Stories for December 2024

Ordered from most to least recent.

Released Thursday, Dec. 26

 Christ was born in ‘the harshness of time,’ Jerusalem Patriarch preaches in Bethlehem
 Vatican has no mediator role between Ukraine and Russia, says Ukrainian Catholic leader
 Nigerian archbishop defends priest after 10 killed in stampede
 Pope opens holy door at Roman prison
 Indian PM visits bishops’ conference for Christmas greetings

Released Wednesday, Dec. 25

 Pope Francis issues Christmas message

Released Tuesday, Dec. 24

 Retired Australian bishop faces new abuse charges
 Merry Christmas from Catholic World News!
 Pope opens Holy Door, begins Jubilee Year
 Pray for the Middle East, Cardinal Zuppi writes in Italian bishops’ Christmas message
 Ecumenical Patriarch, in Christmas encyclical, contrasts AI technological aspirations, Incarnate Christ
 The shepherds of Bethlehem show us how to find hope, Jerusalem Patriarch says in Christmas message
 Russian missile strike damages Catholic church in Kyiv
 Italian PM, Rome’s mayor unveil flagship jubilee project
 Laotian cardinal retires at 80
 US bishops’ president welcomes President Biden’s commutation of death sentences
 Ecumenical guests to take part in Christmas Eve opening of jubilee year

Released Monday, Dec. 23

 Pro-Palestinian protest disrupts Mass at Dublin cathedral
 Biden commutes federal death sentences
 Vatican opens cause for beatification of Belgian King Baudouin
 Papal message of sympathy after Magdeburg market attack
 Seton Hall University’s new president was caught up in McCarrick scandal
 Jerusalem Patriarch visits Gaza—after Pope says he was blocked
 New online resource profiles papal candidates
 New cardinals unfamiliar with each other, Vatican journalist notes
 Papal tribute to bocce
 Advising Confession, Pope urges members of Roman Curia to bless, not speak ill of others
 Speak up if you have difficulties, Pope tells Vatican employees
 Children aided by Vatican dispensary meet with Pontiff
 Pope deplores killing of civilians as he renews appeal for ceasefire in Ukraine, Gaza
 Papal prayer for calm in Mozambique
 ‘No child is a mistake’: ailing Pope calls on faithful to rejoice at motherhood, gift of life

Released Friday, Dec. 20

 Trump names conservative activist to be ambassador to Holy See
 Irish high court frees Enoch Burke for Christmas
 Syrian archbishop fears imposition of shari’a
 Biden administration: no prosecution for attacks on churches
 Pope exhorts the young: ‘do not lose the capacity for wonder’
 AP story profiles young Catholic woman choosing religious life
 Nigerian woman acquitted of blasphemy against Islam
 Russian woman fined after sharing Vatican statement Dignitas Infinita [Corrected]
 Biden to meet with Pope in January
 5 new auxiliary bishops named for Archdiocese of Chicago
 Pope names Dallas auxiliary bishop as successor to Bishop Strickland
 Religious beliefs may allow mothers to abort their children, Indiana courts rule
 Pope sends mobile hospital, ultrasound scanners to Ukraine
 12th-century French church defaced with Satanic graffiti; Mass of reparation scheduled
 CCHD, US bishops’ anti-poverty program, announces $2.1M in grants for 2025
 Muslim World League delegation meets with Pope

Released Thursday, Dec. 19

 Artists’ group rebuilds Satanic display outside New Hampshire state house
 Iraqi official denies that Pope’s life was threatened
 New stained-glass designs chosen for Notre Dame basilica
 Archbishop Gänswein describes new diplomatic role in Baltics
 Pope reflects on true spirit of pilgrimage
 Papal praise for Vietnamese-American donors
 Rupnik case ‘still progressing,’ reports Vatican’s top disciplinary official
 Renewed papal appeal for prayer for peace
 Relic of St. Thérèse venerated at papal general audience
 ‘Democracy is not given once and for all,’ Cardinal Zuppi warns
 Synod Council holds ‘rich debate’ on synod’s final document
 Vatican newspaper highlights plight of Africa’s ‘invisible’ migrants
 Pope continues to call Gaza parish daily
 US bishops advocate for temporary protected status for Nicaraguan, Congolese migrants
 Pope, in Italian newspaper article, reflects on 2025 jubilee

