Pope Leo XIV will visit Algeria, marking the first papal trip to the country. A missionary reports that the small Christian community expects the visit with great joy. The Pope will meet Muslims, visit a mosque in the capital, and honor martyrs killed during the civil war. He also plans to visit sites linked to Saint Augustine in the eastern region. The visit aims to promote peace and diversity for the tiny Catholic minority in the predominantly Muslim nation.
The AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag has submitted a bill to abolish state payments to churches. The proposal establishes a uniform procedure for calculating these amounts and suggests a federal-state coordination office. These payments, rooted in the 1803 secularization of church property, total approximately 600 million euros annually. While the current federal government attempted to end them, the effort failed due to opposition from state governments. Additionally, the AfD party program in Saxony-Anhalt recently adopted a similar demand to terminate these financial obligations.
The Ukrainian postal service has issued a special stamp honoring Pope Leo XIV for his support of children affected by the Russian war. The stamp, unveiled in Kyiv by Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, Metropolitan Sviatoslav Shevchuk, and MP Olena Kondratjuk, depicts the Pope blessing a child in July 2025. It features a quote advocating for lasting peace. Kondratjuk stated the stamp expresses gratitude for the Vatican’s role in repatriating abducted children, noting that Russia has taken over 20,000 minors. The initiative also signals improved relations between Kyiv and the Holy See under the new pontiff, following previous tensions with Pope Francis. (KNA)
American Catholics, including bishops and conservative figures, strongly criticized President Donald Trump's threats against Iran. The Pope condemned these threats as unacceptable and urged Americans to contact Congress for peace. Critics, such as Bishop Paul Coakley and Military Bishop Timothy Broglio, questioned the war's legitimacy under Catholic teaching. Vice President JD Vance warned against regional chaos, while CIA Director John Ratcliffe dismissed the attack plan as grotesque. The conflict has united diverse Catholic groups in opposition, contrasting with the Pope's stance that God rejects war and cannot be used to justify it.
Two former Clarisse nuns appeared before a court in Bilbao, Spain, to deny allegations of neglecting five elderly sisters. According to Religion Digitál, the women stated they cared for the older nuns excellently and acted with a clear conscience. The eight former nuns had previously been involved in a schismatic group that moved elderly sisters to Orduña, where police found them in poor condition in December. One sister died in a Burgos hospital. The remaining sisters are now in proper care. The accused nuns left the Belorado monastery in March and handed it over to Archbishop Mario Iceta. They claim the property was clean, while the diocese described it as dirty and rat-infested. Lawyers note no formal charges have been filed yet.
Ukrainian church leaders urged hope for victory in the war against Russia during Easter messages. Metropolitan Epiphanius of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Greek Catholic Church thanked soldiers and asked for a blessed triumph. These statements came as Russian drone attacks killed civilians in Nikopol and Odessa. Although a 32-hour ceasefire was announced, the Ukrainian security service warned of potential terror attacks. The two major Christian communities in Ukraine recently aligned their calendars with Western churches for fixed holidays, though Easter dates remain distinct.
Catholic and Protestant church leaders in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, have issued a joint statement criticizing the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s election program. They argue the platform attacks human dignity, freedom, and social cohesion, stating it conflicts with Christian values. The churches warn that the AfD’s focus on national homogeneity and strict migration controls undermines democratic institutions and fundamental rights. This criticism comes as the AfD, classified as right-wing extremist by domestic intelligence, prepares for the September state election. Church officials, including Bishop Gerhard Feige, emphasized that fear-mongering instead of confident change threatens the rule of law and the open society.
Augsburg Bishop Bertram Meier affirmed ongoing support for Catholics in Bosnia and Herzegovina following a four-day visit to Sarajevo. He noted that the community, largely composed of ethnic Croats, lacks political representation and faces youth emigration. Despite difficult conditions and lingering wounds from the 1992–1995 war, Meier highlighted the church's role in social engagement and interreligious dialogue. During the visit, he met with German Ambassador Alfred Grannas and High Representative Christian Schmidt, discussing the country's EU accession prospects. The bishop emphasized that dialogue helps overcome divisions and strengthens social cohesion in the region.
Church in Not Germany has strongly condemned recent attacks in southern Lebanon, urging the protection of civilians. Managing Director Florian Ripka expressed deep concern over renewed military clashes near the Israeli border, which have caused civilian casualties, damaged infrastructure, and forced many to flee. Ripka highlighted that Christian families in small border villages are particularly vulnerable and lack resources to escape. He called on the international community to prioritize civilian protection and de-escalation, warning that continued instability could drive another exodus of Christians, eroding Lebanon's cultural diversity. The organization continues to support locals through aid and pastoral care.
Brother Jakobus-Maria Raschko, a Franciscan monk in Jerusalem, reported a changed atmosphere following the reopening of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Israel. After receiving news via WhatsApp that restrictions were lifted, he noted that doors were open and more worshippers attended services. Although the truce allows for normal operations, he warned that closures could resume instantly if security forces issue new orders. The monk observed that while pilgrims are absent, local Christians can now participate in Holy Week liturgies. He highlighted the coordinated schedule between Latin and Orthodox communities to manage access to the holy site during Easter celebrations.
