Catholic News
- Sport can be a 'workshop for a reconciled humanity,' Pope tells Olympic athletes (Dicastery for Communication)
Pope Leo XIV today received athletes from the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games (video) and told them that “sport, if lived well, becomes a workshop for a reconciled humanity, where diversity is not a threat but a wealth.” “Sport contributes to the maturing of our character, requires a steadfast spirituality and is a fruitful form of education,” Pope Leo said. “Through sport, we learn to know our own bodies without idolizing them, to control our emotions, to compete without losing our sense of fraternity, to accept defeat without despair and victory without arrogance.” - Cardinal Parolin, in wide-ranging interview, laments international drift from diplomacy to force (Dialoghi)
In a wide-ranging interview with Dialoghi, a periodical published by the Italian Catholic Action movement, Cardinal Pietro Parolin lamented the drift from diplomacy to force in international relations. “I am struck by how much determination—I was about to say ease—the war option is presented as decisive, almost inevitable, bending international law to one’s liking,” the Secretary of State of His Holiness said. “The awareness of the value of peace, the awareness of the tragic nature of war, the awareness of the importance of shared rules and of respecting them seems to have disappeared.” Cardinal Parolin also discussed the European Union, the United Nations, China, Venezuela, and Greenland, as well as the contribution that Christians can make to public life: by their support of “human life and dignity, of religious freedom, of the proposal of correctives to the current economic-financial system in accordance with the principles of the social doctrine of the Church, of the protection of creation.” Asked about the Trump administration’s professed support of Christian values, Cardinal Parolin said: We cannot say that we love and defend life and be concerned only with that of the unborn without considering that life is also that of migrants who die at sea, of women and children who have nothing to eat, of peoples devastated by the weapons we produce and sell ... At the same time, those who are concerned about saving whales but justify the silent killing of huge numbers of human beings in the womb fall into the same contradiction. - Teen killed, 60 hurt after truck rams Easter procession in Pakistan (EWTN News)
A truck driver rammed into an Easter Sunday procession in Mariamabad, Pakistan, killing a teenager and injuring more than 60 people. The suspect, Muhammad Bilal, remains at large. - VP Vance, Defense Department respond to report that official delivered 'bitter lecture' to Cardinal Pierre (Newsweek)
The Free Press reported that Defense Department officials summoned Cardinal Christophe Pierre, then the apostolic nuncio to the United States, to the Pentagon in January and delivered “a bitter lecture warning that the United States has the military power to do whatever it wants.” Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby reportedly told Cardinal Pierre, “America has the military power to do whatever it wants in the world. The Catholic Church had better take its side.” “I would actually like to talk to Cardinal Cristophe Pierre and, frankly, to our people, to figure out what actually happened,” Vice President JD Vance said in response. “I think it’s always a bad idea to offer an opinion on stories that are unconfirmed and uncorroborated, so I’m not going to do that.” A spokesman for the Defense Department described the report as “highly exaggerated and distorted” and said that “the meeting between Pentagon and Vatican officials was a respectful and reasonable discussion. We have nothing but the highest regard and welcome continued dialogue with the Holy See.” - Bishops issue Rwanda genocide anniversary statement, call for unity (ACI Africa)
The Commission for Justice and Peace of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda issued a statement marking the 32nd anniversary of the Rwanda genocide. “The genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi is an indelible stain on humanity and particularly on the Rwandan nation,” the bishops said. “Remembering our painful history is not meant to fuel hatred or revenge but to preserve the memory of those who died and to affirm that death does not erase the deep bonds that unite us.” - Tehran cardinal writes Easter message to his flock (Fides)
The cardinal archbishop of Tehran-Ispahan, Iran, wrote an Easter message to his flock, a month after his evacuation to Rome. “I find myself far from you, the flock entrusted to me, separated by the events of war, waiting to be able to see you again,” said Cardinal Dominique Mathieu, O.F.M. Conv. “In the communion of saints and in the grace of the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, we are truly united, even when we cannot be so visibly.” The Latin-rite Archdiocese of Tehran-Ispahan has four parishes and 3,500 Catholics, according to the Annuario Pontificio. - Nigerian archdiocese pleads with government to rescue abducted worshippers (Leadership)
The Archdiocese of Kaduna, Nigeria, called on federal and state governments to rescue the Catholic and other Christian worshippers who were kidnapped in Ariko on Easter Sunday. “The attack in Ariko left five worshippers dead, and about 35 others abducted,” said Father Christian Okewu Emmanuel, the archdiocesan chancellor, according to an Abuja-based newspaper. “Our hearts are heavy as families grieve the loss of loved ones while others remain in captivity,” he added. “We appeal to the authorities to do all in their power to ensure their safe return.” - Augustinians see 'Leo effect' after Pope's election (National Catholic Register)
The prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine said that the order has experienced a “Leo effect” in 11 months since the election of the Pontiff. “We’re seeing a growth in interest,” said Father Joseph Farrell, O.S.A. “We hope it continues for a long time.” The Midwest Augustinians, to which the future Pope Leo belonged, reported a steep rise in vocation inquiries, from the typical 50-60 per year to over 300. - Military Archbishop Broglio relieved by US-Iran ceasefire, but concerns loom (EWTN News)
Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, welcomed the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war but expressed regret that Lebanon was not included. The prelate said in an interview with EWTN News that “I’m happy that at least the two sides are talking to each other and perhaps looking for a solution to avoid any sort of armed conflict and perhaps pull back on the tensions in the area.” “It would be helpful that any sort of peace dialogue involve all of the participants and all of those who might be either belligerents or victims of any sort of military action,” he said. Dialogue, he added, “should have taken place before any sort of military action was taking place.” - Message title announced for World Day of Migrants and Refugees (Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development)
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development announced today that Pope Leo has chosen “Even just one of these children” as the title of his forthcoming message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The Church will commemorate the next World Day of Migrants and Refugees (background) on September 27. The dicastery explained that “Even just one of these children” is a reference to Christ’s statement that “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). - David Axelrod meets with Pontiff (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Leo XIV received David Axelrod, senior advisor to President Barack Obama (2009-11) and chief political analyst for CNN, at the Vatican today. As is customary, the Vatican did not release a statement on the topics discussed during the private audience. Axelrod did not discuss the audience on his X account, where he posts frequently. - Priest discusses plight of Lebanese Christians on Israeli border (Vatican News)
The Maronite parish priest in Rmaish (Rmeich), a Lebanese village on the Israeli border, discussed the plight of Christians there amid the Lebanon war. “Just this morning, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, asked us how we are and what our needs are,” Father Toni Elias said on April 8. “These days, I am compiling a list of medicines. There are people with cancer or undergoing serious treatments. Some need very specific or very expensive medicines, which cost a lot or are no longer available.” “We need these essential goods, and above all, a humanitarian corridor,” he added. - Pope Leo: Iran war ceasefire is 'sign of deep hope' (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV this morning welcomed news of a ceasefire in the Iran war and renewed his appeal for prayer for peace. - Pope, in audience on Vatican II, reflects on universal call to holiness, evangelical counsels (CWN)
Continuing his series of Wednesday general audiences on the Second Vatican Council and its documents, Pope Leo XIV spoke today about the universal call to holiness, as well as the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. - Pope encourages beleaguered Lebanese Christians not to lose heart (CWN)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, sent a message in the Holy Father’s name to the beleaguered residents of the Christian village of Debel, Lebanon. - Ecumenical Patriarch issues Easter encyclical, denounces war (Ecumenical Patriarchate)
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople today released an Easter encyclical by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who holds a primacy of honor among the Orthodox churches. “The joy of the Cross and the Resurrection has preserved the people of God from identifying themselves with the spirit of this world, while at the same time safeguarding them from barren insularity and a spirituality devoid of dynamism and hope-bearing breath,” he wrote. “The message of the Cross and the Resurrection resounds today as a Gospel of peace, reconciliation, and justice.” The Ecumenical Patriarch added: War, hatred, and injustice stand opposed to the fundamental Christian principles for whose realization and establishment the people of God pray and labor each day. In the light of the Resurrection, we beseech the Lord on behalf of the victims of wartime violence, the orphans, the mothers who mourn their children, and all those who bear in body and soul the effects of human cruelty and callousness. “Christ is risen” is a denial and condemnation of violence and fear and an invitation to a life of peace. War brings forth lamentation and death; the Resurrection conquers death and bestows incorruptibility. Before the daily images of the cruelty of war, the Church raises her voice and proclaims the sacredness of the human person—of every concrete human being anywhere on earth—and the duty of absolute respect for that dignity. - Archbishop Rudelli begins work as new Sostituto (CWN)
The Holy See’s Secretariat of State announced that Archbishop Paolo Rudelli begins his work as the new Sostituto today, only nine days after his appointment to the powerful position. - Indian nuns detained on trafficking suspicion, released (Catholic Connect)
Eight Indian religious sisters and two religious-order candidates were detained at the train station in Indore after being accused of human trafficking. They were released after Church officials intervened. “There are many elements who are often critical of the Church,” said Bishop Thomas Mathew of Indore. “We may be proved innocent later, but the loss of time, money, and peace of mind remains.” - Blessed Sacrament stolen, faithful attacked during adoration in Mexican chapel (EWTN News)
The Blessed Sacrament was stolen, and members of the faithful robbed and beaten, during Eucharistic adoration on the morning of April 4 in San Lucas Cuauhtelulpan, Mexico. “We deplore this incident, above all for the lives and physical and spiritual well-being of the people who suffered this outrage,” said Bishop Julio César Salcedo Aquino, M.J., of Tlaxcala. “These events wound us deeply, for among the offenses committed against the Catholic faith, the theft of the Eucharist constitutes one of the most grave.” - Ukrainian Catholic seminary established in London (The Tablet)
Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishop of London, has established a seminary there. “The creation of this seminary is a direct response to the growing needs of our eparchy,” said Bishop Nowakowski. “By establishing a house of formation here in London, we are investing in the future of our parishes and ensuring that our candidates for the priesthood are prepared to serve within the unique pastoral context of Great Britain.” - More...