused his attention on certain realities that require special attention, such as the difficulties faced by families and young people as well as the loneliness of the elderly and the “silent cry of the poor.”

In this regard, he emphasized that “our cities are not anonymous places but rather faces and stories that must be safeguarded like precious treasures.”

He also quoted Venerable Giorgio La Pira, known as “the holy mayor” of Florence, who maintained that his fundamental duty was to care for and alleviate anyone who was suffering. In this way, the pope stated that “social cohesion and civic harmony require, first and foremost, listening to the least among us and the poor.”

He then urged the members of the National Association of Italian Municipalities to “become models of dedication to the common good, fostering a social alliance for hope.”

Problem of gambling addiction

After lamenting that cities are experiencing forms of marginalization, violence, and loneliness “that demand to be addressed,” Pope Leo specifically warned against gambling, “which ruins many families.” Citing the latest report from Caritas Italy, he emphasized that this type of gambling addiction is a “serious problem of education, mental health, and social trust.”

“We cannot forget other forms of loneliness from which many people suffer: mental disorders, depression, cultural and spiritual poverty, and social abandonment. These are signs that indicate how much hope is needed. To bear witness to it effectively, politics is called to forge authentically human relationships among citizens, promoting social peace,” the pontiff said.

He also urged that administrative activity promote “the talents of individuals, giving cultural and spiritual depth to cities.”

At the end of his address, he asked the members of the association to have “the courage to offer hope to the people, planning together the best future for their lands, in the logic of integral human development.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Read More

How did the atoms needed for life get into space?

unitedyam

Starlight and stardust are not enough to drive the powerful winds of giant stars, transporting the building blocks of life through our galaxy. That’s the conclusion of a new study published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. The team, from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, focused on the star R Doradus. Its result overturns a long-held ideaContinue reading “How did the atoms needed for life get into space?”

The post How did the atoms needed for life get into space? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Read More
Thousands of young Europeans are beginning the new year at ecumenical gathering – #Catholic – Afternoon prayers for an ecumenical youth gathering organized by the Taize Community are taking place in the Accor Arena, which can accommodate more than 20,000 people. Credit: Vilacor, via Wikimedia Commons Dec 30, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA). Thousands of young Catholics and other fellow Christians from various traditions are in Paris this week ushering out 2025 and ushering in 2026 as part of an ecumenical gathering organized by the Taizé Community.The city of Paris and the entire Île-de-France region are the setting for the 48th European Meeting, a pilgrimage from Dec. 28, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2026, in which 15,000 young people ages 18–35 are participating, including 1,000 Ukrainians.The event includes the participation of nearly 60 brothers out of the 80 who make up the Taizé Ecumenical Community, founded in 1940 with the mission of “being a sign of unity in the Church and in the human family.”The program includes communal prayer in the large churches of Paris, various local initiatives, testimonies of hope, and workshops. The afternoon prayers take place in the Accor Arena, which can accommodate more than 20,000 people.Numerous families in Paris and the Île-de-France region have generously welcomed the young people into their homes while various parishes, schools, and sports centers have also made their facilities available.For Brother Mathew Thorpe, current prior of the community, this event is a call “to break free from our algorithms and experience mutual listening, an opening of the heart to welcome others as they are,” he told the French newspaper La Croix.He also noted that this year’s gathering includes a psychological support center located in the Notre-Dame de l’Arche d’Alliance (Our Lady Ark of the Covenant) church to provide assistance to young people who have been victims of abuse.The Taizé brother emphasized that this encounter also offers “a space for young people to listen to Christ in the depths of their being” and expressed his hope that it would help them “go forward in their journey with Christ.”“The important thing is that they receive something that inspires them to become pilgrims of peace and hope, wherever they are, in their local church, in their places of commitment, to help others eliminate the barriers that divide our society,” he said.From Spain, 22-year-old Pedro del Río Granado arrived in Paris with other youth from the Archdiocese of Madrid. For this student, the Taizé European Meeting “is a very important experience” and an opportunity to begin the year with God. Brother Alois, who succeeded Brother Roger, the founding prior of Taizé, said on behalf of the community that this experience “helps us understand the Gospel.” “We Christians can show that there is something that unites us in Europe, something that keeps us together,” he emphasized.A few days before the meeting began, Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in a message addressed to young people reminded them that “the world needs your clear vision, your courage, and your capacity for hope.”“It needs young peace builders, capable of resisting violence, exclusion, and contempt for others. It needs witnesses of a humble faith, understood not as power but as service,” he said.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Read More

Thousands of young Europeans are beginning the new year at ecumenical gathering – #Catholic – Afternoon prayers for an ecumenical youth gathering organized by the Taize Community are taking place in the Accor Arena, which can accommodate more than 20,000 people. Credit: Vilacor, via Wikimedia Commons Dec 30, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA). Thousands of young Catholics and other fellow Christians from various traditions are in Paris this week ushering out 2025 and ushering in 2026 as part of an ecumenical gathering organized by the Taizé Community.The city of Paris and the entire Île-de-France region are the setting for the 48th European Meeting, a pilgrimage from Dec. 28, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2026, in which 15,000 young people ages 18–35 are participating, including 1,000 Ukrainians.The event includes the participation of nearly 60 brothers out of the 80 who make up the Taizé Ecumenical Community, founded in 1940 with the mission of “being a sign of unity in the Church and in the human family.”The program includes communal prayer in the large churches of Paris, various local initiatives, testimonies of hope, and workshops. The afternoon prayers take place in the Accor Arena, which can accommodate more than 20,000 people.Numerous families in Paris and the Île-de-France region have generously welcomed the young people into their homes while various parishes, schools, and sports centers have also made their facilities available.For Brother Mathew Thorpe, current prior of the community, this event is a call “to break free from our algorithms and experience mutual listening, an opening of the heart to welcome others as they are,” he told the French newspaper La Croix.He also noted that this year’s gathering includes a psychological support center located in the Notre-Dame de l’Arche d’Alliance (Our Lady Ark of the Covenant) church to provide assistance to young people who have been victims of abuse.The Taizé brother emphasized that this encounter also offers “a space for young people to listen to Christ in the depths of their being” and expressed his hope that it would help them “go forward in their journey with Christ.”“The important thing is that they receive something that inspires them to become pilgrims of peace and hope, wherever they are, in their local church, in their places of commitment, to help others eliminate the barriers that divide our society,” he said.From Spain, 22-year-old Pedro del Río Granado arrived in Paris with other youth from the Archdiocese of Madrid. For this student, the Taizé European Meeting “is a very important experience” and an opportunity to begin the year with God. Brother Alois, who succeeded Brother Roger, the founding prior of Taizé, said on behalf of the community that this experience “helps us understand the Gospel.” “We Christians can show that there is something that unites us in Europe, something that keeps us together,” he emphasized.A few days before the meeting began, Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in a message addressed to young people reminded them that “the world needs your clear vision, your courage, and your capacity for hope.”“It needs young peace builders, capable of resisting violence, exclusion, and contempt for others. It needs witnesses of a humble faith, understood not as power but as service,” he said.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

unitedyam

Afternoon prayers for an ecumenical youth gathering organized by the Taize Community are taking place in the Accor Arena, which can accommodate more than 20,000 people. Credit: Vilacor, via Wikimedia Commons

Dec 30, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA).

Thousands of young Catholics and other fellow Christians from various traditions are in Paris this week ushering out 2025 and ushering in 2026 as part of an ecumenical gathering organized by the Taizé Community.

The city of Paris and the entire Île-de-France region are the setting for the 48th European Meeting, a pilgrimage from Dec. 28, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2026, in which 15,000 young people ages 18–35 are participating, including 1,000 Ukrainians.

The event includes the participation of nearly 60 brothers out of the 80 who make up the Taizé Ecumenical Community, founded in 1940 with the mission of “being a sign of unity in the Church and in the human family.”

The program includes communal prayer in the large churches of Paris, various local initiatives, testimonies of hope, and workshops. The afternoon prayers take place in the Accor Arena, which can accommodate more than 20,000 people.

Numerous families in Paris and the Île-de-France region have generously welcomed the young people into their homes while various parishes, schools, and sports centers have also made their facilities available.

For Brother Mathew Thorpe, current prior of the community, this event is a call “to break free from our algorithms and experience mutual listening, an opening of the heart to welcome others as they are,” he told the French newspaper La Croix.

He also noted that this year’s gathering includes a psychological support center located in the Notre-Dame de l’Arche d’Alliance (Our Lady Ark of the Covenant) church to provide assistance to young people who have been victims of abuse.

The Taizé brother emphasized that this encounter also offers “a space for young people to listen to Christ in the depths of their being” and expressed his hope that it would help them “go forward in their journey with Christ.”

“The important thing is that they receive something that inspires them to become pilgrims of peace and hope, wherever they are, in their local church, in their places of commitment, to help others eliminate the barriers that divide our society,” he said.

From Spain, 22-year-old Pedro del Río Granado arrived in Paris with other youth from the Archdiocese of Madrid. For this student, the Taizé European Meeting “is a very important experience” and an opportunity to begin the year with God.

Brother Alois, who succeeded Brother Roger, the founding prior of Taizé, said on behalf of the community that this experience “helps us understand the Gospel.”

“We Christians can show that there is something that unites us in Europe, something that keeps us together,” he emphasized.

A few days before the meeting began, Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in a message addressed to young people reminded them that “the world needs your clear vision, your courage, and your capacity for hope.”

“It needs young peace builders, capable of resisting violence, exclusion, and contempt for others. It needs witnesses of a humble faith, understood not as power but as service,” he said.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Read More
Hope abounds at diocesan Closing Jubilee Mass in Paterson #Catholic - On Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy Family, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney closed Jubilee of Hope 2025 observances in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey during a Mass he celebrated at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., the mother church of the diocese. On behalf of the diocese’s 400,000 faithful, the bishop prayed that the graces God bestowed during the Jubilee year “transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel as pilgrims of hope.” That Sunday afternoon, the faithful came from all corners of the diocese to fill the cathedral, uniting in gratitude to God during the Jubilee Year of Hope Closing Mass, the final diocesan event in observance of the Jubilee Year, which the Universal Church is celebrating. Originally declared by the late Pope Francis, the Jubilee year was designated as a time for Catholics to have a personal encounter with Jesus and be renewed as Pilgrims of Hope. The bishop was the principal celebrant and homilist of the liturgy, with many priests from the diocese concelebrating and deacons and seminarians assisting. At the Mass, the faithful had the opportunity to receive a Jubilee plenary indulgence, the complete remission of temporal punishment for forgiven sins for oneself or deceased loved ones. Pope Leo XIV, Pope Francis’ successor, will close the Jubilee for the Universal Church on Jan. 6 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. At the start of the Mass, Bishop Sweeney declared, “We rejoice and give thanks, together with Pope Leo and the whole Church, now, and come bring to a close this great Jubilee of Hope.” “As a diocese, we have offered our praise and thanksgiving and supplications to our God, in union with those who are voiceless in the world —the sick, the aged, the prisoners, and the poor,” Bishop Sweeney said in his greeting. “Through the Jubilee indulgence, the Lord has caused a river of grace and blessing to flow. He has granted us all his hope and his peace. He has strengthened hands that are weak, made firm the feeble knees. He has said to each of us, ‘Take courage; do not be afraid,’” he said. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. After the Mass, Aura Monasterio of St. Paul Parish in Prospect Park, N.J., told BeaconNJ.org that the Jubilee inspired her to pray more often. She and her family pray before meals, before going to bed and waking, and in front of a shrine in their residence. Monasterio also attended a local Jubilee pilgrimage. “I’m closer to God and more connected to the [Catholic] community,” said Monasterio, an immigrant from Guatemala and a catechist at St. Paul’s. “I cried at Christmas Mass this year. It felt more special. I feel God more in my heart and home.” The Mass began with a short procession featuring representatives from many of the diocese’s 107 parishes, agencies, and communities, each carrying a banner for their parish or group. The Prayer of the Faithful was prayed in seven languages to highlight the diocese’s cultural diversity. In his homily, Bishop Sweeney asked the faithful to recall memories of the Jubilee, such as receiving the plenary indulgence or attending any of the five local pilgrimages to designated churches in the diocese for the holy year. The diocese held 26 events to help the faithful experience deeper hope and unity as one Church and to receive God’s grace, including a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, Italy, led by Bishop Sweeney in the fall. Looking ahead, Bishop Sweeney suggested local faithful take inspiration from Mary and Joseph of the Holy Family to “prayerfully listen and discern how the Holy Spirit is calling us to be this wonderful local church of our diocese of Paterson.” With the words “Spes No Confundit” — Latin for “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5), the late Pope Francis declared a Jubilee Year of Hope for 2025 with a Bull of Indiction on May 9, 2024, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The pope rang in the holy year by opening the holy doors at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome last Christmas Eve. Bishop Sweeney opened the holy year at the cathedral on Dec. 29 last year, the feast of the Holy Family. During the closing Mass, Bishop Sweeney thanked Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious, and Brian Honsberger, formerly of St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., who worked with seven committees to coordinate the diocese’s Jubilee observances. The bishop also thanked the clergy, religious, laity, parishes, schools, and diocesan agencies that helped with Jubilee events. Again looking toward the future for the diocese, Bishop Sweeney said in his homily that Pope Leo might have given the Church some direction when he delivered his first address to the papal curia, Church leaders in Rome, on the Monday before Christmas. The pope asked them to reflect on two aspects of the Church: mission — the call to be “missionary disciples” and “witnesses to the Gospel”— and evangelization — to be a “joyful Church, welcoming to all and attentive to the poorest,” Bishop Sweeney said. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  
Read More

Hope abounds at diocesan Closing Jubilee Mass in Paterson #Catholic – On Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy Family, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney closed Jubilee of Hope 2025 observances in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey during a Mass he celebrated at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., the mother church of the diocese. On behalf of the diocese’s 400,000 faithful, the bishop prayed that the graces God bestowed during the Jubilee year “transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel as pilgrims of hope.” That Sunday afternoon, the faithful came from all corners of the diocese to fill the cathedral, uniting in gratitude to God during the Jubilee Year of Hope Closing Mass, the final diocesan event in observance of the Jubilee Year, which the Universal Church is celebrating. Originally declared by the late Pope Francis, the Jubilee year was designated as a time for Catholics to have a personal encounter with Jesus and be renewed as Pilgrims of Hope. The bishop was the principal celebrant and homilist of the liturgy, with many priests from the diocese concelebrating and deacons and seminarians assisting. At the Mass, the faithful had the opportunity to receive a Jubilee plenary indulgence, the complete remission of temporal punishment for forgiven sins for oneself or deceased loved ones. Pope Leo XIV, Pope Francis’ successor, will close the Jubilee for the Universal Church on Jan. 6 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. At the start of the Mass, Bishop Sweeney declared, “We rejoice and give thanks, together with Pope Leo and the whole Church, now, and come bring to a close this great Jubilee of Hope.” “As a diocese, we have offered our praise and thanksgiving and supplications to our God, in union with those who are voiceless in the world —the sick, the aged, the prisoners, and the poor,” Bishop Sweeney said in his greeting. “Through the Jubilee indulgence, the Lord has caused a river of grace and blessing to flow. He has granted us all his hope and his peace. He has strengthened hands that are weak, made firm the feeble knees. He has said to each of us, ‘Take courage; do not be afraid,’” he said. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. After the Mass, Aura Monasterio of St. Paul Parish in Prospect Park, N.J., told BeaconNJ.org that the Jubilee inspired her to pray more often. She and her family pray before meals, before going to bed and waking, and in front of a shrine in their residence. Monasterio also attended a local Jubilee pilgrimage. “I’m closer to God and more connected to the [Catholic] community,” said Monasterio, an immigrant from Guatemala and a catechist at St. Paul’s. “I cried at Christmas Mass this year. It felt more special. I feel God more in my heart and home.” The Mass began with a short procession featuring representatives from many of the diocese’s 107 parishes, agencies, and communities, each carrying a banner for their parish or group. The Prayer of the Faithful was prayed in seven languages to highlight the diocese’s cultural diversity. In his homily, Bishop Sweeney asked the faithful to recall memories of the Jubilee, such as receiving the plenary indulgence or attending any of the five local pilgrimages to designated churches in the diocese for the holy year. The diocese held 26 events to help the faithful experience deeper hope and unity as one Church and to receive God’s grace, including a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, Italy, led by Bishop Sweeney in the fall. Looking ahead, Bishop Sweeney suggested local faithful take inspiration from Mary and Joseph of the Holy Family to “prayerfully listen and discern how the Holy Spirit is calling us to be this wonderful local church of our diocese of Paterson.” With the words “Spes No Confundit” — Latin for “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5), the late Pope Francis declared a Jubilee Year of Hope for 2025 with a Bull of Indiction on May 9, 2024, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The pope rang in the holy year by opening the holy doors at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome last Christmas Eve. Bishop Sweeney opened the holy year at the cathedral on Dec. 29 last year, the feast of the Holy Family. During the closing Mass, Bishop Sweeney thanked Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious, and Brian Honsberger, formerly of St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., who worked with seven committees to coordinate the diocese’s Jubilee observances. The bishop also thanked the clergy, religious, laity, parishes, schools, and diocesan agencies that helped with Jubilee events. Again looking toward the future for the diocese, Bishop Sweeney said in his homily that Pope Leo might have given the Church some direction when he delivered his first address to the papal curia, Church leaders in Rome, on the Monday before Christmas. The pope asked them to reflect on two aspects of the Church: mission — the call to be “missionary disciples” and “witnesses to the Gospel”— and evangelization — to be a “joyful Church, welcoming to all and attentive to the poorest,” Bishop Sweeney said. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  

unitedyam

Hope abounds at diocesan Closing Jubilee Mass in Paterson #Catholic –

On Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy Family, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney closed Jubilee of Hope 2025 observances in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey during a Mass he celebrated at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., the mother church of the diocese. On behalf of the diocese’s 400,000 faithful, the bishop prayed that the graces God bestowed during the Jubilee year “transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel as pilgrims of hope.”

