2024 has been an exciting and eventful year for the Vatican and the Catholic Church. Within all this excitement, here are the stories that garnered the most interest and attention in 2024.
The number one story focused on the first female Doctor of the Church: St. Teresa of Avila. After 110 years, her tomb was reopened, and her body was discovered to be incorrupt. Approved by the Vatican, this tomb reopening and its discovery led many scientists and doctors to study the miraculous preservation of St. Teresa’s incorrupt body.
The second most viewed story also involved women – specifically, royal women and fashion. Only seven women can wear white in front of the Pope. Which seven women? Those women and their spouses that must be from Catholic European royal houses, including those of Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Monaco.
The third story was one of the last to be published, but it has become one of the images of the year. It is this one: the opening of the Holy Door on Christmas night. An image that reflects the solemnity and grandeur that a setting like the Vatican offers on great occasions.
The fourth one is the pope's historic visit to Indonesia, a country with only 8 million Catholics. His message to the Indonesian people was seen in the third most viewed story of 2024. During his Mass, the Pope mentioned St. Teresa of Calcutta, as it was also her feast day, and praised her for her love of the poor and peace. But the Pope’s most memorable message during that trip was his instruction to the people:
POPE FRANCIS
Has anyone ever told you that you are a smiley people? Please do not lose your smile.
In the fifth most viewed story, the Catholic Church in South Korea was highlighted. The number of Catholics in South Korea has increased by nearly 1,200% in the last 50 years. In 2014, the Pope visited South Korea in his first official trip to Asia. The rise of Catholicism in South Korea is reflected in its role as future host of World Youth Day.
Altogether, 2024 was a year of exciting travels, international connections, and miraculous events for the Vatican and the Catholic Church. Who knows what other interesting stories will unfold in 2025?
GS
