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U.S. Supreme Court. / Credit: PT Hamilton/ShutterstockSt. Louis, Mo., Feb 24, 2025 / 13:45 pm (CNA).The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case challenging what are known as abortion "buffer zone" or "bubble zone" laws, which numerous municipalities have enacted to restrict pro-life ministries outside abortion clinics. Coalition Life, a St. Louis pro-life group, had last summer petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the buffer law enacted by Carbondale, Illinois. A federal district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit had earlier ruled against Coalition Life in the case. Coalition Life had been engaging in peaceful sidewalk counseling of women outside Carbondale's abortion clinics, offering information about free ultrasounds and pregnancy tests, STD testing, and recommending "options coaching" at a pro-life pregnancy center. Citing what people associated with the abortion clinic described as "aggressive and misleading tac...
The faithful pray the rosary for Pope Francis' recovery at Major Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Lujan on Feb. 23, 2025 in Lujan, Argentina. / Credit: Tobias Skarlovnik/Getty ImagesCNA Staff, Feb 24, 2025 / 14:15 pm (CNA).Catholics around the world continue to pray fervently for Pope Francis as the Holy Father battles a series of medical emergencies at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.The pope was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 after struggling for several days with bronchitis. Over the weekend the Vatican said the Holy Father had suffered a respiratory crisis and required a blood transfusion, with the Holy See on Sunday evening stating that Francis' condition was "critical."The Holy See Press Office on Monday indicated that the pope's condition is stable. "The night went well, the pope has slept and is resting," the Vatican said Monday morning.Francis is expected to stay in the hospital at least through Friday of this week. 'Let us gather so that our prayer m...
A statue of St. John Paul II is seen in front of the entrance to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 22, 2025, where Pope Francis continues to receive treatment for respiratory issues. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAVatican City, Feb 24, 2025 / 14:35 pm (CNA).Pope Francis' condition remains serious but has shown "slight improvement" as he continues treatment on his 11th day in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican said Monday evening.The 88-year-old pontiff is still receiving oxygen therapy through his nose, though at a slightly reduced flow and concentration, according to the Holy See Press Office.Doctors reported no further episodes of respiratory distress following a "respiratory crisis" on Saturday. Some of the pope's laboratory tests have improved, and his "mild kidney insufficiency" remains under observation but is not a cause for concern, the Vatican said.Pope Francis received the Eucharist on Monday morning and resumed some work in the afternoon. Later in the day, he called the ...
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III exits the Aedicule of the Holy Sepulcher on May 4, 2024, in Jerusalem, showing the faithful the two candles just lit from the oil lamp that is believed to have been miraculously ignited inside Jesus' tomb. / Credit: Studio Sami JerusalemCNA Staff, Feb 24, 2025 / 15:05 pm (CNA).Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem spoke about the dire situation for Palestinian Christians at a showing of the film "Via Dolorosa" at the United Nations on Feb. 18.The film depicts the Christian presence in Palestine and is narrated through the eyes of its Christians, capturing important moments that have shaped their history, resilience, and identity."We proudly commend this blessed work as well as the granted auspices of the World Council of Churches and the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine, as well as all the other international organizations that lent their name and support," the patriarch said, according to the World Council of...
The Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. / Credit: Hannah Brockhaus/CNARome Newsroom, Feb 24, 2025 / 15:35 pm (CNA).Feb. 24 marks three years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in a major escalation of a war that began in 2014, and it was marked with a day of prayer announced and organized by the Ukrainian embassy to the Holy See in Rome, according to Vatican News.The Pan-Ukrainian Day of Prayer included a Mass for peace at St. John Lateran Basilica, presided over by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the pope's vicar for the Diocese of Rome, and included Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches and former nuncio to Ukraine.During the Mass, the prayers of the faithful were read by the ambassadors of Chile, Poland, Lithuania, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Hungary, while the dean of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, Ambassador George Poulides of Cyprus, read the first reading from the Book of Sirach.Thanks to mediation by the ...