That Sunday afternoon, the faithful came from all corners of the diocese to fill the cathedral, uniting in gratitude to God during the Jubilee Year of Hope Closing Mass, the final diocesan event in observance of the Jubilee Year, which the Universal Church is celebrating. Originally declared by the late Pope Francis, the Jubilee year was designated as a time for Catholics to have a personal encounter with Jesus and be renewed as Pilgrims of Hope.

The bishop was the principal celebrant and homilist of the liturgy, with many priests from the diocese concelebrating and deacons and seminarians assisting. At the Mass, the faithful had the opportunity to receive a Jubilee plenary indulgence, the complete remission of temporal punishment for forgiven sins for oneself or deceased loved ones. Pope Leo XIV, Pope Francis’ successor, will close the Jubilee for the Universal Church on Jan. 6 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

At the start of the Mass, Bishop Sweeney declared, “We rejoice and give thanks, together with Pope Leo and the whole Church, now, and come bring to a close this great Jubilee of Hope.”

“As a diocese, we have offered our praise and thanksgiving and supplications to our God, in union with those who are voiceless in the world —the sick, the aged, the prisoners, and the poor,” Bishop Sweeney said in his greeting. “Through the Jubilee indulgence, the Lord has caused a river of grace and blessing to flow. He has granted us all his hope and his peace. He has strengthened hands that are weak, made firm the feeble knees. He has said to each of us, ‘Take courage; do not be afraid,’” he said.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

After the Mass, Aura Monasterio of St. Paul Parish in Prospect Park, N.J., told BeaconNJ.org that the Jubilee inspired her to pray more often. She and her family pray before meals, before going to bed and waking, and in front of a shrine in their residence. Monasterio also attended a local Jubilee pilgrimage.

“I’m closer to God and more connected to the [Catholic] community,” said Monasterio, an immigrant from Guatemala and a catechist at St. Paul’s. “I cried at Christmas Mass this year. It felt more special. I feel God more in my heart and home.”

The Mass began with a short procession featuring representatives from many of the diocese’s 107 parishes, agencies, and communities, each carrying a banner for their parish or group. The Prayer of the Faithful was prayed in seven languages to highlight the diocese’s cultural diversity.
In his homily, Bishop Sweeney asked the faithful to recall memories of the Jubilee, such as receiving the plenary indulgence or attending any of the five local pilgrimages to designated churches in the diocese for the holy year. The diocese held 26 events to help the faithful experience deeper hope and unity as one Church and to receive God’s grace, including a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, Italy, led by Bishop Sweeney in the fall.

Looking ahead, Bishop Sweeney suggested local faithful take inspiration from Mary and Joseph of the Holy Family to “prayerfully listen and discern how the Holy Spirit is calling us to be this wonderful local church of our diocese of Paterson.”

With the words “Spes No Confundit” — Latin for “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5), the late Pope Francis declared a Jubilee Year of Hope for 2025 with a Bull of Indiction on May 9, 2024, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The pope rang in the holy year by opening the holy doors at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome last Christmas Eve. Bishop Sweeney opened the holy year at the cathedral on Dec. 29 last year, the feast of the Holy Family.

During the closing Mass, Bishop Sweeney thanked Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious, and Brian Honsberger, formerly of St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., who worked with seven committees to coordinate the diocese’s Jubilee observances. The bishop also thanked the clergy, religious, laity, parishes, schools, and diocesan agencies that helped with Jubilee events.

Again looking toward the future for the diocese, Bishop Sweeney said in his homily that Pope Leo might have given the Church some direction when he delivered his first address to the papal curia, Church leaders in Rome, on the Monday before Christmas. The pope asked them to reflect on two aspects of the Church: mission — the call to be “missionary disciples” and “witnesses to the Gospel”— and evangelization — to be a “joyful Church, welcoming to all and attentive to the poorest,” Bishop Sweeney said.

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI

– On Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy Family, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney closed Jubilee of Hope 2025 observances in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey during a Mass he celebrated at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., the mother church of the diocese. On behalf of the diocese’s 400,000 faithful, the bishop prayed that the graces God bestowed during the Jubilee year “transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel as pilgrims of hope.” That Sunday afternoon, the faithful came from all corners of the diocese to fill the cathedral, uniting in

Read More
Rep. Tom Emmer credits his parents’ example in fostering Catholic faith - #Catholic - U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minnesota, talks about his faith with Eric Rosales on “EWTN News Nightly” on Dec. 29, 2025. | Credit: “EWTN News Nightly”/Screenshot Dec 30, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA). Republican Rep. Tom Emmer, U.S. House majority whip, said his Catholic faith was formed by his parents’ example at a young age and he encouraged Americans to reflect more on God in a culture filled with many distractions.Emmer, of Minnesota, spoke to “EWTN News Nightly” about the faith of his parents, including his father’s daily Mass attendance and his mother’s decision to gift her husband a rosary on their wedding day.“The example that they set, is, I believe, why I am who I am,” Emmer said.“I’m the son of Tom and Patsy Emmer who literally met in the sixth and seventh grade at Our Lady of Grace Catholic grade school in Edina, Minnesota,” he said. “[They] were married for 60-some years; they literally lived around the corner from each other, and they never moved more than about two or three miles from where they originally grew up.”Emmer attended a Catholic elementary school and high school. He said he sang in the church choir, saying he “was a soprano” as a child but can no longer reach the high notes.“When I try to do ‘and the rockets’ red glare,’ I can only say it. My voice doesn’t go there anymore,” Emmer said.The congressman also opened up about his sister Bridget’s death from breast cancer, saying it made him question God’s will. Yet, he said a conversation with her before her death helped bolster his faith and to stop being angry with God.Emmer said some older women told his sister that she was too young to have cancer and that he initially told her: “I kind of agree with them.” He said she responded by saying: “Would I love to live forever? Absolutely. But I’m not going to, and people who talk like that have not gotten every second out of every minute out of every hour of every day. I have lived a good life; if God comes and calls me today, so be it.”Emmer emphasized the importance of reflecting on God’s goodness in a world that has become filled with distractions.“Too many people, in this age of social media and all the other stuff — the world gets going so fast that they don’t take a minute to sit down and check out what the good Lord has created,” Emmer said.Legislative activityAccording to a 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about 28% of Congress is Catholic. More than half of Catholic lawmakers in both the House and the Senate are Democrats.Emmer, the third-ranking House Republican, has consistently opposed abortion access during his 11 years in Congress, receiving an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. He also has been critical of what he calls “radical gender ideology.”His stances have not aligned with Church teaching regarding his support for in vitro fertilization (IVF). When he ran for governor of Minnesota in 2010, Emmer opposed same-sex civil marriage. He later shifted his position and voted in favor of a law enacted in 2022 to require states to recognize same-sex civil marriages performed out of state. The Catholic Church does not recognize same-sex civil unions as marriage according to its doctrine and sacramental theology. Emmer has generally supported President Donald Trump’s deportation efforts. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a “special message” in November opposing “the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.”
Read More

Rep. Tom Emmer credits his parents’ example in fostering Catholic faith – #Catholic – U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minnesota, talks about his faith with Eric Rosales on “EWTN News Nightly” on Dec. 29, 2025. | Credit: “EWTN News Nightly”/Screenshot Dec 30, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA). Republican Rep. Tom Emmer, U.S. House majority whip, said his Catholic faith was formed by his parents’ example at a young age and he encouraged Americans to reflect more on God in a culture filled with many distractions.Emmer, of Minnesota, spoke to “EWTN News Nightly” about the faith of his parents, including his father’s daily Mass attendance and his mother’s decision to gift her husband a rosary on their wedding day.“The example that they set, is, I believe, why I am who I am,” Emmer said.“I’m the son of Tom and Patsy Emmer who literally met in the sixth and seventh grade at Our Lady of Grace Catholic grade school in Edina, Minnesota,” he said. “[They] were married for 60-some years; they literally lived around the corner from each other, and they never moved more than about two or three miles from where they originally grew up.”Emmer attended a Catholic elementary school and high school. He said he sang in the church choir, saying he “was a soprano” as a child but can no longer reach the high notes.“When I try to do ‘and the rockets’ red glare,’ I can only say it. My voice doesn’t go there anymore,” Emmer said.The congressman also opened up about his sister Bridget’s death from breast cancer, saying it made him question God’s will. Yet, he said a conversation with her before her death helped bolster his faith and to stop being angry with God.Emmer said some older women told his sister that she was too young to have cancer and that he initially told her: “I kind of agree with them.” He said she responded by saying: “Would I love to live forever? Absolutely. But I’m not going to, and people who talk like that have not gotten every second out of every minute out of every hour of every day. I have lived a good life; if God comes and calls me today, so be it.”Emmer emphasized the importance of reflecting on God’s goodness in a world that has become filled with distractions.“Too many people, in this age of social media and all the other stuff — the world gets going so fast that they don’t take a minute to sit down and check out what the good Lord has created,” Emmer said.Legislative activityAccording to a 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about 28% of Congress is Catholic. More than half of Catholic lawmakers in both the House and the Senate are Democrats.Emmer, the third-ranking House Republican, has consistently opposed abortion access during his 11 years in Congress, receiving an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. He also has been critical of what he calls “radical gender ideology.”His stances have not aligned with Church teaching regarding his support for in vitro fertilization (IVF). When he ran for governor of Minnesota in 2010, Emmer opposed same-sex civil marriage. He later shifted his position and voted in favor of a law enacted in 2022 to require states to recognize same-sex civil marriages performed out of state. The Catholic Church does not recognize same-sex civil unions as marriage according to its doctrine and sacramental theology. Emmer has generally supported President Donald Trump’s deportation efforts. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a “special message” in November opposing “the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.”

unitedyam

U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minnesota, talks about his faith with Eric Rosales on “EWTN News Nightly” on Dec. 29, 2025. | Credit: “EWTN News Nightly”/Screenshot

Dec 30, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

Republican Rep. Tom Emmer, U.S. House majority whip, said his Catholic faith was formed by his parents’ example at a young age and he encouraged Americans to reflect more on God in a culture filled with many distractions.

Emmer, of Minnesota, spoke to “EWTN News Nightly” about the faith of his parents, including his father’s daily Mass attendance and his mother’s decision to gift her husband a rosary on their wedding day.

“The example that they set, is, I believe, why I am who I am,” Emmer said.

“I’m the son of Tom and Patsy Emmer who literally met in the sixth and seventh grade at Our Lady of Grace Catholic grade school in Edina, Minnesota,” he said. “[They] were married for 60-some years; they literally lived around the corner from each other, and they never moved more than about two or three miles from where they originally grew up.”

Emmer attended a Catholic elementary school and high school. He said he sang in the church choir, saying he “was a soprano” as a child but can no longer reach the high notes.

“When I try to do ‘and the rockets’ red glare,’ I can only say it. My voice doesn’t go there anymore,” Emmer said.

The congressman also opened up about his sister Bridget’s death from breast cancer, saying it made him question God’s will. Yet, he said a conversation with her before her death helped bolster his faith and to stop being angry with God.

Emmer said some older women told his sister that she was too young to have cancer and that he initially told her: “I kind of agree with them.” He said she responded by saying: “Would I love to live forever? Absolutely. But I’m not going to, and people who talk like that have not gotten every second out of every minute out of every hour of every day. I have lived a good life; if God comes and calls me today, so be it.”

Emmer emphasized the importance of reflecting on God’s goodness in a world that has become filled with distractions.

“Too many people, in this age of social media and all the other stuff — the world gets going so fast that they don’t take a minute to sit down and check out what the good Lord has created,” Emmer said.

Legislative activity

According to a 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about 28% of Congress is Catholic. More than half of Catholic lawmakers in both the House and the Senate are Democrats.

Emmer, the third-ranking House Republican, has consistently opposed abortion access during his 11 years in Congress, receiving an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. He also has been critical of what he calls “radical gender ideology.”

His stances have not aligned with Church teaching regarding his support for in vitro fertilization (IVF). When he ran for governor of Minnesota in 2010, Emmer opposed same-sex civil marriage. He later shifted his position and voted in favor of a law enacted in 2022 to require states to recognize same-sex civil marriages performed out of state. The Catholic Church does not recognize same-sex civil unions as marriage according to its doctrine and sacramental theology.

Emmer has generally supported President Donald Trump’s deportation efforts. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a “special message” in November opposing “the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.”

Read More
How federal and state abortion policies shifted in 2025 #Catholic Fifty-one senators asked the FDA to rescind its approval of a generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone on Oct. 9, 2025. | Credit: Yta23/Shutterstock Dec 30, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). Abortion policy at the federal and state levels has continued to shift in the United States three and a half years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in its June 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.At the federal level, President Donald Trump’s administration and congressional Republicans made strides to pull back funding for organizations that advocate for abortion access and to reinstate conscience protections. Yet the administration also approved a generic abortion pill and failed to further regulate chemical abortion drugs.Some states adopted new restrictions on abortion, but others expanded policies to increase abortion access. In most states, changes to abortion policy were minimal, as many states already set their post-Dobbs abortion policies in the previous years.Federal: Trump administration shiftsAbortion policy at the federal level shifted shortly after Trump took office, with the administration reinstating many policies from Trump’s first term that had been abandoned for four years under President Joe Biden’s administration.Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy during his first week in office, which requires foreign organizations to certify they will not perform, promote, or actively advocate for abortion to receive U.S. government funding. In June, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rescinded Biden-era guidelines that had required emergency rooms to perform abortions when a pregnant woman had a life-threatening emergency (like severe bleeding, ectopic pregnancy, or risk of organ failure) to stabilize her condition — even in states where abortion is otherwise banned.Other changes within federal departments and agencies included rescinding a Department of Defense policy that provided paid leave and travel expenses for abortion and a proposed rule change to end abortion at Veterans Affairs facilities.The Department of Health and Human Services has also withheld Title X family planning funds from Planned Parenthood. Trump also signed a government spending bill that withheld Medicaid reimbursements from Planned Parenthood. Federal tax money was not spent directly on abortion before those changes, but abortion providers did receive funds for other purposes.Nearly 70 Planned Parenthood abortion clinics shut down in 2025 amid funding cuts.Those closures came as the administration advanced changes affecting abortion medication. Although the administration announced it would review the abortion pill, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new generic version of the drug mifepristone. Bloomberg Law reported the review has been delayed, although officials deny it.The state-level results in 2025 have also been mixed, with a few states adding pro-life laws and others expanding access to abortion.In Texas, where nearly all abortions are illegal, lawmakers passed a bill that allows families to sue companies that manufacture or distribute chemical abortion pills. This comes as state laws related to chemical abortions often conflict, with states like New York enforcing “shield laws” that order courts to not cooperate with out-of-state lawsuits or criminal charges against abortionists within their states.Lawmakers in Wyoming passed a law overriding a veto from the governor that requires women to receive an ultrasound before they can obtain an abortion. However, the law was blocked by a court and is not in effect.There were two pro-life legal wins for states in 2025 as well.In November, the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state’s near-total abortion ban after it was temporarily blocked by a lower court. Under the law, unborn life is protected at every stage in pregnancy in most cases, but it remains legal in the first six weeks in cases of rape and incest and for the duration of pregnancy when the mother is at risk of death or serious physical harm.The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that a South Carolina policy to withhold Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood could stay in place. This ruling also opened the door for other states to adopt similar policies moving forward.In at least 10 states, lawmakers enacted bills to provide more funding for pro-life pregnancy centers, which offer life-affirming alternatives to abortion for pregnant women.Alternatively, a handful of states in 2025 expanded their shield laws, which prevent courts from complying with out-of-state criminal or civil cases against abortionists. This includes new laws in California, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York. Several states expanded these laws by allowing pharmacies to provide chemical abortion pills without listing the name of the doctor who prescribed them to prevent out-of-state legal action.About a dozen states expanded funding for abortion providers, such as California directing 0 million to Planned Parenthood to counteract federal defunding efforts. Maryland established a new program called the Public Health Abortion Grant Program, which offers abortion coverage through Affordable Care Act funds.New laws in Colorado and Washington require emergency rooms to provide abortions when the procedure is deemed “necessary.” A law adopted in Illinois requires public college campuses to provide the abortion pill at their pharmacies.Connecticut removed its parental notification policy regarding abortion, which means that minors are allowed to obtain abortions without the consent of their parents.As of December, 13 states prohibit most abortions, four states ban abortions after six weeks’ gestation, two have bans after 12 weeks, and one has a ban after 18 weeks. The other 30 states and the District of Columbia permit abortion up to the 22nd week or later. Nine of those states allow elective abortion through nine months until the moment of birth.
Read More

