A Chicago microbrewery has released a beer named “Da Pope” in honor of Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican has launched a brand-new official mobile app, and the world’s oldest purpose-built Christian church has just opened its doors to the public.

In this week’s episode of Church Headlines, we cover stories from Rome, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas — highlighting moments where faith, culture, technology, and global politics intersect in the life of the Catholic Church.

In today’s episode of Church Headlines, Br. Darius Lawrence walks you through:

- A Chicago microbrewery’s tribute beer honoring Pope Leo XIV

- The reopening of the world’s oldest purpose-built Christian church in Jordan

- The Vatican’s launch of its new official institutional mobile app

- Israel’s ban on Caritas International and other humanitarian organizations

- Early preparations for a possible papal visit to Spain in 2026

- A Catholic AI platform inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe- Pope Leo XIV’s decision to hold annual consistories with

cardinals

- The Pope’s meeting with Venezuelan leader and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado

Welcome to @ChurchHeadlines where we bring you regular news recaps about what is happening in the Catholic Church throughout the world!

📰 Church News without the noise.

🕵‍♂ We read it all—so you don’t have to.

🇻🇦 2 Catholic seminarians in Rome reporting what matters.

Would you like to support us financially in our mission?

Link: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=a75070

-------------------------------

For further reading about this week's stories, here are some online articles:

– Chicago brewery releases “Da Pope” beer for Pope Leo XIV: https://zenit.org/2025/11/30/a-beer-created-in-chicago-is-dedicated-to-leo-xiv/

– World’s oldest purpose-built Christian church opens in Jordan: https://zenit.org/2025/12/23/the-worlds-oldest-church-has-been-found-where-is-it-what-is-it-like-and-how-can-you-visit-it/

– Vatican launches official institutional mobile app: https://zenit.org/2026/01/04/vatican-city-launches-institutional-app/

– Caritas International banned in Gaza and West Bank: https://zenit.org/2026/01/03/the-jewish-state-of-israel-bans-caritas-the-charitable-arm-of-the-church-and-more-than-20-humanitarian-organizations-from-gaza/

– Possible papal visit to Spain in 2026: https://zenit.org/2026/01/04/pope-leo-xvi-to-visit-spain-heres-everything-we-know-so-far/

– Catholic AI platform Juanito.ai expands formation efforts: https://zenit.org/2025/12/10/juanito-ai-takes-a-bold-leap-from-guadalupan-ai-to-platform-for-catholic-formation/

– Pope Leo XIV announces annual consistories: https://zenit.org/2026/01/08/cardinals-will-return-to-rome-for-a-new-consistory-in-june-2026-requested-by-pope-leo-xiv/

– Pope meets Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado: https://zenit.org/2026/01/12/pope-leo-xiv-receives-nobel-prize-laureate-maria-corina-machado-this-is-what-the-venezuelan-leader-asked-him/

-------------------------------------------

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro

00:17 – Chicago brewery releases “Da Pope” beer for Pope Leo XIV

00:53 – World’s oldest purpose-built Christian church opens in Jordan

01:28 – Vatican launches official institutional mobile app

02:16 – Caritas International banned in Gaza and West Bank

02:57 – Possible papal visit to Spain in 2026

03:25 – Catholic AI platform Juanito.ai expands formation efforts

04:01 – Pope Leo XIV announces annual consistories

04:44 – Pope meets Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado

05:16 – Outro

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Vogue magazine has just named Pope Leo XIV one of the best-dressed people of 2025 — placing the Holy Father alongside global celebrities and reigniting discussion about symbolism, tradition, and authority in papal attire. But that’s only one of the major stories making headlines this week in the Catholic Church.

From Rome to the Americas and beyond, this episode of Church Headlines covers key developments shaping the life of the Church today — from Vatican governance and global religious freedom to cultural moments that place the papacy firmly in the public spotlight.

In today’s episode of Church Headlines, Br. Darius Lawrence walks you through:

- Why Vogue magazine praised Pope Leo XIV’s papal wardrobe

- A major upcoming consistory involving the entire College of Cardinals

- Renewed scrutiny surrounding leadership in the Anglican Church over mishandled ab*se cases

- The opening of the new John Paul II House Museum in Rome

- Growing calls to advance the canonization cause of Benedict XVI

- A significant shift in U.S. military chaplaincy policy

- The Vatican’s appointment of a new Archbishop of New York

- Reports that Nicaragua is restricting the importation of Bibles and religious texts

Welcome to @ChurchHeadlines where we bring you regular news recaps about what is happening in the Catholic Church throughout the world!

