Europe News

Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante, Spain.

Same-sex blessings: Sinners can be blessed but not their sin, Spanish bishop says

Dec 20, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

For Bishop Munilla, it’s important to “stick to what is clear and ask the Lord to clarify what is not... Read more

St. Macartan's Cathedral in Monaghan, County Monaghan, Ireland.

Irish diocese to rely on laity to preside over funerals amid shortage of priests

Dec 19, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

A major vocation crisis could result in fewer than 10 active priests in the diocese in less than 20 years,... Read more

St. Januarius and the miracle of the liquefaction of his blood contained in a relic.

St. Januarius’ blood miraculously liquifies again in Naples

Dec 18, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

The Archdiocese of Naples, Italy, announced that the miracle of the liquefaction of the blood of St. Januarius was repeated... Read more

The statue of Our Lady, Queen of Peace in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

Six popes are buried at St. Mary Major; Pope Francis says he’ll be next

Dec 14, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The pope said this week that a burial place has been prepared for him at Santa Maria Maggiore — who... Read more

Shane MacGowan’s funeral Mass took place Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at St. Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland.

Irish priest calls musician Shane MacGowan’s raucous funeral Mass ‘a scandal’ 

Dec 14, 2023

By Matt McDonald

The Mass included a live performance of “Fairy Tale of New York” and other nonreligious songs composed by the late... Read more

Children participate in the annual St. Lucy's Day celebration in Sweden.

Why Sweden honors St. Lucy, a beloved Italian saint

Dec 13, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The Scandinavian country has a long history of honoring St. Lucy with candle-lit ceremonies, processions, and treats. Read more

CNA

YouTube restores HM Television’s channel, documentary on Sister Clare Crockett

Dec 12, 2023

By Andrés Henríquez

The Home of the Mother congregation’s YouTube channel HM Television was restored after being deleted on Nov. 3, the sisters... Read more

A crowd prays the rosary in Madrid, Spain, on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, patron saint of Spain, Dec. 8, 2023.

PHOTOS: Rosary for Spain prayed in more than 100 cities on feast of Immaculate Conception

Dec 12, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

People joined in praying the rosary for Spain on Dec. 8, asking for Mary’s intercession in the nation and in... Read more

null

Catholic survey shows ‘shocking’ impact of church closures during COVID pandemic

Dec 12, 2023

By Daniel Payne

A survey released this month by a British Catholic organization demonstrates what the group says were the “shocking” effects of... Read more

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of Dicastery for the Clergy, and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrate Mass on Dec. 11, 2023, to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Korea.

Holy See celebrates 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea

Dec 12, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis sent a telegram on Monday to Suwon Archbishop Matthias Ri Iong-hoon to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic... Read more

Pope Francis confesses in St. Peter's Basilica.

Hearing the pope’s confession: Vatican confessor reflects on sacrament

Dec 10, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A veteran Vatican confessor spoke about his time as confessor to Pope Francis, stressing the enduring and essential role of... Read more

null

Italian bishop suspends selecting godparents for baptism and sponsors for confirmation

Dec 8, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

Bishop Mario Vaccari of Massa Carrara-Pontremoli in Italy said he made his decision because “emotional ties” have been prioritized over... Read more

The facade of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy.

Climate activists vandalize St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy

Dec 8, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Climate activists vandalized the facade of the nearly 1,000-year-old St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy, on Thursday. Read more

Polonia Castellanos, founder of the Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers.

Spanish lawyer, mom of 4, challenges country’s rosary ban

Dec 8, 2023

By Martin Barillas

“There are plenty of times when the Virgin Mary has come to Spain’s aid,” Polonia Castellanos said, “and we are... Read more

'Immaculate Conception' by Peter Paul Rubens, circa 1628.

The miracle that made the Immaculate Virgin patroness of Spain and its infantry

Dec 8, 2023

By CNA Staff

In 1585 a miracle attributed to the Immaculate Conception allowed the Spanish troops to win the Battle of Empel in... Read more

Procession from Saint-Jean Cathedral to Fourvière Basilica in Lyon, France, on Dec. 8, 2022.

The city of Lyon, France, honors Mary with light festival on Dec. 8

Dec 8, 2023

By Emma Silvestri

The tradition of the Festival of Lights goes back to 1852 before the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was even... Read more

Edoardo Santini.

Italy’s ‘most handsome man’ leaves modeling career to become a priest

Edoardo Santini, considered “the most handsome man in Italy,” has decided to leave his promising career as a model and... Read more

Spanish protesters show their rosaries in Spain in protest against the action of the police on Nov. 28, 2023.

Why protesters in 50 Spanish cities are praying the rosary this Friday

Dec 7, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

On Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception — the patroness of Spain — hundreds of Spaniards will gather... Read more

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández celebrates his Mass of titular possession at the Church of Sts. Urban and Lawrence at Prima Porta on the northern outskirts of Rome on Dec. 3, 2023.

Cardinal Fernández: Offer yourselves to the Lord ‘like clay ready to be molded’

Dec 6, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The new head of the Vatican’s doctrine office gave a homily this week in which he encouraged Catholics to be... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience on Dec. 6, 2023, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

Pope Francis at general audience: ‘The Spirit is the protagonist’ of evangelization

Dec 6, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis’ catechetical series on the essential components of the proclamation of the Gospel culminated with a fourth and final... Read more