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A new Vatican labor regulations decree was issued after an audience granted to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, pictured here with Pope Leo XIV. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Strengthens Legal Protections for Employees of the Vatican and Holy See

Pope Leo XIV approved new labor regulations at the Office of Labor of the Apostolic See.

Bishop Cleophas Oseso Tuka. Credit: Catholic Diocese of Nakuru

Medical Practitioners at Kenyan Facility Urged to Treat Poor Patients with Love and Dignity: “Don't chase them away”

The Bishop of Kenya's Catholic Diocese of Nakuru has called on medical practitioners to handle patients with compassion, patience, and dignity, reminding them that serving the sick is a direct participation in the ministry of Christ.

Credit: ZCCB

Zambian Catholic Archbishop Raises Alarm over Disregard for Family as Foundation of Faith and Society

The Archbishop of Zambia’s Catholic Archdiocese of Kasama has expressed concern that the institution of the family in the Southern African nation is facing serious threats that are undermining its role as the foundation of faith, love, and moral formation.

The Chaplain of the Holy Family Ghanaian Catholic Community Church in Italy, Fr. Albert Kyei Danso. Credit: SKY FM

Chaplain of Ghanaian Catholic Community in Italy Urges Youths to Prioritize Mental Health in New Year Message

The Chaplain of the Holy Family Ghanaian Catholic Community Church in Italy has urged young people from the West African nation to prioritize their mental and emotional health, noting that well-being is vital to their personal development.

The Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Fr. Michael Banjo. Credit: Ijebu-Ode Catholic Diocese

Nigerians Must Stop “trading future for crumbs”: Catholic Official on Security Crisis

The Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged Nigerians to safeguard their future by making informed choices especially during elections, especially amid the country's security crisis.

Pope Leo XIV addresses employment consultants on Dec. 18, 2025, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV: The Person and Families Must Be At Center of Labor System

Pope Leo XIV advocated for a labor system that serves individuals and families so that the dignity of each employee is recognized and his or her real needs are met.

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for the Jubilee of Prisoners in St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 14, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Writes Preface to Book That Shaped His Spiritual Life

“The Practice of the Presence of God” is a 17th-century spiritual classic written by the Carmelite friar Lawrence of the Resurrection.

Children greet the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, during his visit to Gaza’s Holy Family Parish on Dec. 19, 2025. / Credit: Photo courtesy of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Visits Holy Family Parish in Gaza Days Before Christmas

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived in Gaza City on Dec. 19 for a pastoral visit to Holy Family Parish, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip.

A new animated film titled “David” tells the story of King David — from his humble beginnings as a shepherd boy to his battle against Goliath. / Credit: Sunrise Animation Studios

New Animated Film "David" Tells Story of Israel’s Famous King for the Whole Family

A new animated film called “David” tells the story of King David, from his humble beginnings as a shepherd boy to his battle against Goliath.

Eight-year-old Yamen Abu Hilal lies on a bed as a woman sits beside him in a hospital room in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, on Nov. 24, 2025.  His condition has sharply worsened amid the collapse of Gaza’s health care system, which has been unable to provide diagnostic tools, medication, or equipment since no medical supplies have entered the Strip following the ceasefire. / Credit: Doaa Albaz/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Jerusalem Churches Advocate for Gazan Children to Have Cancer Treatment in Israel

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed.

Today, December 19, We Celebrate Blessed Pope Urban V

Blessed Pope Urban V was born Guillaume de Grimoard at Grisac in Languedoc, 1310. He studied canon law and theology in Avignon and became a Benedictine monk. He was named abbot of his monastery in 1352, and served as a papal diplomat and was eventually sent as an ambassodor to various locations. He also served as a bishop around Italy and throughout Europe. 

Credit: Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)

Burkina Faso’s Catholic Bishops Decry Global Silence as Insecurity Forces Early Christmas Eucharistic Celebrations

Christmas celebrations in some parts of Burkina Faso that are experiencing religious extremism may be held early owing to security concerns, a section of Catholic Church leaders in the West African country have said.

Credit: CSW

Nigerian Government Told to Ensure Safety of Churches During Christmas Season amid Heightened Insecurity

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the UK-based human rights organization, is calling on the Nigerian government to ensure the safety of Churches in the West African nation during the Christmas Season.

Members of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB). Credit: ZCCB

Carry Jubilee Year of Hope Spirit into Future: Catholic Bishops in Zambia at Conclusion of Yearlong Celebrations

Members of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB)  have called upon the people of God in the Southern African nation to maintain the spiritual momentum of the concluding Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope and to carry its enduring spirit into the future.

Pope Leo XIV passes through the Holy Door carrying the jubilee cross as he leads the pilgrimage of the Holy See on June 9, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Countdown to the Closing of the Jubilee: When, Who Will Close the Holy Doors in Rome?

Just a few weeks remain until the closing of the holy year, which was inaugurated by Pope Francis on Dec. 24, 2024.

Director of Nigeria's Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Fr. George Omaku Ehusani. Credit: ACI Africa

Christians in Nigeria Told Not to Fear Following Security Alert to Churches Ahead of Christmas

As Nigerians approach Christmas amid widespread fear of violence and insecurity, the Director of the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation has urged citizens, especially Christians, not to surrender to despair and fear but to hold firmly to hope, faith, and perseverance, insisting that the birth of Christ will “break the darkness of insecurity” in Nigeria.

Bishop Isaac Bundepuun Dugu of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala in Nigeria. Credit: Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala

Nothing But “genocide”: Catholic Bishop on Nigeria's “grief-stricken” Situation

The Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese in Nigeria has reflected on the continued killings in Benue State that is served by his Episcopal See, noting that what is happening in his jurisdiction can only be best described as genocide.

Fr. Peter Konteh, Executive Director of Caritas Freetown. Credit: Fr. Peter Konteh

Caritas Official in Sierra Leone Cautions against Irresponsible Spending during Christmas

The Executive Director of Caritas Freetown in Sierra Leone has cautioned against the pressure to overspend during Christmas festivities, warning against the risk of running into debts and experiencing financial difficulties in the new year.