April 20, 2025: Visiting Asteroid Donaldjohanson

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NASA’s Lucy spacecraft visited the asteroid 52246 Donaldjohanson on April 20, 2025, coming within 600 miles (920 kilometers) of the object located in the inner region of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.  The asteroid was named after the paleontologist Donald Johanson, who in 1974 co-discovered the first identified example of previously unknown typeContinue reading “April 20, 2025: Visiting Asteroid Donaldjohanson”

The post April 20, 2025: Visiting Asteroid Donaldjohanson appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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A Prayer for the Dying and a Special Soul: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, April 21, 2026 – #Prayer – O most merciful Jesus, Lover of souls, I beseech Thee, by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Thine Immaculate Mother, wash clean in the Thy Blood the sinners of the whole world who are to die this day. Remember most especially the soul I spiritually adopt with the intention of entrusting him or her to Thy Shepherd’s care: I beseech Thee for the grace to move this sinner, who is in danger of going to Hell, to repent. I ask this …

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O most merciful Jesus,
Lover of souls,
I beseech Thee,
by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart,
and by the sorrows of Thine Immaculate Mother,
wash clean in the Thy Blood
the sinners of the whole world
who are to die this day.

Remember most especially the soul I spiritually adopt
with the intention of entrusting him or her to Thy Shepherd’s care:
I beseech Thee for the grace to move this sinner,
who is in danger of going to Hell, to repent.
I ask this …

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Charlotte Diocese says priest did not violate conduct policies during confession with teens – #Catholic – The Diocese of Charlotte has found that a priest did not violate any of its conduct policies during confessions with teens at Charlotte Catholic High School in North Carolina last December.Multiple families whose teens attend the school had complained that a priest stepped over the line into “inappropriate” talk during confession, but in a statement to EWTN News, the diocese said it “looked into complaints raised about conversations that occurred during confession at Charlotte Catholic High School last December” and did not identify any “violations of our conduct policies” in the priest’s behavior.The families, who wished to remain anonymous to protect their daughters, said that during the sacrament of reconciliation, a priest asked the young women “unexpected and personal questions,” according to a report by WCNC Charlotte.One father said the priest, who has not been identified, asked his daughter about sexual sins.According to the young woman’s mother, the question was unrelated to the sins she was confessing at the time. “‘Mom, I was telling him about missing Mass and lying to you and fighting with my brother … and we were not talking about anything sexual at all and he just asked me that,’” the mother said.Another mother reported that the priest asked her daughter “if she’s ever had a sexual relationship with a boy.”Those two families and others said they informed the school as well as the Diocese of Charlotte of their concerns.In its statement, the diocese said it has communicated about the matter “with all involved at the time and has addressed the issue with all priests of the diocese, reiterating the need for pastoral sensitivity in celebrating the sacrament.”According to the Diocese of Charlotte, Bishop Michael Martin also responded by letter to the families, who told WCNC they received similar responses.“I am sorry that your daughter had a conversation in confession that made her feel uncomfortable,” Martin reportedly said in his letter.He said priests sometimes ask clarifying questions during confession or lead a penitent who has not properly examined his or her conscience.The Catholic Church teaches that the faithful should examine their consciences regularly, but especially prior to the sacrament of reconciliation in order to make a good confession.“Penitents frequently come to the sacrament having engaged in a limited examination of conscience,” Martin continued, saying a priest might “raise common age-appropriate struggles with sin … to jog his or her memory or give them the benefit of having only to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ so they do not have to describe the sin in too much detail."He reminded the families that priests are prohibited from breaking what is known as the “sacramental seal,” or discussing what they hear in confession.Charlotte Catholic High School did not respond to EWTN News in time for publication.Several of the parents who raised the issue expressed dissatisfaction with the bishop’s response, however, with one parent saying she felt her concerns were “dismissed.” “The whole letter felt like we were being gaslighted,” another mother told the local news outlet. “We understand what is appropriate and inappropriate.”Nevertheless, one of the mothers said “I’m still a faithful Catholic. I just want this to be about doing the right thing.”The dioceseʼs statement continued: “Confession is a sacrament meant to address sins so a priest can offer a penitent absolution and guidance. A variety of topics come up during confession, and according to Church norms, a priest may ask clarifying questions and, if necessary, assists the penitent to make a complete confession.”“Confession is a sacrament Catholics learn about at home and at their church, through required sacramental preparation classes. Confession is offered on a voluntary basis at our schools, and as Catholics, students are encouraged but not required to participate at school,” the statement concluded.Priests' perspectiveA priest who serves as a chaplain to middle and high school students told EWTN News that he knows of only one case personally where a penitent was “scandalized that the priest was asking for clarifying information,” which he acknowledged priests sometimes do to help the penitent make a “good confession.”“People are sensitive about topics like that right now,” said the priest, who wished to remain anonymous. “Even with completely innocent intentions, things can play out really badly. We’re in the ‘Me Too’ season, we’re in the ‘priests are pedophiles’ time of history.”The priest told EWTN News that he does not “regularly lead [penitents] in examination of conscience” during confession. He added: “I donʼt know of a single priest that does.”In addition, the priest noted that there “is a beauty of the seal of confession,” he said, but because of it, a priest accused of wrongdoing “is helpless, not that he’s necessarily innocent, but his ability to defend himself is really limited.”Another priest and former high school chaplain who also wished to remain anonymous told EWTN News that it is possible there was a misunderstanding, because young people, “especially teen girls, are often embarrassed to speak of sins of a sexual nature and are sometimes not clear during confession, requiring the priest to ask clarifying questions.”“But the priest should not bring up questions unrelated to the sins the penitent is confessing, and then, they should be clarifying questions only to help him or her make a better confession,” he said.
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Charlotte Diocese says priest did not violate conduct policies during confession with teens – #Catholic – The Diocese of Charlotte has found that a priest did not violate any of its conduct policies during confessions with teens at Charlotte Catholic High School in North Carolina last December.Multiple families whose teens attend the school had complained that a priest stepped over the line into “inappropriate” talk during confession, but in a statement to EWTN News, the diocese said it “looked into complaints raised about conversations that occurred during confession at Charlotte Catholic High School last December” and did not identify any “violations of our conduct policies” in the priest’s behavior.The families, who wished to remain anonymous to protect their daughters, said that during the sacrament of reconciliation, a priest asked the young women “unexpected and personal questions,” according to a report by WCNC Charlotte.One father said the priest, who has not been identified, asked his daughter about sexual sins.According to the young woman’s mother, the question was unrelated to the sins she was confessing at the time. “‘Mom, I was telling him about missing Mass and lying to you and fighting with my brother … and we were not talking about anything sexual at all and he just asked me that,’” the mother said.Another mother reported that the priest asked her daughter “if she’s ever had a sexual relationship with a boy.”Those two families and others said they informed the school as well as the Diocese of Charlotte of their concerns.In its statement, the diocese said it has communicated about the matter “with all involved at the time and has addressed the issue with all priests of the diocese, reiterating the need for pastoral sensitivity in celebrating the sacrament.”According to the Diocese of Charlotte, Bishop Michael Martin also responded by letter to the families, who told WCNC they received similar responses.“I am sorry that your daughter had a conversation in confession that made her feel uncomfortable,” Martin reportedly said in his letter.He said priests sometimes ask clarifying questions during confession or lead a penitent who has not properly examined his or her conscience.The Catholic Church teaches that the faithful should examine their consciences regularly, but especially prior to the sacrament of reconciliation in order to make a good confession.“Penitents frequently come to the sacrament having engaged in a limited examination of conscience,” Martin continued, saying a priest might “raise common age-appropriate struggles with sin … to jog his or her memory or give them the benefit of having only to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ so they do not have to describe the sin in too much detail."He reminded the families that priests are prohibited from breaking what is known as the “sacramental seal,” or discussing what they hear in confession.Charlotte Catholic High School did not respond to EWTN News in time for publication.Several of the parents who raised the issue expressed dissatisfaction with the bishop’s response, however, with one parent saying she felt her concerns were “dismissed.” “The whole letter felt like we were being gaslighted,” another mother told the local news outlet. “We understand what is appropriate and inappropriate.”Nevertheless, one of the mothers said “I’m still a faithful Catholic. I just want this to be about doing the right thing.”The dioceseʼs statement continued: “Confession is a sacrament meant to address sins so a priest can offer a penitent absolution and guidance. A variety of topics come up during confession, and according to Church norms, a priest may ask clarifying questions and, if necessary, assists the penitent to make a complete confession.”“Confession is a sacrament Catholics learn about at home and at their church, through required sacramental preparation classes. Confession is offered on a voluntary basis at our schools, and as Catholics, students are encouraged but not required to participate at school,” the statement concluded.Priests' perspectiveA priest who serves as a chaplain to middle and high school students told EWTN News that he knows of only one case personally where a penitent was “scandalized that the priest was asking for clarifying information,” which he acknowledged priests sometimes do to help the penitent make a “good confession.”“People are sensitive about topics like that right now,” said the priest, who wished to remain anonymous. “Even with completely innocent intentions, things can play out really badly. We’re in the ‘Me Too’ season, we’re in the ‘priests are pedophiles’ time of history.”The priest told EWTN News that he does not “regularly lead [penitents] in examination of conscience” during confession. He added: “I donʼt know of a single priest that does.”In addition, the priest noted that there “is a beauty of the seal of confession,” he said, but because of it, a priest accused of wrongdoing “is helpless, not that he’s necessarily innocent, but his ability to defend himself is really limited.”Another priest and former high school chaplain who also wished to remain anonymous told EWTN News that it is possible there was a misunderstanding, because young people, “especially teen girls, are often embarrassed to speak of sins of a sexual nature and are sometimes not clear during confession, requiring the priest to ask clarifying questions.”“But the priest should not bring up questions unrelated to the sins the penitent is confessing, and then, they should be clarifying questions only to help him or her make a better confession,” he said.

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Several families at Charlotte Catholic High School alleged that a priest asked their teenage daughters “inappropriate” questions during confession in December, but the diocese found no wrongdoing.

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Hundreds of men to be ordained in U.S. in 2026 – #Catholic – More than 400 men will be ordained to the priesthood in the U.S. this year, and on average they are 33 years old and are lifelong Catholics, according to an annual CARA survey.The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) released its 2026 national survey of seminarians who are scheduled for ordination this year. The survey was administered between Feb. 12 and March 20.Out of 428 ordinands invited to participate, 334 ordinands responded to the survey for a response rate of 78%. The responding ordinands represent 110 U.S. dioceses and eparchies and 34 religious institutes. Four in 5 (81%) are preparing for ordination to a diocese or eparchy, and 19% are preparing for religious institutes.The report is created in collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations and CARA about seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in 2026.On average, responding ordinands first considered priesthood when they were 16 years old and were scheduled for ordination at the age of 33. Ordinands reported they lived in their dioceses for 16 years before entering seminary and knew the members of their religious institute for five years prior.Most 2026 ordinands are white (62%), with others identifying as Hispanic or Latino (17%), Asian or Pacific Islander (11%), and Black or African American (5%). While most respondents reported they were born in the United States (74%), others said they were born in Vietnam (5%), Mexico (3%), Colombia (2%), or elsewhere (16%).While most respondents reported they were born in the United States, a third (35%) were born abroad and, on average, came to live in the U.S. at 22 years old. The most common countries of birth among the foreign-born ordinands were Vietnam (5%), Mexico (3%), and Colombia (2%).Of the men surveyed, 35% attended seminaries in the Midwest, 28% in the Northeast, 19% in the South, 14% in the West, and 5% abroad.EducationThe report found that 11% of responding ordinands were home-schooled at some point in their education and they received various levels of education. Of respondents, 29% attended high school or less, 19% reported some college or trade school, 39% received a college undergraduate degree, and 13% earned a graduate degree.Of the respondents who went to undergraduate or graduate school before entering seminary, 22% studied theology or philosophy. Other common fields of study included business (18%), engineering (17%), and science or math (11%).Nearly half of the ordinands (45%) attended a Catholic elementary school, 38% attended Catholic high school, and 34% attended Catholic college. Of all ordinands, 63% also reported participating in religious education in their parish.Prayer practicesMany ordinands (81%) reported participation in Eucharistic adoration when asked about their prayer practices before entering seminary. Many also reported praying the rosary on a regular basis (79%), prayer and Bible groups (52%), and lectio divina (48%).Overall, 93% of ordinands participated in at least one parish ministry before entering the seminary. Many reported that they had been active in parish life by serving as altar servers (79%), lectors (49%), campus or youth ministers (34%), or as catechists (32%).Most ordinands (92%) were encouraged by at least one person to join the priesthood. For many it was a parish priest (70%), friends (49%), or mother (46%). Some also noted discouraging influences including family members (22%) and classmates and friends (17%).Family lifeThe report found that 4% of respondents had served in the U.S. armed forces, and 12% reported their parents had a military career in the U.S.Most respondents were baptized Catholic as an infant (93%), with just 7% who reported they became Catholic later in life. Most ordinands also reported that both of their parents were Catholic (86%).The majority of respondents (88%) reported that they were raised by a married couple living together, with 97% who were raised by both biological parents and 11% who were raised by grandparents.Of respondents, 28% said they have a relative who is a priest or religious. Most also said they have a sibling or siblings (96%).
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Hundreds of men to be ordained in U.S. in 2026 – #Catholic – More than 400 men will be ordained to the priesthood in the U.S. this year, and on average they are 33 years old and are lifelong Catholics, according to an annual CARA survey.The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) released its 2026 national survey of seminarians who are scheduled for ordination this year. The survey was administered between Feb. 12 and March 20.Out of 428 ordinands invited to participate, 334 ordinands responded to the survey for a response rate of 78%. The responding ordinands represent 110 U.S. dioceses and eparchies and 34 religious institutes. Four in 5 (81%) are preparing for ordination to a diocese or eparchy, and 19% are preparing for religious institutes.The report is created in collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations and CARA about seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in 2026.On average, responding ordinands first considered priesthood when they were 16 years old and were scheduled for ordination at the age of 33. Ordinands reported they lived in their dioceses for 16 years before entering seminary and knew the members of their religious institute for five years prior.Most 2026 ordinands are white (62%), with others identifying as Hispanic or Latino (17%), Asian or Pacific Islander (11%), and Black or African American (5%). While most respondents reported they were born in the United States (74%), others said they were born in Vietnam (5%), Mexico (3%), Colombia (2%), or elsewhere (16%).While most respondents reported they were born in the United States, a third (35%) were born abroad and, on average, came to live in the U.S. at 22 years old. The most common countries of birth among the foreign-born ordinands were Vietnam (5%), Mexico (3%), and Colombia (2%).Of the men surveyed, 35% attended seminaries in the Midwest, 28% in the Northeast, 19% in the South, 14% in the West, and 5% abroad.EducationThe report found that 11% of responding ordinands were home-schooled at some point in their education and they received various levels of education. Of respondents, 29% attended high school or less, 19% reported some college or trade school, 39% received a college undergraduate degree, and 13% earned a graduate degree.Of the respondents who went to undergraduate or graduate school before entering seminary, 22% studied theology or philosophy. Other common fields of study included business (18%), engineering (17%), and science or math (11%).Nearly half of the ordinands (45%) attended a Catholic elementary school, 38% attended Catholic high school, and 34% attended Catholic college. Of all ordinands, 63% also reported participating in religious education in their parish.Prayer practicesMany ordinands (81%) reported participation in Eucharistic adoration when asked about their prayer practices before entering seminary. Many also reported praying the rosary on a regular basis (79%), prayer and Bible groups (52%), and lectio divina (48%).Overall, 93% of ordinands participated in at least one parish ministry before entering the seminary. Many reported that they had been active in parish life by serving as altar servers (79%), lectors (49%), campus or youth ministers (34%), or as catechists (32%).Most ordinands (92%) were encouraged by at least one person to join the priesthood. For many it was a parish priest (70%), friends (49%), or mother (46%). Some also noted discouraging influences including family members (22%) and classmates and friends (17%).Family lifeThe report found that 4% of respondents had served in the U.S. armed forces, and 12% reported their parents had a military career in the U.S.Most respondents were baptized Catholic as an infant (93%), with just 7% who reported they became Catholic later in life. Most ordinands also reported that both of their parents were Catholic (86%).The majority of respondents (88%) reported that they were raised by a married couple living together, with 97% who were raised by both biological parents and 11% who were raised by grandparents.Of respondents, 28% said they have a relative who is a priest or religious. Most also said they have a sibling or siblings (96%).

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Ordinands on average are 33 years old and are lifelong Catholics preparing for diocesan ministry, according to the 2026 survey by The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).

