Catholics across the U.S. encouraged to participate in Respect Life Novena
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Oct 21, 2025 / 06:00 am Catholics across the United States are encouraged to participate in the national Respect Life Novena beginning Oct. 22 in an effort to unite in prayer for the protection of the unborn and all those affected by abortion. The Respect …
Most Catholics say religion has a positive influence on American life, poll shows
By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 20, 2025 / 17:27 pm A poll released by the Pew Research Center found that most Catholics believe religion has a positive influence on life in the United States, and an increasing number of Catholics believe religious influence on everyday life is a growing …
Pope Leo XIV condemns usury, a grave sin that speaks to the corruption of the human heart
By Walter Sánchez Silva ACI Prensa Staff, Oct 20, 2025 / 15:53 pm Pope Leo XIV on Saturday condemned usury, a practice that is sometimes an extremely grave sin that speaks to the corruption of the heart of those who see others only as “objects of exploitation.” Usury can be defined …
Iran’s new ‘Virgin Mary’ metro station and what it says about faith in the Islamic Republic
By Romy Haber ACI MENA, Oct 20, 2025 / 12:51 pm This past week, social media was flooded with images showing a new metro station in Tehran called the “Virgin Mary” station. The photos went viral, sparking widespread debate among those who hail it as a rare gesture of openness, those who dismiss …
Pope Leo XIV appoints Boston auxiliary Mark O’Connell to lead Diocese of Albany, New York
By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Oct 20, 2025 / 09:44 am Pope Leo XIV on Monday named Bishop Mark O’Connell, an auxiliary bishop of Boston, the next bishop of the Diocese of Albany, New York. O’Connell, a canon lawyer, succeeds the 77-year-old Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, who has been bishop of …
New Catholic sports coaching program focuses on mind, body, and soul
By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Oct 20, 2025 / 06:00 am As a competitive figure skater growing up, Rachael Popcak Isaac experienced firsthand the pressure that comes with competitive sports. Now as a devout Catholic and a professional counselor she has launched a new program for athletes inspired by St. John …
What Happened to St. Anne?
Little is known about the Blessed Virgin Mary’s parents. Neither Joachim nor his wife, Anne, is mentioned in the Scriptures. They are, however, referenced in extra- Biblical sources like the Protoevangelium of James, a non- canonical text of unknown authorship that originated in the second century. This text is not …
Catholic music debate: Should certain hymns be banned?
By Tessa Gervasini Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 18, 2025 / 12:00 pm Several hymns were temporarily banned last year in the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri after being found “to be insufficient in sound doctrine,” with the action raising questions about what music is allowed at the Holy Mass. In a special report …
Worldwide Catholic population up, vocations down
By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú ACI Prensa Staff, Oct 18, 2025 / 11:48 am On the occasion of the 99th World Mission Day, to be celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 19, with the theme “Missionaries of Hope among all Peoples,” the Vatican news agency Fides presented some statistics that offer a general overview of the …
Meet the 7 saints Pope Leo XIV canonized on Oct. 19
By Francesca Pollio Fenton , Courtney Mares Vatican City, Oct 18, 2025 / 06:00 am Pope Leo XIV canonized seven new saints on Sunday including an Italian lawyer who renounced Satanism and became “an apostle of the rosary,” a martyred Armenian archbishop, and a Venezuelan considered the “doctor of the poor.” The canonizations, …
