Dec. 19 December 19, O Root of Jesse (O Radix Jesse); Ember Friday, Weekday
Today is the Third of the O Antiphons, O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse). Christ the King, the Lord! Divine Wisdom, Adonai, the powerful God, is at the same time man with flesh and blood of the house of Jesse, the father of King David. Truly, the right of kingship has now passed from … Read more
Pope Leo XIV writes preface to book that shaped his spiritual life
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for the Jubilee of Prisoners in St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 14, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media Vatican City, Dec 19, 2025 / 11:05 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV has written the preface to a new Vatican edition of the book “The Practice of the Presence of God,” a spiritual … Read more
Pope Leo XIV warns against destructive spiral of autonomous weapons and escalation
Pope Leo XIV speaks to patients and caregivers at the De La Croix Hospital in Jal el Dib, Lebanon, on Dec. 2, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media Vatican City, Dec 18, 2025 / 18:28 pm (CNA). Pope Leo XIV warned against the destructive spiral fueled by the arms race and the development of autonomous weapons, … Read more
Dec. 18 December 18, O Lord and Ruler (O Adonai), Weekday
Today is the Second of the O Antiphons, O Adonai (O Almighty God/O Lord and Ruler). As Moses approached the burning bush, so we approach the divine Savior in the form of a child in the crib, or in the form of the consecrated host, and falling down we adore Him. “Put off the shoes … Read more
Countdown to the closing of the jubilee: When, who will close the Holy Doors in Rome?
Pope Leo XIV passes through the Holy Door carrying the jubilee cross as he leads the pilgrimage of the Holy See on June 9, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media Vatican City, Dec 18, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). Just a few weeks remain until the closing of the holy year, which was inaugurated by Pope … Read more
Dec. 17 December 17, O Wisdom (O Sapientia); Ember Wednesday, Weekday
December 17 marks the beginning of the O Antiphons, the seven jewels of our liturgy, dating back to the fourth century, one for each day until Christmas Eve. These antiphons address Christ with seven magnificent Messianic titles, based on the Old Testament prophecies and types of Christ. The Church in these following Golden Nights travels … Read more
Pope Leo XIV to appoint next archbishop of New York
Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois. / Credit: Diocese of Joliet YouTube video Vatican City, Dec 17, 2025 / 09:58 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV has chosen Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, to be the next archbishop of New York — the most consequential U.S. episcopal appointment of Leo’s pontificate … Read more
Pope Leo XIV: True treasure is found in the heart, not ‘too much doing’
Pope Leo XIV spoke about the solution for restless hearts in his catechesis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 17. 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA Vatican City, Dec 17, 2025 / 07:30 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV said Wednesday true satisfaction is found not in the accumulation of money or things, … Read more