Catholic News
- Pope backs US bishops on immigration (Vatican News)
Pope Leo XIV urged American Catholics to heed the US bishops’ statement on immigration, in remarks to reporters at Castel Gandolfo on November 18. While acknowledging a country’s right to control its own borders, the Pope said: “If someone is in the United States illegally, there are ways to address this. There are courts. There is a judicial system.” But he criticized the “extremely disrespectful” treatment of illegal immigrants, especially those who have been leading a “good life” in the US for years. The Pope made his remarks during an informal exchange in which he also answered questions about conflicts in Ukraine and Nigeria, his future travel plans, and his regular use of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. (See today’s separate CWN headline.) - Resurrection points to 'ecological conversion,' Pope tells audience (Vatican Press Office)
At his weekly public audience on November 19, Pope Leo XIV said that “the death and resurrection of Jesus are the foundation of a spirituality of integral ecology.” Continuing his series of talks on the Resurrection, the Pope remarked that St. Mary Magdalene encountered the Risen Christ in the garden where He had been buried. He reminded his audience: “Cultivating and keeping the garden is the original task that Jesus brought to fulfillment.” Quoting from Laudato Si’, the encyclical of Pope Francis, the Pontiff said that the Resurrection is an invitation to “ecological conversion.” He added: “There are also many people who desire, through a more direct relationship with creation, a new harmony that will lead them beyond so many divisions.” - Islamist rebels kill patients, set fire to Catholic health clinic in DR Congo (Vatican News)
Members of the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamist rebel group, attacked a diocesan health clinic in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Islamists “massacred patients, and then set the entire facility ablaze, killing several women in the maternity ward,” according to Vatican News, the news agency of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication. Father Giovanni Piumatti, an Italian missionary, said that “15 people were killed in the clinic and another five in the surrounding area. They set fire to the entire facility and 27 nearby homes. Before destroying everything, they looted all the medical supplies ... They killed mothers as they were breastfeeding their babies.” - Pope speaks on several topics in exchange with reporters (Vatican News)
During a question-and-answer session with reporters on November 19, Pope Leo XIV spoke on conflicts in Ukraine in Nigeria; his possible travel plans; his regular use of the papal summer residence; and the case of a Spanish prelate charged with abuse. [During the same session the Pontiff also offered his support to the US bishops in their criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. See today’s separate CWN headline.] Questioned about the prospects for a peace accord in Ukraine, the Pope said: “The problem is that there is no ceasefire.” Regarding terror attacks in Nigeria he observed that “there is indeed a danger for Christians—and for everyone, Christian and Muslim.” The Pope disclosed that he is considering travel to several places in coming months, listing the Marian shrines at Fatima and Guadalupe, and South American countries including Uruguay, Argentina, and “of course” Peru, where he had served as diocesan bishop. Answering questions about his regular Tuesday trips to Castel Gandolfo, the Pope said that he uses his “day off” for reading, correspondence, and “a bit of tennis, a bit of swimming.” Questioned about the case of Bishop Rafael Zornoza of Cadiz and Cueta, Spain, who has been charged with sexual abuse, the Pontiff reminded reporters that the bishop has maintained his innocence, and an investigation is underway. “Depending on the results, there will be consequences,” he said, urging patience with the judicial process. - Ukrainian Catholic leader deplores corruption (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
In his most recent weekly message, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, deplored corruption. “Our law enforcement agencies have uncovered a criminal corruption scheme that was destroying Ukraine’s energy system,” he said. “We share the pain of our society and, fulfilling the prophetic role of the Church, we consistently denounce and condemn the phenomenon we call corruption.” Ukrainian officials face accusations of embezzling $100 million from the nation’s state-owned energy companies. - Pope calls for liturgical, biblical formation (Dicastery for Communication)
In an address to diocesan liturgical pastoral workers, Pope Leo XIV called upon dioceses and parishes to “initiate biblical and liturgical courses” where they are not present. “Ensure that instituted lectors and those who regularly read the Scriptures at celebrations are thoroughly prepared,” said the Pope. “Basic biblical knowledge, clear diction, the ability to sing the responsorial psalm, as well as to compose prayers of the faithful for the community are important aspects that implement liturgical reform and help the People of God grow on their path.” Liturgical formation, the Pope added, should “foster the fruitful participation of the People of God, as well as a dignified liturgy that is attentive to different sensibilities and sober in its solemnity.” - Archbishop Coakley reflects on role as USCCB president (Our Sunday Visitor)
