Catholic News
- God the Father 'never turns his back on us when we come to him,' Pope tells pilgrims (Dicastery for Communication)
Reflecting on the Gospel reading of the day (Luke 11:1-13), Pope Leo XIV said on July 27 that Christ speaks about “the characteristics of God’s fatherhood through vivid images: that of a man who gets up in the middle of the night to assist a friend in welcoming an unexpected visitor; and that of a parent who is concerned about giving good things to his children.” “God never turns his back on us when we come to him, even if we arrive late to knock at his door, perhaps after mistakes, missed opportunities, failures,” Pope Leo told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday Angelus address. “The Lord always listens to us when we pray to him. If he sometimes responds in ways or at times that are difficult to understand, it is because he acts with wisdom and providence, which are beyond our understanding.” “When we recite the Our Father, in addition to celebrating the grace of being children of God, we also express our commitment to responding to this gift by loving one another as brothers and sisters in Christ,” the Pope added, concluding: Dear brothers and sisters, today’s liturgy invites us, through prayer and charity, to feel loved and to love as God loves us: with openness, discretion, mutual concern, and without deceit. Let us ask Mary to help us respond to this call, so that we may manifest the sweetness of the Father’s face. - Terrorist massacre at Congo Catholic church (AP)
At least 34 people were killed when Islamic terrorists attacked a Catholic church in the Democratic Republic of Congo on July 27. The church in Komanda—in the eastern Ituri province—was apparently the main focus of the attack, but several houses and shops were also torched. Five other deaths were reported in an earlier attack in a neighboring village. Authorities attribute the killings to the Allied Democratic Force, a group backed by the Islamic State. - Cardinal Sarah: 'Do not profane France, for it is holy ground' (Diana Montagna's Substack)
At a solemn Mass marking the 400th anniversary of the apparition of St. Anne in Sainte-Anne-d’Auray, Cardinal Robert Sarah preached that “God has chosen France to be as it were a holy land, a land set apart for Him.” “Do not profane France with your barbaric and inhuman laws that promote death, when God wills life,” said Cardinal Sarah, whom Pope Leo XIV appointed as his envoy for the occasion. “Do not profane France, for it is holy ground, a land reserved for God.” The prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments continued: Our first task is to adore and glorify God ... There are sacred places, places set apart for God, chosen by God—these places must not be profaned by any activity other than prayer, silence, and the liturgy. Our churches are not theatres, nor concert halls, nor venues for cultural or recreational events. The church is the house of God ... Your baptized soul is a sacred place—do not profane it by giving it over to disordered passions and to the spirit of the world ... It is time for you to go to confession: confess the sins you have committed in word or in deed, by night or by day; confess now, in this favorable time, and on the day of salvation receive the heavenly treasure. - APSA reports healthy profits on Vatican investments (Vatican News)
The Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), the body that handles the Vatican’s investments, has reported a profit of €62.2 million ($74.4 million) for the 2024 budget year, allowing for a contribution of €46.1 million ($53.7 million) to cover expenses of the Holy See. Both figures, contained in a reported that was released July 18, represent substantial increases over the previous year’s performanceÚ €16 million more in profits, and €8 million more turned into revenue for the Holy See. Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti, the president of AAPSA, said that the reported showed “one of the best budgets in recent years.” He said: “APSA is doing its duty. We are going to provide significant coverage for the Curia’s financials needs.” The archbishop said that “rationalism, transparency, and professionalism” help to explain the successful year. He noted that the year’s profit easily surpassed a target of €50 million. APSA manages a large investment portfolio, including more than 4,000 real-estate properties, most of which are owned by APSA and rented out for residential or commercial use. The profits from these investments help to offset what has become a recurring annual budget deficit for the Vatican. - As jihadists advance, 30% of Niger's Catholics have fled their villages (CWN)
Father Mauro Armanino, SMA, a missionary in Niger, estimated that 15,000 of the nation’s 50,000 Catholics have fled their villages in the wake of a jihadist advance. - Pontiff offers formators, Xaverians suggestions for building their house on rock (Dicastery for Communication)
