US singer Jennifer Hudson will perform on December 5 at the Vatican for the annual Advent Concert for the Poor. The event takes place in the Papal Audience Hall in front of Pope Leo XIV. Organizers announced the star guest on Thursday. The concert invites people in difficult economic situations, supported by Caritas and the Vatican's Almoner's Office, who also receive food and gifts. Hudson, an Oscar and Grammy winner, shares her Chicago birthplace with the Pope. The previous year featured Michael Bublé. The event includes a choir and orchestra.
Hundreds gathered at the University Church in Krakow, Poland, on Sunday evening for a memorial service following a shooting attack. Cardinal Grzegorz Rys, the Archbishop of Krakow, emphasized that love and life must prevail over hate and death. He expressed solidarity with victims from other European nations and praised emergency responders. The service was moved from the Main Market Square due to ongoing police investigations at the crime scene. The attack, carried out by a 24-year-old man shooting from a car, left nine people dead and fifteen injured. Poland has declared two days of national mourning.
Translated from Deutsch
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Nathan Cima on UnsplashPersecuted church
Abraham Lehrer, vice president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, highlights a dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents in 2025. He notes that Jewish community members face increasing exclusion and discrimination, often being held responsible for Israeli government policies. Lehrer emphasizes that all forms of antisemitism threaten Jewish life in Germany and calls on the majority society to awaken and show stronger solidarity. Despite daily police protection for synagogues in Cologne, he urges citizens to support minorities rather than ignoring these threats.
Sr Jacinta Ondeng leads the Safeguarding Initiative for Catholic Sisters in Nairobi, Kenya. The organization addresses sexual and spiritual abuse against nuns, a topic often ignored. After learning about the issue in Rome, she established training and support programs in Kenya and Uganda. The initiative provides psychological and legal aid to victims who fear shame or retaliation. Sr Jacinta aims to change church culture through education and hopes for stronger Vatican regulations to protect religious women from exploitation by clergy.
Ahead of Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Peru, the US-based Bishop Accountability organization published a list of 77 individuals accused of abuse within the Catholic Church. Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of the group, criticized Peruvian church leaders for secrecy and slow action, stating that this silence endangers children. She called for an independent truth commission. The accusations add to long-standing scandals in the country, including those involving the dissolved Sodalitium Christianae Vitae movement. While the Peruvian Bishops' Conference has not yet commented, the Pope, who previously served as a missionary and bishop in the region, is scheduled to meet with victims during his eleven-day trip to South America.
Translated from DeutschAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina, facing a polarized political landscape. In Buenos Aires, critics displayed posters playing on the name 'Leon,' linking the Pope to President Javier Milei’s lion symbol. The visit has drawn massive media coverage across South America, with live broadcasts from Mexico to Chile. In Uruguay, the Pope’s first stop, he urged youth to marry and addressed child poverty, stating children should not sleep hungry. Argentine newspapers highlighted the tension between Milei and church leaders. Observers note the visit carries political weight following recent election shifts in the region, with media focusing on the Pope’s message amidst ongoing societal divisions.
Malteser International has launched an emergency aid operation for approximately 50,000 people who fled from a border city in Ethiopia to Kenya. The organization states that families are escaping conflict between Ethiopian regions. Working with local partners, the group provides medical care, water, and hygiene packages. Plans include screening for malnutrition among children and pregnant women to ensure targeted nutritional support or referral to health facilities. Additionally, water containers and hygiene items are being distributed to around 3,000 individuals, while temporary toilets and handwashing stations are being installed or repaired.
The 46th Ecumenical Peace Decade begins in Germany this Sunday, running until November 18. Organizers invite churches and peace groups across the country to services and actions promoting nonviolent resistance. Jan Gildemeister, the initiative's chairman, states that courageous action makes everyone safer. A central focus is the traveling exhibition 'Women of Peace,' featuring figures like Sophie Scholl and Rosa Parks, which opens in Berlin and Hamburg. Regionalbischöfin Friederike Spengler will preach in Dresden. The annual event, rooted in Dutch origins and active since 1980, concludes with a service in Prien am Chiemsee on November 18.
A Kenyan court in Mombasa has sentenced Paul Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church, to 200 years in prison for the murders of 190 children and one adult. The verdict follows the discovery of mass graves in the Shakahola forest in 2023, where over 400 bodies were found. Investigators determined that victims died from starvation and violence under a strict hierarchy that prioritized the deaths of children. Mackenzie and 28 co-defendants were convicted of intentional killing between 2021 and 2023. The case has sparked national debate regarding the regulation of religious groups in Kenya, where thousands of unregistered communities operate. The defendants have two weeks to appeal the sentence.