In an interview with OSV News, Archbishop Paul Coakley spoke about his task as president of the US bishops’ conference. The American bishops, Archbishop Coakley said, “are far more unified pastorally, fraternally than is often portrayed in a lot of the media and a lot of people’s imaginations. The narrative is out there that the American bishops are divided, we’re polarized, and that’s not been my experience.” During an interview in which he offered a balanced view on immigration, the archbishop also responded to criticism he has received for supporting Archbishop Vigano in the demand for a thorough investigation of the McCarrick scandal. - Archbishop Coakley praises governor for commuting death sentence (Our Sunday Visitor)
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, the newly elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, praised Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma for commuting a death sentence to life in prison without possibility of parole. “The governor’s commitment to balancing justice with mercy and maintaining an opportunity for redemption is laudable,” said Archbishop Coakley. “In view of the particularly troubling details of [Tremane] Wood’s case, erring on the side of life should always be our first instinct.” “We must also pray for the victims of violent crimes and their families, in this case Ronnie Wipf and those who mourn his death,” the prelate added. - Bishops of Sudan, South Sudan lament ongoing conflicts (Holy See Mission)
At a recent meeting, the bishops of Sudan and South Sudan said they were “deeply disturbed by the ongoing devastating conflicts and the dishonored peace agreements in both nations.” “Selfish interests have unleashed violence, aggravating humanitarian crises, community-based hatred, widespread displacement, the misappropriation of public funds, hunger, and the looming threat of famine,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sudan and South Sudan said in its statement. “We are witnessing unprecedented ethnic and tribal divisions in the name of politics.” South Sudan, a nation of 12.7 million (map), is 61% Christian (39% Catholic), 32% ethnic religionist, and 6% Muslim. In 2011, it gained independence from Sudan (map); the nation of 50.5 million is 92% Muslim and 4% Christian, with 3% adhering to ethnic religions. - Leading Spanish bishops meet with Pontiff (Vatican News (Spanish))
Pope Leo XIV met with leaders of the Spanish Episcopal Conference for an hour on November 17. Archbishop Luis Argüello of Valladolid, the conference’s president, said that the prelates discussed evangelization, dwindling numbers of religious, immigration, missionary priests from Latin America and Africa, and reparations for sexual abuse victims. Commenting on the investigation into an abuse allegation against Bishop Rafael Zornoza Boy of Cádiz y Ceuta, Archbishop Argüello said that “the Holy Father is obviously aware, but he hasn’t told us anything more.” - Papal tribute to Father Casamassa, 20th-century Augustinian scholar (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
In a message for a conference marking the 70th anniversary of the death of Father Antonio Casamassa, Pope Leo XIV hailed the scholar as “among the most learned patrologists and historians of the Church of the 20th century.” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, wrote in the message that Pope Leo “hopes that the remembrance of this esteemed spiritual son of Saint Augustine will inspire renewed commitment to the study of the Fathers and knowledge of the past, necessary to reinvigorate the Church’s awareness of herself and her mission.” - Missionary from India named Canadian archbishop (Edmonton Journal)
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Susai Jesu, OMI, as archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas, Canada (map). Born and ordained in India, the priest began to minister in Canadian parishes in 2009. The appointment “was shocking for me,” said Father Jesu. “I went to the church and spent almost one and a half hours kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament. And it was kind of emotional as the Lord was calling me.” - 'Red Week' highlights plight of persecuted Christians (Aid to the Church in Need)
Over 600 churches and landmarks around the world, including the seat of the European Parliament, are being illuminated in red during “Red Week” (November 15-23), an Aid to the Church in Need initiative that highlights the plight of persecuted Christians. “413 million Christians live in countries where religious freedom is severely violated—of these, approximately 220 million are directly exposed to persecution,” according to the charity’s Religious Freedom in the World Report. - World Day of Sick to be held in Peru (Vatican Press Office)
The Vatican has announced that the principal commemoration of the 2026 World Day of the Sick (background) will take place at the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace in Chiclayo, Peru. Bishop Robert Prevost, the future Pontiff, was bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. The Vatican also announced that Pope Leo has appointed Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, as his special envoy to the commemoration there. - Cardinal Zuppi exhorts Italian bishops to serve cause of peace (Vatican News)
