Amid disaster and division, Catholics across the world celebrated Christmas by lifting up their hope in Christ, finding renewed faith and joy even — and especially — in profoundly challenging circumstances.
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Pope Leo XIV asked children to pray in front of their Nativity scenes this Christmas and, especially, to pray “that all the world’s children may live in peace.”
Almost two decades ago, under the expanse of a deep and starry Arkansas sky, Cesar Jesús Anguiano lifted a quiet prayer to the Lord: a request for the opportunity to make music — and to make it for the Church. Now, he lives that answered prayer daily as director of music ministry at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In today’s fast-paced world with pressures for results and efficiency, Pope Leo XIV said many have been stripped of their serenity and ability to live.
Several parishes and schools across western Washington have shut down operations due to historic flooding in the state.
Though small in stature, Sister Maria Gomez, SSND, left big shoes to fill at Methodist Dallas Medical Center as she retired her chaplaincy post Nov. 15 following nearly a decade of service.
The Nativity scene and the Christmas tree are signs of faith and hope, Pope Leo XIV said.
Even in difficult situations and harsh places, like prisons, when people focus on caring for one another, respecting each other, and offering forgiveness, “beautiful flowers spring forth from the ‘hard ground’ of sin and suffering,” Pope Leo XIV said.
Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski of Providence offered prayers for “all affected by this tragedy” in the wake of a Dec. 13 shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others injured.
Condemning the attack on Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney, Pope Leo XIV said, “Enough with these forms of antisemitic violence! We must eradicate hatred from our hearts.”