Catholic News
- Pope Leo, other Christian leaders pay tribute to 21st-century martyrs (Dicastery for Communication)
Pope Leo XIV presided at an ecumenical commemoration of 21st-century martyrs at the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls on September 14. “Despite the end of the great dictatorships of the twentieth century, to this day the persecution of Christians has not ended; on the contrary, in some parts of the world it has increased,” Pope Leo preached. “Just as in the first centuries, so too in the third millennium, the blood of the martyrs is the seed of new Christians,” he continued. “We want to keep this memory alive alongside our brothers and sisters of other Churches and Christian Communities. I therefore wish to reaffirm the commitment of the Catholic Church to safeguard the memory of the witnesses of the faith from all Christian traditions.” During his homily, the Pope cited the witness of Sister Dorothy Stang, Father Ragheed Ganni, and Anglican Brother Francis Tofi. - God transformed the Cross into an instrument of life, Pope tells pilgrims (Dicastery for Communication)
In his Angelus address on September 14, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. “God saves us by showing himself to us, offering himself as our companion, teacher, doctor, friend, to the point of becoming bread broken for us in the Eucharist,” Pope Leo told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “In order to accomplish this task, he used one of the cruelest instruments that human beings have ever invented: the cross.” The Pope added, “That is why today we celebrate the ‘exultation’: for the immense love with which God has transformed the means to death into an instrument of life, embracing it for our salvation, teaching us that nothing can separate us from him and that his love is greater than our own sin.” - Pope hails Lampedusa's hospitality to migrants, calls for 'culture of reconcilation' (Vatican Press Office)
In a video message to the faithful of Lampedusa, Pope Leo XIV praised the islanders’ hospitality to migrants and recalled Pope Francis’s 2013 apostolic journey there. “Just as Pope Francis opposed the globalization of indifference with the culture of encounter, so today I would like for us, together, to begin to oppose the globalization of powerlessness with a culture of reconciliation,” Pope Leo said. “Today we must meet each other by healing our wounds, forgiving each other for the evil we have done and also that we have not done, but whose effects we bear.” “So much fear, so many prejudices, so many great walls, even invisible ones, that are between us and between our peoples, as consequences of a wounded history,” the Pope continued, adding: Evil is handed down from one generation to another, from one community to another. But good is also transmitted, and it knows that it is stronger! To practice it, to put it back into circulation, we must become experts in reconciliation. - Be builders of bridges, Pope says during conversation with new bishops (Vatican News)
Following his September 11 address to 192 recently ordained bishops, Pope Leo XIV fielded questions. The Vatican published a summary of the Pope’s answers the following day. Synodality is “a style of Church, of listening and of a common search for the mission to which we are called,” Pope Leo said, as he advised bishops to “be builders of bridges,” rather than closing oneself off in one’s own group. The Pontiff also addressed questions about mercy, social media, formation, mission, and youth, according to the summary of his remarks. Pope Leo told the bishops that the spiritual thirst of youth is not satisfied “in the typical experiences of our parishes.” - Cardinal Parolin hopes for 'new perspective on a new world' (Vatican News (Italian))
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, encouraged participants in a Vatican conference to work to build a different planet. In his keynote address to the Pontifical Academy of Theology’s conference on “Creation, Nature, Environment for a World of Peace,” Cardinal Parolin said that “the current worrying historical context is, unfortunately, characterized by conflict, selfishness, indifference, and the inability to listen to others, to see the great opportunities that open up to us through the simple act of collaborating together, interacting with mutual respect and in the responsible awareness that, as clearly stated in Laudato Si’, everything is interconnected.” “The harmony between the Creator, humanity, and all of creation has been destroyed because we claimed to take God’s place, refusing to recognize ourselves as limited creatures,” he continued. “What we need is a new perspective on a new world, capable of carefully reading the challenges and signs of the times that can contribute to peace by stimulating social dialogue.” - Cardinal Tagle: We have lost the sense of creation as God's gift (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, one