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Today, December 31, We Celebrate the Feast of St. Sylvester, Pope

Dec 31, 2024

Saint Sylvester was born in Rome around the year 250. Not much is known about him, but legends surround him. Some legends state that at a young age, Sylvester was put under the care of a priest to be formed in the practice of religion and sacred literature.

May 2025 Jubilee Realize “genuine personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, door of our salvation”: Bishop in South Africa

Dec 30, 2024

By ACI Africa Staff

The Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, which Pope Francis officially launched with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, provides an opportunity for the people of God to deepen their encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, Bishop Masilo John Selemela has said.

In New Book, Catholic Priest in Nigeria Offers “tools, strategies” for Catechists to “nurture” Catechumens’ Faith

Dec 30, 2024

By Abah Anthony John

In a new book, a Catholic Priest in Nigeria is offering “tools and strategies” insights that can benefit Catechists in their ministry towards catechumens.

A wooden crucifix / AC Wimmer / EWTN News

13 Catholic Missionaries and Pastoral Workers Reportedly Killed Worldwide in 2024

Dec 30, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The Vatican’s missionary agency documented that five pastoral workers were killed in Africa, five in America, and two priests died in violent attacks in Europe.

Pope Francis has had a full schedule these 365 days. Above, he joins the poor for lunch on November 17. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

The Vatican in 2024: A Year of Global Outreach and Strategic Ambiguity

Dec 30, 2024

By Francis X. Rocca

Highlights of the year included Pope Francis’ longest trip, an 11-day journey through Asia and Oceania; the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality; and the addition of 20 new cardinals to the body that will choose the next pontiff.

Pope Francis prays during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 9, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Pope Francis Remembers Jimmy Carter’s "firm commitment" to Peace, Reconciliation

Dec 30, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The former president died on Dec. 29 at age 100 after entering hospice care in February 2023.

Catholic Land Movement co-founders Andrew Ewell (top left) and Michael Guidice (top right), pictured here on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Andrew Ewell

In Vatican meetings, Catholic Land Movement proclaims faith, family, and farming

Dec 30, 2024

By Martin Barillas

Michael Guidice and Andrew Ewell founded Catholic Land Movement, an initiative that traces its lineage to the Catholic Land Associations of 100 years ago. 

‘The family is the foundation of coexistence and a remedy against social fragmentation. Children have a right to grow up in a family with a father and a mother capable of creating a suitable environment for the child’s development and emotional maturity,’ Pope Francis said in 2014. Credit:: Unsplash

Holy Family Feast Highlights God’s Plan for Marriage and Domestic Life

Dec 30, 2024

By Msgr. Charles Pope

User’s Guide to the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

The altar placed at the center of the Cathedral of Notre Dame (photo: Guillaume Bardet, Ionna Vautrin and Sylvain Dubuisson / Archdiocese of Paris)

Notre Dame de Paris Deserves Better Than its New Furnishings

Dec 30, 2024

By Michael Bursch

Instead of the rich symbolism envisioned by the Church, the altar at Notre Dame displays a misunderstanding of sacramental and liturgical theology.

Today, December 30, We Celebrate St. Anysius

Dec 30, 2024

Saint Anysius was a Martyr of Greece. She was a wealthy woman of Salonika, in Thessaly, who used her personal funds to aid the poor.

Jean-Pierre Cardinal Kutwa (right) and Bishop Gaspard Béby Gnéba (left)

Retired Ivorian Cardinal Appointed Ivory Coast’s Man Apostolic Administrator amid Fall Out, “internal wounds, tensions”

Dec 29, 2024

By ACI Africa Staff

Pope Francis has appointed Jean-Pierre Cardinal Kutwa, the Archbishop emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abidjan in Ivory Coast, to serve as Apostolic Administrator “Sede plena” of the country’s Catholic Diocese of Man.

Holy Doors at St. Peter's Basilica

Holy Door to Remain Open in Two Parishes in Ethiopia’s Awasa Apostolic Vicariate During Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year

Dec 29, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

The leadership of Ethiopia’s Apostolic Vicariate of Awasa has announced that the Holy Door will remain open throughout the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year in two places of worship, the Cathedral Parish, and the Parish church of Dilla.

Archbishop Djalwana Laurent Lompo of Niamey Archdiocese in Niger

Let’s Open Our Hearts to Be “more supportive” to Needy: Catholic Archbishop in Niger in Christmas Message

Dec 29, 2024

By Justin Assalé

Archbishop Djalwana Laurent Lompo of Niger’s Niamey Catholic Archdiocese is calling upon the people of God to reach out to the needy in society, becoming “more supportive”.

Pope Francis waves at pilgrims and visitors gathered for the Angelus on Dec. 29, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Family Dialogue Defeats Digital Distraction: Pope Francis

Dec 29, 2024

By AC Wimmer

“Never, never this,” Francis said about mobile phones at the family table. “Talk, listen to each other, this is the dialogue that is good for you and that makes you grow!”

Cardinal Baldassare Reina ceremonially pushes open the Holy Door at St. John Lateran on Dec. 29, 2024. / Credit: Evandro Inetti/EWTN/Vatican Pool

Holy Door of Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran Opens as 2025 Jubilee Journey Continues

Dec 29, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Pope Francis’ vicar for the Diocese of Rome, described the event as “a gesture that renews our profession of faith in Christ.”

Pope Francis prays during his general audience on Wednesday, May 29,  2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis prays for South Korea air crash victims and families

Dec 29, 2024

By AC Wimmer

“My thoughts go to the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic air accident,” the pope said.

Today, Wednesday, December 29, We Celebrate the Memorial of St. Thomas Becket

Dec 29, 2024

St. Thomas was born in London, England around the year 1117. He was the son of pious parents, and his mother converted to Christianity through the example and teachings of his father. From his early youth, Thomas was educated in religion and holiness. 

Catholic Bishops in Uganda with government officials at the end of the Eucharistic Celebration marking Martyrs Day 2023. Credit: Uganda Catholic Online

Uganda’s Catholic Bishops Urge Strengthening of “family as nucleus of society, Church” in Christmas Message

Dec 29, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

Members of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) are calling on Christians to reflect on the centrality of the institution of the family, which they term “the nucleus of society and Church”.

Africa’s Christian Professionals Urge Sierra Leonean Government to “withdraw or amend” Bill Seeking to Legalize Abortion

Dec 28, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

Members of the Africa Christian Professionals Forum (ACPF) are calling upon the government of Sierra Leone to “withdraw or amend” the proposed Bill dubbed “Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Care Act 2024”, which seeks to legalize abortion in the West African nation.

Recently arrived seminarians in Burkina Faso with new cassocks. / Credit: Aid to the Church in Need

Priestly Vocations Are Up in Burkina Faso Despite Islamic Terrorism

Dec 28, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

Despite constant terrorist attacks suffered by Catholics in Burkina Faso from Islamic fundamentalists, vocations to the priesthood have increased in recent years.