Argentina

Catholicism has waned in Latin America over the past decade, with more individuals foregoing religious affiliation — although belief in God remains “high across the region,” according to a new report.

More than two months after 5-year-old Loan Peña went missing in the northeastern Argentina town of Nueve de Julio, the church continues to promote marches to demand his captors release him.

Pope Francis has designated the provincial city of Santiago del Estero as Argentina’s primatial see in a move described by Catholic leaders as a historic “reparation” and a reflection of his preference for putting the peripheries at the center of church attention.

Argentina will get its first home-grown female saint in early 2024 with the canonization of Blessed María Antonia de San José. Born as María Antonia de Paz Figueroa, she is known throughout Argentina as Mama Antula.

Argentina has legalized abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, despite strong Catholic opposition and polls showing deep divisions on the issue.

The Argentine bishops’ conference has publicly expressed its opposition to government plans to present legislation decriminalizing abortion, saying the South American country had more pressing social concerns.

The social ministry of the Argentine bishops’ conference has urged the government to declare a food emergency as the country’s economy careens into crisis.

When Pope Francis first stepped onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Mark Shriver like millions of other people around the world was captivated by this man who humbly bowed his head after asking the people there to pray for him.