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Supreme Court to hear Colorado Catholic preschools’ religious freedom suit – #Catholic – The U.S. Supreme Court will consider an appeal from a Colorado-based coalition of Catholic preschools who allege they were excluded from a “universal” government tuition program for preschoolers.After granting the appeal on April 20, the court will likely hear the case in the fall.The Colorado universal preschool program provides tuition assistance to families for a school of their choice, whether public or private, but the state government excluded Catholic preschools that have faith requirements for attendees from the program.The Catholic preschools ask teachers and families to sign a pledge promising to uphold their religious mission, including teachings on sexuality and gender identity. The Colorado preschool program’s nondiscrimination clause, however, requires schools to uphold provisions on sexual orientation and gender identity.Months after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled in September 2025 that Colorado may continue to exclude Catholic preschools due to their religious beliefs, the Archdiocese of Denver and the Catholic preschools asked the Supreme Court to grant them access to the program. St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy began in August 2023 when two Catholic parish preschools and the Denver Archdiocese filed the first suit.The Colorado Department of Early Childhood declined to comment, citing active litigation.‘Universal means everyone’In September 2025, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis celebrated the court ruling to exclude Catholic schools, saying it protected students from “discrimination.”"Colorado’s highly popular, free Universal Preschool saves families more than ,000 per year, gives students a strong start, and has skyrocketed Colorado from 27th in preschool enrollment to third,” Polis said in a Sept. 30 statement. “We are building a Colorado for all, where every student is free from discrimination.”Catholic parents Dan and Lisa Sheley, who have seven children, said in a statement that they hope to be able to participate in the program and choose a Catholic preschool. Students at St. Mary Catholic Virtue Preschool in Littleton, Colorado. | Credit: Becket “All we want is the freedom to choose the best preschool for our kids without being punished for our faith,” the couple said. “Colorado promised families a universal preschool program, then cut out families like ours because we chose a Catholic education. We pray the Supreme Court will remind Colorado that universal means everyone.”A Catholic mother of three said that “Colorado is punishing young religious families.”“In a state that loudly preaches inclusion, it’s shocking to see Colorado go out of its way to exclude families like mine,” said Erika Navarrete Nagle, whose children attend St. Mary’s. “I hope the Supreme Court will make it clear that no family should be targeted for what they believe.” A student attends Mass at St. Mary Catholic Virtue Preschool in Littleton, Colorado. | Credit: Becket Officials in charge of the program recently announced that the preschool program had reached 71.2% participation, leaving about 29% of eligible children not participating. The program’s goal is to reach 77% participation by 2030.Nicholas Reaves, senior counsel at Becket, the religious liberty nonprofit law firm involved in the case, and attorney for the families and preschools, said he is “confident” the high court will rule in favor of religious freedom.“The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that states cannot exclude families from government benefits because of their faith,” Reaves said.“Colorado promised free preschool for all, then slammed the door on families who chose a religious education for their children,” Reaves continued. “After three losses in religious freedom cases at the Supreme Court, Colorado should know better.” A classroom at St. Mary Catholic Virtue Preschool in Littleton, Colorado. | Credit: Becket In May 2025, the Supreme Court declined to rule in a contentious case involving what was proposed to be the nation’s first religious charter school, leaving untouched a lower court ruling that forbade the Oklahoma Catholic institution from accessing state funds. In previous years, the high court has ruled in favor of Maine tuition assistance for religious schools in 2022 and in favor of a Pennsylvania-based Catholic foster care agency in 2021.
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Supreme Court to hear Colorado Catholic preschools’ religious freedom suit – #Catholic – The U.S. Supreme Court will consider an appeal from a Colorado-based coalition of Catholic preschools who allege they were excluded from a “universal” government tuition program for preschoolers.After granting the appeal on April 20, the court will likely hear the case in the fall.The Colorado universal preschool program provides tuition assistance to families for a school of their choice, whether public or private, but the state government excluded Catholic preschools that have faith requirements for attendees from the program.The Catholic preschools ask teachers and families to sign a pledge promising to uphold their religious mission, including teachings on sexuality and gender identity. The Colorado preschool program’s nondiscrimination clause, however, requires schools to uphold provisions on sexual orientation and gender identity.Months after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled in September 2025 that Colorado may continue to exclude Catholic preschools due to their religious beliefs, the Archdiocese of Denver and the Catholic preschools asked the Supreme Court to grant them access to the program. St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy began in August 2023 when two Catholic parish preschools and the Denver Archdiocese filed the first suit.The Colorado Department of Early Childhood declined to comment, citing active litigation.‘Universal means everyone’In September 2025, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis celebrated the court ruling to exclude Catholic schools, saying it protected students from “discrimination.”"Colorado’s highly popular, free Universal Preschool saves families more than $6,000 per year, gives students a strong start, and has skyrocketed Colorado from 27th in preschool enrollment to third,” Polis said in a Sept. 30 statement. “We are building a Colorado for all, where every student is free from discrimination.”Catholic parents Dan and Lisa Sheley, who have seven children, said in a statement that they hope to be able to participate in the program and choose a Catholic preschool. Students at St. Mary Catholic Virtue Preschool in Littleton, Colorado. | Credit: Becket “All we want is the freedom to choose the best preschool for our kids without being punished for our faith,” the couple said. “Colorado promised families a universal preschool program, then cut out families like ours because we chose a Catholic education. We pray the Supreme Court will remind Colorado that universal means everyone.”A Catholic mother of three said that “Colorado is punishing young religious families.”“In a state that loudly preaches inclusion, it’s shocking to see Colorado go out of its way to exclude families like mine,” said Erika Navarrete Nagle, whose children attend St. Mary’s. “I hope the Supreme Court will make it clear that no family should be targeted for what they believe.” A student attends Mass at St. Mary Catholic Virtue Preschool in Littleton, Colorado. | Credit: Becket Officials in charge of the program recently announced that the preschool program had reached 71.2% participation, leaving about 29% of eligible children not participating. The program’s goal is to reach 77% participation by 2030.Nicholas Reaves, senior counsel at Becket, the religious liberty nonprofit law firm involved in the case, and attorney for the families and preschools, said he is “confident” the high court will rule in favor of religious freedom.“The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that states cannot exclude families from government benefits because of their faith,” Reaves said.“Colorado promised free preschool for all, then slammed the door on families who chose a religious education for their children,” Reaves continued. “After three losses in religious freedom cases at the Supreme Court, Colorado should know better.” A classroom at St. Mary Catholic Virtue Preschool in Littleton, Colorado. | Credit: Becket In May 2025, the Supreme Court declined to rule in a contentious case involving what was proposed to be the nation’s first religious charter school, leaving untouched a lower court ruling that forbade the Oklahoma Catholic institution from accessing state funds. In previous years, the high court has ruled in favor of Maine tuition assistance for religious schools in 2022 and in favor of a Pennsylvania-based Catholic foster care agency in 2021.

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Catholic parents in Colorado are anticipating the results of an ongoing lawsuit over a Colorado “universal” preschool tuition program as the U.S. Supreme Court has just agreed to hear the case.

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Knives Out: Bill Maher Recounts Having ‘Creep’ Eric Swalwell on His Show: ‘I Never Liked Him’ – The knives are out as the sun sets on Eric Swalwell’s political career. The post Knives Out: Bill Maher Recounts Having ‘Creep’ Eric Swalwell on His Show: ‘I Never Liked Him’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Knives Out: Bill Maher Recounts Having ‘Creep’ Eric Swalwell on His Show: ‘I Never Liked Him’ – The knives are out as the sun sets on Eric Swalwell’s political career. The post Knives Out: Bill Maher Recounts Having ‘Creep’ Eric Swalwell on His Show: ‘I Never Liked Him’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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The knives are out as the sun sets on Eric Swalwell’s political career.

The post Knives Out: Bill Maher Recounts Having ‘Creep’ Eric Swalwell on His Show: ‘I Never Liked Him’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Maria Bartiromo Unloads on Far-Left Rep. Ro Khanna for Absurb Claim Obama ‘Delivered’ on Iran: ‘He Sent Pallets of Cash!’ – Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo embarrassed Rep. The post Maria Bartiromo Unloads on Far-Left Rep. Ro Khanna for Absurb Claim Obama ‘Delivered’ on Iran: ‘He Sent Pallets of Cash!’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Maria Bartiromo Unloads on Far-Left Rep. Ro Khanna for Absurb Claim Obama ‘Delivered’ on Iran: ‘He Sent Pallets of Cash!’ – Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo embarrassed Rep. The post Maria Bartiromo Unloads on Far-Left Rep. Ro Khanna for Absurb Claim Obama ‘Delivered’ on Iran: ‘He Sent Pallets of Cash!’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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News hosts discussing current political issues with a backdrop of the Capitol building, highlighting key topics in a televised interview.

News hosts discussing current political issues with a backdrop of the Capitol building, highlighting key topics in a televised interview.

Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo embarrassed Rep.

The post Maria Bartiromo Unloads on Far-Left Rep. Ro Khanna for Absurb Claim Obama ‘Delivered’ on Iran: ‘He Sent Pallets of Cash!’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Christ is not ‘a guru or a good luck charm,’ pope says at Mass in Angola #Catholic SAURIMO, Angola — Pope Leo XIV warned at Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on Monday of making God into an idol that is sought only when advantageous — “when genuine faith is replaced with superstitious practices.”“There are erroneous motives for seeking Christ, particularly when he is considered to be a guru or a good luck charm,” the pope said on April 20, referring to how the crowds in the Gospel reading reacted after Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and the fishes.“They were not seeking a teacher whom they love but a leader to applaud for their own advantage,” he said.Joyful faith in Saurimo Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media From the start of his arrival in Sub-Saharan Africa — first in Cameroon and then in Angola — Pope Leo has been welcomed by the warmth of the faithful. In Saurimo, a city in northeastern Angola, the atmosphere greeting the pope on Monday was marked by joyful faith. Everyone welcomed the successor of Peter with songs, dances, and applause.Despite the intense heat, upon reaching the esplanade before Mass, Leo XIV greeted the roughly 60,000 faithful of all ages — who had come from across the region and neighboring dioceses — by making a circuit in the popemobile.“This is the first time a pope has gone beyond Angola’s coastal belt and come — using Pope Francis’ language — to the peripheries,“ the director of the communications office of the Archdiocese of Saurimo said. ”This is a region rich in diamonds, but there is also great poverty, and he comes here to show our reality. For us, having the Holy Father in our region is a great joy.”“This is a unique and unforgettable moment in my life and in the lives of the many pilgrims here today,” Filomena Vunda, who works in the pastoral secretariat of the Archdiocese of Malanje, told ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, at the Mass.Vunda encouraged non-Catholics in Angola to “keep in mind our African word ‘Ubuntu’: The happiness of others depends on me; my happiness depends solely on the happiness of others.”Ubuntu is an African philosophy about human interconnectedness. It can be translated as “I am because we are.”‘Disciples of Christ’In his homily at Mass, concelebrated by Angolan bishops, Pope Leo said: “In every part of the world, the Church lives as a people who walk as disciples of Christ, our brother and redeemer.”"He, the Risen One, illumines for us the path to the Father and with the strength of the Spirit he sanctifies us so that we may transform our way of life in conformity with his love," the pope said. "This is the good news, the Gospel that courses through our veins like blood, sustaining us on the journey. A journey that has brought me here with you today!” Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Commenting on the Gospel of the day, Leo reflected: “Indeed, when the Son of God became man, he performed striking miracles in order to manifest the will of the Father: He made light shine in the darkness by giving sight to the blind, he gave a voice to the oppressed by loosening the tongues of the mute, he slaked our thirst for justice by multiplying bread for the poor and weak. Anyone who heard about these works set out in search of Jesus. At the same time, the Lord looks into our heart and asks us whether we seek him out of gratitude or for our own self-interest, with calculation or with love.”“The Lord himself says,” the pope continued, “‘you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves’ (Jn 6:26). His words reveal the designs of those who do not want to encounter a person but want to consume things. The crowd sees Jesus as means to an end, a provider of services. If he had not given them something to eat, his actions and teachings would not have interested them.”“This happens,” Leo XIV explained, “when genuine faith is replaced with superstitious practices, in which God becomes an idol that is sought only when it is advantageous to us and only for as long as it is. Even the most beautiful gifts of the Lord, which are always for the care of his people, become a pretext, a prize or a bargaining chip, and are misinterpreted by those who receive them.”“How different is Jesus’ attitude toward us,” the pontiff continued. “Yet, he does not reject this insincere search, but encourages its conversion ... Christ calls us to freedom: He does not want servants or clients, rather he seeks brothers and sisters to whom he can totally dedicate himself.”“Therefore,” Leo XIV said, “the admonition that the Lord directs to the crowd is transformed into an invitation: ‘Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life’ (Jn 6:27)."“His gift sheds light on our current situation,” the pope went on. “We can see today how the hope of many people is frustrated by violence, exploited by the powerful, and defrauded by the rich. Consequently, when injustice corrupts hearts, the bread of all becomes the possession of a few."“In the face of these evils, Christ hears the cry of the people and renews our history by lifting us up from every fall, comforting us in every suffering, and encouraging us in our mission," he said. Crowds of people brave the heat and sun to attend Mass with Pope Leo XIV in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Raúl Kangombe Sapiti/ACI Africa “All this,” the pope exhorted, “means that, in light of our discipleship, the ecclesial journey is a ‘synod of resurrection and hope,’ as St. John Paul II affirmed in his apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa. Let us proceed in this wise direction! Christ himself guides and strengthens our journey, a journey that we want to learn to live more and more as it should be, that is, in a synodal manner.”The pope concluded by recalling the importance of the martyrs and saints, whose witness “encourages us and pushes us onto a path of hope, reconciliation, and peace, along which the gift of God becomes the responsibility of the head of the household, in the Christian community, in civil society.”"The vitality of the vocations that you experience [in Angola]," he said, "is a sign that you are responding to the Lord’s gift, which is always abundant for those who welcome it with pure hearts.”ACI Africa reporter Raúl Kangombe Sapiti contributed to this report.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Christ is not ‘a guru or a good luck charm,’ pope says at Mass in Angola #Catholic SAURIMO, Angola — Pope Leo XIV warned at Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on Monday of making God into an idol that is sought only when advantageous — “when genuine faith is replaced with superstitious practices.”“There are erroneous motives for seeking Christ, particularly when he is considered to be a guru or a good luck charm,” the pope said on April 20, referring to how the crowds in the Gospel reading reacted after Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and the fishes.“They were not seeking a teacher whom they love but a leader to applaud for their own advantage,” he said.Joyful faith in Saurimo Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media From the start of his arrival in Sub-Saharan Africa — first in Cameroon and then in Angola — Pope Leo has been welcomed by the warmth of the faithful. In Saurimo, a city in northeastern Angola, the atmosphere greeting the pope on Monday was marked by joyful faith. Everyone welcomed the successor of Peter with songs, dances, and applause.Despite the intense heat, upon reaching the esplanade before Mass, Leo XIV greeted the roughly 60,000 faithful of all ages — who had come from across the region and neighboring dioceses — by making a circuit in the popemobile.“This is the first time a pope has gone beyond Angola’s coastal belt and come — using Pope Francis’ language — to the peripheries,“ the director of the communications office of the Archdiocese of Saurimo said. ”This is a region rich in diamonds, but there is also great poverty, and he comes here to show our reality. For us, having the Holy Father in our region is a great joy.”“This is a unique and unforgettable moment in my life and in the lives of the many pilgrims here today,” Filomena Vunda, who works in the pastoral secretariat of the Archdiocese of Malanje, told ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, at the Mass.Vunda encouraged non-Catholics in Angola to “keep in mind our African word ‘Ubuntu’: The happiness of others depends on me; my happiness depends solely on the happiness of others.”Ubuntu is an African philosophy about human interconnectedness. It can be translated as “I am because we are.”‘Disciples of Christ’In his homily at Mass, concelebrated by Angolan bishops, Pope Leo said: “In every part of the world, the Church lives as a people who walk as disciples of Christ, our brother and redeemer.”"He, the Risen One, illumines for us the path to the Father and with the strength of the Spirit he sanctifies us so that we may transform our way of life in conformity with his love," the pope said. "This is the good news, the Gospel that courses through our veins like blood, sustaining us on the journey. A journey that has brought me here with you today!” Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Commenting on the Gospel of the day, Leo reflected: “Indeed, when the Son of God became man, he performed striking miracles in order to manifest the will of the Father: He made light shine in the darkness by giving sight to the blind, he gave a voice to the oppressed by loosening the tongues of the mute, he slaked our thirst for justice by multiplying bread for the poor and weak. Anyone who heard about these works set out in search of Jesus. At the same time, the Lord looks into our heart and asks us whether we seek him out of gratitude or for our own self-interest, with calculation or with love.”“The Lord himself says,” the pope continued, “‘you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves’ (Jn 6:26). His words reveal the designs of those who do not want to encounter a person but want to consume things. The crowd sees Jesus as means to an end, a provider of services. If he had not given them something to eat, his actions and teachings would not have interested them.”“This happens,” Leo XIV explained, “when genuine faith is replaced with superstitious practices, in which God becomes an idol that is sought only when it is advantageous to us and only for as long as it is. Even the most beautiful gifts of the Lord, which are always for the care of his people, become a pretext, a prize or a bargaining chip, and are misinterpreted by those who receive them.”“How different is Jesus’ attitude toward us,” the pontiff continued. “Yet, he does not reject this insincere search, but encourages its conversion … Christ calls us to freedom: He does not want servants or clients, rather he seeks brothers and sisters to whom he can totally dedicate himself.”“Therefore,” Leo XIV said, “the admonition that the Lord directs to the crowd is transformed into an invitation: ‘Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life’ (Jn 6:27)."“His gift sheds light on our current situation,” the pope went on. “We can see today how the hope of many people is frustrated by violence, exploited by the powerful, and defrauded by the rich. Consequently, when injustice corrupts hearts, the bread of all becomes the possession of a few."“In the face of these evils, Christ hears the cry of the people and renews our history by lifting us up from every fall, comforting us in every suffering, and encouraging us in our mission," he said. Crowds of people brave the heat and sun to attend Mass with Pope Leo XIV in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Raúl Kangombe Sapiti/ACI Africa “All this,” the pope exhorted, “means that, in light of our discipleship, the ecclesial journey is a ‘synod of resurrection and hope,’ as St. John Paul II affirmed in his apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa. Let us proceed in this wise direction! Christ himself guides and strengthens our journey, a journey that we want to learn to live more and more as it should be, that is, in a synodal manner.”The pope concluded by recalling the importance of the martyrs and saints, whose witness “encourages us and pushes us onto a path of hope, reconciliation, and peace, along which the gift of God becomes the responsibility of the head of the household, in the Christian community, in civil society.”"The vitality of the vocations that you experience [in Angola]," he said, "is a sign that you are responding to the Lord’s gift, which is always abundant for those who welcome it with pure hearts.”ACI Africa reporter Raúl Kangombe Sapiti contributed to this report.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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After praying at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Saurimo, Pope Leo XIV proceeded to the site of the Mass, attended by an estimated 60,000 people.

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10 powerful quotes from Mother Angelica about faith and the love of Jesus #Catholic Mother Angelica was a Poor Clare nun and the dynamic foundress of EWTN, whose bold faith and candid teaching style brought millions closer to Christ through her television ministry. Born on April 20, 1923, she would have turned 103 years old this year.In honor of her birthday, here are 10 quotes from Mother Angelica about the love of Jesus and the beauty and challenge of living a life of faith:“Faith is often most alive when everything feels dark. That is when you choose to believe that God is there, even when you cannot see him or feel him. That kind of faith pleases God the most — because it is pure trust.”“Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart — it’s a requirement.”“Jesus asks me to go to him when I am overburdened. He did not promise to take away those burdens, for I must carry mine as he carried his.”“Every Christian who strives for holiness of life experiences dryness of soul. It is to most people a heartrending experience. It is a paradox, for the soul becomes confused when it realizes the harder it strives the further away Jesus seems to be.”“The heart of Jesus is compassionate and understanding. It has felt the sting of ingratitude, and when my heart suffers from that same offense, I can turn to him, and he understands my feelings.”“Jesus feels my sorrow greater than I, for his love is infinite, and he suffers in an infinite way.”“Sometimes my worst day — one filled with pain and suffering — in the eyes of God, is my best day if Iʼve born it cheerfully and Iʼve born it with love.”“Faith is what gets you started. Hope is what keeps you going. Love is what brings you to the end.”“Faith is one foot on the ground, one foot in the air, and a queasy feeling in the stomach.”“You see, God expects his people to do the ridiculous so he can do the miraculous.”
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10 powerful quotes from Mother Angelica about faith and the love of Jesus #Catholic Mother Angelica was a Poor Clare nun and the dynamic foundress of EWTN, whose bold faith and candid teaching style brought millions closer to Christ through her television ministry. Born on April 20, 1923, she would have turned 103 years old this year.In honor of her birthday, here are 10 quotes from Mother Angelica about the love of Jesus and the beauty and challenge of living a life of faith:“Faith is often most alive when everything feels dark. That is when you choose to believe that God is there, even when you cannot see him or feel him. That kind of faith pleases God the most — because it is pure trust.”“Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart — it’s a requirement.”“Jesus asks me to go to him when I am overburdened. He did not promise to take away those burdens, for I must carry mine as he carried his.”“Every Christian who strives for holiness of life experiences dryness of soul. It is to most people a heartrending experience. It is a paradox, for the soul becomes confused when it realizes the harder it strives the further away Jesus seems to be.”“The heart of Jesus is compassionate and understanding. It has felt the sting of ingratitude, and when my heart suffers from that same offense, I can turn to him, and he understands my feelings.”“Jesus feels my sorrow greater than I, for his love is infinite, and he suffers in an infinite way.”“Sometimes my worst day — one filled with pain and suffering — in the eyes of God, is my best day if Iʼve born it cheerfully and Iʼve born it with love.”“Faith is what gets you started. Hope is what keeps you going. Love is what brings you to the end.”“Faith is one foot on the ground, one foot in the air, and a queasy feeling in the stomach.”“You see, God expects his people to do the ridiculous so he can do the miraculous.”

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Born on April 20, 1923, Mother Angelica would be turning 103 years old this year. There is nothing she liked better than to share about faith in Jesus Christ.

