Covadonga Asturias, Author at ZENIT - English

Articles By Covadonga Asturias

Zaragoza’s Basilica of the Pillar Marks Record-Breaking Global Pilgrimage Surge: Americans are the largest group

The first half of 2025 has brought unprecedented numbers of international pilgrims, with 2.64 million visitors recorded between January and June. Among them, 9,290 came in officially registered groups from 24 different countries—an increase of nearly one-third over last year.

Aug 13, 2025 16:06

Covadonga Asturias

Local Church•Protection of vulnerable people

Turbulent Times for Emmanuel Community as Global Leader Steps Down Amid Internal Strains

In his farewell letter, De Vregille acknowledged “blind spots” that had hindered attentiveness to victims and admitted that “ecclesial differences” had sharpened existing tensions between the International Council—which includes members from four continents—and other leadership organs.

Aug 11, 2025 20:30

Covadonga Asturias

Local Church•Persecuted Christians

Record year for fires targeting Catholic churches: justice system investigates new fire at iconic Parisian parish

The church, a spiritual refuge for locals and tourists alike, will now remain closed for an indefinite period. The doors that welcomed generations of worshippers will stay shut—no Masses, no confessions. Silence of a different kind will reign.

Aug 02, 2025 23:52

Covadonga Asturias

Good News•Local Church

Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral breaks visitation record and aims to become France’s most visited monument

If this rhythm continues, the cathedral could reach an astonishing 12 million visits by the end of the year, eclipsing not only its pre-2019 attendance figures, but also surpassing the Eiffel Tower to become the most visited monument in France

Jul 13, 2025 19:15

Covadonga Asturias

Analysis Opinion•Local Church•Vocations

Ordinations Across a Shifting Continent: A Fragmented Yet Revealing Portrait of Catholic Priesthood in Europe, 2025

According to the Vatican’s own «Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae», the number of priests in Europe declined by 1.6% in 2023 alone. That same year, Europe still held 38.1% of the world’s priests—but that share is steadily shrinking.

Jul 09, 2025 22:20

Covadonga Asturias

Analysis Opinion•Woman

Study reveals that praying the Rosary is an important mental health ally. This is what the research says

Rosary Prayer Gains New Recognition as Tool for Mental Well-Being, Study Finds

Jun 29, 2025 23:41

Covadonga Asturias

Local Church

Dispute Over Torreciudad Remains Unresolved: Opus Dei denies that an agreement has been reached

The dispute erupted publicly in December 2022 when the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón declared the 1962 enfiteutic contract governing the site null and void, accusing Opus Dei of breaching its conditions

Jun 27, 2025 18:55

Covadonga Asturias

Local Church•Pope Francis•Pope Leo XIV

7 out of 10 Spanish citizens believe that Leo XIV’s papacy will be good or better than that of Pope Francis

The poll, conducted by the DYM Institute for «20minutos», reveals that nearly 69% of Spaniards believe Leo XIV’s papacy will be as good as, or even better than, that of his widely respected predecessor, Pope Francis.

May 26, 2025 10:55

Covadonga Asturias

Cardinals and Bishops•Pope Francis

Cardinal Elector announces he will not go to Conclave. Who is he and why?

The College of Cardinals currently comprises 252 members, of whom 134 are eligible to vote—those under the age of 80. The vast majority of the electors—over 80%—were appointed by Pope Francis, with the remainder being holdovers from the pontificates of Benedict XVI and John Paul II.

Apr 22, 2025 18:24

Covadonga Asturias

Cardinals and Bishops•Local Church

Italian judiciary rules on accusation of Catholic archbishop in blasphemy case

On March 28, 2025, Judge Andrea Scarpa of Modena formally dropped criminal charges of contempt for the Catholic religion against Archbishop Erio Castellucci of Modena-Nonantola and Carpi, exhibition curators Don Carlo Bellini and Cristina Muccioli, and the artist Andrea Saltini. The case revolved around a painting titled «Longino», which some Catholics claimed portrayed a Roman centurion in an intimate posture with Jesus.

Apr 14, 2025 16:27

Covadonga Asturias

Good News•Local Church•Young People

France Sees Historic Surge in Adult Baptisms. Young People Lead Spiritual Revival

This spiritual phenomenon isn’t just about numbers; it’s about who is leading the way. For the first time, young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 now form the largest demographic among new adult converts, surpassing those aged 26 to 40 who traditionally dominated the statistics

Apr 14, 2025 16:24

Covadonga Asturias

Local Church•Protection of vulnerable people

[Photo Gallery] This is How Rupnik’s Mosaics in Lourdes Have Been Covered, and Here is the Bishop’s Explanation

To the question if this is the first step before removing Rupnik’s mosaics definitively, the Bishop of Lourdes-Tarbes responded: “It’s not a first step but a second! The first was to stop illuminating them at night, during processions, starting last July.»

Apr 01, 2025 21:14

Covadonga Asturias

In what sense is the Bible the Word of God in human words? Pope Leo XIV responds

Pope’s general audience, February 4, 2026, on “Sacred Scripture: God’s Word in human words”

Leo XIV Prepares for a 2026 of Key Trips: Peru and Africa on the Horizon. Here Is All That Is Known

Peru will not be the only significant stop. The Vatican is also working on what will be Leo XIV’s first African visit as Pope. Although there is still no official schedule, two countries have already publicly confirmed their inclusion: Angola and Equatorial Guinea.