Credit: JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

Jan 22, 2026 / 13:00 pm (CNA).

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced policy actions to “affirm the dignity of life consistent with the Hyde Amendment.”

The enforcement “holds a state accountable for limiting the rights of conscientious objectors in a manner that violates federal law,” said Paula Stannard, director of HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR), in a Jan. 21 press release.

“To receive the benefits of Illinois’ liability shield, Illinois forces providers with conscience objections to refer patients for abortion — compelling them to participate in the very procedure they oppose,” she said.

The actions include a Notice of Violation from OCR to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker; Kwame Raoul, Illinois’ attorney general; and Mario Treto, secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. HHS’ notice said the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act (HCRCA) violates law as it relates to abortion.

According to HHS, the state “engaged in impermissible discrimination when it amended the HCRCA to require providers with a conscience objection to certain services to counsel patients about, refer patients for, and/or make arrangements for, the performance of or referral for, such services.”

OCR reported the state is in violation of the Weldon and Coats-Snowe Amendments, which are federal protection laws prohibiting government entities from discriminating against health care workers, institutions, or insurance plans that refuse to provide, pay for, or refer abortions.

The “enforcement action holds a state accountable for limiting the rights of conscientious objectors in a manner that violates federal law,” Stannard said.

Other ‘comprehensive actions’

OCR also announced other actions the agency said would advance the rights of physicians, facilities, and health care personnel “to live out their professions without compromising their conscience regarding abortion and the dignity of human life.”

To “educate the public” on the matter, OCR released a nationwide “ Dear Colleague Letter” summarizing federal health care protection statutes, including laws specific to abortion, sterilization, and assisted suicide.

The letter highlighted the statutes that prohibit government discrimination against individuals and institutions that decline to participate in services, generally based on religious beliefs or moral convictions.

OCR also released three public notices describing how the actions align with the Trump administration’s presidential action, Enforcing the Hyde Amendment. The notices “describe OCR deregulatory actions that repudiate or rescind Biden-era documents that are outdated or inconsistent with the law.”

The announcement of the policy actions “builds on HHS’ recent efforts to safeguard conscience rights more broadly including investigations to protect health care workers, support whistleblowers, and reinforce adherence to religious and conscience exemptions in the Vaccines for Children Program,” according to the HHS statement.

John Allen Jr. | Credit: John Allen/CC BY-SA 3.0

Jan 22, 2026 / 12:30 pm (CNA).

John Allen Jr., the prolific author and longtime Vatican reporter hailed for his insightful coverage of the Holy See across multiple pontificates, died on Jan. 22 at 61 years old.

Allen passed away in Rome after a long struggle with cancer, EWTN News confirmed.

Born Jan. 20, 1965, Allen grew up in Hays, Kansas, and received a philosophy degree from Fort Hays State University, after which he obtained a master’s in religious studies from the University of Kansas.

After several years teaching journalism at Notre Dame High School in Los Angeles, Allen joined the staff of the National Catholic Reporter, where he worked as a writer and a Vatican correspondent from 1997 to 2014.

In 2014 he joined the Catholic outlet Crux, which launched that year as a project of the Boston Globe. The newspaper transferred ownership of Crux to its staff in 2016, with Allen serving as its editor until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Elise, Crux’s senior Rome correspondent.

Praised by journalists and media figures for his years of coverage of the Holy See, he was described variously as “the most authoritative writer on Vatican affairs in the English language” and “the best Anglophone Vatican reporter ever.”

He was also the author of multiple books, including two biographies of Pope Benedict XVI as well as a profile of Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Francis X. Rocca, the Vatican editor for EWTN News who knew Allen for two decades, said he “changed the way journalists cover the Vatican and the Catholic Church, enriching and enlivening what had been a stodgy beat.”

“He brought an insider feel and an unprecedented level of detail and nuance to his reports, drawing on his tireless engagement not only with cardinals and bishops, but with the mostly anonymous officials who make the Vatican and other Church institutions run,” Rocca said.

He was also “very effective on the air, a master of the thoughtful soundbite, which in his case was not an oxymoron,” Rocca added.

“His legacy includes the many younger journalists for whom he played the role of mentor over the years,” he said.

Crux notes that Allen’s work was “admired across ideological divides,” with his writing having appeared in a broad variety of outlets throughout his life, including the New York Times, NPR, and numerous others.

