International News

News from outside of Canada.

Approximately 50 Planned Parenthood clinics closed in 2025, report says

Kate Scanlon · December 19, 2025

Approximately 50 Planned Parenthood clinics closed in 2025 as the group lost its ability to bill Medicaid, according to a report by the nation's largest abortion provider.

Nobel laureate’s freedom ‘a miracle from God’

Jonathan Luxmoore · December 17, 2025

A Catholic Nobel Peace Prize winner who was unexpectedly freed from jail in Belarus has paid tribute to supporters who helped secure his release, while warning that over a thousand political prisoners still languish in his country’s penal colonies.

Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai convicted in 'farce' national security trial

Paulina Guzik · December 15, 2025

Hong Kong's prominent Catholic, media tycoon and pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai has been convicted of national security offences under the city's controversial national security law.

'Enough' of antisemitic violence, say Pope Leo, archbishop after Australia attack

Junno Arocho Esteves · December 15, 2025

After two gunmen targeted Jewish beachgoers at an event celebrating the first day of Hanukkah in a terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Pope Leo XIV said he is "deeply saddened" by the attack he called "horrific."

Pope Leo condemns 'antisemitic violence,' 'terrorist massacre' in Sydney

Cindy Wooden · December 15, 2025

Condemning the attack on Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney, Pope Leo XIV said, "Enough with these forms of antisemitic violence! We must eradicate hatred from our hearts."

Church leaders call for immediate ceasefire after drone kills over 100 civilians—including 63 children—in Sudan

Fredrick Nzwili · December 11, 2025

A Catholic bishop in South Sudan appealed for peace, respect of human life and the protection of civilians in Sudan, as the town of Kalogi, South Kordofan region, reeled from the deaths of over 100 people killed in drone strikes.

Ukraine wary of war, seeking peace

Quinton Amundson · December 9, 2025

Fr. Andrew Onuferko beheld the terrible sounds, sights and pervasive climate of fear of the Russo-Ukrainian war during his visit to Lviv, the largest city in the key Lviv Oblast region of western Ukraine.

Christmas tree lights hope in Bethlehem

Judith Sudilovsky · December 9, 2025

Bethlehem rejoiced with the festive celebration of lighting of a 20-metre Christmas tree at the edge of Manger Square Dec. 6 for the first time since December 2022 and the start of Israel-Hamas war 10 months later.

More than 11 million have visited Notre Dame since its reopening

Caroline de Sury · December 8, 2025

Notre Dame de Paris celebrated the first anniversary of its reopening Dec. 7 with a major milestone: more than 11 million people have visited the iconic cathedral in the past 12 months.

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.