Good news and the persecuted church, from around the world
Thursday, November 12, 2026 Updated 2:57 PM Central Time 29579 stories
ABC Church in Yangsan, South Korea, installed a sign reading 'Always Waiting Jesus' among entertainment district signs. Pastor Jo Sang-hak created the sign to lower barriers and invite people. The video of the sign went viral online. The church hopes to be a place of comfort for those in need. This initiative reflects the church's desire to connect with the community in a unique way.
Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic visit to Uruguay on Saturday, November 7. He celebrated Mass in Paysandú, using local symbols like a bridge and mate to encourage building connections. Later, he visited the Casavalle neighborhood in Montevideo to meet residents facing hardship, calling for concrete charity and cooperation between the Church and state. He also addressed educators at the Catholic University of Uruguay, warning against letting algorithms replace human dignity. The day ended with a vigil for young people, urging them to offer their lives fully to Christ. The visit highlights the Church's focus on social justice and spiritual renewal in the region.
Over 1,700 pilgrims completed the Camino Podolico route in Ukraine this season, marking a record high for the project. According to Vinnytsia regional council deputy Volodymyr Onufriychuk, this figure triples the previous year's total of approximately 500 certificates. The 250-kilometer path, which ends in Kamianets-Podilskyi, was traversed by 87% of participants on foot and 13% by bicycle. Most pilgrims were women aged 21 to 30, primarily from Ukrainian regions including Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa. Additionally, 17 travelers from nine countries participated in the scenic journey through Podillia.
The Vatican observed the Day of Solidarity with the Persecuted Church, heeding Pope Leo XIV’s call to aid believers suffering for their faith. A cross from a conflict zone was installed in a Polish village to symbolize this mission, marking the 30th anniversary of a martyr’s beatification. Events occurred across Poland, including an evening appeal for Christians in Pakistan. A church representative highlighted severe discrimination and blasphemy laws in Pakistan, while a Polish organization launched a project to support young women in a Pakistani city through education and rights training.
A Uyghur girl died in a detention facility in a city in Xinjiang after nine years of imprisonment. She was detained at age 14 and sentenced to twelve years in 2021 for alleged illegal assembly. Researchers link her arrest to her father's case. Officials cited a heart attack as the cause of death but provided no medical records. The UN previously reported that mass arbitrary detentions in the region may constitute crimes against humanity, while authorities deny these allegations. Her case highlights concerns regarding the treatment of minors in the region's detention facilities.
The Diocese of Borongan in the Philippines has issued a message urging communities to protect the environment and support vulnerable people on the 13th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda. Diocesan administrator Fr. Jan Michael Gadicho stated that the disaster highlights the urgent need to address the growing environmental emergency. The church emphasized that caring for creation and the poor are inseparable, citing suffering caused by destructive mining, stronger storms, and rising seas. The diocese encouraged Filipinos to reject harmful practices, plant trees, reduce waste, and demand responsible policies to honor those lost and prevent future crises.
A human rights group released a report alleging that China is extending its domestic grid-based surveillance system to at least 91 countries. The organization claims the Chinese government uses overseas Chinese affairs networks to monitor the thoughts and actions of diaspora communities. This system involves over 1,200 official liaison points and includes agencies such as the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. In response, legislators from 26 nations urged urgent measures to counter foreign interference. The report cites official Chinese documents and mentions specific incidents, including police actions in a province in eastern China and investigations in a European country. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China called for stricter regulations on foreign agents.
Christian organizations in Finland with a traditional view of the Bible have established a new alliance called Kyrkfolket. The group aims to address challenges posed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, which they feel is marginalizing their movement. A key objective is to recruit new priests for congregations that do not accept female clergy. Stig-Erik Enkvist, representing the Laestadian Peace Society Federation, signed the founding agreement. Other member organizations were represented by Tom Säilä, Daniel Nummela, Lauri Vartiainen, Timo Laato, and Albert Häggblom. The initiative reflects a desire among revival movements to maintain their theological stance within the national church structure.
A young couple became engaged during a prayer vigil attended by Pope Leo XIV at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, on November 7, 2026. The man, who originally planned to propose the next day, surprised his partner with the question during the event. She accepted, citing faith in eternal love. The moment followed the Pope's message urging young people to marry without fear of commitment and to welcome children. According to EWTN News Español, the couple described the experience as magical and a fitting conclusion to the day.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted two brothers in a blasphemy case, ending their twenty-year imprisonment. The bench overturned death sentences previously upheld by a provincial high court. The decision relied on recent psychiatric assessments diagnosing the men with bipolar disorder, raising doubts about their criminal culpability at the time of the alleged offense. The judgment emphasized that the benefit of the doubt must be given when medical evidence questions mental capacity. The court also ordered that the brothers receive continued medical treatment at a provincial mental health institute.