How federal and state abortion policies shifted in 2025 #Catholic Fifty-one senators asked the FDA to rescind its approval of a generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone on Oct. 9, 2025. | Credit: Yta23/Shutterstock Dec 30, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). Abortion policy at the federal and state levels has continued to shift in the United States three and a half years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in its June 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.At the federal level, President Donald Trump’s administration and congressional Republicans made strides to pull back funding for organizations that advocate for abortion access and to reinstate conscience protections. Yet the administration also approved a generic abortion pill and failed to further regulate chemical abortion drugs.Some states adopted new restrictions on abortion, but others expanded policies to increase abortion access. In most states, changes to abortion policy were minimal, as many states already set their post-Dobbs abortion policies in the previous years.Federal: Trump administration shiftsAbortion policy at the federal level shifted shortly after Trump took office, with the administration reinstating many policies from Trump’s first term that had been abandoned for four years under President Joe Biden’s administration.Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy during his first week in office, which requires foreign organizations to certify they will not perform, promote, or actively advocate for abortion to receive U.S. government funding. In June, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rescinded Biden-era guidelines that had required emergency rooms to perform abortions when a pregnant woman had a life-threatening emergency (like severe bleeding, ectopic pregnancy, or risk of organ failure) to stabilize her condition — even in states where abortion is otherwise banned.Other changes within federal departments and agencies included rescinding a Department of Defense policy that provided paid leave and travel expenses for abortion and a proposed rule change to end abortion at Veterans Affairs facilities.The Department of Health and Human Services has also withheld Title X family planning funds from Planned Parenthood. Trump also signed a government spending bill that withheld Medicaid reimbursements from Planned Parenthood. Federal tax money was not spent directly on abortion before those changes, but abortion providers did receive funds for other purposes.Nearly 70 Planned Parenthood abortion clinics shut down in 2025 amid funding cuts.Those closures came as the administration advanced changes affecting abortion medication. Although the administration announced it would review the abortion pill, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new generic version of the drug mifepristone. Bloomberg Law reported the review has been delayed, although officials deny it.The state-level results in 2025 have also been mixed, with a few states adding pro-life laws and others expanding access to abortion.In Texas, where nearly all abortions are illegal, lawmakers passed a bill that allows families to sue companies that manufacture or distribute chemical abortion pills. This comes as state laws related to chemical abortions often conflict, with states like New York enforcing “shield laws” that order courts to not cooperate with out-of-state lawsuits or criminal charges against abortionists within their states.Lawmakers in Wyoming passed a law overriding a veto from the governor that requires women to receive an ultrasound before they can obtain an abortion. However, the law was blocked by a court and is not in effect.There were two pro-life legal wins for states in 2025 as well.In November, the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state’s near-total abortion ban after it was temporarily blocked by a lower court. Under the law, unborn life is protected at every stage in pregnancy in most cases, but it remains legal in the first six weeks in cases of rape and incest and for the duration of pregnancy when the mother is at risk of death or serious physical harm.The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that a South Carolina policy to withhold Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood could stay in place. This ruling also opened the door for other states to adopt similar policies moving forward.In at least 10 states, lawmakers enacted bills to provide more funding for pro-life pregnancy centers, which offer life-affirming alternatives to abortion for pregnant women.Alternatively, a handful of states in 2025 expanded their shield laws, which prevent courts from complying with out-of-state criminal or civil cases against abortionists. This includes new laws in California, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York. Several states expanded these laws by allowing pharmacies to provide chemical abortion pills without listing the name of the doctor who prescribed them to prevent out-of-state legal action.About a dozen states expanded funding for abortion providers, such as California directing $140 million to Planned Parenthood to counteract federal defunding efforts. Maryland established a new program called the Public Health Abortion Grant Program, which offers abortion coverage through Affordable Care Act funds.New laws in Colorado and Washington require emergency rooms to provide abortions when the procedure is deemed “necessary.” A law adopted in Illinois requires public college campuses to provide the abortion pill at their pharmacies.Connecticut removed its parental notification policy regarding abortion, which means that minors are allowed to obtain abortions without the consent of their parents.As of December, 13 states prohibit most abortions, four states ban abortions after six weeks’ gestation, two have bans after 12 weeks, and one has a ban after 18 weeks. The other 30 states and the District of Columbia permit abortion up to the 22nd week or later. Nine of those states allow elective abortion through nine months until the moment of birth.

unitedyam

Fifty-one senators asked the FDA to rescind its approval of a generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone on Oct. 9, 2025. | Credit: Yta23/Shutterstock

Dec 30, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Abortion policy at the federal and state levels has continued to shift in the United States three and a half years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in its June 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.

At the federal level, President Donald Trump’s administration and congressional Republicans made strides to pull back funding for organizations that advocate for abortion access and to reinstate conscience protections. Yet the administration also approved a generic abortion pill and failed to further regulate chemical abortion drugs.

Some states adopted new restrictions on abortion, but others expanded policies to increase abortion access. In most states, changes to abortion policy were minimal, as many states already set their post-Dobbs abortion policies in the previous years.

Federal: Trump administration shifts

Abortion policy at the federal level shifted shortly after Trump took office, with the administration reinstating many policies from Trump’s first term that had been abandoned for four years under President Joe Biden’s administration.

Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy during his first week in office, which requires foreign organizations to certify they will not perform, promote, or actively advocate for abortion to receive U.S. government funding. In June, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rescinded Biden-era guidelines that had required emergency rooms to perform abortions when a pregnant woman had a life-threatening emergency (like severe bleeding, ectopic pregnancy, or risk of organ failure) to stabilize her condition — even in states where abortion is otherwise banned.

Other changes within federal departments and agencies included rescinding a Department of Defense policy that provided paid leave and travel expenses for abortion and a proposed rule change to end abortion at Veterans Affairs facilities.

The Department of Health and Human Services has also withheld Title X family planning funds from Planned Parenthood. Trump also signed a government spending bill that withheld Medicaid reimbursements from Planned Parenthood. Federal tax money was not spent directly on abortion before those changes, but abortion providers did receive funds for other purposes.

Nearly 70 Planned Parenthood abortion clinics shut down in 2025 amid funding cuts.

Those closures came as the administration advanced changes affecting abortion medication. Although the administration announced it would review the abortion pill, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new generic version of the drug mifepristone. Bloomberg Law reported the review has been delayed, although officials deny it.

The state-level results in 2025 have also been mixed, with a few states adding pro-life laws and others expanding access to abortion.

In Texas, where nearly all abortions are illegal, lawmakers passed a bill that allows families to sue companies that manufacture or distribute chemical abortion pills. This comes as state laws related to chemical abortions often conflict, with states like New York enforcing “shield laws” that order courts to not cooperate with out-of-state lawsuits or criminal charges against abortionists within their states.

Lawmakers in Wyoming passed a law overriding a veto from the governor that requires women to receive an ultrasound before they can obtain an abortion. However, the law was blocked by a court and is not in effect.

There were two pro-life legal wins for states in 2025 as well.

In November, the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state’s near-total abortion ban after it was temporarily blocked by a lower court. Under the law, unborn life is protected at every stage in pregnancy in most cases, but it remains legal in the first six weeks in cases of rape and incest and for the duration of pregnancy when the mother is at risk of death or serious physical harm.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that a South Carolina policy to withhold Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood could stay in place. This ruling also opened the door for other states to adopt similar policies moving forward.

In at least 10 states, lawmakers enacted bills to provide more funding for pro-life pregnancy centers, which offer life-affirming alternatives to abortion for pregnant women.

Alternatively, a handful of states in 2025 expanded their shield laws, which prevent courts from complying with out-of-state criminal or civil cases against abortionists. This includes new laws in California, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York. Several states expanded these laws by allowing pharmacies to provide chemical abortion pills without listing the name of the doctor who prescribed them to prevent out-of-state legal action.

About a dozen states expanded funding for abortion providers, such as California directing $140 million to Planned Parenthood to counteract federal defunding efforts. Maryland established a new program called the Public Health Abortion Grant Program, which offers abortion coverage through Affordable Care Act funds.

New laws in Colorado and Washington require emergency rooms to provide abortions when the procedure is deemed “necessary.” A law adopted in Illinois requires public college campuses to provide the abortion pill at their pharmacies.

Connecticut removed its parental notification policy regarding abortion, which means that minors are allowed to obtain abortions without the consent of their parents.

As of December, 13 states prohibit most abortions, four states ban abortions after six weeks’ gestation, two have bans after 12 weeks, and one has a ban after 18 weeks. The other 30 states and the District of Columbia permit abortion up to the 22nd week or later. Nine of those states allow elective abortion through nine months until the moment of birth.

Read More
Walz Announces Billion Grant To Somali Company To Investigate Fraud #BabylonBee – ST. PAUL, MN — In response to growing allegations of fraud tied to Minnesota’s Somali community, Governor Tim Walz announced he had awarded an billion grant to a Somali company to find the perpetrators.
Read More

Walz Announces $8 Billion Grant To Somali Company To Investigate Fraud #BabylonBee – ST. PAUL, MN — In response to growing allegations of fraud tied to Minnesota’s Somali community, Governor Tim Walz announced he had awarded an $8 billion grant to a Somali company to find the perpetrators.

unitedyam

ST. PAUL, MN — In response to growing allegations of fraud tied to Minnesota’s Somali community, Governor Tim Walz announced he had awarded an $8 billion grant to a Somali company to find the perpetrators.

Read More
Picture of the day View of coastline northwest from above Manarola: fields and steep trail to Volastra in foreground, Corniglia Station and town centre, north to Punta Mesco. Depicts the north half of Cinque Terre National Park coastline. Liguria, Italy #ImageOfTheDay
Read More

Picture of the day View of coastline northwest from above Manarola: fields and steep trail to Volastra in foreground, Corniglia Station and town centre, north to Punta Mesco. Depicts the north half of Cinque Terre National Park coastline. Liguria, Italy #ImageOfTheDay

unitedyam
Picture of the day
View of coastline northwest from above Manarola: fields and steep trail to Volastra in foreground, Corniglia Station and town centre, north to Punta Mesco. Depicts the north half of Cinque Terre National Park coastline. Liguria, Italy
Read More

St. Theresa of the Child Jesus: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – #Prayer – O wondrous Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus, who, in thy brief earthly life, didst become a mirror of angelic purity, of courageous love and of whole-hearted surrender to Almighty God, now that thou art enjoying the reward of thy virtues, turn thine eyes of mercy upon us who trust in thee. Obtain for us the grace to keep our hearts and minds pure and clean like unto thine, and to detest in all sincerity whatever might tarnish ever so slightly the luster of a virtue so sublime, a virtue that …

unitedyam

O wondrous Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus, who, in thy brief earthly life, didst become a mirror of angelic purity, of courageous love and of whole-hearted surrender to Almighty God, now that thou art enjoying the reward of thy virtues, turn thine eyes of mercy upon us who trust in thee. Obtain for us the grace to keep our hearts and minds pure and clean like unto thine, and to detest in all sincerity whatever might tarnish ever so slightly the luster of a virtue so sublime, a virtue that …

Read More

Gospel and Word of the Day – 30 December 2025 – A reading from the First Letter of John 2:12-17 I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the Evil One. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the Evil One. Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever. From the Gospel according to Luke 2:36-40 There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.The narrative recounts that when Mary and Joseph “had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew” — the Gospel says — “and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him” (vv. 39-40). Children’s growth is a great joy for the family, we all know it. They are destined to grow and become strong, to acquire knowledge and receive the grace of God, just as happened to Jesus. He is truly one of us: the Son of God becomes a child, agrees to grow, to become strong; he is filled with knowledge, and the grace of God is upon him. Mary and Joseph have the joy of seeing all this in their son; and this is the mission to which the family is directed: to create conditions favourable to the harmonious and full growth of its children, so they may live a good life, worthy of God and constructive for the world. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 31 December 2017)

unitedyam

A reading from the First Letter of John
2:12-17

I am writing to you, children,
because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake.

I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,
because you have conquered the Evil One.

I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,
because you are strong and the word of God remains in you,
and you have conquered the Evil One.

Do not love the world or the things of the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world,
sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life,
is not from the Father but is from the world.
Yet the world and its enticement are passing away.
But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

From the Gospel according to Luke
2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

The narrative recounts that when Mary and Joseph “had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew” — the Gospel says — “and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him” (vv. 39-40). Children’s growth is a great joy for the family, we all know it. They are destined to grow and become strong, to acquire knowledge and receive the grace of God, just as happened to Jesus. He is truly one of us: the Son of God becomes a child, agrees to grow, to become strong; he is filled with knowledge, and the grace of God is upon him. Mary and Joseph have the joy of seeing all this in their son; and this is the mission to which the family is directed: to create conditions favourable to the harmonious and full growth of its children, so they may live a good life, worthy of God and constructive for the world. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 31 December 2017)

Read More
Popular Catholic speaker pleads for a miracle amid son’s medical emergency #Catholic Micah Kim, 5, son of popular Catholic speaker Paul Kim, is anointed by a priest on Dec. 26, 2025. Credit: Courtesy of Paul Kim's Facebook page / null Dec 29, 2025 / 17:51 pm (CNA). Paul Kim, a highly popular Catholic youth and young adult speaker, continues to share updates on his 5-year-old son, Micah, who remains on life support following a sudden medical emergency just days before Christmas.Entering his ninth day in the hospital, Micah’s condition has sparked an outpouring of prayers across the globe, with the family invoking the intercession of Venerable Fulton Sheen for a miracle amid grim medical prognoses.The ordeal began when Micah was rushed to the hospital last week after experiencing severe internal bleeding and other complications. Kim, a devoted husband and father of six known for his engaging talks on faith and family at Catholic conferences, first alerted followers via social media on Dec. 22: “My son Micah is having a medical emergency right now and headed to the hospital in an ambulance.”By Dec. 24, Micah underwent emergency chest surgery to address the bleeding, which successfully stabilized his heart function. Kim shared on social media that after the surgery, his son’s heart began beating independently and his vital signs remained steady.Doctors gradually reduced life support, with Micah’s lungs showing slow improvement on a ventilator. However, a subsequent MRI revealed severe brain damage, leading physicians to conclude there is “no medical possibility” of recovery.“Micah is fighting for his life,” Kim said in a Dec. 29 update on Instagram. “We’re waiting on the Lord, and we don’t give up trust.”Micah received the sacrament of anointing of the sick on Dec. 23 at 3 p.m., “when divine mercy redeemed us all,” and Kim invited all Catholics to join with his family in praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, humbly requesting a miracle “through the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.”In addition to an outpouring of prayer for Micah, a GoFundMe campaign was begun to support the family amid mounting medical costs.“Praying that all is stable and the parents are resting,” one supporter posted on social media platform X, echoing widespread sentiment.As of Dec. 29, Micah’s kidney function remains a concern, but the family is holding fast to hope. “Please keep praying! God has the ultimate say. He is the Divine Physician,” Kim noted on Instagram.
Read More

Popular Catholic speaker pleads for a miracle amid son’s medical emergency #Catholic Micah Kim, 5, son of popular Catholic speaker Paul Kim, is anointed by a priest on Dec. 26, 2025. Credit: Courtesy of Paul Kim's Facebook page / null Dec 29, 2025 / 17:51 pm (CNA). Paul Kim, a highly popular Catholic youth and young adult speaker, continues to share updates on his 5-year-old son, Micah, who remains on life support following a sudden medical emergency just days before Christmas.Entering his ninth day in the hospital, Micah’s condition has sparked an outpouring of prayers across the globe, with the family invoking the intercession of Venerable Fulton Sheen for a miracle amid grim medical prognoses.The ordeal began when Micah was rushed to the hospital last week after experiencing severe internal bleeding and other complications. Kim, a devoted husband and father of six known for his engaging talks on faith and family at Catholic conferences, first alerted followers via social media on Dec. 22: “My son Micah is having a medical emergency right now and headed to the hospital in an ambulance.”By Dec. 24, Micah underwent emergency chest surgery to address the bleeding, which successfully stabilized his heart function. Kim shared on social media that after the surgery, his son’s heart began beating independently and his vital signs remained steady.Doctors gradually reduced life support, with Micah’s lungs showing slow improvement on a ventilator. However, a subsequent MRI revealed severe brain damage, leading physicians to conclude there is “no medical possibility” of recovery.“Micah is fighting for his life,” Kim said in a Dec. 29 update on Instagram. “We’re waiting on the Lord, and we don’t give up trust.”Micah received the sacrament of anointing of the sick on Dec. 23 at 3 p.m., “when divine mercy redeemed us all,” and Kim invited all Catholics to join with his family in praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, humbly requesting a miracle “through the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.”In addition to an outpouring of prayer for Micah, a GoFundMe campaign was begun to support the family amid mounting medical costs.“Praying that all is stable and the parents are resting,” one supporter posted on social media platform X, echoing widespread sentiment.As of Dec. 29, Micah’s kidney function remains a concern, but the family is holding fast to hope. “Please keep praying! God has the ultimate say. He is the Divine Physician,” Kim noted on Instagram.

unitedyam

Micah Kim, 5, son of popular Catholic speaker Paul Kim, is anointed by a priest on Dec. 26, 2025. Credit: Courtesy of Paul Kim's Facebook page / null

Dec 29, 2025 / 17:51 pm (CNA).