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Children’s Prayer For Parents: Prayer of the Day for Monday, April 20, 2026 – #Prayer – Dear Lord! Fill our parents with Thy choicest blessings; enrich their souls with Thy holy grace; grant that they may faithfully and constantly guard that likeness to Thy union with Thy Church, which Thou didst imprint upon them on their wedding day. Fill them with Thy spirit of holy fear, which is the beginning of wisdom; inspire them to impart it to their children. May they ever walk in the way of Thy commandments, and may we their children be their joy on earth …

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Dear Lord! Fill our parents with Thy choicest blessings;
enrich their souls with Thy holy grace;
grant that they may faithfully
and constantly guard that likeness to Thy union with Thy Church,
which Thou didst imprint upon them on their wedding day.
Fill them with Thy spirit of holy fear,
which is the beginning of wisdom;
inspire them to impart it to their children.
May they ever walk in the way of Thy commandments,
and may we their children be their joy on earth …

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 20 April 2026 – A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 6:8-15 Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyreneans, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They presented false witnesses who testified, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law. For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.From the Gospel according to John 6:22-29 [After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent."Stephen, "full of grace and power" (Acts 6: 8), presented in Jesus’ Name a new interpretation of Moses and of God’s Law itself. He reread the Old Testament in the light of the proclamation of Christ’s death and Resurrection. He gave the Old Testament a Christological reinterpretation and provoked reactions from the Jews, who took his words to be blasphemous (cf. Acts 6: 11-14). For this reason he was condemned to stoning. And St Luke passes on to us the saint’s last discourse, a synthesis of his preaching. Just as Jesus had shown the disciples of Emmaus that the whole of the Old Testament speaks of him, of his Cross and his Resurrection, so St Stephen, following Jesus’ teaching, interpreted the whole of the Old Testament in a Christological key. He shows that the mystery of the Cross stands at the centre of the history of salvation as recounted in the Old Testament; it shows that Jesus, Crucified and Risen, is truly the goal of all this history. St Stephen also shows that the cult of the temple was over and that Jesus, the Risen One, was the new, true "temple". (Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 10 January 2007)  

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A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
6:8-15

Stephen, filled with grace and power,
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,
Cyreneans, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia,
came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
Then they instigated some men to say,
"We have heard him speaking blasphemous words
against Moses and God."
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes,
accosted him, seized him,
and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
They presented false witnesses who testified,
"This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law.
For we have heard him claim
that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place
and change the customs that Moses handed down to us."
All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him
and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

From the Gospel according to John
6:22-29

[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.]
The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea
saw that there had been only one boat there,
and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat,
but only his disciples had left.
Other boats came from Tiberias
near the place where they had eaten the bread
when the Lord gave thanks.
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into boats
and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
"Rabbi, when did you get here?"
Jesus answered them and said,
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me
not because you saw signs
but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal."
So they said to him,
"What can we do to accomplish the works of God?"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent."

Stephen, "full of grace and power" (Acts 6: 8), presented in Jesus’ Name a new interpretation of Moses and of God’s Law itself. He reread the Old Testament in the light of the proclamation of Christ’s death and Resurrection. He gave the Old Testament a Christological reinterpretation and provoked reactions from the Jews, who took his words to be blasphemous (cf. Acts 6: 11-14).

For this reason he was condemned to stoning. And St Luke passes on to us the saint’s last discourse, a synthesis of his preaching. Just as Jesus had shown the disciples of Emmaus that the whole of the Old Testament speaks of him, of his Cross and his Resurrection, so St Stephen, following Jesus’ teaching, interpreted the whole of the Old Testament in a Christological key. He shows that the mystery of the Cross stands at the centre of the history of salvation as recounted in the Old Testament; it shows that Jesus, Crucified and Risen, is truly the goal of all this history.

St Stephen also shows that the cult of the temple was over and that Jesus, the Risen One, was the new, true "temple". (Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 10 January 2007)

 

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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass, leads rosary in Angola – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 19 in Angola, celebrating Mass in Kilamba before leading the rosary in a gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was “pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer” with them.Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leo’s activities on Sunday: Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds gathered before Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV makes the sign of the cross at the beginning of Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. About 100,000 faithful packed the large esplanade where the Eucharistic celebration took place. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV incenses the altar during Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV looks out the window during his ride to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds gathered to pray the rosary at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets a baby during his visit to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV lays flowers at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV prays at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV leads the rosary at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Crowds gather to pray the rosary with Pope Leo XIV at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass, leads rosary in Angola – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 19 in Angola, celebrating Mass in Kilamba before leading the rosary in a gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was “pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer” with them.Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leo’s activities on Sunday: Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds gathered before Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV makes the sign of the cross at the beginning of Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. About 100,000 faithful packed the large esplanade where the Eucharistic celebration took place. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV incenses the altar during Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV looks out the window during his ride to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds gathered to pray the rosary at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets a baby during his visit to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV lays flowers at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV prays at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV leads the rosary at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Crowds gather to pray the rosary with Pope Leo XIV at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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A look in photos at Pope Leo XIV’s seventh day of his apostolic visit to Africa.

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55 religious jubilarians honored for joyful service in Parsippany #Catholic - On April 18, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney joyfully commemorated 55 dedicated religious sisters and priests as they reached major anniversaries in consecrated life — from 25 to an inspiring 80 years — during the jubilant annual Mass for Religious of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey at St. Ann Church in Parsippany, N.J. The bishop wholeheartedly thanked the jubilarians for their remarkable combined 3,280 years of selfless service to the diocese and the Church. Several priests, including Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to the diocesan retired senior priests, concelebrated the Mass. Meanwhile, Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, served as master of ceremonies for the liturgy, which was organized by the office of Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. During the joyful Mass, Bishop Sweeney led the jubilarians in renewing their heartfelt commitment as religious “to follow Christ in chastity, poverty, and obedience.” With Sister Lee’s help, Bishop Sweeney then handed out anniversary certificates to the 24 jubilarians who attended. Afterward, worshippers proceeded to St. Ann’s parish hall for a festive reception. Jubilarians of the Paterson Diocese for 2026 80 Years Sr. Domenica Di Peri, FMA Sr. Anna Grace Mascolo, MPF Sr. Raphael Santitoro, MPF 75 Years Sr. Lorraine Chaudron, MPF Sr. Joan Digan, SC Sr. Louise Lauretti, MPF Sr. Santa Priolo, MPF Sr. Livia Setti, FMA Sr. Helen Sholander, MPF Sr. Mary Catherine Slattery, SCC 70 Years Sr. Mary Culhane, SC Sr. Eileen Eager, SC Sr. Carmela Falcone, MPF Sr. Mary Gintilla, MPF Sr. Joan Daniel Healy, SCC Sr. Rose Marie O’Brien, SC Sr. Mary Bertha Paquin, FMA Sr. Geraldine Romano, MPF Sr. Jean Ann Trainor, SC 65 Years Sr. Maureen Ann Corcoran, SC Sr. Anna DeCarli, MPF Sr. Balbina Lopez, FMA Sr. Barbara Quandt, MPF Sr. Carmela Santarsiero, MPF Sr. Rosemary Smith, SC Sr. Alice Swartz, RSM Sr. Carmela Termine, FMA 60 Years Sr. Donna Brady, SCC Sr. Ellen Byrnes, FSP Fr. Bernard Creighton, OFM Sr. Shawn Donnolly, SCC Sr. Geraldine Frisk, MPF Sr. Margaret Gaffikin, FSP Sr. Maureen Himchak, MPF Sr. Janice Jolin, SMIC Sr. Justina Lanasa, SCC Sr. Merris Larkin, SC Sr. Josita Marks, SCC Sr. Diane Moughan, SCC Sr. Gale Pankowski, SCC Sr. Joan Repka, SC Sr. Gerardine Tansits, SCC Sr. Inez Valentin, FMA 50 Years Sr. Marie Cecilia Landis, SCC Sr. Ann Lavelle, SCC Sr. Joyce O’Shea, SC Sr. Teresita Teran, FMA 40 Years Sr. Elaine Bebyn, MPF Sr. Fran DaGrossa, FMA Sr. Emy De Fillippi, FMA 25 Years Fr. John C. Coughlin, OFM Sr. Maria Goretti Nguyen, SCC Sr. Araceli Soldevilla, FSSE Fr. Agustino Miguel Torres, CFR Br. Matthias Kwang-Jae Yoo, OSB BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  
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55 religious jubilarians honored for joyful service in Parsippany #Catholic – On April 18, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney joyfully commemorated 55 dedicated religious sisters and priests as they reached major anniversaries in consecrated life — from 25 to an inspiring 80 years — during the jubilant annual Mass for Religious of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey at St. Ann Church in Parsippany, N.J. The bishop wholeheartedly thanked the jubilarians for their remarkable combined 3,280 years of selfless service to the diocese and the Church. Several priests, including Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to the diocesan retired senior priests, concelebrated the Mass. Meanwhile, Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, served as master of ceremonies for the liturgy, which was organized by the office of Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. During the joyful Mass, Bishop Sweeney led the jubilarians in renewing their heartfelt commitment as religious “to follow Christ in chastity, poverty, and obedience.” With Sister Lee’s help, Bishop Sweeney then handed out anniversary certificates to the 24 jubilarians who attended. Afterward, worshippers proceeded to St. Ann’s parish hall for a festive reception. Jubilarians of the Paterson Diocese for 2026 80 Years Sr. Domenica Di Peri, FMA Sr. Anna Grace Mascolo, MPF Sr. Raphael Santitoro, MPF 75 Years Sr. Lorraine Chaudron, MPF Sr. Joan Digan, SC Sr. Louise Lauretti, MPF Sr. Santa Priolo, MPF Sr. Livia Setti, FMA Sr. Helen Sholander, MPF Sr. Mary Catherine Slattery, SCC 70 Years Sr. Mary Culhane, SC Sr. Eileen Eager, SC Sr. Carmela Falcone, MPF Sr. Mary Gintilla, MPF Sr. Joan Daniel Healy, SCC Sr. Rose Marie O’Brien, SC Sr. Mary Bertha Paquin, FMA Sr. Geraldine Romano, MPF Sr. Jean Ann Trainor, SC 65 Years Sr. Maureen Ann Corcoran, SC Sr. Anna DeCarli, MPF Sr. Balbina Lopez, FMA Sr. Barbara Quandt, MPF Sr. Carmela Santarsiero, MPF Sr. Rosemary Smith, SC Sr. Alice Swartz, RSM Sr. Carmela Termine, FMA 60 Years Sr. Donna Brady, SCC Sr. Ellen Byrnes, FSP Fr. Bernard Creighton, OFM Sr. Shawn Donnolly, SCC Sr. Geraldine Frisk, MPF Sr. Margaret Gaffikin, FSP Sr. Maureen Himchak, MPF Sr. Janice Jolin, SMIC Sr. Justina Lanasa, SCC Sr. Merris Larkin, SC Sr. Josita Marks, SCC Sr. Diane Moughan, SCC Sr. Gale Pankowski, SCC Sr. Joan Repka, SC Sr. Gerardine Tansits, SCC Sr. Inez Valentin, FMA 50 Years Sr. Marie Cecilia Landis, SCC Sr. Ann Lavelle, SCC Sr. Joyce O’Shea, SC Sr. Teresita Teran, FMA 40 Years Sr. Elaine Bebyn, MPF Sr. Fran DaGrossa, FMA Sr. Emy De Fillippi, FMA 25 Years Fr. John C. Coughlin, OFM Sr. Maria Goretti Nguyen, SCC Sr. Araceli Soldevilla, FSSE Fr. Agustino Miguel Torres, CFR Br. Matthias Kwang-Jae Yoo, OSB BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  

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55 religious jubilarians honored for joyful service in Parsippany #Catholic –

On April 18, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney joyfully commemorated 55 dedicated religious sisters and priests as they reached major anniversaries in consecrated life — from 25 to an inspiring 80 years — during the jubilant annual Mass for Religious of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey at St. Ann Church in Parsippany, N.J. The bishop wholeheartedly thanked the jubilarians for their remarkable combined 3,280 years of selfless service to the diocese and the Church.

Several priests, including Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to the diocesan retired senior priests, concelebrated the Mass. Meanwhile, Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, served as master of ceremonies for the liturgy, which was organized by the office of Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

During the joyful Mass, Bishop Sweeney led the jubilarians in renewing their heartfelt commitment as religious “to follow Christ in chastity, poverty, and obedience.” With Sister Lee’s help, Bishop Sweeney then handed out anniversary certificates to the 24 jubilarians who attended. Afterward, worshippers proceeded to St. Ann’s parish hall for a festive reception.

Jubilarians of the Paterson Diocese for 2026

80 Years

Sr. Domenica Di Peri, FMA
Sr. Anna Grace Mascolo, MPF
Sr. Raphael Santitoro, MPF

75 Years

Sr. Lorraine Chaudron, MPF
Sr. Joan Digan, SC
Sr. Louise Lauretti, MPF
Sr. Santa Priolo, MPF
Sr. Livia Setti, FMA
Sr. Helen Sholander, MPF
Sr. Mary Catherine Slattery, SCC

70 Years

Sr. Mary Culhane, SC
Sr. Eileen Eager, SC
Sr. Carmela Falcone, MPF
Sr. Mary Gintilla, MPF
Sr. Joan Daniel Healy, SCC
Sr. Rose Marie O’Brien, SC
Sr. Mary Bertha Paquin, FMA
Sr. Geraldine Romano, MPF
Sr. Jean Ann Trainor, SC

65 Years

Sr. Maureen Ann Corcoran, SC
Sr. Anna DeCarli, MPF
Sr. Balbina Lopez, FMA
Sr. Barbara Quandt, MPF
Sr. Carmela Santarsiero, MPF
Sr. Rosemary Smith, SC
Sr. Alice Swartz, RSM
Sr. Carmela Termine, FMA

60 Years

Sr. Donna Brady, SCC
Sr. Ellen Byrnes, FSP
Fr. Bernard Creighton, OFM
Sr. Shawn Donnolly, SCC
Sr. Geraldine Frisk, MPF
Sr. Margaret Gaffikin, FSP
Sr. Maureen Himchak, MPF
Sr. Janice Jolin, SMIC
Sr. Justina Lanasa, SCC
Sr. Merris Larkin, SC
Sr. Josita Marks, SCC
Sr. Diane Moughan, SCC
Sr. Gale Pankowski, SCC
Sr. Joan Repka, SC
Sr. Gerardine Tansits, SCC
Sr. Inez Valentin, FMA

50 Years

Sr. Marie Cecilia Landis, SCC
Sr. Ann Lavelle, SCC
Sr. Joyce O’Shea, SC
Sr. Teresita Teran, FMA

40 Years

Sr. Elaine Bebyn, MPF
Sr. Fran DaGrossa, FMA
Sr. Emy De Fillippi, FMA

25 Years

Fr. John C. Coughlin, OFM
Sr. Maria Goretti Nguyen, SCC
Sr. Araceli Soldevilla, FSSE
Fr. Agustino Miguel Torres, CFR
Br. Matthias Kwang-Jae Yoo, OSB

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI

– On April 18, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney joyfully commemorated 55 dedicated religious sisters and priests as they reached major anniversaries in consecrated life — from 25 to an inspiring 80 years — during the jubilant annual Mass for Religious of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey at St. Ann Church in Parsippany, N.J. The bishop wholeheartedly thanked the jubilarians for their remarkable combined 3,280 years of selfless service to the diocese and the Church. Several priests, including Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to the diocesan retired senior priests, concelebrated the Mass. Meanwhile, Father Jared Brogan, director