Known for years among newsmakers and leaders at the Vatican, Allen’s outsized reputation in Holy See media was perhaps best underscored in 2008, when he was offered the chance to ask Pope Benedict XVI the first question while flying aboard the papal plane to the United States.

“Holy Father,” the Vatican spokesman said at the time, “this man needs no introduction.”

Actor David Henrie in the new series “Seeking Beauty,” which airs on EWTN+. | Credit: EWTN Studios

Jan 22, 2026 / 12:00 pm (CNA).

Catholic figures gathered in Los Angeles on Jan. 16 for the premiere of “Seeking Beauty,” the first original series from EWTN Studios airing exclusively on the network’s brand-new streaming platform, EWTN+.

Here are five things to know about the new series and its host, actor David Henrie.

What is ‘Seeking Beauty’?

“Seeking Beauty” is a first-of-its-kind adventure documentary series that explores culture, architecture, food, art, and music, and aims to point viewers to the beautiful — and ultimately to the divine.

The series follows Henrie’s journey into the heart of Italy to explore what makes Italian culture one of the most beautiful in the world. It not only looks at the physical beauty of the country but also its spiritual richness.

Where can I watch it?

“Seeking Beauty” is available to watch exclusively on EWTN+, a free digital streaming platform that offers faith-based content. EWTN+ is available on RokuTV, GoogleTV, AppleTV, AmazonFireTV, and on EWTN.com.

Where does ‘Seeking Beauty’ take place?

The first season of “Seeking Beauty” takes place in several cities across Italy including Vatican City, Rome, Milan, Florence, and Venice.

Who is David Henrie?

Henrie is best known for his breakout role as Justin Russo on Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place.” He grew up in a Catholic household with Italian heritage; however, Henrie’s early adult years were marked by what he has described as a relativistic and agnostic period. He has also spoken about how the successes of early fame left him feeling unfulfilled and searching for deeper meaning.

Henrie’s return to the Catholic faith was a profound personal transformation that he says began around age 21 or 22.

A significant influence came while working on the movie “Little Boy,” where conversations with Catholic cast members Kevin James and Eduardo Verástegui, as well as a visit to St. Michael Abbey in Orange County, California — including his first confession since childhood — played a pivotal role in rediscovering his faith.

Since then, Henrie has embraced his faith publicly and personally, integrating his beliefs into his family life, creative projects, and charity work, including serving as a brand ambassador for Cross Catholic Outreach and participating in mission trips that reflect his commitment to living out his faith. He is married and has three children.

Will there be another season of ‘Seeking Beauty’?

Yes! The second season of the series was filmed in Spain and is scheduled to premiere this fall.

Daniel Ortega, dictator of Nicaragua, and his wife and co-president, Rosario Murillo. | Credit: Council of Communication and Citizenship of the Government of Nicaragua (CC0 1.0)

Jan 22, 2026 / 11:30 am (CNA).

Open Doors, an international organization dedicated to supporting Christians who suffer discrimination and persecution around the world, noted in its 2026 report that Christians in Nicaragua “are being increasingly silenced” under the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and his wife and co-president, Rosario Murillo.

Earlier this month, Open Doors published its report titled “ World Watch List 2026,” which lists the 50 countries in the world where Christians suffer the most persecution because of their faith. Nicaragua is ranked 32nd.

“Believers who raise their voices against the government over issues including human rights violations have faced surveillance, intimidation, and imprisonment. Some even face exile and loss of citizenship,” the report states.

Meanwhile, “churches and other Christian institutions (e.g. schools and charities) are deemed a threat to the regime. They have had assets seized, activities disrupted and banned, and buildings vandalized. Rather than be seen as a valuable part of the country’s fabric, many Christians are viewed as ‘destabilizing agents,’” the text continues.

Open Doors also points out: “This growing suffocation of Christian freedoms goes back to 2018, when nationwide protests broke out against the government. This worsened following elections in 2021 and constitutional reform in 2025. Both have been used to make legal changes to further justify the crackdown on dissenting voices — and that includes further silencing the church.”

As the largest Christian community in Nicaragua, “ Catholics are a primary target for the regime. Clergy face imprisonment, exile, house arrest, travel bans, and legal threats,” the report states.

