Latest News

Gospel of 23 December 2025 Luke 1:57-66 The time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, 'No; he shall be called John.' And they said ... Read More

Marking the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's decrees on priestly training and on priestly life and ministry, Pope Leo XIV today released a new Apostolic Letter: Una fedeltà che genera future ('A fidelity that generates the future') which aims at a deeper understanding of the ministry and role of priests. Fidelity expressed in humble service to every person; constant dialogue wit... Read More

Church Leaders: "The gift of hope is as precious as ever ... In our own country there are many who live in fear and uncertainty, struggling to make ends meet and fearful of what the future may bring ... Every life should be lived out in hope" Christmas 2025 message His name will be called Emmanuel, which means 'God with us' (Mt 1:23). For Christians, what happened on the first Christmas night ov... Read More

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [Greek: martyron], let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith ... (Hebrews 12:1-2a) During these continuing times of hardship and strife throughout our region, We, the Patriarchs and ... Read More

In the days leading up to Christmas, and faithful to a long-standing pastoral tradition, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, entered Gaza on December 19, 2025, for a three-day pastoral visit. Accompanied by Mgr William Shomali, General Vicar, and a small delegation of priests, the visit aimed to celebrate Christmas with the Christian faithful of the Holy F... Read More

Christian leaders across Wales have come together to issue a joint Christmas message to the people of Wales. The Most Revd Mark O'Toole, Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, The Most Revd Cherry Vann, Archbishop of Wales (Church in Wales), and Rev Dyfrig Rees, President of the Free Church Council of Wales, reflect on the profound truth of Emmanuel - God with us. Drawing on the witness of theolo... Read More

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has today, 22 December 2025, appointed Canon Gerard Bradley as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Southwark. Welcoming the news, the Most Reverend John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark, said: "It fills me with great joy to welcome Bishop-elect Gerard Bradley as Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark. I thank the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, for his generosity and care in prov... Read More

Ukrainians are praying for "God to be present" this Christmas despite facing death "every day" one parish priest has told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Fr Lucas Perozzi who ministers in the small town of Bila Tserkva, about 100km from the capital Kyiv, said his war-torn parish is yearning for God. He said: "We hope that God will be present in these holidays, that he will make himself present to... Read More

Gospel of 22 December 2025 Luke 1:46-56 At that time: Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He ... Read More

Reflecting on today's Gospel that invites meditation on Saint Joseph, Pope Leo XIV recalled how God reveals Joseph's mission in a dream to which he responds with great faith and courage being "keenly sensitive and human" even in the face of the immense challenges foreseen and to be faced. In his catechesis shared with the pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the midday Angelus on this f... Read More

A Jerusalem Voice for Justice - an ecumenical group of Palestinian Christian leaders and laity advocating for equality, justice and a just peace in Palestine/Israel have sent the following Christmas Message: The cities of the Holy Land are adorned with lights and trees during this Christmas season, and markets and festivals abound, spreading a festive atmosphere. Many of us participate in these ga... Read More

Pope Leo XIV has called his first Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals, which will take place on January 7-8 and will be marked by prayer, support, and counsel for the Pope. "The meeting will unfold over two days and will be marked by moments of communion and fraternity, as well as times dedicated to reflection, sharing, and prayer," a statement from the Holy See Press Office said on Saturday. ... Read More

God's love incarnates in unlikely ways and places. Our gauzy picture of the Holy Family and the Lord's nativity often fails to capture the fraught situation that Luke's gospel portrays. Mary and Joseph's betrothal was jeopardized by her pregnancy and potential scandal. Her confinement was upended by an imperial edict to traversing a difficult journey to a far-away town. Jesus himself was born on ... Read More

What's your favourite Christmas carol? On Boxing Day, student reporters from St John Bosco College in Battersea, (who also publish a magazine: Faith Matters) will reveal the favourite Christmas carol of twelve people, including actress Dame Joanna Lumley, singer Barbara Dickson, rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, Maureen Devereux MBE, Father Patrick van der Vorst, precentor at Westminster Cathedral and f... Read More