In his Christmas Urbi et Orbi address, Pope Leo XIV renews his plea for peace, reminding the world that it is both God’s gift and humanity’s shared responsibility. Read more.
Given at Westminster Cathedral for Christmas Midnight Mass, 24th December 2025.
Tonight is a night of prayer and praise, shaped by one much-acclaimed event: the birth of a child.
Babies evoke in us tenderness and love – at least when they are not crying! And this is the tenor of our prayer tonight. The tenderness and love we have for this child, whose birth we celebrate, is the source of our praise. So we echo the song of the angels, giving glory to God on high. Read more.
On 22 December 2025 Pope Leo XIV appointed, Canon Gerard Bradley as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Southwark. The Holy Father has assigned him the Titular See of Beverley, the birthplace in Yorkshire of St John Fisher, beloved to all in the Archdiocese as a former Catholic Bishop of Rochester. Bishop-elect Bradley’s Episcopal Ordination will take place on Monday, 2 February 2026, the Feast of the Presentation, at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark. Read more.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Right Reverend Richard Moth as Archbishop of Westminster.
Archbishop-elect Moth will become the 12th Archbishop of Westminster, succeeding Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who has served in the role since 2009. Cardinal Nichols will now become Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Westminster until Archbishop-elect Moth is Installed at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, 14 February 2026. Read more.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Bishop Marcus Stock as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Middlesbrough. Following acceptance of the resignation, in accordance with Canon 401 §11, of the Rt Rev Terence Drainey as Bishop of Middlesbrough, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Marcus Stock as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Middlesbrough, whilst retaining his current office as Bishop of Leeds. Read more.
Wave of Hope offers 26 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope. We also have a special reflection for Christmas Day. Read more or watch the latest reflection below.
You can also listen and subscribe to Wave of Hope as an audio podcast series.
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Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/
Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop Richard Moth have released a statement affirming what the coming of Christ at Christmas means to Catholics, expressing their shared concern at societal tensions and division in our communities, something that does not “reflect the spirit or message of Christmas.”
The Chair of the Department for Dialogue and Unity, and Chair of the Department for Social Justice of the Bishops’ Conference respectively, Archbishop Longley and Bishop Moth describe our participation in Advent and the celebration of Christmas as “our lived response in opposition to those who seek division.”
The statement presents hope, joy, peace, and love as the incarnational antidote to these divisions. Read more.
The Most Reverend Mark O’Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia is calling on Catholics and people of goodwill living in Wales to write to their member of the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, to oppose assisted suicide. Members of the Senedd will be asked to decide whether Wales should give its consent to Westminster’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill — a law that would legalise assisted suicide. Read more.
Guidance to help you write to a Peer to oppose the Bill seeking to legalise assisted suicide as it passes through the House of Lords. Unlike MPs, Members of the House of Lords do not have constituents, meaning there is not a Peer whose job it is to represent you based on the area of the country in which you live. For this reason you should take some time to think about which Peer you will write to and why – such as whether you have a personal or professional connection with them, or you have professional expertise in medicine or healthcare. We also suggest three key points that can be emphasised in your letter to a Peer.
The Department for Social Justice of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has published a document on taxation called Render Unto Caesar. It offers perspectives on taxation from Catholic social thought and teaching. Read more.
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