Released Wednesday, Dec. 18

 King Charles attends Catholic prayer service for Syria
 Canonization set for martyrs of Compiegne
 Pope’s popularity dropping in US
 Florida law restricts porn sites
 Former Archbishop of Canterbury resigns from Anglican priesthood
 Minnesota’s Governor Walz allows Satanic display at capitol building
 ‘Fixes in the works’ to address religious visa backlog in US
 Pope begins new general audience series on Jesus Christ, our hope
 Georgetown, Notre Dame favored wealthier applicants over more qualified applicants, suit alleges
 Extend preferential treatment for Haitian imports, USCCB committee chairman urges Congress
 Vatican newspaper rues ‘balances of tears and blood’
 Syria’s new leader calls for ‘social contract’ with all religions
 Vatican chooses prisons as starting point for Jubilee art projects

Released Tuesday, Dec. 17

 New York Times prints op-ed by Pope Francis
 New lighting in St. Peter’s Square for Jubilee
 Vatican cautions against Eastern-rite priests in Latin-rite dioceses
 Argentine lawmaker plans drive to repeal abortion law
 Milwaukee Catholic Charities reports employees stole $1.7 million
 Pope exhorts young Italians to make a difference in society
 Pope reveals plans to assassinate him in Iraq in 2021
 ‘The world is watching Syria,’ says Aleppo archbishop
 Spanish supreme court rules against surrogacy
 Orthodox leader hopes for constitutional guarantees in Syria
 Germans plan new approach to ‘Synodal Council’
 In meeting with France’s Macron, Pope Francis shares prayer for having a sense of humor
 Medieval parish vandalized in France; stained glass window smashed
 ‘Palpable’ fear among Syria’s Christians that new regime will impose sharia law
 USCCB committee chairman, other Catholic leaders urge Congress to pass $95 billion in disaster aid
 Pope laments continued war in Ukraine, says no one can kill in the name of God
 Pope lauds Philippine Catholics’ faith, witness
 Papal encouragement for Methodist-Catholic dialogue

Released Monday, Dec. 16

 Bishop decries attack on church in South Sudan
 Banking should serve people, not profit, Pope says
 Prelates insist: preserve Syria’s Christian tradition
 Jerusalem’s Church leaders plead for peace
 A first for Pope Francis: no press conference on international flight
 Pope, in Corsica, praises popular piety, encourages childbearing
 Nativity scenes are reminder of Lord’s love and tenderness, Pope says
 ‘Illuminate,’ ‘giving,’ ‘town square’: papal address to association against leukemia
 Argentine mayor, Pontiff discuss democracy
 Sing the vocal lines of peace and hope, Pope tells Christmas concert performers
 Trust is the key to hope, papal preacher tells Pope, Curia
 Papal encouragement of dialogue between pontifical universities, culture

Released Friday, Dec. 13

 Cardinal Pizzaballa expects break in Gaza warfare
 Interim Lebanese leader meets with Pontiff
 Imitate St. Lucy, Pope Francis urges people of Italian archdiocese
 Euthanasia among leading causes of death in Canada
 Pope adds two women, two cardinals to Synod council
 Vatican workers cite tensions, poor morale
 USCCB, American Jewish Committee publish Translate Hate to combat anti-Semitism
 Vatican spokesman says popular piety is ‘real motivation’ for papal visit to Corsica
 Bishop appointed for troubled Argentine diocese
 Mary’s motherhood is the essence of Guadalupe, Pope preaches at Mass
 Be shepherds according to the Heart of Christ, Pope tells Spanish seminarians
 Cooperation among Christians is ‘first instrument of evangelization,’ Pope tells evangelical mission
 ‘You do not look away’ from plight of migrants: papal praise for Mediterranean rescuers

