Catholic Nutshell News: Monday 12/1/25
Topics include: Turkish role in Gaza and Ukraine; Long-lost Rubens painting; Child marriage illegal in Balochistan; Soldiers twice as likely as civilians to attend church
“Worth your weight in walnuts”
Today's sources are Catholic News Agency, Graphs about Religion, OSV, Aleteia, Fides, UCA, CWN, National Catholic Register, & Christian Post. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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Catholic News Agency
Pope Leo: Turkish role toward peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine
By Elias Turk, November 30, 2025
Pope Leo XIV told journalists on his flight from Turkey to Lebanon that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supports the Holy See’s long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and could help advance emerging proposals to end the war in Ukraine. “We spoke about both situations,” the pope said. “The Holy See has publicly supported, for several years, the proposal of a two-state solution. Israel at this moment does not accept it, but we see it as the only solution that could bring an end to this conflict. We are also friends of Israel, and we try to be a mediating voice between both sides.” Regarding Ukraine, Leo added, “there are concrete proposals for peace.” Erdogan’s contacts with Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington could help advance “dialogue, a ceasefire, and a way to resolve this conflict.”
CRUX
Long-lost Rubens painting of Crucifixion sells for $2.7 million
By Associated Press, December 1, 2025
A long-lost painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, hidden for more than 4 centuries, sold for 2.3 million euros ($2.7 million) at an auction on Sunday in Versailles. The painting was recently found in a private townhouse in Paris. It depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Nils Büttner, an expert known for his research on Rubens, explained before the auction that the master often painted crucifixions but rarely depicted “the crucified Christ as a dead body on the cross.” “So this is the one and only painting showing blood and water coming out of the side wound of Christ, and this is something that Rubens only painted once.” Microscopic examination of the paint layers revealed not only white, black, and red pigments in areas representing flesh, but also blue and green pigments, which Rubens typically used to depict human skin.
Aleteia
Nigerian bishops: Let’s not argue about who has suffered most
By Daniel Esparza & Kathleen N. Hattrup, November 26, 2025
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a stark warning about the country’s deteriorating security landscape, calling the current crisis “deplorable.” They also say “the ongoing discourse heating up the nation’s fragile social and religious climate are truly worrisome.” The bishops say violence across Nigeria has reached an alarming scale. They speak of the perpetrators as “murderous groups.” Yet, they urge citizens, "Rather than engaging in divisive arguments about who has suffered more losses, we should stand together in defending the sacredness of every human life and protecting the vulnerable. Together, we can transform our diversity into strength and build a nation that truly reflects harmony, justice, and hope.”
Agenzia Fides
Child marriage (under 18) is now illegal in Balochistan
By Agenzia Fides, December 1, 2025
The new “2025 Law on the Restriction of Child Marriage in Balochistan” stipulates strict penalties for adults who facilitate child marriages and declares all marriages involving minors under the age of 18 illegal in the western Pakistani province. Penalties (ranging from fines to imprisonment) will apply to anyone involved in organizing, facilitating, celebrating, or participating in a child marriage. The law also repeals the previous law that set the minimum marriage age for girls at 14. Under the new regulations, both civil registrars and religious officials will be required to verify the identity of both spouses before the marriage ceremony.
The Bishop of Hyderabad and President of the Pakistan Bishops’ Conference, Samson Shukardin OFM, described the bill as “a historic decision to protect children and an important step toward strengthening the rights of minors.”
The Pillar
Why an urgent release of a Vatican document on monogamy?
By Luke Coppen, November 25, 2025
The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith fears that monogamy is being eclipsed worldwide. In response, publishing Una caro: Elogio della monogamia (“One flesh: In praise of monogamy”), on Nov. 25, it wants to reframe the concept so it’s understood not merely as a prohibition on extramarital relations but as a prophetic witness to God’s faithful love in a fractured world. “Various public forms of non-monogamous unions — sometimes called ‘polyamory’ — are growing in the West.” The weakening commitment to monogamy also affects the Catholic Church. In France, the number of Catholic marriages fell from 102,024 in 2003 to 41,402 in 2023. A similarly sharp downward trend is evident in most Western countries. The brief first chapter (“introduction”) says that Una caro seeks to enhance appreciation for monogamy, showing it is “not simply the opposite of polygamy,” but a concept with a much deeper meaning.