Paul Kim, a highly popular Catholic youth and young adult speaker, continues to share updates on his 5-year-old son, Micah, who remains on life support following a sudden medical emergency just days before Christmas.

Entering his ninth day in the hospital, Micah’s condition has sparked an outpouring of prayers across the globe, with the family invoking the intercession of Venerable Fulton Sheen for a miracle amid grim medical prognoses.

The ordeal began when Micah was rushed to the hospital last week after experiencing severe internal bleeding and other complications. Kim, a devoted husband and father of six known for his engaging talks on faith and family at Catholic conferences, first alerted followers via social media on Dec. 22: “My son Micah is having a medical emergency right now and headed to the hospital in an ambulance.”

By Dec. 24, Micah underwent emergency chest surgery to address the bleeding, which successfully stabilized his heart function. Kim shared on social media that after the surgery, his son’s heart began beating independently and his vital signs remained steady.

Doctors gradually reduced life support, with Micah’s lungs showing slow improvement on a ventilator. However, a subsequent MRI revealed severe brain damage, leading physicians to conclude there is “no medical possibility” of recovery.

“Micah is fighting for his life,” Kim said in a Dec. 29 update on Instagram. “We’re waiting on the Lord, and we don’t give up trust.”

Micah received the sacrament of anointing of the sick on Dec. 23 at 3 p.m., “when divine mercy redeemed us all,” and Kim invited all Catholics to join with his family in praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, humbly requesting a miracle “through the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.”

In addition to an outpouring of prayer for Micah, a GoFundMe campaign was begun to support the family amid mounting medical costs.

“Praying that all is stable and the parents are resting,” one supporter posted on social media platform X, echoing widespread sentiment.

As of Dec. 29, Micah’s kidney function remains a concern, but the family is holding fast to hope. “Please keep praying! God has the ultimate say. He is the Divine Physician,” Kim noted on Instagram.

Read More
Jonathan Roumie tells Father Mike Schmitz: ‘Everything in my life has prepared me for this role’ #Catholic Actor Jonathan Roumie, known for his role as Jesus in “The Chosen,” and Father Mike Schmitz, known for the “Bible in a Year” podcast, sit down for an in-depth interview. Credit: Ascension Presents Dec 29, 2025 / 17:21 pm (CNA). In a new sit-down interview with Father Mike Schmitz, who is best known for the “Bible in a Year” podcast and YouTube videos on Ascension Presents, actor Jonathan Roumie spoke in depth about his role portraying Jesus in the hit series “The Chosen.”“Everything in my life has prepared me for this role,” Roumie told Schmitz in the 43-minute-long interview, which aired Dec. 28 on the Ascension Presents YouTube channel.Looking back at his childhood, Roumie recalled a couple of moments and experiences that deeply impacted him and his own portrayal of Jesus. He said at 12 years old he reenacted Christ’s passion and crucifixion in his backyard after watching Robert Powell’s portrayal of Jesus in “Jesus of Nazareth.”“I had 2-by-8 planks that I found and I hammered them together and I hammered the nails where the hands would go and I painted the blood and the same thing with the feet,” he recalled. “And then I grabbed like a bush, a piece of a branch of a bush, and made my own crown of thorns and I painted blood on it and everything and I processed around to the side of my garage.”Roumie also opened up about his experience being bullied as a child and how it led him to offer up his past trauma to God as he was reenacting the Crucifixion during filming of Season 6 of “The Chosen,” which focuses on Jesus’ passion and crucifixion.“I was bullied as a kid a lot and I had to kind of look at what Jesus went through as a righteous man and a peaceful man and meek and humble and see just the level of devastation and terrorized bullying that he received to the point of death,” he said. “So for me, I think, and I’ll go back and look at all those experiences I had as a kid, which might have been part of the reason that led me to reenact the Passion, as something that I could relate to and I think all of that prepared me for this role.”He added: “I understand it now a bit more, at least I think, in my own sort of human ignorance and pride… Of course I don’t know exactly what all of this is about but it feels authentic. Like, ‘Well, I went through that as a kid and my compassion increased and my empathy increased and now I’m playing the most compassionate, empathetic human being that was God in the universe for all time.’ So I can lend that experience in his suffering and in his empathy even in wanting to forgive his enemies, which I had to do.”“I was beaten pretty bad. So, I had to offer up all of my past trauma to him as I was recreating it, knowing that that was part of my own personal sacrifice — was my own offering for him on behalf of what he suffered for humanity.”The actor shared that before beginning the filming of Season 6, he asked God in prayer that “if it were his will to allow me a fraction of a fraction of what he went through.”Before traveling to Matera, Italy — the location where the Crucifixion was filmed — Roumie injured his right shoulder after falling while filming a scene. An X-ray and MRI showed that he had separated a bit of his AC joint from the clavicle, causing sharp pain.“It was the right shoulder, so the shoulder that was carrying the beam [of the cross] on and it was extremely painful,” Roumie said. “And that was just one of many things.”Roumie added that while filming the Crucifixion “certain adjustments” also had to be made due to pain being felt by the metal and real nails being used during filming.“He [God] gave me exactly what I asked for — just a glimpse, just a glimpse,” he said. “And I think the thing that I got was that I got to enter into it in a way that I had never entered into it before.”Schmitz asked Roumie how his experience portraying Jesus’ passion and crucifixion has impacted the way he attends or prays at Mass. Roumie shared that in the past year he began to feel “convicted to give more reverence to Christ in the Eucharist.”“I started receiving on my knees and on the tongue, which I hadn’t before,” he said, adding that it was slightly “disorienting at first.”He recalled an experience at Mass where he kneeled to receive the Eucharist but the priest asked him to stand up. He hesitated but rose and continued on with the Mass. Afterward, he asked his spiritual director if that was permissible, to which he responded that a priest “shouldn’t do that but it happens.”After this experience, Roumie shared that he “doubled down on it and now I’m prepared to just wait as long as I need to until somebody concedes because I’m not going anywhere.”Returning to his time portraying Jesus in the series, Schmitz told Roumie that “the show is called ‘The Chosen’ in the sense that it’s also about those who were chosen, but you were chosen and there’s something in that that has changed you. You being chosen to not only portray Jesus, but to be his disciple, an imitator of him, as St. Paul says, and that’s changed you.”“That’s something I’m trying to wrap my head around and identify with,” Roumie responded. “It wasn’t somebody else. He picked me. And I, of course, said yes, because I needed the work initially. I didn’t know what it was going to do to me internally.”Once the final season of “The Chosen” airs, it will have been a span of 10 years that Roumie will have been portraying Jesus. He said that this experience is something that might take “the rest of my life to unpack.”There was an error serializing the imagefile_get_contents(https://iframe.ly/api/iframely/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DtLHZ1qYhph0&api_key=): Failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found “So, I have to give myself a little bit of grace, but it’s something that I think I will always live with. And in fact, I don’t know that I want to let it go because it keeps me connected to him, especially when the show ends.”
Read More

Jonathan Roumie tells Father Mike Schmitz: ‘Everything in my life has prepared me for this role’ #Catholic Actor Jonathan Roumie, known for his role as Jesus in “The Chosen,” and Father Mike Schmitz, known for the “Bible in a Year” podcast, sit down for an in-depth interview. Credit: Ascension Presents Dec 29, 2025 / 17:21 pm (CNA). In a new sit-down interview with Father Mike Schmitz, who is best known for the “Bible in a Year” podcast and YouTube videos on Ascension Presents, actor Jonathan Roumie spoke in depth about his role portraying Jesus in the hit series “The Chosen.”“Everything in my life has prepared me for this role,” Roumie told Schmitz in the 43-minute-long interview, which aired Dec. 28 on the Ascension Presents YouTube channel.Looking back at his childhood, Roumie recalled a couple of moments and experiences that deeply impacted him and his own portrayal of Jesus. He said at 12 years old he reenacted Christ’s passion and crucifixion in his backyard after watching Robert Powell’s portrayal of Jesus in “Jesus of Nazareth.”“I had 2-by-8 planks that I found and I hammered them together and I hammered the nails where the hands would go and I painted the blood and the same thing with the feet,” he recalled. “And then I grabbed like a bush, a piece of a branch of a bush, and made my own crown of thorns and I painted blood on it and everything and I processed around to the side of my garage.”Roumie also opened up about his experience being bullied as a child and how it led him to offer up his past trauma to God as he was reenacting the Crucifixion during filming of Season 6 of “The Chosen,” which focuses on Jesus’ passion and crucifixion.“I was bullied as a kid a lot and I had to kind of look at what Jesus went through as a righteous man and a peaceful man and meek and humble and see just the level of devastation and terrorized bullying that he received to the point of death,” he said. “So for me, I think, and I’ll go back and look at all those experiences I had as a kid, which might have been part of the reason that led me to reenact the Passion, as something that I could relate to and I think all of that prepared me for this role.”He added: “I understand it now a bit more, at least I think, in my own sort of human ignorance and pride… Of course I don’t know exactly what all of this is about but it feels authentic. Like, ‘Well, I went through that as a kid and my compassion increased and my empathy increased and now I’m playing the most compassionate, empathetic human being that was God in the universe for all time.’ So I can lend that experience in his suffering and in his empathy even in wanting to forgive his enemies, which I had to do.”“I was beaten pretty bad. So, I had to offer up all of my past trauma to him as I was recreating it, knowing that that was part of my own personal sacrifice — was my own offering for him on behalf of what he suffered for humanity.”The actor shared that before beginning the filming of Season 6, he asked God in prayer that “if it were his will to allow me a fraction of a fraction of what he went through.”Before traveling to Matera, Italy — the location where the Crucifixion was filmed — Roumie injured his right shoulder after falling while filming a scene. An X-ray and MRI showed that he had separated a bit of his AC joint from the clavicle, causing sharp pain.“It was the right shoulder, so the shoulder that was carrying the beam [of the cross] on and it was extremely painful,” Roumie said. “And that was just one of many things.”Roumie added that while filming the Crucifixion “certain adjustments” also had to be made due to pain being felt by the metal and real nails being used during filming.“He [God] gave me exactly what I asked for — just a glimpse, just a glimpse,” he said. “And I think the thing that I got was that I got to enter into it in a way that I had never entered into it before.”Schmitz asked Roumie how his experience portraying Jesus’ passion and crucifixion has impacted the way he attends or prays at Mass. Roumie shared that in the past year he began to feel “convicted to give more reverence to Christ in the Eucharist.”“I started receiving on my knees and on the tongue, which I hadn’t before,” he said, adding that it was slightly “disorienting at first.”He recalled an experience at Mass where he kneeled to receive the Eucharist but the priest asked him to stand up. He hesitated but rose and continued on with the Mass. Afterward, he asked his spiritual director if that was permissible, to which he responded that a priest “shouldn’t do that but it happens.”After this experience, Roumie shared that he “doubled down on it and now I’m prepared to just wait as long as I need to until somebody concedes because I’m not going anywhere.”Returning to his time portraying Jesus in the series, Schmitz told Roumie that “the show is called ‘The Chosen’ in the sense that it’s also about those who were chosen, but you were chosen and there’s something in that that has changed you. You being chosen to not only portray Jesus, but to be his disciple, an imitator of him, as St. Paul says, and that’s changed you.”“That’s something I’m trying to wrap my head around and identify with,” Roumie responded. “It wasn’t somebody else. He picked me. And I, of course, said yes, because I needed the work initially. I didn’t know what it was going to do to me internally.”Once the final season of “The Chosen” airs, it will have been a span of 10 years that Roumie will have been portraying Jesus. He said that this experience is something that might take “the rest of my life to unpack.”There was an error serializing the imagefile_get_contents(https://iframe.ly/api/iframely/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DtLHZ1qYhph0&api_key=): Failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found “So, I have to give myself a little bit of grace, but it’s something that I think I will always live with. And in fact, I don’t know that I want to let it go because it keeps me connected to him, especially when the show ends.”

unitedyam

Actor Jonathan Roumie, known for his role as Jesus in “The Chosen,” and Father Mike Schmitz, known for the “Bible in a Year” podcast, sit down for an in-depth interview. Credit: Ascension Presents

Dec 29, 2025 / 17:21 pm (CNA).

In a new sit-down interview with Father Mike Schmitz, who is best known for the “Bible in a Year” podcast and YouTube videos on Ascension Presents, actor Jonathan Roumie spoke in depth about his role portraying Jesus in the hit series “The Chosen.”

“Everything in my life has prepared me for this role,” Roumie told Schmitz in the 43-minute-long interview, which aired Dec. 28 on the Ascension Presents YouTube channel.

Looking back at his childhood, Roumie recalled a couple of moments and experiences that deeply impacted him and his own portrayal of Jesus. He said at 12 years old he reenacted Christ’s passion and crucifixion in his backyard after watching Robert Powell’s portrayal of Jesus in “Jesus of Nazareth.”

“I had 2-by-8 planks that I found and I hammered them together and I hammered the nails where the hands would go and I painted the blood and the same thing with the feet,” he recalled. “And then I grabbed like a bush, a piece of a branch of a bush, and made my own crown of thorns and I painted blood on it and everything and I processed around to the side of my garage.”

Roumie also opened up about his experience being bullied as a child and how it led him to offer up his past trauma to God as he was reenacting the Crucifixion during filming of Season 6 of “The Chosen,” which focuses on Jesus’ passion and crucifixion.

“I was bullied as a kid a lot and I had to kind of look at what Jesus went through as a righteous man and a peaceful man and meek and humble and see just the level of devastation and terrorized bullying that he received to the point of death,” he said.

“So for me, I think, and I’ll go back and look at all those experiences I had as a kid, which might have been part of the reason that led me to reenact the Passion, as something that I could relate to and I think all of that prepared me for this role.”

He added: “I understand it now a bit more, at least I think, in my own sort of human ignorance and pride… Of course I don’t know exactly what all of this is about but it feels authentic. Like, ‘Well, I went through that as a kid and my compassion increased and my empathy increased and now I’m playing the most compassionate, empathetic human being that was God in the universe for all time.’ So I can lend that experience in his suffering and in his empathy even in wanting to forgive his enemies, which I had to do.”

“I was beaten pretty bad. So, I had to offer up all of my past trauma to him as I was recreating it, knowing that that was part of my own personal sacrifice — was my own offering for him on behalf of what he suffered for humanity.”

The actor shared that before beginning the filming of Season 6, he asked God in prayer that “if it were his will to allow me a fraction of a fraction of what he went through.”

Before traveling to Matera, Italy — the location where the Crucifixion was filmed — Roumie injured his right shoulder after falling while filming a scene. An X-ray and MRI showed that he had separated a bit of his AC joint from the clavicle, causing sharp pain.

“It was the right shoulder, so the shoulder that was carrying the beam [of the cross] on and it was extremely painful,” Roumie said. “And that was just one of many things.”

Roumie added that while filming the Crucifixion “certain adjustments” also had to be made due to pain being felt by the metal and real nails being used during filming.

“He [God] gave me exactly what I asked for — just a glimpse, just a glimpse,” he said. “And I think the thing that I got was that I got to enter into it in a way that I had never entered into it before.”

Schmitz asked Roumie how his experience portraying Jesus’ passion and crucifixion has impacted the way he attends or prays at Mass. Roumie shared that in the past year he began to feel “convicted to give more reverence to Christ in the Eucharist.”

“I started receiving on my knees and on the tongue, which I hadn’t before,” he said, adding that it was slightly “disorienting at first.”

He recalled an experience at Mass where he kneeled to receive the Eucharist but the priest asked him to stand up. He hesitated but rose and continued on with the Mass. Afterward, he asked his spiritual director if that was permissible, to which he responded that a priest “shouldn’t do that but it happens.”

After this experience, Roumie shared that he “doubled down on it and now I’m prepared to just wait as long as I need to until somebody concedes because I’m not going anywhere.”

Returning to his time portraying Jesus in the series, Schmitz told Roumie that “the show is called ‘The Chosen’ in the sense that it’s also about those who were chosen, but you were chosen and there’s something in that that has changed you. You being chosen to not only portray Jesus, but to be his disciple, an imitator of him, as St. Paul says, and that’s changed you.”

“That’s something I’m trying to wrap my head around and identify with,” Roumie responded. “It wasn’t somebody else. He picked me. And I, of course, said yes, because I needed the work initially. I didn’t know what it was going to do to me internally.”

Once the final season of “The Chosen” airs, it will have been a span of 10 years that Roumie will have been portraying Jesus. He said that this experience is something that might take “the rest of my life to unpack.”

There was an error serializing the image

file_get_contents(https://iframe.ly/api/iframely/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DtLHZ1qYhph0&api_key=): Failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found

“So, I have to give myself a little bit of grace, but it’s something that I think I will always live with. And in fact, I don’t know that I want to let it go because it keeps me connected to him, especially when the show ends.”