Pope Leo XIV addressed approximately 70,000 attendees at an evening prayer vigil in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Saturday. He encouraged practicing Catholics, particularly youth, to maintain strong faith and live virtuously in a highly secular society. The pope noted that exemplary Christian behavior can attract others to the Church. He urged listeners to pursue holiness and serve others selflessly. Earlier, he spoke at the Catholic University of Uruguay about intellectual formation. The pontiff is scheduled to depart for Argentina on Sunday before visiting Peru.
North Louisiana Interfaith inaugurated its third Community Lighthouse at Galilee Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Sunday. The facility serves as a resilience hub equipped with solar panels, backup batteries, and a well to provide essential resources during power outages and natural disasters. Organizers highlighted the site's role in supporting vulnerable residents amid growing regional energy demands from new data centers. The group aims to expand the network to 20 locations in Caddo Parish and plans to launch a civic academy in 2027 to help communities engage with local development decisions. Local leaders pledged financial support for the initiative.
Pope Leo XIV departed Uruguay on Sunday afternoon, concluding the first papal visit to the country since 1988. President Yamandú Orsi bid farewell at Carrasco International Airport, stating that the nation would not be the same after the event. The pontiff’s three-day itinerary included stops in Montevideo, Paysandú, and Florida, where he celebrated Mass for the Virgin of the Thirty-Three. During a brief, unplanned visit to Juanicó, he honored local religious traditions. The visit concluded with the Pope boarding an Aerolineas Argentinas flight to Buenos Aires, continuing his South American tour.
Portas Abertas Brasil describes Persecuted Church Sunday (DIP) as a global prayer movement initiated by founder André van der Bijl. The event occurs on the Sunday following Pentecost, a date chosen to reflect the early church's response to persecution in Acts 4. The organization states that the initiative mobilizes local churches to intercede for Christians facing discrimination, violence, and legal restrictions worldwide. Registration allows the group to count participating congregations and provide free digital resources. The 2027 theme focuses on the right to believe, highlighting believers who lose freedoms due to their faith in countries listed in the World Watch List.
During his first pastoral visit to Argentina, Pope Leo XIV met Marta Griselda Torres at the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione facility in Claypole. Born with cerebral palsy and abandoned as an infant, Torres shared her story of survival and gratitude to the institution that cared for her. The Pontiff, visibly moved, presented her with a rosary and called her life a miracle of God. This encounter reinforced his recent message on the dignity of people with disabilities. The meeting highlighted the Church's commitment to inclusion and humanitarian care for vulnerable individuals during this historic tour.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made harsh remarks on the sixth anniversary of Baku's control over Artsakh, which he calls Victory Day. Speaking in Stepanakert, Aliyev labeled former Armenian officials as war criminals who received a deserved sentence. He claimed they previously sought to invade Baku with tanks. The president also asserted that all religions coexist peacefully in Azerbaijan. This statement comes amid reports that the Armenian population has been entirely removed from the region and its cultural monuments are being destroyed. The remarks highlight the ongoing tensions between Azerbaijan and the displaced Armenian community.
The Ronan Bread Basket in Montana serves approximately 170 families monthly, providing essential groceries to neighbors struggling with high living costs. Founded in 1987 by Sherri McDonald, the food bank relies on over 70 volunteers, many of whom are retired nurses and teachers. Chairman Leah Emerson and vice-chairman Patti Mocabee note that the organization distributes donated items from sources like Costco and local businesses. The group supplies basics such as bread, milk, and canned vegetables, along with a cookbook, to help clients supplement their diets during the holiday season. This effort addresses the financial pinch felt by many in the Mission Valley area.
More than 4,200 volunteers, including nearly 2,400 students from Warsaw Community Schools and Sacred Heart Catholic School, packed 1.1 million meals during the Warsaw MobilePack initiative in Indiana. The event, held at the Tiger Recreational Activity Center, assembled 5,207 boxes of food. According to the district, these meals will feed approximately 3,081 children for a year. Shipments were distributed through Feed My Starving Children partners to regions including Africa, Asia, Central America, Honduras, Cuba, and El Salvador. The initiative also collected canned goods for local pantries and featured a corporate challenge involving 508 business leaders. Warsaw MobilePack chair Megan Stone highlighted the collective impact of the community effort.
A ministry leader argues that annual prayer days are insufficient for the ongoing crisis in Nigeria. Recent data indicates that Nigeria accounted for nearly three-quarters of Christians killed globally for faith-related reasons, with thousands more abducted. A specific attack in a village in Benue State resulted in numerous deaths, highlighting the severity of the violence. The leader emphasizes that persecution is a daily reality for believers in northern Nigeria. He urges sustained practical aid and prayer rather than temporary observance, noting his ministry supports hundreds of refugees and widows affected by violence from extremist groups and militants.
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