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St. Nerses the Great: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Bishop and martyr, the father of St. Isaac the Great. A native of Armenia, he studied in Cappadocia and wed a princess who gave birth to Isaac. After she died, he served as a chamber lain in the court of King Arshak of Armenia. In 353 he was made Catholicos of the Armenians. Nerses devoted much effort to reforming the Armenian Church, including convening a synod in 365 based on the principles he had studied under St. Basil at Caesarea. Though he established hospitals and monasteries, his ...

Kenya: Make media a pulpit of hope and a mirror of truth

The Chairman of the Commission for Social Communications of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Bishop Wallace Ng’ang’a, has urged Catholic Communicators to remain deeply rooted in the Catholic faith through doctrinal soundness, sacred, uplifting Catholic music, and authentic storytelling as they disseminate the message of the Gospel. through the media.

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Pope Leo XIV announces Second World Children’s Day in 2026

Pope Leo XIV announces the second edition of World Children’s Day, which will take place in Rome on September 25-27, 2026.

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Kenyan sister transforming farming into community development

Community empowerment through sustainable farming drives Sr. Josephine Kwenga’s work to help farmers in Kenyan villages develop viable farming practices in order to bring new life to families and the Church’s mission of care for creation.

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Polish, German bishops recall 60th anniversary of post-World War II reconciliation

The presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences of Poland and Germany issue a joint statement to recall the 60th anniversary of an exchange of letters between their predecessors, which launched the process of Polish–German reconciliation in the Church after World War II.

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Listening to others out of love: Age is no barrier for religious sisters

Although many religious congregations in Europe face the challenge of aging members, the heart of their vocation remains unchanged: to serve those in need with love and dedication. In Matera, in southern Italy, 93-year-old Sister Angela Sinopoli continues to do so on the streets of her city, living out her pastoral ministry of closeness.

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Pope at Audience: We must lend our voice to those who have none

During his weekly General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reminds the faithful that God calls on us, as people of faith, to offer our voices to help those in need and to protect the environment.

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Holy See highlights 'the human face of the climate crisis' at COP30

The head of the Holy See’s delegation to COP30 addresses environment ministers from around the world, stressing the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation and not lose sight of “the human face of the climate crisis.”

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Pope highlights dignity of migrants, supports U.S. bishops' statement

Answering questions from journalists in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV decries recent measures against migrants in the United States, and he calls for treating people “with humanity and dignity.” He also denounces the killings of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria and expresses hope for a ceasefire and dialogue in Ukraine, where "people are dying every day."

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'Creation is crying out,' pope says in new message to COP30

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While "creation is crying out" and millions of people suffer the effects of climate change and pollution, politicians are failing to act, Pope Leo XIV said.

As the U.N. Climate Conference, COP30, began its final week of meetings Nov. 17, the pope sent a video message to Christian representatives and activists from the global south who were holding a side event to the conference in Belem, Brazil.

The Paris Agreement adopted in 2015 at COP21 "has driven real progress and remains our strongest tool for protecting people and the planet," Pope Leo said in the video.

"But we must be honest: it is not the agreement that is failing, we are failing in our response," he said. "What is failing is the political will of some." 

Pope Leo gives his blessing at the end of a video message
Pope Leo XIV is seen giving his blessing to Christian representatives and activists at the U.N. Climate Conference, COP30, in a screen grab from a video released by the Vatican Nov. 17, 2025. (CNS photo/screen grab, Vatican Media)

While Pope Leo did not specify which nations were at fault, the U.S. government was not represented at COP30 because U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the country from the Paris Agreement.

"True leadership means service, and support at a scale that will truly make a difference," the pope said. "Stronger climate actions will create stronger and fairer economic systems. Strong climate actions and policies -- both are an investment in a more just and stable world."

"Creation is crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat," Pope Leo said.

"One in three people live in great vulnerability because of these climate changes," he added. "To them, climate change is not a distant threat, and to ignore these people is to deny our shared humanity."

As government representatives from most of the world's countries -- more than 190 nations registered delegations -- struggled to finalize agreements on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, Pope Leo told the Christian activists he believed "there is still time to keep the rise in global temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius, but the window is closing."

"As stewards of God's creation, we are called to act swiftly, with faith and prophecy, to protect the gift he entrusted to us," the pope said.

In safeguarding creation as a gift of God, he said, "we walk alongside scientists, leaders and pastors of every nation and creed."

"We are guardians of creation, not rivals for its spoils," the pope said. "Let us send a clear global signal together: nations standing in unwavering solidarity behind the Paris Agreement and behind climate cooperation."

Despite the challenges, Pope Leo told the activists, "you chose hope and action over despair, building a global community that works together."

The efforts have made a difference, he said, "but not enough. Hope and determination must be renewed, not only in words and aspirations, but also in concrete actions."
 

Pope Leo: "Creation is crying out"

Pope Leo: "Creation is crying out"

In video message to Catholic activists at COP30, Pope Leo decries lack of "political will" to address climate change.