Good news and the persecuted church, from around the world
Saturday, November 14, 2026 Updated 4:57 AM Central Time 3129 stories
Stories first published in Español, summarized in your language.
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.
Córdoba, Argentina, is hosting a musical vigil and a 'Papa Fest' to welcome Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday. The event takes place at the Fadea grounds, located about seven kilometers from the city center. Organizers expect approximately 800,000 attendees for the vigil, which features performances by popular local artists. This marks the first papal visit to Córdoba since John Paul II in 1987. After the mass, the Pope will visit the Archbishop's residence and the Cathedral for meetings with clergy. He will then return to Buenos Aires before traveling to Luján on Wednesday. The city has seen unusual activity as pilgrims arrive from across the country.
Pope Leo XIV visited Argentina and Uruguay, drawing crowds of millions in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Luján. The outlet reports that despite the rise of other religions, Catholic fervor remains strong in the region. The Pope, who is American but has Latin American ties, emphasized that the economy must serve people. He also visited a care center for disabled individuals, highlighting their value to society. Analysts note that while Catholicism faces numerical decline in some areas, it retains significant political and social influence across Latin America.
The second edition of Tarsis, a training initiative for Spanish evangelicals, took place in Bilbao on November 10, 2026. Approximately 2,500 attendees participated in sessions focused on apologetics and evangelization strategies. Organizers, including Ángel Rodríguez Heredia, described the event as a practical training ground for addressing contemporary faith challenges. Speakers such as Samuel Nielsen, Marta Durán, and Sarab Rey provided tools for engaging with Muslim communities, secular society, and alternative spiritualities. The project aims to equip local churches with methods to share the Christian message effectively across Spain.
The Mexican Episcopal Conference opened its plenary assembly at a major basilica in the country. Presided over by a senior monsignor, the event formally announced a Jubilee Year for the centenary of the Cristero Resistance. The conference urges authorities to guarantee religious freedom in Mexico. This announcement comes amid ongoing violence against clergy, including recent kidnappings and murders of priests in various regions. The bishops emphasize the need to defend faith and reconstruct social fabric amidst rising organized crime and institutional corruption.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at the Military Aviation School in Cordoba, Argentina, addressing 650,000 faithful. He urged the congregation to practice evangelization with an Argentine accent, drawing inspiration from local saints like Father Brochero and Mama Antula. The Pontiff emphasized that holiness requires missionary zeal and living testimony. Archbishop Cardinal Angel Sixto Rossi thanked the Pope for his visit, highlighting its spiritual impact. The Pope presented a chalice to the archdiocese and concluded the event with a blessing and prayer to Our Lady of Miracles, the patron saint of Cordoba.
Dobri Dobrev, a 103-year-old man from Bulgaria, died in 2018 after donating approximately five million dollars to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Residents of Sofia remember him walking daily from Baylovo to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to beg for funds. He dedicated his life to raising money for church restorations and orphanages. According to ZENIT, he gave away all his possessions around the year 2000. His legacy includes a large mural in Sofia and ongoing efforts for his canonization. The outlet notes that many Bulgarians view him as a saint due to his lifelong commitment to charity and spiritual devotion.
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.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass in Córdoba, Argentina, on November 10, marking the World Youth Day. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered at the Military Aviation School plaza, enduring cold winds overnight to witness the event. The Pontiff delivered a homily urging the faithful to seek holiness and evangelize, referencing Argentine saints like Father Brochero. Attendees, including families who had attended the 1997 event in Paris, expressed deep emotion at the Pope's simple and direct message. The visit concluded with the Pope departing for Buenos Aires after the liturgy.
Pakistan is celebrating four decades of Islamic-Christian dialogue through the National Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism, established in 1985. A director of a peace center in a major city highlights the creation of a nationwide network and institutional recognition of harmony. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue will visit several cities in the country to mark the anniversary. According to the outlet, the commission has addressed blasphemy laws and forced conversions, though educational challenges and minority prejudices remain significant hurdles for future progress.
Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada (ACN) is organizing REDWEEK 2026 in Spain from November 16 to 22. More than 250 landmarks, including cathedrals in Madrid and Barcelona, and public buildings in cities like Valencia and Zaragoza, will be illuminated in red. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the persecution of Christians worldwide. According to ACN, 413 million Christians live in countries with severe religious freedom violations. The campaign includes prayers, conferences by religious leaders from Iraq, Nigeria, and Pakistan, and the presentation of a manifesto to international institutions to defend religious liberty. The event is supported by the Asociación Católica de Propagandistas.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 8, 2026, marking the first papal visit to the country since 1987. According to ACI Prensa, he first met President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada. On November 9, the Pontiff visited the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole to support vulnerable individuals. He then celebrated Mass before approximately 2.5 million faithful at the Monumento a los Españoles, emphasizing the importance of family. Later, he engaged with workers at the UCA and religious leaders at Palacio San Martín, concluding with vespers at the Catedral Metropolitana.
Pope Leo XIV is visiting Peru, with preparations underway for a large mass at the Las Palmas air base in Lima and another in Chiclayo. According to Diario El Peruano, over 3,500 people have registered in Trujillo alone. The Pontiff will address topics including artificial intelligence and preserving humanity. Media outlets like Agencia Andina and TV Peru are providing extensive coverage. Additionally, more than 1,500 firefighters are deployed across five cities to ensure safety during the pastoral visit. Bishops have urged youth to engage with the Pope's messages at the National Stadium.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to arrive in Peru from Argentina on November 10, 2026, for a four-day pastoral tour. The visit includes a papal mobile procession on Avenida Brasil in Lima and a mass at the Pampas de Pimentel in Lambayeque. According to Diario El Peruano and Andina, the Pope will meet with youth at the Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo University in Chiclayo and receive the city keys from Cusco. Security measures are being implemented, with over 1,500 firefighters on alert. The itinerary also features meetings with diplomatic and civil authorities, highlighting themes of listening and technology use.
More than 50 elderly residents at a nursing home in Callao, Peru, received dolls representing Pope Leo XIV. The items were crafted by inmates at the Mujeres Chorrillos prison. The residents received the gifts while anticipating the pontiff's upcoming visit to the country. According to Agencia de Noticias Andina, the gesture highlights themes of solidarity and second chances. The news outlet reports that the elderly individuals expressed joy and emotion upon receiving the handmade presents before meeting the Pope in person.
Argentine authorities arrested two men in Bahía Blanca and Claypole for threatening Pope Leo XIV during his visit. Police seized firearms, ammunition, and phones after identifying suspects via a 911 call and a Facebook profile. The operations, authorized by federal judges, targeted individuals who posted violent messages and displayed weapons online. The seized arsenal includes rifles, a shotgun, and a pistol. The suspects, identified as Flavio Ariel Perrone and Miguel Ángel Carrizo, are now under judicial investigation for threats against the Pontiff. The evidence remains with the courts as proceedings continue.
Peruvian media outlets, including Diario El Peruano, are reporting on preparations for Pope Leo XIV's visit to Peru in November 2026. The coverage highlights logistical arrangements for the papal mass in Chiclayo, where thousands of attendees are expected. Reports mention the deployment of technical and human resources by TV Peru for special transmissions. Additionally, the Virgin of Copacabana will be displayed for the first time in 31 years to accompany the pontiff. The articles also note legal norms approved on November 10, 2026, and details regarding access routes and entry requirements for events at the National Stadium. The coverage emphasizes the significance of the visit for the local faithful and the extensive media attention it is receiving.
The Juan Bautista Gutiérrez Foundation, the social arm of Corporación Multi Inversiones, awarded 53 university scholarships to students in Guatemala and Honduras during its annual event. Since its inception in 2000, the program has granted 644 scholarships in partnership with several universities, including Universidad Zamorano in Honduras. The foundation reports that 95% of its 270 graduates are employed. Felipe Bosch Gutiérrez, the foundation's president, highlighted the long-term impact on talent development. The event also honored Carlos Paniagua Ferrari for his professional achievements.
In Puerto Rico, particularly in Santurce and Río Piedras, churches are providing shelter and food to migrants fearing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Pastor Nilka Marrero in Santurce continues distributing meals despite federal agents surrounding the area. Religious leaders are training on safety protocols as tensions rise. Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández and other congressmen have condemned the operations for separating families across the island. These faith centers remain critical support hubs for undocumented residents seeking refuge and humanitarian aid during the increased enforcement activities.
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