#1 When Pope Francis visited the United States
![(CNS photo/Bob Roller)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/pope-in-usa-600x400.jpg)
#2 When Stephen Colbert debuted as the new host of “The Late Show”
![Stephen Colbert](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/colbert-600x400.jpg)
#3 When Oscar Romero was beatified (finally)
![A pilgrim carries a poster of Archbishop Oscar Romero at El Salvador del Mundo Square. (CNS photo/Jose Cabezas, Reuters)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/romero-600x400.jpg)
#4 When Pope Francis opened the Holy Doors at the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy
![(CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/year-of-mercy-600x400.jpg)
#5 When Catholics helped migrants in largest refugee crisis since World War II
![A Syrian refugee carries her child in a thermal blanket as refugees and migrants arrive on an overcrowded boat on the Greek island of Lesbos. (CNS photo/Alkis Konstantinidis, Reuters)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/migrants-600x400.jpg)
#6 When Pope Francis released Laudato Si, his critical teachings on the environment
![Children paddle in water in Navotas City, Philippines. (CNS photo/Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA)](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/laudato-si-600x400.jpg)
#7 When the New York Times highlighted the increase in young women joining religious communities
![From The New York Times](https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/young-nuns-600x400.jpg)
#8 When we found out Mother Teresa would be named a saint