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State capitol in Dover, Delaware. / Jon Bilous/ShutterstockCNA Newsroom, Apr 19, 2025 / 11:15 am (CNA).Delaware's Democratic Gov. Matt Meyer is set to sign a controversial assisted suicide bill recently passed by the state legislature, one that has drawn opposition from Catholic advocates who warn that it will "put the lives of [the state's] most vulnerable citizens at risk."Legislators passed Delaware House Bill 140 this week. The measure, once signed by the governor, will allow "a terminally ill individual who is an adult resident of Delaware to request and self-administer medication to end the individual's life."Prior to his election in November Meyer signaled his intent to sign the bill, stating during a debate that people "should have a right to exercise their right to die."If signed into law, the bill will make Delaware the 11th state to legalize physician-assisted suicide, joining California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and W...
Vice President J.D. Vance shares a moment of laughter with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, during their meeting at the Vatican on Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025. / Screenshot / Vatican MediaCNA Newsroom, Apr 19, 2025 / 07:35 am (CNA).Vice President J.D. Vance of the United States was received at the Vatican Secretariat of State by Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Holy Saturday morning, where the two discussed international relations, religious freedom, and humanitarian concerns.The April 19 meeting included Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office."During the cordial talks, satisfaction was expressed for the good existing bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America, and the common commitment to protect the right to freedom of religion and conscience was reiterated," the V...
Sts. Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome, guard the entrance to Ponte Sant'Angelo, welcoming pilgrims as they begin their journey toward St. Peter's Basilica. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNARome Newsroom, Apr 18, 2025 / 15:10 pm (CNA).Each year, thousands of faithful pilgrims purposefully pass over the Tiber River via Rome's Ponte Sant'Angelo, where marble messengers lining the bridge recall Christ's passion through the sacred symbols they solemnly hold.In 1535, Pope Clement VII ordered the placement of statues of Sts. Peter and Paul, the patrons of Rome, at the bridge's entrance. However, it wasn't until 1669 that Pope Clement IX commissioned a new balustrade designed by the renowned Gian Lorenzo Bernini.Ten angels, each bearing an element of the Passion, were placed atop this structure, sculpted by Bernini's students under his meticulous direction.Today, on Good Friday, the Catholic Church commemorates the crucifixion of the Lord. The bridge has undergone extensive restorat...
Thousands of faithful gather outside Rome's illuminated Colosseum for the traditional Good Friday Way of the Cross ceremony on April 18, 2025, where Cardinal Baldassare Reina led the procession featuring Pope Francis's meditations on divine mercy and human fragility. / Credit: Vatican Media/ScreenshotCNA Newsroom, Apr 18, 2025 / 18:05 pm (CNA).Against the ancient backdrop of Rome's Colosseum, thousands gathered Friday evening for the solemn Via Crucis procession, where Cardinal Baldassare Reina carried the cross on behalf of Pope Francis, who remains in recovery from pneumonia but whose spiritual presence was palpably felt through his powerful meditations.The 88-year-old pontiff, unable to attend the Good Friday ceremony in person for the third consecutive year due to ongoing recovery from bilateral pneumonia, prepared deeply reflective texts that accompanied the 14 stations. Though absent physically, his words provided a particular presence as participants proceeded throu...
A damaged bus and vehicles after a Russian missile strike on Sumy, Ukraine, on Sunday, April 13, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Volodymyr HordiienkoWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 18, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA).Here is a roundup of Catholic world news that you might have missed this week:Palm Sunday bombing in Ukraine claims 34 victims, including 15 children Two Russian ballistic missiles struck the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on the morning of Palm Sunday, claiming at least 34 victims, including 15 children, as many were preparing to attend liturgies to mark the beginning of Holy Week.More than 100 others were also injured in the attack, according to a Vatican News report. "There's nothing left but to turn to the Lord to defend us, because it seems that no other force is capable of protecting peace and life," the apostolic nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, told Vatican News Service.Catholic college in India fights back against allegations of conversion, discri...
