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An archbishop has said growing numbers are turning to the Church in Lebanon for support - including Muslims fleeing the fighting. Archbishop Hanna Rahme of Baalbek-Deir El-Ahmar told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah is affecting both Christians and Muslims. He said "The violence, which at the beginning was aimed at Shi'a, has spread to Christians. J... Read More

Pope Leo XIV received the Presidency of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) in private audience on Thursday, 21 May 2026. The meeting was marked by a profound exchange on the current situation and role of the European Union, regarded as a key actor in promoting dialogue and peace and as a force supporting multilateralism. This was the second audience the Pre... Read More

Pupils from St Mary's Catholic Infant Primary Academy have formed a heartwarming partnership with residents of Elmtree House Care Home in Newton-le-Willows. The partnership has seen the school choir visit the care home multiple times, performing for residents during key events, including seasonal celebrations and special milestone birthdays. The relationship began after St Mary's launched its scho... Read More

On 15 May 2026, Pope Leo XIV signed his first encyclical, which then joined the rich body of work known as the social doctrine of the Church, or Catholic Social Teaching. The day of the signing, like the choice of the Holy Father's name, were both signals of the continuity of the current papacy with the concerns of Pope Leo XIII, who on the same day in 1891, gave the Church his encyclical, Rerum ... Read More

A major new study, 'Catholic Generosity', will be launched early this summer, offering the most comprehensive analysis to date of Catholic philanthropy, charitable activity, and wealth in the United Kingdom. Commissioned by Catholics in Fundraising (CiF), and prepared by Astarita Aldrich Ward, the report sets out, for the first time, an evidence-based picture of the Catholic charitable and philant... Read More

Gospel of 26 May 2026 John 17:20-26 At that time: Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and praying said, 'Holy Father, I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I ha... Read More

Bishop Jim Curry, Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Bishops' Conference, has welcomed a joint statement, issued on 22 May, by leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and the EU on the situation in the West Bank. The joint statement recognises that the situation in the West Bank has "deteriorated significantl... Read More

Leaders of the Catholic Church in Scotland and Wales have both issued statements welcoming Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity) Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said: "The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribu... Read More

Pope Leo XIV has just delivered a clarion call to the world, on safeguarding humanity in an age of AI. Appearing alongside the co-founder of AI company Anthropic, Christopher Olah, and UK professor Anna Rowlands from the University of Durham, Pope Leo XIV shared a document known as an "Encyclical" - his letter to the world. Like all popes, Pope Leo has a unique position on the world stage. But the... Read More

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland and chair of the Bishops' Council for Communications, has welcomed Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical letter: 'Magnifica Humanitas: On the Protection of the Human Person in the Age of Artificial Intelligence' with the following statement: I warmly welcome the publication of Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical letter, Magnifica Humanitas: On the Protection ... Read More

The Most Reverend Richard Moth, President of the Bishops' Conference and Archbishop of Westminster, has welcomed the publication of Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical letter Magnifica Humanitas. He said: "I welcome today's publication of Pope Leo's first encyclical: Magnifica humanitas, on preserving the human person in the age of artificial intelligence. "One of the first interventions of Pope Leo ... Read More

Marking the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's Rerum novarum, today, 25 May 2026, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, entitled 'Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.' He appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace. "Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today fa... Read More

Football clubs and religion have features in common; there is belonging to a beloved community, high levels of commitment - capable of generating violence - knowledgeable commentators, rules, regulations and an informed debate about them. But the relative importance of noise and silence is not one of them. True, singing, hymns or chants and acclamation is part of celebration in both. But there is ... Read More

Gospel of 25 May 2026 John 19:25-34 At that time: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home... Read More