News & Commentary

The United States saw an increase of about 18% in homelessness this year, a new record high, according to a federal report.

Former President Jimmy Carter died Dec. 29 at his home in Plains, Georgia, his presidential library announced. At 100, Carter, who had been in hospice care since February 2023, was the longest-living U.S. president.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, the nation's patronal church, has been named a special place of pilgrimage for the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year 2025, the theme for which is "Pilgrims of Hope."

Pope Francis will meet with outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden at the Vatican Jan. 10 to discuss efforts to promote peace worldwide, the White House's press secretary said.

As many as 3,000 Catholic school children from poor families in the Philippines made their pop music debut in a new Christmas song by some members of the multi-platinum hip-hop/pop group Black Eyed Peas.

In Haiti, where insecurity has devastated daily life since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, many religious groups are striving to celebrate Christmas amid growing chaos.