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Pope Leo XIV urges Angola’s young people to build a world free of war, injustice, and poverty – #Catholic – KIMBAXE, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged young people in Angola to help build “a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty, or dishonesty,” during a rosary gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.The shrine, whose name means “Mother of the Heart” in Kimbundu, is one of Angola’s best-known Marian sanctuaries. Built by the Portuguese in the 17th century on a hill overlooking the Kwanza River, it has long been a place of pilgrimage and prayer for Angolan Catholics.Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was “pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer” with them.“Together we have recited the holy rosary, an ancient and simple devotion that originated in the Church as a form of prayer for everyone,” Leo said.Quoting St. John Paul II, the pope described the rosary as the prayer of a Christianity that has preserved the “freshness of its beginnings and feels drawn by the Spirit of God to ‘set out into the deep’ … to proclaim, and even cry out, before the world that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.”Leo said that in the “living and young Church of Angola,” one can “truly feel the freshness of faith and the power of the Spirit.”He reflected on the history of the shrine, saying it has been a place where “for centuries, many men and women have prayed in times of joy and also in moments of sorrow and great suffering in the history of this country.”“For a long time now, Mama Muxima has quietly worked to keep the heart of the Church alive and beating,” he said. “Her heart contains a multitude of hearts: yours, and those of many people who love, pray, celebrate, weep, and sometimes — even when unable to come in person — entrust their requests and petitions to letters and postal messages.”“Mama Muxima welcomes everyone, listens to everyone, and prays for everyone,” he added.Meditating on the glorious mysteries, the pope said the faithful were contemplating both their destiny in Christ and their mission in his love.“At Easter, Christ conquered death, showing us the way back to the Father,” Leo said. “And so that we too may walk this luminous and demanding path, sharing its beauty with the whole world, he has given us his Spirit, who animates and sustains us on our journey and in our mission.”“Like Mary, we too are made for heaven,” he continued. “As we journey toward heaven with joy, we look to her as our good Mother and model of holiness. Following her example, we bring the light of the risen One to the brothers and sisters we meet.”The pope also reflected on the popular title of the shrine, saying that although it is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the faithful have spontaneously renamed it the shrine of the “Mother of the Heart.”“It is a beautiful title, which makes us reflect on the heart of Mary: a pure and wise heart, capable of treasuring and pondering the extraordinary events in the life of the Son of God,” he said.Leo said praying the rosary means taking on a concrete responsibility toward others.“Praying the rosary, then, commits us to loving every person with a mother’s heart — concretely and generously — and to dedicating ourselves to the good of one another, especially the poorest,” he said.“A mother loves all her children in the same way and with her whole heart, even though each one is different,” the pope continued. “In the presence of the Mother of the Heart, we too want to promise to do likewise.”“We strive without measure so that no one may lack love,” he said. “We also seek to provide the necessities for living with dignity and happiness: that the hungry may have enough to eat, that the sick may receive the necessary care, that children may be guaranteed a proper education, and that the elderly may live their later years in peace.”“A mother thinks of all these things. Indeed, Mary thinks of all these things, and she also invites us to share in her maternal concern,” he added.Turning again to the young people gathered at the shrine, Leo pointed to the construction of a new sanctuary there as a sign of a larger calling.“Dear young people, members of the Legion of Mary, brothers and sisters, Our Lady asks us to let ourselves be moved by the sentiments of her heart, so that like her, we may be workers for justice and bearers of peace,” he said.“Here, a great project is underway: the construction of a new shrine, able to welcome all who come on pilgrimage. Everyone — especially you young people — should take this as a sign,” the pope said.“For the Mother of Heaven entrusts a great project to you as well: to build a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty or dishonesty, and where the principles of the Gospel increasingly inspire and shape hearts, structures, and programs, for the good of all.”“It is love that must triumph, not war!” Leo said. “This is what the heart of Mary — the heart of the Mother of all — teaches us.”“Let us set out, then, from this shrine as ‘messenger angels’ of life, bringing Mary’s tender embrace and God’s blessing to everyone,” he said.At the end of his address, the pope invoked a hymn familiar to devotees of Mama Muxima: “Mother of the Heart, we come to you to offer you everything.”“Dearest friends, let us offer everything to Mary, giving ourselves entirely to our brothers and sisters, and let us joyfully receive, through her intercession, the Lord’s blessing, so that we may bring it to everyone we meet,” he said. “Amen.”In his greeting, Bishop Emilio Sumbelelo of Viana highlighted the importance of devotion to Mama Muxima in Angola and noted that in 2022 the cornerstone of a future basilica was laid by the president of the republic and blessed by the late Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento. The basilica will be dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, fulfilling a promise made by the Angolan government to the Catholic Church during St. John Paul II’s 1992 visit to the country.For many Angolans, the shrine remains a powerful symbol of faith, national memory, and hope.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo XIV urges Angola’s young people to build a world free of war, injustice, and poverty – #Catholic – KIMBAXE, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged young people in Angola to help build “a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty, or dishonesty,” during a rosary gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.The shrine, whose name means “Mother of the Heart” in Kimbundu, is one of Angola’s best-known Marian sanctuaries. Built by the Portuguese in the 17th century on a hill overlooking the Kwanza River, it has long been a place of pilgrimage and prayer for Angolan Catholics.Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was “pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer” with them.“Together we have recited the holy rosary, an ancient and simple devotion that originated in the Church as a form of prayer for everyone,” Leo said.Quoting St. John Paul II, the pope described the rosary as the prayer of a Christianity that has preserved the “freshness of its beginnings and feels drawn by the Spirit of God to ‘set out into the deep’ … to proclaim, and even cry out, before the world that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.”Leo said that in the “living and young Church of Angola,” one can “truly feel the freshness of faith and the power of the Spirit.”He reflected on the history of the shrine, saying it has been a place where “for centuries, many men and women have prayed in times of joy and also in moments of sorrow and great suffering in the history of this country.”“For a long time now, Mama Muxima has quietly worked to keep the heart of the Church alive and beating,” he said. “Her heart contains a multitude of hearts: yours, and those of many people who love, pray, celebrate, weep, and sometimes — even when unable to come in person — entrust their requests and petitions to letters and postal messages.”“Mama Muxima welcomes everyone, listens to everyone, and prays for everyone,” he added.Meditating on the glorious mysteries, the pope said the faithful were contemplating both their destiny in Christ and their mission in his love.“At Easter, Christ conquered death, showing us the way back to the Father,” Leo said. “And so that we too may walk this luminous and demanding path, sharing its beauty with the whole world, he has given us his Spirit, who animates and sustains us on our journey and in our mission.”“Like Mary, we too are made for heaven,” he continued. “As we journey toward heaven with joy, we look to her as our good Mother and model of holiness. Following her example, we bring the light of the risen One to the brothers and sisters we meet.”The pope also reflected on the popular title of the shrine, saying that although it is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the faithful have spontaneously renamed it the shrine of the “Mother of the Heart.”“It is a beautiful title, which makes us reflect on the heart of Mary: a pure and wise heart, capable of treasuring and pondering the extraordinary events in the life of the Son of God,” he said.Leo said praying the rosary means taking on a concrete responsibility toward others.“Praying the rosary, then, commits us to loving every person with a mother’s heart — concretely and generously — and to dedicating ourselves to the good of one another, especially the poorest,” he said.“A mother loves all her children in the same way and with her whole heart, even though each one is different,” the pope continued. “In the presence of the Mother of the Heart, we too want to promise to do likewise.”“We strive without measure so that no one may lack love,” he said. “We also seek to provide the necessities for living with dignity and happiness: that the hungry may have enough to eat, that the sick may receive the necessary care, that children may be guaranteed a proper education, and that the elderly may live their later years in peace.”“A mother thinks of all these things. Indeed, Mary thinks of all these things, and she also invites us to share in her maternal concern,” he added.Turning again to the young people gathered at the shrine, Leo pointed to the construction of a new sanctuary there as a sign of a larger calling.“Dear young people, members of the Legion of Mary, brothers and sisters, Our Lady asks us to let ourselves be moved by the sentiments of her heart, so that like her, we may be workers for justice and bearers of peace,” he said.“Here, a great project is underway: the construction of a new shrine, able to welcome all who come on pilgrimage. Everyone — especially you young people — should take this as a sign,” the pope said.“For the Mother of Heaven entrusts a great project to you as well: to build a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty or dishonesty, and where the principles of the Gospel increasingly inspire and shape hearts, structures, and programs, for the good of all.”“It is love that must triumph, not war!” Leo said. “This is what the heart of Mary — the heart of the Mother of all — teaches us.”“Let us set out, then, from this shrine as ‘messenger angels’ of life, bringing Mary’s tender embrace and God’s blessing to everyone,” he said.At the end of his address, the pope invoked a hymn familiar to devotees of Mama Muxima: “Mother of the Heart, we come to you to offer you everything.”“Dearest friends, let us offer everything to Mary, giving ourselves entirely to our brothers and sisters, and let us joyfully receive, through her intercession, the Lord’s blessing, so that we may bring it to everyone we meet,” he said. “Amen.”In his greeting, Bishop Emilio Sumbelelo of Viana highlighted the importance of devotion to Mama Muxima in Angola and noted that in 2022 the cornerstone of a future basilica was laid by the president of the republic and blessed by the late Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento. The basilica will be dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, fulfilling a promise made by the Angolan government to the Catholic Church during St. John Paul II’s 1992 visit to the country.For many Angolans, the shrine remains a powerful symbol of faith, national memory, and hope.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The pontiff told young Angolans that Our Lady entrusts them with the task of building a better world shaped by the Gospel.

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Wife of Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bails Out NPR With Million Donation After Trump Cut Federal Funding – National Public Radio (NPR) has secured 3 million in donations as it continues to grapple with the fallout from major federal funding cuts under the Trump administration. The post Wife of Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bails Out NPR With Million Donation After Trump Cut Federal Funding appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Wife of Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bails Out NPR With $80 Million Donation After Trump Cut Federal Funding – National Public Radio (NPR) has secured $113 million in donations as it continues to grapple with the fallout from major federal funding cuts under the Trump administration. The post Wife of Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bails Out NPR With $80 Million Donation After Trump Cut Federal Funding appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Close-up of a woman with short gray hair and green eyes, expressing a thoughtful emotion in a softly lit indoor setting.

Close-up of a woman with short gray hair and green eyes, expressing a thoughtful emotion in a softly lit indoor setting.

National Public Radio (NPR) has secured $113 million in donations as it continues to grapple with the fallout from major federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.

The post Wife of Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bails Out NPR With $80 Million Donation After Trump Cut Federal Funding appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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‘Clearly a Human in a Bear Suit’: California Trio Jailed for Staging Fake Bear Attacks on Rolls-Royce and Mercedes in 2K Insurance Scam (VIDEO) – Three Los Angeles-area residents have been sentenced to jail time after pleading no contest to felony insurance fraud in a bizarre scheme that involved dressing in a bear costume to stage fake attacks on luxury vehicles and then filing fraudulent insurance claims. The post ‘Clearly a Human in a Bear Suit’: California Trio Jailed for Staging Fake Bear Attacks on Rolls-Royce and Mercedes in 2K Insurance Scam (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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‘Clearly a Human in a Bear Suit’: California Trio Jailed for Staging Fake Bear Attacks on Rolls-Royce and Mercedes in $142K Insurance Scam (VIDEO) – Three Los Angeles-area residents have been sentenced to jail time after pleading no contest to felony insurance fraud in a bizarre scheme that involved dressing in a bear costume to stage fake attacks on luxury vehicles and then filing fraudulent insurance claims. The post ‘Clearly a Human in a Bear Suit’: California Trio Jailed for Staging Fake Bear Attacks on Rolls-Royce and Mercedes in $142K Insurance Scam (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Surveillance footage shows a mysterious figure near a car, alongside a collection of Bigfoot costume parts laid out indoors.

Surveillance footage shows a mysterious figure near a car, alongside a collection of Bigfoot costume parts laid out indoors.

Three Los Angeles-area residents have been sentenced to jail time after pleading no contest to felony insurance fraud in a bizarre scheme that involved dressing in a bear costume to stage fake attacks on luxury vehicles and then filing fraudulent insurance claims.

The post ‘Clearly a Human in a Bear Suit’: California Trio Jailed for Staging Fake Bear Attacks on Rolls-Royce and Mercedes in $142K Insurance Scam (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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OUCH! Parachuter Crashes Into Scoreboard at Virginia Tech Game, Left Dangling Above Stadium (VIDEO) – A parachuter slammed into Virginia Tech’s stadium scoreboard moments before kickoff on Saturday, leaving the jumper dangling above the field and delaying the school’s spring football game. The post OUCH! Parachuter Crashes Into Scoreboard at Virginia Tech Game, Left Dangling Above Stadium (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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OUCH! Parachuter Crashes Into Scoreboard at Virginia Tech Game, Left Dangling Above Stadium (VIDEO) – A parachuter slammed into Virginia Tech’s stadium scoreboard moments before kickoff on Saturday, leaving the jumper dangling above the field and delaying the school’s spring football game. The post OUCH! Parachuter Crashes Into Scoreboard at Virginia Tech Game, Left Dangling Above Stadium (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Skydiver parachuting near Virginia Tech sign with an American flag backdrop, showcasing school spirit and excitement during an event.

Skydiver parachuting near Virginia Tech sign with an American flag backdrop, showcasing school spirit and excitement during an event.

A parachuter slammed into Virginia Tech’s stadium scoreboard moments before kickoff on Saturday, leaving the jumper dangling above the field and delaying the school’s spring football game.

The post OUCH! Parachuter Crashes Into Scoreboard at Virginia Tech Game, Left Dangling Above Stadium (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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National Infertility Awareness Week: 4 Catholic ministries walking with couples #Catholic According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility in their lifetime. In the United States, 1 in 8 couples deal with infertility.This year, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) runs from April 19–25. Established in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, NIAW is an annual initiative held each April that raises public awareness, promotes policy change — especially regarding insurance coverage — and fosters open conversations to support those struggling to build their families.RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association was founded in 1974 as a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and couples facing infertility through education, advocacy, and community support.The Catholic Church offers couples struggling with infertility a wide range of resources that aim to address the root of the issue in a holistic manner and in a way that aligns with Church teaching.Here are four Catholic ministries that work with couples carrying the cross of infertility:Springs in the DesertSprings in the Desert is a Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2019 by Kimberly Henkel and Ann Koshute after they recognized how isolating infertility can be and how little pastoral support existed within the Church. The ministry exists to accompany women and couples spiritually and emotionally, helping them encounter God’s love and discover a broader understanding of fruitfulness beyond biological parenthood. Rooted deeply in Catholic teaching on marriage, human dignity, and reproductive ethics, it also works to educate clergy and lay leaders about the unique grief and needs associated with infertility.The ministry offers a wide range of resources, including retreats, small groups, blog reflections, a podcast, and virtual and in-person events designed to foster community and healing.For this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week, Springs in the Desert has partnered with Ascension to launch two free spiritual resources designed specifically for couples experiencing this hardship. They are a 15-part “Scripture and Saints” audio series featuring biblical figures such as Sarah and Abraham, Ruth and Naomi, Hannah and Elkanah, St. Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, the woman with the hemorrhage, and St. Paul who connect the listener to the lived experience of infertility, and a novena inviting couples to pray with titles of Our Lady such as Our Lady of Sorrows and Queen of Families in order to invoke the Blessed Mother during times of grief and loss.Both resources will be available beginning April 19 in the Ascension app.The Fruitful HollowThe Fruitful Hollow is an online Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2021 by Lauren Allen after her own experience of infertility inspired her to create a space rooted in Church teaching and authentic support. The ministry focuses on helping women and couples live out their vocation with purpose during infertility, emphasizing that fruitfulness is not limited to having children but can be lived out in many spiritual and relational ways. It aims to address the lack of conversation and resources within Catholic circles and to guide people toward holiness in the midst of suffering. Lauren Allen, the founder of the Catholic infertility ministry the Fruitful Hollow, with her husband. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Lauren Allen The ministry provides weekly blog reflections, a mentorship program titled “Sisters of Hannah,” and a wide range of downloadable resources that address grief, medical decisions, marriage, and spiritual growth. It also offers tools for prayer, education on ethical fertility treatments, and even a memorial space for those who have experienced loss.Lily of the ValleyLily of the Valley is a Catholic lay ministry founded in 2022 to support families facing infertility, pregnancy loss, and difficult prenatal or postnatal diagnoses. Rooted in Catholic teaching and devotion — especially to St. Gianna Molla — the ministry’s mission is to accompany those carrying the cross of early-life suffering with prayer, compassion, and spiritual solidarity.The ministry’s work focuses on providing both spiritual and community-based support, particularly through tangible and relational resources. One of its most distinctive offerings is personalized prayer care packages, which include sacramentals, prayer cards, and handwritten notes designed to bring comfort and encourage prayer during difficult times.In addition, Lily of the Valley offers online support groups, curated spiritual resources, and opportunities for prayer accompaniment, helping women and families feel less alone and more supported within a faith-filled community as they navigate infertility and related struggles.Elizabeth MinistryA parish-based Catholic outreach founded in 1991 in Wisconsin, Elizabeth Ministry is designed to support women and families during critical reproductive and family life experiences, including infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy, and adoption. The ministry is inspired by the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, emphasizing accompaniment, presence, and shared faith. Its mission is to affirm the dignity of life and provide emotional, spiritual, and practical care to women navigating difficult or unexpected journeys.The ministry operates primarily through local parish chapters, offering one-on-one mentoring, meal support, prayer networks, and companionship for women experiencing infertility or loss. It also provides training materials, spiritual reflections, and structured programs to help parishes build supportive communities.Elizabeth Ministry’s work is especially valuable for women seeking in-person, relational support within their local Catholic community rather than solely online resources.Several parishes and dioceses have their own programs for couples struggling with infertility. For example, the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, have a program called Behold Your Child, which offers spiritual and emotional support for those experiencing infertility and hosts memorial Masses for those who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.
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National Infertility Awareness Week: 4 Catholic ministries walking with couples #Catholic According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility in their lifetime. In the United States, 1 in 8 couples deal with infertility.This year, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) runs from April 19–25. Established in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, NIAW is an annual initiative held each April that raises public awareness, promotes policy change — especially regarding insurance coverage — and fosters open conversations to support those struggling to build their families.RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association was founded in 1974 as a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and couples facing infertility through education, advocacy, and community support.The Catholic Church offers couples struggling with infertility a wide range of resources that aim to address the root of the issue in a holistic manner and in a way that aligns with Church teaching.Here are four Catholic ministries that work with couples carrying the cross of infertility:Springs in the DesertSprings in the Desert is a Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2019 by Kimberly Henkel and Ann Koshute after they recognized how isolating infertility can be and how little pastoral support existed within the Church. The ministry exists to accompany women and couples spiritually and emotionally, helping them encounter God’s love and discover a broader understanding of fruitfulness beyond biological parenthood. Rooted deeply in Catholic teaching on marriage, human dignity, and reproductive ethics, it also works to educate clergy and lay leaders about the unique grief and needs associated with infertility.The ministry offers a wide range of resources, including retreats, small groups, blog reflections, a podcast, and virtual and in-person events designed to foster community and healing.For this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week, Springs in the Desert has partnered with Ascension to launch two free spiritual resources designed specifically for couples experiencing this hardship. They are a 15-part “Scripture and Saints” audio series featuring biblical figures such as Sarah and Abraham, Ruth and Naomi, Hannah and Elkanah, St. Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, the woman with the hemorrhage, and St. Paul who connect the listener to the lived experience of infertility, and a novena inviting couples to pray with titles of Our Lady such as Our Lady of Sorrows and Queen of Families in order to invoke the Blessed Mother during times of grief and loss.Both resources will be available beginning April 19 in the Ascension app.The Fruitful HollowThe Fruitful Hollow is an online Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2021 by Lauren Allen after her own experience of infertility inspired her to create a space rooted in Church teaching and authentic support. The ministry focuses on helping women and couples live out their vocation with purpose during infertility, emphasizing that fruitfulness is not limited to having children but can be lived out in many spiritual and relational ways. It aims to address the lack of conversation and resources within Catholic circles and to guide people toward holiness in the midst of suffering. Lauren Allen, the founder of the Catholic infertility ministry the Fruitful Hollow, with her husband. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Lauren Allen The ministry provides weekly blog reflections, a mentorship program titled “Sisters of Hannah,” and a wide range of downloadable resources that address grief, medical decisions, marriage, and spiritual growth. It also offers tools for prayer, education on ethical fertility treatments, and even a memorial space for those who have experienced loss.Lily of the ValleyLily of the Valley is a Catholic lay ministry founded in 2022 to support families facing infertility, pregnancy loss, and difficult prenatal or postnatal diagnoses. Rooted in Catholic teaching and devotion — especially to St. Gianna Molla — the ministry’s mission is to accompany those carrying the cross of early-life suffering with prayer, compassion, and spiritual solidarity.The ministry’s work focuses on providing both spiritual and community-based support, particularly through tangible and relational resources. One of its most distinctive offerings is personalized prayer care packages, which include sacramentals, prayer cards, and handwritten notes designed to bring comfort and encourage prayer during difficult times.In addition, Lily of the Valley offers online support groups, curated spiritual resources, and opportunities for prayer accompaniment, helping women and families feel less alone and more supported within a faith-filled community as they navigate infertility and related struggles.Elizabeth MinistryA parish-based Catholic outreach founded in 1991 in Wisconsin, Elizabeth Ministry is designed to support women and families during critical reproductive and family life experiences, including infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy, and adoption. The ministry is inspired by the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, emphasizing accompaniment, presence, and shared faith. Its mission is to affirm the dignity of life and provide emotional, spiritual, and practical care to women navigating difficult or unexpected journeys.The ministry operates primarily through local parish chapters, offering one-on-one mentoring, meal support, prayer networks, and companionship for women experiencing infertility or loss. It also provides training materials, spiritual reflections, and structured programs to help parishes build supportive communities.Elizabeth Ministry’s work is especially valuable for women seeking in-person, relational support within their local Catholic community rather than solely online resources.Several parishes and dioceses have their own programs for couples struggling with infertility. For example, the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, have a program called Behold Your Child, which offers spiritual and emotional support for those experiencing infertility and hosts memorial Masses for those who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.

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In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, here are four Catholic ministries helping couples carry the cross of infertility.