In an address to the Italian bishops’ conference, of which he is the president, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna called for work “to restore equality among all women and men today, to relaunch a season of rights and true justice for every people and nation.” Cardinal Zuppi emphasized the need for action to restore peace, especially in “the martyred Ukraine.” The cardinal was appointed by the late Pope Francis as a special envoy to advance peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine—particularly the release of hostages. - Pope underlines climate urgency in message to COP30 (Vatican News)
In a video message to Catholic prelates participating in this week’s COP30 climate-change conference in Brazil, Pope Leo XIV said that current efforts to safeguard the earth are “not enough.” The Pope praised the activists involved in the COP30 conference. “You have chosen hope and action over despair,” he said. But he went on to say that more is needed, “not only in words and aspirations but in concrete actions.” “Creation is crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat,” the Pope said, claiming that “one in three people live in great vulnerability because of these climate changes.” - Leading African, Latin American prelates lament world's ecological state (Vatican News (Italian))
At a symposium in Belém, Brazil—the site of COP30, the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference—leading prelates from Africa and Latin America expressed their anguish. “I come from Africa, and Africa is known for being the continent that pollutes the least but suffers the most from the consequences of climate change,” said Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, president of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. “We see the increase in deserts that continues to cause damage, the floods affecting many nations, the voracious exploitation of minerals. We are heading towards catastrophe.” “Instead of an economy focused on profit and the interests of small groups, we must put the human person, life, at the center,” he added. “We must put the care of life at the center of our decisions,” added Cardinal Jaime Spengler, of Porto Alegre, Brazil, president of CELAM (the Episcopal Conference of Latin America). “We cannot compromise with what is called the culture of death. We are all called to be seeds of hope, for a new future.” - Vatican diplomat: Catholic institutions under 'extreme duress' in Sudan (Holy See Mission)
Addressing a UN Human Rights Council meeting on the massacre in El Fasher, Sudan, a Vatican diplomat said that “Catholic-run clinics, schools and community centers in conflict zones have either been forced to close or are operating under extreme duress.” “Their staff, many of whom are volunteers, face daily threats, and many have been displaced,” said Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. “In order to bring an end to the current levels of violence, Sudan requires both sustained humanitarian aid and immediate diplomatic efforts.” The Rapid Support Forces, a belligerent in the Sudanese civil war, perpetrated the massacre. - Nuclear menace is 'morally indefensible,' Vatican foreign minister says (Vatican News (Italian))
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, delivered a lecture on November 13 in Florence on “The Nuclear Menace: New Scenarios of Risk and the Commitment of Christians.” “The idea of building peace on the threat of total destruction or on the illusion that stability can derive from a mutual possibility of annihilation” is “morally indefensible and strategically unsustainable,” said Archbishop Gallagher. “A balance based on terror and mutual demonstrations of force,” he said, “can in no way guarantee authentic peace; on the contrary, it contributes to increasing the risk and destructive scope of a potential conflict.” The prelate also warned of “an accelerated arms race accompanied by renewed, sometimes frenetic, efforts to expand existing arsenals and their destructive capabilities.” - The Church does not seek to proselytize, Pontiff tells Ghana's ambassador (Daily Graphic)
Benedict Batabe Assorow, Ghana’s new ambassador to the Holy See, offered an unusually detailed account of his recent private audience with Pope Leo XIV, during which he invited the Pontiff to visit the West African nation. Pope Leo expressed closeness to the poor and marginalized and joy in the collaboration of Church and state, Ghana’s state-owned newspaper reported. The Pope also “stressed that the Catholic Church did not seek to proselytize but rather to promote the welfare, dignity and integral development of every human person.” In a 2007 doctrinal note, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith stated that “the term proselytism was often used as a synonym for missionary activity. More recently, however, the term has taken on a negative connotation, to mean the promotion of a religion by using means, and for motives, contrary to the spirit of the Gospel; that is, which do not safeguard the freedom and dignity of the human person.” Ghana, a nation of 34.6 million (map), is 72% Christian (15% Catholic), 19% Muslim, and 9% ethnic religionist. - More...