Pope Leo XIV

Leo XIV’s view of sport in a letter about the Winter Olympics

A particularly sharp section of the letter addresses the imbalance between elite sport and grassroots activity. While acknowledging professional competition as a legitimate expression of sport — complete with media attention and public acclaim — Leo XIV warns against neglecting amateur and community-level sport

Feb 10, 2026 11:07

ZENIT Staff

Local Church•Religious Freedom

China’s “official” Catholic Church aligns itself with the policies of the Chinese Communist government

All religious communities and clergy in China are required to register with state-approved bodies in order to operate legally. Those who refuse often face fines, closures of worship sites, detention or other forms of pressure

Feb 10, 2026 11:00

ZENIT Staff

Analysis Opinion•Young People

Has Gen Z’s Relationship With Religion Really Shifted? A New Chapter in Belief

In the past few years, something new and complex has emerged: signs that parts of Generation Z are moving back toward belief—or at least toward spiritual engagement—in noticeable ways

Feb 10, 2026 10:52

ZENIT Staff

Good News•Local Church

Secularized Netherlands joins list of countries showing percentage growth in conversions to Catholicism

The numbers remain small, but their consistency across countries as different as the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Australia, and the United States suggests a shared undercurrent

Feb 10, 2026 10:45

ZENIT Staff

Local Church•Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV to visit Australia in 2028 for International Eucharistic Congress, according to local bishop

The clearest confirmation to date came on February 9, when Bishop Richard Umbers, auxiliary bishop of Sydney and executive director of Eucharist28, publicly stated that the Pope had personally signaled his willingness to attend

Feb 09, 2026 17:19

ZENIT Staff

Local Church

These Are the Most Important Moments During the Extraordinary Month of Exposition of the Mortal Remains of Saint Francis of Assisi

The solemn Eucharistic celebration that will conclude the exposition of the mortal remains of Saint Francis will take place on Sunday, March 22 at 5:00 PM, presided over by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

Feb 09, 2026 16:59

ZENIT Staff

Gender Ideology•Pro Life

Gender ideology: UN prepares to define new “gender crimes”

Most Western nations want the term “gender” in a new UN treaty on crimes against humanity to be left undefined to include gender as a social construct and sexual and gender identity issues. They also want a slew of new gender crimes to be listed in the treaty, including “gender apartheid” and “reproductive violence.”

Feb 08, 2026 23:39

ZENIT Staff

Pro Life

UN Agencies Call to Censor Pro-Life Speech

Digital platforms should be held accountable for allowing misinformation on abortion. These agencies working in tandem say pro-life speech is tantamount to “misinformation” and should be stopped.

Feb 08, 2026 23:25

ZENIT Staff

Persecuted Christians

10 Years On: Recognition of ISIS Genocide Must Lead to Renewed Action to Protect Religious Minorities

Experts call for renewed and robust action beyond recognition and remembrance. ISIS-affiliated groups and individuals inspired by its ideology remain active across multiple regions

Feb 08, 2026 23:19

ZENIT Staff

Liturgy and Divine Worship

Questions about liturgy: “Sacrifice” and “Father” in Prayers of the Mass

Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum university.

Feb 08, 2026 23:09

ZENIT Staff

Angelus•Pope Leo XIV

Joy, the taste of life, and how to rekindle it: a simple meditation by Pope Leo XIV

Address on the occasion of the Angelus prayer on Sunday, February 8, 2026

Feb 08, 2026 22:47

ZENIT Staff

Analysis Opinion•Marriage and Family

Men Are Happiest When They Do 2 Things, Data Shows

The 2022 General Social Survey found that men ages 18-55 report the highest levels of happiness when they’re married with children.

Feb 07, 2026 22:26

ZENIT Staff