December 2025

Pope Leo visits famous Istanbul mosque but does not pause to pray

Cindy Wooden · December 1, 2025

Pope Leo XIV, like his two immediate predecessors, visited the so-called Blue Mosque in Turkey's capital; he spent about 20 minutes inside but did not appear to pause for prayer as Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis had done.

Holding inflight news conference, Pope Leo talks about peace in Gaza, Ukraine

Cindy Wooden · December 1, 2025

On his first foreign papal trip, Pope Leo XIV showed reporters that the inflight news conferences of his predecessors would continue.

Pope Leo urges Lebanese not to give up on peace or each other

Cindy Wooden · December 1, 2025

Acknowledging the existence of "circumstances that are highly complex, conflictual and uncertain," Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lebanon preaching peace.

Love without fear, Pope Leo tells Lebanese church workers

Cindy Wooden · December 1, 2025

At a shrine topped by a 28-foot-tall statue of Our Lady of Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV listened to stories of unshakable faith amid war, injustice and suffering.

Nigerian atrocities can't be met by Canadian silence, pastor says

Quinton Amundson · December 1, 2025

Despite the veil of silence surrounding the longtime persecution of Christians in Nigeria lifting in recent weeks, oppressive bandits and militant groups continue their rampage of terror.

Knights of Holy Sepulchre raise hope in Holy Land

Quinton Amundson · December 2, 2025

Restoring “hope in the City of God” was the cause drawing over 250 people to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ), Canada - Toronto Lieutenancy Christmas Gala on Nov. 29.

Choose the way of peace, Pope Leo says as he leaves Lebanon

Cindy Wooden · December 2, 2025

Pope Leo XIV ended his stay in Lebanon with what he termed "a heartfelt appeal: may the attacks and hostilities cease."

Connaissance team key to successful archdiocesan pilgrimage

Quinton Amundson · December 2, 2025

Ahead of the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Jubilee pilgrimage, spiritual director Fr. Tim Hanley and on-the-ground coordinator Neil MacCarthy urged the 108 pilgrims to meet any mishaps with grace.

Pope Leo tells reporters dialogue is always the answer to tense situations

Cindy Wooden · December 2, 2025

At the end of his first foreign trip as pope, a trip focused on dialogue, Pope Leo XIV said the examples of friendship and respect he had seen could be a helpful example for people in North America and Europe, too.

Ukraine's religious leaders warn Russia will attack Europe if not halted, held accountable

Gina Christian · December 3, 2025

As Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians accompany U.S.-brokered peace talks that as of Dec. 3 produced no breakthrough, Ukraine's religious leaders warn that failure to halt Russia and hold it accountable will expand the war to Europe.

A Church ready to speak up for the planet

Luke Stocking · December 4, 2025

Ten years after the Paris Agreement and Pope Francis’s call to protect our common home, the world faces more extreme weather and environmental degradation. Hosting COP30 in Brazil, a country where the Church, Indigenous peoples, and social movements have long walked together in defense of life, further strengthened the hope felt throughout the Catholic community.

Undercover abortion videos shock Canadians

Canadian Catholic News · December 4, 2025

After The Catholic Register revealed that pro-life advocate Alissa Golob went undercover while 22 weeks pregnant to test whether late-term abortions were accessible in Canada without medical justification, the national response continues to intensify, with a new twist: a fourth hidden-camera video that Golob says she is legally barred from releasing.

Church on the Street

Winter cannot stop the journey of hope

Dcn. Robert Kinghorn · December 4, 2025

For several years now, faithful as a trusted friend, a large box has arrived at my home when winter has thrust the streets of the city into the dark and uncompromising grip of winter.

Ontario 'not too keen' on Christian Heritage Month

Province won't sign on

Quinton Amundson · December 4, 2025

It has become apparent to Molly Banerjei the Government of Ontario has no enthusiasm nor urgency to join with nearly 60 municipalities, three regions and the province of Saskatchewan in declaring December as Christian Heritage Month.

An Advent message from Pax Christi and the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence

Catholic Register Staff · December 4, 2025

An Advent message released last week from Pax Christi and the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence.

Pope Leo's childhood home in Chicago suburb now a historic landmark

Gina Christian · December 4, 2025

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

Papal commission votes against ordaining women deacons

Carol Glatz · December 4, 2025

A commission set up by Pope Francis to study women deacons has voted against the possibility of ordaining women deacons while also supporting more study on the issue.

Canada's bishops demand Liberals keep religious text protection in hate law

Quinton Amundson · December 5, 2025

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to retract the Liberal Party’s reported agreement with the Bloc Québécois to remove religious-belief exemptions from Canada’s hate speech laws.

Book details Irish roots throughout Canada’s history

Luke Mandato · December 5, 2025

The Irish-Canadian story received what might be its definitive bookmark with a new book showcasing 50 Irish-born lives, both the ordinary and extraordinary, across the last 356 years.

Michael Bublé among artists performing at Vatican's Christmas show for poor

Cindy Wooden · December 5, 2025

Pope Leo XIV asked Canadian singer Michael Bublé and other artists to do their very best when performing a Christmas concert for the poor.