Meditating on the scene of the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod’s murderous rage, Christians cannot close their eyes to the fact that too many people in the world today also feel forced to flee their homelands, Pope Francis said.
News
Vatican adds QR code to sculpture to educate people about migration
A life-sized bronze sculpture of migrants and refugees crowded onto a boat has stood in St. Peter’s Square for more than two years, but just before Christmas a small QR code was placed on the boat’s stern to give onlookers information about the work.
Bring joy and faith back to your feeds
As we close out 2021, maybe it’s time to go into our social media feeds and see how we can start anew in 2022. How can we revitalize our faith through this daily feature of our lives?
Most popular stories, commentaries and podcasts of 2021 on CatholicReview.org
What were the most popular stories, commentaries and podcasts on CatholicReview.org in 2021? We have the list!
Immediate, long-term relief: Catholic agencies’ response to 2021 disasters
Right up through December, extreme weather events and natural disasters of 2021 continued to upend local communities and set agendas for domestic and overseas emergency response efforts at major Catholic aid organizations.
Christians in Bethlehem on Christmas: Tell the world we have joy
The normal crowds of pilgrims and tourists may not have been able to come to Bethlehem for Christmas due to COVID-19 travel restrictions for a second year in a row, but local Palestinian Christians wanted to assure everyone that the Christmas spirit is still alive and well in the city of Jesus’ birth.
Father Brian Rafferty, founding pastor of Ellicott City parish and advocate for social justice, dies at 84
Father Brian Rafferty, the founding pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City who later shepherded Our Lady of the Chesapeake in Lake Shore for 25 years, died on Christmas Eve after an extended illness. He was 84.
Pope asks pontifical council to begin planning Holy Year 2025
Preparations for the Holy Year 2025 have already begun, and Pope Francis has asked the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization to take charge of the efforts.
Desmond Tutu, known for commitment to justice, peace, dies at age 90
Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s compassion and sense of humor, as well as his commitment to justice and processes of peace, were among the many reasons he was an icon, said Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg.
RADIO INTERVIEW: Year in Review and Year Ahead
Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty sits down with Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori about the Year of the Eucharist, the worldwide synod, COVID-19, new seminarians and a new school, his new role chairing the U.S. bishop’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities and walks with Bayley, the archbishop’s dog.
Even the Holy Family felt stress, pope tells families
The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on families, but with extra patience and faith, bonds can grow stronger, Pope Francis wrote in a letter released on the feast of the Holy Family.
Pope prays Christmas will bring yearning for peace, dialogue
Before giving his Christmas blessing to the city of Rome and to the world, Pope Francis drew attention to the many places around the globe and within human hearts in need of Jesus, the prince of peace.