Good news and the persecuted church, from around the world
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Updated 1:20 PM Central Time 1187 stories
Pope Leo XIV blessed the Argentine city of Córdoba on Tuesday from the balcony of the Archbishop's Palace. The pontiff expressed amazement at the large crowds that welcomed him in the region. During the event, he also addressed the youth present. The gathering highlighted the strong public support for the new pope in Argentina. The blessing was a key moment of his ongoing tour in the country, emphasizing unity and faith among the attendees.
A former conservatory in the 15th arrondissement of Paris was inaugurated on November 9 as an emergency shelter for homeless women. The event was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Arouna, a 12-year-old boy who attended with his mother. Arouna expressed his happiness at finally having a roof over their heads, describing the new facility as a safe place where he can do homework and meet friends. The transformation of the historic building aims to provide immediate housing and security for vulnerable women in the French capital.
A country in the Middle East marked the 50th anniversary of its first Catholic church with a Mass. Bishop Martinelli consecrated a jubilee altar and encouraged Catholics to witness their faith and cooperate with people of goodwill. The jubilee, running until November 2027, offers a plenary indulgence. Originally serving 50 migrants, the Catholic community now numbers around 100,000, with the local parish attended by 10,000 regulars from South and Southeast Asia. Four priests serve the parish, which is one of four Catholic churches in the country.
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has mobilized nearly 40 million faithful to pray for peaceful and credible general elections in 2027. A senior church leader announced the initiative at a university in the capital. He stated that collective supplication is a vital contribution to national development, seeking divine intervention for all stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies. The Church also conducts civic education, urging citizens to register and vote. The leader emphasized that prayer complements active democratic participation and ethical conduct in public service.
Caritas Zambia, working with Caritas Kasama and the Zambia Association of Sisterhoods, has launched the LIGHTS project to combat rising child abuse. The campaign targets residents in Mporokoso, Mungwi, and Mpulungu. According to a statement on November 9, Community Child Protection Committees are educating locals on human rights and abuse types. The initiative aims to build safe communities for children and women. It is supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The project addresses critical issues in Zambia, including child marriage, labor, and neglect, which threaten youth safety and development. Only a small fraction of children have birth certificates, exacerbating their vulnerability to violence and discrimination.
Approximately 100 volunteers gathered last weekend at the Caraiman Monastery in Bușteni, Romania, for the inaugural National Youth Congress. Organized by the Association of Orthodox Theology Students (ASTO) alongside ASCOR branches and supported by the Romanian Patriarchate, the event aimed to enhance youth leadership. Sessions covered strategic planning and volunteer management, led by Patriarchal Inspector Mihai Pavel. Participants, including representatives from eparchial centers and NGOs, concluded the gathering by discussing future editions and expressing appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate on youth projects.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Liberia praised Gwendolyn Myers after she received the 2025 African Union Young Peacebuilder award. The honor was presented in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during a conference marking the 20th anniversary of the African Union Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Policy Framework. Myers serves as the National Youth Coordinator for the Catholic Church in Liberia and leads Messengers of Peace-Liberia Inc. The bishops stated that her work promotes peace, youth empowerment, and active citizenship. They described the recognition as a source of pride for the nation and an inspiration for young people to contribute to societal transformation and justice.
Pope Leo XIV visited Argentina, drawing massive crowds in Buenos Aires and Córdoba. While he showed political balance in Córdoba by honoring saints from various historical periods, his economic speeches emphasized wealth redistribution and state responsibility, aligning with Peronist ideals. This resonated with leftist groups, who viewed his message as supportive of social justice rather than free-market liberalism. President Javier Milei remained silent, while his sister attended services alongside political opponents. Despite recent lung surgery, the 71-year-old Pope displayed remarkable physical stamina and good humor throughout his demanding schedule.
Equipping the Persecuted has delivered new homes to survivors of a recent massacre in a village in Benue State, Nigeria. The organization's CEO announced during a visit that construction of modern primary and secondary schools will begin soon. The initiative aims to build one house monthly to support displaced families. A security analyst praised the humanitarian efforts but urged the Nigerian government to improve security and justice. The project seeks to restore education and dignity to the predominantly Christian community affected by the attack that killed many residents.
In Argentina, 96 families are camping near the National Shrine of Our Lady of Luján to welcome Pope Leo XIV. The group, totaling 534 participants, organized the event to share community life and pray for their country. Organizers Maite Grimaux and others planned a vigil featuring prayer, meals, and activities before the Pope’s Eucharistic celebration. The initiative aims to foster unity and bear witness to faith. Participants hope the visit will bring peace and positive change to the Argentine people, marking a significant moment for the local Catholic community.
