9 h. ago Pope Leo's stark Christmas message to Putin as Russia bombs Kyiv

Pope Leo has called for an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, saying that the sides should find the 'courage' to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue

Politics

26 h. ago Gaza suffers bloody Christmas as war truce threatened by violence

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatens retaliation after soldier wounded and dwindling Christian population of 500-1,000 mark a subdued Christmas in the war-battered Strip

Events

27 h. ago Pope Leo condemns suffering in Gaza in first Christmas sermon

Pope Leo XIV led his first Christmas Day Mass and hit out at the conditions facing Palestinians in Gaza

Politics

27 h. ago Pope Leo XIV condemns 'rubble and open wounds' left by war, mentioning Gaza in his first Christmas homily

On Christmas morning at 10am, the Leo presided over the Holy Mass during the day on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord in St. Peter's Basilica.

Events

27 h. ago Pope Leo XIV remembers Gaza's suffering in first Christmas homily and calls for peace

Pope Leo XIV, during his first Christmas Day homily, has remembered the people of Gaza exposed to harsh weather

Politics

31 h. ago Pope Leo's first Christmas: Thousands flock to St. Peter's Basilica as Pontiff leads mass

Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday as around 6,000 people flocked to Bethlehem's Manger Square

Politics

38 h. ago Pope Leo's first Christmas: Thousands watch on as Pontiff leads mass at St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Leo XIV held the first Christmas mass of his pontificate on Wednesday, greeting thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square before the service.

Politics

40 h. ago Pope Leo calls for kindness to strangers and the poor in Christmas message

Refusing to help those in need is tantamount to rejecting God himself, says pontiff during Christmas Eve massPope Leo has told Christians that the Christmas story should remind them of their duty to help the poor and strangers.In his Christmas Eve sermon, the pope said the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn showed followers that refusing to help those in need was tantamount to rejecting God himself. Continue reading...

Politics

50 h. ago Thousands flock to Bethlehem to revive Christmas spirit after 2 years of war in Gaza

After two years of subdued Christmas celebrations due to war, thousands of people flocked to Bethlehem's Manger Square on Christmas Eve

Events

52 h. ago Rocket strikes, prayer and nightly calls from the Pope: Inside Gaza’s only Catholic church at Christmas

As Catholics in Gaza gather for Christmas, Father Carlos Ferrero tells Bryony Gooch how they have maintained faith in the face of widespread devastation

Events

62 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Pope Leo expresses ‘great sadness’ at Russian rejection of truce calls

Pontiff calls for ‘day of peace’ on Christmas Day after huge Russian attack in Ukraine kills three and cuts power to several regions. What we know on day 1,400Pope Leo XIV has called for a global truce on Christmas Day, expressing “great sadness” that “apparently Russia rejected a request” for one. “I am renewing my request to all people of good will to respect a day of peace – at least on the feast of the birth of our saviour,” Leo told reporters at his residence near Rome on Tuesday. Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire in its war on Ukraine, saying that would only give a military advantage to Kyiv. The pope said: “Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce.” Referring to conflicts in general, Leo said: “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world.”A massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine has killed three people and cut power to several Ukrainian ...

Events

65 h. ago Catholic bishops urge Trump to suspend immigration crackdown through the holidays

Pope Leo also decried the mistreatment of immigrants in October

Politics

65 h. ago Pope disappointed over approval of assisted suicide legislation in his home state of Illinois

Pope Leo XIV says he's “very disappointed” that his home state of Illinois has approved medically assisted suicide

Events

3 d. ago Christmas decorations – and tourists – return to Bethlehem in needed boost to economy

The unemployment rate in the city jumped from 14% to 65%

Politics

4 d. ago Pope Leo signals further reforms of Church in Christmas speech to cardinals

Leo lauded his predecessor Francis’s efforts to foster a more inclusive Church

Politics

4 d. ago Pope offers gentle critique of Vatican culture in Christmas greeting reminiscent of past

Pope Leo XIV has urged Vatican cardinals to put their ambitions of power and personal interests aside and work instead on building communion

Culture

6 d. ago Christmas spirit returns to Bethlehem after ceasefire in Gaza

At midnight on Christmas Eve, the hymn “The Night of Christmas” will ring out in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was born

Events

6 d. ago Holy Land's top Catholic leader visits Gaza parish, greeted by children in Santa hats and keffiyeh

The top Catholic leader in the Holy Land has visited the Gaza Strip’s only Catholic church, sharing a message of Christmas hope and support as conditions in the war-torn territory slowly improve while the Israel-Hamas ceasefire holds into its third month

Politics

6 d. ago New head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales is appointed by Pope Leo

The new Archbishop previously served as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Southwark in south London

Politics

7 d. ago Richard Moth appointed Roman Catholic archbishop of Westminster

Moth, 67, bishop of Arundel and Brighton, becomes leader of 6m Catholics in England and WalesThe new leader of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales has been named as Bishop Richard Moth.Moth, 67, was appointed by Pope Leo to replace Cardinal Vincent Nichols as archbishop of Westminster and leader of about 6 million Catholics in England and Wales. Continue reading...

Politics