📰 Church News without the noise.

🕵‍♂ We read it all—so you don’t have to.

🇻🇦 2 Catholic seminarians in Rome reporting what matters.

Would you like to support us financially in our mission?

Link: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=a75070

-------------------------------

For further reading about this week's stories, here are some online articles:

– Vogue names Pope Leo XIV among best-dressed of 2025: https://zenit.org/2025/12/14/vogue-praises-the-popes-elegance-and-places-him-on-its-annual-list-of-best-dressed-people/

– Pope Leo XIV calls consistory of the College of Cardinals: https://zenit.org/2025/12/22/these-are-the-three-topics-the-pope-will-address-with-cardinals-in-his-first-consistory/

– Anglican Church leader faces scrutiny over mishandled ab*se cases: https://zenit.org/2025/12/16/first-woman-to-lead-anglican-church-could-resign-before-taking-office-over-mishandling-of-abuse-cases/

– Rome opens the John Paul II House Museum: https://zenit.org/2025/12/29/the-new-and-free-john-paul-ii-house-museum-opens-in-rome/

– Push grows for Benedict XVI’s canonization and Doctor of the Church: https://zenit.org/2025/12/07/who-is-behind-the-promotion-of-benedict-xvis-canonization-and-his-declaration-as-a-doctor-of-the-church/

– U.S. Army reforms chaplaincy and spiritual fitness policy: https://zenit.org/2025/12/21/restoring-the-chaplains-call-u-s-military-moves-to-reclaim-spiritual-leadership/

– Vatican appoints new Archbishop of New York: https://zenit.org/2025/12/18/five-years-in-el-salvador-and-disciple-of-cardinal-cupich-this-is-the-new-archbishop-of-new-york/

– Nicaragua reportedly blocks import of Bibles and religious texts: https://zenit.org/2025/12/17/nicaraguan-dictatorship-bans-bibles-from-entering-the-country/

--------------------------------------------

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro

00:19 – Pope Leo on Vogue's Best-Dressed List

00:56 – Pope Leo Summons All Cardinals to Rome

01:32 – New Archbishop of Canterbury Under Pressure to Resign

02:17 – John Paul II House Museum Opens in Rome

03:01 – Push for Benedict XVI's Canonization

03:33 – US Military Chaplaincy Reforms

04:10 – Ronald Hicks is the New Archbishop of New York

04:41 – Nicaragua Bans Bibles

05:08 – Outro

-------------------------------------------------

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The Vatican weighs the question of women deacons, a Cardinal is blocked from leaving Venezuela, and tensions flare again inside a Syro-Malabar cathedral. Here’s everything you need to know from this week in Catholic news.

In today’s episode of Church Headlines, Br. John Frain walks you through:

- A newly released Vatican report on the possibility of a female diaconate

- Pope Leo XIV’s decision to dissolve a controversial Vatican fundraising body

- Notre-Dame Cathedral surpassing the Louvre as France’s most visited site

- Signs of renewed interest in confession among practicing French Catholics

- Parishioners occupying a Syro-Malabar cathedral amid liturgical disputes

- Venezuela revoking a Cardinal’s passport

- The Vatican partnering with actor Chris Pratt for a major documentary project

Welcome to @ChurchHeadlines where we bring you regular news recaps about what is happening in the Catholic Church throughout the world!

📰 Church News without the noise.

🕵‍♂ We read it all—so you don’t have to.

🇻🇦 2 Catholic seminarians in Rome reporting what matters.

Would you like to support us financially in our mission?

