News

A Catholic nun in Bangladesh has provided mental health services to people from various walks of life since 2010 in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.

The Rajshahi Catholic community is mourning the loss of Monsignor Marcellus Philip Topno, a beloved and humble priest of the Rajshahi Diocese and a proud son of the Mundari indigenous community at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on May 21.

In a warm and heartfelt encounter, Pope Leo XIV welcomed thousands of faithful from around the world—including pilgrims from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, and other Asian nations—during his first General Audience held in the Paul VI Hall this Wednesday

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical on care for our common home, Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) is set to host a special webinar titled “Celebrating 10 Years of Laudato Si’: The Asian Voices for our Common Home” on May 23, in Manila, Philippines.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Laudato si’, Pope Leo XIV addressed the Network of Universities for the Care of Our Common Home with a videomessage, encouraging their synodal discernment ahead of COP30.

The Vatican has elevated the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Paul of the Cross in Marikina City to the rank of a minor basilica, marking the first such designation under the newly elected Pope Leo XIV and a significant milestone for the Catholic Church in the Philippines.

Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Philippines, has expressed deep concern over the arrest of eleven indigenous residents of Barangay Mariahangin in Balabac, Palawan, on May 15.

Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB), a Catholic-run institution in the heart of Dhaka, organized an innovative groundbreaking workshop on AI and video editing at Motijheel on May 13 and 17.

An Indian Catholic social worker and environmentalist was among the recipients of the 8th TCJ Excellence Awards 2025 in Mumbai, western India.

As Divine Mercy devotees in the Archdiocese of Cebu prepare for the 28th Divine Mercy Convention scheduled for May 24–25, 2025, organizers recall how the devotion was ignited by a miracle experienced by an ordinary government employee and family man.

The Research and Advocacy for Climate Policy and Action (RACPA) consortium, led by Jesuits, held a planning workshop on climate justice and community resilience in Surakarta, Indonesia, May 13–17.

A solemn interfaith prayer and memorial service was held at the Ramna Archdiocesan Centre to honor the legacy of the late Pope Francis, bringing together Christian leaders and believers from a broad spectrum of denominations in Bangladesh on May 15.

On May 18, 2025, Fr. Morris Jalal, a priest in the Archdiocese of Lahore, Pakistan, inaugurated the Good Samaritan Computer Center.

The Catholic Church in the People’s Republic of China opened two new churches on the same day.

The president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) expressed that he looks forward to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV exercising “a truly synodal leadership.”

On May 14 and 17, Bishop Anthony Adoun Hongsaphong, Apostolic Vicar of Vientiane in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos PDR), along with his delegation, attended the funeral ceremonies to pay their respects and offer a message of condolence on the occasion of the cremation of the Venerable Maha Bounma Simmaphom Maha Thera, former President of the Central Buddhist Fellowship of Lao PDR.

On May 8, 2025, Thailand’s Supreme Buddhist Patriarch, Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana, welcomed a delegation from the Catholic Church at Wat Ratchabophit in Bangkok.

Just days after his inauguration as Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV met with representatives of other Churches, ecclesial communities, and major world religions at the Apostolic Palace, reaffirming his commitment to Christian unity and interreligious dialogue.

An Indian nun who works for the emancipation of poor people received the “My Patna, My Pride” Award from Dainik Jagran (iNext) on May 17.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)—Episcopal Commission on Evangelization and Catechesis will hold the Youth Conference in Manila this July.