Read More
Tim Walz’s Office Responds with an Outrageous Falsehood After Journalist Nick Shirley Exposes Fraud of the Century in Minnesota – Tim Walz’s team has responded to the scandal of the century in their state with perhaps the lie of the century as the governor fights for his political life. The post Tim Walz’s Office Responds with an Outrageous Falsehood After Journalist Nick Shirley Exposes Fraud of the Century in Minnesota appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More

Tim Walz’s Office Responds with an Outrageous Falsehood After Journalist Nick Shirley Exposes Fraud of the Century in Minnesota – Tim Walz’s team has responded to the scandal of the century in their state with perhaps the lie of the century as the governor fights for his political life. The post Tim Walz’s Office Responds with an Outrageous Falsehood After Journalist Nick Shirley Exposes Fraud of the Century in Minnesota appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

Man in a suit speaking during a television interview on Meet the Press, with a city skyline visible in the background.

Man in a suit speaking during a television interview on Meet the Press, with a city skyline visible in the background.

Tim Walz’s team has responded to the scandal of the century in their state with perhaps the lie of the century as the governor fights for his political life.

The post Tim Walz’s Office Responds with an Outrageous Falsehood After Journalist Nick Shirley Exposes Fraud of the Century in Minnesota appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Read More
FLASHBACK: MN AG Keith Ellison CAUGHT ON TAPE Promising Favors to Somali Immigrant Fraudsters — Including Now-Convicted Defendants — In Exchange for Campaign Cash – A 54-minute secret recording from a December 11, 2021, closed-door meeting inside Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s official state office is resurfacing amid explosive revelations that 70 Somali community members in Minnesota participated in stealing 0 million in federal COVID child-feeding funds. The post FLASHBACK: MN AG Keith Ellison CAUGHT ON TAPE Promising Favors to Somali Immigrant Fraudsters — Including Now-Convicted Defendants — In Exchange for Campaign Cash appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More

FLASHBACK: MN AG Keith Ellison CAUGHT ON TAPE Promising Favors to Somali Immigrant Fraudsters — Including Now-Convicted Defendants — In Exchange for Campaign Cash – A 54-minute secret recording from a December 11, 2021, closed-door meeting inside Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s official state office is resurfacing amid explosive revelations that 70 Somali community members in Minnesota participated in stealing $250 million in federal COVID child-feeding funds. The post FLASHBACK: MN AG Keith Ellison CAUGHT ON TAPE Promising Favors to Somali Immigrant Fraudsters — Including Now-Convicted Defendants — In Exchange for Campaign Cash appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

Political speaker addressing an audience at a rally with a Clinton-Kaine sign and American flag backdrop.

Political speaker addressing an audience at a rally with a Clinton-Kaine sign and American flag backdrop.

A 54-minute secret recording from a December 11, 2021, closed-door meeting inside Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s official state office is resurfacing amid explosive revelations that 70 Somali community members in Minnesota participated in stealing $250 million in federal COVID child-feeding funds.

The post FLASHBACK: MN AG Keith Ellison CAUGHT ON TAPE Promising Favors to Somali Immigrant Fraudsters — Including Now-Convicted Defendants — In Exchange for Campaign Cash appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Read More
Ivermectin for Arthritis? A Promising Treatment – (Note: Thank you for supporting businesses like the one presenting a sponsored message below and working with them through the links below which benefits Gateway Pundit. The post Ivermectin for Arthritis? A Promising Treatment appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More

Ivermectin for Arthritis? A Promising Treatment – (Note: Thank you for supporting businesses like the one presenting a sponsored message below and working with them through the links below which benefits Gateway Pundit. The post Ivermectin for Arthritis? A Promising Treatment appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

Person experiencing wrist pain while holding their wrist with one hand, indicating discomfort or injury.

Person experiencing wrist pain while holding their wrist with one hand, indicating discomfort or injury.

(Note: Thank you for supporting businesses like the one presenting a sponsored message below and working with them through the links below which benefits Gateway Pundit.

The post Ivermectin for Arthritis? A Promising Treatment appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Read More
Pope Leo XIV’s Christmas Address to the Roman Curia: Mission and Communion #Catholic – “The light of Christmas comes to meet us, inviting us to rediscover the newness that, from the humble grotto of Bethlehem, runs throughout human history. Drawn by this newness, which embraces all creation, let us walk in joy and hope, for a Savior has been born for us (cf. Lk 2:11): God has become flesh, has become our brother, and remains forever God-with-us.” Address of the Holy Father Leo XIV to the Roman Curia BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY What’s next? We have just concluded the Jubilee Year, a Jubilee of Hope and an invitation to all Christians to realize that we are called to be “Pilgrims of Hope.” The theme for the Jubilee Year was given to us by Pope Francis. He led us, 12 months ago, into the Holy Year, opening the Holy Door at Christmas Mass on December 24, 2025. We did not know at that time that Pope Francis’ earthly pilgrimage would come to an end only four months into the Jubilee Year, on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. After Pope Francis’ funeral, the Cardinals prepared for the Conclave that many would describe as “surprisingly brief” and on May 8, 2025, the world was introduced to Pope Leo XIV, as he greeted us with the words of Jesus to his disciples following his resurrection, “Peace be with you.” In that same first address, Pope Leo remembered and thanked Pope Francis: “We can still hear the faint yet ever courageous voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome … We are followers of Christ.  Christ goes before us.  The world needs his light.  Humanity needs him as the bridge that can lead us to God and his love. Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace.  Thank you, Pope Francis!” Pope Leo XIV: ‘Peace be with all of you’ Pope Leo XIV is now leading us to the close of the Jubilee Year (in Rome, on January 6, 2026) and it reasonable to ask the question, “What’s next?” Some commentators have suggested that we will now see Pope Leo begin to set his own agenda and direction, as much of his calendar for the first eight months of his Pontificate was already “pre-scheduled” with Jubilee events and gatherings. In his Christmas Address to the Roman Curia, given on December 22, 2025, we seem to have received some (very strong) hints or perhaps even the beginning of a statement of Pope Leo XIVs priorities. I have quoted the first paragraph of the Christmas Address above. I encourage readers to carefully and prayerfully read the full text of the brief address. I also recommend, once again, the Inside the Vatican podcast and it’s Dec. 23rd episode in which host Colleen Dulle with producers Fr. Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and Sebastian Gomes discuss the content and context of the Christmas address, also giving the listener some helpful (recent) history of the Papal Christmas Address to the Curia, going back to Pope Benedict’s address on December 22, 2005. The episode can be found here.  As the conversation on the podcast turns to Pope Leo’s address, Fr. Da Silva focuses on and reads a line from the second paragraph of the address, as Pope Leo said, “… I wish first of all to remember my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, who this year concluded his earthly life. His prophetic voice, pastoral style and rich magisterium have marked the Church’s journey in recent years, encouraging us above all to place God’s mercy at the center, to give renewed impetus to evangelization, and to be a joyful Church, welcoming to all and attentive to the poorest. Father Da Silva says that Pope Leo is emphasizing what Pope Francis wanted to teach us, that as the Church, as disciples, we are called, “… above all to place God’s mercy at the center, to give renewed impetus to evangelization, and to be a joyful Church, welcoming to all and attentive to the poorest.” In the following line Pope Leo states: “Taking inspiration from his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, I would like to reflect on two fundamental aspects of the Church’s life: mission and communion.” “Mission and Communion” — is Pope Leo XIV telling us that these will be his priorities? Is he telling us that “mission and communion” will be the focus of his Pontificate? It may be too soon to draw those conclusions, but he clearly took this opportunity to communicate to those who have roles of leadership and responsibility in implementing the vision of the Holy Father that he wants them to understand and appreciate the importance and meaning of “mission and communion.” I listened to the podcast on the morning of Christmas Eve and then I read the full text of the Address on the day after Christmas, as I was preparing to celebrate our Diocesan Mass for the (local) conclusion of the Jubilee Year on Sunday, December 28th, the Feast of the Holy Family. As I thought about the conclusion of the Jubilee Year in our Diocese, I had also been reflecting on the question, “What’s next?” As I read the text of Pope Leo’s address, I felt that he was helping us to answer that question. During the past year, in conversations with our priests, pastors, consecrated religious, laity and diocesan leaders, the question or topic of a “vision” for our Diocese has been raised and discussed. The more that I have thought and prayed about the ongoing process of discerning a vision and identifying priorities, the more frequently I return to our understanding and appreciation of what it means to be “Missionary Disciples.” In the fourth and fifth paragraphs of the Address, Pope Leo refers to the Church’s missionary nature, “By her very nature, the Church is outward-looking, turned toward the world, missionary…” (pp. 4) and Jesus’ great commission (mandate): “Evangelii Gaudium encourages us to make progress in the missionary transformation of the Church, who draws her inexhaustible strength from the mandate of the Risen Christ. “Jesus’ command to ‘go and make disciples’ echoes in the changing scenarios and ever new challenges to the Church’s mission of evangelization, and all of us are called to take part in this new missionary ‘going forth’” (no. 20).  I hope that most, if not all, readers are aware of that “Great Commission”, from the conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel:  “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt. 28: 18-20) “What’s next?” I am hoping that Pope Leo’s invitation to reflect on “mission and communion” as two fundamental aspects of the Church’s life will be a graced opportunity for us, as missionary disciples in this local Church of Paterson to discern how the Lord may be calling us to focus and continue to discern a vision, aided by the “light of Christmas.”      
Read More

Pope Leo XIV’s Christmas Address to the Roman Curia: Mission and Communion #Catholic – “The light of Christmas comes to meet us, inviting us to rediscover the newness that, from the humble grotto of Bethlehem, runs throughout human history. Drawn by this newness, which embraces all creation, let us walk in joy and hope, for a Savior has been born for us (cf. Lk 2:11): God has become flesh, has become our brother, and remains forever God-with-us.” Address of the Holy Father Leo XIV to the Roman Curia BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY What’s next? We have just concluded the Jubilee Year, a Jubilee of Hope and an invitation to all Christians to realize that we are called to be “Pilgrims of Hope.” The theme for the Jubilee Year was given to us by Pope Francis. He led us, 12 months ago, into the Holy Year, opening the Holy Door at Christmas Mass on December 24, 2025. We did not know at that time that Pope Francis’ earthly pilgrimage would come to an end only four months into the Jubilee Year, on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. After Pope Francis’ funeral, the Cardinals prepared for the Conclave that many would describe as “surprisingly brief” and on May 8, 2025, the world was introduced to Pope Leo XIV, as he greeted us with the words of Jesus to his disciples following his resurrection, “Peace be with you.” In that same first address, Pope Leo remembered and thanked Pope Francis: “We can still hear the faint yet ever courageous voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome … We are followers of Christ.  Christ goes before us.  The world needs his light.  Humanity needs him as the bridge that can lead us to God and his love. Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace.  Thank you, Pope Francis!” Pope Leo XIV: ‘Peace be with all of you’ Pope Leo XIV is now leading us to the close of the Jubilee Year (in Rome, on January 6, 2026) and it reasonable to ask the question, “What’s next?” Some commentators have suggested that we will now see Pope Leo begin to set his own agenda and direction, as much of his calendar for the first eight months of his Pontificate was already “pre-scheduled” with Jubilee events and gatherings. In his Christmas Address to the Roman Curia, given on December 22, 2025, we seem to have received some (very strong) hints or perhaps even the beginning of a statement of Pope Leo XIVs priorities. I have quoted the first paragraph of the Christmas Address above. I encourage readers to carefully and prayerfully read the full text of the brief address. I also recommend, once again, the Inside the Vatican podcast and it’s Dec. 23rd episode in which host Colleen Dulle with producers Fr. Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and Sebastian Gomes discuss the content and context of the Christmas address, also giving the listener some helpful (recent) history of the Papal Christmas Address to the Curia, going back to Pope Benedict’s address on December 22, 2005. The episode can be found here.  As the conversation on the podcast turns to Pope Leo’s address, Fr. Da Silva focuses on and reads a line from the second paragraph of the address, as Pope Leo said, “… I wish first of all to remember my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, who this year concluded his earthly life. His prophetic voice, pastoral style and rich magisterium have marked the Church’s journey in recent years, encouraging us above all to place God’s mercy at the center, to give renewed impetus to evangelization, and to be a joyful Church, welcoming to all and attentive to the poorest. Father Da Silva says that Pope Leo is emphasizing what Pope Francis wanted to teach us, that as the Church, as disciples, we are called, “… above all to place God’s mercy at the center, to give renewed impetus to evangelization, and to be a joyful Church, welcoming to all and attentive to the poorest.” In the following line Pope Leo states: “Taking inspiration from his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, I would like to reflect on two fundamental aspects of the Church’s life: mission and communion.” “Mission and Communion” — is Pope Leo XIV telling us that these will be his priorities? Is he telling us that “mission and communion” will be the focus of his Pontificate? It may be too soon to draw those conclusions, but he clearly took this opportunity to communicate to those who have roles of leadership and responsibility in implementing the vision of the Holy Father that he wants them to understand and appreciate the importance and meaning of “mission and communion.” I listened to the podcast on the morning of Christmas Eve and then I read the full text of the Address on the day after Christmas, as I was preparing to celebrate our Diocesan Mass for the (local) conclusion of the Jubilee Year on Sunday, December 28th, the Feast of the Holy Family. As I thought about the conclusion of the Jubilee Year in our Diocese, I had also been reflecting on the question, “What’s next?” As I read the text of Pope Leo’s address, I felt that he was helping us to answer that question. During the past year, in conversations with our priests, pastors, consecrated religious, laity and diocesan leaders, the question or topic of a “vision” for our Diocese has been raised and discussed. The more that I have thought and prayed about the ongoing process of discerning a vision and identifying priorities, the more frequently I return to our understanding and appreciation of what it means to be “Missionary Disciples.” In the fourth and fifth paragraphs of the Address, Pope Leo refers to the Church’s missionary nature, “By her very nature, the Church is outward-looking, turned toward the world, missionary…” (pp. 4) and Jesus’ great commission (mandate): “Evangelii Gaudium encourages us to make progress in the missionary transformation of the Church, who draws her inexhaustible strength from the mandate of the Risen Christ. “Jesus’ command to ‘go and make disciples’ echoes in the changing scenarios and ever new challenges to the Church’s mission of evangelization, and all of us are called to take part in this new missionary ‘going forth’” (no. 20).  I hope that most, if not all, readers are aware of that “Great Commission”, from the conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel:  “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt. 28: 18-20) “What’s next?” I am hoping that Pope Leo’s invitation to reflect on “mission and communion” as two fundamental aspects of the Church’s life will be a graced opportunity for us, as missionary disciples in this local Church of Paterson to discern how the Lord may be calling us to focus and continue to discern a vision, aided by the “light of Christmas.”      

unitedyam

Pope Leo XIV’s Christmas Address to the Roman Curia: Mission and Communion #Catholic –

“The light of Christmas comes to meet us, inviting us to rediscover the newness that, from the humble grotto of Bethlehem, runs throughout human history. Drawn by this newness, which embraces all creation, let us walk in joy and hope, for a Savior has been born for us (cf. Lk 2:11): God has become flesh, has become our brother, and remains forever God-with-us.”

Address of the Holy Father Leo XIV to the Roman Curia

BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY

What’s next? We have just concluded the Jubilee Year, a Jubilee of Hope and an invitation to all Christians to realize that we are called to be “Pilgrims of Hope.” The theme for the Jubilee Year was given to us by Pope Francis. He led us, 12 months ago, into the Holy Year, opening the Holy Door at Christmas Mass on December 24, 2025. We did not know at that time that Pope Francis’ earthly pilgrimage would come to an end only four months into the Jubilee Year, on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. After Pope Francis’ funeral, the Cardinals prepared for the Conclave that many would describe as “surprisingly brief” and on May 8, 2025, the world was introduced to Pope Leo XIV, as he greeted us with the words of Jesus to his disciples following his resurrection, “Peace be with you.”

In that same first address, Pope Leo remembered and thanked Pope Francis: “We can still hear the faint yet ever courageous voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome … We are followers of Christ.  Christ goes before us.  The world needs his light.  Humanity needs him as the bridge that can lead us to God and his love. Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace.  Thank you, Pope Francis!” Pope Leo XIV: ‘Peace be with all of you’

Pope Leo XIV is now leading us to the close of the Jubilee Year (in Rome, on January 6, 2026) and it reasonable to ask the question, “What’s next?” Some commentators have suggested that we will now see Pope Leo begin to set his own agenda and direction, as much of his calendar for the first eight months of his Pontificate was already “pre-scheduled” with Jubilee events and gatherings.

In his Christmas Address to the Roman Curia, given on December 22, 2025, we seem to have received some (very strong) hints or perhaps even the beginning of a statement of Pope Leo XIVs priorities. I have quoted the first paragraph of the Christmas Address above. I encourage readers to carefully and prayerfully read the full text of the brief address. I also recommend, once again, the Inside the Vatican podcast and it’s Dec. 23rd episode in which host Colleen Dulle with producers Fr. Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and Sebastian Gomes discuss the content and context of the Christmas address, also giving the listener some helpful (recent) history of the Papal Christmas Address to the Curia, going back to Pope Benedict’s address on December 22, 2005. The episode can be found here. 

