Catholic

Holy Land Good Friday collection a concrete sign of communion

A message from the Custos of the Holy Land thanks those who have contributed to the Good Friday collection that supports schools, parishes, charitable works, social projects and emergency interventions.

Philippines: Archbishop Villegas calls for conversion on Good Friday

In a Good Friday message, Archbishop Socrates Villegas invites the faithful to confront the darkness of sin and rediscover the light of Christ through repentance and faith.

Urbi et Orbi: Pope urges world leaders to lay down weapons

On Easter Sunday, Pope Leo appeals to world leaders to choose “not to dominate others, but to encounter them”. He also announces that he will lead a prayer vigil for peace next Saturday, April 11th, in Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Leo: Easter opens us up to hope that never fails

At the Easter Sunday Mass, Pope Leo reminds us that the Easter proclamation that Christ is risen from the dead 'opens us up to a hope that never fails, to a light that never fades, to a fullness of joy that nothing can take away: death has been conquered forever; death no longer has power over us!'

Pope: Easter drives out hatred and brings down the mighty

At the Easter Vigil Mass in the Vatican, Pope Leo says that “God responds to the hardness of sin – which divides and kills – with the power of love, which unites and restores life”.

Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion: 'Jesus transformed Crucifixion into salvation'

Pope Leo XIV presides over the solemn liturgy of the Lord9;s Passion on Good Friday in St. Peter9;s Basilica, and Fr. Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, the Preacher of the Pontifical Household, underscores in his sermon that by walking the Way of the Cross, the Lord learned the most difficult obedience: that of love for the other, even when the other appears as an enemy.

Cardinal Pizzaballa: 'The Word of God resounds louder than any silence'

At the Easter Vigil Mass in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre Cardinal Pizzaballa says that 'Jerusalem, a city marked by the memory of death, and today by so many divisions, becomes the place where life is proclaimed.”

Way of the Cross Meditations: ‘Faith, hope, love must be incarnated in real world’

The Holy See Press Office releases the meditations for the Good Friday ‘Via Crucis’ at the Colosseum, in which Fr. Francesco Patton lays out St. Francis’ example of how Christians can incarnate the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love in the real world.

Pope Leo XIV carries Cross for Via Crucis at Colosseum in Rome

Pope Leo XIV leads the faithful at the Good Friday Way of the Cross by carrying the Cross throughout the Colosseum in Rome.

The Way of the Cross in the Holy Land

Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, Head of Schools of the Custody of the Holy Land, reflects on how on the morning of Good Friday, 10 Franciscan friars were able to carry out the ancient rite of the Way of the Cross through the Old City of Jerusalem.

Pope Leo: 'We are called to serve the People of God with our whole lives'

Celebrating the Mass of the Lord9;s Supper on Holy Thursday evening in the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, Pope Leo XIV tells his brother priests that they are to serve the Lord by giving all of their lives to the People of God, and stresses that in this time of great brutality around the world, we, too, are to kneel alongside the oppressed and all in need.

Pope at Chrism Mass: Priests must spread Christ’s peace where death reigns

At the Chrism Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV invites priests, bishops, and all Christians to embrace their challenges with trust in God and “spread the fragrance of Christ where the stench of death reigns.”

Pope Leo to receive French President Emmanuel Macron in the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV will receive French President Emmanuel Macron in the Vatican on April 10, confirms the Director of the Holy See Press Office.

Myanmar: Easter Vigil celebrated for the first time in 3 years in Loikaw

After years of military occupation, the Christ the King Cathedral in Loikaw, Myanmar, has been returned to the faithful and priests, who can now celebrate the Easter Vigil together—a symbol of hope in a country plagued by a protracted conflict.

Pope to Ukrainian President: May hostilities cease and a just and lasting peace be achieved

During a telephone call with the Ukrainian President on Friday morning, Pope Leo XIV reaffirms his closeness to the Ukrainian people.

Sri Lankan island church is cleared of mines, bringing hope at Easter

The Sri Lankan Civil War left a devastating legacy of landmines and unexploded ordnance, particularly in the northern and eastern provinces of the nation. The HALO Trust has spent 20 years clearing mines from Puvaransanthivu Island, where the Our Lady of Velankanni Church is, allowing the faithful to finally return to a place of worship once cut off by war and violence.

Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria, dismisses claims of attack on cathedral

In response to false reports of an attack on the Bishop’s residence, cathedral, and pastoral center, the Diocese of Sokoto issues an official disclaimer denying the claims.

Nigeria: Bishop Kukah warns against normalising violence, emphasises hope in the risen Christ

Nigeria’s Bishop of Sokoto has called on Nigerians to awaken their consciences and resist despair despite the numerous challenges facing the nation. He emphasised that the message of Easter is fundamentally a message of hope.

Chrism Mass in Chicago: Cardinal Cupich calls priests to be 'sacraments of peace'

During Chrism Mass at the Holy Name Cathedral, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, reflects on mission, war, and the quiet language of the holy oils, urging the Church to reject violence and bear witness to peace that transforms hearts rather than dominates them.

Cardinal Parolin: May the powerful realize a better world is possible

Speaking on an Italian Franciscan podcast, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin discusses the “worrying” global scenario, but emphasizes that there are still “signs of hope,' particularly in the Christian faith and its emphasis on fraternity.

Fr. Patton: Good Friday meditations are not to judge, but to inspire change

Father Francesco Patton, author of the meditations for the Pope9;s Good Friday 9;Via Crucis9; at the Colosseum in Rome, notes that even today, many people are living a Way of the Cross.

New DNA research confirms Shroud of Turin's passage through the Middle East

The Holy Shroud of Turin passed through the Middle East, reveals new DNA research in the scientific article authored by Dr. Gianni Barcaccia, Professor of Genetics and Genomics at the University of Padua, along with other researchers. The scientists confirm the presence of a genome predominantly from the Middle East and show that microorganisms thriving in extremely saline environments, such as the Dead Sea, were detected.

Pope Leo to wash the feet of 12 Roman priests on Holy Thursday

During the Mass 'in Coena Domini' on Holy Thursday, Pope Leo will wash the feet of twelve priests - eleven of whom he ordained last year.

Pope at Audience: Lay people help Church reach all and promote peace

During his weekly General Audience, Pope Leo XIV highlights the important role that lay people play in the Church’s mission in bearing witness to the Gospel, as he continues his reflection on the conciliar document 'Lumen gentium.'

Support hope by giving to Christians in the Holy Land

The Custody of the Holy Land launches another appeal ahead of the Good Friday Collection to Christians around the world to “support hope by giving…and by fostering peace.”

Archbishop of Tehran: End war in the Gulf, end logic of retaliation

At a prayer vigil for peace in Rome at the beginning of Holy Week, Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Teheran, appeals for peace for all war-torn regions, with a special plea for the Middle East and the Holy Land.

Pope Leo XIV to carry the Cross throughout Via Crucis at Colosseum

Pope Leo XIV will preside over the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on Friday, 3 April, during the traditional Good Friday liturgy commemorating the journey of Jesus to Golgotha. The meditations have been written by Franciscan Father Francesco Patton.

Use your anointed hands to bless and sanctify, Archbishop Amani tells priests at Chrism Mass