Catholic school enrollment figures for the current school year—significantly impacted by the pandemic—dropped 6.4% or more than 111,000 students from the previous school year, which is the largest single year decline in almost 50 years.

“2021 is a time that must not be wasted,” Pope Francis said during his annual meeting with diplomats accredited to the Holy See. “I am convinced that fraternity is the true cure for the pandemic and the many evils that have affected us.”

Pope Francis today expressed his “live concern” at the recent developments in Myanmar where the military has seized power, overthrowing the results of the recent election.

No matter how many times you hear it described thus—jokingly or not—an annulment is not just “Catholic divorce.” Church teaching is not that the marriage in question failed, but that the marriage never existed in a sacramental sense.

Breaking with tradition and opening a new door in the synodal process, Pope Francis has appointed a woman, Sister Nathalie Becquart, as one of two new undersecretaries of the synod of bishops.

How closely did you follow the news this week? Take our Catholic news quiz and find out.