German bishops are divided sharply over implementing blessing guidelines for same-sex couples, with a comprehensive survey by katholisch.de revealing stark divisions across the country’s 27 dioceses, three months after the publication of the controversial pastoral handout. Five dioceses — Cologne, Augsburg, Eichstätt, Passau, and Regensburg — have explicitly refused to implement the handout, all referencing the Vatican’s…

As officials carry out mass deportations across the United States, Bishop Mark Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, is criticising the Trump administration’s policy of deporting “as many immigrants as possible” without “distinguishing between true criminals and law-abiding persons”. In a recent statement addressing Catholics in his diocese, Bishop Brennan said “some of you have told me that…

Pop icon Madonna asks the Pope to travel to Gaza. He is the only one who cannot be refused entry. The appeal is also read in the Vatican – but probably has no chance of success. The US-American singer Madonna (66) has made an unusual appeal to her fellow generation member and compatriot Pope Leo…

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…

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…

Even more than before the fire, the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is a glamorous setting for festive ceremonies. The Parisian Cardinal Vingt-Trois has now also been laid to rest here. Paris and France bid farewell to Cardinal André Vingt-Trois on Wednesday. The former Archbishop of Paris died on Friday at the age of 82…

The Pope went on holiday for a good two weeks. A holiday? Not quite. Leo XIV did move to the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. But numerous appointments interfered with the planned holiday. Now he is back in the Vatican. Well arrived! Pope Leo XIV is back home. The head of the Catholic Church…