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)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/mercy-friday-750x425.jpg)
#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)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/saint-teresa-750x425.jpg)
#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)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/world-youth-day-option-2-750x425.jpg)
#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)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/syrian-refugees-750x425.jpg)
#5 When Pope Francis opens the possibility for communion for divorced/remarried Catholics
#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)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/cardinals-750x425.jpg)
#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)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/vatican-museum-750x425.jpg)
#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)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dakota-access-pipeline-750x425.jpg)
#9 When the pope celebrated his 80th birthday with the homeless