U.S. & World News

Kyiv parish enshrines St. John Paul II relics as sign of ‘strength to endure’ persecution

A Catholic church in Ukraine named for St. Nicholas marked its patron's feast day by enshrining relics from St. John Paul II, who witnessed the power of faith over authoritarianism.

New Mexico sues Meta after investigating young users’ exposure to dangerous content

The New Mexico Attorney General's office filed a civil lawsuit against Meta Dec. 5, alleging the social media giant has become a "marketplace for predators" on its Instagram and Facebook platforms, the latest in a series of allegations against Meta concerning how young users are impacted by those sites.

Pope marks 800th anniversary of Nativity scene, asks prayers for Holy Land

Away in a cave near Greccio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi had the first Nativity scene -- a live one -- staged for the faithful on Christmas Eve in 1223. A 15th-century fresco now decorating the cave inspired the Nativity scene erected in St. Peter's Square for the 800th anniversary celebrations.

Pregnant mother at heart of Texas abortion case flees state after high court’s stay

Days after the Texas Supreme Court temporarily stayed a district judge's Dec. 7 ruling allowing a pregnant mother to obtain an abortion under an exemption to its ban, the woman's attorneys report she has left Texas arguing her health and future fertility were at stake.

Nebraska priest dies after attack during apparent rectory break-in

A Nebraska priest has died after being attacked in the rectory of his parish in the early morning before he was to celebrate Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent.

How to celebrate a Catholic Christmas

For Catholics, great feasts like Christmas don't come at us out of the blue: In the secular world, "Christmas" seems to start in October! However, our approach to this holiday as Catholics must be different, and it can be. We can put aside the worldly calendar; we can allow the ancient, rich tradition of the church to surround and center us instead. And then, we will be enriched by truly celebrating a Catholic Christmas.

Bishop says teens’ love for Eucharist at NCYC was a preview of National Eucharistic Congress

For Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, the love that teens showed for the Eucharist at Lucas Oil Stadium in November during a night of adoration and the closing Mass at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis was a preview of the National Eucharistic Congress to be held in the same city and stadium July 17-21 next year.

‘Do not forget’ Sahel humanitarian crisis, warns Ivory Coast bishop on U.S. visit

This December, when Catholic villagers in northern Ivory Coast are preparing for Christmas, many will be organizing Advent food and supplies for the nearly 42,000 refugees who have fled into their country from the Sahel, said the head of the Commission of Integral Human Development for the bishops of Ivory Coast.

Holy ink: Tattoo culture shows faith is not skin deep, sociologist says

The Catholic Church cannot measure people's engagement with religion only by looking at church attendance, but also must observe how they express religious sentiments outside of church -- even on their own bodies, a Jesuit priest said.

Archbishop Broglio exhorts Advent vigilance as national shrine’s Holy Door sealed

"Waiting is one of the watchwords of the liturgical season of Advent, which we begin today," Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services told the faithful gathered for Mass Dec. 3, the first Sunday of Advent, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

Sacraments, strategy help Catholics stay sober amid holidays, say experts

The Christmas season can be challenging for those in addiction recovery, but sacramental grace and practical strategies can keep those seeking sobriety on track, pastoral experts told OSV News.

As France protests rising antisemitism, Catholic leaders encourage dialogue

The Oct. 7 killing of about 1,200 people in Israel by armed Hamas militants represented the biggest killing of Jews since the Holocaust. It also started the war that has killed nearly 16,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas-run health ministry, followed by massive pro-Palestinian protests around the globe. And it sparked unprecedented instances of antisemitism.
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