of the two pro-prefects of the Dicastery for Evangelization, told participants in a Vatican conference, that “with dismay and fear, I note that the horizon of gift is slowly blurring.” “It is being replaced by the horizon of productivity, success, meritocracy, and profit, which in itself is not negative, but is limited and limiting,” Cardinal Tagle said. In contrast, “from contemplation emerges an attitude of respect and reverence toward gifts. It motivates people to care for gifts, to develop them so that they become gifts for all.” “In the horizon of gift, human beings discover their vocation to be confessors of faith in the Creator, contemplators of God’s marvelous works, and stewards and collaborators with the Creator in the care and development of creation for the benefit of all,” the Philippine prelate added. - Moldova's president, Pontiff discuss Ukraine (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Leo XIV received President Maia Sandu of Moldova on September 12. Sandu subsequently met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. The parties discussed “the situation of peace and security at the local, regional and international level, with particular reference to the recent developments in Ukraine,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement. Sandu, whose nation borders Ukraine, tweeted that she and the Pope discussed peace, faith, and Moldova’s path to a better future. I shared how, with a war at our doorstep, Moldovans have shown kindness and generosity, rooted in Christian values. May peace prevail in Europe and unite us all. Moldova, an Eastern European nation of 3.6 million (map), is 96% Christian (91% Orthodox). - Dominican prime minister, Pontiff discuss climate change (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Leo XIV received Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica on September 12. Skerrit subsequently met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. The parties “touched upon some current regional and national socio-political issues, such as societal challenges and the consequences of climate change, including the renewal of the mutual commitment to promote cooperation for the good of the Dominican people,” according to the Holy See Press Office. Skerrit stated: I believe every step of our nation’s journey is ordered by God, and this encounter is no exception. Our talks touched on the Church’s contribution to Dominica in social assistance and education and on shared concerns over socio-political challenges, particularly the consequences of climate change. The occasion was a blessing for me personally, but also important for Dominica, reminding us that even as a small nation, our voice matters in the global community of faith. The Caribbean nation of 75,000 (map) is 94% Christian (50% Catholic), 3% Spiritist, and 2% Baha’i. - USCCB removes Bishop Campbell's 'DEI means God' essay from website (Pillar)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops removed “DEI Means God,” a reflection by Auxiliary Bishop Roy Campbell of Washington, from its website after Catholic World News published an article on it. Chieko Noguchi, the USCCB’s executive director of public affairs, told The Pillar that the essay was “a draft of a personal reflection from Bishop Campbell that is yet to be discussed and given to a definitive publication plan.” “It was mistakenly posted to the website, and has been taken down,” she said. - Vatican newspaper draws attention to widespread child malnutrition in Afghanistan (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
L’Osservatore Romano devoted the most prominent article in its September 11 edition to children’s malnutrition in Afghanistan. In an article with the headline “Nemmeno la forza per piangere” [Not even the strength to cry], Sara Costantini reported that “there are children who no longer cry because malnutrition has made them too weak even to ask for help. This is the most silent wound in Afghanistan.” “Nearly five million children, equal to 20 % of children in Afghanistan, face ‘crisis’ or ‘emergency’ levels of food shortages,” she added. “For them, every day is an invisible struggle to stay alive. If concrete help doesn’t reach them, Afghanistan risks losing its most fragile and precious asset: the future of its children.” - Vatican explains deal with China on new diocese (Vatican Press Office)
