U.S. & World News

National pilgrimage, congress stand out as 2024 highlights for US church

The sea of 65,000 people gathered in prayer at the foot of the Indiana War Memorial is among Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens' most vivid memories from the summer's National Eucharistic Congress. It was July 20, and the crowd had just processed with the Eucharistic through downtown Indianapolis. The bishop had a unique view from his place on the memorial's steps, where an altar had been prepared for him to lead Eucharistic adoration.

In 2024, state laws of interest to Catholics span abortion to IVF to immigration

State laws of interest to Catholics spanned policy areas from abortion to IVF to immigration in 2024. An expected ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court in 2025 could have an impact on state laws across the country banning certain types of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender.

Pope Francis’ 2024: Turning 88, praying for peace, presiding over synod

In late November, during a brief audience with people involved in the sport of motorcycle racing, Pope Francis asked for prayers, joking that "my work is very accelerated, and my bike has aged and doesn't work properly!"

American political life saw a history-making, tumultuous 2024

A historic year in American politics saw former President Donald Trump elected to a second term in the Oval Office four years after he lost his run for a consecutive term. Trump's second election to the White House concluded a tumultuous campaign season that included two assassination attempts against him, his original Democratic rival President Joe Biden stepping down in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's nominee, and his own continued claims, without evidence, that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

For Catholics in Nicaragua, the year has been ‘tragic on every level’

For Latin American Catholics, December is an important month, not just in anticipation of the Christmas celebrations, but also for important Marian feast days, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Immaculate Conception, that remain linked to their cultural history.

African bishops cry out for their people amid horrific persecution in 2024

From Nigeria to Mozambique, Sudan and Congo to Burkina Faso, Christians across Africa were victims of horrific persecution in 2024, mainly because of their faith.

Gaza: For humanitarian workers, civilians, 2024 proves to be year of suffering, loss

With a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon barely holding, as both sides accuse each other of violations, hopes for even a fragile peace seem impossible for those living and aiding people in Gaza.

Marquette poll: Public rates Biden at all-time low, splits on Trump Cabinet picks

President Joe Biden is nearing the end of his term in the White House with an all-time low approval rating, according to a new Marquette Law School Poll.

Pope: Skill, performance are not enough, empathy, heart needed at work

Pope Francis told young people preparing to seek employment not to accept just any kind of work, especially if it is "evil," and not to compromise their beliefs for any reason, even for money or social status.

Cupich: Standing, not kneeling, for Communion a ‘powerful symbolic expression’

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago is advocating for Catholic faithful to receive holy Communion standing -- the normative posture established by the U.S. Catholic bishops -- as part of a renewed awareness of the theology of the Communion procession. He said the Communion procession symbolizes the unity of the body of Christ as it partakes of the central mystery of the Catholic faith.

Iraqi police intercepted terrorists planning to assassinate him, pope says

On Pope Francis' 88th birthday, two major newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean published two different excerpts from his new book on hope.
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