Link: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=a75070

-------------------------------

For further reading about this week's stories, here are some online articles:

– Vatican report on women and the diaconate: https://zenit.org/2025/12/04/vatican-publishes-conclusions-of-study-on-womenand-the-diaconate-heres-what-it-says/

– Pope Leo XIV dissolves Vatican fundraising commission: https://zenit.org/2025/12/05/second-setback-for-the-previous-pontificate-pope-leo-repeals-pope-francis-financial-measure/

– Notre-Dame surpasses the Louvre in visitors: https://zenit.org/2025/12/11/notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-surpasses-the-louvre-museum-in-visitor-numbers-here-are-the-figures/

– Confession seeing renewed practice in France: https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/poll-finds-signs-of-a-confession

– Syro-Malabar cathedral occupation in India: https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/basilica-occupation-reignites-syro

– Venezuela blocks Cardinal from leaving the country: https://zenit.org/2025/12/11/this-is-how-the-venezuelan-dictatorship-revoked-the-cardinals-passport-and-prevented-him-from-leaving-the-country/

– Vatican hires Chris Pratt for St. Peter’s documentary: https://zenit.org/2025/12/07/why-did-the-vatican-hire-hollywood-superstar-chris-pratt-for-a-documentary-heres-everything-we-know/

--------------------------------------

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro

00:19 – Vatican report on women and the diaconate

00:59 – Pope Leo XIV dissolves Vatican fundraising commission

01:23 – Notre-Dame surpasses the Louvre in visitors

01:48 – Confession seeing renewed practice in France

02:21 – Syro-Malabar cathedral occupation in India

02:57 – Venezuela blocks Cardinal from leaving the country

03:16 – Vatican hires Chris Pratt for St. Peter’s documentary

03:43 – Outro

-----------------------------

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Is Pope Leo XIV shaking up the Vatican more than anyone expected? This week’s Church Headlines covers major reforms, a historic first papal trip, new American Church policies, and even a brand-new museum dedicated to the Shroud of Turin.

In this episode:

• Massive Curia overhaul: Pope Leo XIV signs two major regulatory documents bringing transparency, anti-nepotism rules, certified IT systems, digital archiving, and a unified work structure to the Vatican.

• Pope Leo’s first apostolic trip: From Türkiye to Lebanon, he met heads of state, prayed with Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I, visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and warned the world against a “piecemeal” world war.

• A personal message from the brothers: A call for prayers and support as the channel grows.

• Brazil’s towering Marian statue: A new 54-meter monument becomes the world’s tallest image of Our Lady of Fátima.

• USCCB medical policies updated: Catholic hospitals reaffirm bans on g**der-altering surgeries in new ethical and religious directives.

• Nicki Minaj at the United Nations: The rapper unexpectedly highlights Christian persecution in Nigeria.

• A new Shroud of Turin museum in California: Immersive galleries, research collaborations, and a cutting-edge exploration of one of history’s most studied objects.

• K-Faith? Korean culture meets evangelization through Br. Andrew Kang’s creative ministry.

Welcome to @ChurchHeadlines where we bring you regular news recaps about what is happening in the Catholic Church throughout the world!

📰 Church News without the noise.

🕵‍♂ We read it all—so you don’t have to.

🇻🇦 2 Catholic seminarians in Rome reporting what matters.

-------------------------------

For further reading about this week's stories, here are some online articles:

— Pope Leo shakes up the Curia: https://zenit.org/2025/11/25/this-is-what-working-hours-will-be-like-in-the-vatican-and-the-protection-against-nepotism-according-to-the-new-regulations-of-leo-xiv/

— Pope Leo’s first apostolic trip (Türkiye & Lebanon): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visit_by_Pope_Leo_XIV_to_Turkey_and_Lebanon

— World’s tallest Fátima statue in Brazil: https://zenit.org/2025/11/18/the-tallest-image-of-our-lady-of-fatima-was-inaugurated-in-brazils-most-catholic-city/

— USCCB: new medical directives: https://www.usccb.org/resources/ERDs-7th-ed-Approved_2025-11-12.pdf

— Nicki Minaj addresses the UN on Christian persecution: https://zenit.org/2025/11/20/this-is-what-famous-rapper-nicki-minaj-said-at-the-un-in-support-of-persecuted-christians-in-nigeria/

— New Shroud of Turin Museum in California: https://zenit.org/2025/11/20/this-is-the-surprising-museum-dedicated-to-the-holy-shroud-that-opened-in-the-united-states/

— K-Faith: Korean culture meets Catholic evangelization: https://www.churchpop.com/k-pop-k-drama-now-theres-k-faith-korean-seminarian-weaves-catholicism-into-k-culture/

-------------------------------

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Pope Leo shakes up the Curia

