Catholic News
- Lebanon's president calls on Pope Leo to press for Israeli withdrawal (CWN)
President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon called on Pope Leo XIV to press Israel to abide by a June agreement to withdraw its forces from Lebanon. The Vatican responded by stating that the Holy See has “serious concerns about the difficulties that are being encountered in implementing” the agreement and that it “assured the President of its support for efforts in this regard.” - Pope sees Mediterranean Games as opportunity to build bridges (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, sent a telegram in Pope Leo’s name for the Mediterranean Games, which begin today in Taranto, Italy. Pope Leo sees the Games as an opportunity to “build bridges between cultures and peoples, promoting hospitality, solidarity, and peace,” Cardinal Parolin wrote. During his August 16 Angelus, the Pontiff also expressed hope that the event “will be a sign of peace and friendship among the peoples of this region and the entire world.” - Apostolic nuncio to Ukraine calls for prayer for the conversion of Russia (OSV News)
The apostolic nuncio to Ukraine stressed the importance of prayer amid Russian attacks on the nation. Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas said in an interview that “when we have this huge, terrible aggression from the Russian side, as Jesus stresses, this aggression is unable to kill our spiritual life, our eternal life. But there is always a challenge that this military aggression could provoke a reaction in our hearts: disbelief, lost hope, anger towards God and our brothers and sisters.” Archbishop Kulbokas added: And what do we pray for? We pray for peace. We pray also for the conversion of Russia. At Fatima, Our Lady insisted on that. The conversion of Russia would be a gift from God—conversion to God, to peace, to respecting human beings. - Paris archbishop says assisted suicide law is 'not the end of the fight' (Catholic Herald)
The archbishop of Paris said that the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide is “not the end of the fight” and that “nothing should force us to make them as realities in our lives.” “Today, tomorrow, in the time to come, we will undoubtedly have to make courageous choices, perhaps against the tide, starting with those we will make for ourselves,” said Archbishop Laurent Ulrich. “It is thus up to us, first of all, to choose not to ask to benefit from this new ‘right.’” - SSPX Masses, sacraments barred at Lourdes shrine (EWTN News)
Bishop Jean-Marc Micas, P.S.S., of Tarbes and Lourdes, France, withdrew the authorization that had previously allowed priests of the Society of Saint Pius X to celebrate the sacraments at the Marian shrine of Lourdes. “Following the decree of schism and excommunication published by the Holy See, I cannot authorize the celebration of the Mass or the other sacraments, not even the public prayers of the Society of St. Pius X within the shrine,” Bishop Micas said in an August 13 statement. “On the other hand, it is obviously possible that whoever so desires can freely come to the grotto or other places at the shrine to pray privately,” he added. “We are deeply pained by the tearing of Christ’s tunic caused by our divisions.” - Court prevents Massachusetts city from installing statues of Saints Michael and Florian (CBS Boston)
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court halted the planned installation of the statues of St. Michael and St. Florian outside the city of Quincy’s new public safety building. The court ruled that the saints are “closely affiliated with a particular religion” and that the statues “may convey to observing members of the public implicit government support for that religion and, as a result, subordination of other religions.” “Quincy’s firefighters and police put their lives on the line for this city every day, and these statues were chosen to honor their bravery, service, and sacrifice,” said Tom Koch, the mayor of the city of 100,000. “This decision is disappointing, but it is preliminary, and we will continue to fight for the ability to commemorate our first responders as the law permits.” - USCCB publishes liturgical resource for National Mental Health Sunday (USCCB)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops this week published a liturgical resource for National Mental Health Sunday, which takes place this year on October 11. The resource includes the regular Sunday Scripture readings, suggested petitions for the prayer of the faithful, a prayer of blessing for those struggling with mental health issues, and a prayer of blessing for caretakers and mental health ministers. - Imam's daughter becomes nun (ACI Africa)
The daughter of an imam in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau made her first profession of vows as a Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Spirit, during a Mass celebrated on August 15 by a bishop emeritus. Sister Aicha Settimia Canté’s profession of temporary vows “attracted offensive comments, personal attacks and hate speech on social media, particularly because of her father’s identity as an imam and her decision to embrace Catholic Religious life,” ACI Africa reported. The National Confederation of Islamic Youth came to Sister Canté’s defense: the organization stated that there is “no compulsion in religion” and expressed “deep concern over the wave of offensive comments, personal attacks and hate speech.” Guinea-Bissau, a nation of 2.2 million (map), is 46% Muslim, 40% ethnic religionist, and 13% Christian (9% Catholic). - Kenyan man arrested for pretending to be a priest (Radio 47 (Nairobi))
A Kenyan husband and father was arrested after reportedly pretending to act as a priest in the Diocese of Lodwar. The man reportedly used forged documents and simulated the celebration of Mass in three churches, including the cathedral, before he was apprehended. - 'Seek peace and care for creation,' Pope urges in message for upcoming world day of prayer (CWN)
“They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” is the theme of Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the 11th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, released by the Vatican today. - Pope Leo recalls victims of Stalinism, Nazism; pays tribute to Blessed Władysław Findysz (CWN)
At the conclusion of his August 19 general audience, Pope Leo XIV recalled the victims of Stalinism and Nazism, paid tribute to Blessed Władysław Findysz (1907-1964), and spoke about the importance of forgiveness and overcoming evil with good. - Pope encourages faithful to cultivate a commitment to peace (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV encouraged the faithful to cultivate a commitment to peace. - Pope prays for Polish pilgrims killed in bus accident (Vatican News)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, sent a telegram of condolence in Pope Leo’s name following a bus accident in Hungary that killed 12 Polish pilgrims returning from Medjugorje. “Pope Leo XIV learned with deep sorrow of the tragic traffic accident,” Cardinal Parolin wrote in his telegram to the bishops of the dioceses from which the pilgrims came. “Returning from their pilgrimage of faith, [they] have concluded their earthly pilgrimage.” - Brazilian bishops issue report on violence against indigenous peoples (CWN)
The Brazilian bishops’ Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI) released a 254-page report on violence committed against indigenous peoples in the South American nation in 2025. - Citing recurrent depression, German bishop resigns at 66 (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann from the governance of the Diocese of Speyer, Germany. - Swiss bishop calls for broader access to traditional Latin Mass to prevent SSPX growth (AdVaticanum)
Stating that “ignoring a grassroots movement—especially among young people—is a very bad idea,” a retired Swiss bishop called for broader access to the extraordinary form of the Mass. “The SSPX is not the solution, and we should not drive the faithful who are dissatisfied with the liturgical reform or with what they often see in parishes into its arms,” Bishop Marian Eleganti, O.S.B., said in an interview. “The SSPX is schismatic and will remain just another Christian denomination.” Bishop Eleganti also spoke about the Petrine ministry: I have the impression that popes have too little time for prayer, reflection, study and leadership. They are constrained by a schedule of audiences, greetings, liturgical celebrations and trips. John Paul II was almost always travelling. But the Curia needs the presence and leadership of the Pope. Others have filled that gap. I now have the impression that, because of the high bar set by John Paul II, there has been almost a compulsion to travel—or at least the impression that a pope must show himself everywhere. For me, it is enough if he teaches the faith and is a rock in doing so. - San Francisco parishes hit with large assessments for abuse settlement (National Catholic Reporter)
To help fund its recent $395-million settlement with over 500 abuse-suit plaintiffs, the Archdiocese of San Francisco has imposed assessments on its parishes. At least one parish has received a $5-million assessment, and several have been asked to contribute at least $1 million. Parishes will fund “less than 40% of the total agreed-upon settlement,” said archdiocesan spokesman Peter Marlow. “Our goal is to fund the proposed settlement trust by the end of the year.” - Canadian military chaplains instructed not to refer to God in spiritual reflections; bishops respond (Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops)
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) joined the bishop of the nation’s Military Ordinariate in criticizing a ban on references to God in spiritual reflections by military chaplains. The Canadian Armed Forces instructed chaplains not to “use religious specific language, including references to God,” in spiritual reflections. Chaplains have been instructed instead to “reflect upon lessons learned, beliefs, values, and experiences to inspire gratitude, remembrance, hope, and integrity.” The bishops’ conference noted that Bishop Scott McCaig, C.C., of the Military Ordinariate “objects to the new policy” and said that “the CCCB stands in solidarity with Bishop McCaig as he raises these concerns on behalf of the Catholic faithful entrusted to his pastoral care.” - Juries should have 12 members, USCCB argues in Supreme Court brief (CWN)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) called upon the Supreme Court to overturn Williams v. Florida, a 1970 ruling that upheld the constitutionality of juries of six members. - USCCB publishes clergy notes, Q&A on abortion pills (CWN)
In conjunction with its recently announced campaign of prayer and action against abortion pills, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published “Notes for Clergy on the Abortion Pill“ and “Abortion Pill Q&A.” - More...