National Catholic Reporter

Vatican document on women deacons opens door to more confusion The opinion by the head of a commission charged with considering the question in effect states that the Catholic Church officially views women as 'other.'

The opinion by the head of a commission charged with considering the question in effect states that the Catholic Church officially views women as 'other.'

Pope Leo XIV's first full-length US book, 'Peace Be with You,' to be released in February HarperOne announced Wednesday that it had acquired world rights to "Peace Be with You! My Words to the Church and to the World," scheduled for release on Feb. 26. "Peace Be With You" includes sermons ...

The first full-length book by Pope Leo XIV to come out in the U.S. will be published next year.

Pope cancels Holy See fundraising commission announced under questionable circumstances Pope Leo XIV has taken his biggest step yet to correct one of Pope Francis' more problematic financial moves, canceling a special Holy See fundraising commission that was announced under questionable ...

Pope Leo XIV has taken his biggest step yet to correct one of Pope Francis' more problematic financial moves, canceling a special Holy See fundraising commission that was announced under questionable circumstances while Francis was hospitalized.

Last week, our Vatican Correspondent Justin McLellan presented Pope Leo XIV with a very special gift - a copy of NCR's special issue commemorating his election!

For Catholics, mass deportations are immoral A robust pastoral plan across the country that recognizes Christ in the migrant is needed urgently for the even darker days ahead.

Catholics who enforce, aid, abet and support mass deportation formally cooperate with a grave evil action, thereby placing their salvation in peril, says David Lantigua.

Pope Leo's childhood home in Chicago suburb now a historic landmark Pope Leo XIV's childhood home just outside of Chicago has been declared a historic landmark.

Pope Leo XIV's childhood home just outside of Chicago has been declared a historic landmark.

New coalition aims to end capital punishment as executions increase but public support wanes Despite an uptick in executions in the U.S. in 2025, opponents of the death penalty lauded decreases in new death sentences and waning public support for the practice during comments at a Dec. 3 press...

"It is more important than ever that we shine a light on capital punishment's failures and come together to show growing bipartisan support for ending executions," Porter said.

Catholic military archbishop calls 'intentional killing of noncombatants' illegal and immoral Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who heads the Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, said in a statement Wednesday (Dec. 3) that an order to kill survivors of an attack by U.S. forces on a b...

To deliberately kill "survivors on a vessel who pose no immediate lethal threat to our armed forces," Broglio said, is "illegal and immoral." He explained that "the moral principle forbidding the intentional killing of noncombatants is inviolable."

Conservative Catholic colleges growing as families opt for 'faithful' schools But not all schools that attract traditionalist students are avoiding financial challenges or the demographic cliff of fewer college-bound students after Generation Z.

But not all schools that attract traditionalist students are avoiding financial challenges or the demographic cliff of fewer college-bound students after Generation Z.

Grounded in front line ministry, African sisters chart renewed anti-trafficking fight Talitha Kum Africa has adopted a three-year plan to confront trafficking's fast-evolving forms across the continent. It's a mission already embodied in Sr. Redemptor Ikonga's work with vulnerable chil...

Talitha Kum Africa has adopted a three-year plan to confront trafficking's fast-evolving forms across the continent. It's a mission already embodied in Sr. Redemptor Ikonga's work with vulnerable children in Kenya.

Vatican commission votes against ordaining female deacons The group was split 5-5 on a statement that held Jesus' masculinity and that of all who receive holy orders "is not accidental" but rather an "integral part of the sacramental identity."

A Vatican commission studying the possibility of female deacons reported that the current state of historical and theological research "excludes the possibility of proceeding" toward admitting women to the diaconate.

After 900-mile trek, Chicago priest urges action and empathy on deportations "We need to do more than talk," Fr. Gary Graf said. "We need to engage people in conversation. We need to step into the middle. We need to mediate in a sense."

After more than two months on the road, Chicago priest Fr. Gary Graf completed a 1.65-million-step walk from Dolton, Illinois, to the Statue of Liberty — a march meant to draw national attention to ongoing deportations and the trauma immigrant families are facing.

Catholic universities search for tricky balance on Trump anti-DEI push Many Catholic university leaders are trying to thread the needle between staying under the Trump administration’s radar and framing their work with marginalized students as grounded in their Catholic ...

Many Catholic university leaders are trying to thread the needle between staying under the Trump administration’s radar and framing their work with marginalized students as grounded in their Catholic identities.

When Catholic colleges cut theology majors, what happens to Catholic identity? Just 63% of Catholic higher education institutions have theology or religious studies departments, down from 69% in 2016.

Just 63% of Catholic higher education institutions have theology or religious studies departments, down from 69% in 2016.

Supreme Court weighs appeal from New Jersey faith-based pregnancy centers The Supreme Court on Dec. 2 heard oral arguments in an appeal from a group of faith-based pregnancy centers in New Jersey challenging an investigation by that state's attorney general alleging they mi...

The Supreme Court on Dec. 2 heard oral arguments in an appeal from a group of faith-based pregnancy centers in New Jersey challenging an investigation by that state's attorney general alleging they misled people about their services and seeking information about their donors.

Bishop's resignation over abuse fuels new debates in Spanish church Spanish church leaders have criticized media treatment of a diocesan bishop who resigned over accusations of sexual abuse, amid renewed debates over the church's historic role in the traditionally Cat...