01:25 Pope Leo’s first apostolic trip (Türkiye & Lebanon)

02:47 Pope Leo Arrives in Lebanon

03:13 Brothers’ Christmas message & support request

04:16 World’s tallest Fátima statue in Brazil

04:40 USCCB: new medical directives

05:09 Nicki Minaj addresses the UN on Christian persecution

05:32 New Shroud of Turin Museum in California

06:11 K-Faith: Korean culture meets Catholic evangelization

06:48 Outro

-----------------------------

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Pope Leo XIV welcomes Hollywood stars to the Vatican, a brand-new clinic for the poor opens right under St. Peter’s Square, Mexico considers censoring priests online, and a brand-new documentary about Pope Leo XIV has just been released.

In this week’s Church Headlines, we cover the most important stories shaping the Catholic world — from culture to evangelization to religious freedom.

Here’s what you’ll find in today’s episode:

• Hollywood A-listers meet Pope Leo XIV inside the Vatican
• A new Vatican clinic provides radiology and free medical care to the poor
• “Leo from Chicago” documentary offers an intimate look at the Pope’s early life
• U.S. bishops elect a new president and vice president
• A new Catholic dating app seeks to transform modern courtship
• Mexico’s government proposes restrictions on priests’ online content
• A campus priest discovers a creative ministry method — and students respond

Welcome to @ChurchHeadlines where we bring you regular news recaps about what is happening in the Catholic Church throughout the world!

📰 Church News without the noise.
🕵‍♂ We read it all—so you don’t have to.
🇻🇦 2 Catholic seminarians in Rome reporting what matters.

Would you like to support us in our mission?

Link: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=a75070

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro

00:15 — Hollywood stars visit the Vatican

00:48 — Pope Leo XIV opens clinic for the poor

01:47 — New documentary “Leo from Chicago”

02:22 — U.S. Bishops elect new leadership

02:47 — SacredSpark Catholic dating app

03:26 — Mexico proposes online censorship for priests

04:02 — Campus priest brings ministry to students

04:39 — Outro

------------------------

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In this week’s Church Headlines, we explore incredible stories from around the world — from NBA coach Joe Mazzulla discerning a call to the diaconate, to a groundbreaking archaeological discovery in Jerusalem that confirms biblical history, to Türkiye’s alarming crackdown on Christians.

📖 This week’s highlights:

- NBA Celtics Head coach Joe Mazzulla says he wants to become a Catholic deacon.

- Türkiye is expelling Christian leaders, labeling them “security threats.”

- Young Americans are going to church more than their parents.

- Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III make history with a joint prayer in the Sistine Chapel.

- India’s Supreme Court defends the right to religious freedom against anti-conversion laws

- Jerusalem discovery of cuneiform tablet with correspondence between the Kingdom of Assyria and Kingdom of Judah confirms events from the Old Testament.

- U.S. Army chaplaincy cuts criticized by Archbishop Broglio.

- Asia’s oldest seminary in Malaysia celebrates 360 years of priestly formation.

What story stood out to you most this week?

Let us know in the comments below — and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more Church news from Rome.

Welcome to @ChurchHeadlines where we bring you regular news recaps about what is happening in the Catholic Church throughout the world!

📰 Church News without the noise.

🕵‍♂ We read it all—so you don’t have to.

🇻🇦 2 Catholic seminarians in Rome reporting what matters.

Would you like to support us in our mission?

Link: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=a75070

-------------------------------

For further reading about this week's stories, here are some online articles:

– Joe Mazzulla wants to be a Catholic deacon: https://www.churchpop.com/nba-coach-joe-mazzulla-reveals-he-wants-to-become-a-catholic-deacon/

– Türkiye is expelling Christian missionaries: https://zenit.org/2025/10/26/turkiye-labels-christians-as-national-security-threats-to-justify-mass-expulsions/

– Young Americans return to church: https://zenit.org/2025/10/31/report-shows-that-young-americans-attend-religious-services-more-than-their-parents/

– Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III pray together: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/267349/pope-leo-xiv-and-king-charles-iii-make-history-with-first-joint-prayer-since-reformation

– India’s Supreme Court defends religious freedom: https://zenit.org/2025/11/01/indias-supreme-court-questions-anti-conversion-law-reasserting-the-nations-secular-soul/

