Catholic News
- 'We too can learn to ascend day by day toward heaven,' Pope tells pilgrims (CWN)
Noting that the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated in many nations today, Pope Leo XIV reflected on Christ’s Ascension in his midday Regina Caeli address (video). - Pope Leo recalls World Communications Day, Laudato Si' Week (CWN)
At the conclusion of today’s Regina Caeli address, Pope Leo XIV recalled World Communications Day and Laudato Si’ Week. - Cardinal Czerny warns against confrontation with Cuba, calls for of humanitarian aid (CWN)
Without mentioning President Donald Trump by name, Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., criticized the president’s policies toward Cuba, which have included a fuel blockade and discussion of a takeover of the nation. - Cardinal Dolan, Bishop Barron address Rededicate 250 (CWN)
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop emeritus of New York, and Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, joined civil and other religious leaders in addressing Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving. - Excommunicated Zambian prelate dies at 78 (ACI Africa)
Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu, who led Zambia’s most prominent see from 2006 until 2018, died on May 15 at the age of 78. In 2024, Archbishop Mpundu incurred an automatic excommunication when he ordained a bishop without papal approval. Archbishop Mpundu “was widely respected for his strong advocacy on governance, social justice, and national affairs, courageously speaking out on matters of truth and justice while shepherding the faithful with compassion and wisdom,” said Archbishop Alick Banda, his successor as archbishop of Lusaka. - Irish episcopal conference recalls Laudato Si' Week, calls for transition from fossil fuels (CWN)
Bishop Martin Hayes of Kilmore, the episcopal coordinator of Laudato Si’ for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, issued a statement yesterday for Laudato Si’ Week, named after Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical letter on care for our common home. - Lagos archbishop calls for caution in integrating former terrorists into military, society (The Sun)
Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, called for caution in integrating former terrorists into the military and society. Speaking with journalists on World Communications Day, Archbishop Martins said that “whereas it is true that anybody can repent and change, it is also important to recognize the fact that these persons are coming into a society that has been hurt very badly by their actions.” “To just simply say that they have repented and can go back into society can be a dangerous thing because the intent of the human heart is hidden and we can only see their faces,” he added. “Perhaps when all the violence is gone and all the terrorism is gone, they can be reintegrated in a way that will create confidence in the people.” - Dedication of new church among signs of hope for Church in Myanmar (CWN)
In a prominent front-page article in its May 16 edition, L’Osservatore Romano drew attention to signs of hope for the Church in Myanmar, where a military coup in 2021 precipitated a civil war. - Pomposa Abbey marks 1,000 years (CWN)
Archbishop Gian Carlo Perego of Ferrara-Comacchio, Italy, celebrated a Mass on May 9 marking the thousandth anniversary of Pomposa Abbey (video). - Asian Christian body marks Asia Sunday (Christian Conference of Asia)
The Christian Conference of Asia, an ecumenical body of Orthodox churches and Protestant ecclesial communities, marked Asia Sunday yesterday. The day’s theme was “Hope for Redemption of Groaning Creation Amidst Bondage to Decay,” a reference to Romans 8:22. “As political and economic instability, ongoing conflicts and violence, militarization, environmental degradation, rising unemployment, cultural fragmentation, weak healthcare systems, and the widespread effects of rapid technological change continue to shape the realities of the region, CCA member churches are urged to reflect on the anguish and suffering caused by decay and bondage, while holding on to the hope of renewal and new life,” said Mathews George Chunakara, the body’s general secretary. - In Charlotte diocese, ranks of pastors decline amid surge in administrators (CWN)
Intensifying a trend begun last year, a North Carolina bishop appointed parochial administrators rather than pastors to lead eight of his diocese’s parishes. - Background: World Communications Day (CWN)
Today the Church commemorates the 60th World Day of Social Communications. - Supreme Court allows resumption of mail delivery of abortion pill for indefinite period of time (CWN)
The United States Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, permitted the mail delivery of the abortion pill mifepristone to resume for an indefinite period of time—effectively overturning an appellate court decision issued two weeks ago. - Put people, not capital, at the center, Pope tells Italian bankers (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV received a group of leaders and employees of Italian banks this morning and encouraged them to put people at the center of their concerns. - Persevere in the practice of the faith, Pope Leo tells Confirmation candidates (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV received Confirmation candidates from the Archdiocese of Genoa, Italy, this morning and exhorted them to persevere in the practice of the faith. - Pope Leo, seeking to overcome obstacles to dialogue, calls Coptic Orthodox Pope (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV called Pope Tawadros II, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, on May 15, in an effort to overcome obstacles to dialogue. - Pope celebrates funeral Mass for Cardinal Tscherrig, preaches that Christ was his hope (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Cardinal Paul Emil Tscherrig’s funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on May 15 (video) and recalled the prelate’s episcopal motto, “Spes mea Christus” (My Hope, Christ). - Pope Leo to visit France in September, Vatican confirms (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV will visit France from September 25 to September 28, the Holy See Press Office announced this morning. - Cardinal Czerny establishes Vatican AI commission (CWN)
The Holy See Press Office announced today that Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has established the Inter-Dicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence. - Armenian Christian leader to visit Vatican (CWN)
The Holy See Press Office announced today that Aram I, head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, will visit the Vatican next Monday and Tuesday. - More...