Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 2, 2025 /
15:14 pm
Here is a roundup of Catholic world news that you might have missed this week:
Catholic who refused to deny his faith shot by Islamic terrorists in India
A 57-year-old Catholic man, Sushil Nathaniel, was among 26 people killed during a terrorist attack in Kashmir (also called Pahalgam), India, last week, according to an Asia News report.
Nathaniel’s wife, who escaped with their two children, told AsiaNews that her husband was shot in the head by terrorists after refusing to recite the Islamic declaration of faith.
While celebrating his funeral, Bishop Thomas Kuttimackal of Indore described Nathaniel as a “martyr” and praised his “courage in not hiding his faith even under threat of arms.”
Lebanese Christians remember ‘special paternal love’ of Pope Francis
Lebanese Christians in the country and diaspora communities around the world have been taking the time to memorialize Pope Francis, remembering his “special paternal love” for Lebanon, according to ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner.
Bishops led solemn liturgies in Beirut, Zgharta, and Sidon, while Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi, recovering from surgery, sent a heartfelt message praising the pope’s spiritual impact. In Rome, Bishop Youssef Soueif led a Mass at the Mar Maroun Church with members of the Lebanese diaspora. Even in Lomé, Togo, Maronite faithful gathered to honor the late pontiff in prayer.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis held a deep and fatherly affection for Lebanon. From backing youth-led protests in 2019 to calling for unity among political leaders, he remained attentive to the country’s struggles. Though a scheduled 2022 visit was postponed, Francis continued to speak out for Lebanon, notably urging the swift election of a president in 2024. In 2021, he convened Lebanese Christian leaders at the Vatican for a special day of prayer and reflection dedicated to the country’s future.
Conference on role of Christians in the future of Syria takes place in Aleppo
In Aleppo, the Catholic Education Association launched the first “Pentecost of a Nation” conference to highlight the role of Syrian Christians in shaping the country’s future, ACI MENA reported on Wednesday.
The event brought together 250 participants from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds to discuss constitutional reform, social justice, and national identity. Church leaders emphasized the Christian community’s historical role as active contributors — not passive observers — of Syria’s development while advocating for forgiveness, coexistence, and civic engagement.
Diplomats in Nigeria eulogize Pope Francis as ‘leader for truth, peace, equality’
Members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria have paid glowing tribute to Pope Francis, describing the late pontiff as a global beacon of peace, truth, humility, and justice.
“Words will fail me on this one. He was a wonderful human being, a leader for truth, for peace, for equality, for solidarity, for unity, and for love,” the honorary consul of Colombia to Nigeria, Maricel Romero, told ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, on Tuesday after a memorial Mass in Pope Francis’ honor.
European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and Eurasia Gautier Mignot praised the late pope for his dedication to “the most humble, the most vulnerable, and the poorest.”
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Only 15% of South Korean Catholics attend Mass, according to latest study
A new study published by the Catholic bishops’ conference in Korea found that about 15 in every 100 Catholics in South Korea attended Mass regularly last year, UCA News reported.
The study, titled “2024 Statistics on the Catholic Church in Korea” found that the total number of Catholics in South Korea in 2024 was almost 6 million, about 11.4% of the total population.
German cardinal describes ‘brotherly and cordial mood’ among cardinals in Rome
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, the archbishop of Cologne, Germany, described the attitude among cardinals gathered in Rome for the conclave as “brotherly and cordial” in an interview with CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, on Tuesday.
“Most cardinals have not seen each other for a long time and many are happy and have been happy to see each other again,” he said. “That’s how I felt too.”
At the general congregations, the meetings of the cardinals in preparation for the conclave, which begins May 7, “a very concentrated, calm, objective working mood” prevails, Woelki explained.
“With all the differences and the different perspectives that are naturally brought in there, from the different partial Churches and with the different cultures and mentalities,” he said there is “simply a good togetherness.”
Madalaine Elhabbal is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency based at EWTN’s Washington, D.C., bureau. She has been published by CatholicVote and has also worked as foreign language assistant in France. She is a graduate of Benedictine College.
