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National Catholic Register

Remembering Pope Francis: 9 Moments That Defined His Legacy

Daniel Ibanez/CNA
Pope Francis kisses a baby during his weekly General Audience May 10, 2023.

On the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ death, we remember the late pontiff and some of the most significant moments of his papacy.

Pope Leo XIV Recalls Pope Francis a Year After His Death

Pope Leo XIV speaks to reporters on the papal flight to Equatorial Guinea on April 21, 2026.

During the flight from Angola to Equatorial Guinea, Leo praised his predecessor's concern for the poor and his message of mercy and fraternity.

What the World Missed When the Pope Returned to St. Augustine’s Homeland

Makrouf Walid
The Roman ruins of the ancient city of Hippo stand in the foreground, with the Basilica of St. Augustine rising in the background in Annaba, Algeria.

COMMENTARY: At the Basilica of St. Augustine, Pope Leo XIV pointed beyond the headlines and recalled Augustine’s vision of the human heart — restless and seeking its rest in God.

Hundreds of Men to Be Ordained in US in 2026

Priestly ordination underway in St. Peter’s Basilica, April 25, 2021.

Ordinands on average are 33 years old and are lifelong Catholics preparing for diocesan ministry, according to the 2026 survey by The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).

Supreme Court to Hear Colorado Catholic Preschools’ Religious Freedom Suit

A student prays during Mass at St. Mary Catholic Virtue Preschool in Littleton, Colorado.

Catholic parents in Colorado are anticipating the results of an ongoing lawsuit over a Colorado “universal” preschool tuition program as the U.S. Supreme Court has just agreed to hear the case.

Gen Z Catholics and the Growing Divide Over Israel

Israeli and American flags

Some see younger Catholics’ skepticism of Israel’s actions as a shift away from outdated ideology, while others warn that online formation is fostering hate.