Photos featured this week include voting in Congo, he annual procession of the Black Nazarene and a child sitting comfortably on the floor of the Sistine Chapel.
A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Kinshasa, Congo, Dec. 20, 2023, the day of the presidential election. Amid rising tensions over the results, Catholic bishops and Protestant leaders in Congo called Jan. 4, 2024, for a peaceful resolution of election-related disputes, while deploring the violence and irregularities observed during the process. (OSV News photo/Zohra Bensemra, Reuters)
People are pictured in a file photo displaying signs in Los Angeles during the “Walk 4 Freedom” in advance of the Jan. 11 National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. January is Human Trafficking Awareness month in the U.S. (OSV News photo/CNS file, Victor Aleman, Vida Nueva)
Pilgrims join the annual procession of the Black Nazarene during its feast day in Manila, Philippines, Jan. 9, 2024. The wooden statue, carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippine capital early in the 17th century, is cherished by Catholics, who believe that touching it can lead to a miracle. (OSV News photo/Lisa Marie David, Reuters)
A man prays during sunset, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Ashkelon, Israel, Jan. 8, 2024. (OSV News photo/Amir Cohen, Reuters)
Fr. Zyad Abyad’s daughters hand their father’s vestments for the Bishop to bless during Abyad’s priestly ordination. (OSV News photo/courtesy Jocelyn Abyad and the Abyad family)
A man portraying King Balthasar greets a child at the St. Mary the Royal of the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid on Jan. 3, 2024, ahead of Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem to meet the newborn Christ. Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid welcomed the kings as children with their parents filled the cathedral. (OSV News photo/Ignacio Arregui, courtesy Archdioceses of Madrid)
Men carry a replica of the Black Christ of Esquipulas, Guatemala, at the beginning of a special Mass celebrated in honor of the iconic image Jan. 7, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Housed in the Basilica of the Holy Christ in Esquipulas, the original 16th-century cedar carving of Jesus on the cross is a popular object of veneration by Central Americans. It also is the focal point of a major festival held annually on Jan. 15 that attracts thousands of pilgrims. (OSV News photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
The older brother of one of 16 newly baptized infants sits on the floor during Pope Francis’ celebration of Mass and the rite of baptism in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Jan. 7, 2024, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Author: OSV News
OSV News is a national and international wire service reporting on Catholic issues and issues that affect Catholics.
Kristi, Dianne, and all Central MN Catholic Staffers – I am becoming a weekly reader of this website! It greatly compliments/partners with our monthly mag! From local to the international church (the people of God) you inform and invite action on behalf of God’s people. Thanks and carry on!🙏🏽
Kristi, Dianne, and all Central MN Catholic Staffers – I am becoming a weekly reader of this website! It greatly compliments/partners with our monthly mag! From local to the international church (the people of God) you inform and invite action on behalf of God’s people. Thanks and carry on!🙏🏽