Kansas artist Stan Herd is creating a large-scale earth portrait of Pope Leo XIV in Chiclayo, Peru. The artwork, visible only from the air, is being prepared three days before the Pope's arrival on November 13. Approximately one million people are expected to attend the Mass on the Pimentel coast. This event marks the Pope's return to the city where he served as bishop for eight years. Herd and filmmaker Marc Havener view the project as a significant story. The earthwork serves as one of two gifts prepared for the returning pontiff, alongside a contribution from local priest Father Cesar.
Pope Leo XIV preached to approximately 650,000 people at an outdoor Mass near Córdoba, Argentina, on November 10. He described the region as a land of saints and called all Christians to holiness and missionary work. The Pontiff highlighted local figures like San José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero to illustrate diverse paths to sainthood. He emphasized that personal witness is the best way to share the Gospel. The event took place at a military aviation school, with local authorities confirming the large attendance. The Pope urged the faithful to evangelize in their daily environments.
A Catholic sister from Ethiopia received a prestigious humanitarian medal in Germany for her extensive aid work within her home country. The national bishops' conference announced the honor, recognizing her leadership in supporting communities devastated by poverty and conflict in the Tigray region. With over two decades of service, she has focused on restoring livelihoods and rebuilding infrastructure for vulnerable populations. This recognition underscores the critical need for humanitarian efforts in the Horn of Africa, especially as Ethiopia continues to face renewed violence in Oromia and unresolved tensions in Tigray. Her dedication highlights the ongoing struggle for peace and stability in the area.
On November 7 and 8, approximately five hundred Hungarian pilgrims joined Austrian and Eastern Catholic leaders in Vienna to mark the 330th anniversary of the Pocs Madonna's first weeping. The event took place at the Stephansdom, where Cardinal Christoph Schönborn and Metropolitan Kocsis Fülöp led services. For the first time in nearly a century, the original icon was brought from Mária-Pocs and allowed for physical contact by the faithful. The gathering emphasized unity among diverse Christian traditions and acknowledged the historical pain caused by the icon's removal to Austria in 1696.
Caritas Internationalis and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund published a 2026 report titled 'Too Big to Fail'. The document argues for a robust Loss and Damage Fund supported by increased public financing and new sources based on the polluter pays principle. It recommends ensuring funds reach vulnerable countries and communities, respond quickly to climate disasters, and address displacement and non-economic losses. The authors emphasize climate justice and international solidarity to drive sustainable financing that reflects responsibility for climate damages amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
In Darb es-Sim, near Sidon, Lebanon, Saint Elie school continues operating despite daily bombings that begin around 2 p.m. Father Eida Bou Rached reports that children attend classes after sleepless nights caused by aircraft and drones. Since the start of the school year, 46 displaced students, including orphans, have joined. The institution provides psychological support and music therapy to help students cope with trauma. Christian and Muslim families demonstrate solidarity, with Muslims contributing to a new chapel project. The school serves as a refuge where interfaith brotherhood persists despite the ongoing conflict.
Pope Leo XIV addressed the International Catholic Migration Commission in Rome on November 10, marking the organization's 75th anniversary. He stated that Christ knocks at the door of every rejected migrant. The pontiff, currently visiting South America, cited war, violence, and economic inequality as drivers of displacement. He also warned of a significant decline in funding for international protection, which complicates efforts to assist those in need. The assembly runs through November 12 and involves the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The Pureume Foundation held a charity marathon in Seoul on November 7 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Nexon Children's Rehabilitation Hospital. Approximately 3,000 participants, including celebrities Sean and Lee Geun-ho, completed 3km and 10km courses alongside 200 disabled children and their families. The event aimed to raise funds for pediatric rehabilitation treatments. All registration fees will support the hospital's care for disabled children. Founded in 2016, the facility has provided customized therapy to 730,000 children over the past decade. Sponsors included the Nexon Foundation and various corporate partners.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine, 28 memorial plaques bearing the names of 1536 fallen soldiers were unveiled on the walls of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church temple. The initiative, blessed by Metropolitan Epiphanius, aims to honor those who died defending the country. Marina Polyakova, head of a national association of relatives of missing and deceased defenders, stated that the current list contains 1812 names, though this is considered interim as the war continues. Relatives of the fallen, including Lyudmyla Chyhyryk, whose grandson died in Mariupol, attended the opening. The project was funded through a grant to the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration and volunteer contributions, with wall restoration also supported by donors.
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