Rabbi Joshua Stanton attends “Called to Friendship: Nostra Aetate at 60,” an event organized by the Philos Project and the National Shrine of Pope John Paul II on Oct. 28, 2025. / Credit: Jack Haskins Washington, D.C., Oct 28, 2025 / 18:21 pm (CNA). Calls to deepen Jewish-Catholic relations echoed at an event marking the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Vatican II declaration by Pope Paul VI on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions. At “Called to Friendship: Nostra Aetate at 60,” an event organized by the Philos Project and the Saint John Paul II National Shrine, Jews and Catholics from across the country gathered on Oct. 28 to remember Nostra Aetate, a document many believe permanently altered the course of Catholic-Jewish relations.“One of the challenges of Catholic-Jewish collaboration is getting more people in the room,” Rabbi Joshua Stanton told CNA on the sidelines of the conference. “And getting more pe

The British Columbia Parliament Buildings in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada / Credit: Ryan Bushby (HighInBC), CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons Victoria, Canada, Oct 28, 2025 / 15:55 pm (CNA). The furtive establishment of a stand-alone, private euthanasia house in Victoria, the capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia, has sparked criticism from pro-lifers and exposed yet another way in which medical assistance in dying (MAID) is spreading throughout America’s neighbor to the North.A Toronto-based nonprofit called MAiDHouse opened the euthanasia facility at an undisclosed location in the provincial capital in February. It launched a Toronto MAID house in 2021.Euthanasia opponents are troubled by the under-the-radar expansion of MAID facilities, especially since the unidentified houses may be in residential neighborhoods.The MAID houses appear to have the full backing of the federal government. Not only has the Canada Revenue Agency granted MAiDHouse, a

Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X Yazigi of Antioch and All the East (right) receives Ahmad al-Shar’a, the head of Syria’s transitional administration, on Oct. 26, 2025, at the patriarchal residence in Damascus. / Credit: Syrian Presidency ACI MENA, Oct 28, 2025 / 11:32 am (CNA). In a sign of diversity and coexistence in post-transition Syria, Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X Yazigi of Antioch and All the East on Sunday received Ahmad al-Shar’a, the head of Syria’s transitional administration, at the patriarchal residence in Damascus.Al-Shar’a was accompanied by Maher al-Shar’a, secretary-general of the presidency, and Maher Marwan Idlibi, governor of Damascus, at the Oct. 26 meeting.According to a post published on the official X account of the Syrian presidency, the purpose of the visit was to “learn about the situation of the Christian community.” The presidency added that the visit “reflects the shared commitment to strengt

“Triumph Over Evil: Battle of the Exorcists” will be in theaters for one day only on Oct. 30, 2025, and aims to answer questions regarding the truth about exorcisms. / Credit: Goya Producciones CNA Staff, Oct 28, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA). Who is the devil? What is an exorcism? How do you protect yourself from demonic attacks? These are some of the questions a new film titled “Triumph Over Evil: Battle of the Exorcists” aims to answer.Approved by the International Association of Exorcists, a prominent pontifical association, “Triumph Over Evil” is the first authoritative documentary to delve into the various aspects of demonic possession and exorcism as well as the how the Catholic priesthood and the Blessed Virgin Mary take part in the battle against evil. The film, which includes never-before-seen commentary from Vatican exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth and others, will be in theaters for one day only on Oct. 30. Giovanni Ziberna, a fo

A candle of St. Jude. / Credit: Francesca Pollio/CNA CNA Staff, Oct 28, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA). On Oct. 28, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Jude, also known as Thaddeus, one of Jesus’ 12 apostles.He is believed to have written the Letter of Jude, one of the shortest books of the Bible, and is thought to have been martyred in Beirut around 65 A.D. He is typically depicted with a club or axe, symbolizing the way he died, as well as with a flame above his head, which refers to Pentecost.Although Jude is not mentioned much in the Bible and only had one quote attributed to him in the Gospel of John (14:22), this quiet apostle is extremely popular among Catholics today. His popularity probably stems from his patronage of lost causes. An experience Jude had while in the city of Edessa is said to be the reason why he is associated with “impossible” situations.According to the ancient Church historian Eusebius, while Jesus was still alive, the ruler Abga