Christmas Hope in Gaza, Krakow Archbishop Installed, and Prayers for Peace

Maggie Murray of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com. 

Stories included in this episode:

• Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa says Gaza’s small Christian community is longing to rebuild ordinary life after two years of war, even as the situation remains fragile ahead of Christmas.
• All students kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in northwestern Nigeria have been freed just days before Christmas, bringing relief to families and the local Church after a monthlong ordeal.
• Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś was installed as archbishop of Kraków, telling the faithful he “doesn’t make sense” without them and pledging a listening, synodal approach to leadership.
• FOCUS founder Curtis Martin announced he is stepping down as CEO but will remain actively involved in the organization’s mission while supporting interim CEO Tim Thoman.
• As children gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV asked them to pray before their Nativity scenes this Christmas, especially for peace for children around the world.