Pope Francis erected a new Syro-Malankara eparchy for the United States and Canada. The pope also named Bishop Thomas Eusebius Naickamparambil, who served as the apostolic exarch for Syro-Malankaran Catholics in the U.S., as its first bishop.
International News
New Year’s Eve at Vatican
Pope Francis visits the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square after vespers New Year’s Eve in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 31.
Vatican Royalty
Pope Francis accepts offertory gifts from children dressed as the Three Kings during Mass marking the feast of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Fewer People Visiting Vatican
More than 3.2 million pilgrims visited and attended papal events, liturgies or prayer services at the Vatican in 2015, the Vatican said.
Murdered Mexican Mayor Was Warning, Says Bishop
The assassination of a Mexican mayor the day after she assumed office was a message from organized crime and evidence of its influence in the area around the city of Cuernavaca, said the bishop who celebrated her funeral Mass.
Pope Makes Surprise Visit to Franciscan Shrine
Pope Francis made a surprise visit to the place where his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, created the world’s first Nativity scene.
Signs of the Times
Year in Review: signs of 2015
A Timely Encyclical
Year in Review: Pope Francis placed the Church in the corner of environmentalists with the publication Laudato Si’ on May 24.
A Year of Terror
Year in Review: Pope Francis has been calling for a compassionate world response to the plight of the refugees but fear of terrorism and economic disruption have led to some resistance.
World’s Refugees Reaches Highest Point Since WWII
The explosive global refugee crisis – likely the top debate-generating news story of 2015 – seems destined to dominate domestic and foreign politics for years to come at a time when Pope Francis has been calling for a compassionate world response.