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National & World News
Holy Week plays in the Philippines depict passion of Jesus Christ: Faith on the streets

By Valerie Joy Escalona Manila, Philippines, Apr 18, 2025 / 08:00 am Every Holy Week, streets across the Philippines transform into open-air stages for one of the country’s most unique and deeply rooted Catholic traditions: the “Senákulo,” a dramatic reenactment of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This age-old …
Catholic students pray, assist others amid mass shooting at Florida State University

By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Apr 17, 2025 / 15:31 pm Catholic students at Florida State University have been praying and assisting their fellow Seminoles amid a deadly mass shooting at the campus on Thursday, a ministry leader there told CNA. As of early Thursday evening two people had died and …
Lourdes announces 72nd miracle: Italian pilgrim cured of degenerative disease

By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Apr 16, 2025 / 17:19 pm The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France on Wednesday announced the recognition of the 72nd miracle at the Catholic pilgrimage site, one involving an Italian woman who was cured of a rare neuromuscular condition more than 15 years …
Ecumenical expert: ‘No theological reasons to celebrate Easter on different dates’

By Victoria Cardiel Vatican City, Apr 16, 2025 / 15:27 pm Father Frans Bouwen, a missionary with the African Missionary Society — better known as the White Fathers for the color of their habit — and one of the most renowned Catholic voices in ecumenical dialogue, holds that “there are no …
Record number of adult baptisms in France shows surge among youth

By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Apr 12, 2025 / 11:30 am France’s Catholic Church will welcome more than 10,384 adult catechumens at Easter this year, marking a 45% increase from 2024 figures, according to data released by the French Bishops’ Conference. The French report reveals the highest numbers ever recorded since the survey …
Surge in adults entering Church in England this Easter prompted by internet, tradition

By Heather Tomlinson London, England, Apr 14, 2025 / 06:00 am This Easter Vigil, the Catholic Church in England is expecting a decade-high surge of new entrants to the faith. There is anecdotal evidence of a particular increase in young men, who say their interest was sparked initially by Catholic apologists …
Pope Francis declares Sagrada Familia basilica architect Antoni Gaudí ‘venerable’

By Courtney Mares Vatican City, Apr 14, 2025 / 10:30 am Pope Francis on Monday declared Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí “venerable,” bringing the designer of Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica one step closer to sainthood. The Vatican announced April 14 that Pope Francis has formally recognized Gaudí’s “heroic virtue,” a key …
Vatican updates rules for Mass intentions, permits collective offerings under strict conditions

By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Apr 13, 2025 / 14:50 pm The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy issued a decree updating the Church’s norms governing Mass intentions and stipends, emphasizing both proper spiritual understanding and practical solutions for modern pastoral challenges. Pope Francis approved the document — published so far only in …
Albany Diocese to undertake planning process that could close one-third of its parishes

By Jonah McKeown CNA Staff, Apr 9, 2025 / 15:37 pm The Diocese of Albany, New York, will undertake a planning initiative in response to a diocesan “financial and maintenance crisis” that the bishop says could result in the closure of “perhaps one-third” of the diocese’s 126 parish churches. Bishop Edward …
Bishop Shawn McKnight tapped to follow Naumann as archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Apr 8, 2025 / 10:10 am The Vatican on Tuesday announced Pope Francis’ choice of Bishop Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City, Missouri, as the next archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, following the resignation of Archbishop Joseph Naumann. Naumann is retiring after turning 75 in June …