Pope Francis suffers bruised arm from fall

Brooklyn priest to pray at inauguration after ‘unlikely’ friendship with President Trump

Father Francis Mann is scheduled to deliver the closing benediction at Trump’s second inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20.

Vatican: Pope Francis suffers bruised arm from fall

Pope Francis’ arm, tied up in a white sling, was visible in photos taken on the morning of Jan. 16 in the apostolic palace during his scheduled audiences.

Thomas More Society petitions Trump to pardon 21 pro-life activists in prison

In its petition to President-elect Donald Trump, the Thomas More Society argues “these pro-life Americans are deserving of full and unconditional pardons.”

1,600 of Rome’s poor attend ‘Bernadette of Lourdes’ premiere

A musical that tells the story of St. Bernadette, visionary of Our Lady of Lourdes, made its debut in Rome on Jan. 14.

Virginia pro-abortion ballot proposal advances

The amendment would ensure a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” protecting abortion in the first two trimesters and in the third trimester with some restrictions.

Cuban government announces release of 553 prisoners through mediation of Pope Francis

The Cuban government announced the release of 553 prisoners through the mediation of Pope Francis “in the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025.”

Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi vows to end ‘weaponization’ against Catholics

During her Jan. 15 hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Pam Bondi referred to the Richmond FBI memo that targeted Catholics.

How to pray this year’s ‘9 Days for Life’ novena starting Jan. 16

Tthe United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) is inviting the faithful to take part in its “9 Days for Life” initiative beginning Jan. 16.

Catholic Annunciation House defends against ‘alien harboring’ claim at Texas Supreme Court

Annunciation House asked the Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 13 to block Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to shut down the organization over the alleged violations.

Nigeria tops report for number of Christians killed, kidnapped in 2024

The World Watch List, released Jan. 15, found that 3,100 Christians were killed and 2,830 Christians were kidnapped in Nigeria in 2024.

Pro-life is as much about the end as the beginning

Synodality for me, but not for D.C.: On the McElroy appointment

By Larry Chapp on Jan 16, 2025 07:17 pm
One of the primary problems with the implementation of a more “synodal” Church is that there seems to be a double standard in play. Rome speaks a good game about wanting to develop more “collaborative” [...]
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The Conversion of Death and the Lifegiving Power of Beauty

By Joseph Pearce on Jan 16, 2025 04:56 pm
Back in 2017, before the covidious cloud descended like madness, the world might have seemed a saner and simpler place. It wasn’t. It was the same dark and dismal place it is today, a vale [...]
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In the face of tragedy, great faith and dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

By Kathy Schiffer on Jan 15, 2025 10:53 pm
We have been glued to the news this week, struck by the great tragedy that has unfolded in southern California. As we watched, powerful 70- to 100-mile-per-hour winds drove walls of flames down mountains and [...]
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Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi vows to end ‘weaponization’ against Catholics

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 15, 2025 05:15 pm
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during her confirmation hearing to be the next U.S. attorney general in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington, D.... [...]
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From Doubting Thomas to Doubting Peter?

By George Weigel on Jan 15, 2025 04:00 am
Ralph Fiennes is a remarkable actor. And if he wins an Academy Award for his brilliant performance in Conclave, this section of his masterfully delivered homily to the College of Cardinals, of which he plays the Dean, [...]
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Extra, extra! News and views for Wednesday, January 15, 2025

By CWR Staff on Jan 15, 2025 03:00 am
Where Is That Damning Dossier? – “This week, with the publication of his new book, Pope Francis has added one important link to the chain of evidence regarding the fight against Vatican corruption.” Confirmed: the [...]
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What way to a better world?

By James Kalb on Jan 14, 2025 11:33 pm
If we want our social and political efforts to be useful, their direction should depend on the way the world is going. But people aren’t good at reading the signs of the times. As Yogi [...]
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Italian bishop denies policy change on ordination of homosexuals

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 14, 2025 04:45 pm
Ordinandi lie prostrate during the Litany of Saints during an ordination Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sept. 29, 2016. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA ACI Prensa Staff, Jan 14, 2025 / 17:45 pm (CNA). The Catholic Church in Italy generated fresh c... [...]
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Strengthen your prayer life with Pocket Guide to Prayer

By Susan Ciancio on Jan 14, 2025 02:51 pm
The book may be little, but its impact is profound. Pocket Guide to Prayer by Catholic husband-and-wife duo Dr. Edward and Beth Sri will transform not only the way you think about prayer but the way you [...]
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Knights of Columbus launch new Pilgrim Icon Program honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 13, 2025 01:20 pm
Knights of Columbus process with the new Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Pilgrim Icon during a Mass and Sacred Heart Holy Hour at St. Mary Church in New Haven, Connecticut, Jan. 3, 2025. / Credit: Paul Haring CNA Staff, Jan 13, 2025 / 12:20 pm... [...]
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SCOTUS to review whether Catholic Charities provides religion-based assistance in WI