Released Thursday, Dec. 12

 Britain bans puberty blockers for children
 Former arms dealer backs Pontiff’s plea for peace
 Palestinian leader in ‘cordial’ talks with Pontiff
 Pope demands restoration of just international order in Peace Day message
 Catholic school director named an archbishop
 Caritas leader laments populism, calls for stronger EU
 Spain’s religious leaders oppose repeal of law banning anti-religious insults
 EU bishops pledge to pray, advocate for Syria
 New Ukranian cardinal: Pray the Rosary, a ‘spiritual sword’
 On Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, US bishops condemn racism, xenophobia
 Italian priest hospitalized for burns after ingesting acid from chalice

Released Wednesday, Dec. 11

 First-ever Nativity scene display on steps of US Capitol
 President of Vatican tribunal resigns
 Quebec prelates oppose ban on public prayer
 Church leaders have ‘positive meeting’ with new Syrian regime leaders
 Report shows pattern of anti-Catholic violence in Mexico
 Vatican removes controversial Nativity scene
 Papal prayer for peace especially in Syria
 Archbishop Cordileone: pray for Pelosi
 Pelosi rejects bishops’ authority, raps Vatican’s China policy
 Pope concludes series of general audiences on the Holy Spirit with reflection on hope
 UN official deplores oppression in Nicaragua
 War deprives millions of human rights and is ‘mother of all poverty,’ Pope says
 In China’s rapid aging cities, young people flee, and few babies are born
 Sistine Chapel Choir’s former director found guilty of embezzlement
 Papal encouragement for Human Economic Forum
 Pope rues male-dominated culture as he praises women who fight hunger
 Pope venerates Mary Immaculate, prays for jubilee year, Rome’s mayor

Released Tuesday, Dec. 10

 Pope urges Biden: commute all death sentences
 Slovak leader meets with Pontiff
 Former queen’s chaplain urges King Charles to abdicate
 Italian nun denies charges of organized-crime involvement
 Murders mount in Haiti; bishops plead for peace
 Nicaragua’s nuns to face exile?
 Syrian prelates urge prayers for safety
 Pontiff urges new approaches to theology
 Papal Angelus address: Place your hope in God, as Mary did—and go to Confession
 Papal homily: Mary was daughter, bride, and mother
 Papal encouragement to diplomats to address climate change, other problems
 Vatican concert with the poor is ‘beautiful sign of synodal harmony’: papal address
 Vatican’s Christmas tree was cut down ecologically, Pope says
 Walk in the path of Jesus, Pope Francis tells 21 new cardinals
 Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens, 5 years after fire
 Irish government official meets with Pontiff
 All Christians are called to evangelize, Pope tells Carmelite sisters

Released Monday, Dec. 9

 CWN closed for feast of the Immaculate Conception

Released Friday, Dec. 6

 Vatican ‘foreign minister’ invokes ‘spirit of Helsinki’
 Open hearts to the Lord, says new papal preacher
 Vatican organizing homosexual pilgrimage for Jubilee?
 Nicaragua expels another Catholic priest
 Another kidnapped Nigerian priest is released
 Outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury: ‘a head had to roll’
 Salt Lake diocese separates sacraments for newly baptized children
 Pope denounces Mafia at audience with Sicilian theologians
 Swiss chapel offers AI counseling
 Appeals court allows Idaho to enforce its abortion trafficking law
 New leaders named for Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network
 Pontiff hopes Jubilee will renew trust in Church, among nations
 God’s plan ‘simmers in the kitchen of the heart,’ Pope tells Canonesses of the Holy Spirit
 Balearic Islands’ president lobbies Pope for canonization of Blessed Raymond Llull
 Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s 2022-2024 grant awards published
 USCCB president recalls Ukraine’s relinquishing of its nuclear arsenal

