France

The Latest

Paris, France

Catholic pilgrim goes viral as ‘backpack hero’ after stopping mass stabbing in France

Jun 9, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The 24-year-old was praised for protecting children and likely preventing the injury or even death of many more. Read more

S.O.S. Calvaires, a French lay group, restores a crucifix in France. The group says it aims to restore the artistic and religious heritage of France.

French lay group travels to build crosses and restore faith in Ireland

May 9, 2023

By Martin Barillas

A lay Catholic movement that restores Catholic monuments in France is in Ireland May 5–13 to build crosses with the... Read more

Among those martyred during the blood week of the Paris Commune were Fathers Ladislas Radigue, Polycarpe Tuffier, Marcellin Rouchouze, Frézal Tardieu, and Mathieu-Henri Planchat.

Five French priests martyred in anti-Catholic uprising of 1871 beatified in Paris

Apr 25, 2023

By Tyler Arnold, Zelda Caldwell

“As pastors inspired by apostolic zeal, the priests were united in their witness to the faith to the point of... Read more

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New online platform fights porn addiction under the patronage of Blessed Carlo Acutis

Apr 18, 2023

By Solène Tadié

The initiative SOS Porn Deliverance seeks to show people the good news that with God, freedom is possible. Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 22, 2023.

Pope Francis says he will travel to Mongolia

Apr 15, 2023

By Courtney Mares

A trip to Mongolia would make Pope Francis the first pope to visit the Asian country that shares a 2,880-mile... Read more

Church of the Sacred Heart in Bordeaux, France.

French church vandalized with satanic and anarchist graffiti

Mar 18, 2023

By Diego Lopez Marina

The walls of Sacred Heart Church, located in Bordeaux were vandalized with satanic graffiti and communist and anarchist symbols March... Read more

Credit: sfam_photo/Shutterstock.

Citizens’ convention endorses legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide in France

Feb 27, 2023

By Solène Tadié

The 184-member council was convened by President Emmanuel Macron to debate “end of life” issues. Read more

Auxiliary Bishop Ansgar Puff in the devastated Kreuzerhöhungskirche in Wissen, Germany, Feb. 15, 2023.

Watchdog raises concerns after arson attacks on German, French churches

Feb 21, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Following an arson attack on a historic church in Germany, a European watchdog has raised concerns over hate crimes targeting... Read more

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Skull of St. Thomas Aquinas unveiled for 700th anniversary of his canonization

Jan 28, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The skull of St. Thomas Aquinas has arrived at the Dominican Convent of Toulouse, France, and placed in a new... Read more

Sister André Randon.

Oldest person in the world, French Catholic nun Sister Andre, dies at 118

Jan 17, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Sister Andre Randon, a French nun and the oldest person in the world, has passed away at the age of... Read more

Bishop Emmanuel Lafont (center) addresses the crowd during a protest against same-sex marriage in Cayenne, French Guyana, on Jan. 12, 2013.

Former bishop of French Guyana guilty of sex abuse, Vatican court says

Dec 20, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Bishop Emeritus Emmanuel Lafont of Cayenne, French Guyana, has been found guilty of sexual abuse in a canonical court and... Read more

Paris, France

Why the French bishops have launched the world’s first canonical criminal court

Dec 12, 2022

By Solène Tadié

It is considered a world first: To date, no other bishops’ conference has implemented any national structure of this magnitude. Read more

Paris, France

Will France enshrine a ‘right’ to abortion in its constitution?

Nov 23, 2022

By Solène Tadié

If officially approved by the Parliament at the end of the month, the bill would still need to be approved... Read more

Les Petites Sœurs Disciples de l’Agneau, or The Little Sisters Disciples of the Lamb, live of prayer in the Indre region of southern France.

Only religious community in the world for sisters with Down syndrome seeks American sisters 

Nov 12, 2022

By Edie Heipel

A community of religious sisters with Down syndrome faithfully live out their vocation of contemplative prayer in southern France. Read more

Gad Elmaleh / Our Lady of Lourdes

Jewish actor converts to Catholicism: the Virgin Mary ‘is my most beautiful love’

Nov 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

The famous Jewish actor and humorist Gad Elmaleh announced his conversion to the Catholic faith, a process in which he... Read more

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A ‘citizens convention’ will decide whether France legalizes assisted suicide

Oct 27, 2022

By Edie Heipel

A panel of 150 randomly selected French citizens will take part in a six-month debate over whether to allow legal... Read more

The backyard of St. Thérèse’s childhood home in Lisieux, France.

House of saints: Visiting St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s home has inspired conversions

Oct 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Scenes from St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s autobiography “Story of a Soul” come alive when walking through her childhood home in... Read more

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On this day almost 800 years ago, the practice of perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament began

Sep 11, 2022

By ACI Prensa

On September 11, 1226, King Louis VII asked to expose the Blessed Sacrament as a way to celebrate victory over... Read more

Fr. Jacques Hamel.

Six years after grisly murder, France remembers Father Jacques Hamel

Jul 26, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Hamel was killed at the church on July 26, 2016, by supporters of the Islamic State group as he finished... Read more

A panoramic view of the burned area and an image of Our Lady affected by a fire at the Lourdes shrine in France, July 11, 2022.

Fire destroys half of the Chapels of Light at Lourdes shrine

Jul 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

The shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France estimated damages to be a little more than $1.5 million. Read more