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Beloved Catholic kids book series ‘Chime Travelers’ becomes animated TV show #Catholic The beloved children’s book series “Chime Travelers” has now made an exciting leap from page to screen with its development into an animated TV series, bringing its imaginative world to life in a whole new way. Known for its blend of adventure, time travel, and meaningful life lessons, the Catholic series has captivated young readers with its charming characters and heartfelt storytelling for over 10 years.“Chime Travelers,” written by Catholic author Lisa Hendey, follows twins Patrick and Katie as they travel to different places and time periods — all thanks to some magical church bells — to learn valuable life lessons from the saints.Developed by Family Theater Productions and Herald Entertainment, the new animated series depicts the same stories from the book series and includes episodes on St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and the Holy Family.In an interview with EWTN News, Hendey said she’s “absolutely thrilled with the outcome” of the animated series.She shared that she had been in conversations with Family Theater Productions — a Catholic production studio in Hollywood — since 2017 about adapting the books for television.“They really saw at an early point the potential for the books to become a very dynamic [series], something even bigger than what they were as books, and itʼs been a long path enough to get to where we are now,” Hendey said. Katie meets St. Kateri Tekakwitha in an episode of “Chime Travelers.” | Credit: Family Theater Productions Father David Guffey, executive producer of “Chime Travelers” and the national director of Family Theater Productions, told EWTN News that he believed this series needed to be made because there aren’t many options in terms of Catholic media for children.“If you look at all the media thatʼs out there, thereʼs not much for Catholic children,” he said. “Thereʼs a lot for Catholic teens. Thereʼs a lot for Catholic adults. Thereʼs not a lot of Catholic childrenʼs programming. And we decided just to take a risk on this animated series so that thereʼd be another option for parents that wanted something solid to show their children.”While the book series only included five stories, the animated series will have more saint stories made into episodes for future seasons. For these additional stories, Hendey is serving as a consultant.“Iʼm so delighted that they continue to involve my voice and to give me the chance to say, ‘Well, I donʼt think my character would say that, or have we tried this, or have we thought about this?’ But the new stories are — theyʼre so exciting because theyʼre brand-new. I didnʼt write books about them,” she said. “And now the question will be, do we adapt books from those or what happens next?”Guffey, who is also a biblical consultant on the hit series “The Chosen," said he believes the rise in popularity in faith-based movies and shows being created has “been a long time in coming.”“For a long time, executives in Hollywood didnʼt believe that Christians were an audience,” he explained. “They didnʼt believe there was a faith-based audience and so they were very reluctant to fund or distribute projects. Weʼve had some big signs that there is an audience. Christians have proved themselves.”He highlighted “The Passion of the Christ” as the faith-based movie that opened the doors for other faith-based films to be created and “The Chosen” for doing the same for faith-based television series.“Christians and Catholics are showing they will seek out the kind of content that suits their families and their faith. And thatʼs going to change Hollywood — the business side of Hollywood especially,” Guffey added.The Catholic priest also emphasized the importance of creating faith-based media specifically for children.“With an adult show, adults will watch it once and theyʼre done. But with childrenʼs shows, if theyʼre of any quality at all, children will watch them over and over and over again. So, these shows and these stories really form young people in a really significant way,” he said.Hendey added that she’s grateful “we have now programming thatʼs not only faithful — because we always wanted to be faithful and we always wanted to really speak to the truth and the beauty and the goodness of our Church — but also thatʼs fun, thatʼs compelling, that kids want to watch over and over again.”As for her hopes for the series, Hendey said: “I hope that the kids who watch this, in particular, understand the agency that they have in their own lives to learn valuable lessons from the community of saints and to be a force for good in our world. We need them. We need their hearts and their purity and the love that they have, and so I hope they feel emboldened to realize that they really can make change in their world and in our world.”Guffey added: “When youʼre a kid, you think the problem youʼre going through, youʼre the only one that ever had it and you think you can be a very lonely place. I hope the series shows that first of all, Katie and Patrick go through some of the things they go through at school or at home, but also that the saints and the people whoʼve gone before us have gone through the same thing. And we can draw on the wisdom and the experience of others to gracefully move through the problems, the troubles that we encounter in our lives today.”“The lives of the saints are the lives of the Gospel in action. And I think itʼs important that children see how faith is put into practice,” Guffey shared. “And when we tell the stories of the saints, we are really telling the story of people who put their faith into practice in the good times and in the more difficult times.”“Chime Travelers” can be watched on Formed and on Hallow.
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Beloved Catholic kids book series ‘Chime Travelers’ becomes animated TV show #Catholic The beloved children’s book series “Chime Travelers” has now made an exciting leap from page to screen with its development into an animated TV series, bringing its imaginative world to life in a whole new way. Known for its blend of adventure, time travel, and meaningful life lessons, the Catholic series has captivated young readers with its charming characters and heartfelt storytelling for over 10 years.“Chime Travelers,” written by Catholic author Lisa Hendey, follows twins Patrick and Katie as they travel to different places and time periods — all thanks to some magical church bells — to learn valuable life lessons from the saints.Developed by Family Theater Productions and Herald Entertainment, the new animated series depicts the same stories from the book series and includes episodes on St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and the Holy Family.In an interview with EWTN News, Hendey said she’s “absolutely thrilled with the outcome” of the animated series.She shared that she had been in conversations with Family Theater Productions — a Catholic production studio in Hollywood — since 2017 about adapting the books for television.“They really saw at an early point the potential for the books to become a very dynamic [series], something even bigger than what they were as books, and itʼs been a long path enough to get to where we are now,” Hendey said. Katie meets St. Kateri Tekakwitha in an episode of “Chime Travelers.” | Credit: Family Theater Productions Father David Guffey, executive producer of “Chime Travelers” and the national director of Family Theater Productions, told EWTN News that he believed this series needed to be made because there aren’t many options in terms of Catholic media for children.“If you look at all the media thatʼs out there, thereʼs not much for Catholic children,” he said. “Thereʼs a lot for Catholic teens. Thereʼs a lot for Catholic adults. Thereʼs not a lot of Catholic childrenʼs programming. And we decided just to take a risk on this animated series so that thereʼd be another option for parents that wanted something solid to show their children.”While the book series only included five stories, the animated series will have more saint stories made into episodes for future seasons. For these additional stories, Hendey is serving as a consultant.“Iʼm so delighted that they continue to involve my voice and to give me the chance to say, ‘Well, I donʼt think my character would say that, or have we tried this, or have we thought about this?’ But the new stories are — theyʼre so exciting because theyʼre brand-new. I didnʼt write books about them,” she said. “And now the question will be, do we adapt books from those or what happens next?”Guffey, who is also a biblical consultant on the hit series “The Chosen," said he believes the rise in popularity in faith-based movies and shows being created has “been a long time in coming.”“For a long time, executives in Hollywood didnʼt believe that Christians were an audience,” he explained. “They didnʼt believe there was a faith-based audience and so they were very reluctant to fund or distribute projects. Weʼve had some big signs that there is an audience. Christians have proved themselves.”He highlighted “The Passion of the Christ” as the faith-based movie that opened the doors for other faith-based films to be created and “The Chosen” for doing the same for faith-based television series.“Christians and Catholics are showing they will seek out the kind of content that suits their families and their faith. And thatʼs going to change Hollywood — the business side of Hollywood especially,” Guffey added.The Catholic priest also emphasized the importance of creating faith-based media specifically for children.“With an adult show, adults will watch it once and theyʼre done. But with childrenʼs shows, if theyʼre of any quality at all, children will watch them over and over and over again. So, these shows and these stories really form young people in a really significant way,” he said.Hendey added that she’s grateful “we have now programming thatʼs not only faithful — because we always wanted to be faithful and we always wanted to really speak to the truth and the beauty and the goodness of our Church — but also thatʼs fun, thatʼs compelling, that kids want to watch over and over again.”As for her hopes for the series, Hendey said: “I hope that the kids who watch this, in particular, understand the agency that they have in their own lives to learn valuable lessons from the community of saints and to be a force for good in our world. We need them. We need their hearts and their purity and the love that they have, and so I hope they feel emboldened to realize that they really can make change in their world and in our world.”Guffey added: “When youʼre a kid, you think the problem youʼre going through, youʼre the only one that ever had it and you think you can be a very lonely place. I hope the series shows that first of all, Katie and Patrick go through some of the things they go through at school or at home, but also that the saints and the people whoʼve gone before us have gone through the same thing. And we can draw on the wisdom and the experience of others to gracefully move through the problems, the troubles that we encounter in our lives today.”“The lives of the saints are the lives of the Gospel in action. And I think itʼs important that children see how faith is put into practice,” Guffey shared. “And when we tell the stories of the saints, we are really telling the story of people who put their faith into practice in the good times and in the more difficult times.”“Chime Travelers” can be watched on Formed and on Hallow.

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The new animated series depicts the same stories from the books, including episodes on St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and the Holy Family.

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Pope Leo XIV in Angola: ‘Build the hope of the future’ – #Catholic – KILAMBA, Angola — Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass in Angola on Sunday in Kilamba, a fast-growing city about 20 miles from the capital, Luanda, telling the faithful that Angola must “look to the future with hope” and “build the hope of the future.”Kilamba, inaugurated in 2011, has grown into a city of about 130,000 inhabitants, according to the most recent Angolan government census. Built with financing tied to a Chinese public investment company, the city’s layout and architecture evoke the urban planning of Chinese population centers more than that of a typical African city.Yet the atmosphere at the papal Mass was unmistakably African.About 100,000 faithful packed the large esplanade where the Eucharistic celebration took place. Many wore traditional Angolan dress. Scouts were present in large numbers, along with members of the military, doctors, nurses, priests, and missionaries — lay and religious — who have worked in Angola for years and did not want to miss the occasion.“This visit is an occasion of celebration and hope, for us and for this beautiful land that is Angola,” a Polish missionary from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary told EWTN News.At around 10:15 a.m. local time, Pope Leo began the Mass. The entrance procession was accompanied by a hymn marked by both faith and enthusiasm, hallmarks of the African crowds that have greeted the pontiff throughout this trip.“I celebrate the Eucharist here among you with a grateful heart. Thanks be to God for this gift, and thank you for your warm welcome!” the pope said at the start of his homily.Reflecting on the Gospel account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Leo said he saw in that scene “a reflection of the history of Angola, of this beautiful yet wounded country, which hungers and thirsts for hope, peace, and fraternity.”He continued: “Indeed, the conversation along the road between the two disciples, who reflected with sorrow on what had happened to their Master, brings to mind the pain that has marked your country: a long civil war with its aftermath of enmities and divisions, of squandered resources and poverty.”“When one is long immersed in a history so characterized by pain, one can risk losing hope and remaining paralyzed by discouragement, just like the two disciples,” he said.The pope then pointed to what he called the central Christian answer to such suffering: “Dear friends, the good news of the Lord, even for us today, is precisely this: He is alive, he has risen, and he walks beside us as we journey along the path of suffering and bitterness, opening our eyes so that we may recognize his work and granting us the grace to start afresh and rebuild the future.”Recalling how Christ accompanied the two disciples in their disappointment, Leo said the same path is now set before Angola.“Here, too, is the path laid out for us, for you, dear Angolan brothers and sisters, to begin anew. On the one hand, there is the certainty that the Lord accompanies us and has compassion on us, and on the other, the commitment that he asks from us,” he said.The pope stressed prayer, Scripture, and especially the Eucharist as the place where believers encounter God and renew hope. He also warned against distortions of faith.“For this reason, we must always be vigilant regarding those forms of traditional religiosity that certainly belong to the roots of your culture, but at the same time risk confusing and mixing magical and superstitious elements that do not aid your spiritual journey,” he said.“Remain faithful to what the Church teaches, trust your pastors, and keep your gaze fixed on Jesus, who reveals himself in the word and in the Eucharist,” he added.Leo then turned to the mission of the Church in Angola, saying the country’s continuing hardships require “the presence of a Church that knows how to walk alongside you and how to heed the cry of its children.”“A Church that, with the light of the word and the nourishment of the Eucharist, knows how to rekindle lost hope,” he said. “A Church made up of people like you who give of themselves just as Jesus gave of himself in the breaking of the bread for the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.”“Angola needs bishops, priests, missionaries, men and women religious, and laypeople who carry in their hearts the desire to ‘break’ their own lives and give them to others, to commit themselves to mutual love and forgiveness, to build spaces of fraternity and peace, and to perform acts of compassion and solidarity towards those most in need,” the pope said.In the final part of the homily, Leo appealed for national renewal, saying that “it is possible to build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear, and where the scourge of corruption is healed by a new culture of justice and sharing.”“Only in this way will a promising future be possible, especially for the many young people who have lost hope,” he said.He concluded with a direct appeal: “Brothers and sisters, today we need to look to the future with hope and to build the hope of the future. Do not be afraid to do so!”The pope assured those present of his closeness and prayers and entrusted the people of Angola to the protection of the Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Muxima.Before leading the “Regina Coeli” after the Mass, Pope Leo turned to several international crises. He lamented the “recent intensification of attacks against Ukraine,” noting that civilians continue to suffer, and said: “I express my closeness to all who suffer and assure my prayers for all the Ukrainian people. I renew my appeal for the weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be followed.”The pope also referred to the announced truce in Lebanon, saying it “is a cause for hope” and “a sign of relief for the Lebanese people.”He added: “I encourage those engaged in a diplomatic solution to continue peace talks for the end of hostilities throughout the Middle East.”Even after the celebration ended, the enthusiasm of the faithful did not fade. The crowd seemed reluctant to let the pope go, continuing with songs, dancing, and jubilant cries as the color and joy of the occasion carried on across the vast gathering space.This story was first published in two parts by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo XIV in Angola: ‘Build the hope of the future’ – #Catholic – KILAMBA, Angola — Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass in Angola on Sunday in Kilamba, a fast-growing city about 20 miles from the capital, Luanda, telling the faithful that Angola must “look to the future with hope” and “build the hope of the future.”Kilamba, inaugurated in 2011, has grown into a city of about 130,000 inhabitants, according to the most recent Angolan government census. Built with financing tied to a Chinese public investment company, the city’s layout and architecture evoke the urban planning of Chinese population centers more than that of a typical African city.Yet the atmosphere at the papal Mass was unmistakably African.About 100,000 faithful packed the large esplanade where the Eucharistic celebration took place. Many wore traditional Angolan dress. Scouts were present in large numbers, along with members of the military, doctors, nurses, priests, and missionaries — lay and religious — who have worked in Angola for years and did not want to miss the occasion.“This visit is an occasion of celebration and hope, for us and for this beautiful land that is Angola,” a Polish missionary from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary told EWTN News.At around 10:15 a.m. local time, Pope Leo began the Mass. The entrance procession was accompanied by a hymn marked by both faith and enthusiasm, hallmarks of the African crowds that have greeted the pontiff throughout this trip.“I celebrate the Eucharist here among you with a grateful heart. Thanks be to God for this gift, and thank you for your warm welcome!” the pope said at the start of his homily.Reflecting on the Gospel account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Leo said he saw in that scene “a reflection of the history of Angola, of this beautiful yet wounded country, which hungers and thirsts for hope, peace, and fraternity.”He continued: “Indeed, the conversation along the road between the two disciples, who reflected with sorrow on what had happened to their Master, brings to mind the pain that has marked your country: a long civil war with its aftermath of enmities and divisions, of squandered resources and poverty.”“When one is long immersed in a history so characterized by pain, one can risk losing hope and remaining paralyzed by discouragement, just like the two disciples,” he said.The pope then pointed to what he called the central Christian answer to such suffering: “Dear friends, the good news of the Lord, even for us today, is precisely this: He is alive, he has risen, and he walks beside us as we journey along the path of suffering and bitterness, opening our eyes so that we may recognize his work and granting us the grace to start afresh and rebuild the future.”Recalling how Christ accompanied the two disciples in their disappointment, Leo said the same path is now set before Angola.“Here, too, is the path laid out for us, for you, dear Angolan brothers and sisters, to begin anew. On the one hand, there is the certainty that the Lord accompanies us and has compassion on us, and on the other, the commitment that he asks from us,” he said.The pope stressed prayer, Scripture, and especially the Eucharist as the place where believers encounter God and renew hope. He also warned against distortions of faith.“For this reason, we must always be vigilant regarding those forms of traditional religiosity that certainly belong to the roots of your culture, but at the same time risk confusing and mixing magical and superstitious elements that do not aid your spiritual journey,” he said.“Remain faithful to what the Church teaches, trust your pastors, and keep your gaze fixed on Jesus, who reveals himself in the word and in the Eucharist,” he added.Leo then turned to the mission of the Church in Angola, saying the country’s continuing hardships require “the presence of a Church that knows how to walk alongside you and how to heed the cry of its children.”“A Church that, with the light of the word and the nourishment of the Eucharist, knows how to rekindle lost hope,” he said. “A Church made up of people like you who give of themselves just as Jesus gave of himself in the breaking of the bread for the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.”“Angola needs bishops, priests, missionaries, men and women religious, and laypeople who carry in their hearts the desire to ‘break’ their own lives and give them to others, to commit themselves to mutual love and forgiveness, to build spaces of fraternity and peace, and to perform acts of compassion and solidarity towards those most in need,” the pope said.In the final part of the homily, Leo appealed for national renewal, saying that “it is possible to build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear, and where the scourge of corruption is healed by a new culture of justice and sharing.”“Only in this way will a promising future be possible, especially for the many young people who have lost hope,” he said.He concluded with a direct appeal: “Brothers and sisters, today we need to look to the future with hope and to build the hope of the future. Do not be afraid to do so!”The pope assured those present of his closeness and prayers and entrusted the people of Angola to the protection of the Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Muxima.Before leading the “Regina Coeli” after the Mass, Pope Leo turned to several international crises. He lamented the “recent intensification of attacks against Ukraine,” noting that civilians continue to suffer, and said: “I express my closeness to all who suffer and assure my prayers for all the Ukrainian people. I renew my appeal for the weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be followed.”The pope also referred to the announced truce in Lebanon, saying it “is a cause for hope” and “a sign of relief for the Lebanese people.”He added: “I encourage those engaged in a diplomatic solution to continue peace talks for the end of hostilities throughout the Middle East.”Even after the celebration ended, the enthusiasm of the faithful did not fade. The crowd seemed reluctant to let the pope go, continuing with songs, dancing, and jubilant cries as the color and joy of the occasion carried on across the vast gathering space.This story was first published in two parts by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The pontiff urged the country to overcome old divisions, reject corruption, and help young people recover hope.

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The Sky Today on Sunday, April 19: The Moon passes above the Pleiades

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Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column.  April 18: Venus moves into Taurus The Moon passes 5° north of Venus at 5 A.M. EDT, then passes 5° north of Uranus at 2 P.M. EDT. By this evening, our satellite is more than 2.5 days old and some 10 percentContinue reading “The Sky Today on Sunday, April 19: The Moon passes above the Pleiades”

The post The Sky Today on Sunday, April 19: The Moon passes above the Pleiades appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Stewardship Prayer: Prayer of the Day for Sunday, April 19, 2026 – #Prayer – Almighty and ever-faithful Lord, gratefully acknowledging Your mercy and humbly admitting our need, we pledge our trust in You and each other. Filled with desire, we respond to Your call for discipleship by shaping our lives in imitation of Christ. We profess that the call requires us to be stewards of Your gifts. As stewards, we receive Your gifts gratefully, cherish and tend them in a responsible manner, share them in practice and love with others, and …

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Almighty and ever-faithful Lord,
gratefully acknowledging Your mercy
and humbly admitting our need,
we pledge our trust in You and each other.

Filled with desire,
we respond to Your call for discipleship
by shaping our lives in imitation of Christ.
We profess that the call requires us
to be stewards of Your gifts.
As stewards, we receive Your gifts gratefully,
cherish and tend them in a responsible manner,
share them in practice and love with others,
and …

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 19 April 2026 – A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:14, 22-33 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: "You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. "My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured him forth, as you see and hear."   A reading from the Letter of  Peter 1:17-21 Beloved: If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one’s works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.From the Gospel according to Luke 24:13-35 That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.The disciples of Emmaus walk sadly because they hoped for a different ending, for a Messiah who did not know the cross. Although they have heard that the tomb is empty, they cannot smile. But Jesus walks alongside them and patiently helps them understand that pain is not the denial of the promise, but the way through which God has manifested the measure of his love (cf. Lk 24:13-27). When they are finally seated at the table with him and break bread, their eyes are opened. They realize that their hearts were already burning, even though they did not know it (cf. Lk 24:28-32). This is the greatest surprise: to discover that beneath the ashes of disenchantment and weariness there is always a living ember, waiting only to be rekindled. Brothers and sisters, Christ’s resurrection teaches us that no history is so marked by disappointment or sin that it cannot be visited by hope. No fall is definitive, no night is eternal, no wound is destined to remain open forever. However distant, lost or unworthy we may feel, there is no distance that can extinguish the unfailing power of God’s love.  (Pope Leo XIV, General Audience, 8 October 2025)

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A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2:14, 22-33

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
"You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.
Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
You who are Israelites, hear these words.
Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God
with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,
which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.
This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,
you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.
But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,
because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
For David says of him:
I saw the Lord ever before me,
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;
my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.

"My brothers, one can confidently say to you
about the patriarch David that he died and was buried,
and his tomb is in our midst to this day.
But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him
that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,
that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld
nor did his flesh see corruption.
God raised this Jesus;
of this we are all witnesses.
Exalted at the right hand of God,
he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father
and poured him forth, as you see and hear."

