President Joe Biden’s expansive pardon for his son Hunter Biden Dec. 1 brought strong reaction from Catholic political observers and lawmakers alike, including criticism from Republicans and some members of Biden’s own Democratic Party.

The pope’s message encouraging prayers “for pilgrims of hope” was released by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network Dec. 3.

Hours after the last visitors and pilgrims left St. Peter’s Basilica for the day, a chisel clanged and dust flew as a group of prelates chanted their prayers before a simple wall marked with a cross.

The head of a Catholic humanitarian agency in Lebanon told OSV News the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire appears to be intact, as he and his team vow to assist those displaced by the conflict “wherever they settle.”

Hundreds of young Catholic adults flocked to Whitby’s Canada Event Center to celebrate their faith as one during this year’s Renew Toronto conference.