Catholic News
- Pope Leo on poverty: Not just the voice of Pope Francis (News/Analysis) (CWN)
“For us Christians,” the problem of the poor leads to the very heart of our faith,” writes Pope Leo XIV in his apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te, released on October 9. In this, the first major teaching document of his pontificate, Pope Leo insists that care for the poor is an essential and obligatory aspect of the life of faith. - Jerusalem Patriarchate welcomes ceasefire agreement (Vatican News)
The Latin-rite Catholic Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement welcoming a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and expressing “ardent hope” that the agreement will be honored and become “the beginning of the end of this terrible war.” The statement underlined the “absolute urgency” of bringing humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza, and called for prayer “that this step may open a path to healing and reconciliation for both Palestinians and Israelis.” - Papal encouragement for Catholic Charities USA (Vatican Press Office)
At an October 9 meeting with representatives of Catholic Charities USA, Pope Leo XIV characterized them as “agents of hope for the millions of people who approach the Church in the United States of American seeking compassion and care.” The Pope stressed the importance of the work done by Catholic Charities, particularly in welcoming immigrants. He said: In a special way, Catholic migrants and refugees have become missionaries of hope in many nations, including your own, by bringing with them a vibrant faith and the popular devotions that often re-energize the parishes who welcome them. - Pope urges journalists to guard independence (Vatican Press Office)
Speaking on October 9 to representatives of leading news agencies, Pope Leo XIV said: “I urge you: never sell out your authority!” The Pontiff observed that “news and media agencies are undergoing a period of crisis,” as those who consume the news become ever more prone to “mistaking the false for the true and the authentic for the artificial.” “Information is a public good that we should all protect,” the Pope said. As powerful algorithms control access to the news, it becomes increasingly vital for dedicated journalists to “act as a barrier against those who, through the ancient art of lying, seek to create divisions in order to rule by dividing.” “The world needs free, rigorous, and objective information,” Pope Leo insisted. - Papal message: In discussing synodality, don't disregard the authority Christ conferred on Pope, bishops (Vatican News)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, sent a message (full text) in the Pope’s name to participants in a conference on the role of the bishop in a synodal Church. Cardinal Parolin wrote that the Supreme Pontiff hopes that the conference will renew the understanding that “authentic synodality by its very nature requires listening and the participation of all the baptized, according to the vocation of each,” but without disregarding “the authority conferred by Christ on the College of Bishops with the Successor of Peter as its head.” - Ukrainian Catholic leader recalls Fátima warning about Russia (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
In his weekly video message, the head of the Ukranian Greek Catholic Church discussed recent war developments and recalled the Blessed Virgin Mary’s apparitions at Fátima. “The Fátima revelations warned that the errors that would come from Russia could poison the whole world,” said Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk. “During World War I, these words were understood as a warning about the danger of Soviet communism—the ‘red dragon’ that threatened humanity.” “But this ‘red dragon’ has not vanished; it has merely changed its face and continues to kill not only in Ukraine but throughout the world,” he continued. “Therefore, the Blessed Virgin Mary calls upon her children to pray for peace.” - Cathedral, other churches vandalized in Munich (OIDAC Europe)
Eight Catholic churches and institutions in Munich, including the city’s cathedral, were vandalized on the night of September 28-29, the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe reported. Police arrested a 29-year-old woman and charged her with damaging public property. - Pope encourages consecrated persons to forge ahead with 'missionary boldness' (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV called upon participants in the Jubilee of Consecrated Life to forge ahead with “missionary boldness”—three days after he told participants in the Jubilee of Missionaries, “Today a new missionary age opens up in the history of the Church.” - Gaza priest: 'We hope that Gaza's Calvary is coming to an end' (SIR (Italian))
Referring to peace negotiations, the pastor of Gaza’s sole Catholic parish told the Italian Catholic news agency SIR that “every Way of the Cross has its end, and we hope that Gaza’s Calvary is coming to an end.” “The news that is coming in is not good,” said Father Gabriel Romanelli, IVE, referring to continued Israeli airstrikes and civilian casualties. “We really hope that Gazans can stay and live here and rebuild their lives here. For our part, we are fine, but we are tired and exhausted. Let us continue to work, to pray, to do the good of all, to be instruments of peace.” Father Romanelli ministers at the parish with two other priests (Fathers Youssef Asaad and Carlos Ferrero), along with Incarnate Word sisters and Missionaries of Charity. 450 Christians have taken refuge at the parish. - Mongolia cardinal emphasizes importance of proclaiming the Gospel (Fides)
In a lengthy address at a conference in Rome, Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, IMC, the Italian-born apostolic prefect of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, emphasized the importance of proclaiming Christ. Recalling that “St. Paul could not understand his vocation apart from proclamation: ‘Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!’,” Cardinal Marengo said that “the mission of the Church is always and everywhere to offer every person the possibility of knowing Christ and his Gospel.” The prelate, who spoke about “whispering” the Gospel, explained: This treasure is destined for the heart, for the deepest and most mysterious part of the person. That is why it is whispered: it is a delicate action, it requires trust, and it presupposes a relationship of sincere friendship. - Pope Leo pays tribute to fidelity of Croatian Catholics (CWN)
In recent days, Pope Leo XIV has twice paid tribute to the fidelity of Croatian Catholics. - Vatican, Italy, Portugal announce art project at prisons (Stefano Boeri Architetti)
At a press conference yesterday (video), Italian and Portuguese government officials joined prelates in discussing “Doors of Hope,” an art project at prisons. The project is inspired by the jubilee holy door at Rebibbia New Complex Prison in Rome. “The project involves the creation of artistic doors inside eight Italian and two Portuguese prisons, created in collaboration between internationally renowned artists and prison communities,” Stefano Boeri Architects stated on its website. “The works are constructed using materials such as wood, stone and metal, in a process that symbolizes hope, transformation and dialogue.” Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, president of the Pontifical Foundation Gravissimum Educationis and prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, said that “prison is a place where hope can be restored,” adding that the project “has an artistic configuration, but it is an educational project.” - Damascus priest cautiously optimistic about Syria's future (Vatican News (Italian))