In fact, as Martha Patricia Molina, author of the report “ Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church,” told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, earlier this month, between 2018 and the end of 2025 a total of 43 properties had been confiscated from the Church, and the dictatorship has carried out 1,030 attacks against Catholics in addition to having banned 18,808 processions.

The newspaper Confidencial published at the end of 2025 a detailed report explaining how, between 2022 and 2025, the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship confiscated 39 properties belonging to the Catholic Church, properties that are now being used for purposes other than those for which they were originally intended.

Molina also said that according to the running count there are “304 priests and nuns who no longer exercise their pastoral ministry in Nicaragua, 172 men and 132 women.”

Four bishops have been exiled from the country: Silvio Báez, auxiliary bishop of Managua, who celebrates Mass on Sundays at St. Agnes Parish in Miami; Bishop Isidoro Mora, bishop of Siuna; Rolando Álvarez, bishop of Matagalpa and apostolic administrator of Estelí; and Carlos Enrique Herrera, bishop of Jinotega and president of the Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference. The other five Nicaraguan bishops still remain in the country.

Open Doors reports that “anyone who speaks out against the government is especially vulnerable, and that includes Christians from other denominations (e.g. Pentecostals and Baptists). Some also face pressure to show political loyalty to avoid further repercussions.”

“Those who preach the Gospel without censorship — proclaiming Jesus’ love and the freedom the Holy Spirit brings — are exactly the ones they want to silence,” says Pastora, a Christian quoted by Open Doors in its report.

“The situation in Nicaragua has changed very little. Even though the country fell two places from last year’s World Watch List, persecution remains difficult,” the report notes.

“Believers — especially pastors and church leaders — now face more suffocating surveillance, threats to restrict or shut down church activities, and constant interference in their ministries,” Open Doors explains.

In March 2025, the Nicaraguan newspaper Mosaico CSI reported that the dictatorship is monitoring priests, checking their cellphones, and demanding weekly reports on their activities, in addition to restricting their freedom of movement.

“For the priests who remain in Nicaragua, homilies must be entirely theological. They cannot speak about issues related to the social doctrine of the Church or offer social criticism,” the newspaper stated.

Open Doors also notes that “persecution is present throughout the country” but is more intense in “Bluefields, Chinandega, Estelí, Granada, Jinotega, Jinotepe, León, Masaya, Managua, Matagalpa, the South Atlantic Autonomous Region, and Rivas.”

Open Doors explains that in view of this situation, the organization aims to “strengthen the church in Nicaragua amid persecution, through livelihood support, legal assistance, persecution-survival training, and leadership care.”

The organization also offers a prayer for persecuted Christians in Nicaragua:

Heavenly Father, give our sisters and brothers wisdom, courage, and protection as they follow you in an increasingly hostile environment. Encourage those who’ve suffered loss and pain for their faith, provide for them, and heal their wounds. Soften the hearts of the regime and touch the hearts of the authorities as they monitor Christians. In these difficult times, strengthen your church in Nicaragua and shine brightly through them. Amen.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Father Tomaž Majcen celebrates daily Mass at Christ the King Church in Nuuk, Greenland, and he frequently travels to other towns to minister to the faithful scattered across the territory. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Tomaž Majcen

Jan 22, 2026 / 11:00 am (CNA).

In Greenland, the world’s largest island, glaciers spill toward the sea from a vast ice cap — and in the middle of that extreme landscape, a tiny Catholic community gathers around the territory’s only priest.

Father Tomaž Majcen, a Conventual Franciscan from Slovenia, has served in Greenland since 2023. Based in Nuuk, the capital, he celebrates daily Mass at Christ the King Church — the island’s only Catholic parish — and frequently travels to outlying towns to visit Catholics scattered across the territory.

“In total there are about 800 Catholics,” Majcen told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. Most are immigrants from a wide range of countries, though a small number are local Greenlanders, he said.

In the coldest months, temperatures can plunge well below minus 50 degrees Celsius (minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit). Majcen, who also enjoys watching the northern lights, said the hardships of climate and distance shape parish life — but recent global attention has brought a different kind of strain.

The small Catholic community, like much of the wider population, has reacted with a mix of unease and sadness to recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting possible annexation or control of Greenland. The island sits in a strategically sensitive region, including along potential routes for intercontinental missiles in a hypothetical conflict between Washington and Moscow.