As the conversation on the podcast turns to Pope Leo’s address, Fr. Da Silva focuses on and reads a line from the second paragraph of the address, as Pope Leo said, “… I wish first of all to remember my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, who this year concluded his earthly life. His prophetic voice, pastoral style and rich magisterium have marked the Church’s journey in recent years, encouraging us above all to place God’s mercy at the center, to give renewed impetus to evangelization, and to be a joyful Church, welcoming to all and attentive to the poorest.

Father Da Silva says that Pope Leo is emphasizing what Pope Francis wanted to teach us, that as the Church, as disciples, we are called, “… above all to place God’s mercy at the center, to give renewed impetus to evangelization, and to be a joyful Church, welcoming to all and attentive to the poorest.” In the following line Pope Leo states: “Taking inspiration from his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, I would like to reflect on two fundamental aspects of the Church’s life: mission and communion.”

“Mission and Communion” — is Pope Leo XIV telling us that these will be his priorities? Is he telling us that “mission and communion” will be the focus of his Pontificate? It may be too soon to draw those conclusions, but he clearly took this opportunity to communicate to those who have roles of leadership and responsibility in implementing the vision of the Holy Father that he wants them to understand and appreciate the importance and meaning of “mission and communion.”

I listened to the podcast on the morning of Christmas Eve and then I read the full text of the Address on the day after Christmas, as I was preparing to celebrate our Diocesan Mass for the (local) conclusion of the Jubilee Year on Sunday, December 28th, the Feast of the Holy Family. As I thought about the conclusion of the Jubilee Year in our Diocese, I had also been reflecting on the question, “What’s next?” As I read the text of Pope Leo’s address, I felt that he was helping us to answer that question.

During the past year, in conversations with our priests, pastors, consecrated religious, laity and diocesan leaders, the question or topic of a “vision” for our Diocese has been raised and discussed. The more that I have thought and prayed about the ongoing process of discerning a vision and identifying priorities, the more frequently I return to our understanding and appreciation of what it means to be “Missionary Disciples.”

In the fourth and fifth paragraphs of the Address, Pope Leo refers to the Church’s missionary nature, “By her very nature, the Church is outward-looking, turned toward the world, missionary…” (pp. 4) and Jesus’ great commission (mandate): “Evangelii Gaudium encourages us to make progress in the missionary transformation of the Church, who draws her inexhaustible strength from the mandate of the Risen Christ. “Jesus’ command to ‘go and make disciples’ echoes in the changing scenarios and ever new challenges to the Church’s mission of evangelization, and all of us are called to take part in this new missionary ‘going forth’” (no. 20). 

I hope that most, if not all, readers are aware of that “Great Commission”, from the conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel: 

“Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

(Mt. 28: 18-20)

“What’s next?” I am hoping that Pope Leo’s invitation to reflect on “mission and communion” as two fundamental aspects of the Church’s life will be a graced opportunity for us, as missionary disciples in this local Church of Paterson to discern how the Lord may be calling us to focus and continue to discern a vision, aided by the “light of Christmas.”

 

 

 

– “The light of Christmas comes to meet us, inviting us to rediscover the newness that, from the humble grotto of Bethlehem, runs throughout human history. Drawn by this newness, which embraces all creation, let us walk in joy and hope, for a Savior has been born for us (cf. Lk 2:11): God has become flesh, has become our brother, and remains forever God-with-us.” Address of the Holy Father Leo XIV to the Roman Curia BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY What’s next? We have just concluded the Jubilee Year, a Jubilee of Hope and an invitation to all Christians to realize that we are

Read More

This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: The Quadrantid meteor shower

unitedyam

In this episode, Astronomy magazine Editor Emeritus Dave Eicher invites you to head out in the evening and early morning hours around January 4. The time before sunrise on that date will be the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower. The Moon will be bright, so look away from it. Hopefully, you’ll see some bright shooting stars.Continue reading “This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: The Quadrantid meteor shower”

The post This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: The Quadrantid meteor shower appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Read More
Northern Ireland’s only Catholic college celebrates 125 years of training teachers – #Catholic – Graduates pose with their degrees at St. Mary’s University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. / Credit: St. Mary’s University College EWTN News, Dec 29, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA). Four generations of teachers, a Nobel Prize winner, and a kicker with the New Orleans Saints are among those who have graduated from Northern Ireland’s only Catholic higher education institution.St. Mary’s University College in Belfast is marking the 125th year of a remarkable journey that began in 1900.Since its foundation, St. Mary’s has been synonymous with training Catholic teachers. It is rooted in a profound commitment to Catholic education, with its alumni teaching in every Catholic school in Northern Ireland and in schools around the world.St. Mary’s University College is pictured on its campus on the Lower Falls Road in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. Credit: St. Mary’s University CollegePrincipal Peter Finn told CNA: “At Christmastime, St. Mary’s University College in Belfast celebrates an institutional identity which reflects a Christian, explicitly faith-inspired worldview.”“We are the only Catholic higher education institution in Northern Ireland, with an identity which is not defined by what proportion of our students are Catholic or any other denomination or none. Our identity has the core characteristics of faith and service as well as a commitment to the values of the Gospel.”When St. Mary’s opened in 1900, Bishop Henry Henry, bishop of Down and Connor, welcomed “many intelligent, earnest young ladies from different parts of the country.” He assured them: “The good Dominican nuns placed over you will see that you will be proficient in religious knowledge, theoretical and practical.”Finn said: “In our 125th anniversary year, we celebrate the pioneering work of our founders, Bishop Henry of Down and Connor and the Dominican sisters. We also celebrate what St. Mary’s has become today — a small, specialist, and distinctive institution of higher education in the model of a liberal arts college, which performs very highly. Key to our performance is a partnership of collaborative provision with Queen’s University, Belfast.”The college campus is situated on the Lower Falls Road in West Belfast, a location that placed it at the very front line during the conflict in Northern Ireland. Over the decades, St. Mary’s has thrived in West Belfast, weathering global and local challenges with unwavering resolve.Students who boarded there during World War II recalled adapting to the harsh realities of life behind heavy blackout curtains and under curfew, as fears of Nazi bombing raids loomed over Belfast. Even amid the turbulence of the Troubles, the college continued its mission, undeterred by social unrest in the surrounding streets.St. Mary’s is embedded in the West Belfast community, which is rich in history and culture. The college attracts applicants from across Northern Ireland and beyond, now complemented by a growing international student community.Finn explained: “There is a special place at St. Mary’s for both community and international engagement. Each year we host events and activities with over 100 community groups, and at the other level we maintain membership of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and the European Federation of Catholic Universities, as well as facilitating international student mobility.”A foundation stone at St. Mary’s University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland, records that it was laid by Bishop Henry Henry, bishop of Down and Connor, on Oct. 27, 1899. Credit: St. Mary’s University CollegeFinn pointed to St. Mary’s widened international links. “For example, we have established an international summer school in partnership with Féile an Phobail, which is a major community festival held annually in West Belfast during the month of August.”“We have been delighted to welcome students from partner universities in the United States who travel here to learn about conflict resolution and the Northern Ireland peace process.”It is for its role in training generations of educators that St. Mary’s is most famous. Since the 1980s, when the former St. Joseph’s teacher training college merged with St. Mary’s, it has educated male and female trainee teachers together. Distinguished alumni include Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney and playwright Brian Friel, author of “Dancing at Lughnasa.”The college’s governing body is chaired by Bishop Alan McGuckian, bishop of Down and Connor and episcopal successor to founder Henry. Priests have traditionally formed part of the teaching faculty contributing to the certificate in religious education, which is an award of St. Mary’s University College, validated by the Church authority, and a requirement for Catholic primary school teachers in Northern Ireland.Teachers educated at the college find their way to schools not only in Northern Ireland but also across the globe. The college is supplemented by a liberal arts program empowering students as they contemplate their future pathways. It also has a key role in training teachers for schools where pupils are taught through the medium of the Irish language.One alumnus making his mark is New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth. In 2024, Smyth completed his master’s in education degree at St. Mary’s University College in Belfast, having previously graduated from the college as a primary school teacher qualified to teach through the Irish language.As the 125th milestone is celebrated, the legacy of Henry and the founding Dominican sisters ensures St. Mary’s University College continues and endures in the achievement of its teachers in educating successive generations of Catholic children.
Read More

Northern Ireland’s only Catholic college celebrates 125 years of training teachers – #Catholic – Graduates pose with their degrees at St. Mary’s University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. / Credit: St. Mary’s University College EWTN News, Dec 29, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA). Four generations of teachers, a Nobel Prize winner, and a kicker with the New Orleans Saints are among those who have graduated from Northern Ireland’s only Catholic higher education institution.St. Mary’s University College in Belfast is marking the 125th year of a remarkable journey that began in 1900.Since its foundation, St. Mary’s has been synonymous with training Catholic teachers. It is rooted in a profound commitment to Catholic education, with its alumni teaching in every Catholic school in Northern Ireland and in schools around the world.St. Mary’s University College is pictured on its campus on the Lower Falls Road in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. Credit: St. Mary’s University CollegePrincipal Peter Finn told CNA: “At Christmastime, St. Mary’s University College in Belfast celebrates an institutional identity which reflects a Christian, explicitly faith-inspired worldview.”“We are the only Catholic higher education institution in Northern Ireland, with an identity which is not defined by what proportion of our students are Catholic or any other denomination or none. Our identity has the core characteristics of faith and service as well as a commitment to the values of the Gospel.”When St. Mary’s opened in 1900, Bishop Henry Henry, bishop of Down and Connor, welcomed “many intelligent, earnest young ladies from different parts of the country.” He assured them: “The good Dominican nuns placed over you will see that you will be proficient in religious knowledge, theoretical and practical.”Finn said: “In our 125th anniversary year, we celebrate the pioneering work of our founders, Bishop Henry of Down and Connor and the Dominican sisters. We also celebrate what St. Mary’s has become today — a small, specialist, and distinctive institution of higher education in the model of a liberal arts college, which performs very highly. Key to our performance is a partnership of collaborative provision with Queen’s University, Belfast.”The college campus is situated on the Lower Falls Road in West Belfast, a location that placed it at the very front line during the conflict in Northern Ireland. Over the decades, St. Mary’s has thrived in West Belfast, weathering global and local challenges with unwavering resolve.Students who boarded there during World War II recalled adapting to the harsh realities of life behind heavy blackout curtains and under curfew, as fears of Nazi bombing raids loomed over Belfast. Even amid the turbulence of the Troubles, the college continued its mission, undeterred by social unrest in the surrounding streets.St. Mary’s is embedded in the West Belfast community, which is rich in history and culture. The college attracts applicants from across Northern Ireland and beyond, now complemented by a growing international student community.Finn explained: “There is a special place at St. Mary’s for both community and international engagement. Each year we host events and activities with over 100 community groups, and at the other level we maintain membership of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and the European Federation of Catholic Universities, as well as facilitating international student mobility.”A foundation stone at St. Mary’s University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland, records that it was laid by Bishop Henry Henry, bishop of Down and Connor, on Oct. 27, 1899. Credit: St. Mary’s University CollegeFinn pointed to St. Mary’s widened international links. “For example, we have established an international summer school in partnership with Féile an Phobail, which is a major community festival held annually in West Belfast during the month of August.”“We have been delighted to welcome students from partner universities in the United States who travel here to learn about conflict resolution and the Northern Ireland peace process.”It is for its role in training generations of educators that St. Mary’s is most famous. Since the 1980s, when the former St. Joseph’s teacher training college merged with St. Mary’s, it has educated male and female trainee teachers together. Distinguished alumni include Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney and playwright Brian Friel, author of “Dancing at Lughnasa.”The college’s governing body is chaired by Bishop Alan McGuckian, bishop of Down and Connor and episcopal successor to founder Henry. Priests have traditionally formed part of the teaching faculty contributing to the certificate in religious education, which is an award of St. Mary’s University College, validated by the Church authority, and a requirement for Catholic primary school teachers in Northern Ireland.Teachers educated at the college find their way to schools not only in Northern Ireland but also across the globe. The college is supplemented by a liberal arts program empowering students as they contemplate their future pathways. It also has a key role in training teachers for schools where pupils are taught through the medium of the Irish language.One alumnus making his mark is New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth. In 2024, Smyth completed his master’s in education degree at St. Mary’s University College in Belfast, having previously graduated from the college as a primary school teacher qualified to teach through the Irish language.As the 125th milestone is celebrated, the legacy of Henry and the founding Dominican sisters ensures St. Mary’s University College continues and endures in the achievement of its teachers in educating successive generations of Catholic children.

unitedyam

Graduates pose with their degrees at St. Mary’s University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. / Credit: St. Mary’s University College

EWTN News, Dec 29, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA).

Four generations of teachers, a Nobel Prize winner, and a kicker with the New Orleans Saints are among those who have graduated from Northern Ireland’s only Catholic higher education institution.

St. Mary’s University College in Belfast is marking the 125th year of a remarkable journey that began in 1900.

Since its foundation, St. Mary’s has been synonymous with training Catholic teachers. It is rooted in a profound commitment to Catholic education, with its alumni teaching in every Catholic school in Northern Ireland and in schools around the world.

St. Mary's University College is pictured on its campus on the Lower Falls Road in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. Credit: St. Mary's University College
St. Mary’s University College is pictured on its campus on the Lower Falls Road in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. Credit: St. Mary’s University College

Principal Peter Finn told CNA: “At Christmastime, St. Mary’s University College in Belfast celebrates an institutional identity which reflects a Christian, explicitly faith-inspired worldview.”

“We are the only Catholic higher education institution in Northern Ireland, with an identity which is not defined by what proportion of our students are Catholic or any other denomination or none. Our identity has the core characteristics of faith and service as well as a commitment to the values of the Gospel.”

When St. Mary’s opened in 1900, Bishop Henry Henry, bishop of Down and Connor, welcomed “many intelligent, earnest young ladies from different parts of the country.” He assured them: “The good Dominican nuns placed over you will see that you will be proficient in religious knowledge, theoretical and practical.”

Finn said: “In our 125th anniversary year, we celebrate the pioneering work of our founders, Bishop Henry of Down and Connor and the Dominican sisters. We also celebrate what St. Mary’s has become today — a small, specialist, and distinctive institution of higher education in the model of a liberal arts college, which performs very highly. Key to our performance is a partnership of collaborative provision with Queen’s University, Belfast.”

The college campus is situated on the Lower Falls Road in West Belfast, a location that placed it at the very front line during the conflict in Northern Ireland. Over the decades, St. Mary’s has thrived in West Belfast, weathering global and local challenges with unwavering resolve.

Students who boarded there during World War II recalled adapting to the harsh realities of life behind heavy blackout curtains and under curfew, as fears of Nazi bombing raids loomed over Belfast. Even amid the turbulence of the Troubles, the college continued its mission, undeterred by social unrest in the surrounding streets.

St. Mary’s is embedded in the West Belfast community, which is rich in history and culture. The college attracts applicants from across Northern Ireland and beyond, now complemented by a growing international student community.

Finn explained: “There is a special place at St. Mary’s for both community and international engagement. Each year we host events and activities with over 100 community groups, and at the other level we maintain membership of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and the European Federation of Catholic Universities, as well as facilitating international student mobility.”

A foundation stone at St. Mary's University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland, records that it was laid by Bishop Henry Henry, bishop of Down and Connor, on Oct. 27, 1899. Credit: St. Mary's University College
A foundation stone at St. Mary’s University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland, records that it was laid by Bishop Henry Henry, bishop of Down and Connor, on Oct. 27, 1899. Credit: St. Mary’s University College

Finn pointed to St. Mary’s widened international links. “For example, we have established an international summer school in partnership with Féile an Phobail, which is a major community festival held annually in West Belfast during the month of August.”

“We have been delighted to welcome students from partner universities in the United States who travel here to learn about conflict resolution and the Northern Ireland peace process.”

It is for its role in training generations of educators that St. Mary’s is most famous. Since the 1980s, when the former St. Joseph’s teacher training college merged with St. Mary’s, it has educated male and female trainee teachers together. Distinguished alumni include Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney and playwright Brian Friel, author of “Dancing at Lughnasa.”

The college’s governing body is chaired by Bishop Alan McGuckian, bishop of Down and Connor and episcopal successor to founder Henry. Priests have traditionally formed part of the teaching faculty contributing to the certificate in religious education, which is an award of St. Mary’s University College, validated by the Church authority, and a requirement for Catholic primary school teachers in Northern Ireland.

Teachers educated at the college find their way to schools not only in Northern Ireland but also across the globe. The college is supplemented by a liberal arts program empowering students as they contemplate their future pathways. It also has a key role in training teachers for schools where pupils are taught through the medium of the Irish language.

One alumnus making his mark is New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth. In 2024, Smyth completed his master’s in education degree at St. Mary’s University College in Belfast, having previously graduated from the college as a primary school teacher qualified to teach through the Irish language.

As the 125th milestone is celebrated, the legacy of Henry and the founding Dominican sisters ensures St. Mary’s University College continues and endures in the achievement of its teachers in educating successive generations of Catholic children.

