Pope Francis was “deeply saddened” to learn of deaths and injuries caused by the attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, which killed 15 people.

Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond and 600 worshipers struggled to make sense of the death and carnage perpetrated by a man who drove a pickup truck into a dense crowd of early-morning New Year’s revelers just five blocks away on Bourbon Street.

Opening the Holy Door of the oldest Marian shrine in the Western world, Cardinal Rolando Makrickas prayed that the world would entrust itself to Mary, “the door to heaven.”

Italian Cardinal Angelo Amato, who served as secretary of the Vatican’s doctrinal office and then as head of the then-Congregation for Saints’ Causes, died in Rome Dec. 31 at the age of 86.

Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans offered prayers for victims of what he described as a “sign of utter disrespect for human life” perpetrated by a man who drove a pickup truck through crowds celebrating the New Year in New Orleans’ French Quarter around 3 a.m. Jan. 1.

Marking the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and the start of the new year, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for a “firm commitment” to respect all human life worldwide.

The University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., is launching a new early childhood center to care for the young children of its faculty and community members.

A week after inaugurating the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis gave thanks for all the work that went into its preparation and prayed that it would be a year of peace, justice and fraternity.

The expectation that President-elect Donald J. Trump’s incoming administration will revoke the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s long-standing policy restricting the arrest of unauthorized immigrants at or near houses of worship has led faith leaders to protest what they say represents an impending threat to religious freedom.

The United States saw an increase of about 18 percent in homelessness this year, a record high, according to a federal report.