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14

Australian Pontifical Mission condemns Sydney attack

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The Australian direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies condemns the attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, in which 15 people were killed and 25 more injured.

13

DR Congo: Over 100,000 children displaced in South Kivu

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The UN children’s agency warns that children are being forced to flee as M23 rebels advance in South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Monday, Dec 15

20

Vatican Christmas tree and Nativity Scene inaugurated in St. Peter’s Square

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The Vatican lights up the Christmas tree and Nativity Scene in St. Peter’s Square in a ceremony with Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State, and Italian civil and religious representatives of the…

16

Pope Leo is “deeply saddened” by attack in Australia

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Pope Leo XIV sends a telegram to the Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, to offer his condolences and assure his prayers for those affected by the attack on the Jewish community that killed 16 people on 14 December.

14

Alessandro Gisotti named new President of the EBU Radio News Group

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The Deputy Editorial Director of Vatican Media, Alessandro Gisotti, succeeds German journalist Stephanie Pieper of Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, as President of the EBU Radio News Group. “I am convinced that radio remains essential in the…

13

Archbishop of Sydney: An attack on the Jewish community is an attack on us all

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Following the tragedy of the attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach in Australia, Vatican News speaks to the parish priest of the local community. The Archbishop of Sydney also issues a statement urging the Catholic community to end…

Pope prays for victims of Sydney attack: ‘Enough with antisemitic violence!’

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Speaking with the groups that donated this year’s Vatican Christmas Tree and Nativity Scene, Pope Leo XIV highlights God’s closeness to humanity and calls for prayers for those who suffer on account of war and violence, especially the…

Sunday, Dec 14

14

At least eleven killed in Australia shooting during Jewish festival

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Officials believe two men were involved in a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia.

13

Pope Leo calls for end to violence in Democratic Republic of Congo

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During the Sunday Angelus Pope Leo appeals for those fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo to stop the violence which has broken out and return to constructive dialogue. He also remembers the newly beatified martyrs in two separate…

11

Pope Leo: Flowers can bloom even in prisons

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During his homily on the Sunday of the Jubilee of Prisoners, Pope Leo XIV challenges both inmates and those responsible for the prisons to hold on to hope and he reminds everyone “that no human being is defined only by his or her actions…

Saturday, Dec 13

13

Pope: At Christmas, let music be a ‘dwelling place for the soul’

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Pope Leo meets with artists and organisers involved in the Vatican’s Christmas Concert, saying that the festive period reminds us that God comes to meet us “at the very heart of our small human stories.”

Friday, Dec 12

17

Pope at Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mary brings joy where human joy is lacking

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Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in St Peter’s Basilica for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who awakens “in the inhabitants of America, the joy of knowing they are loved by God.”

15

Thai and Cambodian Catholic Bishops sound alarm amid border clashes

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The Catholic Bishops of Thailand and Cambodia voice their concern for the intensifying conflict along the two countries' shared border, as thousands of people have been displaced.

13

Pope: Intelligence agencies must serve peace and never lose sight of human dignity

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In an address to Italy's secret services, Pope Leo calls for security rooted in ethics, warning that the pursuit of peace must never come at the expense of human dignity or truth.

Pope to priests: Announce Christ in today’s confusing and noisy society

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In a message addressed to Latin American priests, seminarians, and religious men and women studying in Rome, Pope Leo XIV encourages them to remember their calling to follow Christ and strive to place God above everything.

12

New book affirms 'remarkable convergence’ of Methodists and Catholics

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The Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission releases an updated synthesis of the fruits of 60 years of theological dialogue, affirming that the two Churches converge much more than they diverge.

Thursday, Dec 11

18

Zayed Award judges: Human fraternity is a mission for everyone

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UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and former European Council President Charles Michel, two judges on the commission to select the honorees of the 2025 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, share their perspectives on the importance…

17

Refugees arrive in Italy through humanitarian corridors

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122 refugees arrive in Italy from Libya thanks to humanitarian corridors.

09

Church consecrates Guinea-Bissau to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and calls for reconciliation

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The Catholic Church in Guinea-Bissau has solemnly consecrated the nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The celebration was marked by calls for peace and prayers for reconciliation and the reinstitution of democracy after a military coup…

Wednesday, Dec 10

17

Human Rights Day: Millions of children’s rights are being violated

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On Human Rights Day - commemorated each year on 10 December - the UN's children agency launches a new appeal for humanitarian action next year to provide aid to 73 million children across 133 countries.

12

Pope prays for an end to clashes along Thai-Cambodian border

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As renewed clashes emerge on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, Pope Leo appeals for an end to hostilities, and prays for all victims.

11

Pope at Audience: Reflect on death, our time on earth prepares us for eternity

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During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV meditates on existential questions of how human beings view death, and he invites us to ponder on the end of life so as to discover the power of Christ's Resurrection.

Tuesday, Dec 9

22

Pope: Historical U.S.-Europe alliance important today and in the future

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In remarks to journalists in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo says the historical alliance between Europe and the United States may "unfortunately" be changing and confirms the Holy See is working behind the scenes to bring Ukrainian children…

18

Pope sends aid to Asian countries struck by floods

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Pope Leo XIV sends aid to South and Southeast Asian countries devastated by cyclones and monsoon floods.

Pope urges educators in Africa to support youth seeking a better future

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Pope Leo XIV urges Catholic educators in Africa to help young people regain confidence in their future, especially those driven to leave the continent. In a message addressed to a congress held in Nairobi, he calls for formation that…

17

2025: A deadly year for journalists

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Reporters Without Borders release a report listing the number of journalists killed this year: "2025, a deadly year for journalists: this is where hate and impunity lead".

16

Haitian bishops call for hope and change in a Christmas message

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In a message issued on 8 December, the Episcopal Conference of Haiti stress that Christ’s birth can be a source of hope to everyone and call for the upcoming elections to be a chance to “rise above partisan interests”.

15

COMECE expresses concern over EU Court judgement on same-sex marriage

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The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union expresses concern in a statement over a recent ruling by the EU Court of Justice on the recognition of same-sex marriages across Member States.

12

Pope Leo meets with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

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Pope Leo XIV welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo to discuss the war in Ukraine and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia.

Monday, Dec 8

15

Syria marks al-Assad ouster amid ongoing challenges

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Syria is marking one year since the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad after nearly 14 years of war.