“Yes, there is a lot of uneasiness, though it is quiet,” Majcen said. “People here are not dramatic; they are reserved. But fear doesn’t always shout — often it whispers.”

“Some ask me what I think will happen,” he continued. “Others simply say: ‘This doesn’t feel right.’”

Majcen said what troubles him most is the way Greenland is sometimes discussed in faraway political debates.

“Greenland is spoken of as if it were an object, not a home,” he said. “As a priest I listen to people and I sense how these kinds of statements make them feel small and invisible. From Nuuk these threats may seem far away, but their emotional impact is real.”

Greenland’s strategic importance has grown as polar navigation becomes more feasible and as Arctic sea routes could shorten travel between Europe and Asia in coming decades. But Majcen warned that geopolitical talk often overlooks the people who live there.

“When these kinds of words appear in the media, they create noise, confusion, and anxiety among ordinary people,” he said. “Life in Greenland is usually quiet, centered on family, work, the weather, and community. Suddenly we hear strong words about ‘taking control’ or ‘annexation,’ spoken very far away, without knowing our people.”

“What alarms me most is how easily human dignity can be forgotten,” he added. “Political debates focus on territory, resources, and strategy but rarely on the heart of the people.”

Greenland has about 57,000 inhabitants, and around 95% belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In his conversations with parishioners — often “at the foot of the altar,” he said — Majcen hears worries that go beyond politics.

“Some people ask me: ‘Do we matter? Will our voice be heard? Are we just a bargaining chip?’” he said. “These questions touch something very deep. As a priest, I see how uncertainty weakens trust and generates anxiety.”

Majcen noted that even before Greenland drew renewed international attention, the island faced serious social challenges, including high rates of suicide and alcoholism. In that context, he said, the Church’s mission includes offering steadiness and hope.

“The uncertainty weakens trust and generates anxiety,” he said, stressing the need for the “tenderness of the Gospel,” which “reminds us that each person has a face, a name, and a story.”

“Greenland is a home,” he said. “It is the home of families, children, elders, traditions, and hopes. We are not just a piece of land, an empty space on a map, nor only ice, minerals, or a military position.”

From that conviction, he urged a posture of respect toward Greenlanders in any discussion of the island’s future.

“No future can be built in Greenland without Greenlanders,” Majcen said. “Listening is more important than speaking. Respect is more important than power.”

Greenland is also central to the climate debate, as warming accelerates ice melt. Majcen pointed to a recent decision by the self-governing Greenlandic government to prohibit new hydrocarbon exploration, despite significant unexploited reserves of oil and gas beneath the ground. The choice reflected both economic realities — extraction costs are extremely high — and environmental concerns, he said, alongside priorities such as protecting nature, fishing, tourism, and expanding sustainable energy, including hydropower.

For Majcen, care for Greenland’s environment is not only a political issue but also a matter of faith.

“Our fragile Arctic environment is one of God’s most impressive — and most vulnerable — masterpieces,” he said. “Caring for it is also a way of respecting those of us who live here.”

Majcen also welcomed an ecumenical response from the country’s Lutheran majority. According to the World Council of Churches, Paneeraq Siegstad Munk, the Lutheran bishop for Greenland, encouraged parishes to respond to tensions by praying each Sunday for the Kingdom of Denmark and the Greenlandic government.

Majcen said the initiative reflects a shared Christian concern for peace.

“As Christians, even from different traditions, we share a common concern for peace and human dignity,” he said. “In moments like this, ecumenical unity is not a theory but a reality. Prayer helps society breathe more calmly.”

His hope for Greenland’s future, he said, is “simple and deep”: “That Greenland can grow in peace, with dignity and respect for itself. That young people feel proud of who they are. And that fear does not have the last word.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Dominican Father Nelson Medina discusses this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. | Credit: “EWTN Noticias”/Screenshot

Jan 22, 2026 / 10:00 am (CNA).

Friar Nelson Medina, a Colombian Dominican priest who holds a doctorate in fundamental theology, explained why it is important for the Catholic Church to celebrate and promote a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18–25), which in 2026 has the theme “One Body, One Spirit.”

“There are two reasons, one theological and one biblical, both extremely important. The theological reason is that the fruit of sin is always division, and therefore the victory over sin is always unity around the truth and love in Christ,” the priest emphasized in an interview with “EWTN Noticias,” the Spanish-language broadcast edition of EWTN News.

