Catholic News
- 'Missiles are flying over our heads': bishops describe Israeli invasion of Lebanon (CWN)
As the Iran conflict widened, Israel invaded Lebanon in retaliation for attacks by Hezbollah forces that are based in southern Lebanon. - Synod releases study-group reports on online engagement, revisions to priestly formation (CWN)
The General Secretariat of the Synod, led by Cardinal Mario Grech, released the first two of 15 final reports of the study groups established by Pope Francis during the synod on synodality. - Pope, in comments to reporters, renews peace appeal (Vatican News)
In brief comments to reporters last evening, Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal for peace. As he left Castel Gandolfo, where he spends his Tuesdays, Pope Leo told reporters, “Pray for peace, work for peace, less hatred. Hatred in the world is constantly increasing.” “Truly strive to promote dialogue,” he added. “Seek solutions without weapons to resolve problems.” - Asia's bishops call for Middle East ceasefire, warn of 'incalculable' human consequences (FABC)
The Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences expressed “deep anguish and grave concern over the renewed escalation of violence in the Middle East.” “The recent cycles of bombardment and retaliation, involving major global and regional powers, risk plunging the region and the world into a conflict of incalculable human and economic consequences,” the bishops warned in their March 3 statement, as they called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to exercise moral responsibility, resisting the spiral of escalation that leads only to deeper suffering and irreversible loss.” “We invite all our local Churches across Asia in this season of Lent to intensify prayer, fasting, and concrete acts of solidarity for peace,” the bishops added. - Caribbean bishops lament US fuel blockade's effects on Cuban people (Antilles Episcopal Conference)
The Antilles Episcopal Conference issued a statement expressing “profound pastoral concern” for the people of Cuba in their “grave humanitarian hardships.” Without referring to the US fuel blockade of Cuba by name, the Caribbean bishops said that “recent developments in the region have resulted in acute shortages of fuel and essential supplies, causing widespread power cuts, disruptions to hospital and water systems, and serious threats to food security and basic public services in Cuba.” “While Cuba stands in need of renewal and positive change, it does not need more pain,” the bishops added. “The Church cannot remain silent when dignity is threatened and access to food, healthcare, and basic necessities becomes uncertain.” - Vatican newspaper editor asks of Iran conflict: How far? How long? (CWN)
In the most prominent front-page article in L’Osservatore Romano’s March 3 edition, the second-ranking official of the Vatican newspaper discussed the unknowns of the Iran conflict, asking, “How far? How long?” - Bishop pays tribute to modern martyrs of Yemen on 10th anniversary (CWN)
The retired apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia paid tribute today to the modern martyrs of Yemen on the tenth anniversary of their slaying. - Cardinal Parolin says military chaplains should help form consciences (Vatican News)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, said that the military chaplain is called to be a “companion who enlightens conscience, so that obedience does not become irresponsibility and discipline does not turn into moral automatism.” “Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a person, where he or she is alone with God,” the prelate preached at a March 3 Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls marking the 100th anniversary of Italy’s Military Ordinariate. The Church’s task, said Cardinal Parolin, is “to safeguard and enlighten” conscience, “this inviolable space of the human person.” - Minnesota archdiocese reports 54% increase in conversions (OSV News)
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis reports that 1,736 converts are expected to be received into the Church there this year—up 54% from 2025. “I am reminded this year that the Holy Spirit is always full of surprises,” said Archbishop Bernard Hebda. Father Joseph Johnson, the rector of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, said that young people are “intentionally choosing more traditional and spiritual ways of living their lives and are looking for meaning and purpose; the brokenness of the society around us is, I think, fueling that.” - 'Theology serves to proclaim the Gospel,' Pope tells theologians (Dicastery for Communication)
Pope Leo XIV received the members of two Italian theological faculties on March 2 and emphasized that “theology serves to proclaim the Gospel, hence it is an integral and fundamental part of the Church’s mission.” “Theological formation is not destined for a few specialists, but is a call addressed to everyone, so that every person may explore the mystery of faith and receive useful tools to carry out with passion the persevering commitment to a social and cultural meditation on the Gospel,” Pope Leo said to members of the Theological Faculty of Puglia and of the Theological Institute of Calabria. The Pontiff also called on the theologians to “do theology together,” by “leaving our safe harbor, going beyond our territorial and ecclesial boundaries, in encounter, in mutual listening and dialogue, in the communion between Churches that brings together resources, skills and charisms.” - Listen to Jesus and be willing to risk new decisions, Pope preaches (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Sunday evening Mass at the Church of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Rome (video) and encouraged the faithful to be willing to risk new decisions, as Abraham did, and to listen to Jesus. - Disarmament is a 'moral imperative,' Vatican diplomat says (Holy See Mission)
