On the Second day within the Octave of Christmas the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stoned outside Jerusalem, he died praying for his executioners. He was one of the seven deacons who helped the apostles; he was “filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit,” and was “full of … Read more
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Christmas Mass during the Night in a packed St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 24, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA Vatican City, Dec 24, 2025 / 17:30 pm (CNA). Pope Leo XIV, at Christmas Mass during the Night, said Christ’s birth brings light into the world’s darkness — and where the human … Read more
Pope Leo XIV addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for the recitation of the Angelus on Dec. 26, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media Vatican City, Dec 26, 2025 / 07:17 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV on Friday urged Christians to resist the temptation to treat others as enemies, saying the mystery … Read more
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby on All Saints Day’ 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media Vatican City, Dec 25, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV has welcomed and greeted a plethora of babies at the Vatican since his election on May 8. As Christians everywhere celebrate the birth of Jesus, who came into … Read more
Pope Leo XIV delivers his Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” message at the Vatican on December 25, 2025. / Daniel Ibañez/ EWTN News Vatican City, Dec 25, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). In his first Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” message as pope, Leo XIV urged the world to embrace “responsibility” as the sure way to peace, … Read more
Rome’s International Conference on Human Trafficking was held at the Pontifical Gregorian University on Dec. 10, 2025. / Credit: EWTN News/Screenshot Rome Newsroom, Dec 23, 2025 / 15:55 pm (CNA). Fifty million people are currently being trafficked around the world, according to the 2023 Global Slavery Index, driving over $236 billion into the hands of … Read more