Top Catholic Moments of 2016

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Join us in looking back at some memorable Catholic moments of 2016!

#1 When Catholics around the world celebrated the Jubilee Year of Mercy, a time to focus on mercy, forgiveness, and healing. Pope Francis asked Catholics “to be a witness of mercy” and to perform works of mercy in their communities. Churches opened “holy doors” to welcome Catholics to church for an experience of grace and spiritual renewal.

Pope Francis visits the San Carlo Community, a drug rehabilitation center on the outskirts of Rome. The pope encouraged the 55 patients to trust God's mercy to keep them strong. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano)
Pope Francis visits the San Carlo Community, a drug rehabilitation center on the outskirts of Rome. The pope encouraged the 55 patients to trust God’s mercy to keep them strong. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano)

 

#2 When Mother Teresa became Saint Teresa

Missionaries of Charity receive communion in Rome prior to the canonization of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Missionaries of Charity receive communion in Rome prior to the canonization of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

 

#3 When millions of Catholic young people gathered in Kraków, Poland, for World Youth Day

Pope Francis rides with pilgrims in the popemobile at World Youth Day. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Pope Francis rides with pilgrims in the popemobile at World Youth Day. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

 

#4 When Catholic Relief Services, Caritas, and other Catholic organizations provided food, education, counseling, medical support, and temporary shelter to Syrian refugees across Europe and the Middle East

Syrian refugee children stand outside their school in Zahle, Lebanon. Caritas has been instrumental in helping Syrian refugees attend Lebanese public schools to continue their education. (CNS photo/Dale Gavlak)
Syrian refugee children stand outside their school in Zahle, Lebanon. Caritas has been instrumental in helping Syrian refugees attend Lebanese public schools to continue their education. (CNS photo/Dale Gavlak)

 

#5 When Pope Francis opens the possibility for communion for divorced/remarried Catholics

communion

 

#6 When there were three new U.S. cardinals

New U.S. Cardinals Joseph W. Tobin of Indianapolis, Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the new Vatican office for laity, family and life, and Blase J. Cupich of Chicago. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
New U.S. Cardinals Joseph W. Tobin of Indianapolis, Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the new Vatican office for laity, family and life, and Blase J. Cupich of Chicago. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

 

#7 When Pope Francis named the first woman to the top post at the Vatican Museums

Barbara Jatta has been appointed as the new director of the Vatican Museums. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Barbara Jatta has been appointed as the new director of the Vatican Museums. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

 

#8 When nuns joined the protest against the Dakota Access pipeline

A prayer circle in front of a bridge in Standing Rock, N.D., where demonstrators confront police during a protest of the Dakota Access pipeline. (CNS photo/Stephanie Keith, Reuters)
A prayer circle in front of a bridge in Standing Rock, N.D., where demonstrators confront police during a protest of the Dakota Access pipeline. (CNS photo/Stephanie Keith, Reuters)

 

#9 When the pope celebrated his 80th birthday with the homeless

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