A candlelight Stations of the Cross in St. Peter's Square on Good Friday 2021. / Credit: Vatican MediaCNA Newsroom, Feb 24, 2025 / 07:32 am (CNA).The Vatican announced Monday that cardinals will lead a nightly rosary in St. Peter's Square for Pope Francis' recovery, with the first prayer service scheduled for 9 p.m. Rome time on Monday evening.Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin will preside over the inaugural gathering, which will be broadcast live across EWTN's television networks and digital platforms."Starting this evening, the cardinals residing in Rome, along with all collaborators of the Roman Curia and the Diocese of Rome, responding to the sentiments of the people of God, will gather in St. Peter's Square at 9 p.m. to recite the holy rosary for the health of the Holy Father," the Holy See Press Office said in a statement.The prayer initiative comes as the 88-year-old pontiff continues his recovery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he was admitted on Feb....
Religious sisters and dozens of faithful gather around the statue of St. John Paul II at Gemelli hospital to pray the rosary for Pope Francis on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2025 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAVatican City, Feb 24, 2025 / 07:34 am (CNA).Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Friday, Feb. 14, to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis, the Vatican said. After a full week in medical care, the Vatican announced Feb. 22 the Holy Father had suffered a respiratory crisis and required a blood transfusion. Follow here for the latest news on Pope Francis' health and hospitalization:
Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime during his homily at the Mass of St. James the Apostle in the Spanish church in Rome. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/ EWTN NewsACI Prensa Staff, Feb 24, 2025 / 10:40 am (CNA).The Salesian Congregation is in the midst of its 29th General Chapter, during which it will elect the successor of Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime as rector major. The cardinal has had to resign in order to take up his new duties in the Vatican Curia at the request of Pope Francis.The proceedings began Feb. 16 in Turin, Italy, and are scheduled to conclude on April 12. Participating in the chapter are 227 representatives of the more than 14,000 Salesians present in 136 countries.The assembly is usually held every six years, but on this occasion the time frame was shortened by one year due to the appointment of Fernández Artime, their superior general, as cardinal in September 2023 and his episcopal ordination in April 2024.On Aug. 16, 2024, the Spanish cardinal resigned from his po...
The College of Cardinals celebrates Mass March 12, 2013, before entering the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave. / Credit: Jeffrey Bruno/CNARome Newsroom, Feb 24, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).The retirement on Jan. 25 of Cardinal Oswald Gracias as archbishop of Bombay and the end of the 30-year "reign" of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn as archbishop of Vienna have triggered a vast generational turnover in the Roman Curia and around the world.The sweeping changes involve the cardinal residential bishops, with seven of them reaching 75 years of age in 2025; in the Roman Curia, there will be eight cardinal heads of dicasteries who will exceed or have already exceeded the limit of 75 years of age during 2025. There is additionally a very special case in the Diocese of Rome. On Jan. 28, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Paolo Ricciardi, auxiliary bishop of Rome, to be bishop of the small Italian Diocese of Jesi. His departure marked the next step in what has been nearly a complete overha...
The St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States, on April 9, 2020, in New Orleans. / Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesCNA Staff, Feb 24, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).Millions of Catholics from around the world are converging on Rome this year for the Jubilee Year of Hope. During this special year, Catholics have the opportunity to gain indulgences by making pilgrimages, prayerfully visiting specific churches, or practicing works of mercy. Can't make it all the way to Rome but still want to participate as a pilgrim? The good news is that according to the Vatican, pilgrims anywhere in the world who undertake "a pious pilgrimage to any sacred jubilee site" and devoutly participate in holy Mass can obtain the indulgence. In addition, the faithful can also obtain the jubilee indulgence if they devoutly visit any jubilee site individually or in a group. While there, they should engage in Eucharistic adoration and meditation for a suit...