"We must take into account the presumption of innocence, because sometimes the perpetrators can be the victims," said Archbishop Jesús Sanz of Oviedo.

Pope Leo gave a crucial Advent message during Middle East visit "We live in a world where religion is too often used to justify wars and atrocities," the pope said.

As December begins, we want to start looking forward to celebrating a joyful Christmas. Doing so is tough with wars still in Ukraine and the Middle East. The world situation is so bleak, some are tempted to give up hope.

A controversial infant Jesus is stolen from a Belgian Nativity scene Belgian authorities are mystified over a brazen theft over the weekend from a Christmas Nativity scene of an icon of infant Jesus Christ that had been widely scorned online.

Belgian authorities are mystified over a brazen theft over the weekend from a Christmas Nativity scene of an icon of infant Jesus Christ that had been widely scorned online.

Dorothy Day's grandchildren reflect on a legacy that still challenges the church Kate Hennessy, the Catholic Worker co-founder's granddaughter, said Day is a model for her fellow believers "to grasp faith and trust with all we have, even if it is by our bleeding fingertips."

"What I really want to do is to share her with others, share her with you," said Martha Hennessy, Day's granddaughter, who is a Catholic Worker herself and peace activist who runs farms in Vermont.

In press conference, Pope Leo says US has 'another way' besides attacking Venezuela Pope Leo XIV's press conference aboard the plane returning from his first papal trip abroad also touched on Ukraine, immigration and his spirituality, and revealed new insights into where he might tra...

Responding to President Donald Trump's threat to strike alleged drug-trafficking networks inside Venezuela, Leo said that "it is better to look for ways of dialogue, maybe pressure, including economic pressure," rather than military intervention.

Catholic advocates raise alarm at Trump's call to 'pause' migration from 'Third World Countries' President Donald Trump said in a series of social media posts on Thanksgiving Day that he will "permanently pause" all immigration from what he called "Third World Countries," prompting concern from C...

President Donald Trump said in a series of social media posts on Thanksgiving Day that he will "permanently pause" all immigration from what he called "Third World Countries," prompting concern from Catholic immigration advocates.

Q&A with Sr. Christy Babu Cherpanath, former software engineer who evangelizes youth through new media Cherpanath is known for her programs on Shalom Television, especially Youth Cafe, a weekly program for youth, and Vocare, a program that shares the inspiring vocation stories of nuns and priests.

Today, Cherpanath is one of India's young nuns using television, digital media and personal encounters to guide young people toward God.

Pope ends Middle East trip with plea to reject violence, open chapters to peace In Lebanon, the pontiff visited a hospital for people with mental disabilities, celebrated Mass for 150,000 and prayed at the site of a deadly 2020 chemical explosion.

In Lebanon, the pontiff visited a hospital for people with mental disabilities, celebrated Mass for 150,000 and prayed at the site of a deadly 2020 chemical explosion.

Fr. Greg Goethals' cross-country road trip became his spiritual farewell Appreciation: Jesuit Fr. Greg Goethals, NCR board member and former head of Loyola High School of Los Angeles, died Nov. 24 in New York, days after having a heart attack at the end of a road trip visi...

Jesuit Fr. Greg Goethals, former president of Loyola High School of Los Angeles, died Nov. 24 in a New York City hospital, days after having a heart attack. He had just completed a cross-country road trip that became, unknowingly, his spiritual farewell to the people he loved.

UN report: Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed somewhere in the world The figures underscore the significance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed Nov. 25. The day also launched the 16-day UNITE campaign, which ends Dec. 10, I...

The figures underscore the significance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed Nov. 25. The day also launched the 16-day UNITE campaign, which ends Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day.

Former business manager charged with stealing $1.1 million from suburban Philadelphia parish A former business manager at a suburban Philadelphia parish has been charged with stealing more than $1.1 million, allegedly diverting funds through his private companies while billing the parish as a...

A former business manager at a suburban Philadelphia parish has been charged with stealing more than $1.1 million, allegedly diverting funds through his private companies while billing the parish as a subcontractor.

How Pope Leo XIV's visit to Nicaea recalls centuries of Muslim-Christian respect The stories of holy encounter in İznik and across Türkiye need to be told more often.

The stories of holy encounter in İznik and across Türkiye need to be told more often.

In first Mass abroad, Pope Leo sharpens calls for Christian unity The pope celebrated Mass with some 5,000 people, many foreign-born Catholics, in an intimate Istanbul arena on Nov. 29, his last full day in Turkey.

The pope celebrated Mass with some 5,000 people, many foreign-born Catholics, in an intimate Istanbul arena on Nov. 29, his last full day in Turkey.

Pope Leo lands in wounded Lebanon, urging leaders to rise above factionalism Addressing some 400 government officials at his first public engagement in Beirut, the pope said Lebanon needs "authorities and institutions that recognize the common good as superior to the particula...

Pope Leo XIV arrived in the Christian heart of the Arab world, scarred by conflict, corruption and mass emigration, by calling on its leaders to put aside their factional interests and serve the common good of Lebanon's pluralistic society.

Pope says Israel does not accept 'only solution' to Gaza conflict in surprise press conference The Vatican continues to advocate for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine and, despite resistance, will continue to seek mediation between Israel and Palestine, Pope Leo XIV said in an i...

"We all know that at this moment Israel does not accept that solution, but we see it as the only solution," Leo told the 81 journalists accompanying him on his flight from Istanbul to Beirut Nov. 30.