“Then we have a biblical reason, which is that Christ Our Lord, as appears in chapter 17 of the Gospel according to St. John, prayed precisely for this intention. It is clear that it was from the depths of his heart, precisely in the hours leading up to his sorrowful passion and therefore to our redemption,” Medina emphasized.

“So it is something that God wants, it is a common objective for the Church, and it is an initiative to which we should all unite.”

Regarding the theme of this year’s week of prayer — “One Body, One Spirit” — the friar emphasized that “it is very interesting to see the Church from this dual perspective ... When we speak of unity in the Spirit, we are talking about that working [of the Spirit] which is interior, because the Spirit precisely comes into our hearts, as Romans 5:5 says.”

“But then the unity of the body is also necessary, that is, a unity that is visible. It’s not just that we have general charity towards other people; it’s that it is visibly evident that we believe in the same God, that we believe in the same Scripture, and that we celebrate the same sacraments with a common understanding and truth,” the Dominican priest pointed out.

What is the aim of Christian unity?

On this point, Medina emphasized “the ecumenism of theology; serious theological study is truly indispensable, especially to avoid superficiality. Sometimes people think that for there to be ecumenism, it’s enough for us to simply get together, share a meal, and take a nice picture with people smiling. That’s not the case.”

The Dominican priest explained that this unity helps address serious issues such as “gender ideology, the disregard for the dignity of human life with euthanasia, and all pro-life issues. It is necessary that, together with other Christians, and even with people of other religious beliefs, when appropriate, we understand that we are on the same side.”

“And we shouldn’t underestimate this effort for the causes of defending life, ecology, and justice because in this collaborative work, prejudices are often broken down and doors are opened,” he emphasized.

Regarding the work of priests, Medina continued, this unity among Christians is also important, because “we priests have quite a lot of work to do, because I think we move between two extremes ... on the one hand, parishes where nothing is done [for Christian unity], apart from perhaps putting up a poster on the parish bulletin board; nothing else is done. And others where a lot is done, but sometimes causing confusion.”

“And this, too, we must warn against as a danger. For example, I learned of a case where some religious invited Anglicans to attend, and then everyone started receiving Communion, as if full Eucharistic unity had already been achieved,” he recalled.

That, the Dominican priest lamented, “which should have been a very beautiful ceremony, ended up being a source of scandal for many people.”

Medina noted that “formation is needed. It is a noble ideal, a pressing and unavoidable task for the Church, but it must, of course, have very clear parameters and guidelines from our pastors so that it does not end up being a fleeting enthusiasm, but also so that it does not produce this type of doctrinal or liturgical confusion.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Catholic students attend SEEK in January 2026. | Credit: FOCUS

Jan 22, 2026 / 09:00 am (CNA).

Multiple news reports have said the number of Generation Z Catholics is surging in the United States.

ZENIT, an international Catholic news service, and Magisterium AI, a Catholic artificial intelligence agency, cited data from the 2023 Cooperative Election Study (CES) finding there are more Gen Z adults who identify as Catholic than those who identify as Protestant.

Claim: Among Gen Z, those born roughly between 1997 and 2012, Catholics outnumber Protestants for the first time in the United States.

The CES report found that in 2023 the group was made up of 21% Catholics, compared with 19% Protestants. But other researchers dispute the data based on its sampling methods.

EWTN News finds: There are likely still more Protestant young adults than Catholics, although available quantitative and anecdotal data on the question is not decisive.

“Overall, from looking at the broader context of our surveys, it seems clear that Catholics are more like 14-16% of Gen Z adults rather than 21%,” Brian Schaffner, co-director of CES said.

The breakdown: The Religion and Public Life research team at Pew Research Center told EWTN News that Pew surveys “find that among the youngest adults in the U.S., there are more Protestants than Catholics.”

“In fact, in our recent Religious Landscape Study, we found that among the youngest adults (those born between 2000-06 and who were roughly between the ages of 18 and 24 when the survey was conducted), there are about twice as many Protestants as Catholics,” the researchers said. “Within this age group, 28% are Protestant and 14% are Catholic.”

The team also noted its research found “that Catholics are not more numerous among young adults than among older adults.” Rather, “young adults as a whole are far less religious than older adults.”

