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 …
Continence for the Kingdom of Heaven (Part 1)
Note: This article is part of an ongoing series on Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body.” In his reflections on “eschatological man” (i.e., the human person in light of our ultimate destiny with God in the resurrection of the body and the new creation), Pope St. John …
Pope Francis greets pilgrims at Palm Sunday Mass
By Kristina Millare Rome Newsroom, Apr 13, 2025 / 10:50 am Marking another in a series of recent surprise public appearances, Pope Francis on Sunday briefly greeted thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square to celebrate Palm Sunday. “Happy Palm Sunday and beginning of Holy Week!” the Holy Father said with some …
Book Review: The Mary Pages
In an age that questions goodness, scorns chastity and denigrates motherhood, one might wonder how the Virgin Mary, the quiet heroine of the Gospels, could catch the attention of the modern feminist. In The Mary Pages, Sally Read recounts how the Blessed Virgin did exactly that. The Mary Pages reveals …
Holy Week in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
On Tuesday, April 15 the Chrism Mass will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains at 3:00 p.m., with Archbishop Robert G. Casey as celebrant. At the Chrism Mass, the archbishop is joined by the priests of the diocese. This Mass manifests the unity of the …
Pope shows ongoing improvement as convalescence continues
The Holy See Press Office tells journalists that Pope Francis continues to improve and requires less oxygenation, explaining that the Pope was taking a walk on Thursday when he decided to go into St. Peter’s Basilica to pray. By Vatican News The Pope’s convalescence continues regularly, and he continues showing …
The Two Become One Flesh
Soon-to-be Saint Carlo Acutis wrote, “The more often we receive the Eucharist, the more we become like Jesus and the more we get a foretaste of Heaven.” As Catholics we often forget that Holy Communion is not merely one of the many rituals of the Mass: it is the moment …
