EWTN NEWS NIGHTLY

Members of a House committee held their first impeachment hearing for Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas. Gang violence has reached a fever pitch in Ecuador, with the president declaring a state of emergency. And one year after his death, Cardinal George Pell was commemorated in Rome.

Former President Donald Trump is back in a Washington DC court. Next week is the Iowa caucuses, and a Catholic group is doing its best to get Catholics out to vote. One candidate hoping to make an impact at the polls, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, joins to discuss his faith.

Congress will try to finish work on the federal budget this week. The State Department recently released its updated list of countries where religious freedom is being curtailed and the faithful are being targeted. And, kicking off 2024, around 20,000 young people converged on Saint Louis, for a week filled with worship of God, and witness to the Catholic faith.

Former President Trump looks to be in a strong position again to run against current President Joe Biden. The Christmas season is winding down and at the Vatican, as the solemnity of the Epiphany takes place on Saturday. And the Orlando Magic are turning heads across the NBA this season.

A trio of senators have spent weeks laboring to get a complex immigration deal with the Biden Administration. A new study is shedding light on the attitude toward abortion among voters in Iowa. And the Vatican has clarified its recent document on guidance for same-sex blessings.

The US issued a joint statement warning the Houthis against attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea. 60 House Republicans cut their holiday recess short and made a trek to the Southern border. And in Nicaragua, 2023 ended with more than a dozen Catholic clergy in jail.

Donald Trump is battling Colorado and Maine, which have banned him from the states’ ballots. Ukraine held strikes on the Russian border city of Belgorod, where 25 people were killed on Saturday. And there are new developments in the terror threat against a major cathedral in Germany.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died on December 31st 2022 at the age of 95, following a brief illness. Scholars, experts and friends of the late pope are gathering near St. Peter's Basilica to discuss his impact on the Church and society. When it comes to Catholic thought, he will long be considered a gift to Church theologians.

In a special edition of EWTN News Nightly, we preview what’s ahead in 2024. We discuss the long road to the 2024 presidential election and the upcoming abortion ballot initiatives. Hear what’s to come with the Synod on Synodality - plus, exciting details on the National Eucharistic Congress.

In a special edition of EWTN News Nightly, we look back at 2023 - from the White House, Capitol Hill, Vatican, and beyond. And we review the headlines ranging from Pope Benedict XVI's funeral to the Synod on Synodality with National Catholic Register's Shannon Mullen and ACI Group's Kelsey Wicks.

On "EWTN News Nightly" tonight: 'Doctor Joseph Capizzi Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America joins EWTN News Nightly to give a brief overview of the Catholic teaching on War, specifically the basic elements of the "Just War" theory. Dr. Capizzi discusses if this teaching supports Israel's decision to "eradicate" Hamas in the wake of the brutal October 7 attacks. He also responds to the upsurge in anti-semitism and anti-semeitc attacks on college campuses across the nation. President Joe Biden signs a new executive order targeting Russia. He wants to block Russian defense contractors from building more weapons to use against Ukraine. The president is also sending his secretary of state and homeland security secretary to Mexico to coordinate a response to the surge of migrants at the U.S. border. Tonata Lolesio, Principal of Sacred Hearts Catholic School in Lahaina, joins News Nightly to give an update on the community of Lahaina. Lolesio discusses the church and school community there and how everyone is rallying around one another through the ups and downs. Later she shares how they have still been able to teach and educate students despite all the challenges they have been facing. Lastly, all is set at the Vatican for the traditional Christmas celebrations. A busy two weeks for Pope Francis will begin Sunday with Christmas Eve mass in St. Peter's Basilica. EWTN Vatican News Correspondent, Colm Flynn reports. Get EWTN News Nightly delivered to your email: https://ewtn.com/enn

On "EWTN News Nightly" tonight: Senior advisor to the Israeli Prime Minister and former Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Mark Regev joins EWTN News Nightly to give the latest on the ongoing war in the Middle East and the status of the remaining hostages. Later, Regev shares his thoughts on the Biden Administration's urge to Israel to shift from high- intensity operations to more targeted intelligence- driven missions. Before leaving for a three week Christmas break, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell put out a joint statement about border talks. Both leaders say they hope an agreement can be reached so that the senate can take swift action on the National Security bill early next year when Congress returns Capitol Hill Correspondent, Erik Rosales reports. A new study finds that 7 percent of U.S. workers say they have been treated unfairly in the workplace due to their religious identity. Alex Alonso, Chief Knowledge Officer at the Society for Human Resource Management joins News Nightly to discuss this study and why it was conducted in the first place. Jem Sullivan, Associate Professor at the Catholic University of America and author of "The Beauty of Faith' joins EWTN News Nightly to discuss the artist, Giorgione who painted a beautiful image of the Adoration of the Shepherds that hangs in the National Gallery of Art. Don't miss out on the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Get EWTN News Nightly delivered to your email: https://ewtn.com/enn

The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that former President Donald Trump will not be allowed on the state's 2024 primary ballot. And lawmakers say they are renewing calls to reinstate those discharged from the military for refusing orders to get the COVID vaccine. Meanwhile, the Houthi rebels have said they are capable of turning the Red Sea into a graveyard.

A new report shows Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers received billions of dollars in tax-payer money. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed 3 bills into law in an effort to deter illegal immigration. And today is the 2nd day of the trial of Catholic, Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong.

Cardinal Angelo Becciu has been sentenced to 5 years and 6 months imprisonment. The IIDF is denying responsibility for the reported killing of 2 women at a Catholic Church in Gaza. And, over the weekend there were nearly 200 bomb threats against Jewish institutions and synagogues.