Bethlehem celebrates first Christmas tree lighting since war as pilgrims slowly return December 8, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Bethlehem rejoiced with the festive celebration of lighting of a 65-feet Christmas tree at the edge of Manger Square Dec. 6 — for the first time since December 2022 and the start of Israel-Hamas war 10 months later.
Pope prays Mary will fill believers with hope, inspire them to serve December 8, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Celebrating the feast of the Immaculate Conception as the Jubilee Year was ending, Pope Leo XIV prayed that “Jubilee hope” would “blossom in Rome and in every corner of the earth,” bringing with it reconciliation, nonviolence and peace.
Advent call is to cooperate in building a kingdom of peace, pope says December 8, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Preparing the way of the Lord means taking concrete steps to help usher in God’s kingdom of peace, Pope Leo XIV said on his first Advent Sunday back at the Vatican after his trip to Turkey and Lebanon.
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 […]
Baton Rouge bishop suspends Mass obligation amid ICE crackdown December 8, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News Amid immigration detention sweeps in Louisiana — part of an ongoing nationwide campaign by the Trump administration — Bishop Michael G. Duca of Baton Rouge has issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass for those concerned for their safety.
A look at highlights of Vatican II on 60th anniversary of its wrap December 7, 2025By Alexander Brüggemann OSV News Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Second Vatican Council, which after three years of dialogue and document drafting closed on Dec. 8, 1965, changed the face of the church, and opened it to the modern world.
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.
A Vatican commission recently said ‘no’ to women deacons. Two members of the commission explain why December 5, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: deacons, News, Vatican, World News A newly released Vatican commission report on the issue of women deacons ultimately shows the profound theological mystery of Christ’s relationship to the church, as well as the rediscovery of the long-dormant diaconate itself, experts told OSV News.
Florida Catholic bishops urge Gov. DeSantis to stay two executions December 5, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News Saying it is possible both to uphold justice and to exercise mercy, Florida’s Catholic bishops have urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay executions scheduled for Dec. 9 and Dec. 18.
USCCB’s racial justice chair discourages ‘dehumanizing language’ after Trump Somali comments December 5, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Immigration and Migration, News, Racial Justice, World News While the statement from Bishop Daniel E. Garcia of Austin, Texas, did not name President Donald Trump, it came after Trump took aim at Somali immigrants during comments at a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Dec. 2, calling them “garbage.”
The story behind young woman who wept while hugging Pope Leo in Beirut December 5, 2025By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News As Pope Leo XIV was wrapping up his first apostolic trip to Turkey and Lebanon recently, the world was moved by the sight of a young Lebanese woman crying and hugging the pontiff as he was meeting with victims of the deadly 2020 Beirut port explosion.
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.
