February 2025

Culture à la Carte

Limiting AI demands a line in the sand

Sr. Helena Burns · February 21, 2025

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) poised to take over the world. There are serious ethical considerations about AI, and the Vatican's new document Antiqua Nova ably addresses the frontiers AI is broaching.

Hamas returns body of mother of red-headed boys; all were killed while held hostage

Judith Sudilovsky · February 21, 2025

The body of Shiri Bibas -- the mother of two red-headed boys who became a symbol of Israeli hostage suffering, both confirmed dead -- was eventually returned Feb. 21, with the Bibas family confirming Feb. 22 that it was the body of the boys' mother.

'Hand of Providence' guided response to Pearson air crash

Airport chaplains comfort traumatized survivors of crash

Luke Mandato · February 21, 2025

While away from the airport, Fr. John Mullins, a senior chaplain with the Toronto Airport Catholic Chaplaincy, checked his phone where he saw breaking news of the Delta Air Lines crash as it unfolded Feb. 17.

Pope Francis chronic lung condition plus infection are serious, doctor says

Carol Glatz · February 21, 2025

While Pope Francis' life is not in immediate danger, the level of multiple infections in his lungs means he is not completely "out of danger," said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, director of medical and surgical sciences at Rome's Gemelli hospital.

Church on the Street

We can’t bring hope without showing up

Dcn. Robert Kinghorn · February 22, 2025

It was one of those evenings when the streets of the city were in deep freeze. I arrived downtown and when I got out of the car, I instantly decided that this was an evening for four layers of clothing.

Canadian group embarks on road to Emmaus

Quinton Amundson · February 22, 2025

In the 47 years since its origins at St. Louis Church in Miami, the Emmaus Retreat movement has developed a burgeoning presence worldwide.

Parliament Hill rally calls Canadians to stand with Ukraine

Susan Korah · February 22, 2025

Feb. 24 marks a sombre anniversary for Ukrainians, in the home country and in Ukrainian communities throughout the worldwide diasporas.

The Mustard Seed

Christianity advances a world of love

Glen Argan · February 22, 2025

Pope Francis’ letter rebuking US President Donald Trump for failing to respect the dignity of migrants who move to the United States seeking to escape oppression comes in the wake of questionable theologizing by Vice-President JD Vance.

Pope Francis has respiratory 'crisis,' doctors say 'prognosis reserved'

Cindy Wooden · February 22, 2025

Pope Francis experienced "an asthmatic respiratory crisis of prolonged magnitude, which also required the use of oxygen at high flows" Feb. 22, said the daily medical bulletin released by the Vatican.

Pope Francis' breathing 'crisis' reportedly passes, but he's still on oxygen

Cindy Wooden · February 23, 2025

While Italy's main news agency reported that Pope Francis' respiratory "crisis" had subsided, a Vatican source said he was still receiving supplemental oxygen by nasal cannula early Feb. 23.

Pope Francis' condition still 'critical' with signs of renal insufficiency under control

Cindy Wooden and Carol Glatz · February 24, 2025

Pope Francis' condition remained "critical" the evening of Feb. 23, his doctors said, with blood tests showing "initial, mild renal insufficiency, at present under control."

Visiting the poor in Lebanon was a prayer for Pope Francis, Cardinal Czerny says

Cindy Wooden · February 24, 2025

While Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome's Gemelli hospital, one of the cardinals closest to him traveled to Lebanon to demonstrate the pope's ongoing concern for refugees and for peace in the Middle East.

While still in critical condition, Pope Francis is showing slight improvement

Cindy Wooden · February 24, 2025

Pope Francis' condition has shown a slight improvement, which, however, is still critical, the Vatican said.

Embracing the power of mercy

Quinton Amundson · February 24, 2025

Hybrid retreat aims to help Catholics draw closer to Jesus this Lenten season by embracing the virtue of mercy.

Holy Land pilgrimages on hold despite ceasefire

Tour agencies pushing other Jubilee destinations

Luke Mandato · February 24, 2025

Despite reassurance from Catholic leaders in the Holy Land, planned pilgrimages from Canada to the land of Christ's birth will likely remain unavailable for the foreseeable future.

Pope Francis continues to be in 'critical,' but 'stable' condition

Cindy Wooden · February 25, 2025

Pope Francis' "clinical condition remains critical but stable" and the "prognosis remains guarded," the Vatican's evening bulletin said Feb. 25.

Smith named new Archbishop of Vancouver

Canadian Catholic News · February 25, 2025

Edmonton Archbishop Richard W. Smith has been appointed by Pope Francis as the next Archbishop of Vancouver, succeeding Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, whose retirement has been accepted by the Holy Father.

Faithful unite in St. Peter's Square praying for Pope Francis' health

Carol Glatz · February 25, 2025

A light drizzle finally let up as hundreds of faithful headed to St. Peter's Square to pray the rosary for Pope Francis on the 11th day of his hospitalization for double pneumonia.

A silent genocide is unfolding in Congo, church sources warn

Fredrick Nzwili · February 25, 2025

A "silent genocide"—mimicking the Rwandan one of 1994—is occurring eastern Congo, said some Catholic Church sources, as shock greeted the killing of 70 people in a Protestant church in the North Kivu Province.

Cleaning up messy mission

Quinton Amundson · February 26, 2025

While priests and lay leaders visualize linear growth and a mass enthusiastic embrace of every new spirituality-building initiative, cultivating a more evangelistic congregational flock requires embracing trial and error.