In 2018, German artist Michael Triegel asked a homeless man in Rome to pose for a drawing, thinking that he would make an ideal model for St. Peter if he ever needed to paint the first pope.
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Pope Leo and Israeli president speak by phone about Sydney attack, peace in Gaza
Pope Leo XIV and Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke by telephone Dec. 17, just days after a terrorist attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Australia led to the deaths of 15 people.
Pope Leo thanks children for sharing love at school Christmas concert
“This is Christmas—God who wanted to draw near to us, especially to the smallest,” the pope said, expressing his hope that “we can feel and live this love” all year long.
Pew: Why some Americans—including Catholics—leave their childhood faith
For Catholics, retention rates tend to be significantly lower than for other faiths, while former Catholics cite varying reasons for leaving the church, depending upon their current religious affiliation—or lack thereof.
Trump administration threatens Sister Norma Pimentel’s migrant aid with 6-year funding ban
The Department of Homeland Security has moved to bar Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley from receiving federal funds for six years, targeting one of the nation’s most prominent Catholic Charities affiliates.
Hong Kong’s Catholic democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai convicted in ‘farce’ national security trial
Hong Kong’s prominent Catholic, media tycoon and pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai has been convicted of national security offenses under the city’s controversial national security law.
Pope Leo condemns ‘antisemitic violence,’ ‘terrorist massacre’ in Sydney
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.”
Pope Leo tells conservative E.U. group the U.S.-European alliance needs to be strong
The evening before meeting a group of conservative European politicians, Pope Leo XIV expressed disappointment at what appears to be a weakening alliance between the United States and Europe.
Boston archdiocese tells church to remove ICE message from Nativity, but pastor refuses for now
In a Dec. 6 statement, the archdiocese said, “The people of God have the right to expect that, when they come to church, they will encounter genuine opportunities for prayer and Catholic worship—not divisive political messaging.”
NY archdiocese to negotiate settlements in abuse claims, to fund them
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan announced Dec. 8 that the Archdiocese of New York would be entering into mediation and taking steps to raise more than $300 million for sexual abuse settlements.