Zenit
A beer created in Chicago is dedicated to Leo XIV
By Rafael Manuel Tovar, November 30, 2025
Called Da Pope, a beer from the Burning Bush Brewery, based in Chicago, the Pontiff’s hometown, the can features an image of a Pope with the colours of the Chicago flag on his back. Da Pope was inspired by Pope Leo XIV and refers to a television segment that began in 1991, which ridiculed the Chicago accent by calling the city’s football team “Da Bears.” It’s dark in colour, light-bodied, and easy to drink. Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois visited Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Wednesday, November 19, and presented him with cans of beer. The Governor joked with the Pope, who could “enjoy or at least display” the four-pack of Da Pope beers. Leo XIV replied, “We’ll put them in the refrigerator.”
Graphs about Religion
As America secularizes, its soldiers are moving the other way
By Ryan Burge, December 1, 2025
The Cooperative Election Study asked some questions about service in the armed forces, and that was enough to pull together a couple of graphs on the religiosity of the men and women serving the United States right now. Among 18–45-year-olds, military members are about twice as likely as civilians to attend church weekly. It’s pretty evident to me that the share of active-duty Christians has dropped significantly from 2010 to 2024. In the first set of surveys, 58% of military members were Christians, and 25% were nonreligious. Among military folks in the last couple of years, 50% are Christians and 32% are nonreligious. However, members of the military are more likely to be Christian compared to the rest of the population. Military members are also significantly less likely to be nonreligious: 32% vs. 48% among the general population.
The Christian Post
Rebel nuns win reprieve to stay in convent
By Anugrah Kumar, December 1, 2025
Three elderly nuns who broke into their former convent after fleeing a Catholic Church-run care home may remain there, but only if they give up social media, cease contact with the press, and dismiss their lawyers. Church authorities have laid out the conditions in a written proposal. Sister Bernadette, 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82, have refused to sign the agreement, Agence France-Presse reports. On Friday, Church officials said the nuns would be allowed to remain in the convent “until further notice,” provided they accept a list of conditions set by their superior, Provost Markus Grasl. The sisters returned to the Kloster Goldenstein convent in Elsbethen, near Salzburg, in September, with the help of supporters and a locksmith, months after denominational authorities relocated them to a Catholic care facility, citing concerns about their health. The nuns said they had been taken there against their will and felt isolated and unhappy.
Vatican News
Archbishop of Nampula appeals for 30,000 displaced people
By Cremildo Alexandre, Nampula, November 26, 2025
Archbishop of Nampula and President of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique, Archbishop Inacio Saure, expressed his deep concern about the dire conditions faced by the displaced families. “More than 30,000 people are currently sheltering in the administrative post of Alua, having fled their homes due to recent terrorist incursions in Nampula Province.” The Archbishop said he is in regular contact with the Bishop of Nacala, whose jurisdiction includes Memba. He had already instructed Nampula Archdiocesan Caritas to prepare a concrete response to support the internally displaced persons (IDPs).
CNA, UCA, and CNW News for 12/1/25
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — December 1, 2025
The Catholic News Agency provides reliable, free, and up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and the happenings of the Holy See to anyone with internet access.
Pope Leo offers Lebanon a way to hope ‘even when surrounded by the sound of weapons’ - Dec 1, 2025 - By Elias Turk - Pope Leo told Lebanon’s bishops, clergy, and pastoral workers that Mary teaches believers how to persevere when daily life becomes a struggle. Trust one another so that “the regenerative power of forgiveness and mercy may triumph.”
Pope Leo entrusts Lebanon to St. Charbel’s intercession, prays at his tomb - Dec 1, 2025 - By Elias Turk - At the tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf, Pope Leo entrusted the country and the wider Middle East to the intercession of the saint whom many Lebanese, Christians and Muslims alike, invoke as the “heavenly physician.”
Advent: What is it and how should it be celebrated? - Nov 30, 2025 - By CNA Staff - Need a refresher on Advent? Here’s some info that can help you live a great Advent this year.
UCA News
The Union of Catholic Asian World News - 12/1/25
UCA News (UCAN) is the leading independent Catholic media service from Asia, with a convergent media approach that couples traditional journalistic practices with multimedia and social media
Indian court orders state authority to protect multi-faith burial ground -December 1, 2025 - The High Court of Maharashtra state in western India has ordered a municipal authority to clear encroachments and restore a nine-acre plot reserved for a multi-faith burial and cremation ground, criticizing officials for failing to enforce its earlier directions.
Sri Lanka grapples with the worst natural disaster in its history - December 1, 2025 - 355 people have been killed across the nation, with another 366 still missing. The media quoted President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as saying it was the “most challenging natural disaster” in the country’s history.
