By Matthew Santucci Rome Newsroom, Dec 17, 2023 / 13:50 pm Pope Francis celebrated his 87th birthday on Sunday morning ahead of his weekly Angelus by meeting with children and families who are assisted by the Vatican’s Santa Marta Pediatric Dispensary. Addressing the families present — who presented the Holy Father with a …

By Daniel Payne Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 16, 2023 / 15:02 pm Two Christian women were killed on Saturday by an Israeli sniper at the Catholic Holy Family Parish in Gaza, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said on Saturday morning. The patriarchate said in a statement that “around noon” on Dec. 16, a …

By Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Dec 13, 2023 / 10:10 am Pope Francis has said that he wants to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome because of his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In a new interview broadcast on the Mexican television program “N+” on …

By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Dec 12, 2023 / 14:00 pm A survey released this month by a British Catholic organization demonstrates what the group says were the “shocking” effects of COVID-19-related church closures in that country. Catholic Union, a lay organization that bills itself as “dedicated to the defense of …

By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Dec 13, 2023 / 04:45 am St. Lucy’s Day, also known as Lucia Day, is a traditional Swedish celebration filled with children in costumes, elaborate processions, and Swedish treats — all honoring the beloved saint. St. Lucy, whose feast day is celebrated by the Catholic …

By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 12, 2023 / 11:36 am Under certain circumstances, it may be permissible for a Catholic to keep a small portion of a deceased loved one’s ashes in a personal place of significance if some conditions are met, according to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the …

by Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 12, 2022 / 14:30 pm A Catholic shrine is re-creating “Tepeyac Hill” — where Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared nearly 500 years ago to St. Juan Diego — in the United States. The new hill, located in Oklahoma City, was dedicated Sunday in …

by David Ramos Mexico City, Mexico, Dec 10, 2021 / 08:00 am In the 500 years since Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared, the image of Our Lady has become the subject of several popular myths and legends, especially in Mexico, where she appeared. Fr. Eduardo Chávez was the postulator for …

By Jonathan Liedl CNA Staff, Dec 9, 2023 / 10:26 am Pope Francis has appointed a priest born and ordained in Brazil to serve as the next auxiliary bishop of Boston, the Vatican announced on Saturday. Father Cristiano G. Borro Barbosa, 47, will join Cardinal Seán O’Malley and four other auxiliaries …

By Matt McDonald CNA Newsroom, Dec 1, 2023 / 14:15 pm Irish songwriter and former Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan received last rites before he died Thursday, his family said. “Prayers and the last rites were read during his passing,” the family said in a written statement Nov. 30. MacGowan, 65, is best …