Back

Good news and the persecuted church, from around the world

SermonWave World News

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 Updated 9:03 PM Central Time 4 stories

Stories from The Pillar

Outlet
The Pillar
Outlet country
🇺🇸 United States
Original language
English
Stories featured
7

Visit The Pillar

Are you this publisher? Ask us to change or remove your stories.

Illustrative photo: purple stained glass of cathedral
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Jamieson Gordon on Unsplash
Good news

Patriarch Bartholomew Meets Pope and Ukrainian Leader in Rome

The Pillar Italy Türkiye Ukraine

The Ecumenical Patriarch visited Rome, holding private meetings with the Pope and the Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. These audiences received little publicity, reflecting the normalized state of Catholic-Orthodox relations after decades of leadership. Despite his advanced age, the patriarch remains a key figure in fostering unity between the churches, even as the Russian Orthodox Church creates division within Eastern Christianity. The low-key nature of the visits highlights the routine status of these diplomatic efforts.

Illustrative photo: A city street with tall buildings, traffic lights, and cars in Montevideo, Uruguay
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Nikolai Kolosov on Unsplash
Good news

Uruguay faces secular challenges ahead of Pope Leo's historic visit

The Pillar Uruguay

Church leaders in Uruguay anticipate significant challenges as Pope Leo prepares for the longest trip of his pontificate. The nation has not hosted a papal visit since 1988. According to The Pillar, local clergy describe a highly secularized culture that differs from other South American neighbors. Leaders indicate a dire need for spiritual renewal within the community. This upcoming journey marks a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church in the region, as it seeks to engage with a population that has largely moved away from traditional religious practices. The visit aims to address these secular trends and revitalize faith among the populace.

Illustrative photo: Praying Hands at the main entrance to the campus of Oral Roberts University
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Praying Hands at the main entrance to the campus of Oral Roberts University · Photo by and ©2004 Dustin M. Ramsey (Kralizec!) / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5
Good news

Utah Catholic Parish Raises Funds for New Walkable Church

The Pillar United States

Parishioners at St. Andrew in Riverton, Utah, are raising $35 million to construct a new basilica-style church. The community has worshipped in temporary locations, including a rectory basement, a movie theater, and a school gym, for the past 18 years. According to the report, the new building will be situated on a 10-acre plot designed with 'new urbanism' principles, creating one of the largest walkable Catholic communities in the region. This project aims to provide a dedicated worship space after two decades of using alternative venues.

Good news

Five Franciscan Martyrs from 1597 Georgia to be Beatified

The Pillar United States

The Catholic Church will beatify five Franciscan missionaries who were killed in 1597 in the region of La Florida, now part of Georgia, USA. According to The Pillar, these men evangelized the local Guale people and lived among them for years. Their deaths occurred during the 1597 Uprising, which disrupted their peaceful ministry. This event marks a significant historical recognition of their martyrdom and faith in the southeastern United States. The beatification honors their sacrifice and legacy in the early colonial period.

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