Read More
6 Catholic public figures who made major headlines in 2025 – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV, Pope Francis, Michael Iskander, Bishop Mark Seitz, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Andrea Bocelli. Credit: Vatican Media; ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images; Jason Davis/Getty Images; Hakim Shammo/EWTN News; Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem; Franco Origlia/Getty Images ACI Prensa Staff, Dec 29, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). The year 2025 will be etched in the memory of the Catholic Church for various profoundly significant events, including the death of Pope Francis, the election of a new pontiff, and a series of testimonies of faith that resonated throughout the world.Below we take a look back at six Catholic public figures who made major headlines this past year.1. Pope FrancisPope Francis offers Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday April 4, 2021. – Credit: Vatican MediaPope Francis passed away on April 21, Easter Monday, after a pontificate marked by pastoral closeness, defense of the poorest, and a missionary approach of reaching out to the peripheries. His legacy of mercy and dialogue left a profound mark on the universal Church, and his death was a moment of sorrow for millions.His last act of love for the Church was on Easter Sunday, April 20, during the urbi et orbi blessing. Francis appeared on the balcony of the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to impart the blessing to the crowd of pilgrims that filled St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding area.2. Pope Leo XIVPope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for the Angelus on December 14, 2025. | Vatican MediaElected in May following the conclave convened after the death of Pope Francis, Leo XIV began his pontificate with a strong emphasis on ecclesial communion, doctrinal continuity, and pastoral closeness to the poor. In October, he released his apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”), focused on love for the poor and the urgency of placing those most in need at the heart of the Church’s mission.The Holy Father marked significant milestones throughout 2025, such as the canonization of contemporary saints — including Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati — his ongoing strong support for the Jubilee of Hope, and repeated calls for ecumenism, dialogue, and peace, especially during his first apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon.3. Cardinal Pierbattista PizzaballaCardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, imparts the blessing in front of the aedicule of the Holy Sepulcher on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, where Jesus’ tomb is venerated. Here ends the Way of the Cross that the Franciscan friars celebrate every Friday. – Credit: Marinella BandiniCardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was one of the clearest voices of the Church amid the tragedy of war in the Holy Land. As Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, he bore witness to the suffering of Christians and civilians in Gaza and Israel, denouncing the violence and reminding everyone that Christ is present, “crucified in the wounded.” His messages to young people, the faithful, and international leaders solidified his position as a moral authority who consistently called for peace, reconciliation, and respect for human dignity.His pastoral leadership was also expressed in concrete actions: visiting communities affected by the war, celebrating the feast of Our Lady Queen of Palestine, accompanying persecuted Christians, and traveling to the United States to raise awareness and funds for the Holy Land.4. Bishop Mark SeitzBishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, speaks with EWTN News on Oct. 9, 2025, at the Vatican. | Credit: EWTN NewsThe bishop of El Paso, Texas, Mark Seitz, has established himself as one of the country’s strongest voices in defense of migrants. From a diocese located right on the border with Mexico, he clearly affirmed that immigration is above all a “matter of the Gospel” and not merely a political debate. His encouragement for bipartisan legislative initiatives such as the Dignity Act and his criticism of immigration policies that he considered “contrary to moral law” reflected a pastoral approach centered on human dignity, the preferential option for the poor, and the formation of consciences.In addition, his leadership went beyond the national scene as he presented Pope Leo XIV with testimonies and letters from migrant families living in fear of deportation, a gesture that visibly moved the pontiff. He also promoted the “Cabrini Commitment” during National Migration Week and, along with his diocese, received the 2025 Pax Christi International Peace Award.5. Michael IskanderMichael Iskander as David in Prime Video’s “House of David.” | Credit: Jonathan Prime/PrimeThe American-Egyptian actor Michael Iskander, known for playing King David in the Prime Video series “House of David,” delivered one of the most inspiring testimonies of faith of the year when he converted to Catholicism in 2025.Although he was raised in the Coptic Orthodox Church, Iskander shared that his conversion was a “calling from God” that he felt deeply after an inner experience during a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.6. Andrea BocelliPope Leo XIV on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, officially inaugurated the Laudato Si’ Village in Castel Gandolfo with a liturgical celebration highlighting the “vocation” of every person to care for creation, including a performance by Andrea Bocelli. | Credit: Vatican MediaThe renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli was one of the most influential Catholic figures of 2025 thanks to his testimony of faith and his participation in key events in the life of the Church.On Sept. 13, Bocelli sang in St. Peter’s Square during the historic “Grace for the World” concert, held at the Vatican to close the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, where he offered performances of profound spiritual content and emphasized the centrality of faith, peace, and fraternity. Days earlier, after singing before Pope Leo XIV at the inauguration of the Borgo Laudato Si’ ecological project, he stated that the Holy Father is “a beacon to guide us in these complex times.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Read More

6 Catholic public figures who made major headlines in 2025 – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV, Pope Francis, Michael Iskander, Bishop Mark Seitz, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Andrea Bocelli. Credit: Vatican Media; ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images; Jason Davis/Getty Images; Hakim Shammo/EWTN News; Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem; Franco Origlia/Getty Images ACI Prensa Staff, Dec 29, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). The year 2025 will be etched in the memory of the Catholic Church for various profoundly significant events, including the death of Pope Francis, the election of a new pontiff, and a series of testimonies of faith that resonated throughout the world.Below we take a look back at six Catholic public figures who made major headlines this past year.1. Pope FrancisPope Francis offers Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday April 4, 2021. – Credit: Vatican MediaPope Francis passed away on April 21, Easter Monday, after a pontificate marked by pastoral closeness, defense of the poorest, and a missionary approach of reaching out to the peripheries. His legacy of mercy and dialogue left a profound mark on the universal Church, and his death was a moment of sorrow for millions.His last act of love for the Church was on Easter Sunday, April 20, during the urbi et orbi blessing. Francis appeared on the balcony of the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to impart the blessing to the crowd of pilgrims that filled St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding area.2. Pope Leo XIVPope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for the Angelus on December 14, 2025. | Vatican MediaElected in May following the conclave convened after the death of Pope Francis, Leo XIV began his pontificate with a strong emphasis on ecclesial communion, doctrinal continuity, and pastoral closeness to the poor. In October, he released his apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”), focused on love for the poor and the urgency of placing those most in need at the heart of the Church’s mission.The Holy Father marked significant milestones throughout 2025, such as the canonization of contemporary saints — including Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati — his ongoing strong support for the Jubilee of Hope, and repeated calls for ecumenism, dialogue, and peace, especially during his first apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon.3. Cardinal Pierbattista PizzaballaCardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, imparts the blessing in front of the aedicule of the Holy Sepulcher on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, where Jesus’ tomb is venerated. Here ends the Way of the Cross that the Franciscan friars celebrate every Friday. – Credit: Marinella BandiniCardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was one of the clearest voices of the Church amid the tragedy of war in the Holy Land. As Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, he bore witness to the suffering of Christians and civilians in Gaza and Israel, denouncing the violence and reminding everyone that Christ is present, “crucified in the wounded.” His messages to young people, the faithful, and international leaders solidified his position as a moral authority who consistently called for peace, reconciliation, and respect for human dignity.His pastoral leadership was also expressed in concrete actions: visiting communities affected by the war, celebrating the feast of Our Lady Queen of Palestine, accompanying persecuted Christians, and traveling to the United States to raise awareness and funds for the Holy Land.4. Bishop Mark SeitzBishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, speaks with EWTN News on Oct. 9, 2025, at the Vatican. | Credit: EWTN NewsThe bishop of El Paso, Texas, Mark Seitz, has established himself as one of the country’s strongest voices in defense of migrants. From a diocese located right on the border with Mexico, he clearly affirmed that immigration is above all a “matter of the Gospel” and not merely a political debate. His encouragement for bipartisan legislative initiatives such as the Dignity Act and his criticism of immigration policies that he considered “contrary to moral law” reflected a pastoral approach centered on human dignity, the preferential option for the poor, and the formation of consciences.In addition, his leadership went beyond the national scene as he presented Pope Leo XIV with testimonies and letters from migrant families living in fear of deportation, a gesture that visibly moved the pontiff. He also promoted the “Cabrini Commitment” during National Migration Week and, along with his diocese, received the 2025 Pax Christi International Peace Award.5. Michael IskanderMichael Iskander as David in Prime Video’s “House of David.” | Credit: Jonathan Prime/PrimeThe American-Egyptian actor Michael Iskander, known for playing King David in the Prime Video series “House of David,” delivered one of the most inspiring testimonies of faith of the year when he converted to Catholicism in 2025.Although he was raised in the Coptic Orthodox Church, Iskander shared that his conversion was a “calling from God” that he felt deeply after an inner experience during a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.6. Andrea BocelliPope Leo XIV on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, officially inaugurated the Laudato Si’ Village in Castel Gandolfo with a liturgical celebration highlighting the “vocation” of every person to care for creation, including a performance by Andrea Bocelli. | Credit: Vatican MediaThe renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli was one of the most influential Catholic figures of 2025 thanks to his testimony of faith and his participation in key events in the life of the Church.On Sept. 13, Bocelli sang in St. Peter’s Square during the historic “Grace for the World” concert, held at the Vatican to close the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, where he offered performances of profound spiritual content and emphasized the centrality of faith, peace, and fraternity. Days earlier, after singing before Pope Leo XIV at the inauguration of the Borgo Laudato Si’ ecological project, he stated that the Holy Father is “a beacon to guide us in these complex times.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

unitedyam

Pope Leo XIV, Pope Francis, Michael Iskander, Bishop Mark Seitz, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Andrea Bocelli. Credit: Vatican Media; ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images; Jason Davis/Getty Images; Hakim Shammo/EWTN News; Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem; Franco Origlia/Getty Images

ACI Prensa Staff, Dec 29, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

The year 2025 will be etched in the memory of the Catholic Church for various profoundly significant events, including the death of Pope Francis, the election of a new pontiff, and a series of testimonies of faith that resonated throughout the world.

Below we take a look back at six Catholic public figures who made major headlines this past year.

1. Pope Francis

Pope Francis offers Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday April 4, 2021. - Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Francis offers Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday April 4, 2021. – Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis passed away on April 21, Easter Monday, after a pontificate marked by pastoral closeness, defense of the poorest, and a missionary approach of reaching out to the peripheries. His legacy of mercy and dialogue left a profound mark on the universal Church, and his death was a moment of sorrow for millions.

His last act of love for the Church was on Easter Sunday, April 20, during the urbi et orbi blessing. Francis appeared on the balcony of the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to impart the blessing to the crowd of pilgrims that filled St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding area.

2. Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican for the Angelus on December 14, 2025. | Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for the Angelus on December 14, 2025. | Vatican Media

Elected in May following the conclave convened after the death of Pope Francis, Leo XIV began his pontificate with a strong emphasis on ecclesial communion, doctrinal continuity, and pastoral closeness to the poor. In October, he released his apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”), focused on love for the poor and the urgency of placing those most in need at the heart of the Church’s mission.

The Holy Father marked significant milestones throughout 2025, such as the canonization of contemporary saints — including Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati — his ongoing strong support for the Jubilee of Hope, and repeated calls for ecumenism, dialogue, and peace, especially during his first apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon.

3. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, imparts the blessing in front of the aedicule of the Holy Sepulcher on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, where Jesus’ tomb is venerated. Here ends the Way of the Cross that the Franciscan friars celebrate every Friday. - Credit: Marinella Bandini
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, imparts the blessing in front of the aedicule of the Holy Sepulcher on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, where Jesus’ tomb is venerated. Here ends the Way of the Cross that the Franciscan friars celebrate every Friday. – Credit: Marinella Bandini

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was one of the clearest voices of the Church amid the tragedy of war in the Holy Land. As Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, he bore witness to the suffering of Christians and civilians in Gaza and Israel, denouncing the violence and reminding everyone that Christ is present, “crucified in the wounded.” His messages to young people, the faithful, and international leaders solidified his position as a moral authority who consistently called for peace, reconciliation, and respect for human dignity.

His pastoral leadership was also expressed in concrete actions: visiting communities affected by the war, celebrating the feast of Our Lady Queen of Palestine, accompanying persecuted Christians, and traveling to the United States to raise awareness and funds for the Holy Land.

4. Bishop Mark Seitz

Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, speaks with EWTN News on Oct. 9, 2025, at the Vatican. | Credit: EWTN News
Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, speaks with EWTN News on Oct. 9, 2025, at the Vatican. | Credit: EWTN News

The bishop of El Paso, Texas, Mark Seitz, has established himself as one of the country’s strongest voices in defense of migrants. From a diocese located right on the border with Mexico, he clearly affirmed that immigration is above all a “matter of the Gospel” and not merely a political debate. His encouragement for bipartisan legislative initiatives such as the Dignity Act and his criticism of immigration policies that he considered “contrary to moral law” reflected a pastoral approach centered on human dignity, the preferential option for the poor, and the formation of consciences.

In addition, his leadership went beyond the national scene as he presented Pope Leo XIV with testimonies and letters from migrant families living in fear of deportation, a gesture that visibly moved the pontiff. He also promoted the “Cabrini Commitment” during National Migration Week and, along with his diocese, received the 2025 Pax Christi International Peace Award.

5. Michael Iskander

Michael Iskander as David in Prime Video's "House of David." | Credit: Jonathan Prime/Prime
Michael Iskander as David in Prime Video’s “House of David.” | Credit: Jonathan Prime/Prime

The American-Egyptian actor Michael Iskander, known for playing King David in the Prime Video series “House of David,” delivered one of the most inspiring testimonies of faith of the year when he converted to Catholicism in 2025.

Although he was raised in the Coptic Orthodox Church, Iskander shared that his conversion was a “calling from God” that he felt deeply after an inner experience during a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.

6. Andrea Bocelli

Pope Leo XIV on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, officially inaugurated the Laudato Si’ Village in Castel Gandolfo with a liturgical celebration highlighting the “vocation” of every person to care for creation, including a performance by Andrea Bocelli. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, officially inaugurated the Laudato Si’ Village in Castel Gandolfo with a liturgical celebration highlighting the “vocation” of every person to care for creation, including a performance by Andrea Bocelli. | Credit: Vatican Media

The renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli was one of the most influential Catholic figures of 2025 thanks to his testimony of faith and his participation in key events in the life of the Church.

