As the whole world awaits the reopening of Notre Dame, for those present inside the cathedral for the “grand réouverture,” it will be even more of a special moment.
World News
Christians in Aleppo feel an uneasy calm amid rebel takeover of Syrian city
An uneasy calm hangs over Aleppo, Christian leaders report, following the recent lightning takeover of Syria’s second-largest city by Islamist rebels driving out forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Concerns also mount over government airstrikes.
Pope Francis receives new all-electric popemobile
Pope Francis received a new, emission-free, all-electric popemobile from representatives of Mercedes-Benz, the German car manufacturer that has been supplying vehicles for the popes for nearly 100 years.
Christmas celebratory again in Holy Land amid ongoing war; patriarch urges pilgrims to return
Christmas this season in the Holy Land will be celebratory, despite ongoing bloodshed and war, the patriarchs of the Holy Land said, as Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa encouraged pilgrims to come back to the birthplace of Jesus.
‘Pilgrims of Hope’: Vatican prepares to welcome millions for Holy Year
The celebration of a Holy Year every 25 years is an acknowledgment that “the Christian life is a journey calling for moments of greater intensity to encourage and sustain hope as the constant companion that guides our steps toward the goal of our encounter with the Lord Jesus,” Pope Francis wrote.
Charity is more than material support, pope says
Charity involves more than offering material aid to those in need; it also calls for a commitment to fostering societal change, Pope Francis said.
Homilies must be short, about Jesus, inspired by the Spirit, pope says
Homilies must be prepared with the help of the Holy Spirit, be shorter than 10 minutes and put the spotlight on the Lord, not oneself, Pope Francis said.
Pope, cardinal advisers discuss collegiality, role of women
During two days of meetings, Pope Francis and his closest cardinal advisers discussed the relationship between local churches and other institutional church assemblies, a main topic of discussion to come out of the Synod of Bishops on synodality.
Supreme Court hears challenge to Tennessee’s gender transition ban for minors
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Dec. 4 in a case concerning a challenge to a Tennessee state law banning certain types of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender.
Trump to attend Notre Dame Cathedral’s reopening ceremonies
President-elect Donald Trump will attend the upcoming reopening ceremony for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, he said Dec. 2. The trip will mark his first foreign trip since his election to a second term.
El Salvador archbishop blasts mining law change, says it will cause ‘irrevocable damage’
Catholic leaders in Central America expressed alarm over the idea of repealing a national prohibition on extractive activities in El Salvador — putting the church in opposition to the country’s popular president.
Skull of St. Thomas Aquinas venerated by faithful in Washington during relic’s 3-week U.S. tour
To a packed St. Dominic Church Nov. 29, Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington delivered a homily focused on the Catholic tradition of honoring the dead and on the legacy of St. Thomas Aquinas.