International

Election of first Arab rector a ‘message of hope’ for Israel‍

Mouna Maroun was appointed Rector of the University of Haifa, becoming the first member of Israel’s Arab minority – an underprivileged group that, according to rights organisations, continues to face structural discrimination – ever to hold the role at an Israeli university. Maroun is also a C

Cardinal Pizzaballa on Palm Sunday: ‘Love is stronger than fear’

As pilgrims and faithful gathered at the gates of the Holy City to commemorate the trium-phal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, delivered a Palm Sunday message calling for hope, unity, and perseverance in the face of ad-versity. Offering greetings to those present and to all united in prayer […]

Bloody Palm Sunday. Archbishop Kulbokas: ‘May God have mercy on us’

Palm Sunday, 13 April, marked yet another horrific chapter in the ongoing war in Ukraine. On what should have been a sacred and peaceful day of worship, tragedy struck the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, turning Palm Sunday into a day of mourning and devastation. Just 50 kilometres from the Russian border, Sumy became […]

Armenian Patriarchate takes legal action to halt Jerusalem’s tax foreclosure

Tensions have continued to escalate between the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem municipality with the latest skirmish over a demand for significant property tax payments called the “Arnona tax” – a levy imposed on property owners in the municipality. The dispute began two years ago and reignited in February, when a hearing session […]

Congolese bishops express ‘spiritual closeness’ with victims of deadly floods in Kinshasa

Catholic bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have expressed their “spiritual closeness and solidarity” with victims of the recent floods and landslides that struck the capital city of Kinshasa and surrounding areas, leaving scores dead and causing widespread destruction. At least 33 people were reported dead and thousands displaced following the April 5-6 […]

Record number of adult baptisms in France shows surge among youth

France’s Catholic Church will welcome more than 10,384 adult catechumens at Easter this year, marking a 45% increase from 2024 figures, according to data released by the French Bishops’ Conference. The French report reveals the highest numbers ever recorded since the survey began over twenty years ago. Even more striking is the demographic shift – […]

Father Sahaya Thatheus Appointed Bishop of Simla- Chandigarh

Bishop Ignatius Mascarenhas Retires After 16 Years of Episcopal Ministry