Catholic News
- Pope, at general audience, reviews apostolic journey to Africa (CWN)
At his general audience today, Pope Leo XIV spoke about his recent apostolic journey to four African nations. - Azerbaijan's government demolishes Armenian cathedral (Pillar)
The government of Azerbaijan, a nation that is 97% Muslim, destroyed the Holy Mother of God Cathedral, an Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Stepanakert. Stepanakert is a city in Nagorno-Karabakh, an historic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan that Armenians call Artsakh. “It is obvious that the Azerbaijani government continues to target Armenian Christian holy sites with the aim of erasing the Armenian trace from Artsakh,” the Armenian Apostolic Church said in a statement. “This state-level vandalism once again proves that Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian policy has not changed.” The Armenian Apostolic Church (CNEWA profile) is among the Oriental Orthodox churches that ceased to be in full communion with the Holy See following the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon (451). - Jerusalem cardinal emphasizes centrality of liturgy, prayer amid war (Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)
In a letter entitled “They returned to Jerusalem with great joy,” the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem emphasized the centrality of the liturgy and prayer amid war. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M., said that “we must therefore keep the liturgy and prayer at the center of the life of our communities. Not just prayers for peace—which also need to be promoted—but prayer as a constant and enduring atmosphere of life, giving shape to our days, our weeks, our communities.” “I am thinking in particular of the Liturgy of the Hours prayed in community, of lectio divina, of Eucharistic adoration: not practices for specialists, but simple and profound expressions of the Church’s prayer, capable of inserting our daily life—with all its fears and expectations—into a living relationship with God,” he continued. “Let us make prayer the beating heart of our parishes, our families, our schools.” - EU bishops issue peace plea, draw attention to plight of Christians in Northern Cyprus (COMECE)
The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) held its spring meeting in Cyprus and issued a plea for peace. The bishops said that they “turn to the Lord in prayer and stand in solidarity with all those suffering from devastating violence, instability and injustice in the Holy Land, Lebanon, Iran and the wider Middle East region. In particular, we remember the Christian communities, whose presence in these lands, where our faith has its roots, remains a powerful testimony of perseverance, resilience and hope.” The bishops also visited two Christian villages in Northern Cyprus, which has been under Turkish military occupation since 1974. At the Maronite co-cathedral in one of the villages, Archbishop Selim Sfeir preached that “we desire more than ever the full return of our villages and our places of divine worship, and we renew our firm commitment, with great determination and continuous effort, to achieve this return in a spirit of responsibility, perseverance, and cooperation.” - Vatican newspaper sounds alarm about jihadist advances in the Sahel (CWN)
The Vatican newspaper warned of an “explosive crisis” in Mali and other nations of Africa’s Sahel region because of jihadist attacks. - Cardinal McElroy sees 3 'major distortions of Catholic teaching on war and peace' (America)
Writing in the Jesuit journal America, Cardinal Robert McElroy argued that “it is essential to identify and reject three major distortions of Catholic teaching on war and peace that have crept into our national dialogue.” “The first distortion is the assertion that the just war tradition is the foundational stance toward war in Catholic teaching,” he wrote. “In reality, the fundamental stance of the Church toward war is that it must be avoided.” “A second claim distorting the dialogue about Catholic teaching and the Iran war is the assertion that just war principles are merely a heuristic—that is, a mental shortcut or rule of thumb—rather than an objective set of stringent criteria for determining whether a war is morally legitimate in extreme circumstances,” Cardinal McElroy continued. “A third claim about Catholic moral teaching distorting our current national dialogue is the assertion that while posing the central moral questions about a war rightfully belongs to the Church, the application of those norms and the determination of moral legitimacy to go to war belong solely to the leaders of government,” he added. “This assertion first arose concerning the American decision to invade Iraq in 2003.” - Vatican diplomat: Don't delegate scientific decisions to AI (Holy See Mission)
Addressing a UN commission meeting, a Vatican diplomat warned against delegating scientific decisions to AI. Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, said that “delegating critical decision-making processes in scientific activities to AI systems” is a “cause for deep concern, particularly in sensitive areas such as medicine, health and bioethics. While AI can assist healthcare professionals with tasks such as pattern recognition, risk stratification and decision support, decisions regarding patient treatment and the weight of responsibility they entail must always remain with the human person.” Archbishop Balestrero called for “proper ethical management and regulatory frameworks” for AI that are “centered on the human person, rather than mere criteria of utility or efficiency.” “In line with the principle of subsidiarity, it is essential to establish and implement adequate safeguards and to foster collaboration among stakeholders,” he added. - Ghana's leading prelate says the Church 'cannot remain silent in the face of moral and social concerns' (Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference )
The president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference issued a statement on the prophetic role of the Church in national life after a public official criticized a Pentecostal leader for speaking out on illegal mining. “The Church, by her nature and divine mandate, cannot remain silent in the face of moral and social concerns,” said Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi of Sunyani. “When issues arise that threaten human dignity, the integrity of creation, or the common good—such as the grave harm caused by illegal mining—the Church has both the right and the duty to speak.” “In a democratic society, a proper distinction exists between religious and political roles. Yet this must not silence the voice of conscience,” Bishop Gyamfi added. “The Church does not seek power but strives to illuminate public life with truth. When she speaks on justice, peace, and care for creation, she does so as a moral guide concerned for all.” - USCCB, Catholic organizations weigh in on agriculture appropriations bill (USCCB)
In a letter to members of Congress, the chairmen of two committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, joined by leaders of four Catholic organizations, weighed in on agriculture appropriations legislation. “Nutrition programs that support the basic right to food should be strengthened,” the signatories wrote. “We must work to ensure every person has enough nutritious food to sustain a life with dignity, promote good stewardship of the land and natural resources, and provide support to struggling farmers, ranchers, and workers.” Among the many requests in the letter, the signatories wrote: “we implore Congress to fully fund WIC at no less than the same level as FY2026 (factoring inflation and WIC’s growing caseload)” “we also ask that you delay the newly created state cost sharing requirements for SNAP benefits and administrative expenses by one to two years” “please increase funding for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which funds the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)” “agricultural subsidies and direct payments must be targeted to small and moderate-sized farms, especially those of Black farmers and other historically marginalized groups” “we especially urge Congress to counteract policies that facilitate and promote access to chemical abortion through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)” - Archbishop Gänswein offers fresh account of Benedict and Francis years (Catholic Herald)
In an interview with an Italian newspaper, Archbishop Georg Gänswein said that Pope Benedict XVI “never commented” on Pope Francis’s restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass, even though they caused him pain. Archbishop Gänswein, Pope Benedict’s private secretary and now apostolic nuncio to three Baltic nations, denied that Pope Benedict’s resignation was linked to Vatican scandals; instead, he said, it was a result of prayer and reflection. - 500,000 children at risk of death in Somalia, L'Osservatore Romano warns (CWN)
Half a million children are at risk of death from malnutrition in Somalia, L’Osservatore Romano reported in the most prominent front-page article in its April 28 edition. - Number of Catholic weddings in Ireland falls by half in 10 years (Central Statistics Office)
The number of Catholic weddings in Ireland fell by almost 51% between 2014 and 2024, from 13,071 to 6,425, the nation’s Central Statistics Office reported on April 28. Civil marriages (6,743) are now more popular than Catholic weddings. Humanist, Spiritualist Union of Ireland, and OneSpirit ceremonies are the next most popular options; only 1% of wedding ceremonies take place in the Church of Ireland (Anglican). - Pontiff grants ecclesiastical communion to new Chaldean Patriarch (CWN)
In a letter dated April 24 and released today, Pope Leo XIV granted ecclesiastical communion to Paul III Nona, who was elected Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church on April 12. - Dog owners who shared the Eucharist with their pets are not excommunicated, Swiss bishop rules (Pillar)
Following an investigation, Bishop Joseph Bonnemain of Chur, Switzerland, ruled that three dog owners who shared the Blessed Sacrament with their pets did not incur an automatic excommunication because they did not act with sacrilegious intent. Canon 1382 provides that “one who throws away the consecrated species or, for a sacrilegious purpose, takes them away or keeps them, incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.” The incident during place last October 4, the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, at Good Shepherd Parish in Zurich. The diocese stated: Due to a poor weather forecast, the blessing [of the animals] was moved indoors and combined with a Eucharistic celebration. During this Eucharistic celebration, three people shared portions of their hosts with their dogs. The findings clearly showed that the three individuals did not act with sacrilegious intent. Consequently, these individuals cannot be accused of sacrilege, as they lacked this sacrilegious intent. Therefore, they did not incur the excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See as a penalty for their actions. - Pontifical Mission Societies warn of 'silent massacre' of humanitarian workers (Fides)
Agenzia Fides, the news agency of the Pontifical Mission Societies, warned of a “silent massacre” of humanitarian workers. “In 2025, at least 326 humanitarian workers were killed in 21 countries, bringing the number of victims of this war against those who deliver aid to the civilian population to 1,010 in just three years,” Fides reported. “Often, death comes from the sky: airstrikes, especially in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine, are the leading cause of fatalities.” - Pope receives Anglican primate, calls for removal of stumbling blocks to Christian unity (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV today received Dame Sarah Mullally, one month after her installation as Archbishop of Canterbury. - Pope calls on Vatican diplomats to be servants of peace, truth, and justice (Dicastery for Communication)