Pope Leo XIV received participants in a course for seminary formators and in the Xaverian Brothers’ general chapter on July 25 and, evoking Christ’s words, offered three suggestions for building “our house on rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). “The first is to cultivate friendship with Jesus,” Pope Leo said during the audience, which took place in Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. “This is the foundation of the house, which must lie at the heart of every vocation and apostolic mission.” The Pope’s other suggestions were “to live an effective and affective fraternity among ourselves” and “to share the mission with all the baptized.” He explained: During the first centuries of the Church, it was usual for all the faithful to be like missionary disciples and to commit themselves personally to evangelization. The ordained ministry was at the service of this mission shared by all. Today, we feel strongly that we must return to this participation of all the baptized in witnessing to and proclaiming the Gospel. - Protect environment, Pontiff urges French scouts (Vatican News)
In a message to French participants in a scouting rally, Pope Leo XIV called attention to the urgency of addressing the “environmental devastation that is occurring.” The Pope said that scouts, with their special appreciation for the outdoors, should understand that “in the face of pollution and climate change, the loss of biodiversity, the deterioration of life and social degradation, global inequalities, the lack of drinking water and access to energy for many populations, an ecological education is essential for everyone to reverse the order of things.” - Pope upholds Vietnamese protomartyr as model for nation's catechists (Dicastery for Communication)
In a video message to Vietnamese catechists, Pope Leo XIV upheld the example of Blessed Andrew of Phú Yên, the protomartyr of Vietnam, on the 400th anniversary of his birth. “Today, we ask the Patron of Catechists to intercede for us, so that like him we may, with unshaken faith, invoke the name of Jesus, even when we find ourselves in difficulty,” Pope Leo said in his July 25 message, as he thanked 64,000 Vietnamese catechists for their generosity. “Never underestimate the gift you are: by your teaching and example, you draw children and youth into friendship with Jesus,” the Pope continued. “You are sent by the Church to be living signs of God’s love: humble servants like Blessed Andrew, full of missionary zeal. The Church rejoices in you and encourages you to walk with joy in this noble mission.” - Vatican spokesman renews call for recognition of Palestinian state (Vatican News)
Recalling statements made by Pope St. Paul VI, St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, a leading Vatican spokesman spoke of the importance of recognizing a two-state solution to the Palestinian question. Andrea Tornielli made his remarks after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognize the State of Palestine, as nearly 150 other nations have done. The Holy See and Palestine established formal diplomatic relations in 2015. “The ongoing tragedy in Gaza—the repeated massacres of tens of thousands of innocent civilians who have died under the bombs, and who are now dying of hunger and deprivation, or being shot while trying to reach food—should make it clear to everyone how urgent it is to halt the military attacks that are causing this slaughter,” said Tornielli, editorial director of the Dicastery for Communication. “At the same time, it highlights how indispensable a solution to the Palestinian question has become,” Tornielli continued. “This is a solution that the Holy See has been persistently calling for over many decades,” a “solution that finally guarantees them a state with secure, respected, and recognized borders.” - US bishops issue nationwide invitation to prayer to end taxpayer funding of abortion (USCCB)
Stating that “Americans should not be forced to pay for the killing of preborn children or fund the clinics that kill them,” the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued a nationwide invitation to prayer to end taxpayer funding of abortion. “History was recently made when Planned Parenthood and other big abortion businesses were banned from receiving federal Medicaid dollars for one year,” said Archbishop Timothy Broglio and Bishop Daniel Thomas. “Planned Parenthood immediately sued in a federal court and the judge swiftly granted part of a preliminary injunction, requiring the abortion giant’s taxpayer funding to continue.” Invoking St. Joseph as Defender of Life, the bishops asked Catholic to “offer this prayer daily, from now until October 1, the beginning of Respect Life Month.” - Papal encouragement for Pax Christi USA in efforts to promote nonviolence, peace (Pax Christi USA)
Extending his good wishes to participants in Pax Christi USA’s national conference, Pope Leo XIV wrote that “in the midst of the many challenges facing our world at this time, including widespread armed conflict, division among peoples, and the challenges of forced migration, efforts to promote nonviolence are all the more necessary.” “We do well to remember that after the violence of the Crucifixion, the risen Christ’s first words to the Apostles offered peace, one ‘that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering,’” Pope Leo continued, quoting his first Urbi et Orbi blessing. “Jesus continues to send his followers into the world to become creators of peace in their daily lives,” the Pope added in his message, dated July 20 and released July 25. “In parishes, neighborhoods, and especially on the peripheries, it is all the more important for a Church capable of reconciliation to be present and visible.” - Italian cardinal, Jewish leader issue joint peace appeal (Chiesa di Bologna)
