Missionaries

When the Catholic Church celebrates World Mission Sunday for the 100th time in 2026, it will focus on theme, “One in Christ, united in mission.”

For one Catholic priest, evangelization is not always his first form of ministry at a campus coffee shop. Sometimes, it’s just to listen right where people are.

The Vatican’s missionary news agency shared statistics about the Catholic population, church personnel and the works they are engaged in.

Pope Leo asked Catholics to commit themselves again “to the sweet and joyful task of bringing Christ Jesus our hope to the ends of the earth.”

At the end of his Sept. 24 audience, Pope Leo XIV issued an invitation to Catholics worldwide — and he hopes they’ll accept it.

“We raise our voices today to demand freedom for our colleague and friend Gena Heraty.”

CHICAGO (OSV News) — On the 175th anniversary of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini’s birth July 15, the sisters of the order she founded continue on with her tireless work of service …

When a priest has experienced the joy of truly believing in Jesus Christ and embracing him as a friend, it shows, Pope Leo XIV told priests.

“Popes pass away, but the Curia remains,” he said May 24.

“A renewed focus on the church’s unity and universality corresponds precisely to the authentic charism of the Pontifical Mission Societies.”