Wearing a high-filtering mask over one’s nose and mouth at Mass “is a small sacrifice we can bring to the altar as an offering pleasing to God for the good of all his children,” said Father Roberto Colombo, a geneticist and member of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
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Cardinal Gregory, who tested positive for COVID-19, remains asymptomatic
Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory announced in a Dec. 31, 2021, statement that he tested positive for COVID-19. He was asymptomatic at the time and remained so Jan. 3, according to the media relations director for the archdiocese.
On New Year’s, pope says a mature faith is realistic, but hope-filled
As Catholics begin a new year contemplating the motherhood of Mary, they should be inspired not to let problems weaken their faith or prevent them from helping others grow, Pope Francis said.
U.N. reports significant rise in hunger in Latin America, Caribbean
A report released by several U.N. agencies warned that the number of those suffering from hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean is at its highest point in 15 years.
Though problems abound, God-given hope never fails, pope says
Christian hope grants those who suffer the assurance that God does not abandon his people in their time of need, Pope Francis said.
Vatican pays tribute to 22 church workers murdered in 2021
In situations of extreme poverty, war or civil tensions, 22 Catholic church workers were murdered in 2021, according to Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Contention over Catholic University icon grows after it’s stolen again
A second icon of Mary holding Jesus has been stolen from outside a chapel at The Catholic University of America following complaints that the image of Christ resembled George Floyd, a Black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis in May 2020.
Think of the Holy Family fleeing Herod and pray for migrants, pope says
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.
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.
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.
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.