– Archaeological discovery confirms the Bible: https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/i-screamed-out-of-excitement-2-700-year-old-cuneiform-text-found-near-temple-mount-and-it-reveals-the-kingdom-of-judah-had-a-late-payment-to-the-assyrians

– Archbishop Broglio defends Catholic chaplains: https://catholicreview.org/archbishop-broglio-armys-cancellation-of-religious-support-contracts-harms-catholics/

– Asia’s oldest Catholic seminary turns 360: https://zenit.org/2025/10/19/asias-oldest-seminary-turns-360-years-where-is-it/

--------------------------------

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro

00:20 – Joe Mazzulla wants to be a Catholic deacon

01:00 – Türkiye is expelling Christian missionaries

01:40 – Young Americans return to church

02:22 – Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III pray together

02:52 – India’s Supreme Court defends religious freedom

03:31 – I Acolyted the Pope's Mass!

04:14 – Archaeological discovery confirms the Bible

04:57 – Archbishop Broglio defends Catholic chaplains

05:39 – Asia’s oldest Catholic seminary turns 360

06:04 – Outro

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This week on Church Headlines, we’ve got an unbelievable mix of stories from around the world:

Did the Pope just go viral on Duolingo? Why are the walls of Canterbury Cathedral covered in graffiti? And is the new Archbishop of Canterbury a woman?

Br. John Frain, LC walks you through all the biggest headlines in the Catholic world this week — from language-learning Popes and divided Anglicans to victories for religious freedom and shifting priestly trends in the U.S.

In this episode:

- The Pope and the mysterious Duolingo profile “@DrPrevost”

- Spanish priest convicted of “h*te speech” for his writings on Islam

- Sarah Mullally becomes the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury

- Graffiti controversy inside Canterbury Cathedral

- Washington State repeals law that would have forced priests to break the seal of confession

- Transgender identification rates drop among U.S. students

- Armenian archbishops jailed for criticizing government policy

- Survey reveals major generational divide among U.S. priests

What story stood out to you most this week?

Let us know in the comments below — and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more Church news from Rome.

Welcome to @ChurchHeadlines where we bring you regular news recaps about what is happening in the Catholic Church throughout the world!

📰 Church News without the noise.

🕵‍♂ We read it all—so you don’t have to.

🇻🇦 2 Catholic seminarians in Rome reporting what matters.

Would you like to support us in our mission? Link: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=a75070

-------------------------------

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:16 Pope Leo and the Duolingo Mystery

01:05 Spanish Priest Convicted of “H*te Speech”

01:50 New Woman Archbishop of Canterbury

02:26 Graffiti Inside Canterbury Cathedral

03:17 Seal of Confession Defended

03:50 Transgender Identification Declines Among Youth

04:12 Armenian Archbishop Jailed

04:49 Survey Reveals Divide Among Catholic Priests

05:32 Conclusion

-----------------------------

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Pope Leo XIV just dropped his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te, and it’s a powerful reflection on the Church’s love for the poor. In this special edition of Church Headlines, Br. Darius Lawrence breaks down the key points from all five chapters of the document—from Jesus as the “Poor Messiah” to the Church’s ongoing challenge to serve those most in need.

Summary bullets:

- How Dilexi Te builds on Pope Francis’ legacy

- The biblical roots of the Church’s care for the poor

- Surprising historical examples of saints who risked everything to help others

- The Pope’s call for renewed almsgiving and concrete acts of mercy

Call to action:

What do you think about Pope Leo’s message? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates on the Catholic Church from Rome.

Read the document for yourself: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20251004-dilexi-te.html

Welcome to @ChurchHeadlines where we bring you regular news recaps about what is happening in the Catholic Church throughout the world!

📰 Church News without the noise.

🕵‍♂ We read it all—so you don’t have to.

🇻🇦 2 Catholic seminarians in Rome reporting what matters.

Would you like to support us in our mission?: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=a75070

-------------------------------------

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Pope Leo’s first Apostolic Exhortation

00:16 – What Dilexi Te is about

00:40 – Ch. 1: Love for the Lord = Love for the Poor

01:17 – Ch. 2: God Chooses the Poor

02:53 – Ch. 3: A Church for the Poor

04:49 – Ch. 4: A History that Continues

06:10 – Ch. 5: A Constant Challenge

07:48 – Conclusion

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