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Pope Francis is presented with a birthday cake aboard the papal plane on the return from his trip to Corsica on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis at 88, Keeping True to His Message to Older Catholics: “no retirement age from work of proclaiming Gospel”

Dec 17, 2024

Having instituted the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly in 2019, the Holy Father is keeping true to his inaugural message dedicated to older Catholics.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims at his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 9, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

As He Turns 88, 8 + 8 Interesting Things about Pope Francis

Dec 17, 2024

On the occasion of his 88th birthday, CNA highlights some interesting facts about Pope Francis.

Pope Francis meets political authorities, civil leaders, and diplomats in the Republican Palace in Baghdad on March 5, 2021. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Reveals He Survived Two Threats to His Life in Iraq

Dec 17, 2024

Pope Francis has revealed in a new book, “Spera,” that he narrowly escaped two attempts on his life during his visit to Iraq in March 2021 in the city of Mosul.

Pope Francis laughs with some religious sisters at his general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Aug. 30, 2023. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Pens Essay on Humor: "Irony is a medicine"

Dec 17, 2024

“The Gospel, which urges us to become like little children for our own salvation (Matthew 18:3), reminds us to regain their ability to smile,” Francis wrote.

Holy Mass is celebrated in Mariamite Greek Melkite Catholic Cathedral, Damascus, on Dec. 15, 2024. / Credit: Lama Ghosn/ACI MENA

One Week after Regime Change, Syrian Church Bells Ring Out in Hope

Dec 17, 2024

This past Sunday, churches in Syria witnessed a remarkable surge in attendees across cities and towns as people gathered to pray freely with a spirit of hope.

Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN) in Kenya. Credit: Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN)

Small Christian Communities in Nairobi, Kenya, Urged to Help Members in Non-Catholic Marriages to Celebrate Matrimony

Dec 16, 2024

A majority of couples in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN) have not solemnized their marriages, the Local Ordinary of the Kenyan Metropolitan See, Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo, has observed. 

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja in Nigeria. Credit: Abuja Archdiocese

“Joy is not the absence of suffering”: Catholic Archbishop Encourages Nigerians to Stay Positive amid Hardships

Dec 16, 2024

It is possible for the people of God in Nigeria to rejoice even as they grapple with corruption, poverty, and social injustice, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the country’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has said in his message on Gaudete/Rejoice Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent.

Archbishop João Carlos Hatoa Nunes of Mozambique’s Catholic Archdiocese of Maputo. Credit: Archdiocese of Maputo

Catholic Archbishop in Mozambique Urges Spouses to Embrace Forgiveness as “foundation of true conjugal love”

Dec 16, 2024

Archbishop João Carlos Hatoa Nunes of Mozambique’s Catholic Archdiocese of Maputo has called upon spouses to embrace the virtue of forgiveness, which he said is necessary in “true” conjugal relationships.

Archbishop Kryspin Witold Dubiel during the ordination of 14 Priests and a deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Ondjiva in Angola. Credit: Diocese of Ondjiva, Nuncio Dubiel

Be “ministers of unity in Church, Family”: Apostolic Nuncio in Angola to Newly Ordained Priests, Deacon

Dec 16, 2024

The representative of the Holy Father in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe has called upon the 14 Priests and Deacon he ordained on December 14 to foster unity in their ministry among the people of God. 

Pope Francis and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Corsica on Dec. 15, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN/Vatican Pool

Corsica: Pope Francis Draws President Macron’s Attention to St. Thomas More’s prayer: “Lord, give me a sense of humor”

Dec 16, 2024

The 40-minute private meeting took place in a room at Ajaccio’s Napoleon Bonaparte Airport, where the two leaders addressed several pressing international issues.

The custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, lights the first candle of the Advent wreath at the site of the manger inside the Nativity Grotto on Nov. 30, 2024, during the first vespers of the first Sunday of Advent. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

Heads of Christian Churches in Holy Land Call for End of War in Gaza in Christmas Message

Dec 16, 2024

Invoking the spirit of Christmas, leaders of Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Syriac, Armenian, and other churches gave thanks to God for the recent ceasefire in Lebanon.

A sister kneels before the tabernacle after inviting a group of women donating Christmas gifts to pray in the Missionaries of Charity house in Rome. / Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA

Living Advent with Hope and Charity: Lessons from Mother Teresa’s Sisters

Dec 16, 2024

For the Missionaries of Charity, whose charism is to serve “the poorest of the poor,” Advent isn’t just for a liturgical season — it is a way of life.

Credit: CSW

Christian Human Rights Foundation Condemns Attack on Sudanese Mosque that Killed Seven

Dec 15, 2024

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a UK-based human rights foundation, has condemned continued targeting of places of worship as war rages on in Sudan following the reported December 6 attack on a Mosque in the country’s capital, Khartoum, that is the epicentre of fighting.

Pope Francis presides over Holy Mass on Gaudete Sunday on the island of Corsica, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis Praises Faith of Catholics in Corsica, Island in the Mediterranean Sea

Dec 15, 2024

During the Dec. 15 trip, the pontiff encouraged the island’s Catholic majority to continue to foster its traditional piety as secular culture grows in Europe — and to use their devotion as fuel to serve others in charity.

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Chad (CET)

Chad’s Catholic Bishops Decry Killings “with limited accountability”, Emphasize Respect for “inherent” Human Dignity

Dec 14, 2024

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Chad (CET) have lamented about killings that they say go on in the country at the crossroads of North and Central Africa with impunity. 

Bishop Bruno Essoh Yedoh. Credit: CECCI

Health, Access to Clean Water among Challenges Caritas Ivory Coast Wants Addressed ahead of National Caritas Day

Dec 14, 2024

Support for people with health conditions and access to clean water are among the challenges Caritas Ivory Coast wants addressed as the humanitarian arm of the Episcopal Conference of Ivory Coast (CECCI) plans for the National Caritas Day.  

Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda of Namibia’s Windhoek Catholic Archdiocese. Credit: St Peter Claver-Okahandja

Continue “the spirit of political maturity”: Catholic Archbishop Commends Namibians for Peaceful Elections

Dec 14, 2024

Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda of Namibia’s Windhoek Catholic Archdiocese has commended citizens of the Southwestern African nation for demonstrating “political maturity” before and during the country’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

Fr. Edgard Ouedraogo, Director of the Centre of Formation of Catechists of the Diocese of Kaya. Credit: ACN

Catechists “paying the heaviest price” amid Christian Persecution in Burkina Faso: Official of Training Centre

Dec 13, 2024

The Director of the Centre of Formation of Catechists of Burkina Faso's Catholic Diocese of Kaya has praised Catechists in the Burkinabe Episcopal See for their dedication in serving the community despite the increasing challenges of Christian persecution in the West African nation.

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Katsina

Female Catechists in Nigerian Diocese Urged to Embrace Pastoral Duties with “assurance, support of Christian Community”

Dec 13, 2024

The Catholic Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina has encouraged the first group of women, who completed a Catechetical training in the Nigerian Diocese to carry out their pastoral duties with confidence, emphasizing that the Christian community has a responsibility to support them.

Members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC). Credit: GCBC

Ghana’s Catholic Bishops Urge “immediate cessation of all violent activities” after Elections

Dec 13, 2024

Members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) are calling for “immediate” end to post-election violent conflicts in the West African nation, which they describe as “wave of unrest” that has resulted in the loss of lives.”