Local Church•Pope Francis•Protection of vulnerable people

Pope Francis Warns of AI’s Role in Enabling Abuse, Calls for Ethical Responsibility

Francis warned that the internet has long created a false sense of detachment, allowing individuals to hide behind screens and avoid responsibility for their actions

Feb 25, 2025 11:31

ZENIT Staff

Justice and Peace•Local Church

U.S. Bishops Lose First Round in Legal Battle Against Trump’s Refugee Aid Freeze

According to catholic church bishops, the freeze has resulted in millions of dollars in unpaid reimbursements for services already provided, with additional financial losses mounting each week. The bishops sought an immediate temporary restraining order to lift the funding suspension, but on Thursday, February 20, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden denied the request.

Feb 24, 2025 18:06

ZENIT Staff

Religious Freedom

France’s Proposed Ban on Religious Attire in Sports Sparks Controversy

However, critics view the proposed ban as another example of how secularism in France is often used as a tool of exclusion rather than neutrality. While “laïcité” was originally intended to prevent state interference in religious affairs, in practice, Muslim communities argue that it has been selectively applied to restrict their religious expression.

Feb 23, 2025 21:04

ZENIT Staff

Bioethics•Local Church

Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand IVF Access Amid Ethical and Religious Debate

The executive order comes amid growing debate over the ethics of IVF, particularly concerning the fate of unused embryos. Official data from 2021 show that at least 85,000 children were born via IVF that year, while an estimated one million embryos remain frozen in U.S. laboratories.

Feb 23, 2025 20:57

ZENIT Staff

Ecumenism

Anglicans begin process to elect new Archbishop of Canterbury

Unlike other positions in the Church, the role of Archbishop of Canterbury is not open to direct applications. Instead, the process relies on nominations, deliberation, and discernment, seeking to identify the person whom God may be calling to lead the Church in this new chapter.

Feb 23, 2025 20:53

ZENIT Staff

Holy Land•Persecuted Christians•Religious Freedom

Christian Leaders Unite Against Jerusalem Municipality’s Move to Seize Armenian Patriarchate Properties

In April 2023, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, noted a sharp increase in such incidents since Netanyahu’s current government took office in December 2022. His coalition, widely described as Israel’s most right-wing government in history, includes ultra-nationalist figures with open hostility toward Christian institutions.

Feb 23, 2025 20:50

ZENIT Staff

Liturgy and Divine Worship

Questions about liturgy: Deciding on Which Office to Pray

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.

Feb 23, 2025 20:46

ZENIT Staff

Pro Life

Analysis Shows Benefit of Pro-Life Aid Restrictions

The Global Protecting Life Rule (previously known as both the Mexico City Policy and Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance) remains an executive order that could be rescinded by a future Democratic president. If Congress were to make it a law, it would not only extend the protections to all life overseas, but end the temporary interruptions to services caused by the need to find new implementing partners.

Feb 23, 2025 20:44

ZENIT Staff

Bioethics•Local Church

USA: IVF Destroys Human Life, Bishops Urge Ethical Alternatives

“The IVF industry treats human beings like products and freezes or kills millions of children who are not selected for transfer to a womb or do not survive. Tuesday’s executive order promoting IVF is thus fatally flawed and stands in regrettable contrast to the promising pro-life actions of the Administration last month.

Feb 23, 2025 20:41

ZENIT Staff

Persecuted Christians

TV series breaks taboo on false accusations of blasphemy

The series “Tan Man Neelo Neel”, broadcast by Hum TV, deals with the theme of lynching and accusations of blasphemy used as a tool for revenge. While last year’s figures show a dramatic increase in cases related to these laws, activists and intellectuals praise the courage of the production.

Feb 23, 2025 20:37

ZENIT Staff

Good News

“Carlo Acutis, God’s Influencer”: Premiere Is Announced of First Animated Film of the Famous Italian Blessed

CCC of America, in association with the Augustine Institute, announced the premiere of the animated film: “Carlo Acutis, God’s Influencer”

Feb 23, 2025 06:42

ZENIT Staff

Justice and Peace•Vatican City

Sloane Avenue building case: British judiciary rules against Vatican

The High Court of England and Wales has published its ruling on the legal proceedings initiated by the Italian financier in 2020 against the Secretariat of State in an attempt to halt the investigation launched by the Vatican’s Promoter of Justice.

Feb 21, 2025 15:51

ZENIT Staff