 

A reading from the Letter of  Peter
1:17-21

Beloved:
If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially
according to each one’s works,
conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,
realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,
handed on by your ancestors,
not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious blood of Christ
as of a spotless unblemished lamb.

He was known before the foundation of the world
but revealed in the final time for you,
who through him believe in God
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are in God.

From the Gospel according to Luke
24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week,
two of Jesus’ disciples were going
to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them,
"What are you discussing as you walk along?"
They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem
who does not know of the things
that have taken place there in these days?"
And he replied to them, "What sort of things?"
They said to him,
"The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over
to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;
and besides all this,
it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:
they were at the tomb early in the morning
and did not find his body;
they came back and reported
that they had indeed seen a vision of angels
who announced that he was alive.
Then some of those with us went to the tomb
and found things just as the women had described,
but him they did not see."
And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are!
How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?"
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,
he interpreted to them what referred to him
in all the Scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, "Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over."
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other,
"Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem
where they found gathered together
the eleven and those with them who were saying,
"The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"
Then the two recounted
what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

The disciples of Emmaus walk sadly because they hoped for a different ending, for a Messiah who did not know the cross. Although they have heard that the tomb is empty, they cannot smile. But Jesus walks alongside them and patiently helps them understand that pain is not the denial of the promise, but the way through which God has manifested the measure of his love (cf. Lk 24:13-27). When they are finally seated at the table with him and break bread, their eyes are opened. They realize that their hearts were already burning, even though they did not know it (cf. Lk 24:28-32). This is the greatest surprise: to discover that beneath the ashes of disenchantment and weariness there is always a living ember, waiting only to be rekindled.

Brothers and sisters, Christ’s resurrection teaches us that no history is so marked by disappointment or sin that it cannot be visited by hope. No fall is definitive, no night is eternal, no wound is destined to remain open forever. However distant, lost or unworthy we may feel, there is no distance that can extinguish the unfailing power of God’s love.  (Pope Leo XIV, General Audience, 8 October 2025)

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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV departs Cameroon, journeys to Angola – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 18, saying Holy Mass in Cameroon before departing for Angola on the next leg of his visit. The Holy Father will spend several days in Angola before finishing his trip in Equatorial Guinea. This is his first papal trip to the continent. Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leoʼs latest activities during his trip: Pope Leo XIV waves to Catholics while at Yaoundé-Ville Airport to say Holy Mass, Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Catholics smile and wave during a papal Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to Catholics during Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV poses with Catholics at Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets Catholics during Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets Archbishop of Yaoundé Monsignor Jean Mbarga during Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV holds a baby while at Yaoundé-Ville Airport to say Mass in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV views a farewell ceremony at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists aboard the papal plane en route to Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV deboards the papal plane at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV receives a ceremonial greeting upon his arrival at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV receives a ceremonial greeting upon his arrival at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV receives flowers upon his arrival at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV meets with Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço in Luanda, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV meets with Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço in Luanda, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço speak in Luanda, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV sits during a meeting with government officials and civil leaders in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço during a meeting with government officials and civil leaders in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to government officials and civil leaders in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço during a meeting with government officials and civil leaders in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets a child in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV departs Cameroon, journeys to Angola – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 18, saying Holy Mass in Cameroon before departing for Angola on the next leg of his visit. The Holy Father will spend several days in Angola before finishing his trip in Equatorial Guinea. This is his first papal trip to the continent. Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leoʼs latest activities during his trip: Pope Leo XIV waves to Catholics while at Yaoundé-Ville Airport to say Holy Mass, Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Catholics smile and wave during a papal Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to Catholics during Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV poses with Catholics at Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets Catholics during Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets Archbishop of Yaoundé Monsignor Jean Mbarga during Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV holds a baby while at Yaoundé-Ville Airport to say Mass in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV views a farewell ceremony at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport in Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists aboard the papal plane en route to Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV deboards the papal plane at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV receives a ceremonial greeting upon his arrival at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV receives a ceremonial greeting upon his arrival at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV receives flowers upon his arrival at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV meets with Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço in Luanda, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV meets with Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço in Luanda, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço speak in Luanda, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV sits during a meeting with government officials and civil leaders in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço during a meeting with government officials and civil leaders in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to government officials and civil leaders in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço during a meeting with government officials and civil leaders in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets a child in Luanda, Angola, Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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The Holy Father will spend several days in Angola before finishing his trip in Equatorial Guinea.

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Pope Leo XIV urges Angola to ‘remove the obstacles to integral human development’ #Catholic LUANDA, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on April 18 called on Angola’s leaders and people to “remove the obstacles to integral human development,” urging them to choose the path of the common good, resist exploitative interests, and preserve the hope and joy that, he said, remain among Africa’s greatest treasures.The pope spoke at the presidential palace in Luanda during his meeting with authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps, the first public event of the Angola leg of his broader trip to Africa.Arriving in Luanda earlier in the day, Leo traveled by popemobile through jubilant crowds lining the route to the palace. He also held a private meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço before delivering his address.At the outset of his speech, the pope expressed solidarity with those affected by recent flooding in the country.“Before continuing, I would like to offer the assurance of my prayers for the victims of the heavy rains and floods that have struck the province of Benguela, and to express my closeness to the families who have lost their homes,” he said. “I also know that you, the people of Angola, are united in a great chain of solidarity with those affected.”His remarks came against the backdrop of mounting social strains in Angola, including protests last year over fuel price increases, repeated criticism by the country’s bishops over entrenched corruption, and deadly flooding in early April.Leo framed his address around themes that have marked earlier stops on his Africa trip, including peace, reconciliation, the common good, and criticism of those who exploit the continent for personal gain.Speaking in Portuguese, the pope praised the Angolan people for possessing “treasures that cannot be bought or taken away.”“In particular, there dwells within you a joy that not even the most adverse circumstances have been able to extinguish,” he said. This joy, he added, “is no stranger to sorrow, indignation, disappointment and defeat,” yet continues to be reborn in those who have resisted “the seductions of wealth.”The pope sharply criticized patterns of exploitation directed at Africa.“You know well that all too often people have looked — and continue to look — to your lands in order to give, or, more commonly, in order to take,” he said. “It is necessary to break this cycle of interests, which reduces reality, and even life itself, to mere commodities.”Leo described Africa’s joy and hope as “virtues that I would not hesitate to call ‘political,’” because “her young people and her poor continue to dream and to hope.” He said they “are not content with what already exists; they strive to rise above, to prepare themselves for great responsibilities, and to take an active part in shaping their own future.”He also emphasized that authentic social transformation cannot be imposed ideologically.“Indeed, the wisdom of a people cannot be stifled by any ideology, and the longing for the infinite that dwells in the human heart is a principle of social transformation far deeper than any political or cultural program,” he said.The pope said he had come to “listen to and encourage all those who have already chosen the paths of goodness, justice, peace, tolerance and reconciliation,” while also praying “for the conversion of those who choose contrary paths and hinder its harmonious and fraternal development.”Turning to Angola’s natural wealth, Leo warned against what he called a destructive extractive logic.“How much suffering, how many deaths, how many social and environmental disasters are brought about by this logic of extractivism!” he said. At every level, he added, it supports “a model of development that discriminates and excludes, while still presuming to impose itself as the only viable option.”He said Africa “urgently needs to overcome situations and dynamics of conflict and enmity that tear apart the social and political fabric of many countries, fostering poverty and exclusion.”Only encounter allows life to flourish, the pope said, and dialogue must come first, even when disagreements emerge.“Angola can experience great growth if, first of all, those who hold authority in the country believe in the manifold nature of its riches,” he said. “Do not be afraid of disagreement; do not suppress the ideas of the young or the dreams of the elderly; and know how to manage conflicts by transforming them into paths of renewal. Place the common good before every particular interest, never confusing your own part with the whole. History will then vindicate you, even if in the near term some may oppose you.”Leo then returned to the themes of joy and hope, describing them not as merely private sentiments but as forces with public and political consequences.“Despots and tyrants of both body and spirit seek to render souls passive and passions gloomy; they prefer a populace prone to inertia, docile and subservient to power,” he said.Sadness, he argued, leaves people vulnerable to fear, fanaticism, manipulation, and isolation from public life. By contrast, “true joy frees us from such alienation,” he said, calling joy “a gift of the Holy Spirit.”“Joy intensifies life and leads to the creation of community,” the pope said. “Joy knows how to carve paths even in the darkest zones of stagnation and hardship.”He concluded with an appeal for moral and social renewal.“Let us therefore examine our own hearts, dear friends, because without joy there is no renewal; without interiority there is no liberation; without encounter there is no politics; without the other there is no justice.”Leo said the Catholic Church wants to help Angola become “a project of hope” by fostering a just model of coexistence, especially in poor urban neighborhoods and remote rural areas.“Let us remove the obstacles to integral human development, working and hoping together alongside those whom the world has discarded but whom God has chosen,” he said.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo XIV urges Angola to ‘remove the obstacles to integral human development’ #Catholic LUANDA, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on April 18 called on Angola’s leaders and people to “remove the obstacles to integral human development,” urging them to choose the path of the common good, resist exploitative interests, and preserve the hope and joy that, he said, remain among Africa’s greatest treasures.The pope spoke at the presidential palace in Luanda during his meeting with authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps, the first public event of the Angola leg of his broader trip to Africa.Arriving in Luanda earlier in the day, Leo traveled by popemobile through jubilant crowds lining the route to the palace. He also held a private meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço before delivering his address.At the outset of his speech, the pope expressed solidarity with those affected by recent flooding in the country.“Before continuing, I would like to offer the assurance of my prayers for the victims of the heavy rains and floods that have struck the province of Benguela, and to express my closeness to the families who have lost their homes,” he said. “I also know that you, the people of Angola, are united in a great chain of solidarity with those affected.”His remarks came against the backdrop of mounting social strains in Angola, including protests last year over fuel price increases, repeated criticism by the country’s bishops over entrenched corruption, and deadly flooding in early April.Leo framed his address around themes that have marked earlier stops on his Africa trip, including peace, reconciliation, the common good, and criticism of those who exploit the continent for personal gain.Speaking in Portuguese, the pope praised the Angolan people for possessing “treasures that cannot be bought or taken away.”“In particular, there dwells within you a joy that not even the most adverse circumstances have been able to extinguish,” he said. This joy, he added, “is no stranger to sorrow, indignation, disappointment and defeat,” yet continues to be reborn in those who have resisted “the seductions of wealth.”The pope sharply criticized patterns of exploitation directed at Africa.“You know well that all too often people have looked — and continue to look — to your lands in order to give, or, more commonly, in order to take,” he said. “It is necessary to break this cycle of interests, which reduces reality, and even life itself, to mere commodities.”Leo described Africa’s joy and hope as “virtues that I would not hesitate to call ‘political,’” because “her young people and her poor continue to dream and to hope.” He said they “are not content with what already exists; they strive to rise above, to prepare themselves for great responsibilities, and to take an active part in shaping their own future.”He also emphasized that authentic social transformation cannot be imposed ideologically.“Indeed, the wisdom of a people cannot be stifled by any ideology, and the longing for the infinite that dwells in the human heart is a principle of social transformation far deeper than any political or cultural program,” he said.The pope said he had come to “listen to and encourage all those who have already chosen the paths of goodness, justice, peace, tolerance and reconciliation,” while also praying “for the conversion of those who choose contrary paths and hinder its harmonious and fraternal development.”Turning to Angola’s natural wealth, Leo warned against what he called a destructive extractive logic.“How much suffering, how many deaths, how many social and environmental disasters are brought about by this logic of extractivism!” he said. At every level, he added, it supports “a model of development that discriminates and excludes, while still presuming to impose itself as the only viable option.”He said Africa “urgently needs to overcome situations and dynamics of conflict and enmity that tear apart the social and political fabric of many countries, fostering poverty and exclusion.”Only encounter allows life to flourish, the pope said, and dialogue must come first, even when disagreements emerge.“Angola can experience great growth if, first of all, those who hold authority in the country believe in the manifold nature of its riches,” he said. “Do not be afraid of disagreement; do not suppress the ideas of the young or the dreams of the elderly; and know how to manage conflicts by transforming them into paths of renewal. Place the common good before every particular interest, never confusing your own part with the whole. History will then vindicate you, even if in the near term some may oppose you.”Leo then returned to the themes of joy and hope, describing them not as merely private sentiments but as forces with public and political consequences.“Despots and tyrants of both body and spirit seek to render souls passive and passions gloomy; they prefer a populace prone to inertia, docile and subservient to power,” he said.Sadness, he argued, leaves people vulnerable to fear, fanaticism, manipulation, and isolation from public life. By contrast, “true joy frees us from such alienation,” he said, calling joy “a gift of the Holy Spirit.”“Joy intensifies life and leads to the creation of community,” the pope said. “Joy knows how to carve paths even in the darkest zones of stagnation and hardship.”He concluded with an appeal for moral and social renewal.“Let us therefore examine our own hearts, dear friends, because without joy there is no renewal; without interiority there is no liberation; without encounter there is no politics; without the other there is no justice.”Leo said the Catholic Church wants to help Angola become “a project of hope” by fostering a just model of coexistence, especially in poor urban neighborhoods and remote rural areas.“Let us remove the obstacles to integral human development, working and hoping together alongside those whom the world has discarded but whom God has chosen,” he said.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The pontiff urged the country to reject exploitative models of development and place the common good above particular interests.

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Pope Leo XIV says debate with Trump is ‘not in my interest at all’ #Catholic ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Leo XIV arrived in Angola after a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Cameroon on April 18, using the short journey to reject suggestions that his recent remarks about war were aimed at U.S. President Donald Trump while reflecting on the pastoral focus of his African trip.In a brief in-flight press conference with journalists, the pope addressed the interpretation of some of his recent speeches as a response to criticism from Trump, who had accused him of weakness in foreign policy.“[T]hereʼs been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when on the first day of the trip, the President of the United States made some comments about myself,” the pope said.“Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said.”He pointed in particular to his address at the April 16 prayer meeting for peace in Cameroon.“Just one little example, the talk that I gave at the prayer meeting for peace a couple days ago was prepared two weeks ago, well before the president ever commented on myself and on the message of peace that I am promoting,” he said.“And yet, as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not in my interest at all.”Leo XIV said he intends instead to continue proclaiming the Gospel and promoting peace.“So we go on the journey, we continue proclaiming the Gospel message,” he said.He added that the liturgies during the trip have highlighted what it means to follow Christ, promote fraternity, and seek justice and peace.The pope also said the broader African journey has been shaped by themes that emerged at the start of the trip in Algeria, especially the figure of St. Augustine.“I was personally very pleased, as you know, we began the trip in Algeria with the theme of Saint Augustine, and yesterday at the Catholic University, we had the blessing of that beautiful monument that they had prepared with a map of Africa and Saint Augustine at the center,” he said.“And so in one sense, it expresses part of what this trip is about.”Leo XIV emphasized that his primary purpose in Africa is to accompany Catholics.“And I primarily come to Africa as pastor, as the head of the Catholic Church, to be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany all of the Catholics throughout Africa.”He also referred to a meeting with imams in Cameroon, describing it in general terms as part of the Church’s continuing commitment to interreligious dialogue, understanding, and peace-building.He concluded his main remarks by thanking journalists for their work and expressing hope that God would continue to bless the journey.Responding later to a French journalist, Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the reception he received in Cameroon.“I would just like to thank everyone in Cameroon for the wonderful welcome, the great enthusiasm, the joy of the people,” he said.“It was absolutely fantastic, the experience … how wonderful it is to experience what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to celebrate our faith together.”The pope’s flight took him from Yaoundé to Luanda, crossing over Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola. Angola is the third and penultimate stop of his African journey.The Catholic Church has longstanding ties with Angola. Formal relations date back centuries, including the 1608 appointment of Antonio Manuel Nyunda as the first ambassador to Rome from the then-Kingdom of Kongo. More recently, in 2019, the Holy See and Angola signed an agreement recognizing the legal personality of the Catholic Church and defining its property rights.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo XIV says debate with Trump is ‘not in my interest at all’ #Catholic ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Leo XIV arrived in Angola after a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Cameroon on April 18, using the short journey to reject suggestions that his recent remarks about war were aimed at U.S. President Donald Trump while reflecting on the pastoral focus of his African trip.In a brief in-flight press conference with journalists, the pope addressed the interpretation of some of his recent speeches as a response to criticism from Trump, who had accused him of weakness in foreign policy.“[T]hereʼs been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when on the first day of the trip, the President of the United States made some comments about myself,” the pope said.“Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said.”He pointed in particular to his address at the April 16 prayer meeting for peace in Cameroon.“Just one little example, the talk that I gave at the prayer meeting for peace a couple days ago was prepared two weeks ago, well before the president ever commented on myself and on the message of peace that I am promoting,” he said.“And yet, as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not in my interest at all.”Leo XIV said he intends instead to continue proclaiming the Gospel and promoting peace.“So we go on the journey, we continue proclaiming the Gospel message,” he said.He added that the liturgies during the trip have highlighted what it means to follow Christ, promote fraternity, and seek justice and peace.The pope also said the broader African journey has been shaped by themes that emerged at the start of the trip in Algeria, especially the figure of St. Augustine.“I was personally very pleased, as you know, we began the trip in Algeria with the theme of Saint Augustine, and yesterday at the Catholic University, we had the blessing of that beautiful monument that they had prepared with a map of Africa and Saint Augustine at the center,” he said.“And so in one sense, it expresses part of what this trip is about.”Leo XIV emphasized that his primary purpose in Africa is to accompany Catholics.“And I primarily come to Africa as pastor, as the head of the Catholic Church, to be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany all of the Catholics throughout Africa.”He also referred to a meeting with imams in Cameroon, describing it in general terms as part of the Church’s continuing commitment to interreligious dialogue, understanding, and peace-building.He concluded his main remarks by thanking journalists for their work and expressing hope that God would continue to bless the journey.Responding later to a French journalist, Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the reception he received in Cameroon.“I would just like to thank everyone in Cameroon for the wonderful welcome, the great enthusiasm, the joy of the people,” he said.“It was absolutely fantastic, the experience … how wonderful it is to experience what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to celebrate our faith together.”The pope’s flight took him from Yaoundé to Luanda, crossing over Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola. Angola is the third and penultimate stop of his African journey.The Catholic Church has longstanding ties with Angola. Formal relations date back centuries, including the 1608 appointment of Antonio Manuel Nyunda as the first ambassador to Rome from the then-Kingdom of Kongo. More recently, in 2019, the Holy See and Angola signed an agreement recognizing the legal personality of the Catholic Church and defining its property rights.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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En route from Cameroon to Angola, the pope said his mission in Africa is pastoral and rejected suggestions that his recent remarks were aimed at President Donald Trump.