Florida State University students wait for news amid an active shooter incident at the school's campus in Tallahassee, Florida, Thursday, April 17, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Kate PayneCNA Staff, Apr 17, 2025 / 15:31 pm (CNA).Catholic students at Florida State University have been praying and assisting their fellow Seminoles amid a deadly mass shooting at the campus on Thursday, a ministry leader there told CNA. As of early Thursday evening two people had died and multiple people had been injured after the shooting on the Tallahassee campus. Officials said the shooter was taken into custody after the incident. The shooting reportedly took place in or near the campus student union.Sam Nunnally, the Catholic campus ministry director at the university, told CNA via email that the ministry's parish and facilities "are directly across the street from the FSU student union. So we could hear gunshots as the incident occurred.""Many of the students in that area came running up the h...
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti performs the washing of feet ritual for laypersons during the Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, April 17, 2025. / Vatican Media / ScreenshotCNA Newsroom, Apr 17, 2025 / 17:18 pm (CNA).During the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti reflected on Jesus' humble act of washing His disciples' feet, calling the Church to become a Eucharistic people who serve with love rather than seeking power or profit.Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, urged Catholics to reject a world that "betrays" people for economic gain and power, instead embracing the "power of service" exemplified by Christ washing the disciples' feet at the Last Supper.Clergy carry vessels with water and towels for the foot washing ritual during Holy Thursday Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, April 17, 2025. Zofia Czubak / EWTN NewsThe prelate presided over the Mass in Coena Domini on April 17 at St. Pet...
null / Credit: Vitalii Vodolazskyi/ShutterstockCNA Staff, Apr 17, 2025 / 11:59 am (CNA).A U.S. district judge this week permanently blocked the federal government from requiring some Catholic employers to accommodate abortions and in vitro fertilization (IVF) for their employees. North Dakota District Judge Daniel Traynor said in the Tuesday order that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) would be "permanently enjoined" from forcing the Catholic Benefits Association and the Diocese of Bismarck to abide by the Biden-era federal rule. The EEOC had originally announced the revision to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in April 2024. The rule change expanded the scope of accommodations that employers must make for "pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions" to also include workers' decisions about "having or choosing not to have an abortion" as well as treatments like IVF, both of which the Catholic Church forbids. The Catholic benefits ...
Pope Francis meets with inmates in a surprise visit to the Regina Coeli Prison on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rome. / Credit: Vatican MediaVatican City, Apr 17, 2025 / 12:30 pm (CNA).Pope Francis, still recovering after his recent hospitalization for double pneumonia, made a surprise visit to Rome's Regina Coeli prison on Holy Thursday, continuing his long-standing tradition of beginning the paschal Triduum with prisoners despite his ongoing health concerns.The unannounced visit took place shortly before 3 p.m. local time. According to the Vatican, the pope met with approximately 70 inmates who regularly participate in activities and catechesis organized by the prison's chaplaincy.Pope Francis meets with inmates in a surprise visit to the Regina Coeli Prison on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rome. Credit: Vatican MediaThough he was unable to perform the traditional foot-washing, the 88-year-old pope told the prisoners he still wanted to be close to them. "I like t...
The Mystery of the Brotherhood of San Benito processes through the surroundings of the cathedral of Seville on Holy Tuesday, April 15, 2025. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Joaquín CarmonaSeville, Spain, Apr 17, 2025 / 13:01 pm (CNA).The Holy Week processions in the Andalusian capital are one of Spain's most iconic traditions. Every year, members of the confraternities or brotherhoods prepare fervently to be part of this eagerly awaited event, a genuine manifestation of popular piety.Holy Week procession in Seville, Spain. Credit: Photo courtesy of Joaquín CarmonaConfraternities and brotherhoods are religious associations that organize the processions and carry the floats on their shoulders.Renowned worldwide, their images file through the city during Holy Week to the accompaniment of "saetas" (devotional songs) and marching bands. And it only takes a second, that fleeting instant when the gaze of the Virgin or the crucified Christ meets yours, to understand the mystery of our fait...
