Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal in Gaza, includes hostage release

By Madalaine Elhabbal Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 15, 2025 / 14:15 pm Israel and Hamas forces have agreed to a ceasefire deal that will pause fighting in Gaza and facilitate a hostage exchange, according to several news reports on Wednesday afternoon. Brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt after 15 …
Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi vows to end ‘weaponization’ against Catholics

By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 15, 2025 / 16:15 pm President-elect Donald Trump’s presumptive nominee to serve as attorney general, Pam Bondi, at her Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday vowed to stop government “weaponization” against Catholics, pro-life activists, and concerned parents. During her Jan. 15 hearing in front of …
Obituary: Sister Judith Joan (Judi) Keehnen

Sister Judith Joan (Judi) Keehnen (formerly Sr. Joan Elizabeth), CSJ entered eternal life Dec. 17, 2024. Loving daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (nee Paddock) Keehnen, sister of Linda Connor, the late John Keehnen, Jr., aunt to Sarah and Erin Keehnen and Rick Connor, Kelly and David Ealy, Christopher …
Keeping the Faithful in the Loop

by Matt Hess The Lord’s final mandate to His disciples before the Ascension was to preach the Gospel to all the world. To do this today, followers of Jesus are called to be communicators, passing on the faith through word and deed. Not everyone is called to this professionally, but …
Exorcists: 9 practices to avoid when fighting the devil

By Eduardo Berdejo ACI Prensa Staff, Jan 12, 2025 / 07:00 am The International Association of Exorcists has expressed concern over several erroneous practices, including those carried out by some priests, which confuse the faithful who seek help when possibly facing extraordinary actions of the devil. The association, which has some 900 exorcist …
President Biden awards Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction

By Tina Dennelly CNA Staff, Jan 11, 2025 / 19:45 pm U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Pope Francis on Saturday and named him a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the White House said in a statement. As the nation’s highest honor, the medal is “presented to individuals …
Imagining Heaven

What will Heaven be like? Heaven surpasses human understanding. None of us knows for sure what it will be like. The Church’s teaching provides few details, calling Heaven “a mystery of blessed communion with God,” which “is beyond all understanding and description” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1027). While it …
Godparent Guide

Requirements to be a Catholic Godparent: “Each child may have a godfather and a godmother, the word ‘godparents’ is used in the rite to describe both.” (Rite of Baptism for Children 6) Only one godparent is necessary. The godparent must be a fully initiated Catholic (Baptized, Confirmed, received Eucharist), at …
Pope Francis sends prayers, condolences as Los Angeles battles wildfires

By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Jan 11, 2025 / 06:15 am Pope Francis expressed his condolences Saturday to Los Angeles communities affected by devastating wildfires that have destroyed homes and churches, including the historic Corpus Christi Catholic Church. In a telegram released by the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, …
Cincinnati’s Basilica

When the official announcement was made on Aug. 15, 2020, the Solemnity of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that Pope Francis had granted the title of Minor Basilica to the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in downtown Cincinnati, it was a moment of great joy for its …