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi of Bologna, the president of the Italian bishops’ conference, and Daniele De Paz, president of Bologna’s Jewish community, issued a joint appeal for peace in Gaza. “In the face of the devastation of the war in the Gaza Strip, we say with one voice: everyone, stop,” they wrote, adding: Let the hostages be freed and the bodies returned. The hungry must be fed, and care must be guaranteed for the wounded. Humanitarian corridors should be allowed. The occupation of land intended for others should cease. Let us return to the path of dialogue, the only alternative to destruction. - New assault on besieged Christian village on West Bank (Vatican News)
Taibeh, the West Bank village that was the target of a violent assault by young Israeli extremists on July 14, was hit again on Sunday night, as a group of attackers threw rocks at homes, torched vehicles and one home, and left anti-Christian graffiti on walls. Residents of the Christian village eventually drove off the attackers. Israeli troops arrived an hour later. The July 14 attack on the same village had led the Christian leaders of Jerusalem—and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee—to urge the Israeli government to curb the militant group. - Warsaw archdiocese seeks laicization of priest charged with brutal murder (AP)
The Archdiocese of Warsaw, Poland, has asked the Vatican to laicize a priest who was arrested and charged with the brutal murder of a homeless man. The priest—whose name has not been made public because of Polish privacy law—was charged on July 26 with “murder with particular cruelty,” after he reportedly beat his victim with an axe and set him on fire, apparently after a personal dispute. - Vatican newspaper criticizes Israeli claim of no famine in Gaza (CWN)
In the most prominent front-page article in its July 26 edition, the Vatican newspaper criticized an Israeli defense ministry statement that “there is no famine in the Gaza Strip.” - Indiana church opens 'sensory room' for autistic parishioners (WSBT)
A Catholic church in Granger, Indiana has opened a new “sensory room” for with disorders such as autism. At St. Pius X church, the room offers weighted blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, and other items that help autistic parishioners—especially children—focus on the Mass without being overwhelmed by sensory impressions. - Gaza Catholic teen recounts Israeli strike on parish (Vatican News)
Zaher Farah, a 15-year-old Gaza Catholic, described the recent Israeli strike on Holy Family Church. “Around 10:15 in the morning, we heard a terrifying and loud noise inside the church,” the teen recounted in a brief article published by Vatican News. “I didn’t expect the main building to be bombed. I couldn’t believe it, and I still couldn’t believe it when I saw some parishioners lying on the ground, bleeding.” After sharing memories of the dead and wounded, Farah wrote, “We ask God to let us live in peace and for the war to end as soon as possible.” - Background: World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (CWN)
On July 27, the Church commemorates the 5th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Pope Leo XIV’s message for the day is entitled “Blessed are those who have not lost hope“ (cf. Sirach 14:2). - Migrants are models of hope, Pope writes in message for World Day of Migrants (Vatican News)
In his message for the annual World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Leo XIV writes that migrants—like the people of Israel in the Old Testament—offer the world a model of hope. “They demonstrate this daily through their resilience and their truth in God, as they face adversity while seeking a future in which they glimpse that integral human development and happiness are possible,” the Pontiff says. The World Day of Migrants and Refugees would ordinarily be observed on September 24. This year, however, the 111th annual observance will take place on October 4 and 5, to coincide with the Jubilee of Migrants and Missions. In his message the Pope laments the factors that prompt people to leave their homelands. “The prospect of a renewed arms race and the development of new armaments, including nuclear weapons, the lack of consideration for the harmful effects of the ongoing climate crisis, and the impact of profound economic inequalities make the challenges of the present and the future increasingly demanding,” he says. - Pope Leo pays tribute to Italian president for work on behalf of peace (Vatican News (Italian))
In message to Italian President Sergio Mattarella for his 84th birthday, Pope Leo XIV assured the president of his prayers and paid tribute to the president’s “exemplary and tireless service to the cause of peace and harmony among peoples.” - More...