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Pope Leo’s Algeria visit revives memory of pro-independence clergy – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Algeria has revived memories of Catholic clergy who sided with Algerians during the struggle for independence, often at considerable personal cost, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Tuesday.Among the most prominent was Cardinal Léon-Étienne Duval, who defended the Algerian people’s right to self-determination and condemned torture during the war, drawing fierce criticism from French colonial circles. Archbishop Henri Teissier continued that line, grounding his ministry in solidarity, dialogue, and a lasting identification with the Algerian people. Bishop Jean Scotto became known for his outspoken opposition to “French Algeria,” while Father Alfred Berenguer argued publicly against colonial violence and for equal citizenship. Bishop Pierre Claverie, later assassinated in Oran in 1996, embodied a Christian presence rooted not in domination but in respect, dialogue, and fidelity to Algeria even in times of bloodshed.Pope Leo’s stop at the Martyrs’ Memorial gave fresh visibility to that often-overlooked chapter of Catholic witness in North Africa.Tanzanian bishop dies days after appointment to Vatican’s Dicastery for CommunicationBishop Bernardin Francis Mfumbusa of the Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania has died at the age of 64, less than a week after Pope Leo XIV appointed him to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication.In a statement announcing the death of Mfumbusa and signed by the secretary-general of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), the conference president said the bishop died on April 14 at 5:45 a.m. while receiving treatment at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, reported Tuesday. “It is with deep sorrow that we lose this relatively young bishop, who was 64 years old,” said TEC Secretary-General Father Charles Kitima in an April 14 video. “Initial treatment showed signs of hope, but by last night his condition worsened, and eventually the time came when he left us.”Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood urges creative faith formation at Slovakia conferenceEuropean leaders of the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood urged renewed “creativity in the new evangelization” at a gathering in Bratislava, Slovakia, this week, Fides News Agency reported Thursday.The April 12–16 conference focused on finding ways to reach children through evangelization, with participants from roughly 20 countries sharing pastoral experiences. Participants heard calls from speakers including Sister Inês Paulo Albino, secretary-general of the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood, and Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, the apostolic nuncio to Slovakia, who stressed missionary zeal and cultural adaptation in spreading the Gospel.Kenyan bishops commend government for ‘relative peace,’ urge defense of marriageThe Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops has lauded the Kenyan government for maintaining relative peace in the country while raising concern over growing threats to human life, the institution of marriage, and key public systems.“We thank God for the relative peace in our country, aware that many parts of the world lack this peace. We in particular pray for peace in the Middle East and anywhere else where people are suffering due to wars,” the bishops said at a press briefing, according to an ACI Africa report on Friday. The bishops also expressed concern over challenges in the civil registration of marriages, including bureaucratic delays, inefficiencies, and a shortage of marriage certificates, which they said are discouraging couples from formalizing unions. “These conditions have discouraged many from contracting marriage, as the statistics show,” they said.Vietnamese film on Catholic dating appeals to broad audienceA Vietnamese-language film examining Catholic dating has grossed nearly million after two weeks at the box office, according to a UCA News report Friday.“Hẹn Em Ngày Nhật Thực” (“See You on the Day of the Eclipse”) follows the romance of a Catholic woman and non-Catholic man as they navigate the question of whether their relationship is possible. “Its success is striking not only because of its subject matter but also because of the audience response,” the report said. “Many viewers — including non-Catholics — have reacted positively to a film that portrays religious life with unusual nuance.”Education workshop in Indonesia urges collaboration between Church and stateChurch leaders in the Diocese of Timika in Central Papua, Indonesia, called for the strengthened partnership between the Indonesian government and the Catholic Church amid teacher shortages and student dropouts in remote areas.Deputy Regent of Mimika Emanuel Kemong urged local governments to work “in synergy” with the diocese to help improve the educational system, Licas News reported Friday. “This is a space for the encounter of ideas and shared struggles — a place where we reflect on the future of Catholic education in Papua,” he said in the wake of the April 13–16 gathering.Church and state leaders congratulate new Chaldean patriarchFormal and ecclesial messages poured in after the Chaldean Synod elected Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona as the new patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, taking the name Patriarch Paul III Nona, ACI MENA reported Monday.Iraqi President Nizar Amidi, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, and Parliament Speaker Haybat al-Halbousi were among the senior officials who congratulated him, each emphasizing coexistence, national unity, and the historic role of Iraq’s Christians.Church leaders across the region followed suit, including Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai, Coptic Catholic Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac, and heads of the Assyrian Church of the East, the Ancient Church of the East, and the Syriac Orthodox Church, reflecting the broad ecclesial significance of the election. Church bells rang in Chaldean communities worldwide, while Nona’s hometown of Alqosh, Iraq, marked the moment with public celebration.
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Pope Leo’s Algeria visit revives memory of pro-independence clergy – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Algeria has revived memories of Catholic clergy who sided with Algerians during the struggle for independence, often at considerable personal cost, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Tuesday.Among the most prominent was Cardinal Léon-Étienne Duval, who defended the Algerian people’s right to self-determination and condemned torture during the war, drawing fierce criticism from French colonial circles. Archbishop Henri Teissier continued that line, grounding his ministry in solidarity, dialogue, and a lasting identification with the Algerian people. Bishop Jean Scotto became known for his outspoken opposition to “French Algeria,” while Father Alfred Berenguer argued publicly against colonial violence and for equal citizenship. Bishop Pierre Claverie, later assassinated in Oran in 1996, embodied a Christian presence rooted not in domination but in respect, dialogue, and fidelity to Algeria even in times of bloodshed.Pope Leo’s stop at the Martyrs’ Memorial gave fresh visibility to that often-overlooked chapter of Catholic witness in North Africa.Tanzanian bishop dies days after appointment to Vatican’s Dicastery for CommunicationBishop Bernardin Francis Mfumbusa of the Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania has died at the age of 64, less than a week after Pope Leo XIV appointed him to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication.In a statement announcing the death of Mfumbusa and signed by the secretary-general of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), the conference president said the bishop died on April 14 at 5:45 a.m. while receiving treatment at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, reported Tuesday. “It is with deep sorrow that we lose this relatively young bishop, who was 64 years old,” said TEC Secretary-General Father Charles Kitima in an April 14 video. “Initial treatment showed signs of hope, but by last night his condition worsened, and eventually the time came when he left us.”Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood urges creative faith formation at Slovakia conferenceEuropean leaders of the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood urged renewed “creativity in the new evangelization” at a gathering in Bratislava, Slovakia, this week, Fides News Agency reported Thursday.The April 12–16 conference focused on finding ways to reach children through evangelization, with participants from roughly 20 countries sharing pastoral experiences. Participants heard calls from speakers including Sister Inês Paulo Albino, secretary-general of the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood, and Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, the apostolic nuncio to Slovakia, who stressed missionary zeal and cultural adaptation in spreading the Gospel.Kenyan bishops commend government for ‘relative peace,’ urge defense of marriageThe Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops has lauded the Kenyan government for maintaining relative peace in the country while raising concern over growing threats to human life, the institution of marriage, and key public systems.“We thank God for the relative peace in our country, aware that many parts of the world lack this peace. We in particular pray for peace in the Middle East and anywhere else where people are suffering due to wars,” the bishops said at a press briefing, according to an ACI Africa report on Friday. The bishops also expressed concern over challenges in the civil registration of marriages, including bureaucratic delays, inefficiencies, and a shortage of marriage certificates, which they said are discouraging couples from formalizing unions. “These conditions have discouraged many from contracting marriage, as the statistics show,” they said.Vietnamese film on Catholic dating appeals to broad audienceA Vietnamese-language film examining Catholic dating has grossed nearly $2 million after two weeks at the box office, according to a UCA News report Friday.“Hẹn Em Ngày Nhật Thực” (“See You on the Day of the Eclipse”) follows the romance of a Catholic woman and non-Catholic man as they navigate the question of whether their relationship is possible. “Its success is striking not only because of its subject matter but also because of the audience response,” the report said. “Many viewers — including non-Catholics — have reacted positively to a film that portrays religious life with unusual nuance.”Education workshop in Indonesia urges collaboration between Church and stateChurch leaders in the Diocese of Timika in Central Papua, Indonesia, called for the strengthened partnership between the Indonesian government and the Catholic Church amid teacher shortages and student dropouts in remote areas.Deputy Regent of Mimika Emanuel Kemong urged local governments to work “in synergy” with the diocese to help improve the educational system, Licas News reported Friday. “This is a space for the encounter of ideas and shared struggles — a place where we reflect on the future of Catholic education in Papua,” he said in the wake of the April 13–16 gathering.Church and state leaders congratulate new Chaldean patriarchFormal and ecclesial messages poured in after the Chaldean Synod elected Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona as the new patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, taking the name Patriarch Paul III Nona, ACI MENA reported Monday.Iraqi President Nizar Amidi, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, and Parliament Speaker Haybat al-Halbousi were among the senior officials who congratulated him, each emphasizing coexistence, national unity, and the historic role of Iraq’s Christians.Church leaders across the region followed suit, including Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai, Coptic Catholic Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac, and heads of the Assyrian Church of the East, the Ancient Church of the East, and the Syriac Orthodox Church, reflecting the broad ecclesial significance of the election. Church bells rang in Chaldean communities worldwide, while Nona’s hometown of Alqosh, Iraq, marked the moment with public celebration.

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Memories of Algeria’s independence struggle stirred by pope’s visit, Catholic film on dating makes splash in Vietnam, Kenyan bishops make plea for marriage, and more in this week’s world news roundup.

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John Prevost discusses life as the pope’s brother: ‘We always knew that he had that calling’ – #Catholic – Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost and his older brothers John and Louis grew up living “normal” lives like any other family.Life was “like anyone elseʼs,” John Prevost said in an April 17 interview with “EWTN News In Depth.” “It was regular — go to school, come home, do your homework, go out and play, come in, do your studying, go to bed, and then just repeat that.”“Rob was in Cub Scouts. We were all altar servers,” he said. “I think we were all in the choir … We all went to Catholic education all the way through high school. So I think it was normal. We were out playing. Youʼd play outside until dusk.”Recalling memories from his childhood, Prevost said: “One time we were building a shed in the backyard and Rob fell through the roof. It was just part of the wood was rotted, because we were using old doors from the house for the roof.”Prevost and his brothers were also on “Bozoʼs Circus” in 1960. “It was a kids' program produced by the Chicago local channel WGN. It was an everyday show, and tickets were hard to get. But one of the guys who was in the WGN band taught music to the kids at my dadʼs school.”“So he said, ‘If you kids ever want to go to “Bozoʼs Circus”’ — well, we jumped at the chance because we were on TV.”Aside from the funny memories he has of his brothers, Prevost also reflected on his faith during his childhood.Faith “starts in the home, and then it just gradually would grow and develop. But I think it starts in the home,” he said. “I know periodically our dad would take the Bible out and read Bible stories. We always prayed before dinner. Our parents always, every evening after dinner, prayed the rosary.”Becoming Pope Leo XIVPope Leo always wanted to be a priest, and “from a young age, we always knew that he had that calling,” Prevost said.“When he was maybe first grade or second grade, one of the moms across the street did say to us when we were out there playing, ‘You know, heʼs gonna be the first American pope,’” he said.Now as the pope, he “talks about important issues and the way we should take on some of these issues,” Prevost said. He said he is focused on working with the “disenfranchised” and “ignored.”Pope Leo “has the patience of a saint,” Prevost said. “If you ask me a question … I come out and give you an answer. He would take a lot of time to think about it before he responded, and therefore itʼs a whole lot deeper in perspective than mine off the top of my head.”In his role as pope, Prevost said he believes his brother is bringing people to the faith. He said: “Iʼve had people come to the door and tell me … ‘I wanted to let you know because of your brother, Iʼm coming back.’”“I think youʼre seeing that across the country. Because of him, people are coming back to church,” he said.Life as the popeʼs brotherAs the pope’s brother, you have to take it “day by day because you never know, in a sense, what each day is going to bring,” Prevost said.“Itʼs always interesting, but itʼs sometimes sad … you feel powerless of what people are looking for, and they expect me to be able to help, and I canʼt necessarily do anything for them except listen,” he said.For the most part, Prevost said his relationship with his brother is the same as it was prior to his papacy, besides it being “more long distance now.” Despite the distance, the brothers still communicate daily.“One of the first questions I ask is, ‘Did you meet anyone famous today?’ And then on Wednesdays, heʼs got that general audience with the crowds … I always ask, ‘Did you get any gifts?’”Prevost joked about the amount of gifts Pope Leo receives, which are often treats. “Heʼs got two closets full of them now, so people could stop sending Peeps,” he joked.The pair also stays in touch by playing the Wordle and Words with Friends. “Itʼs a trade-off. He beats me in Wordle. I usually beat him in Words with Friends,” Prevost said.Catholic educationPrevost, who worked in Catholic schools as a teacher and a principal, also spoke about the “the importance of Catholic school education.”In Catholic school, “values are started,” he said. “And I worry sometimes that Catholic schools unfortunately are becoming too expensive for the average person to afford, and if itʼs only going to become something for the wealthy people. I hope not.“But I see the importance of setting values and of setting modes of standard of behavior that the Catholic school can do, I think, somewhat in a different way than regular public school education can do.”In Catholic school, “we can teach religion, we can pray,” he said. “We can somehow bring religion into a math class. Not to say that ‘thereʼs six angels here, two go away, how many angels are left?’” he joked.“But the whole atmosphere and the whole philosophy in the Catholic school is the prime reason we are here, to instill and indoctrinate and teach the Catholic faith to the students,” he said.
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John Prevost discusses life as the pope’s brother: ‘We always knew that he had that calling’ – #Catholic – Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost and his older brothers John and Louis grew up living “normal” lives like any other family.Life was “like anyone elseʼs,” John Prevost said in an April 17 interview with “EWTN News In Depth.” “It was regular — go to school, come home, do your homework, go out and play, come in, do your studying, go to bed, and then just repeat that.”“Rob was in Cub Scouts. We were all altar servers,” he said. “I think we were all in the choir … We all went to Catholic education all the way through high school. So I think it was normal. We were out playing. Youʼd play outside until dusk.”Recalling memories from his childhood, Prevost said: “One time we were building a shed in the backyard and Rob fell through the roof. It was just part of the wood was rotted, because we were using old doors from the house for the roof.”Prevost and his brothers were also on “Bozoʼs Circus” in 1960. “It was a kids' program produced by the Chicago local channel WGN. It was an everyday show, and tickets were hard to get. But one of the guys who was in the WGN band taught music to the kids at my dadʼs school.”“So he said, ‘If you kids ever want to go to “Bozoʼs Circus”’ — well, we jumped at the chance because we were on TV.”Aside from the funny memories he has of his brothers, Prevost also reflected on his faith during his childhood.Faith “starts in the home, and then it just gradually would grow and develop. But I think it starts in the home,” he said. “I know periodically our dad would take the Bible out and read Bible stories. We always prayed before dinner. Our parents always, every evening after dinner, prayed the rosary.”Becoming Pope Leo XIVPope Leo always wanted to be a priest, and “from a young age, we always knew that he had that calling,” Prevost said.“When he was maybe first grade or second grade, one of the moms across the street did say to us when we were out there playing, ‘You know, heʼs gonna be the first American pope,’” he said.Now as the pope, he “talks about important issues and the way we should take on some of these issues,” Prevost said. He said he is focused on working with the “disenfranchised” and “ignored.”Pope Leo “has the patience of a saint,” Prevost said. “If you ask me a question … I come out and give you an answer. He would take a lot of time to think about it before he responded, and therefore itʼs a whole lot deeper in perspective than mine off the top of my head.”In his role as pope, Prevost said he believes his brother is bringing people to the faith. He said: “Iʼve had people come to the door and tell me … ‘I wanted to let you know because of your brother, Iʼm coming back.’”“I think youʼre seeing that across the country. Because of him, people are coming back to church,” he said.Life as the popeʼs brotherAs the pope’s brother, you have to take it “day by day because you never know, in a sense, what each day is going to bring,” Prevost said.“Itʼs always interesting, but itʼs sometimes sad … you feel powerless of what people are looking for, and they expect me to be able to help, and I canʼt necessarily do anything for them except listen,” he said.For the most part, Prevost said his relationship with his brother is the same as it was prior to his papacy, besides it being “more long distance now.” Despite the distance, the brothers still communicate daily.“One of the first questions I ask is, ‘Did you meet anyone famous today?’ And then on Wednesdays, heʼs got that general audience with the crowds … I always ask, ‘Did you get any gifts?’”Prevost joked about the amount of gifts Pope Leo receives, which are often treats. “Heʼs got two closets full of them now, so people could stop sending Peeps,” he joked.The pair also stays in touch by playing the Wordle and Words with Friends. “Itʼs a trade-off. He beats me in Wordle. I usually beat him in Words with Friends,” Prevost said.Catholic educationPrevost, who worked in Catholic schools as a teacher and a principal, also spoke about the “the importance of Catholic school education.”In Catholic school, “values are started,” he said. “And I worry sometimes that Catholic schools unfortunately are becoming too expensive for the average person to afford, and if itʼs only going to become something for the wealthy people. I hope not.“But I see the importance of setting values and of setting modes of standard of behavior that the Catholic school can do, I think, somewhat in a different way than regular public school education can do.”In Catholic school, “we can teach religion, we can pray,” he said. “We can somehow bring religion into a math class. Not to say that ‘thereʼs six angels here, two go away, how many angels are left?’” he joked.“But the whole atmosphere and the whole philosophy in the Catholic school is the prime reason we are here, to instill and indoctrinate and teach the Catholic faith to the students,” he said.

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As the pope’s brother, you have to take it “day by day because you never know, in a sense, what each day is going to bring,” John Prevost said.

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Famous TV Commercial Characters: Where Are They Now? #BabylonBee – Television commercials are a touchstone of artistic expression. In them, products are sold, and dreams are forged. In those moments, we may consider them a nuisance, but they can also gain a special place in our hearts. And so it is worth reflecting on what became of our favorite TV commercial characters. Where are they now?
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Famous TV Commercial Characters: Where Are They Now? #BabylonBee – Television commercials are a touchstone of artistic expression. In them, products are sold, and dreams are forged. In those moments, we may consider them a nuisance, but they can also gain a special place in our hearts. And so it is worth reflecting on what became of our favorite TV commercial characters. Where are they now?

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Television commercials are a touchstone of artistic expression. In them, products are sold, and dreams are forged. In those moments, we may consider them a nuisance, but they can also gain a special place in our hearts. And so it is worth reflecting on what became of our favorite TV commercial characters. Where are they now?

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The Sky Today on Saturday, April 18: Venus moves into Taurus

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Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column.  April 17: Perfect setup for the zodiacal light This evening offers a lovely view as bright Venus moves into Taurus and is joined in the western sky by a delicate crescent Moon. Both hang beneath the sparkling star cluster M45, better knownContinue reading “The Sky Today on Saturday, April 18: Venus moves into Taurus”

The post The Sky Today on Saturday, April 18: Venus moves into Taurus appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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NASA’s SPHEREx Observatory Maps Interstellar Ice in Milky Way – An observation made by NASA’s SPHEREx mission reveals vast frozen complexes in the Cygnus X star-forming region of the Milky Way galaxy. The chemical signature of water ice is shown as bright blue structures, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are in orange.
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NASA’s SPHEREx Observatory Maps Interstellar Ice in Milky Way – An observation made by NASA’s SPHEREx mission reveals vast frozen complexes in the Cygnus X star-forming region of the Milky Way galaxy. The chemical signature of water ice is shown as bright blue structures, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are in orange.

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An observation made by NASA’s SPHEREx mission reveals vast frozen complexes in the Cygnus X star-forming region of the Milky Way galaxy. The chemical signature of water ice is shown as bright blue structures, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are in orange.

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BUSTED: Gavin Newsom’s New Book is a Best Seller Because His Own Political Action Committee Spent .5 Million Buying Thousands of Copies – Everything about California Governor Gavin Newsom is fake. The post BUSTED: Gavin Newsom’s New Book is a Best Seller Because His Own Political Action Committee Spent .5 Million Buying Thousands of Copies appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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BUSTED: Gavin Newsom’s New Book is a Best Seller Because His Own Political Action Committee Spent $1.5 Million Buying Thousands of Copies – Everything about California Governor Gavin Newsom is fake. The post BUSTED: Gavin Newsom’s New Book is a Best Seller Because His Own Political Action Committee Spent $1.5 Million Buying Thousands of Copies appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Everything about California Governor Gavin Newsom is fake.

