Pope Leo XIV criticizes transhumanism: ‘Death is not opposed to life’
Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square during a Jubilee audience on Nov. 22, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media. Vatican City, Dec 10, 2025 / 11:21 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday rejected technological promises to indefinitely prolong human existence — such as those proposed by “transhumanism”— and said the resurrection of … Read more
Pontifical Yearbook goes digital: What is it and what does it contain?
Pope Leo XIV uses a tablet to navigate the website of the new digital version of the Vatican’s Pontifical Yearbook, known as the “Annuario Pontificio” in Italian. / Credit: Vatican Media. Vatican City, Dec 10, 2025 / 11:00 am (CNA). The Vatican this week launched the first-ever digital version of its annual directory, creating an … Read more
Forgotten Customs of the Immaculate Conception
Above: the traditional Baile de los Seises in Spain for the Immaculate Conception. The feast of the Blessed Virgin’s Immaculate Conception is the most solemn of all those which the Church celebrates during the holy time of Advent; and if the first part of the cycle had to offer us the commemoration of some one … Read more
Dec. 9 Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent; Opt Mem of St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (USA), Opt. Mem.
Today the Church in the United States celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (1474-1548), an Indian convert, to whom the Virgin Mary appeared as he was going to Mass in Tlatlelolco, Mexico. Our Lady asked him to tell the Bishop that she desired a shrine to be built on the spot to … Read more
On solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, pope encourages renewing our ‘yes’ to God
Pope Leo XIV prays the Angelus prayer on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media ACI Prensa Staff, Dec 8, 2025 / 13:30 pm (CNA). Pope Leo XIV led the Angelus prayer Dec. 8 from the window of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on the occasion of … Read more
Dec. 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Solemnity
Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the solemn dogma defined by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1854. As Our Lady Immaculately Conceived is the patroness of the United States of America, this is a holy day of obligation in the United States.
Dec. 7 Second Sunday of Advent, Sunday
“As the journey of Advent continues, as we prepare to celebrate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist’s call to conversion sounds out in our communities. It is a pressing invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God Who comes among us to make divine judgement manifest. The Father, writes St. … Read more
‘Peace is possible,’ Pope Leo XIV says after visits to Turkey and Lebanon
Pope Leo XIV addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for the Angelus on December 7, 2025. / Vatican Media Vatican City, Dec 7, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV on Sunday said his apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon showed that “peace is possible,” pointing to renewed steps toward … Read more