The Vatican press office has provided a partial explanation of the announcement, issued earlier this week, the Pope Leo XIV has created a new diocese in Zhangjiakou, China. The Chinese Patriotic Association had created a “Diocese of Zhangjiakou” in 1980, without the approval of the Holy See. By formally establishing the diocese, which covers the territory of the city of Zhangjiakou, the Vatican allowed for the installation of a bishop, Bishop Joseph Wang Zhengui, whose authority is now recognized by both the Chinese regime and the Holy See. An auxiliary, Bishop Joseph Ma Yan’en, is also recognized by both. In what apparently a reciprocal gesture, the Chinese government has finally recognized the episcopal authority of Bishop Augustine Cui Tai, who for years had been subject to harassment because of his affiliation with the “underground” Catholic Church. However Bishop Cui Tai is now retired, having reached the age of 75, and the Xuanhua diocese that he led has been folded into the new Zhangjiakou diocese. In the earlier announcement of the changes, the Vatican had stressed that the moves were made within “the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.” - Cardinal Fernandez tells new bishops: synodality often misunderstood (Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (Italian))
Cardinal Victor Fernandez, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), acknowledged questions about the concept of “synodality” in a September 12 talk to newly appointed bishops. While assuring the bishops that “Pope Leo expressed a strong desire to continue on the path of synodality,” the Argentine cardinal recognized that “many priests are expressing doubts, questions, disinterest, and rejection” of the concept. He attributed this resistance to misunderstandings about the nature of synodality. Synodality, Cardinal Fernandez explained, is not “a sort of quick-fix mechanism to modify the Church’s moral and sacramental doctrine.” Nor is it an invitation for debate and democratic voting on the Church’s doctrines. He warned that in some cases, the improper understanding of synodality is deliberately being exploited by people seeking to alter Church teaching. Turning to the proper understanding of the concept, the cardinal said: A “synodal” journey means, first of all, that all members of the Church are involved in evangelization, so as to form a participatory communion. It’s not just about holding fraternal meetings, but that everyone participates and contributes so that a diocese can be fruitful in its mission. - Fraternity means rejecting isolation of self-interest, Pope says (Vatican Press Office)
In a September 12 message to the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the rejection of violence, saying that “Cain’s violence cannot be tolerated as ‘normal.’” The Pope said that the challenge of fraternity can be stated in the form of the question: “Brother, sister, where are you?” He continued: Where are you in the “business” of wars that shatter the lives of young people forced to take up arms; target defenseless civilians, children, women and elderly people; devastate cities, the countryside and entire ecosystems, leaving only rubble and pain in their wake? Brother, sister, where are you among the migrants who are despised, imprisoned and rejected, among those who seek salvation and hope but find walls and indifference? Where are you, brother, sister, when the poor are blamed for their poverty, forgotten and discarded, in a world that values profit more than people? Brother, sister, where are you in a hyper-connected life where loneliness corrodes social bonds and makes us strangers even to ourselves? “The answer cannot be silence,” the Holy Father said. He went on to say: “Recognizing that the other person is a brother or sister means freeing ourselves from the pretense of believing that we are isolated individuals or from the logic of forming relationships only out of self-interest.” - Leading African, Asian, Latin American cardinals call for 'economic degrowth' to avert climate catastrophe (SECAM)
In a September 10 letter to leading UN officials, the presidents of CELAM (the Latin American Episcopal Conference), the FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences), and SECAM (the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar) emphasized that “the climate crisis is an urgent reality” that ”leaves no room for delay, compromise, or half-measures.” “It is not just a technical problem: it is an existential issue of justice, dignity and care for our common home,” said Cardinals Jaime Spengler, OFM (Brazil), Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão (India), and Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, OFM Cap (DR Congo). “The science is clear: we must limit global warming to 1.5°C to avoid catastrophic effects.” “We reject false solutions such as ‘green’ capitalism, technocracy, the commodification of nature and extractivism, which perpetuate exploitation and injustice,” added the prelates, who issued a 34-page call for climate justice in July. In their letter to UN officials, the cardinals said that they “demand” equity, justice, and protection; justice, they wrote, entails “economic degrowth” and the phasing out of fossil fuels. - 'DEI means God,' US bishop writes in critique of Trump administration (USCCB)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published “DEI Means God,” a reflection by Auxiliary Bishop Roy Campbell of Washington. The prelate wrote, “The current government administration that we have is working to separate us from one another, not just migrants, but many, especially people of color, who have been denied for far too long, equal opportunities in education, social recognition, and economic growth, truly denying the DIGNITY OF EVERY HUMAN BEING!” “This administration wants to erase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the American conscience,” Bishop Campbell continued. “However, just think about the letters, DEI. DEI, Dei means God in Latin.” After stating that “God is Diversity,” “God is Equity,” and “God is Inclusion,” the prelate wrote that “DEI to me means that God is always working among us and through us for the eternal life of each of us.’ Update (9/15/25): See “USCCB removes Bishop Campbell’s ‘DEI means God’ essay from website.” - Pope encourages Carmelites to be rooted in silent prayer, mutual care (Order of Carmelites)
In a letter dated August 5 and published on September 10, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the friars of the Carmelite order to be “rooted in silent prayer and mutual care.” Addressing the order’s general chapter, which is taking place in Indonesia, Pope Leo wrote that “your shared life of prayer forms the foundation of your service to the Church and the world. This connection must remain a lived reality, shaping every facet of your ministry.” “By rooting yourselves in silent prayer and mutual care, you cultivate a stillness that enables you to discern the signs of the times, particularly through the perspective of the poor, and to respond with a quiet constancy of love,” the Pope added. The Vatican newspaper reported that the order now has approximately 2,000 members and that the general chapter—the 215th in its history—is the first to be held outside Italy. - US-Mexico border bishops call for humanitarian corridors for refugees (Vatican News)
At the conclusion of a meeting in Piedra Negras, Mexico, 38 bishops who lead US and Mexican dioceses in border states called for “safe and legal humanitarian corridors for the most vulnerable migrants and refugees.” Criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration policies, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio said that “we, as bishops, have been very proactive, but in the face of these policies, we are experiencing a closing of doors and a defensive stance so strong that it requires us to find new strategies.” - Nigerian jihadists attack Benin village, 'constantly threaten' Catholics, bishop says (Fides)
Nigerian jihadists spread terror in a village in neighboring Benin, where they “attacked the police station, looted houses, stole motorcycles and cars,” and abducted six people,” said Bishop Martin Adjou Moumouni of N’Dali. “Nigerian jihadists have long been spreading terror in our diocese, especially in rural areas,” said the bishop. “They constantly threaten to prevent the proclamation of the Gospel.” The prelate added, “We were forced to suspend pastoral activities in the villages, and even in the city, I asked the priests of my diocese to hold services only during daylight hours.” Benin, a West African nation of 14.7 million (map), is 45% Christian (25% Catholic), 30% Muslim, and 25% ethnic religionist. - Vatican newspaper warns that Russian, Israeli incursions are bringing world to the abyss (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
In the most prominent article in its September 11 edition, the second-ranking official at L’Osservatore Romano warned that Russia’s incursion into Poland’s airspace “is so significant” that it recalls “the outbreak of the First World War.” In his article, “Il crinale verso il baratro” [The precipice of the abyss], Gaetano Vallini quoted Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s statement that “we are moving on a precipice where, even unintentionally, we can slip into an abyss of uncontrolled violence.” Vallini also quoted Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who said that “this situation brings us all closer to open conflict, closer than at any time since the Second World War.” “But it is not just this conflict that is alarming,” added Vallini. “From Gaza, the fronts of the war are dangerously extending. Israel continues to strike far away in other countries, violating international law, as denounced by many foreign ministries, which, however, have limited their scope to an embarrassed condemnation.” - Pope meets new leader of commission on abuse (Vatican News)
Pope Leo XIV met on September 12 with Archbishop Thibault Verny of Chambery, the new president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Archbishop Verny—who was named in July to succeed Cardinal Sean O’Malley as head of the abuse commission—presented the Pontiff with the group’s 2nd annual report on policies and procedures to prevent abuse. This was the archbishop’s first official meeting with the Pontiff in his capacity as president of the commission. - More...