The post BUSTED: Gavin Newsom’s New Book is a Best Seller Because His Own Political Action Committee Spent $1.5 Million Buying Thousands of Copies appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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You Won’t BELIEVE How Much They’re Going to Charge for Admission to Obama’s Presidential Library – Obama’s hideous new presidential library is set to open in June and unsurprisingly, it’s not going to be cheap. The post You Won’t BELIEVE How Much They’re Going to Charge for Admission to Obama’s Presidential Library appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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You Won’t BELIEVE How Much They’re Going to Charge for Admission to Obama’s Presidential Library – Obama’s hideous new presidential library is set to open in June and unsurprisingly, it’s not going to be cheap. The post You Won’t BELIEVE How Much They’re Going to Charge for Admission to Obama’s Presidential Library appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Obama’s hideous new presidential library is set to open in June and unsurprisingly, it’s not going to be cheap.

The post You Won’t BELIEVE How Much They’re Going to Charge for Admission to Obama’s Presidential Library appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Vatican halts sainthood cause of Jesuit priest, gulag survivor Walter Ciszek – #Catholic – The Vatican has halted the cause for sainthood of Father Walter Ciszek, a Pennsylvania-born Jesuit priest who ministered to fellow prisoners while enduring more than 20 years of imprisonment in Russia.Ciszek (1904–1984) is known for his spiritual writings “He Leadeth Me” and “With God in Russia,” which he wrote after surviving torture by the Soviet secret police and hard labor during his imprisonment from 1941–1963.The Vatican first approved the advancement of Ciszek’s cause in 2012. Over the several decades that the cause was in progress, the Jesuits had gathered witness testimonies, writings of Ciszek, and more than 4,000 archival documents from the Jesuits and the Russian archives.Monsignor Ronald Bocian of the Walter Ciszek Prayer League, the group advocating for Ciszekʼs cause, said in an April 9 letter that “the formal canonization process has been stopped.”“The diocese has been informed that the documentation relating to his cause does not support advancing his cause for beatification or sainthood,” Bocian said.“The development comes after years of careful study and discernment at the level of the Holy See, which bears the responsibility of evaluating each cause with thoroughness, integrity, and fidelity to the Church’s norms,” Bocian continued.“While this news may understandably bring disappointment to many who have been inspired by Father Ciszek’s example of heroic faith and have prayed for his cause, it does not diminish the enduring spiritual value of his life, witness, and legacy,” Bocian said.This is the second sainthood cause this month that the Vatican has closed. The Vatican also halted the cause of Argentinian bishop and servant of God Jorge Novak earlier this month. The Diocese of Quilmes, Argentina, said the decision expresses “no moral judgment regarding the life, virtues, and pastoral ministry” of the bishop but that it was due to him not carrying out “a possible canonical procedure” as a priest.According to the letter from Bocian, the Prayer League advocating for Ciszek’s canonization will become the “Father Walter J. Ciszek Society.” Bocian said the society will “remain committed to honoring his memory, sharing his message, and encouraging devotion to the profound spiritual insights he left to the Church.”“Even as the formal canonization process has been stopped, the grace flowing from his witness remains alive in the hearts of the faithful,” Bocian said.The Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, confirmed the news in a statement to EWTN News, acknowledging the “disappointment” while encouraging the faithful to remember the grace of Ciszek’s life. The Diocese of Allentownʼs statement on Father Walter Ciszekʼs cause, shared with EWTN News. “This development comes as the Church evaluates each cause with thoroughness, integrity, and fidelity to its norms,” read the statement from the Diocese of Allentown, which paralleled Bocian’s letter.Who was Father Walter Ciszek?Ciszek was born in 1904 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. He entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1928 and was ordained in 1937 after being trained to say Mass in the Russian rite. After two years in Poland, he used the chaos of World War II as cover to enter the Soviet Union so that he could minister to Christians who lived under communist persecution.Soviet authorities arrested him in 1941, believing him to be a spy. Over his decades in prison, he endured solitary confinement, torture, and years of hard labor near the Arctic Circle. Despite the dangers, he said Mass in secret and heard the confessions of other prisoners.President John F. Kennedy negotiated the prisoner swap that led to his release in 1963. Ciszek went on to write about his spiritual insights and experience in Russia. He died at Fordham University in New York on Dec. 8, 1984. In 1990, Ciszek was declared a servant of God.
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Vatican halts sainthood cause of Jesuit priest, gulag survivor Walter Ciszek – #Catholic – The Vatican has halted the cause for sainthood of Father Walter Ciszek, a Pennsylvania-born Jesuit priest who ministered to fellow prisoners while enduring more than 20 years of imprisonment in Russia.Ciszek (1904–1984) is known for his spiritual writings “He Leadeth Me” and “With God in Russia,” which he wrote after surviving torture by the Soviet secret police and hard labor during his imprisonment from 1941–1963.The Vatican first approved the advancement of Ciszek’s cause in 2012. Over the several decades that the cause was in progress, the Jesuits had gathered witness testimonies, writings of Ciszek, and more than 4,000 archival documents from the Jesuits and the Russian archives.Monsignor Ronald Bocian of the Walter Ciszek Prayer League, the group advocating for Ciszekʼs cause, said in an April 9 letter that “the formal canonization process has been stopped.”“The diocese has been informed that the documentation relating to his cause does not support advancing his cause for beatification or sainthood,” Bocian said.“The development comes after years of careful study and discernment at the level of the Holy See, which bears the responsibility of evaluating each cause with thoroughness, integrity, and fidelity to the Church’s norms,” Bocian continued.“While this news may understandably bring disappointment to many who have been inspired by Father Ciszek’s example of heroic faith and have prayed for his cause, it does not diminish the enduring spiritual value of his life, witness, and legacy,” Bocian said.This is the second sainthood cause this month that the Vatican has closed. The Vatican also halted the cause of Argentinian bishop and servant of God Jorge Novak earlier this month. The Diocese of Quilmes, Argentina, said the decision expresses “no moral judgment regarding the life, virtues, and pastoral ministry” of the bishop but that it was due to him not carrying out “a possible canonical procedure” as a priest.According to the letter from Bocian, the Prayer League advocating for Ciszek’s canonization will become the “Father Walter J. Ciszek Society.” Bocian said the society will “remain committed to honoring his memory, sharing his message, and encouraging devotion to the profound spiritual insights he left to the Church.”“Even as the formal canonization process has been stopped, the grace flowing from his witness remains alive in the hearts of the faithful,” Bocian said.The Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, confirmed the news in a statement to EWTN News, acknowledging the “disappointment” while encouraging the faithful to remember the grace of Ciszek’s life. The Diocese of Allentownʼs statement on Father Walter Ciszekʼs cause, shared with EWTN News. “This development comes as the Church evaluates each cause with thoroughness, integrity, and fidelity to its norms,” read the statement from the Diocese of Allentown, which paralleled Bocian’s letter.Who was Father Walter Ciszek?Ciszek was born in 1904 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. He entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1928 and was ordained in 1937 after being trained to say Mass in the Russian rite. After two years in Poland, he used the chaos of World War II as cover to enter the Soviet Union so that he could minister to Christians who lived under communist persecution.Soviet authorities arrested him in 1941, believing him to be a spy. Over his decades in prison, he endured solitary confinement, torture, and years of hard labor near the Arctic Circle. Despite the dangers, he said Mass in secret and heard the confessions of other prisoners.President John F. Kennedy negotiated the prisoner swap that led to his release in 1963. Ciszek went on to write about his spiritual insights and experience in Russia. He died at Fordham University in New York on Dec. 8, 1984. In 1990, Ciszek was declared a servant of God.

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After the Vatican halted the sainthood cause of Father Walter Ciszek, a proponent of his cause said the suspension “does not diminish the enduring spiritual value” of Ciszek’s witness.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 18 April 2026 – A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 6:1-7 As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the Apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.From the Gospel according to John 6:16-21 When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.Behind the walking on water there is a message that is not evident, a message we need to grasp. In fact, at that time, great expanses of water were held to be the haunts of evil powers that man was not able to master. Particularly when storms made them turbulent, these abysses were symbols of chaos and recalled the darkness of the underworld. Now, the disciples found themselves in the middle of the lake when it was dark. They are afraid of sinking, of being sucked in by evil. And here comes Jesus who walks on the water, that is, over the powers of evil. (…) This is the message Jesus gives us. This is the meaning of the sign: the powers of evil that frighten us, that we cannot master, immediately take on smaller proportions with Jesus. By walking on the waters, He wants to say, “Do not be afraid. I put your enemies under my feet” — a beautiful message — I put your enemies under my feet — not people! — not that type of enemy, but death, sin, the devil. These are the enemies of the people, our enemies. And Jesus tramples on these enemies for us. Today, Christ repeats to each of us, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear!” Take heart because I am here, because you are no longer alone on the turbulent waters of life. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 13 August 2023)

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A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 6:1-7

As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,
“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task,
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word.”
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the Apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

From the Gospel according to John
6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea,
embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.
It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
When they had rowed about three or four miles,
they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat,
and they began to be afraid.
But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
They wanted to take him into the boat,
but the boat immediately arrived at the shore
to which they were heading.

Behind the walking on water there is a message that is not evident, a message we need to grasp. In fact, at that time, great expanses of water were held to be the haunts of evil powers that man was not able to master. Particularly when storms made them turbulent, these abysses were symbols of chaos and recalled the darkness of the underworld. Now, the disciples found themselves in the middle of the lake when it was dark. They are afraid of sinking, of being sucked in by evil. And here comes Jesus who walks on the water, that is, over the powers of evil. (…) This is the message Jesus gives us. This is the meaning of the sign: the powers of evil that frighten us, that we cannot master, immediately take on smaller proportions with Jesus. By walking on the waters, He wants to say, “Do not be afraid. I put your enemies under my feet” — a beautiful message — I put your enemies under my feet — not people! — not that type of enemy, but death, sin, the devil. These are the enemies of the people, our enemies. And Jesus tramples on these enemies for us. Today, Christ repeats to each of us, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear!” Take heart because I am here, because you are no longer alone on the turbulent waters of life. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 13 August 2023)

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Special education services restored for Chicago Catholic schools following brief suspension – #Catholic – Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has reinstated funding for students with disabilities at Catholic schools, reversing a decision to cut special services after pushback from the Archdiocese of Chicago.“We are delighted to announce that Chicago Public Schools will be restoring special education instructional services to students in Chicago Catholic schools beginning Monday, April 20. Services will be provided through the Friday before Memorial Day, May 22, as had originally been planned,” the archdiocese said in an April 16 statement.“We appreciate the efforts of CPS CEO Dr. Macquline King and her staff to restore these important services,” the archdiocese said. “We also appreciate the outpouring of support we heard from parents and others in recent days. The archdiocese looks forward to working with CPS in the months ahead to ensure that students with disabilities receive the academic support they need and deserve, whether they attend public or nonpublic schools.”The news comes after the archdiocese said in an April 10 statement that Chicago Public Schools abruptly terminated its funding for services provided to students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) more than a month before the end of the school year. The archdiocese said CPS informed them of the funding suspension without warning during Holy Week after having verbally confirmed the funding would continue through the end of the year “as recently as March 25.”Impacted services would have included academic support services such as tutoring in math, reading, and writing for students with learning disabilities.  The archdiocese said in a previous statement that repeated efforts to reach “an amicable solution” with King had “not yielded a response.” It also said CPS had only terminated IDEA funding for Catholic schools.Cardinal Blase Cupich condemned the sudden suspension of the program, which he described as a “shocking and possibly discriminatory action by CPS” and an “affront to Catholics.”“For more than 175 years, our schools have helped lift families out of poverty and produced well-prepared and civically engaged graduates,” Cupich said. “We do so at a cost far below that of other systems and are proud of our students and the teachers who work every day to serve them. We owe them every effort to right this offense by CPS.”King’s office did not immediately respond to a request to comment.
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Special education services restored for Chicago Catholic schools following brief suspension – #Catholic – Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has reinstated funding for students with disabilities at Catholic schools, reversing a decision to cut special services after pushback from the Archdiocese of Chicago.“We are delighted to announce that Chicago Public Schools will be restoring special education instructional services to students in Chicago Catholic schools beginning Monday, April 20. Services will be provided through the Friday before Memorial Day, May 22, as had originally been planned,” the archdiocese said in an April 16 statement.“We appreciate the efforts of CPS CEO Dr. Macquline King and her staff to restore these important services,” the archdiocese said. “We also appreciate the outpouring of support we heard from parents and others in recent days. The archdiocese looks forward to working with CPS in the months ahead to ensure that students with disabilities receive the academic support they need and deserve, whether they attend public or nonpublic schools.”The news comes after the archdiocese said in an April 10 statement that Chicago Public Schools abruptly terminated its funding for services provided to students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) more than a month before the end of the school year. The archdiocese said CPS informed them of the funding suspension without warning during Holy Week after having verbally confirmed the funding would continue through the end of the year “as recently as March 25.”Impacted services would have included academic support services such as tutoring in math, reading, and writing for students with learning disabilities.  The archdiocese said in a previous statement that repeated efforts to reach “an amicable solution” with King had “not yielded a response.” It also said CPS had only terminated IDEA funding for Catholic schools.Cardinal Blase Cupich condemned the sudden suspension of the program, which he described as a “shocking and possibly discriminatory action by CPS” and an “affront to Catholics.”“For more than 175 years, our schools have helped lift families out of poverty and produced well-prepared and civically engaged graduates,” Cupich said. “We do so at a cost far below that of other systems and are proud of our students and the teachers who work every day to serve them. We owe them every effort to right this offense by CPS.”King’s office did not immediately respond to a request to comment.

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Special services for student with disabilities will resume in Chicago Catholic schools, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced.

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Savannah bishop on beatification of Georgia martyrs: ‘Be joyful witnesses’ – #Catholic – The bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia, the host diocese for the beatification of the Georgia Martyrs, encouraged Catholics to take inspiration from the martyrs by being “joyful witnesses” to the faith.In an April 16 interview on “EWTN News Nightly,” Bishop Stephen D. Parkes shared about the upcoming beatification of the five Spanish Franciscan friars, who are collectively known as the “Georgia Martyrs.” The beatification will take place on Oct. 31 and will be celebrated by Cardinal Francis Leo of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Watch Video (clip) “People are very excited about this because it is so unique in the life of a diocese,” Parkes told “EWTN News Nightly.” “This is not something that happens very often.”The beatification will be “the first in the South,” according to Parkes.Plans for the beatification are still in progress, and a venue has not yet been set — but hailing from Savannah, nicknamed the Hostess City of the South, Parkes said he looks forward “to welcoming many visitors.”“A lot goes into planning because there are some questions about how many people will actually come,” Parkes said. “Weʼve been looking for a venue that will be large enough to accommodate thousands and we want to be very welcoming.”From martyr to ‘blessed’Parkes described the 16th-century martyrs as “men who gave their lives for our faith in defense of the sacrament of marriage.”“They were Spanish missionaries who came here to our country in order to help to evangelize the Native peoples,” Parkes said. “And, obviously, they fell into some challenges with the evangelization process.”In September 1597, Father Pedro de Corpa, Father Blas Rodríguez, Father Miguel de Añon, Brother Antonio de Badajóz, and Father Francisco de Veráscola were killed for defending the sanctity of marriage at a mission in present-day Georgia.The cause for canonization of the Georgia Martyrs officially began in 1950 but ramped up in the 1980s. Beatification is a significant step toward sainthood in the Catholic Church.In January 2025, Pope Francis recognized the five Franciscans as martyrs for Christ who were killed for their faith. Parkes called this a “milestone” for the cause.“When Pope Francis gave approval for the beatification to take place, it was significant because we knew that we would be able to move forward with this now,” Parkes said. “It was accepted by the Church.”“They will be known as Blessed Pedro de Corpa and Companions — also known more commonly as the Georgia Martyrs,” he said. “In our process towards sainthood and canonization, this is a huge milestone.”What can Catholics learn from the Georgia Martyrs?When asked what lessons Catholics can take away from the martyrs, Parkes said that “we have to be joyful witnesses.”“We are called to be witnesses of faith, most especially in this world that we live in today,” he said. “I donʼt think weʼre always understood as Catholics, but we have to be courageous witnesses.”“We need to continue to promote marriage and family life as a priority for our country, for our communities, for our society,” Parkes said.“When people see that and see the incredible foundation that we have in faith — we have something solid to believe in — I believe people are looking for that today in a world where so much is fleeting and so many things are temporal,” he continued.“In this kind of way, look at how we are able to celebrate these men who lived centuries ago, and they were defending something that still exists today and that we lift up today,” Parkes said.
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Savannah bishop on beatification of Georgia martyrs: ‘Be joyful witnesses’ – #Catholic – The bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia, the host diocese for the beatification of the Georgia Martyrs, encouraged Catholics to take inspiration from the martyrs by being “joyful witnesses” to the faith.In an April 16 interview on “EWTN News Nightly,” Bishop Stephen D. Parkes shared about the upcoming beatification of the five Spanish Franciscan friars, who are collectively known as the “Georgia Martyrs.” The beatification will take place on Oct. 31 and will be celebrated by Cardinal Francis Leo of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Watch Video (clip) “People are very excited about this because it is so unique in the life of a diocese,” Parkes told “EWTN News Nightly.” “This is not something that happens very often.”The beatification will be “the first in the South,” according to Parkes.Plans for the beatification are still in progress, and a venue has not yet been set — but hailing from Savannah, nicknamed the Hostess City of the South, Parkes said he looks forward “to welcoming many visitors.”“A lot goes into planning because there are some questions about how many people will actually come,” Parkes said. “Weʼve been looking for a venue that will be large enough to accommodate thousands and we want to be very welcoming.”From martyr to ‘blessed’Parkes described the 16th-century martyrs as “men who gave their lives for our faith in defense of the sacrament of marriage.”“They were Spanish missionaries who came here to our country in order to help to evangelize the Native peoples,” Parkes said. “And, obviously, they fell into some challenges with the evangelization process.”In September 1597, Father Pedro de Corpa, Father Blas Rodríguez, Father Miguel de Añon, Brother Antonio de Badajóz, and Father Francisco de Veráscola were killed for defending the sanctity of marriage at a mission in present-day Georgia.The cause for canonization of the Georgia Martyrs officially began in 1950 but ramped up in the 1980s. Beatification is a significant step toward sainthood in the Catholic Church.In January 2025, Pope Francis recognized the five Franciscans as martyrs for Christ who were killed for their faith. Parkes called this a “milestone” for the cause.“When Pope Francis gave approval for the beatification to take place, it was significant because we knew that we would be able to move forward with this now,” Parkes said. “It was accepted by the Church.”“They will be known as Blessed Pedro de Corpa and Companions — also known more commonly as the Georgia Martyrs,” he said. “In our process towards sainthood and canonization, this is a huge milestone.”What can Catholics learn from the Georgia Martyrs?When asked what lessons Catholics can take away from the martyrs, Parkes said that “we have to be joyful witnesses.”“We are called to be witnesses of faith, most especially in this world that we live in today,” he said. “I donʼt think weʼre always understood as Catholics, but we have to be courageous witnesses.”“We need to continue to promote marriage and family life as a priority for our country, for our communities, for our society,” Parkes said.“When people see that and see the incredible foundation that we have in faith — we have something solid to believe in — I believe people are looking for that today in a world where so much is fleeting and so many things are temporal,” he continued.“In this kind of way, look at how we are able to celebrate these men who lived centuries ago, and they were defending something that still exists today and that we lift up today,” Parkes said.

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The bishop of Savannah, Georgia, looks forward to “welcoming many visitors” this fall for the upcoming beatification of the 16th-century Jesuit missionaries known as the “Georgia Martyrs.”

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