Catholic News
- God calls humanity to friendship through His Word, Pope Leo says in audience on Vatican II (CWN)
At the beginning of his new series of Wednesday general audiences on the Second Vatican Council and its documents, Pope Leo XIV spoke this morning about Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (1965). - Venezuelan bishops: foster Christian humanism, peace, and democracy in nation's schools (Conferencia Episcopal Venezolana)
The Venezuelan bishops’ Commission for Education published a “heartfelt letter of hope to each teacher, each student, [and] each family” associated with the nation’s education system. In the message, dated January 9 and released January 12, Bishop Carlos Curiel Herrera of Carora, the president of the commission, called on schools to be an “oasis of life, where the Gospel values that inspire Christian humanism are the starting point.” The prelate said that now is the time “to discern the will of God, to plead for harmony and peace in Venezuela, and to renew our commitment to maintaining our schools as secure spaces for the construction of citizenship, democracy, justice and of peace.” - Central African Republic's bishops denounce corruption, nepotism, abuse of power (Vatican News)
The bishops of the Central African Republic condemned corruption, nepotism, abuse of power following a presidential election that was marked by allegations of fraud. Stating that “a political opponent is not an enemy,” the bishops said that “no true progress can be achieved” without credible, transparent institutions. The nation of 5.8 million (map) is 75% Christian (45% Catholic), 14% Muslim, and 10% ethnic religionist. - US Supreme Court appears likely to uphold transgender athlete bans (SCOTUSblog)
The United States Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday in two cases that will determine the constitutionality of Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act and West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports Act. “The laws prohibit males—including males who ‘identify’ as females—from participating on female-only teams,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops noted in its brief in support of the state laws. “These cases ask whether the Equal Protection Clause or Title IX forbids the States to create female-only athletic competitions,” the brief continued. “Neither does, and any other answer could prove catastrophic to Catholic institutions.” SCOTUSblog reported that “a majority of the justices appeared to agree with the states that the laws can remain in place, even if it was not clear how broadly their ruling might sweep.” - British Columbia Supreme Court hears case on Catholic hospital and euthanasia (National Catholic Register)
The British Columbia Supreme Court is considering whether Catholic hospitals should be forced to provide euthanasia to patients who request to be killed. Under a 1995 agreement, the Canadian province permits faith-based hospitals to operate in accord with their religious identity. A mother whose 34-year-old daughter suffered from cancer testified that a Catholic hospital’s refusal to euthanize her daughter was akin to watching a child being beaten up on a playground. After a year of care at the Catholic hospital, her daughter was transferred to a hospice, where “the same day a doctor there helped her die,” the Vancouver Sun reported. - Be a 'drum major for justice,' USCCB president says in MLK Day reflection (USCCB)
Referring to a 1968 sermon by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops encouraged each of the faithful to be a “drum major for justice.” “Dr. King’s sermon encouraged people to be leaders in the priorities that Christ gave us: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison,” Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City wrote in his reflection for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, released yesterday. “I encourage you to take time to reflect on how the Holy Spirit may be inviting you to join with others in addressing challenges within our families, neighborhoods, or communities,” Archbishop Coakley added. “May we lead the way in building a society rooted in justice, peace, righteousness, and the dignity of every human person.” - Responding to letter, Pope says 'hours dedicated to catechesis are never wasted' (Vatican News)
Responding to a letter from a Swiss catechist, Pope Leo XIV wrote that “hours dedicated to catechesis are never wasted, even if there are very few participants.” “The problem is not the numbers—which, of course, make one reflect—but the increasingly evident lack of awareness in feeling part of the Church, that is, of being living members of the Body of Christ, all with unique gifts and roles, and not merely users of the sacred, of the sacraments, perhaps out of mere habit,” Pope Leo continued. The exchange was published in Piazza San Pietro, a magazine published under the Vatican basilica’s auspices. Pope Leo has continued his predecessor’s custom of answering one letter in each issue. - Vatican newspaper underscores suffering of Gaza's people (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
In the most prominent front-page article in its January 13 edition, L’Osservatore Romano published a lengthy interview with Philippe Lazzarini, a UN official who had briefed the Pope on the suffering of Palestinians. Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), told the Vatican newspaper that “today, in the Gaza Strip, all universities have been destroyed, 80% of our schools have been damaged or completely destroyed. Furthermore, we have more than 600,000 boys and girls of primary and secondary school age who are currently living among the rubble.” Lazzarini added: It’s not new that international law is trampled upon. What is new is the claim to systematically trample upon it so openly, without even trying to deny it. And that is exactly what happened in the context of Gaza ... Today, international law is ailing, and we must stand by its bedside. But we must not abandon it, because the alternative, if we no longer had rules to refer to, would be barbarism. Lazzarini described the Pope’s words of support for suffering Palestinians as “extremely important ... The Palestinian population has the impression that, in a sense, the international community has turned its back on them. And I think that this message of compassion and solidarity from the Holy Father radiates far beyond the Christian populations of the region.” - Jerusalem cardinal weighs in on Iran, calls for pilgrims to return to Holy Land (Vatican News)
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem said that protests in Iran manifest the “desire [for] life, dignity, and justice” that is “inside the heart of any human being.” Speaking with Vatican News, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, expressed hope that the situation “will not conclude in more violence and bloodshed.” Cardinal Pizzaballa also discussed the continued humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the far “more serene” situation of the Church in Jordan, where the Latin Patriarchate oversees 30 schools. Describing the Holy Land as “a fifth Gospel” and “a kind of eighth sacrament,” the cardinal said it is “absolutely safe” for pilgrims to return. - Staten Island parishes vandalized; state senator pushes for more church security (CNA)
