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Nativity scene commissioned by Pope Nicholas IV in 1292. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

First Known Nativity Scene Figurines are on Display in Rome

Dec 27, 2022

The first known Nativity scene figurines are currently on display in one of Rome’s oldest basilicas.

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE). Credit: CBCE

Catholic Bishops in Ethiopia Hail Peace Agreement, Urge Stakeholders to Work “diligently”

Dec 26, 2022

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) have hailed the early November peace deal between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and are calling on all stakeholders in the pact to “carry out their responsibilities diligently” in view of realizing lasting peace in the country.

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Nigeria's Sokoto Diocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Do not be cynical, God is not done with us”: Nigerian Bishop in Christmas Message

Dec 26, 2022

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese in Nigeria has cautioned the people of God in the West African nation against the spirit of cynicism and giving up amid a myriad of challenges, saying, “God is not done with us.”

Credit: Salesian Missions

Salesians in DR Congo Facilitate Teachers’ Salaries, Education of Needy Learners

Dec 26, 2022

Members of the Religious Institute of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are facilitating the payment of salaries for teachers at Don Bosco Shasha in Mupfunya Shanga-Shasha village and the education of needy learners in the area that is part of Masisi Territory.

Credit: CitizenGO

Catholic Activists Decry United Kingdom’s Support for Abortionist Organizations in Africa

Dec 26, 2022

Catholic activists in the United Kingdom (UK) under the umbrella body, CitizenGo, have launched a campaign against their host government in a bid to stop the country’s new Prime Minister from donating funds to “infamous abortion giants” with operations in Africa.

Pope Francis waves to the faithful gathered on St. Peter's Square, Dec. 26, 2022 | Vatican Media

Pope Francis Renews Prayers for Peace in Ukraine, Calls on Catholics to Learn from Martyr

Dec 26, 2022

Pope Francis on Monday called on Catholics to pray for those who have harmed them — and those persecuted — as he renewed his Christmas call for peace in Ukraine and worldwide. 

Fresco of the Holy Family in Dobling Carmelite Monastery in Vienna, Austria. The Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family this year on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. | Renata Sedmakova / Shutterstock

The 8 Days of Christmas? A Look at the Christmas Octave

Dec 26, 2022

The Catholic calendar has several ways to divide the Christmas season. The Church’s Western liturgical tradition sees Christmas as an octave, an eight-day celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Philippe Cardinal Ouédraogo, delivering his Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023 Message. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Let us keep our weapons silent in favor of dialogue”: Cardinal in Burkina Faso

Dec 25, 2022

The Cardinal in Burkina Faso has called upon the people of God in the West African nation to put aside weapons of violent conflict and give dialogue a chance.

Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo of South Sudan's Yei Diocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Be not afraid” amid Challenges in South Sudan: Catholic Bishop in Christmas Message

Dec 25, 2022

In his Christmas 2022 Message to the people of God under his pastoral care, the Catholic Bishop of South Sudan's Yei Diocese has sought to offer encouragement amid economic and security challenges.

With a cane in his right hand, 86-year-old Pope Francis delivers his 10th Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Dec. 25, 2022. | Vatican Media

On Christmas Day, Pope Francis Prays for Prince of Peace to end "third world war"

Dec 25, 2022

In his Christmas Day blessing, Pope Francis prayed that leaders will listen to the “cries of the Prince of Peace” and bring an immediate end to the war in Ukraine and “the other theaters of this third world war.”

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Nigeria's Sokoto Diocese. Credit: Sokoto Diocese

Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Challenges Governors to Bridge Gaps in State Appointments

Dec 25, 2022

Governors of various States in Nigeria have a key role to play in creating social cohesion in the country, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah has said, underlining the need to ensure that everyone feels represented, especially in state appointments.

Credit: Salesian Missions

Salesians in Ivory Coast Providing Nutrition, Education, Social Support to Needy Children

Dec 25, 2022

Members of the Religious Institute of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in Ivory Coast are reaching out to vulnerable children, empowering them in formal education and social support initiatives at Don Bosco Child Protection Center, located in Koumassi, Abidjan.

Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 24, 2022. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis on Christmas: The Manger is a Sign that God is with us and Loves us

Dec 25, 2022

A manger, the Christ Child’s first resting place, can teach us a lot about the meaning of Christmas, Pope Francis said in his Christmas homily.

Pope Francis delivers his Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" address on Dec. 25, 2022. | Vatican Media

Full Text: Pope Francis’ Christmas Urbi et Orbi Blessing 2022

Dec 25, 2022

On Christmas Day 2022, Pope Francis delivered his “Urbi et Orbi” address and blessing from the central balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. The following is the full text of the pope’s Christmas message.

Ishmeal Alfred Charles, the Caritas Freetown Programs Manager and In Country Manager for HealeyIRF Sierra Leone. Credit: Caritas Freetown

Caritas Freetown Partners with Relief Agency in New Health Program in Sierra Leone

Dec 24, 2022

The development arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Freetown in Sierra Leone has been selected as the implementing partner of a project by the Healey International Relief Foundation (HealeyIRF), a development agency that seeks to improve health access in the West African country.

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Nigeria's Sokoto Diocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Disputes Assumption Religious Diversity Dividing Country

Dec 24, 2022

Even without religious diversity, Nigeria will still have problems, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has said, disputing allegations that the challenges that the west African country is facing stem from the conflicts between Christians and Muslims.

Credit: Civil Society Organization (CSO) Debt Alliance

Zambian Civil Societies Recommend Regular Monitoring of Government Projects

Dec 24, 2022

Officials of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Debt Alliance and the Zambia Tax Platform have recommended regular evaluation of government projects in the Southern African nation.

Vocational training for young mothers of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea: a schooling and reintegration project for adolescent mothers. Credit: Salesian Missions

Salesians in Equatorial Guinea Offering “skills for stable employment” to Young Mothers

Dec 24, 2022

Members of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in Equatorial Guinea are offering formal education and other “skills for stable employment” to young mothers in the Central African nation.

Credit: Issa Anis Kassisieh

This Santa Rides a Camel Around Jerusalem Every Year. Here’s Why

Dec 24, 2022

Every year on the feast of St. Nicholas, Issa Anis Kassisieh dons a red suit, black boots, and a thick white beard. He mounts a camel in the outskirts of Jerusalem and rides into the streets of the Old City.

Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). Credit: Catholic Broadcast Commission,Nigeria.

Appoint Qualified Judges to Strengthen Judiciary, Archbishop in Nigerian to Executive

Dec 23, 2022

The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese in Nigeria is calling upon the country’s executive arm of government to consider appointing qualified judges in view of strengthening the country’s judiciary.