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National & World News
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 …
Pope Francis appoints Bishop Lewandowski as new bishop of Providence, Rhode Island

By Courtney Mares Vatican City, Apr 8, 2025 / 09:40 am Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Bruce Lewandowski as the new head of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, the Vatican announced Tuesday. Lewandowski, 57, currently serves as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He will be installed in …
Kentucky program launches $100 million campaign for Catholic school tuition

By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Apr 7, 2025 / 07:00 am A Catholic scholarship program in the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky, that has spent decades providing tuition support for families who want to send their children to Catholic schools is now setting its sights on future generations. Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) president …