MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A massive crowd of mostly barefoot Filipino Catholics joined an annual procession of a centuries-old statue of Jesu…
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Faith leaders are urging prayers for peace following the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro. In Venezuela, Catholic and evangelical leaders are appealing for calm, while many in the diaspora welcome the change. Miami's Catholic archbishop says there is anxiety about the future but believes the church can help the country move forward. Since 2014, about 8 million Venezuelans have fled, with many settling in South Florida. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has taken Maduro's place, offering to collaborate with the U.S. Amid rising uncertainty, faith leaders emphasize prayer, reconciliation and hope for a peaceful transition.
The Vatican has given a final accounting of its 2025 Holy Year. It says more than 33 million pilgrims participated. Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday will officially close out the Holy Year and shut the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. For the Vatican, a Holy Year is a centuries-old tradition of the faithful making pilgrimages to Rome every 25 years. For the city of Rome, it’s a chance to take advantage funding to carry out long-delayed public works projects. The Vatican said Italy, the U.S. and Spain were the top nationalities represented among pilgrims.
FILE - Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica to mark the start of the Catholic Jubilee Year, at the Vatican, Dec. 24, 2024. (Alberto Pizzoli/Pool Photo via AP, file)
Pope Leo XIV has closed out 2025 with a prayer that the city of Rome might be a welcoming place for foreigners and fragile people young and old. Leo presided over a New Year’s Eve vespers service in St. Peter’s Basilica. He gave thanks for the 2025 Holy Year that brought millions of pilgrims to Rome in the once-every-quarter-century celebration of Christianity. Leo will officially close out the Jubilee on Jan. 6. In his homily, he thanked the city of Rome and the volunteers who helped keep crowds moving as they visited St. Peter’s and passed through its Holy Door.
Pope Leo XIV presides over the first Vespers and the 'Te Deum' in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV arrives to preside over the first Vespers and the 'Te Deum' in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV presides over the first Vespers and the 'Te Deum' in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV arrives to preside over the first Vespers and the 'Te Deum' in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV presides over the first Vespers and the 'Te Deum' in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)