In his first visit to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, which trains Vatican diplomats, Pope Leo XIV outlined “some characteristics of the Pontifical Diplomatic Priest who, by participating in the ministry of the Successor of Peter, embraces and cultivates a special vocation in the service of peace, truth and justice.” “He must be, first of all, a messenger of the Paschal proclamation ‘Peace be with you!’ (Jn 20:19),” Pope Leo said. “Even when the hopes for dialogue and reconciliation seem to vanish and peace ‘as the world gives it; is trampled upon and put to the test, you are called to continue to bring the word of the Risen Christ to all.” “The Papal Diplomat, moreover—operating in the most diverse cultural contexts and within international organizations—is specifically assigned to bear witness to the Truth that is Christ, bringing His message to the forum of nations, and becoming a sign of His love for that portion of humanity entrusted to his mission as a shepherd, even before that of a diplomat,” the Pontiff continued. Pope Leo added: Finally, you are preparing to undertake a unique ministry, which is not limited to safeguarding the good of the Catholic community, but extends to the entire human family living in a particular nation or participating in the work of various international organizations. This requires you to be promoters of all forms of justice that help to recognize, rebuild and protect the image of God imprinted in every person. In the defence of human rights—among which the rights to religious freedom and to life are prominent—I therefore urge you to continue to show the way, not towards confrontation and demands, but towards the protection of human dignity, the development of peoples and communities, and the promotion of international cooperation. - New Vatican document: 'Integral Ecology in the Life of the Family' (Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development)
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life released a 79-page document, “Integral Ecology in the Life of the Family.” The document—dated October 24, 2025, and released on April 27—has two parts: “Foundations” and “Seven Themes.” The themes are “Listening to the Cry of the Earth,” “Listen to the Cry of the Poor and the Vulnerable,” “Adopt and Promote Ecological Economics,” “Adopt Ecological Lifestyles,” “Integral Ecology and Education,” “Ecological Spirituality in the Family,” and “Families Participating in Community Life.” The document was signed by the dicastery’s prefects, Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., and Cardinal Kevin Farrell. - Vatican official comments on SSPX, Order of Malta; declines comment on Charlotte priests' dubia (Ad Vaticanum)
In an interview on the occasion of his 75th birthday, Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta Ochoa de Chinchetru, secretary of the Dicastery (formerly Pontifical Council) for Legislative Texts since 2007, was asked about the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) and the Vatican’s relations with the Order of Malta, as well as the liturgical dubia submitted by 31 priests of the Diocese of Charlotte. “I believe it was a grave mistake to have presented this matter as an imposition on the Holy See, announcing directly, as if it were a fait accompli, that they intended to carry out episcopal ordinations,” Bishop Arrieta said of the SSPX’s announcement that it will ordain new bishops. “This is the attitude of those who, from the outset, consider themselves outside the Church, a stance that contradicts their own awareness that they do not possess ecclesiastical jurisdiction,” he continued. “In fact, when they had to impose disciplinary sanctions for certain conduct by some of their priests, they turned to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which granted them the authority to do so.” Commenting on the Holy See’s dealings with the Order of Malta during Pope Francis’s pontificate, Bishop Arrieta suggested that “greater consideration should have been given to the instrument of a concordat: a concordat between the Holy See and the Order, similar to those signed with many countries, would have provided a formal framework consistent with how it is actually perceived in the international arena, and within that framework, the various spiritual and charitable issues raised by this important entity could have been resolved with realism and practicality.” Commenting on the Charlotte priests’ series of dubia about liturgical directives enacted or considered by their bishop, Bishop Arrieta said: For several years now, our dicastery has been publishing on its website the various opinions and consultations we are asked to provide, omitting, of course, any personal references, whenever we believe they may be of general use to the Church. For us, it is also a way to engage with the legal world and with new situations arising in various parts of the world, seeking to stimulate studies and in depth analysis of specific aspects of canon law. Regarding individual cases, however, as is logical, we are bound to maintain absolute confidentiality, also out of respect for the individuals involved. - California bishop's role at Anglican consecration prompts questions (Catholic Herald)
At the consecration of a bishop of the Episcopal Church, a Catholic bishop performed a “gesture that some commentators have interpreted as active participation in a non-Catholic ordination ceremony,” The Catholic Herald reported. “Publicly available footage and images circulated online appear to show the Catholic bishop”—Bishop Joseph Brennan of Fresno, California—“standing with Anglican clergy during the laying on of hands portion of the rite,” according to the report. (The Catholic Church teaches that Anglican orders, unlike orders conferred in the separated Eastern Churches, are invalid. In his 1896 apostolic letter Apostolicae Curae, Pope Leo XIII taught that “ordinations performed according to the Anglican Rite have been and are completely null and void.”) - More...