Pope Francis is writing to all the heads of state around the world, asking them to consider granting some prisoners clemency at Christmas.

Preparing for the priesthood, seminarians must remember both the joy of being called by God and the real sacrifices they will be called to make, Pope Francis told young men preparing for the priesthood at the seminary of Barcelona, Spain.

Even the most fervent believers go through moments of doubt and questioning about God, and it is a good thing, Pope Francis said, because it helps one see that God does not fit into the little box people make for him.

It was after receiving a Bible in the mail that Jennifer Hubbard began to understand her own purpose, grace and healing.

Although they were pleased with the Dobbs outcome, Catholic leaders acknowledged then and months later that the decision didn’t lessen the urgency for the church in its pro-life advocacy efforts.

By a vote of 258-169, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act Dec. 8 and sent it to President Joe Biden for his signature.

All workers should feel welcomed by the church and know that their needs and problems are taken seriously, Pope Francis said.

Our Lady of Guadalupe “always leads us to Jesus, who will show us the way to find peace,” Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles said Dec. 4.

Luke Goodrich tweeted that the 5th Circuit’s ruling “was a successful step in the fight to protect doctors’ conscience rights,” but added: “The fight continues in the Eighth Circuit, where we expect a ruling soon.”

While many people involved with the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative continue to hope Pope Francis will issue an encyclical promoting nonviolence as a spirituality and way of life, they also know that Catholics already are engaged in teaching and supporting nonviolence in situations of conflict and exploitation around the globe.