“When it comes to Catholicism, far more young people have switched out than in,” according to Pew’s “ Religion Holds Steady in America” report. “Overall, 12% of today’s youngest adults have switched out of Catholicism. Meanwhile, 1% of adults ages 18 to 24 have switched into Catholicism, meaning that they identify as Catholic today after having been raised in another religion or no religion.”

Data variations

If Pew researchers found there are more Protestants than Catholics within young age groups, why is the CES data different?

“It is true that the 2023 CES shows that 21% of Gen Z American adults identify as Catholic compared to 19% who say Protestant,” Schaffner said.

“That said, I would note that once we account for sampling error, we can't be confident that the Catholic figure is actually larger than the Protestant figure. More importantly, it is quite clear that the 2023 figure is an outlier for our data.”

In 2022, 20% of Gen Z respondents identified as Protestant and 14% as Catholic. Based on the data and previous years’ findings, Schaffner said, “It seems pretty clear from looking at that context that the 2023 figure for Catholics is almost certainly too high.”

Ryan Burge, religion and politics researcher and professor at the John C. Danforth Center at Washington University, said there is “reason to doubt” the data due to “aberrations” in the 2023 CES, according to his article “ Is Catholicism Surging Among Younger Folks?”

“If you compare the 2023 data to that collected in 2022 from the oldest three generations (Silent, Boomers, Gen X), there’s not a big difference,” Burge said. “It’s a point or two off, which is just the nature of survey data.”

But, when examining millennials and Gen Z, the data is “definitely beyond the typical variation that exists in this type of work,” he said. “In 2022, 16% of millennials were Catholic — it’s 20% in the 2023 data. Among Gen Z, 15% were Catholic compared to 21% in 2023.”

“The 2023 CES data is a lot more Catholic than it ‘should’ be,” Burge said.

“For instance, about 16% of people born in 1990 were Catholic in 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2023, that percentage is five points higher. That same gap exists for people born throughout the 1990s and even into the 2000s.”

Burge also noted other aberrations among the 2023 findings. The CES information reported the number of people who “never” or “seldom” attend Mass in 2023 dropped from 41% in 2022 to 38% in 2023, while the weekly attendees rose from 29% to 34%.

“Weekly attendance doesn’t just jump five points in one year,” Burge said.

There was also a large jump in 2023 in the share of Catholics who identify as “born-again” or “evangelical.” From 2008 through 2022 there was a steady increase in the number who identified as such, usually only changing by one or two percent points each year, but from 2022 to 2023 there was a nine-point increase.

Number of young Catholics may still be increasing

While the CES data has been questioned, it does not mean there are not increases in the number of Gen Z adults drawn to the faith.

EWTN News has previously found that several college campuses across the country witnessed a notable rise in baptisms and confirmations among students in 2025. Catholic evangelists told EWTN News that the growth reflects a deepening desire among young adults for certainty, stability, and faith.

The Cardinal Newman Society also found using National Catholic Educational Association and Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) data that there has been an increase in students at Catholic colleges, with an increase of 75%. In 1970, the data showed there were 411,111 students enrolled in Catholic colleges; in 2022 there were 717,197.

In a press release, the Cardinal Newman Society highlighted some of the undergraduate enrollment at Newman Guide Recommended Catholic colleges for the 2025-26 academic year.

At Ave Maria University, there was a record undergraduate enrollment of 1,342 and a record incoming freshman class. Benedictine College has 2,250 undergraduate students, an increase of 22% over the last 10 years. The Cardinal Newman Society also reported that The Catholic University of America has increased undergraduate enrollment by 11% in the last five years.

Update: This story was updated at 10:25 a.m. Jan. 22 to add comments by Brian Schaffner.

The SECAM delegation, (left to right) Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza, Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba, and Father Rafael Simbine, meets with Pope Leo XIV on Jan. 17, 2026, at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

Jan 22, 2026 / 08:00 am (CNA).

The president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has described the first official audience between Pope Leo XIV and the leadership of the Church in Africa as a “very important meeting” that marks a new phase in relations between the African continent and the Holy See.

In an interview with Vatican News following the Jan. 17 audience, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo explained that although Pope Leo XIV has previously encountered individual African bishops, the audience represented the first formal engagement with the SECAM leadership under the new pontificate. 

The meeting, initially scheduled for Dec. 18, 2025, was postponed due to the pope’s apostolic trip to Turkey.

