In the News
New report notes demographic and religious crisis in Russia
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow asserts that Russia “is laying the foundations for a new civilisation, where science, technology, new technologies, high standards of living, education, art and culture are combined with sincere and profound faith,”…
Charlotte priests submit dubia to Vatican over Bishop’s liturgical changes
Michelle La Rosa, The Pillar Thursday, January 8, 2026 Thirty-one priests in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, have submitted a set of questions to the Vatican related to recent liturgical changes announced by the local bishop, including…
A great man who loved Jesus’: Catholic writer Russell Shaw dies at 90
Russell Shaw, a Catholic writer and journalist whose prolific career spanned decades, including years of work for the U.S. bishops, died on Tuesday at the age of 90. Catholic writer Mike Aquilina announced Shaw’s death on Facebook, describing…
New Orleans Archbishop apologizes to abuse survivors as settlement takes effect
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans issued a formal apology to abuse survivors in that archdiocese. This follows a court approval of a $230 million settlement in a five-year-long bankruptcy case. “With this letter,” he wrote, “I express…
Pope Leo closes Holy Door ending the Jubilee Year
Marking the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Pope Leo XIV presided over Holy Mass in St Peter’s Basilica for some 5,800 faithful. At the start of the Mass, the Pope closed the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica, the last of the Holy Doors…
Vatican: 33 million+ pilgrims took part in the Jubilee
More than 33.4 million pilgrims traveled to Rome to participate in the Jubilee of Hope, surpassing initial projections, the Vatican said Monday. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, said 33,475,369…
Gunmen raid village in Nigeria, killing at least 30 people and abducting others
At least 30 villagers have been killed while others were abducted by gunmen who raided a village in northern Nigeria’s Niger state, police said Sunday, the latest in a cycle of deadly violence in the conflict-hit region. The gunmen stormed the…
Venezuelan Church reacts with caution to US apprehension of Maduro
While the U.S. strikes in Venezuela and the seizure of President Nicolas Maduro, which occurred early in the morning on Jan. 3, were received with joy and relief by many Venezuelan exiles in the United States, inside the country, most people…
Pope calls for respect of Venezuelan sovereignty after U.S. capture of Maduro
Leo XIV expressed deep concern over the situation in Venezuela and called for the country’s national sovereignty to be fully respected, one day after a U.S. operation ended with the capture and arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife,…
Phoenix surpasses New York, Chicago to become America’s 2nd-largest diocese
According to statistics published in the recently released 2025 edition of The Official Catholic Directory, the Diocese of Phoenix has surpassed the Archdiocese of New York and the Archdiocese of Chicago to become the nation’s second-largest…