January 2026

Pope Leo, bishops react to US capture of Maduro with concern for Venezuela

Junno Arocho Esteves · January 5, 2026

Pope Leo XIV expressed "deep concern" following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by the United States in a large-scale attack.

Israel bans dozens of aid groups from Gaza, including Caritas, drawing condemnation

Judith Sudilovsky · January 5, 2026

Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Jerusalem are among the 37 international aid organizations that Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs has banned from operating in Gaza by March 1.

Vatican sees record number of visitors during Jubilee year, officials say

Josephine Peterson · January 5, 2026

An estimated 33 million visitors and pilgrims came to the Vatican to celebrate the Jubilee Year, exceeding early forecasts, officials said at a news conference at the Vatican Jan. 5.

As Maduro faces New York trial, uncertainty lingers for Venezuelan migrants

Kate Scanlon · January 6, 2026

As deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro made his first appearance Jan. 5 in a New York courtroom on narco-terrorism charges, uncertainty about immigration status lingered for some Venezuelan migrants in the U.S.

Christians must resist allure of power, serve humanity, Pope Leo says at end of Holy Year

Carol Glatz · January 6, 2026

The powerful and violent cannot control, suppress or commodify God's grace, friendship and will to usher in a new dawn, Pope Leo XIV said.

End of Maduro's reign a relief for Venezuelans in Canada

But they wait to see what comes next

Quinton Amundson · January 6, 2026

Venezuelan Canadian Augusto Figuera and his wife, Laura Ortega, were awakened after 2 a.m. on Jan. 3 by a call from a Toronto friend. She informed the couple that a military operation was underway in their homeland and shared videos and posts from social media.

Vatican agency says 17 churchworkers murdered in 2025

Cindy Wooden · January 6, 2026

Seventeen Catholic priests, sisters, seminarians and lay workers were murdered in 2025, according to Fides, the Vatican's missionary news agency.

Sisters who manage school of kidnapped Nigerian children: 'Your compassion became a lifeline'

Paul Samasumo · January 6, 2026

Following the liberation of all the children and staff abducted from St. Mary's School in the Nigerian town of Papiri, the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, who manage the school, have expressed deep gratitude for the support received during the trying period.

Enchanting David true to Scripture

Animated feature continues strong performance track record of faith-based films

Quinton Amundson · January 6, 2026

David did not conquer the Goliath known as Avatar: Fire and Ash during the opening weekend box office showdown before Christmas.

St. Monica's baby shows desperation some mothers face

Luke Mandato · January 7, 2026

It was the cries of a newborn girl that drew the attention of parishioners of St. Monica's Church in midtown Toronto to a shelf just outside of the church's second-floor bathroom. There, before 11 a.m. Mass on Dec. 21, they found an abandoned child placed in a shoebox.

Pope Leo's first Extraordinary Consistory: What to expect?

Junno Arocho Esteves · January 7, 2026

As the new year begins and the Jubilee Year comes to a close, Pope Leo XIV will hit the ground running with an extraordinary consistory taking place in Rome this week.

Church on the Street

Surprising gift from the God of Surprises

Dcn. Robert Kinghorn · January 8, 2026

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in God so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pope Leo calls on Catholics to rediscover Vatican II teachings

Carol Glatz · January 8, 2026

The teachings of the Second Vatican Council are still "the guiding star" the Catholic Church is meant to follow, Pope Leo XIV said.

Christian unity week looks to break 'ecclesial isolation'

Luke Mandato · January 8, 2026

Christians from across Toronto will unite later this month to echo Christ's own plea that we may all be one as part of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Catholic Church’s guidance can be useful for AI

Quinton Amundson · January 8, 2026

Priest and bioethicist Fr. Michael Baggot, a prominent Catholic voice on artificial intelligence, urges more faithful to become active developers and ethical contributors in the field in 2026.

Challenge will be connecting AI with spiritual realm

Quinton Amundson · January 8, 2026

Artificial intelligence became so culturally ubiquitous over the past calendar year that Time magazine crowned these technologies mimicking human intelligence as the “2025 Person of the Year.”

A callout for the week of ecumenical prayer

Catholic Register Staff · January 8, 2026

From the website of the Archdiocese of Toronto, a callout for the week of ecumenical prayer and celebration from January 18 to 25.

Pope Leo to cardinals: You are not experts promoting agendas, but a community of faith

Paulina Guzik · January 8, 2026

Pope Leo XIV gathered cardinals present for the extraordinary consistory this week for an early morning Mass Jan. 8 in St. Peter's Basilica, telling them they're together not to promote "agendas," but to take part in a "discernment" that "comes from the Lord."

Figure of Speech

Finding the whimsy in secularist whining

Gerry Turcotte · January 8, 2026

Recently I gave bottles of a whimsically-named wine to colleagues who, like me, lead faith-based post-secondary institutions. The wine is called “Foolish.” I was not being passive-aggressive with this gesture.

Archbishop Hebda calls for prayers after woman shot dead by ICE officer in Minneapolis

Rebecca Omastiak · January 8, 2026

Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda is continuing his call for prayers after police said a woman was pronounced dead following a shooting involving a federal agent in Minneapolis Jan. 7.