Back

Good news and the persecuted church, from around the world

SermonWave World News

Wednesday, November 11, 2026 Updated 9:37 PM Central Time 23251 stories

Good news

Pope Leo XIV urges Argentine bishops to unite for the poor

lacapitalmdp.com Argentina

Pope Leo XIV addressed Argentine bishops at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires on Monday, calling for unity to support those living in poverty. He emphasized the need for closeness to people seeking Church assistance, including the unemployed, emigrating youth, and abandoned elderly. The Pontiff concluded his second day in Argentina, which included a mass for 2.5 million people in Palermo, by urging the Church to sustain initiatives benefiting the common good. He also paid tribute to Pope Francis before departing for a large mass in Córdoba on Tuesday.

Translated from Español

Good news

Pope Leo XIV visits Lomas de Zamora en route to Cottolengo

inforegion.com.ar Argentina

Pope Leo XIV traveled through Lomas de Zamora, Argentina, on Monday morning en route to the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione facility in Claypole. Thousands of residents gathered along the route, including near the UNLZ campus, to greet the pontiff. The visit concluded at the institution, which has cared for people with disabilities for over 90 years. During the event, Pope Leo XIV praised the residents as a blessing and emphasized that a nation's progress is measured by its acceptance of individuals with disabilities. Local authorities, including Governor Axel Kicillof, were present to welcome him.

Translated from Español

Good news

Katherine residents honored in Northern Territory Australian of the Year Awards

katherinetimes.com.au Australia

Five individuals from Katherine and the Northern Territory received recognition at the Australian of the Year Awards ceremony in Darwin on November 9. Nurse Helen Lamech won NT Australian of the Year for her diabetes care leadership, while 74-year-old Pat King was named Senior Australian of the Year for her service during Cyclone Tracy. Salvation Army chaplans Niall and Michelle Gibson won Local Heroes for their remote community ministry. Additionally, 18-year-old Taitt Green was named NT Young Australian of the Year for his extensive volunteer work with emergency services, including flood rescue efforts. The national winners will be announced in Canberra ahead of Australia Day.

Good news

Heavy rains cause damage and displacement across Southern Brazil

ebc.com.br Brazil

Heavy rains, wind, and hail affected dozens of cities in Southern Brazil between Thursday and Saturday, according to ebc.com.br. Rio Grande do Sul reported injuries, damaged roofs, and displaced residents. Santa Catarina declared emergencies in multiple municipalities, with Rio do Sul suffering the most damage to homes. Paraná experienced significant power outages, impacting nearly half a million consumers, though restoration is nearly complete. Authorities distributed food, mattresses, and hygiene kits. The El Niño phenomenon influenced the severe weather. Hundreds of emergency situations remain active across the region.

Translated from Português

Persecuted church

Brazilian Parents Sentenced to Prison for Homeschooling Daughters

Evangelico Digital Brazil

A Brazilian judge convicted Audato and Ieda Denardi of intellectual negligence for homeschooling their two daughters, sentencing them to 50 days in prison. The court ruled that the home curriculum lacked state-approved content on gender education and diversity, and criticized the girls' musical preferences. The parents, who began homeschooling in 2020, are appealing the decision to the São Paulo Court of Justice. ADF International supports the family, noting the prosecutor recommended acquittal. The case highlights the legal uncertainty for approximately 70,000 Brazilian families, as federal legislation regulating homeschooling remains stalled in the Senate despite a 2019 Supreme Court ruling.

Translated from Español

Illustrative photo: a church with a statue in the middle of the room
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Lucas Oliveira on Unsplash
Persecuted church

Petoskey Church Seeks Help After Virgin Mary Statue Destroyed

upnorthlive.com United States

St. Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey, Michigan, is asking the community for assistance in identifying individuals responsible for destroying a statue of the Virgin Mary. The damage was discovered on Sunday outside the Knights of Columbus Hall at the Grand Unity Event Center. Church leaders described the vandalism as heartbreaking and disturbing. Father Peter Eke stated that the parish is praying for the perpetrator. Meanwhile, a Knights of Columbus council member announced that donations are being accepted to help refurbish the shrine.

