Here’s how Pope Leo XIV’s surprise video call to Lebanese priests in a war zone went

May 06, 2026 10:02

Pope Leo XIV surprised a group of parish priests serving in southern Lebanon with an unexpected virtual meeting Photo: Vatican Media

Good News•Local Church

Belarus releases Discalced Carmelite friar accused of espionage

His release came within a broader exchange described as a “5-for-5” format, involving individuals convicted of espionage or related offenses in Belarus and Russia being swapped for detainees held in European Union countries and elsewhere. In total, 10 prisoners were involved across multiple jurisdictions.

May 01, 2026 16:17

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Analysis Opinion•Good News•Local Church

New research reports an increase in church attendance and donations and a decrease in clergy departures

Catholic and Orthodox communities report the highest average attendance, around 200 participants, partly reflecting their structural organization with fewer but larger parishes. Evangelical congregations average 75 attendees, while mainline Protestant churches report around 50

Apr 28, 2026 17:09

Jorge Enrique Mújica

Good News•Local Church•Young People

A generation returns? New data suggest a surprising revival of Catholic identity among Spanish youth

The data do not necessarily indicate a uniform revival across all segments of youth, nor do they guarantee long-term retention. The history of religious affiliation in Europe suggests that identification does not always translate into sustained practice

Apr 24, 2026 20:49

ZENIT Staff

Causes of Saints•Good News•Local Church

From Christopher Columbus to Mother Cabrini: The patron saint of migrants wins the vote for a statue in Chicago

The choice followed a public consultation process launched by the Chicago Park District after the removal of a statue of Christopher Columbus between 2019 and 2020, amid widespread protests linked to racial justice movements

Apr 22, 2026 17:07

Tim Daniels

Good News•Local Church

France is set to break conversion records this Easter: here are the numbers, the reasons, and the origins

What is unfolding in France does not easily fit conventional narratives of decline or revival. It suggests instead a more fragmented but also more intentional religious landscape, in which faith is less inherited than chosen

Mar 28, 2026 21:07

ZENIT Staff