Following recent acts of crime and vandalism at three Staten Island parishes, the local state senator, Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, called for increased security. One parish was defaced with feces during a Christmas Mass; the rectory of a second parish was broken into. At a third parish, an assailant interrupted Mass “by breaking an angel statue, snatching the missal and a cross from the altar, tearing down flowers, and damaging the sanctuary’s marble floor,” CNA reported. - Former Anglican bishop discusses journey to Catholic faith (Catholic Herald)
In an article in The Catholic Herald, Msgr. Michael Nazir-Ali recounted his intellectual journey from the Anglican episcopate to the Catholic faith. Msgr. Nazir-Ali, the former Anglican bishop of Raiwind (Pakistan) and Rochester (England), was received into the Church and ordained a priest of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in 2021. - Gambling advertising compromises festival's Catholic character, archbishop says (Fides)
As the Philippine feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú approaches, Cebu’s archbishop asked festival organizers not to accept advertising from the gambling industry. Archbishop Alberto Uy said that the festival “should remain a celebration that truly reflects the joy, purity, and light of the Santo Niño [Holy Child]. We can honor him not only with our dances, prayers, and celebrations, but also through the moral choices we make in organizing this sacred event.” - Venezuelan Nobel Prize winner María Corina Machado meets with Pope (Vatican News)
Pope Leo XIV received María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan politician and pro-democracy activist who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. “Today I had the blessing and the honor of being able to share time with His Holiness and to express our gratitude for his attention to what is happening in our country,” Machado said following yesterday’s audience. “I also conveyed to him the strength of the Venezuelan people, who remain steadfast and in prayer for the freedom of Venezuela, and I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared.” - US bishops' president meets with President Trump, Vice President Vance (OSV News)
The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops met yesterday at the White House with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City “had the opportunity for introductory meetings with President Trump, Vice President Vance, and other Administration officials, in which they discussed areas of mutual concern, as well as areas for further dialogue,” the USCCB stated last evening. “Archbishop Coakley is grateful for the engagement and looks forward to ongoing discussions,” the statement added. - Vatican court blocks prosecutor's appeal in Becciu case (Pillar)
The Holy See Press Office announced yesterday that the Vatican’s highest appellate court ruled against prosecutor Alessandro Diddi in his appeal of the 2023 court ruling in the “trial of the century.” The 2023 ruling in the financial crimes trial saw the conviction of Cardinal Angelo Becciu and eight other defendants. Diddi appealed the court’s rejection of his charge that the defendants engaged in a conspiracy. The defendants’ appeals of the 2023 ruling are pending. - In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to rediscover Christian boldness (Vatican News)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, was the Pope’s legate at Sunday’s Mass marking the 800th anniversary of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, Belgium (video). Cardinal Parolin preached that “it is not numerical weakness that undermines Christian witness, but the loss of evangelical boldness.” “The Church does not stand above history, nor does she simply merge with it,” he added. “She journeys through it as a presence that accompanies, discerns and serves.” - UN official briefs Pope on Palestinians' suffering (@UNLazzarini)
Pope Leo XIV received Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). “I briefed him on the immense suffering endured by Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as well as on the political & financial challenges confronting UNRWA,” Lazzarini said following yesterday’s audience. “I stressed that the attacks on UNRWA are an assault on the multilateral system and a defiance of international law with reverberations far beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” “I also stressed that bringing back to a learning environment the more than 600,000 girls and boys currently living in the rubble of Gaza should be our common priority to avoid a lost generation,” he added. “I sought the Holy Father’s support to preserve UNRWA’s critical services, primarily in the area of education, public health and safety nets for Palestine Refugees in Gaza and across the region until a just and fair political solution is in place.” Lazzarini subsequently spoke with Vatican News about the audience and the UNRWA. The agency is facing a “dire” financial crisis, The Times of Israel reported. - USCCB affirms support for Hyde amendment following President Trump's comments (USCCB)
The president of the US bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities affirmed the importance of the Hyde amendment, which forbids federal funding of most abortions. “Authentic health care upholds the dignity of all human life, and health care policy must not violate this dignity,” said Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo, Ohio. “In upholding this core principle, the U.S. bishops have long opposed any proposals to expand taxpayer funding of abortion and will continue to do so, including, if necessary, in the current debates in Congress over health care affordability plans.” President Donald Trump recently called on Republican lawmakers to be “flexible” about the Hyde amendment, provoking criticism from pro-life organizations. - Pope decries abuse of political power in 'State of the World' address [News Analysis] (CWN)
“War is back in vogue and the zeal for war is spreading,” Pope Leo XIV said in a January 9 speech to the Vatican diplomatic corps. Basing his address on the thought of St. Augustine, the Pontiff made an appeal for a new approach to international collaboration, which “cannot depend on mere circumstances and military or strategic interests.” - Holy Land friars, diplomats gather at Jordan River to celebrate Christ's Baptism (Custody of the Holy Land)
Commemorating the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, OFM, celebrated an outdoor Mass at Qasr al-Yahud in the West Bank, on the western side of the Jordan River. In the 14th century, the Holy See entrusted the care of the holy sites in the Holy Land to the Franciscan order. Before the Mass, the consuls of Italy, Spain, France, and Belgium joined the custos, or Franciscan provincial, for a meeting with local officials. - More...