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Pope: Jesus' words 'free us from the prison of despair'

Crowds gathered in St Peter's Square - Screenshot

After celebrating Mass for the Jubilee of Prisoners at St Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo delivered his Angelus address to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square, saying that Christian joy endures "when life seems to lose its meaning and everything appears darker." "A prophet, even in chains, retains the ability to use his voice in the pursuit of truth and justice," he said, Even from behind bars, Jo... Read More


Pope Leo: Flowers can bloom even in prisons

Screenshot

On Gaudete Sunday, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Holy Mass in St Peter's Basilica. In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on the word "Gaudete". He explained the "joy" of this Sunday reminds us of "the bright dimension of waiting: the trust that something beautiful, something joyful, will happen." 14 December was also the Jubilee of Hope for prisoners and all those who work in prisons. Pope Leo recall... Read More


Archbishop Eamon Martin statement on Bondi beach attack

Archbishop Eamon Martin

Archbishop Eamon Martin delivered this statement during the annual Christmas Carol Service today in Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh: As we gather this evening for our Christmas carol service, and light the third candle on our Advent wreath, we unite with our Jewish brothers and sisters around the world who are celebrating the festival of Hanukkah today, and whose festival of light this year has... Read More


Australia: Church leaders call for prayer after terror attack at Hanukkah event

At least 12 people were killed today and 29 wounded in a terror attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney's Bondi Beach. The Archbishop of Sydney, Archbishop Anthony Fisher, said: "As we follow the horrific news coming from this evening's shooting at Bondi Beach, let us pray for those who have been killed or injured, the many who were forced to run for their lives and our emergency service workers who ... Read More

USA: Catholic groups hold prayer vigil outside ICE headquarters

Image: Pax Christi USA

Several Catholic organisations held a prayer vigil outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters in Washington DC on Friday, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pax Christi USA wrote on social media: "We prayed outside ICE's DC headquarters in frigid weather this morning, calling on the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe on this her feast day, and repeating our plea to ICE... Read More


Bishops invite Pope Leo XIV to Poland

The Polish Bishops' Conference visited Pope Leo XIV last week. During their Audience with the Holy Father they presented him with a letter inviting him to Poland. The President of the Archbishop Wojda, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda SAC, said: "the Pope received us with great kindness" and "took a keen interest in various matters... He said that he had visited Poland many times, that Poland is very cl... Read More


Young Christians respond to Tommy Robinson with Jesus in refugee dinghy at St Paul's

Image: Martin at CFAWB

On Saturday morning, a group of young Christians staged a creative demonstration in front of St Paul's Cathedral, depicting Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in a contemporary refugee setting - in an orange dinghy and life jackets. Banners held at the event read: 'Jesus was a refugee' and 'I was a stranger and you welcomed me'. The demonstration took place on the morning of the Unite The Kingdom carol s... Read More


Gospel in Art: When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ...

St John the Baptist in Prison, Visited by Salomé,  Drawing possibly by Guercino, 17c © Princeton University Art Museum. Gift of Nathan V Hammer

Gospel of 14 December 2025 Matthew 11:2-11 At that time: When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?' And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are rais... Read More


Let's make this song our Christmas Number One

The single's official design by Gazan painter Malak Mattar, additional artwork by Cameron JL West.

The team behind Together For Palestine, the sell-out September 2025 Wembley concert that raised more than £2 million for Gaza, release of their charity single Lullaby on 12 December. Lullaby is a powerful new rendition of the traditional Palestinian folk song Yamma Mweel El Hawa (O song of longing, mother). It will raise urgent, life-saving funds for the people of Gaza. All profits from the relea... Read More


Nottingham welcomes two Papal Knights

Dr John Vianney Edwards and Dr Nigel Dennis Chapman with Bishop Patrick McKinney

A retired teacher and local coroner, both renowned for their innovation, philanthropy and compassion, have received the significant honour of a papal knighthood. During a Carol Service at St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham on Friday 12 December, Doctor John Vianney Edwards and Doctor Nigel Dennis Chapman, were both invested as Papal Knights of St Gregory by Bishop Patrick McKinney, which is a ve... Read More


Jesus was a Refugee - Living Nativity in Trafalgar Square

Image: ICN/JS

There was a living Nativity scene on the steps of St Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square on Saturday morning - with Joseph and Mary carrying Baby Jesus, donkeys and sheep. They were surrounded by members of several different churches holding banners with messages such as: 'Refugees Are Welcome' - 'Jesus Was a Refugee' - 'Love Your Neighbours - That's Includes the Ones in Hotels' - 'God Loves ... Read More


Sunday Reflection with Canon Robin Gibbons: 14 December 2025

Preaching of St John the Baptist - Domenico Ghirlandaio Wiki Image

Third Sunday of Advent Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.*. (Mt 11: 11) How many of us have, at some point, made unfavourable comparison between another and ourselves? By that I mean of course, seeing ourselves as the better person. Paul in 2 Corinthians 10;12 has something very... Read More


Gospel in Art: Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr

Saint Lucy,   by Francesco del Cossa,  Painted circa 1473/1474,  © National Gallery of Art, Washington

Gospel of 13 December 2025 Matthew 25:1-13 At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable, 'The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they al... Read More


Pope Leo: Announce Christ in today's confusing and noisy society

Image:  Vatican Media

In a message addressed to Latin American priests, seminarians, and religious men and women studying in Rome, Pope Leo XIV encouraged them to remember their calling to follow Christ and strive to place God above everything. "Since we live in a confusing society of noise, today more than ever we need servants and disciples who announce the absolute primacy of Christ and who keep His voice clearly i... Read More

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