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Pope Leo XIV is seen here at the Jubilee of Youth on August 3, 2025. / Credit: Vatican MediaACI Prensa Staff, Oct 18, 2025 / 11:48 am (CNA).On the occasion of the 99th World Mission Day, to be celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 19, with the theme "Missionaries of Hope among all Peoples," the Vatican news agency Fides presented some statistics that offer a general overview of the Catholic Church worldwide.The study is based on numbers from 2023, in which the world population rose to 7,914,582,000, with a positive trend on all continents, including Europe. The increase in Catholics was 15,881,000 over the previous year.The most notable growth in Catholics is in Africa, with an increase of 8,309,000; and the Americas with 5,668,000; followed by Asia with 954,000; Europe with 740,000; and Oceania with 210,000.The percentage of Catholics in the world's population increased by 0.1% compared to the previous year, reaching 17.8%.The total number of bishops worldwide increased by 77 compared to...

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Scene from the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana. / Credit: EWTN News in Depth/ScreenshotWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 18, 2025 / 12:00 pm (CNA).Several hymns were temporarily banned last year in the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri after being found "to be insufficient in sound doctrine," with the action raising questions about what music is allowed at the Holy Mass.In a special report for the Oct. 17, 2025 edition of "EWTN News In Depth," correspondent Mark Irons explored the subject. Archbishop Shawn McKnight, who implemented the brief ban, told Irons: "I would hope everybody else learns from my mistake."McKnight, who was the bishop of Jefferson City at the time, now serves as the archbishop of Kansas City. The controversial ban in question encompassed 12 songs in total, including the popular hymns "I am the Bread of Life" and "All Are Welcome." McKnight said the decree was implemented too quickly and without enough discussion among Catholics in...

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Pope Leo XIV hugs a man during the Jubilee of Roma, Sinti, and Travelers on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. / Credit: Vatican MediaVatican City, Oct 18, 2025 / 13:10 pm (CNA).At the Vatican's Jubilee of Roma, Sinti, and Travelers, Pope Leo XIV praised pilgrims for their deep trust in God despite centuries of exclusion, telling thousands of participants that their witness renews the Church's own faith."Today we all feel renewed by the gift you bring to the pope: your strong faith, your unshakeable hope in God alone, your solid trust that does not yield to the hardships of a life often lived on the margins of society," Pope Leo said during the jubilee audience in the Paul VI Hall on Saturday.About 4,000 pilgrims from more than 70 countries in Europe and beyond took part in the event, according to the Vatican. Musicians and dancers from Italy, Romania, France, Spain, and Slovenia filled the Vatican hall with lively music during the vibrant Jubilee celebration. Pope Leo urged participants...