Translated from DeutschAlso reported by 3 outlets
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Sweder Breet on UnsplashPersecuted church
A court in Mombasa, Kenya, has sentenced Paul Mackenzie to 200 years in prison for the murder of 190 children and one adult. The former taxi driver founded the Good News International Church and preached that fasting to death was the path to heaven. Investigators discovered mass graves in the Shakahola forest in 2023, revealing over 400 bodies. The court rejected claims that victims fasted voluntarily, finding Mackenzie and 28 co-defendants guilty of intentional killings between 2021 and 2023. The verdict has sparked national debate regarding the regulation of religious groups in the predominantly Christian nation.
Translated from DeutschAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Pope Leo XIV led a major mass in Paysandú, Uruguay, on Saturday, drawing tens of thousands of attendees. The Pontiff urged the faithful to pass on the Christian faith to younger generations with creative courage. This event marks the start of his twelve-day South American tour, which also includes stops in Argentina and Peru, regions where he previously served as a missionary and bishop. Although Uruguay maintains a strict separation between church and state, the gathering highlighted the strong Catholic presence in the region. The Pope praised Uruguay's democratic stability before continuing his journey to Buenos Aires.
The Maltesers charity in Germany provides written grief support through its online service Via. Trauer neu denken. Qualified volunteers respond within 48 hours to help mourners. Grief counselor Kian Bank explains that while AI offers quick answers, it simulates empathy rather than providing genuine human connection. The Maltesers argue that grief is a process, not a problem to be solved. Their service is free, funded by donations, and ensures data privacy. Bank states that human presence remains essential, as AI cannot truly resonate with personal loss. The organization views AI as a complement, not a replacement, for their human-led counseling efforts.
Vienna priest Christoph Matyssek told La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana that 100 of 240 baptism candidates this year come from Islamic backgrounds. He noted that 34 of 64 recent converts hailed from Iran, Syria, and other regions. Matyssek, who serves the Afghan-Persian Catholic community, explained that many converts seek Christianity due to family pressure or personal spiritual experiences. He warned that these new believers face significant risks from their home countries and families. The priest emphasized the need for strong Catholic identity in Europe to support these newcomers effectively.
The revised Luther Bible has sold approximately 1.3 million copies in print and digital formats since its release in 2016, according to the Evangelical German Bible Society in Stuttgart. This edition serves as the primary translation for Protestant worship in Germany. EKD Chairwoman Bishop Kirsten Fehrs expressed joy at the continued relevance of the text, noting its ability to touch people anew. General Secretary Christoph Rösel highlighted the Bible's profound impact on German language and culture. The revision incorporated modern biblical scholarship and was officially presented in Eisenach on Reformation Day, marking the anniversary of Martin Luther's 1517 theses in Wittenberg.
The Polish Senate has voted in favor of liberalizing the country's strict abortion laws, following the Sejm. The proposed changes would decriminalize abortions up to twelve weeks of pregnancy and allow them in cases of severe fetal abnormalities. Currently, abortions are only permitted if the mother's life is at risk, or in cases of rape or incest. The bill now awaits the decision of President Karol Nawrocki, who is expected to veto the measure due to his opposition. The Catholic Church in Poland has criticized the plan, while polls indicate that a majority of Poles support the changes. The legislation was a key promise of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government.
Missio Austria presented the EMIL Award for the seventh time on Thursday evening in Vienna. The organization recognized individuals who have supported social and church projects for decades. Recipients included Father Alois Ortner, who has worked in the Philippines for nearly 40 years, and Sister Annie Chiluba, who runs a hospital in Zambia. Father George Elsbett and the couple Alfred and Elisabeth Berghammer were also honored for their contributions. The award features a bronze donkey symbolizing missionary work. Vincent Bueno provided musical entertainment at the gala event held at the ARIANA Eventcenter.
The Priest Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) now has over 600 members, including more than 400 priests, according to figures released on Sunday. Founded in 1988 by priests who disagreed with the unauthorized episcopal consecrations by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the group operates in full communion with local bishops. This contrasts with the Society of St. Pius X. The fraternity currently has 168 seminarians and 24 deacons. Most members come from the United States and France, while 77 members are from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The group celebrates the traditional Latin Mass in 154 dioceses worldwide.
Organizers in South Korea introduced two new mascots for the 41st World Youth Day. The hopeful tiger represents young people in Korea, while the brave lion stands for participants from around the world. The event is scheduled to take place in Seoul from August 3 to 8, 2027. Authorities expect hundreds of thousands of young attendees. Pope Leo XIV is also planned to travel to South Korea for the gathering. The group describes the animals as new friends that will encourage pilgrims on their journey. This major Catholic Church event aims to unite youth globally in the capital city.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Hungary issued an apology for clergy members who collaborated with the communist state security apparatus. This statement followed the public release of up to 60,000 names from secret police files, a move initiated by Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s government to address the country's past. The bishops requested forgiveness from victims and their families while emphasizing the need for context. They noted that some individuals were coerced or refused cooperation, and highlighted that the Church was a primary target of the dictatorship, with over 100 priests murdered and 2,000 imprisoned. Experts warn that the list lacks necessary contextualization for those affected.
Translated from Deutsch
Read more →
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
