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National Catholic Register

Two Federal Appeals Cases Could Reset the Religious Freedom Landscape

Wirestock Creators / JHVEPhoto
The 5th and 10th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals are housed in the John Minor Wisdom U.S. Courthouse in New Orleans and the Byron White U.S. Courthouse in Denver, respectively.

COMMENTARY: A 5th Circuit case in Louisiana and Texas and a 10th Circuit case in Colorado are worth keeping an eye on.

Polish, German Bishops Sign New Declaration 60 Years After Historic Reconciliation

Deutsche Bischofskonferenz
Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda of Gniezno, president of the Polish Bishops’ Conference (left), and Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German Bishops’ Conference, embrace after signing the joint declaration “Courage of Extended Hands” at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Wrocław, Poland, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, during commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the historic correspondence between the Polish and German Bishops’ Conferences.

The churches in Poland and Germany want to 'continue to work to break down and overcome enmities in Europe.'

Faith Leaders File Suit to Distribute Communion at ICE Facility

Jamie Kelter Davis
Police vehicles surround the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Oct. 31, 2025, in Broadview, Illinois.

The complaint alleged that ICE’s refusal to allow clergy to pray with detainees or offer Communion violates the First Amendment.

Immigrant Rights Advocate Mercy Sister JoAnn Persch, 91, Dies

Kathleen Murphy/CNA
Sister of Mercy JoAnn Persch, a longtime immigrant rights advocate, died on Nov. 14, 2025, at age 91.

Sister Persch and Sister Pat Murphy were founding members of the Su Casa Catholic Worker House in Chicago.

How Two Future Saints Inspired a Writer — and a Princess

From L to R: Robert Louis Stevenson in 1893, by Henry Walter Barnett; Princess Diana in 1997, by John Mathew Smith; St. Damien of Molokai in 1889, by William Brigham; St. Teresa of Calcutta in 1995, by John Mathew Smith.

COMMENTARY: Robert Louis Stevenson and Princess Diana each found themselves transformed by encounters, direct or indirect, with St. Damien of Molokai and St. Teresa of Calcutta.

Outgoing Hungarian Ambassador Reflects On 10-Year Term at the Vatican

Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Hungary’s ambassador to the Holy See Eduard Habsburg speaks to EWTN News in 2023.

Though his term at the Vatican is drawing to a close, the outgoing ambassador said he will likely continue to represent Hungary at future international events organized by the Church and pro-family groups.

Pope Leo XIV Meets Catholic Mother Who Lost Son to AI Chatbot Suicide

Megan Garcia
Megan Garcia, a young mother whose son committed suicide after consulting an AI chatbot, meets with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.

Megan Garcia said her faith has given her strength to speak out about her ordeal in the hope of protecting children from the risks posed by new AI chatbots.