The Latest News & Updates

The national Black Catholic men’s conference met in Birmingham, Alabama, from Oct. 15 to 18, continuing the legacy of Father Chester P. Smith. The gathering encouraged Black Catholic men to lead their families, parishes and communities.

Father Juan Vásconez said the death of Father Patricio Sánchez, who was struck by a falling cross, should not be viewed as punishment from God. He described the tragedy as a call to repentance and said death comes to everyone.

A proposed U.S. bill would call for a report identifying Syrian officials suspected of abuses against minorities and for consideration of targeted sanctions against them.

Father Stephen Wang, former rector of the Venerable English College in Rome, has been appointed bishop of Arundel and Brighton. In Brazil, the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in Curitiba held a memorial Mass for its rector, Rogério Renato Mateucci, who died in a wind-related accident while visiting Arizona.

Pope Leo XIV spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about a humanitarian ceasefire and the crisis in the Kherson region. The pontiff reiterated the Holy See’s commitment to dialogue and peace, days after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A Ukrainian priest was forcibly conscripted after authorities rejected documents showing his clergy status and pastoral service. He was sent to a military training center and could be deployed to the front lines.

U.S. bishops named members of a task force on artificial intelligence, formed after a September meeting with AI experts and executives. The group will consider how the Church can help shape the moral foundations of AI.

Exorcist Father Ripperger agreed to a one-year pause in public speaking at the request of Denver Archbishop James Golka. The archdiocese said the pause would allow him to focus on his religious community and the people it serves.

The Vatican announced 24 new members of the International Theological Commission, including professors from the University of Notre Dame and Boston College.

Church leaders in Jordan have backed proposed legislation that would expand Christians’ legal options in personal status matters. The changes are expected to cover marriage, divorce, wills and adoption under the laws of their churches.

One day after leaving hospital, the Pope joined pilgrims in prayer. Five days after cancer surgery, he said he would gradually resume his activities. His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, also said there were no clinical reasons to prevent the Pope’s planned Nov. 6–17 apostolic trip to Latin America, describing him as an ideal patient.

In Ghana, Father David Obeng Paintsil recounted escaping a car fire and encouraged devotion to the rosary, which he called a powerful prayer. In Rome, an international rosary was prayed in 13 languages ahead of the 100th World Mission Sunday. The gathering also marked 75 years since Blessed Fulton Sheen established the World Mission Rosary.

Pope Leo XIV has left Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and returned to the Vatican after being admitted last Tuesday for surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, said there were no clinical reasons to prevent the pope from making a planned apostolic trip to Latin America from Nov. 6 to 17, and described him as an ideal patient.

An international rosary was prayed in Rome in 13 languages ahead of the 100th World Mission Sunday. The gathering also marked 75 years since Blessed Fulton Sheen established the World Mission Rosary.

Church figures point to continued growth in mission territories over the past century, from 10 million Catholics to 347 million. On average, more than 9,000 people became Catholic each day, two men were ordained priests, and five women took religious vows.

The worldwide number of priests rose for the first time in five years, reaching 407,421, an increase of 425 from the previous year. Africa and Asia accounted for the growth, while Europe recorded another decline.

Bishops in Oregon called for prayer after a shooting at an elementary school killed three students. The tragedy has prompted pastoral care and support for affected families and communities across the state.

A bishop in California’s Central Valley said indiscriminate immigration raids have caused anxiety and fear. The Department of Homeland Security defended ICE officers, describing them as heroes enforcing the law.

Federal funding for Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has been restored under a three-year agreement with the Department of Homeland Security. The charity must maintain enhanced compliance and oversight measures.

Wisconsin voters will consider a proposal to prohibit church closures during health emergencies. The measure follows a 2020 dispute in which the Diocese of Madison threatened legal action over Dane County’s 50-person limit on Mass attendance.

The official trailer for Season 6 of “The Chosen” drew more than one million YouTube views within 24 hours of its release.