Addressing a recent UN conference on disarmament, a Vatican diplomat said that “disarmament is a moral imperative, rooted in the recognition of the sacredness and dignity of every human life and the interconnectedness of the human family, not merely a political or strategic necessity.” Msgr. Daniel Pacho, one of the three undersecretaries of the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, discussed nuclear weapons, outer space, and the weaponization of artificial intelligence. The diplomat called on the international community to “overcome the persistent idea that peace can only be achieved through strength and deterrence. In fact, deterrence fuels proliferation and can fail, with potentially devastating consequences for humanity and future generations.” - Amid Iranian attacks, situation in Kuwait 'worsening day by day,' nuncio warns (Vatican News)
Three days after the commencement of the Iran conflict, Archbishop Eugene Nugent, apostolic nuncio to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, told Vatican News that the situation in Kuwait “is dramatic and worsening day by day.” “We are trying to remain calm, of course, but it is somewhat frightening,” said the nuncio, who is based in Kuwait. “We are all somewhat shocked by what is happening.” “Sadly, once a war begins, no one ever knows when it will end,” Archbishop Nugent added. “Everything is accelerating, but we must still try every avenue. A long war benefits no one and will benefit no one, especially in a region already tried by many conflicts.” - Remain calm and united in prayer, bishop urges faithful of Arab states (Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia)
Following the commencement of the Iran conflict, the apostolic vicar of Northern Arabia called upon the faithful of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to “remain calm, united in prayer, and attentive to the safety of everyone.” Bishop Aldo Berardi, OSST, also directed parish priests to “make the necessary decisions, with prudence and responsibility, to ensure the safety of the faithful.” - India's bishops plead for peace (Catholic Bishops' Conference of India)
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) today called for an “immediate commitment to peace and dialogue” in the Iran conflict. “Violence and conflict only breed further suffering and despair,” said Cardinal Anthony Poola, president of the CBCI. “We urge all global leaders to prioritize human dignity and work collaboratively towards an amicable resolution.” The bishops “invited the faithful across India to pray earnestly for peace in the world” and “encouraged all communities to unite in prayer, seeking divine grace to heal afflicted regions and restore harmony among peoples and nations.” - US bishops back human-trafficking legislation (USCCB)
The chairmen of two committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops lent their support to the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, sponsored by Rep. Tim Wahlberg (R-MI), and reiterated their support for the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). “The Catholic Church is a steadfast voice against human trafficking and other forms of exploitation, as well as a longtime provider of services and pastoral care to victims of these crimes,” Archbishop Shelton Fabre, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop Brendan Cahill, chairman of the Committee on Migration, wrote in their March 2 letter to members of the House of Representatives. The prelates called for “immediate action as a further step to counter the scourge of human trafficking in our country and beyond.” - London-area dioceses report largest Easter convert groups in 15 years (National Catholic Register)
The English archdioceses of Westminster and Southwark are reporting the largest number of conversions since 2011. The number of converts preparing for entry into the Church at the Easter Vigil “represents a 60% increase from 2025,” the Archdiocese of Westminster said in a statement. The Archdiocese of Southwark said that half of its 590 converts are age 35 or under. - Controversial scholar withdraws from Notre Dame post [News Analysis] (CWN)
A heated controversy at the University of Notre Dame has apparently been resolved, with Susan Ostermann, who had been appointed to head the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, announcing that she would not accept the post. - Vatican hosts seminar on AI and ethics (Vatican News)
The Secretariat for the Economy and the Office of Labor of the Apostolic See hosted “Potential and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence,” a March 2 seminar. During the seminar, Bishop Paul Tighe, one of two secretaries of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, said that AI is marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. He expressed concern that a US-based AI company may have been subject to “government pressure to relax its ethical commitments regarding military and surveillance use.” - USCCB president warns of prospect of wider Middle East war, calls for diplomacy, prayer for peace (CWN)
Echoing Pope Leo XIV’s peace appeal, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called upon the parties in the Iran–United States conflict to halt the spiral of violence and return to negotiations. - More...