News & Commentary

Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican as he leads, for the first time, the midday recitation of the "Regina Coeli" prayer May 11, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Besides Leo XIII, 12 other popes have shared that name with new pontiff

When Catholics heard on May 8 the new pope had chosen the name Leo XIV, the thoughts of many turned immediately to Leo XIII, the last pope to bear the name.
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East European church leaders pledge new efforts to counter abuse

Catholic leaders from Eastern Europe pledged closer cooperation against sexual abuse by clergy, despite different levels of preparedness, at the region's first international child protection conference.
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John Garvey, CUA president, stepping down in June

John Garvey, president of The Catholic University of America in Washington since 2010, announced Sept. 22 that he will be stepping down from the role he described as "an honor and a privilege" at the end of June.
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In Washington, saints join a crowd marching for immigration reform

Mario Ramirez of Milwaukee helped carry part of a homemade statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe that bobbed in the massive crowd headed toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building Sept. 21.
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Vatican to require vaccination proof or negative COVID-19 test

Visitors, tourists and employees who want to enter Vatican territory will be required beginning Oct. 1 to show proof of vaccination, recovery from the coronavirus or a negative COVID-19 test.
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Donation called expression of U.S. Catholics’ affection for Paris cathedral

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington has collected and donated nearly half a million dollars to assist the restoration and rebuilding efforts of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which was extensively damaged in ...
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Architect turns 67,000 tiny LEGO pieces into Vatican City State replica

We all know Rome wasn't built in a day, but LEGO architect Rocco Buttliere had three months, which definitely gave him a running start over Julius Caesar.
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