On Sept. 13, Bocelli sang in St. Peter’s Square during the historic “Grace for the World” concert, held at the Vatican to close the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, where he offered performances of profound spiritual content and emphasized the centrality of faith, peace, and fraternity. Days earlier, after singing before Pope Leo XIV at the inauguration of the Borgo Laudato Si’ ecological project, he stated that the Holy Father is “a beacon to guide us in these complex times.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Read More
U.S. executions rise in 2025 amid shifting public opinion - #Catholic - The lethal injection chamber at the Oklahoma State Penintentiary, May 7, 2010. Credit: Josh Rushing via Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Dec 29, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA). A rise in executions in the United States in 2025 occurred alongside “shifting public opinion” against the death penalty, offering anti-death-penalty advocates a hopeful sign going into 2026 even amid high levels of capital punishment.The Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit group that tracks and catalogs executions in the United States, said in its year-end report that 48 prisoners were executed in the U.S. in 2025, up from 25 the year before.The near-100% increase in executions was driven in large part by Florida, which at 19 executions counted for about 40% of the year’s total, the group noted.The year also saw the expanded use of a controversial method of execution, that of nitrogen gas. Louisiana and Alabama both killed two condemned prisoners using this method, which advocates have said poses the risk of a slow, agonizing death. Alabama murderer Anthony Boyd reportedly took around 20 minutes to die during his execution by gas.South Carolina executed two inmates by firing squad, the first such executions in the U.S. in 15 years. Lawyers alleged that one of those executions was botched, leading to the inmate suffering before dying.The U.S. Supreme Court, meanwhile, “denied every request to stay an execution” in 2025, the Death Penalty Information Center noted, while several states passed laws expanding the death penalty or otherwise supporting it.Public opinion shifts against death penalty; new death sentences declineThough executions were up in 2025, data indicate a growing public opposition to the death penalty, both in poll numbers and in the declining number of prisoners condemned to death in the United States.The Death Penalty Information Center noted that new death sentences were down in 2025, declining to 22 from 24, with “only 14 juries nationwide” reaching unanimous death verdicts.Though the decline was relatively small, it reflects a decades-long overall trend in the reduction of death sentences in the U.S., which peaked at 325 in 1986.A Gallup poll this year, meanwhile, found that public support for the death penalty reached a 50-year low of 52%, while 44% of Americans oppose the death penalty, the highest level recorded since 1966.A majority of those under 55, meanwhile, oppose the death penalty.The shift suggests changing opinions in a country known for its relatively high levels of executions. The U.S. ranked third in 2023 for the number of executions in countries where that number was known.And while countries such as China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia regularly record significantly more executions than the U.S., many of the United States’ traditional geopolitical allies outlaw executions entirely, including effectively all of Western Europe.A near-majority of U.S. states outlaw executions, which could help to explain decreasing public support for the practice.Yet while opinion is shifting, Catholics notably remain largely supportive of the practice: A November poll from EWTN News and RealClear Opinion Research found a majority of Catholic voters in the U.S. support it.‘Vengeance’s empty promises’Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, the executive director for the anti-death penalty group Catholic Mobilizing Network, admitted that 2025 was a “tough year” for pro-life advocates looking to abolish capital punishment in the U.S.“We started off the year on a high note,” she told CNA, pointing to former President Joe Biden’s December 2024 commutations of 37 federal prisoners on death row. The beginning of the Catholic Church’s jubilee year, meanwhile, offered a spiritual bolster to life advocates.But “executions have been happening at breakneck speed” in 2025, she said.“The Trump administration was talking about the death penalty from day one,” she said. “They haven’t been able to do much in terms of executions [at the federal level], but it’s kind of permeated things and given political cover to elected officials in states.”Murphy acknowledged that Florida carried out “the lion’s share” of executions in 2025. “I’ve talked to almost every Catholic bishop in the state of Florida,” she said. “They’re stumped. It’s very troubling.” Like many bishops in the U.S., the Florida bishops regularly petition the state government to commute death sentences, though to no avail. The last clemency granted by an executive in Florida was in 1983, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.Executive clemency is somewhat rare in the U.S., though at times it has been used dramatically, including Biden’s mass clemency order as well as North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s commutation of 15 death row cases at the end of 2024.In spite of the grim execution numbers in 2025, Murphy admitted there are “encouraging signs” for life advocates.“The jubilee year has been a true reminder that our compass, our North Star, is life — the sanctity of life,” she said. “There’s something about a jubilee year and about the promise it holds. It has exposed vengeance’s empty promises.”She pointed out that the executions being carried today are actually reflective of “the standard of three decades ago.”“When you look at the sentencing of the average person being executed today, that sentence happened 25, 30 years ago,” she said. “When you look at the number of death sentences now, it’s low.” She pointed to the well-documented decline in death sentences both this year and overall from decades before.Murphy said life advocates are looking to 2026 to continue those encouraging trends. Catholic Mobilizing Network in December joined a broad coalition of more than 50 organizations seeking to end the death penalty in the United States.Activists are generally required to “go state by state” in their efforts to abolish the death penalty, Murphy said. She pointed to promising abolition efforts in Ohio and Oklahoma, among others.One of the Catholic group’s key focuses, she said, is in speaking to younger generations.“Young people don’t have the baggage around the death penalty that some older generations might,” she said. “We’re bringing exonerees and murder victim family members to campuses and younger communities and helping them really grab onto the issue and make it their own.”“Young people are sometimes our best advocates,” she said. “They have lots of energy and a real commitment to a broad consistent life ethic.”Among the more notable developments in death penalty advocacy in recent years was the Catholic Church’s 2018 update of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that declared the death penalty “inadmissible” and stated that the Church seeks its abolition around the world.Pope Francis regularly spoke out against the death penalty, while Pope Leo XIV has signaled his own opposition to it. In September he said support for the death penalty is “not real­ly pro-life,” a remark that drew controversy even as it appeared to line up with the catechism’s directive.Elsewhere, Church leaders have turned to Catholic tradition as part of efforts to abolish the death penalty. In August the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops called for a novena asking the faithful to pray for an end to Florida’s death penalty.Murphy acknowledged that the 2018 catechism revision “threw some people,” though she said there are opportunities at hand for Catholics to evangelize on the need to save the lives of those condemned to die.“There’s catechesis we need to do, and formation, about how we can be reconcilers and restorers,” she said. “It’s Jesus’ way. But we need to spend time walking with one another and figuring this out together.”
Read More

U.S. executions rise in 2025 amid shifting public opinion – #Catholic – The lethal injection chamber at the Oklahoma State Penintentiary, May 7, 2010. Credit: Josh Rushing via Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Dec 29, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA). A rise in executions in the United States in 2025 occurred alongside “shifting public opinion” against the death penalty, offering anti-death-penalty advocates a hopeful sign going into 2026 even amid high levels of capital punishment.The Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit group that tracks and catalogs executions in the United States, said in its year-end report that 48 prisoners were executed in the U.S. in 2025, up from 25 the year before.The near-100% increase in executions was driven in large part by Florida, which at 19 executions counted for about 40% of the year’s total, the group noted.The year also saw the expanded use of a controversial method of execution, that of nitrogen gas. Louisiana and Alabama both killed two condemned prisoners using this method, which advocates have said poses the risk of a slow, agonizing death. Alabama murderer Anthony Boyd reportedly took around 20 minutes to die during his execution by gas.South Carolina executed two inmates by firing squad, the first such executions in the U.S. in 15 years. Lawyers alleged that one of those executions was botched, leading to the inmate suffering before dying.The U.S. Supreme Court, meanwhile, “denied every request to stay an execution” in 2025, the Death Penalty Information Center noted, while several states passed laws expanding the death penalty or otherwise supporting it.Public opinion shifts against death penalty; new death sentences declineThough executions were up in 2025, data indicate a growing public opposition to the death penalty, both in poll numbers and in the declining number of prisoners condemned to death in the United States.The Death Penalty Information Center noted that new death sentences were down in 2025, declining to 22 from 24, with “only 14 juries nationwide” reaching unanimous death verdicts.Though the decline was relatively small, it reflects a decades-long overall trend in the reduction of death sentences in the U.S., which peaked at 325 in 1986.A Gallup poll this year, meanwhile, found that public support for the death penalty reached a 50-year low of 52%, while 44% of Americans oppose the death penalty, the highest level recorded since 1966.A majority of those under 55, meanwhile, oppose the death penalty.The shift suggests changing opinions in a country known for its relatively high levels of executions. The U.S. ranked third in 2023 for the number of executions in countries where that number was known.And while countries such as China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia regularly record significantly more executions than the U.S., many of the United States’ traditional geopolitical allies outlaw executions entirely, including effectively all of Western Europe.A near-majority of U.S. states outlaw executions, which could help to explain decreasing public support for the practice.Yet while opinion is shifting, Catholics notably remain largely supportive of the practice: A November poll from EWTN News and RealClear Opinion Research found a majority of Catholic voters in the U.S. support it.‘Vengeance’s empty promises’Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, the executive director for the anti-death penalty group Catholic Mobilizing Network, admitted that 2025 was a “tough year” for pro-life advocates looking to abolish capital punishment in the U.S.“We started off the year on a high note,” she told CNA, pointing to former President Joe Biden’s December 2024 commutations of 37 federal prisoners on death row. The beginning of the Catholic Church’s jubilee year, meanwhile, offered a spiritual bolster to life advocates.But “executions have been happening at breakneck speed” in 2025, she said.“The Trump administration was talking about the death penalty from day one,” she said. “They haven’t been able to do much in terms of executions [at the federal level], but it’s kind of permeated things and given political cover to elected officials in states.”Murphy acknowledged that Florida carried out “the lion’s share” of executions in 2025. “I’ve talked to almost every Catholic bishop in the state of Florida,” she said. “They’re stumped. It’s very troubling.” Like many bishops in the U.S., the Florida bishops regularly petition the state government to commute death sentences, though to no avail. The last clemency granted by an executive in Florida was in 1983, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.Executive clemency is somewhat rare in the U.S., though at times it has been used dramatically, including Biden’s mass clemency order as well as North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s commutation of 15 death row cases at the end of 2024.In spite of the grim execution numbers in 2025, Murphy admitted there are “encouraging signs” for life advocates.“The jubilee year has been a true reminder that our compass, our North Star, is life — the sanctity of life,” she said. “There’s something about a jubilee year and about the promise it holds. It has exposed vengeance’s empty promises.”She pointed out that the executions being carried today are actually reflective of “the standard of three decades ago.”“When you look at the sentencing of the average person being executed today, that sentence happened 25, 30 years ago,” she said. “When you look at the number of death sentences now, it’s low.” She pointed to the well-documented decline in death sentences both this year and overall from decades before.Murphy said life advocates are looking to 2026 to continue those encouraging trends. Catholic Mobilizing Network in December joined a broad coalition of more than 50 organizations seeking to end the death penalty in the United States.Activists are generally required to “go state by state” in their efforts to abolish the death penalty, Murphy said. She pointed to promising abolition efforts in Ohio and Oklahoma, among others.One of the Catholic group’s key focuses, she said, is in speaking to younger generations.“Young people don’t have the baggage around the death penalty that some older generations might,” she said. “We’re bringing exonerees and murder victim family members to campuses and younger communities and helping them really grab onto the issue and make it their own.”“Young people are sometimes our best advocates,” she said. “They have lots of energy and a real commitment to a broad consistent life ethic.”Among the more notable developments in death penalty advocacy in recent years was the Catholic Church’s 2018 update of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that declared the death penalty “inadmissible” and stated that the Church seeks its abolition around the world.Pope Francis regularly spoke out against the death penalty, while Pope Leo XIV has signaled his own opposition to it. In September he said support for the death penalty is “not real­ly pro-life,” a remark that drew controversy even as it appeared to line up with the catechism’s directive.Elsewhere, Church leaders have turned to Catholic tradition as part of efforts to abolish the death penalty. In August the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops called for a novena asking the faithful to pray for an end to Florida’s death penalty.Murphy acknowledged that the 2018 catechism revision “threw some people,” though she said there are opportunities at hand for Catholics to evangelize on the need to save the lives of those condemned to die.“There’s catechesis we need to do, and formation, about how we can be reconcilers and restorers,” she said. “It’s Jesus’ way. But we need to spend time walking with one another and figuring this out together.”

unitedyam

The lethal injection chamber at the Oklahoma State Penintentiary, May 7, 2010. Credit: Josh Rushing via Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Dec 29, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

A rise in executions in the United States in 2025 occurred alongside “shifting public opinion” against the death penalty, offering anti-death-penalty advocates a hopeful sign going into 2026 even amid high levels of capital punishment.

The Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit group that tracks and catalogs executions in the United States, said in its year-end report that 48 prisoners were executed in the U.S. in 2025, up from 25 the year before.

The near-100% increase in executions was driven in large part by Florida, which at 19 executions counted for about 40% of the year’s total, the group noted.

The year also saw the expanded use of a controversial method of execution, that of nitrogen gas. Louisiana and Alabama both killed two condemned prisoners using this method, which advocates have said poses the risk of a slow, agonizing death. Alabama murderer Anthony Boyd reportedly took around 20 minutes to die during his execution by gas.

South Carolina executed two inmates by firing squad, the first such executions in the U.S. in 15 years. Lawyers alleged that one of those executions was botched, leading to the inmate suffering before dying.

The U.S. Supreme Court, meanwhile, “denied every request to stay an execution” in 2025, the Death Penalty Information Center noted, while several states passed laws expanding the death penalty or otherwise supporting it.

Public opinion shifts against death penalty; new death sentences decline

Though executions were up in 2025, data indicate a growing public opposition to the death penalty, both in poll numbers and in the declining number of prisoners condemned to death in the United States.

The Death Penalty Information Center noted that new death sentences were down in 2025, declining to 22 from 24, with “only 14 juries nationwide” reaching unanimous death verdicts.

Though the decline was relatively small, it reflects a decades-long overall trend in the reduction of death sentences in the U.S., which peaked at 325 in 1986.

A Gallup poll this year, meanwhile, found that public support for the death penalty reached a 50-year low of 52%, while 44% of Americans oppose the death penalty, the highest level recorded since 1966.

A majority of those under 55, meanwhile, oppose the death penalty.

The shift suggests changing opinions in a country known for its relatively high levels of executions. The U.S. ranked third in 2023 for the number of executions in countries where that number was known.

And while countries such as China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia regularly record significantly more executions than the U.S., many of the United States’ traditional geopolitical allies outlaw executions entirely, including effectively all of Western Europe.

A near-majority of U.S. states outlaw executions, which could help to explain decreasing public support for the practice.

Yet while opinion is shifting, Catholics notably remain largely supportive of the practice: A November poll from EWTN News and RealClear Opinion Research found a majority of Catholic voters in the U.S. support it.

‘Vengeance’s empty promises’

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, the executive director for the anti-death penalty group Catholic Mobilizing Network, admitted that 2025 was a “tough year” for pro-life advocates looking to abolish capital punishment in the U.S.

“We started off the year on a high note,” she told CNA, pointing to former President Joe Biden’s December 2024 commutations of 37 federal prisoners on death row. The beginning of the Catholic Church’s jubilee year, meanwhile, offered a spiritual bolster to life advocates.

But “executions have been happening at breakneck speed” in 2025, she said.

“The Trump administration was talking about the death penalty from day one,” she said. “They haven’t been able to do much in terms of executions [at the federal level], but it’s kind of permeated things and given political cover to elected officials in states.”

Murphy acknowledged that Florida carried out “the lion’s share” of executions in 2025. “I’ve talked to almost every Catholic bishop in the state of Florida,” she said. “They’re stumped. It’s very troubling.”

Like many bishops in the U.S., the Florida bishops regularly petition the state government to commute death sentences, though to no avail. The last clemency granted by an executive in Florida was in 1983, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Executive clemency is somewhat rare in the U.S., though at times it has been used dramatically, including Biden’s mass clemency order as well as North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s commutation of 15 death row cases at the end of 2024.

In spite of the grim execution numbers in 2025, Murphy admitted there are “encouraging signs” for life advocates.

“The jubilee year has been a true reminder that our compass, our North Star, is life — the sanctity of life,” she said. “There’s something about a jubilee year and about the promise it holds. It has exposed vengeance’s empty promises.”

She pointed out that the executions being carried today are actually reflective of “the standard of three decades ago.”

“When you look at the sentencing of the average person being executed today, that sentence happened 25, 30 years ago,” she said. “When you look at the number of death sentences now, it’s low.” She pointed to the well-documented decline in death sentences both this year and overall from decades before.

Murphy said life advocates are looking to 2026 to continue those encouraging trends. Catholic Mobilizing Network in December joined a broad coalition of more than 50 organizations seeking to end the death penalty in the United States.

Activists are generally required to “go state by state” in their efforts to abolish the death penalty, Murphy said. She pointed to promising abolition efforts in Ohio and Oklahoma, among others.

One of the Catholic group’s key focuses, she said, is in speaking to younger generations.

“Young people don’t have the baggage around the death penalty that some older generations might,” she said. “We’re bringing exonerees and murder victim family members to campuses and younger communities and helping them really grab onto the issue and make it their own.”

“Young people are sometimes our best advocates,” she said. “They have lots of energy and a real commitment to a broad consistent life ethic.”

Among the more notable developments in death penalty advocacy in recent years was the Catholic Church’s 2018 update of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that declared the death penalty “inadmissible” and stated that the Church seeks its abolition around the world.

Pope Francis regularly spoke out against the death penalty, while Pope Leo XIV has signaled his own opposition to it. In September he said support for the death penalty is “not real­ly pro-life,” a remark that drew controversy even as it appeared to line up with the catechism’s directive.

Elsewhere, Church leaders have turned to Catholic tradition as part of efforts to abolish the death penalty. In August the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops called for a novena asking the faithful to pray for an end to Florida’s death penalty.

Murphy acknowledged that the 2018 catechism revision “threw some people,” though she said there are opportunities at hand for Catholics to evangelize on the need to save the lives of those condemned to die.

“There’s catechesis we need to do, and formation, about how we can be reconcilers and restorers,” she said. “It’s Jesus’ way. But we need to spend time walking with one another and figuring this out together.”

Read More
The Babylon Bee Announces Its ‘Persons Of The Year’ Awards For 2025 #BabylonBee – As we close out 2025, the time has come to announce the greatest of all awards, that prize far more coveted than a mere Nobel Prize or Oscar. After hours of intense debate, countless votes, and the sacking of two employees, we are now ready to reveal The Babylon Bee’s Persons of the Year:
Read More

The Babylon Bee Announces Its ‘Persons Of The Year’ Awards For 2025 #BabylonBee – As we close out 2025, the time has come to announce the greatest of all awards, that prize far more coveted than a mere Nobel Prize or Oscar. After hours of intense debate, countless votes, and the sacking of two employees, we are now ready to reveal The Babylon Bee’s Persons of the Year:

unitedyam

As we close out 2025, the time has come to announce the greatest of all awards, that prize far more coveted than a mere Nobel Prize or Oscar. After hours of intense debate, countless votes, and the sacking of two employees, we are now ready to reveal The Babylon Bee’s Persons of the Year:

Read More

I Came to You Late: Prayer of the Day for Monday, December 29, 2025 – #Prayer – I came to You late, O Beauty so ancient and new. I came to love You late. You were within me and I was outside where I rushed about wildly searching for You like some monster loose in Your beautiful world. You were with me but I was not with You. You called me, You shouted to me, You wrapped me in Your Splendour, You broke past my deafness, You bathed me in Your Light, You sent my blindness reeling. You gave out such a delightful fragrance and I drew it in and came breathing hard after You. I …

unitedyam

I came to You late, O Beauty so ancient and new. I came to love You late. You were within me and I was outside where I rushed about wildly searching for You like some monster loose in Your beautiful world. You were with me but I was not with You. You called me, You shouted to me, You wrapped me in Your Splendour, You broke past my deafness, You bathed me in Your Light, You sent my blindness reeling. You gave out such a delightful fragrance and I drew it in and came breathing hard after You. I …

Read More
Older Posts