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Pope Francis meets with young cancer patients from Poland at the Vatican on May 29, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Meets with Young Cancer Patients: "Jesus is always close to you"

May 30, 2023

Pope Francis welcomed pediatric cancer patients from Poland to the Vatican on Monday, telling them “Jesus is always close to you.”

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese. Credit: Abuja Archdiocese

"Perplexing": Catholic Archbishop on Swearing in of Nigeria’s President Despite Petition

May 29, 2023

It is “perplexing” that Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been sworn in as Nigeria’s new President despite the fact that the Presidential election petition has not yet been heard and determined, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the country’s Abuja Archdiocese has said.

Fr. Dominic Gathurithu and Fr. George Omondi  with the newly commissioned  Lay Associates of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans/CSSp.) in Kenya. Credit: ACI Africa

New Lay Associates of Kenya’s Oldest Missionary Order Urged to “be available for service”

May 29, 2023

The newly commissioned Lay Associates of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans/CSSp.) in Kenya, the country’s oldest Missionary Order, have been called upon to participate in the “apostolic life” of the 320-year-old Congregation, availing themselves “for the service of the Gospel”.

Members of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations. Credit: WUCWO

Catholic Women Have Mission to “mentor, animate the girl child”: Bishop in South Africa

May 29, 2023

Catholic women have the mission to contribute to the bringing up of young girls into Catholic faith and practice through mentorship and animation initiatives, the Auxiliary Bishop of Pretoria Archdiocese in South Africa has said.

Catholic Youth on Annual Pilgrimage in Zambian Archdiocese Urged to Embrace Truth, Christ

May 29, 2023

Catholic youth taking part in the Annual Youth Pilgrimage in Zambia’s Lusaka Archdiocese have been challenged to “let the truth of Christ” guide their lives.

Pope Francis during his general audience in Paul VI Hall on January 26, 2022. | Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Vatican Releases Pastoral Reflection on Christian Engagement with Social Media

May 29, 2023

Attention #CatholicTwitter and keyboard warriors: The Vatican has released recommendations for how to better “love your neighbor” on social media.

Thousands of pilgrims have lined up at the Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus in Gower, Missouri, to view the remains of Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster.

Thousands Visiting Sister Wilhelmina's Body Over Holiday Weekend

May 29, 2023

Thousands of pilgrims are descending on a Benedictine abbey outside rural Gower, Missouri, this Memorial Day weekend to view the surprisingly well-preserved body of its African American foundress, Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, who died in 2019.

Religious sisters of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, sing as the process with the body of their late foundress, Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, on May 29, 2023, at their abbey near Gower, Missouri. The sisters exhumed the nun's body on May 18 and discovered that it was apparently intact, four years after her death and burial in a simple wooden coffin. | Joe Bukuras/CNA

Body of Sr. Wilhelmina, African American Foundress, Placed in Glass Case

May 29, 2023

The body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, an African American nun whose surprisingly intact remains have created a sensation at a remote Missouri abbey, was placed inside a glass display case Monday after a solemn procession led by members of the community she founded.

Fr. Matthias Opara freed after spending three days in captivity in Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri. Credit: Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri

Catholic Priest in Nigeria Freed on Pentecost Sunday after Three Days in Captivity

May 29, 2023

Fr. Matthias Opara, the Nigerian Catholic Priest who was abducted on May 26 while returning from a funeral has been set free.

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Nigeria's Sokoto Diocese during the 2023 presidential inauguration lecture held in Abuja. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Everything is not okay”: Catholic Bishop in Nigeria to New Government, Urges Diagnosis

May 28, 2023

The Catholic Bishop of Nigeria’s Sokoto Diocese has cautioned the incoming government of the West African nation against the thinking that all is well in the country.

Archbishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara hands the crosier to Bishop Elias Kwenzakufani Zondi during the May 27 Episcopal Ordination. Credit: SACBC

New Catholic Bishop in South Africa Urged to Foster Unity “without any prejudice”

May 28, 2023

Episcopal Ministry is built around the fostering of unity among the people of God “without any prejudice”, the Catholic Archbishop of South Africa’s Durban Archdiocese has told the Bishop who is to assist him in the pastoral care and administration of the Metropolitan See.

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Benin (CEB). Credit: Presidency of Benin

Catholic Bishops in Benin Urge Youth to “cultivate spirit of creativity, entrepreneurship”

May 28, 2023

Young people who nurture “creativity and entrepreneurship” are unlikely to get involved in crime, Catholic Bishops in Benin have said, and urged the leadership of the West African nation to strategize for “job creators rather than job seekers”. 

Pope Francis presides over Pentecost Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on May 28, 2023. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

On Pentecost, Pope Francis Says Holy Spirit Can Bring Harmony to "a polarized Church"

May 28, 2023

The solemnity of Pentecost, which is celebrated 50 days after Easter, marks the descent of the Holy Spirit. Thousands were gathered inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the Mass.

Pope Francis delivers the Regina Caeli address from the window of the Apostolic Palace on May 28, 2023. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis Encourages Marian Shrines Around the World to Pray for Synod on Synodality

May 28, 2023

From the Philippines to Portugal, Marian shrines around the world will participate in a special day of prayer this Wednesday for the work of the Synod on Synodality.

Drought has plagued East Africa for over five years.. Credit: Caritas Internationalis

“Shameful betrayal of people suffering”: Catholic Entity on UK Reduced Aid to East Africa

May 27, 2023

The leadership of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, has decried the reduction of the United Kingdom’s (UK) humanitarian aid package for East Africa, describing the European nation’s move as “betrayal” of the suffering who depend on it for their survival.

Fulgence Kayishema, a former Rwandan police officer suspected to have ordered the killing of at least 2,000 Tutsis who were seeking refuge at St. Paul’s Nyange Catholic Parish. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Suspected Mastermind of Massacre at Rwandan Catholic Parish in 1994 Genocide Arrested

May 27, 2023

Fulgence Kayishema, a former Rwandan police officer suspected to have ordered the killing of at least 2,000 Tutsis who were seeking refuge at St. Paul’s Nyange Catholic Parish of the current Nyundo Diocese during the 1994 genocide has been arrested in South Africa.  

Persons fleeing the civil war in Sudan. Credit: Courtesy Photo

South Sudanese Diocese Plans “second collection” for Sudan War Victims on Pentecost Sunday

May 27, 2023

South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY) has planned for “a second collection” on Pentecost Sunday to support victims of the ongoing war in Sudan.

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“Horrifying experience”: CNA Freelancer on Witnessing Firefight in Nigeria’s Plateau State

May 27, 2023

A freelance journalist who has reported on a surge of violent attacks by radicalized Muslims in Nigeria for CNA recently found himself caught in the middle of a firefight between government soldiers and armed militiamen.

Servant of God Simon Mpeke, popularly known as Baba Simon, Cameroon’s first Venerable. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“A great joy for the Church”: Catholic Bishop on “Baba Simon”, Cameroon’s First Venerable

May 26, 2023

The recognition of the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Simon Mpeke, popularly known as Baba Simon, who becomes Cameroon’s first Venerable, is a “great joy for the Church” in the Central African nation, the Local Ordinary of Edéa, Baba Simon’s Diocese of origin, has said.

A poster announcing the Sports4Peace, sports festivals targeting 12-18-year-olds from refugee and migrant communities in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and Kakuma, a town in Northwestern Kenya, Lodwar Catholic Diocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Focolare, Jesuit Entity Organize “Sports for Peace” Initiative for Teen Migrants in Kenya

May 26, 2023

The Focolare Movement and the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) have partnered to organize “Sports4Peace”, sports festivals targeting 12-18-year-olds from refugee and migrant communities in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and Kakuma, a town in Northwestern Kenya, Lodwar Catholic Diocese, which has hosted a UNHCR Refugee Camp since 1992.