Papal puzzle lovers: Popes Leo XIV and XIII noted for liking word games January 16, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV, who plays the daily online puzzle Wordle, is not the only papal puzzle lover.
Vatican completes official mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV for papal basilica January 15, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican has completed the official mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV, continuing a centuries-old tradition that marks the election of each new pontiff. The circular mosaic, known as a tondo, was created by the Vatican Mosaic Studio of the Fabric of St. Peter’s and will be installed in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
Historic altar at St. Mark’s monastery in Jerusalem unveiled for first time in 350 years January 13, 2026By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News The historic altar of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of St. Mark in Jerusalem has been unveiled for the first time in nearly 350 years, following an extensive restoration.
Radio Interview: The Dead Sea Scrolls January 12, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Bible, CR Radio, Feature, Local News, News, Radio Interview The Dead Sea Scrolls are some of the oldest versions of the Bible that have ever been discovered, dating back even before the time of Christ. Discovered in 1947 in Qumran, a portion of the scrolls are now on display in Washington, D.C., at the Museum of the Bible. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty walked through the exhibit with Dr. Robert “Bobby” Duke to learn about how the exhibit came about, why the scrolls are important to understanding Scripture and how the scrolls are preserved today.
Born in hardship, sung in hope: the quiet, powerful origins of ‘Silent Night’ December 24, 2025By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Christmas, Feature, News, World News As Christmas approaches and “Silent Night” begins to fill churches and homes across the world, it is worth remembering how unlikely its beginning truly was.
Attending school Christmas concert, pope thanks children for sharing love December 17, 2025By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News At the end of his one day off each week, Pope Leo XIV went to the local school in Castel Gandolfo and joined hundreds of excited parents in watching the children’s Christmas concert.
Readers share favorite Christmas carols December 17, 2025By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Christmas, Feature, Local News, News A recent Catholic Review poll, conducted in print and online, invited readers to share their favorite Christmas carols.
The Films of Rob Reiner December 16, 2025By John Mulderig OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Movie & Television Reviews Having first gained fame for his role on the landmark CBS-TV sitcom “All in the Family” (1971-79) in which he played Archie Bunker’s Polish American son-in-law, Mike Stivic — whom the cranky bigot dubbed “Meathead” — Rob Reiner helmed his first film in 1984. His work crossed various genres and included a number of features now regarded as classics.
Come all ye faithful: Christmas carols sing of God’s love, pope says December 8, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christmas carols in every language and culture are expressions of how music can convey “feelings and emotions, even the deepest movements of the soul,” Pope Leo XIV said after listening, clapping and singing along at the Vatican Christmas concert with the poor. “As the melodies touched our hearts, we felt the inestimable value of music: not a luxury for the […]
Marseille’s famed ‘Good Mother’ will shine again atop city’s cathedral December 6, 2025By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News One year after the reopening of Notre Dame de Paris, Marseille’s Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde is preparing to celebrate, on Dec. 7, the completion of restoration work on the iconic gilded copper statue of the Virgin Mary that crowns it.
Pope asks Michael Bublé, other artists to give their best for poor December 5, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV asked Canadian singer Michael Bublé and other artists to do their very best when performing a Christmas concert for the poor.
Artist helps transform blight to beauty throughout Baltimore area December 3, 2025By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, Local News, News As the clang of passing light-rail trains filled the air, Erin Meye concentrated on touching up a large mural she had completed a few weeks earlier outside Options@328, a pro-life pregnancy resource center in Baltimore that shares a wall with Planned Parenthood.
