Archive for December 23, 2023

Fresco by Giotto of St. Francis of Assisi embracing the Child Jesus at Christmas Mass in Greccio in 1223, located in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Assisi, Italy.?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

St. Francis and the story of the first Nativity scene

One of the world’s most beloved saints, St. Francis of Assisi, loved Christmas so much that he created the first... Read more

Cardinal Thomas Aquinas Manyo Maeda of Osaka, Japan.?w=200&h=150

By Peter Pinedo

Catholic Church reportedly closer to getting its first samurai saint

The Vatican is currently investigating miracles associated with the intercession of Blessed Justus Ukon Takayama. Read more

A moment at the vigil in preparation for Christmas held on Dec. 22, 2023, at the Church of St. Saviour in Jerusalem.?w=200&h=150

By Marinella Bandini

Catholics in the Holy Land gather at prayer vigil to prepare for Christmas

The weekend before Christmas began with an evening of prayer and music at the Church of St. Saviour, the Latin... Read more

Latest news

Pope Francis greets pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Wednesday general audience on Nov. 20, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis reads Ukrainian student’s moving testimony of faith at general audience

Before the wooden coffin is closed, Pope Benedict XVI’s personal secretary Archbishop Georg Gänswein and Monsignor Diego Giovanni Ravelli, the Vatican’s lead master of ceremonies for papal liturgies, place a white veil over the late pope’s face. The action on Jan. 4, 2023, is part of the funeral rites for popes.

Vatican simplifies funeral rite for popes

The Supreme Court of India.

Church leaders will appeal Indian Supreme Court order for tax on salaries of clergy

Argentine President Javier Milei walks past President-elect Donald Trump as they attend the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida.

How will Trump impact abortion, gender, and migration policies in Latin America?

Memorial tree in Mayfouk, Lebanon, in remembrance of Christians killed in the Lebanese civil war.

Red Wednesday in the Land of the Martyrs 

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Catholic NASA scientist delves into investigation of potential life on other planets

The historic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint-Omer, in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, was ravaged by arson on the night of Sept. 2, 2024.

Nearly half of 2,500 anti-Christian hate crimes in Europe were in France, report says

The book “Hope Never Disappoints” is based on interviews author Hernán Reyes Alcaide (pictured here) conducted with Pope Francis.

‘Hope Never Disappoints’ is Holy Father’s new book for 2025 Jubilee Year

Blessed Carlo Acutis (left) and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

Pope Francis announces 2025 canonizations for Carlo Acutis, Pier Giorgio Frassati

The Texas Supreme Court will allow the execution of Robert Roberson, who was convicted of the murder of his infant child, with the ruling coming after a legislative committee attempted in October 2024 to delay the capital sentence by subpoenaing the condemned man.

Texas Supreme Court allows previously-delayed execution of Robert Roberson to proceed

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