News
Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Diocese of Rochester; Appoints Bishop John Bonnici as Successor
1+ day, 5+ hour ago (259+ words) WASHINGTON " Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, 79, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Rochester, and has appointed Most Reverend John S. Bonnici, currently auxiliary bishop of New York, as his successor.The resignation…...
Christians must resist allure of power, serve humanity, pope says at end of Holy Year
2+ day, 6+ hour ago (1201+ words) Officially closing the Holy Year dedicated to hope, Pope Leo XIV criticized the way "a distorted economy" has tried to exploit and profit from everything, including the human desire for joy and true fulfillment. God offers those gifts freely to…...
Torrential rains, looming deadline, don't deter last-minute pilgrims
2+ day, 6+ hour ago (783+ words) With the last Holy Door closing to the public late evening Jan. 5, hundreds of pilgrims braved Rome's driving rain or chilling damp to get to St. Peter's Basilica before it was too late. VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With rain-slicked coats and…...
Vatican sees record number of visitors during Jubilee year, officials say
2+ day, 21+ hour ago (541+ words) Vatican and Rome officials report that more than 33 million pilgrims from 185 countries visited the Eternal City for the Holy Year 2025, exceeding expectations. Also, the second-largest percentage (13%) of registered pilgrims was from the United States, far behind Italy which had the…...
“9 Days for Life” To Unite Hundreds of Thousands in Prayer for the Protection of Life
3+ day, 6+ hour ago (612+ words) WASHINGTON - Catholics nationwide are invited to pray "9 Days for Life," an annual Respect Life novena starting Friday, January 16.In the Catholic Church, a "novena" consists of prayers over nine successive days, and this particular novena is an opportunity for prayer…...
New year marks time to usher in era of peace, friendship among all people, pope says
1+ week, 4+ hour ago (804+ words) Celebrating Mass on New Year's Day at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV urged the world to reject violence and begin a new era of peace and forgiveness. The world is not saved by threatening violence or oppressing others, he said,…...
God's plan of salvation is greater than any 'weaponized' plots underway, pope says
1+ week, 1+ day ago (674+ words) At an evening prayer service giving thanks to the past year, Pope Leo XIV says faith in God's plan gives people hope for a better tomorrow. "Today we feel the need for a wise, benevolent, merciful plan," which God offers…...
As Holy Doors close, cardinals emphasize God's arms are always open
1+ week, 3+ day ago (543+ words) Pope Leo XIV will solemnly conclude the Jubilee Year Jan. 6 at St. Peter's Basilica, but the holy doors at the other papal basilicas of Rome were closed over the last few days by the cardinals who serve as the basilicas…...
Vatican's 2025: Year brings new pope, renewed focus on unity, peace
1+ week, 6+ day ago (1094+ words) A look back on the past year. VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For the world's 1.4 billion Catholics and for millions of other people as well, the Catholic Church's 2025 was primarily about the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo…...
Open your hearts to baby Jesus and one another, pope says on Christmas
2+ week, 6+ hour ago (921+ words) Pope Leo revived the tradition of popes celebrating a Christmas morning Mass before delivering his Christmas message and blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world). VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Jesus entering the world as a little baby in…...