Translated from Deutsch
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According to the Statistical Yearbook of the Church, Africa now holds over 20 percent of the world's Catholics, exceeding Europe's share for the first time. The continent's Catholic population reached 288 million in 2024, an increase of seven million from the previous year. This demographic shift reflects Africa's rapid growth and the complex history of missionary work and colonialism. While the church has grown significantly, it faces challenges including tensions with other religious groups and internal debates on issues like polygamy and clerical celibacy. The article notes that while Catholic numbers rise, other Christian denominations are also expanding rapidly across the region.
Pope Leo XIV has dispatched a telegram of consolation to Christian residents in the South Lebanon region, specifically addressing the community in Debel. The Vatican released the message on Tuesday, coinciding with the Easter holiday. The pontiff expressed paternal closeness to those suffering from injustice and feelings of abandonment. He encouraged the faithful to maintain hope, asserting that their prayers and gestures of solidarity are preserved by Our Lady of Lebanon. The letter emphasizes that Easter represents a promise of the future and concludes with the Pope’s blessing for the local population. (KNA)
The annual foot pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres in France has recorded a significant increase in participants this year. Organizers reported approximately 14,000 registrations on the first day, compared to about 6,000 last year. A spokesperson for the Catholic News Agency stated that internal processes are being adjusted due to high demand, with some groups already fully booked. Although the event, known as the largest gathering of traditionalist Catholics in France since 1983, still has available spots, those unable to attend can follow the journey via livestream. The route traditionally begins in Paris and ends in Chartres, featuring liturgies in the Tridentine rite.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan has prohibited a controversial Easter ritual in the Philippines due to animal cruelty concerns. The ceremony, known as Salubong, involved tying a white dove to balloons and a statue of the Virgin Mary in Malabon City. The Diocese and the parish of the Immaculate Conception apologized for the event. Priest Mariano Bartolome also issued a formal apology for the treatment of the bird. The ban aims to prevent future instances of harming animals during religious celebrations. This decision highlights growing sensitivity towards animal welfare within local church practices on the islands.
Catholic parishes in Dubai have canceled all public Easter services following a government directive. The churches remain closed indefinitely, with parish websites urging members to avoid visiting for safety reasons. This order has been in effect since Good Friday. The affected communities include the St. Francis of Assisi parish in Jebel Ali and the large St. Mary's parish, which serves approximately 30,000 members, primarily Filipino migrant workers. Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, expressed solidarity with the faithful, acknowledging the pain of missing in-person Holy Week celebrations. The closure coincides with increased regional tensions, as the outlet notes recent Iranian missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates. (KNA)
According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, several Catholic dioceses in Germany recorded an increase in adult baptisms last year. Paderborn reported 178 baptisms in 2025, nearly double the 2023 figure. Dresden-Meißen estimated 76 baptisms, while Magdeburg saw 41. This continues a trend observed since 2022, with national totals rising from 1,648 in 2022 to 2,075 in 2024. Religious sociologist Gert Pickel attributes the rise to young people seeking stability during crises. Despite this specific increase, total Catholic baptisms in Germany declined to 109,028 in 2025, down from 116,274 the previous year.
Wilhelm Wölting, an 88-year-old retired teacher from Essen, Germany, received Misereor’s Gold Honor Medal for his decades-long fight against exploitative child labor. After witnessing abuses in India in 2005, he initiated the “Magna Charta” in 2010. This voluntary agreement was signed by 53 cities and four districts in the Ruhr region, committing them to purchase only fair-trade products. Misereor’s Dr. Andreas Frick praised Wölting’s empathy and responsibility. The initiative aims to prevent municipalities from buying goods made with child labor, addressing a global issue that still affects millions of children today.
Ruben Enaje, known as the 'Jesus of Pampanga,' underwent his final self-crucifixion on Good Friday in San Pedro Cutud, Philippines. For 37 years, the painter reenacted Jesus' passion using real nails, a vow made after surviving a fall in the 1980s. Originally intended to last nine years, the practice continued for his family and due to a lack of successors. Enaje stated this 2026 event is his last, during which he prayed for world peace. While the Catholic Church officially opposes live crucifixions, it tolerates this extreme form of popular piety in the predominantly Catholic nation.
The Russian foreign intelligence service SVR has accused Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of attempting to interfere in the selection of a successor to the late Georgian Patriarch Ilia II. The SVR claims the Patriarch favors specific candidates, allegations that a spokesperson for the Georgian Orthodox Church dismissed as impossible. Patriarch Ilia II died in March, leaving the autocephalous church in Georgia without a leader. The Georgian Synode is scheduled to meet soon to discuss eligibility criteria for new candidates, including age and theological qualifications, as the church navigates this transition amid ongoing tensions with Moscow.
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