Illustrative photo: white and red concrete cathedral
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash
Good news

Rapid City Catholic Students Donate Winter Gear to Homeless Veterans

newscenter1.tv United States

Students from Catholic schools in Rapid City, South Dakota, donated winter clothing to the Cornerstone Rescue Mission to support homeless veterans. The donation included gloves, pants, socks, hats, pajamas, and thermal underwear. Schools funded the items through fundraisers or extra budgets. This marks the seventh year of this partnership. Cornerstone Executive Director Lysa Allison praised the students for practicing servant leadership. She noted that the veterans were moved by the kindness, as many are not accustomed to receiving such generosity. The mission continues to accept donations through April.

Also reported by 1 other outlet

Good news

Christian soccer ministry reaches 45,000 youth in Colombia and Peru

Evangelico Digital Colombia

A Christian sports ministry in Colombia has served over 45,000 young people over 35 years. Founded by a missionary, the program uses soccer to offer an alternative to cartel violence and forced recruitment. The ministry has expanded across multiple Colombian departments and into the Peruvian Amazon, with plans to enter Venezuela. It provides mentorship, spiritual support, and job opportunities. According to the outlet, the group claims its mission helps transform lives in dangerous contexts, citing personal stories of individuals who left criminal activity to become trainers, demonstrating the program's impact in high-risk areas.

Translated from Español

Good news

Dominican Evangelical Groups Plan Joint Evangelism and Leadership Project

Evangelico Digital Dominican Republic

On June 4, 2026, CONACOPE, Kingsview, and VELA met at the Catalonia Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The organizations aim to strengthen cooperation for evangelism, discipleship, and leader training. Kingsview, led by John Stewart, supports vulnerable groups across eight provinces. VELA, founded by Galo Vásquez, focuses on urban outreach and research. CONACOPE, represented by Mechy Figueroa, seeks pastoral unity. Participants discussed expanding school evangelism programs from Valverde to other regions. The meeting concluded with leadership training materials and prayers, highlighting a coordinated effort to mobilize churches for the Great Commission through national strategies and ministerial alliances.

Translated from Español

Persecuted church

Canadian Evangelicals Warn New Law Threatens Religious Freedom

Evangelico Digital Canada

Canadian Evangelical Fraternity (EFC) opposes Bill C-9, which removes the 'good faith' legal defense for controversial religious statements. The reform, effective July 18, limits defenses against hate speech accusations to truth, public interest, or criticism purposes. EFC argues the law lacks evidence of deliberate hate promotion and may penalize peaceful beliefs. While Canada's Justice Minister claims religious expression remains protected, EFC seeks clearer guarantees. Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen previously warned against such measures, citing her own legal battles in Finland. The EFC will monitor the law's impact, expressing concern that removing good faith protections could expand the definition of deliberate hate promotion.

Translated from Español

Illustrative photo: lighted dome building during nighttime
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Tiplister on Unsplash
Good news

Dover residents seek emergency shelter as church closes overnight facility

wboc.com United States

In Dover, Delaware, community members are urging local leaders to secure emergency shelter for the homeless as temperatures drop. The overnight facility at People's Church of Dover has closed, leaving unhoused men without a place to stay. Volunteer Doug Hall warns of health risks like frostbite for vulnerable individuals. Pastor G. Derrick Hodge says the church is willing to reopen if necessary, pending city agreements on zoning and funding. City Councilman David Anderson states that officials are working on short-term solutions, including the planned Kent County Hope Center. Concerns will be raised at the city council meeting on November 9.

Also reported by 1 other outlet

Persecuted church

Lawyer criticizes Pope's meeting with abuse victims in Argentina

elsol.com.ar Argentina

Sergio Salinas, an attorney representing survivors from Mendoza’s Próvolo Institute, criticized Pope Leo XIV’s recent meeting with five abuse victims in Argentina. Salinas stated he was not invited, despite meeting the Pope in the Vatican last year. He condemned the lack of transparency regarding the attendees and the absence of public statements from the Pope during his visit to Buenos Aires. The Archdiocese of Mendoza clarified that the Vatican organized the meeting directly to avoid conflicts among bishops. Salinas described the limited information as secretive and expressed disappointment over the handling of the case.

Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet

Persecuted church

Two men confess to aiding murder of Colombian evangelical family

Evangelico Digital Colombia

Two individuals in Colombia have confessed to assisting in the assassination of a pastor, his wife, and two children in a town in the Cesar region. The accused signed pre-agreements with the Prosecutor’s Office, facing over 17 years in prison as accomplices. They admitted to helping coordinate the attack by transporting the shooter. The case highlights violence against religious leaders in regions with illegal economies. Authorities are still searching for the mastermind and the gunman responsible for the massacre that shocked the nation.

Translated from Español

Good news

Argentine boarding school students to welcome Pope Leo XIV in Cordoba

mdzol.com Argentina

Thirty students from the Nuestra Señora del Valle boarding school in Cordoba, Argentina, will travel to the local airport to welcome Pope Leo XIV. Located at nearly 2,800 meters altitude, the institution was selected by the provincial government alongside three other schools for the event. Director Belén Bevilacqua stated the invitation came as a surprise, with students preparing a wooden gift made from original chapel benches. The students, who reside at the school during the week due to rural distances, will participate in the security-organized welcome, marking a memorable experience for the community.

Translated from Español

Good news

Florencia Peña praises Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina for unity

perfil.com Argentina

Actress Florencia Peña shared a reflection on X regarding Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina. Although she did not attend the mass at the Monument to the Spaniards in Buenos Aires, she praised the gathering of over two million people. She stated that while she is not religious, she respects faith and values the message of unity and empathy. The event took place on November 9, 2026, and included President Javier Milei and various celebrities. Peña emphasized the importance of these values during a time of cruelty, according to her post.

Translated from Español

Good news

Brainerd Food Pantry Marks Six Years Serving Chattanooga Families

chattanoogan.com United States

The Brainerd Community Food Pantry in Chattanooga, Tennessee, celebrated its sixth anniversary, noting that demand for assistance remains high. Since opening in October 2020, the organization has provided over one million meals to more than 84,000 individuals. Gregg Gentry, the board chairman, stated that rising costs for food and fuel drive families to seek help. The pantry partners with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank to provide nutritious items for approximately $12.72 per family, a rate officials say is unattainable at local grocery stores. The facility operates on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Brainerd United Methodist Church.

Good news

Thousands of pilgrims travel to Cordoba for Pope Leo XIV visit

tn.com.ar Argentina

Thousands of faithful from northern and southern Argentina are traveling to Cordoba to attend the visit of Pope Leo XIV. The article describes a bus journey from San Salvador de Jujuy, where high ticket prices of 200,000 pesos excluded many potential attendees. Pilgrims aim to secure spots at the Air Factory for the Tuesday morning mass. The Cordoba government has declared a provincial holiday and organized extensive security measures, expecting one million participants. The papal itinerary includes a vigil, the mass, a city tour, and a meeting with local clergy at the Cathedral.

Translated from Español

Persecuted church

Parent Reflects on Joshua Wong's Imprisonment and Hong Kong's Future

theepochtimes.com Hong Kong SAR China

A parent reflects on the imprisonment of Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong, noting he was a teenager when first noticed in 2012. The writer contrasts Wong’s civic engagement with his current detention for colluding with foreign forces. The article questions whether the promised autonomy under the Sino-British Joint Declaration remains intact. It highlights the impact on a generation, with many emigrating while Wong stayed. The piece emphasizes the personal cost of political choices and the uncertainty facing Hong Kong families globally. (Source: The Epoch Times)

Good news

Pope Leo XIV Promotes Interfaith Dialogue in Argentina

ambito.com Argentina

Pope Leo XIV met with Christian and religious leaders at the San Martín Palace in Argentina on Monday. He emphasized building bridges between confessions and honoring the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Argentine Chancellor Pablo Quirno attended the event. The Pontiff highlighted the importance of prayer, human dignity, and hope in society. He urged attendees to translate faith into concrete actions for the vulnerable. The gathering concluded with a candle lighting and a moment of silence for world peace, referencing a prayer by Pope Francis.

Translated from Español

SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed