Pope Francis (R) greets a boy during an audience with parish cells for the evangelization in Paul VI hall at the Vatican on September 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)
There are billions of images captured every year of millions of stories. Images have the power to move hearts and minds, to raise awareness and cause change. The Aleteia Image department has assembled some of the most defining images shot in 2015 by Aleteia’s own photographers as well as other leading photographers from around the globe. The theme is Faith and Hope, as they reveal themselves through tragedies and triumphs of the past year. A very special thanks to the photographers and staff from the Archdiocese of Boston/Pilot Media, the Archdiocese of Denver/Catholic Charities, the Archdiocese of New York, AFP, Getty Images, Nurphoto, for providing the access and support to make this possible. On behalf of the Agata, Federica, Antoine, Marko and Jeff from Aleteia Image Department we wish you all a Very Blessed Christmas and Joy-filled New Year!
Pope Francis - General audience in St. Peter's Square, Vatican, Rome, Italy - 16 Dec 2015ARBIL,IRAQ: An Iraqi Catholic prays during a visit by the Archbishop of Lyon, French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin (unseen) at the Saint Joseph church in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. Barbarin is the Roman Catholic archbishop of Lyon and his diocese is twinned with that of Mosul. He is on his second trip to Arbil since Mosul fell, having visited in July. AFP PHOTO/ SAFIN HAMEDSURUC,SYRIA: A woman wait with her daughter near the Syria border at the southeastern town of Suruc in the Sanliurfa province after crossing the border between Syria and Turkey after several mortars hit both sides. Islamic State fighters are pushing towards a key Kurdish town on Syria's border with Turkey, whose parliament is set on October 2 to consider authorising military intervention against the jihadists on its doorstep. Kurdish fighters backed by US-led air strikes were locked in fierce fighting Wednesday to prevent the besieged border town of Ain al-Arab from falling to the Islamic State group fighters. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILICAMMAN,JORDAN : An Iraqi refugee man genuflects at the elevation of the Eucharist at a special Mass celebrated by Father Nabil Haddad for the refugee community who reside within the Parish community of St George in Amman,Jordan after fleeing with there families from ISIL forces. Jordan has provided safe haven to many fleeing persecution for their Christian Faith as a result of their inclusive attitude. JEFFREY BRUNO/ALETEIA
And today we celebrate...