Persecuted Christians

Two More Catholic Priests Are Abducted in Nigeria

According to information gathered by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Father Stephen Echezona was kidnapped on Saturday, March 22, in the diocese of Akwa, Ambara State, while at a gas station buying fuel. Just 24 hours later, the diocese of Owerri announced the abduction of Father John Ubaechu, kidnapped while driving on a road of Imo State.

Mar 25, 2025 06:25

ZENIT Staff

Church and World

Catholics are still growing in Asia, but priestly vocations decline further

The Pontifical Yearbook for 2022-2023 was released. The number of Catholics in the world is rising, to 1.406 billion. The number of bishops and priests is still growing in Asia (+1.6 per cent), but the number of seminarians is down by 4.2 per cent. Southeast Asia is one of the few regions where the number of women religious is increasing, slightly. About 30 per cent of all nuns and 18.2 per cent of all priests live in Asia.

Mar 24, 2025 17:47

ZENIT Staff

Local Church

Which is the least Christian and Catholic city in the United States? Study reveals

Among other major metropolitan areas, San Francisco reported the third-highest proportion of religiously unaffiliated adults at 42%, while Boston and San Diego followed closely with 40%. These numbers reflect a growing secularization in some of America’s most culturally influential urban centers.

Mar 24, 2025 17:45

ZENIT Staff

Pro Life

These are the sums of money earned by abortion clinic managers in the U.S.

The report details the salaries of all 49 of the abortion vendor’s affiliate CEOs, along with those of the top-paid employees at the organization’s headquarters—Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Mar 23, 2025 20:13

ZENIT Staff

Local Church

USCCB Statement on the Executive Order Pertaining to the U.S. Department of Education

The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the primary educators of their children and should have the freedom and resources to choose an educational setting best suited for their child

Mar 23, 2025 20:11

ZENIT Staff

Local Church•Pope Francis

Biden’s gift to the Pope: Medal of Freedom arrives in Buenos Aires

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian distinction in the United States, rarely bestowed upon religious figures. Before Pope Francis, only one pontiff had received it: John Paul II, who was honored by President George W. Bush in 2004 for his role in promoting religious freedom and helping to end communism in Eastern Europe.

Mar 22, 2025 22:50

ZENIT Staff

Local Church•Persecuted Christians

Legal Battle in Kansas: Archbishop Seeks Return of Stolen Eucharist Amid Planned Satanic Ritual

According to court documents, the case hinges on Stewart’s own admissions, which were made publicly through Reddit posts and private phone calls. Using the online alias “xsimon666x” and calling himself “Simon Satanas,” Stewart boasted on social media that his group had already obtained a consecrated host and wine

Mar 22, 2025 22:48

ZENIT Staff

Local Church•Testimonies

Lord Mayor of Westminster receives Papal Knighthood

Elected to Westminster City Council in 2010, Cllr Rigby – who became Lord Mayor in May 2024 – is a former chair of the Catholic Union who has used his Mayoral year to speak publicly about his Catholic faith in public life. One of his two chosen charities for the one-year term of Lord Mayor is the Cardinal Hume Centre, which specialises in helping homeless teens.

Mar 22, 2025 22:46

ZENIT Staff

Church and World•Documents

How many Catholics are there in the world? Vatican releases 2025 statistics

The global Catholic population increased by 1.15% between 2022 and 2023, rising from approximately 1.39 billion to 1.406 billion, a percentage very similar to that of the previous biennium. The distribution of baptized Catholics varies in the various geographic areas, in accordance with the different demographics of each continent.

Mar 22, 2025 22:38

ZENIT Staff

Liturgy and Divine Worship

Questions about liturgy: Anointings for the Mentally

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

Mar 19, 2025 17:28

ZENIT Staff

Pope Francis

Pope’s Letter From The Hospital: Disarm Words, Disarm Minds and Disarm The Earth

The Pope’s answer to the Director of an Italian newspaper about war

Mar 18, 2025 05:46

ZENIT Staff

Local Church•Vocations

Salesian General Chapter approves that lay people be community superiors

This position of the GC29 has its roots in the Rescript signed by Pope Francis in 2022, which authorized non-priest religious to hold positions of governance within communities.

Mar 17, 2025 17:13

ZENIT Staff