Iraqi Christians face political challenges as election approaches
By Georgena Habbaba ACI MENA, Aug 23, 2025 / 07:00 am As Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission announces the final lists of political coalitions, parties, and individual candidates ahead of November’s parliamentary elections, a critical question hangs over the country’s Christian community: Will their voice truly be heard in decision-making or …
New coffee shop in Archdiocese of Denver aims to be ‘outpost of evangelization’
By Francesca Pollio Fenton Denver, Colo., Aug 23, 2025 / 06:00 am Step into More Coffee and you’re immediately greeted by the smell of fresh ground coffee, vintage images of the London skyline on the walls, quotes from Catholic saints on the chalkboard, and a crucifix hanging by the pickup counter. …
Obituary: Sister Margarita Maria Barranco Brewer
Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Margarita Maria Barranco Brewer died July 31, 2025, at the age of 84 in Mother Margaret Hall, the nursing facility for the Sisters of Charity. Born on June 6, 1941, she was the daughter of Edelberto and Rosa (Marengo) Barranco in La Chorrera, Panama, and …
Obituary: Sister Berenice Janszen
Janszen, Sister Berenice, 99, died at St. Leonard on August 15, 2025, in Centerville, Ohio. She was born December 1925 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, Ohio, in 1943, receiving the religious name Sister Mary Edward. For 82 years, she faithfully served God, His …
Villanova University Mass interrupted by ‘active shooter’ hoax
By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Aug 21, 2025 / 19:07 pm Villanova University confirmed Thursday that reports of an active shooter on campus that interrupted an opening Mass for new students and their families was a “cruel hoax.” Local police began investigating reports of an active shooter on campus late Thursday afternoon. The …
‘The Knight:’ The untold story of one of the 20th century’s greatest saints
By Michelle Laque Johnson Birmingham, Ala., Aug 22, 2025 / 07:00 am Most people think of St. Maximilian Kolbe as the heroic martyr who traded places with another prisoner in Auschwitz, resulting in a painful death by starvation, but there is much more of the story to tell. What would give …
What is the ‘Queenship of Mary’ and why does it matter?
By Bishop Robert Barron Mundelein, Ill., Aug 22, 2025 / 04:00 am The Catholic Church annually celebrates the feast of the Queenship of Mary on Aug. 22. Most people, upon hearing of this celebration, would think of it as something rather sweet and sentimental, a quaint devotion for grandmothers with a taste …
“Preventive” forgiveness
At the General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the meaning of Christian mercy — a free embrace given without any preconditions, so essential for peace. By Andrea Tornielli “True forgiveness does not await repentance, but offers itself first, as a free gift, even before it is accepted.” With these words, …
Patriarch Pizzaballa: ‘Hearts can change even in the Holy Land’
Ahead of the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace on August 22, called by Pope Leo XIV, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem highlights the power of prayer to open people to trust and seek to do good, even in the Holy Land, where finding common ground is nearly impossible. …