By Charles J. Russo on Jan 13, 2025 04:00 am
On December 13, 2024, the Supreme Court accepted its first case involving religion in almost two years, Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission. At issue in Catholic Charities is “[w]hether a state violates the First [...]
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A Pillar of Salt for Our Age

By J. J. Ziegler on Jan 12, 2025 10:14 pm
In 1975, Father Richard Ginder, a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, published Binding with Briars. The book, though revolting at times, sheds more light on the clerical sexual abuse scandal than perhaps any other book [...]
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Exorcists: 9 practices to avoid when fighting the devil

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 12, 2025 06:00 am
null / Credit: Deemerwha studio/Shutterstock ACI Prensa Staff, Jan 12, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). The International Association of Exorcists has expressed concern over several erroneous practices, including those carried out by some priests, which ... [...]
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The Cardinal in DC, the Sister in Rome, and the Pope’s new law

By Christopher R. Altieri on Jan 11, 2025 08:27 pm
Two appointments made big news out of the Vatican this week, one to the leadership of the US capital see and the other to the top spot at the Vatican department tasked with overseeing religious [...]
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Imagine there’s no “Imagine”…

By John M. Grondelski, Ph.D. on Jan 11, 2025 05:25 pm
Bishop Robert Barron set off a tempest in a teapot with his rather innocuous observation about the propriety of singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” at Jimmy Carter’s state funeral at the National Cathedral. The bishop thought [...]
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“Why did Jesus insist on being baptized?”

By Carl E. Olson on Jan 11, 2025 04:00 am
Readings: • Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 40:1-5, 9-11 • Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 or Ps 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30 • Acts 10:34-38 or Or Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7 • Lk 3:15-16, 21-22 If [...]
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‘He was a builder’: Cardinal George Pell remembered by biographer 2 years after death

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 10, 2025 03:20 pm
Tess Livingstone, authro of “George Cardinal Pell: Pax Invictis” (“Peace to the Unconquered”). / Credit: Courtesy of Carmel Communications and Ignatius Press Vatican City, Jan 10, 2025 / 14:20 pm (CNA). Cardinal George Pell, whose untimely deat... [...]
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Pro-life is as much about the end as the beginning

By Daniel B. Gallagher on Jan 10, 2025 03:04 pm
The death of Jimmy Carter, the approaching inauguration of Donald Trump, and the annual March for Life offer an opportunity to reflect on the pro-life movement’s past and future. By now, it is clear that [...]
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The legacy of Black activist teachers

Why Pete Hegseth nomination is a milestone for the rightwing Christian movement he follows*
The Tennessean: To his brotherhood within a theologically conservative, hard-right church coalition, Fox News host Pete Hegseth’s ascension as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Defense Department wasn’t merely opportunistic.
Religion Dispatches: Not a single senator probed the most dangerous part of Pete Hegseth’s background: His ties to white Christian nationalism

When the word is not just flesh: Reporting on A.I. in religion*
The New York Times: A technology reporter came across a Facebook group called “A.I. for Church Leaders and Pastors,” and his interest was piqued.

My Gen Z daughter and her Altadena and Pasadena classmates are showing us the way
Religion News Service: It should not be surprising that the children of this community would lead in taking care of their own across faiths, ethnicities and languages.
Religion News Service: What can a pastor say to people who have lost everything?

‘Fix your hearts or die’: The unflinching moral compass of David Lynch
Religion News Service: With age, Lynch grew more confident that some of his questions had answers.

Trump wants to end sanctuary churches. We won’t be intimidated
Sojourners: As we enter a second Donald Trump presidency, the stakes could not be higher for undocumented people and asylum seekers in this country.

Negotiators reach six-week ceasefire in Gaza, officials say
Reuters: Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that mediators said would take effect on Sunday and include a release of hostages held there during 15 months of bloodshed that devastated the Palestinian enclave and inflamed the Middle East. 
NPR: Netanyahu delays ceasefire vote, claiming Hamas created a ‘last minute crisis’

Minister accused of sex abuse landed one high-profile job after another*
The Washington Post: Jeff Taylor went from the pulpit to the Red Cross to a college nonprofit. Now, his alleged victims are speaking out, and the FBI is investigating.

SMU wants to separate from the church but keep the ‘Methodist’*
Inside Higher Ed: The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday in an ongoing legal saga between the United Methodist Church and Southern Methodist University over who governs the university.

Faith-based immigrant rights activist faces threat of deportation 
Religion News Service: Ravi Ragbir has helped thousands of immigrants as the co-founder of New Sanctuary Coalition. Now he faces the threat of deportation.

The legacy of Black activist teachers*
The Christian Century: Almeda Wright’s impeccably researched profiles explore the connections between religion, education, and social action, with the goal of inspiring in young people a grander sense of the impact they can have.