A Franciscan who ministers in Damascus expressed cautious optimism about Syria’s future as the nation held its first parliamentary elections since the fall of the Assad regime in December. “There is much hope because all Syrians, inside and outside Syria, want the country to move forward, to take a step toward rebirth, development, and reconstruction,” he told Vatican News. “The question is how truly representative the new Parliament is of all Syrians, of all constituencies, of all minorities.” “There were many Christian candidates, but very few won,” he continued. “The president, however, can now remedy this situation by appointing members of the minorities.” (The nation’s president—an Islamist militant whose labor minister is a Catholic woman—will appoint one-third of the lawmakers.) - US bishops to vote for 6 committee chairmen (USCCB)
Members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will vote for the chairmen-elect of six committees during their November meeting. The chairmen-elect will serve for one year in that capacity before assuming three-year terms as committee chairmen. In announcing the candidates for chairmen-elect, the bishops’ conference did not announce the candidates for the more significant elections of conference president and vice president. Archbishops Timothy Broglio (Military Services) and William Lori (Baltimore) were elected to three-year terms as president and vice president in 2022. - Pope will travel to Turkey, Lebanon in November (Vatican Press Office)
The Vatican has announced plans for the first trip abroad by Pope Leo XIV: a trip that will take him Turkey and Lebanon. The Pontiff will travel to Turkey, where he will join in ecumenical celebrations marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, from November 27 to 30. From there he will continue to Lebanon, visiting there until December 2. The Vatican indicated that further details of the trip will be released as the date approaches. - Cardinal Parolin raps both Hamas massacre, Israeli conduct of war (Vatican News)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, has renewed the Holy See’s condemnation of the October 7 attacks on Israel and the killing of civilians in Gaza—while also sharply criticizing Israel’s current military campaign in Gaza. In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican communications staff, Cardinal Parolin said that “those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves, but even legitimate defense must respect the principle of proportionality. Unfortunately, the resulting war has brought about disastrous and inhuman consequences.” Stating that “it is unacceptable and unjustifiable to reduce human beings to mere ‘collateral damage,’” Cardinal Parolin said that it now seems Israeli forces are “targeting a largely defenseless population, already pushed to the brink.” He called for prayer and action on behalf of peace. - Haiti needs 'profound moral conversion,' wounded bishop says in interview (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
Bishop Pierre-André Dumas, a Haitian bishop severely wounded amid gang violence last year, told the Vatican newspaper that the strife-torn Caribbean nation needs a “profound moral conversion.” “It is not enough to change a president or a parliament: we must rebuild the ethical and social fabric, also through a profound moral conversion,” he said. “The true reconstruction of Haiti begins with the rebuilding of hearts.” An explosion last year caused third-degree burns on 40% of his body. Bishop Dumas has undergone dozens of operations and is currently in Florida. - USCCB emphasizes lack of authority over individual dioceses (USCCB)
A spokeswoman for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops emphasized that the bishops’ conference has no authority over individual dioceses. The conference “is not a governing body, and as such, it has no authority to intervene in matters dealing with decisions made in an individual diocese,” said Chieko Noguchi. “The USCCB seeks to facilitate dialogue among its bishop members, while also respecting the right of individual bishops to speak as they deem appropriate.” The USCCB issued its statement because of inquiries over recent “matters pertaining to decisions made in individual (arch)dioceses.” The statement follows Cardinal Blase Cupich’s decision to give a lifetime achievement award to Sen. Richard Durbin. - Christ's grace awaits in times of trouble, Pope tells audience (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Leo XIV devoted his weekly public audience on October 8 to a reflection on how Jesus approached his disciples after his Resurrection. “We would have expected special effects, signs of power, overwhelming evidence,” the Pope said. “But the Lord does not seek this: he prefers the language of proximity, of normality, of sharing a meal.” By this means, the Pope continued, Jesus showed that “everything can become grace—even the most ordinary things: eating, working, waiting, taking care of a house, supporting a friend.” However, he went on: “there is an obstacle that often prevents us from recognizing Christ’s presence in our daily lives: the assumption that joy must be free from suffering.” In fact, Jesus is waiting for us even during times of pain and disappointment, the Pontiff said. “This is the greatest surprise: to discover that beneath the ashes of disenchantment and weariness there is always a living ember, waiting only to be rekindled.” He cited the example of the disciples who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus, and belatedly realized: “Did not our hearts burn within us?” Pope Leo said: Brothers and sisters, Christ’s resurrection teaches us that no history is so marked by disappointment or sin that it cannot be visited by hope. No fall is definitive, no night is eternal, no wound is destined to remain open forever. However distant, lost or unworthy we may feel, there is no distance that can extinguish the unfailing power of God’s love. - Comboni missionary official says Church in Europe has become a 'dry womb' (Fides)
In an address at a meeting organized by the Dicastery for Evangelization and the Pontifical Mission Societies, an official of the Comboni missionary order described European dioceses as a “dry womb.” Father Giulio Albanese, who writes frequently about Africa for the Vatican newspaper, said that in 1990, “there were nearly 24,000 Italian missionaries, including 800 lay people.” Today, “there are 4,000 Italian missionaries, including 2,000 lay people.” While praising the increase in lay missionaries, the priest said that “it is clear that if the churches, and I am thinking especially of the European churches, become, pardon the expression, a dry womb, they betray their vocation, they go against nature.” - More...