Released Thursday, Dec. 5

 Papal praise for Spanish charity work
 Mercedes-Benz donates new electric popemobile
 Vatican to bar Latin Mass during Chartres pilgrimage?
 Beatification of Archbishop Sheen seen as inevitable
 Slovenian president meets with Pontiff
 Court permits Bishop Zanchetta to travel to Rome for treatment; canonical advocate laicized
 Liberian bishops discuss synodality
 Renewed papal plea for prayer for peace
 Vatican Advent sermons to be dedicated to theme of hope
 USCCB awards nearly $2.7 in grants to Church in Africa
 Jubilees are ‘precious times for taking stock of our lives,’ Pope tells religious sisters
 As Aleppo’s Christians face new ordeal, Church leaders call for courage and faith

Released Wednesday, Dec. 4

 South Korean bishops urge president to apologize for martial-law declaration
 Limit homilies to under 10 minutes, Pope tells priests
 Archbishop of Canterbury will not join public Christmas celebrations
 Central American bishops urge special prayer for Nicaragua
 Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square will feature Italian lagoon
 Pope, in book foreword, calls for jubilee ceasefire
 500 theologians to attend ‘historic’ Vatican conference
 Hungarian PM Orbán meets with Pope Francis
 Members of Council of Cardinals discuss collegiality, women, diocesan curias
 Hope is an anchor, Pope says in video
 ‘Climate of fear’ descends upon Christians after rebel takeover of Aleppo
 US churches encouraged to toll bells for reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral

Released Tuesday, Dec. 3

 Sudanese bishop ‘narrowly missed martyrdom’
 Lawyers question Catholic identity of Australian Catholic University
 Vatican ceremony prepares Holy Door for Jubilee opening
 Russian soldiers donating sperm before service in Ukraine
 Bishop Stowe protests lack of USCCB resistance to Trump administration
 Vatican suppresses Texas Carmelite community
 Irish archdiocese chides protesters who disrupted Mass in cathedral
 Britain is no longer Christian, bishop declares
 Parishes will share burden of Rockville Center diocesan bankruptcy
 Trump to attend reopening of Notre Dame
 Pontiff grants plenary indulgence to Italian charismatic renewal
 Conference examines Holy See’s assistance to Jews during Holocaust
 New archbishop appointed for Mumbai, India’s largest city
 New bishop appointed for Father Rupnik’s Slovenian diocese
 Cuban president expresses appreciation for Pope’s teachings
 Pope decries modern forms of slavery
 Vatican marks 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Sun
 USCCB committee chairman welcomes Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire
 Ukrainians are ‘tired and without hope,’ foreign priest says

Released Monday, Dec. 2

 Msgr. Philip Reilly, pro-life hero, dead at 90
 Biden administration targeted Christian colleges for enforcement actions
 Papal nuncio fears ‘hope is dead’ in Syria
 Russian bombers hits Franciscan college in Syria
 Papal letter urges Nicaraguans to maintain faith, hope
 Council of Cardinals meeting this week
 Bolivian VP, Pontiff discuss ecology, social justice
 ‘Do no harm, take care, heal’: papal warning against discarding human life
 Papal praise for Hindu spiritual leader’s legacy, call to promote common values
 Pope meets with French lawmakers, reflects on education, end-of-life care
 Papal tribute to those who preserve Nagasaki’s hidden Christian sites
 Ontario’s euthanasia regulators have failed to refer over 400 ‘compliance issues’ to law enforcement, report charges
 Sales of printed Bibles soar 22% in US
 Synodality, Nicaea commemoration foster Christian unity: papal message to Ecumenical Patriarch
 ‘Raise your head high, and keep your hearts light and awake,’ Pope tells pilgrims

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Thu26 December
Christmas

Feast of St. Stephen, First Martyr

Image for Feast of St. Stephen, First Martyr

Today is the Second day in the Octave of Christmas. The Church celebrates the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stoned outside Jerusalem, he died praying for his executioners. He was one of the seven deacons who helped the apostles; he was "filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit,"…

Learn more about this feast

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