The SECAM delegation included Ambongo and SECAM First Vice President Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeria’s Diocese of Yola, Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba of the Archdiocese of Saurimo in Angola, who is the second vice president of SECAM, and Father Rafael Simbine, SECAM secretary-general.

“It was really an important meeting,” Ambongo said, adding that the audience “was first to establish an official contact with the new pontiff since his election.”

He said the audience also provided an opportunity for SECAM leaders to brief the pope on the outcomes of their 2025 Plenary Assembly that was held in Kigali, Rwanda. 

The assembly, which took place just months after Pope Leo XIV’s election, focused on the theme “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation, and Peace.”

According to Ambongo, the theme was chosen in response to the persistent crises affecting many African nations, particularly in the Great Lakes region.

“Africa is a continent marked by multiple crises. This theme helped us analyze in depth our mission as pastors in a continent characterized by suffering and instability,” the Congolese member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin said.

Reflecting on the condition of the Church amid Africa’s social, political, and security challenges, Ambongo insisted that the Catholic Church remains vibrant and close to the people.

Citing the late Pope Francis’ oft-repeated reminder that the Church does not belong to any political camp but stands with the people, he emphasized that African pastors continue to accompany communities enduring hardship and violence.

“The African Church is dynamic, radiant,” he said, recalling Pope Benedict XVI’s description of Africa as “the spiritual lung of humanity.”

At the same time, Ambongo acknowledged that the Church inevitably shares in the suffering of its people, particularly in conflict zones.

The SECAM president also addressed growing anticipation around Pope Leo’s expressed intention to make Africa the destination of a future apostolic journey.

Such a visit, he said, would be both pastoral and prophetic, strengthening the faith of Catholics while offering hope to societies weighed down by conflict and poverty.

“When the pope comes to a country in crisis, it is to give hope. His voice comforts the people, confirms them in their commitment, and helps them not to be discouraged,” he said.

Ambongo added: “The prophetic word of the universal Shepherd comforts the people, strengthens their commitment, and encourages them not to lose heart. Even if things are going badly today, Christian hope tells us to hold on.”

According to the cardinal, the Holy Father also helps guide people toward the pursuit of harmonious coexistence and peace, especially in African countries experiencing crises.

Weighing in on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he serves as bishop of the Kinshasa Archdiocese, Ambongo lamented the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country and its devastating impact on ordinary citizens.

He criticized the heavy investment in war and armament, saying such resources could instead be used for education, health care, and development.

“For more than a year now, the Church has been advocating dialogue. No solution will come from weapons but from sitting around a table where everyone can express their concerns,” the prelate explained.

He cited ongoing initiatives such as the Washington and Doha processes, which are steps in the right direction but remain insufficient.

The cardinal underscored the need for inclusive dialogue among the government, the opposition (armed and unarmed), and civil society in order to create the conditions for lasting peace and to bring an end to the suffering of the Congolese people.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa. It has been adapted by EWTN News English.

Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the largest Islamist politicial party in Bangladesh. | Credit: Delwar Hossain/Wikimedia (CC0)

Jan 22, 2026 / 07:00 am (CNA).

As Bangladesh heads toward a crucial general election on Feb. 12, the country’s largest Islamist party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has offered an unusual assurance to religious minorities, pledging that it would not impose Islamic Sharia law if it comes to power.

Shafiqur Rahman, the leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, made the promise during a meeting on Jan. 14 with Christian leaders in Dhaka, according to participants in the discussion. The statement has sparked debate across the country, where Jamaat’s Islamist ideology and past positions appear to stand in tension with the pledge.

“He promised that they will not run the country under Sharia law,” said Martha Das, general secretary of the National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh, who was part of a 20-member Christian delegation that met Rahman.

She told EWTN News that Christian leaders also raised concerns about the possible introduction of blasphemy laws and the safety and social security of religious minorities.

Rahman assured them that existing laws would remain in place and that no additional legislation targeting religious minorities would be introduced.

Christian leaders described the meeting as an effort to seek clarity and accountability ahead of the election. “We recorded the assurances,” Das said, adding that the community intends to hold Jamaat publicly responsible if it reverses its position in the future.

At the same time, Christian leaders stressed that their community does not support Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. “We never support the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party,” said one Christian leader who did not want to be named. “But before the election, it is a better opportunity to talk with candidates about safeguards for our future.”

