In their Christmas message this year, the church leaders and patriarchs of Jerusalem voiced gratitude for the recent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and called for the truce to be expanded throughout the region.
Author: Christine
American Political Life Saw a History-Making, Tumultuous 2024
A historic year in American politics saw former President Donald Trump elected to a second term in the Oval Office four years after he lost his run for a consecutive term. Trump’s second election to the White House concluded a tumultuous campaign season that included two assassination attempts against him, his original Democratic rival President Joe Biden stepping down in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee, and his own continued claims, without evidence, that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
3 Dead, Including Teen Suspect, In Mass Shooting at Wisconsin Christian School
Police in Madison, Wisconsin, said they are investigating a mass shooting at that city’s Abundant Life Christian School Dec. 16 that left at least two killed and six injured, authorities said. The gunman is also dead, they said.
Banks Driven by Profit-At-All-Costs Hurt People, Economy, Pope Says
When the world of banking and finance crushes people instead of helping them, it betrays its very purpose and promotes an “uncivilized economy,” Pope Francis said.
In 2024, State Laws of Interest to Catholics Span Abortion to IVF to Immigration
State laws of interest to Catholics spanned policy areas from abortion to IVF to immigration in 2024. An expected ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court in 2025 could have an impact on state laws across the country banning certain types of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender.
Jesus’ Crown of Thorns Returns to Notre Dame Cathedral
Firefighters and police officers formed a human chain to rescue the crown of thorns from the inferno at Notre Dame on April 15, 2019. On Dec. 13, this holiest relic of Paris’ cathedral was returned to its proper home on the Île de la Cité.
Oldest Known Ten Commandments Tablet Expected to Fetch Up to $2 Million at Auction
The oldest known stone tablet featuring the Ten Commandments, believed to date between 300 and 800 A.D., is set to go up for auction this month in Manhattan, according to Sotheby’s New York.
Pope Skips Inflight Presser, Applauds Corsica for Having Kids
For the first time in his nearly 12-year papacy, Pope Francis skipped his customary inflight press conference at the end of an overseas voyage, this time a whirlwind daytrip to French Mediterranean island of Corsica.
Pope Praises Popular Piety During First-Ever Papal Mass in Corsica
As Pope Francis became the first pope to celebrate Mass on the French island of Corsica Dec. 15, the usual excitement of an open-air Mass with the pope was combined with the flair and pageantry of a Renaissance fair.
Mexican Bishops Urge Truce as Country Celebrates Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mexico’s Catholic clergy have called for a truce on Dec. 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and on Christmas Day as criminal violence wracks swaths of the country and clergy working in conflictive regions come under threat.