Catholic bishops are defending Muslim festivals in Spain and are against a ban being pushed by right-wing populists. They see religious freedom in danger. Now the Vox party is reacting to the criticism. Spain’s right-wing populists from the Vox party are outraged by the Catholic Church’s criticism of the party’s stance on Islam. Vox leader…
Pastor Pawel Nowak has often demonstrated his stamina for a good cause. His biggest project to date: cycling to the Pope in three days for children with cancer. He managed it – with a small course correction “Unfortunately, I didn’t get to shave.” Pawel Nowak grins mischievously into the Roman evening sun, his hands resting…
It was the work of the Holy Spirit: Swedish Cardinal Anders Arborelius talks about the papal election and his impressions of Leo XIV and why he hopes for peace, dialogue and unity. His participation in the election of the new Pope was a privilege and a grace for him: Swedish Cardinal Anders Arborelius explained in…
When the atomic bomb fell on Nagasaki, it also destroyed the spiritual heart of Japanese Catholics: Urakami, the centre of faith of the once persecuted Christians, was wiped out in seconds. On 9 August 1945, the second American atomic bomb, codenamed “Fat Man”, exploded over the Japanese city of Nagasaki. Around 75,000 people died immediately…
From northern Germany to Rome by road bike – in just three days? And without sleep? You have to be pretty crazy to do that. Or have a goal, like Pastor Pawel Nowak. Pawel Nowak (39), a Catholic “racing bike pastor” from Bremen, arrived in St Peter’s Square on Tuesday evening – after around 90…
Synod, reform, responsibility: Thomas Söding calls for concrete steps by the Church in Germany. What makes 2026 and 2028 decisive for the Church. Thomas Söding believes that the Church in Germany is called upon to continue synodal reform processes and is relying on Pope Leo XIV. The Bochum-based theologian told the church internet portal domradio.de…
In India, two women religious were arrested on their way to work. Now the bishops are protesting. And politicians are also speaking out. The Catholic bishops of India have strongly condemned the arrest of two women religious in the state of Chhattisgarh and warned of a “worrying wave” of intimidation and false accusations against women…
In the past, Chinese people were penalised if they had more than one child – now every birth is subsidised. However, it is questionable whether the birth rate can be increased. For the first time, China is paying a nationwide subsidy for children up to the age of three. The programme is intended to boost…
One person dehydrated, another with too little oxygen in his blood: the aid organisation Sea-Eye says it has once again rescued migrants in distress at sea. Helicopters were also deployed. New refugee rescues from the Mediterranean: The aid organisation Sea-Eye says it has rescued a total of 31 people from precarious situations in two missions.…
How will the new Pope be received by young people? is the question many are asking with a view to the World Youth Meeting, which is expected to attract around 500,000 guests from 146 countries by Sunday. Leo’s first appearance certainly went well. “Esta es la juventud del Papa” – “This is the Pope’s youth”,…