Mixed reactions

The statement has generated widespread discussion in Bangladesh, where Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has long been associated with calls for governance based on Islamic principles. Some analysts see the pledge as a tactical move aimed at broadening the party’s appeal among minority voters and the international community, while others argue that Jamaat has shown signs of gradual ideological adjustment in recent years.

A senior Catholic priest in Dhaka, who requested anonymity, cautiously welcomed the statement. “If Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami keeps its word, it is very good,” he told EWTN News. “But it remains to be seen whether this is a genuine commitment or a political strategy.”

The priest suggested that Jamaat may be attempting to present itself as more moderate to Western countries ahead of the elections. “Developed countries generally view Islamic Sharia negatively,” he said. “So Jamaat may be making such statements to gain international acceptance.”

Critics, however, point to apparent contradictions between Jamaat’s pledge and its broader political record. The party has not nominated any female candidates for the upcoming election, and previous remarks by its leaders about limiting women’s working hours have drawn criticism from civil society groups.

Election promises under scrutiny

Political analysts also caution against taking election-time promises at face value. “Sitting with people of different religions and communities before elections is definitely an election move,” said Professor Sayeed Ferdous, associate vice chancellor of Bangladesh Open University. “When leaders say we will do this or we will not do that — whether it is Sharia law or minority security — these must be considered election promises.”

Ferdous noted that Bangladesh’s political history is filled with unfulfilled preelection commitments. “Many parties have made similar promises in the past to attract votes but did not keep them later,” he said.

Another analyst, Mahbub Ullah, echoed that view, suggesting Jamaat is trying to soften its image. “They are talking a lot of soft talk ahead of the elections to appear acceptable to everyone,” he said. “It is not unusual to adopt such a strategy to change public perception of the party.”

Rift within Islamist coalition

The controversy has also exposed divisions within Islamist politics. Earlier this month, the Islamic Movement Bangladesh announced its withdrawal from the 11-party electoral alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and declared it would contest 268 seats independently.

At a press briefing in Dhaka on Jan. 16, Islamic Movement spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman accused Jamaat of abandoning its ideological roots. “Jamaat has deviated from the Sharia law of Allah for power,” he said. “They consider power to be the only important thing.”

Rahman added that Jamaat’s traditional slogan — “We want the law of Allah, we want the rule of honest people” — has been forgotten, disappointing many grassroots supporters. “We believe it is not possible to establish peace under the existing law of the country,” he said. “We want Sharia law.”

As Bangladesh approaches election day, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s assurances to minorities have raised expectations — and skepticism — about whether political pragmatism or ideological transformation is driving the party’s message.

Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds in St. Peter’s Square after praying the Angelus on Jan. 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Jan 22, 2026 / 04:45 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV urged Catholic journalists to double down on truth, human connection, and the voices of the vulnerable as artificial intelligence reshapes the communications landscape.

In a message signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on the pope’s behalf, Leo addressed the Fédération des Médias Catholiques ahead of its Saint François de Sales gathering in Lourdes, scheduled for Jan. 21–23.

“To face this era marked — including in the world of communications — by the rise of artificial intelligence, we urgently need to return to what matters most: matters of the heart, the centrality of good relationships, and the ability to connect with others without excluding anyone,” the pope’s message said. That call, he added, is answered by “the service to truth that Catholic media can offer everyone, including those who do not believe.”

The pope specifically encouraged Catholic communications professionals to be “sowers of good words” and to amplify voices “that courageously seek reconciliation,” helping to “disarm hearts filled with hatred and fanaticism” in a world he described as “fragmented and polarized.”

He also urged journalists to tune in to those most likely to be overlooked.

The message called on Catholic media to act like antennas, picking up and passing along “the experiences of the vulnerable, the marginalized, those who are alone — and those who need to discover the joy of feeling loved.”

Leo’s message also pointed to Father Jacques Hamel, the French priest murdered at the altar while celebrating Mass in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray on July 26, 2016. He was killed by two attackers who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group; both were later shot dead by police.

Noting that the federation has created an award in Hamel’s honor for journalists committed to peace and interreligious dialogue, the pope wrote that Hamel “was a witness to the faith, even to the point of death,” and believed deeply in dialogue and “patient, mutual listening.” He was convinced, the message said, that it is urgent “to know how to be close to others, without exception.”

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.