Christian leaders question Assam’s new law banning polygamy - December 1, 2025 - Father Babu Joseph, a Divine Word priest and former spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, said the law appeared “well-intended” but unnecessary. “What is the need for such a law when there are already existing laws prohibiting a second marriage without annulling the first?”
Catholic World News
CatholicCulture.org from Trinity Communications
Catholic World News (CWN) is an independent Catholic news service staffed by lay Catholic journalists, dedicated to providing accurate global news from a distinctly Catholic perspective.
The “vibe shift” is still very much with us - Hope for the New Evangelization, a “New Springtime” of faith was prophesied by Pope St. John Paul II at the turn of the Millennium. President Trump won re-election in a historic political comeback in 2024. But the country went blue in the 2025 off-year elections. Yet, the “vibe shift” is still very much with us, and may be picking up steam.
Pontiff calls for 2033 ecumenical gathering in Jerusalem - On the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection—in 2033—Pope Leo hoped to return to Jerusalem, to the Upper Room, where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples at the Last Supper and later, at Pentecost, sent the Holy Spirit upon them, for the Jubilee of the Redemption.
Pope Leo: To be good economists, know the divine economy - Pope Leo wrote in his message, dated November 26 and released two days later. “You will be good businesspeople and good economists if you know the divine economy in this way: it is the secret of so many witnesses who have gone before us and who still walk with us.”
Nutshell reflections for 12/1/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection AUDIO - December 1, 2025
Monday of the First Week of Advent
Word on Fire
Setting the stage for our martyrdom: ‘Campion’s Brag’
By Rachel Lu, December 1, 2025
“So the faith was planted: so it must be restored.” This is the most famous line from the tract commonly known as “Campion’s Brag,” written hastily on the road in 1580 at the request of Thomas Pounde, a Catholic recusant. Campion wrote his “Brag” in full anticipation of his eventual torture and execution, intending that his words should stand as a sincere articulation of his purpose in submitting to that fate. In sixteenth-century England, the Church needed reseeding. Christians seem to need perpetual reminders that, living in a fallen world, defeat can be the most lasting form of victory. It’s an uncomfortable subject for citizens of a mostly-peaceful-and-prosperous West. No one dies for Jesus without first being willing to sacrifice riches, fame, worldly honors and status, common comforts, friends, and reputation. Campion’s life can be read as a tutorial in that process.
National Catholic Register
A Catholic approach to ‘Giving Tuesday’
By Tim Busch, December 1, 2025
For many of us, Giving Tuesday, the annual pseudo-holiday, has become overwhelming. Held on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, it’s a time when countless charities and nonprofits now ask for donations. In 2024 alone, more than 36 million people gave about $3.6 billion on this single day — an average gift of $100 per person. Yet with so many organizations asking for money, it’s increasingly complex to decide who’s worth supporting. My advice to Catholics is this: Lean into Giving Tuesday. You can shape the Church — and the culture — in a way that previous generations of Catholics couldn’t imagine. I say this as someone who has spent more than 30 years actively building and supporting Catholic nonprofits. Decades in this space have helped me realize that American Catholics are distinctly able to spread the Gospel through charitable giving.
George Weigel
Princess of Wales’ powerful message on addiction
By Cerith Gardiner, December 1, 2025
For people struggling with addiction, each day can feel like a lonely battle fought in the shadows. These hidden struggles are often carried in silence, burdened by shame and misunderstanding. In a heartfelt message marking Addiction Awareness Week 2025, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has urged the world to rethink its approach. “Addiction is not a choice or a personal failing but a complex mental health condition that should be met with empathy and support,” as shared in The Guardian. Speaking as patron of the Forward Trust—a charity supporting those in recovery—the Princess of Wales called for an end to the stigma that keeps so many sufferers isolated. Rather than judgment, Catherine advocates for a response rooted in compassion, love, and understanding.
Bishop Barron Reflections
Your life is not about you
By Bishop Robert Barron, December 1, 2025
One of the most fundamental statements of Christian faith is this: Your life is not about you. This is not your project. Rather, you are part of God’s great design. To believe this in your bones and to act accordingly is to have faith. When we operate out of this transformed vision, amazing things can happen, for we have surrendered to a power already at work in us “who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine” (Eph 3:20). This is precisely what we see in the lives of the saints: Mother Teresa moving into the worst slum in the world in an attitude of trust; Francis of Assisi just abandoning everything and living for God; Rose Hawthorne deciding to take cancer sufferers into her own home; Anthony leaving everything behind and going into the desert; Maximilian Kolbe saying, “I’m a Catholic priest; take me in his place.” This is how faith transforms the Christian life.
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