What happened to St. Maximilian Kolbe’s beard? The answer may surprise you #Catholic In 2022, the Catholic Church in Poland shared a photo commemorating the 81st anniversary of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s arrest by the Nazis. The image, the last one taken of the saint before his final arrest, was notable for what it didn’t show — his signature long beard.By the time the photo was taken, Kolbe had already been arrested by the Nazis once but was clearly resolved to continue his nationwide evangelization efforts. The monastery he had established at Niepokalanów, 25 miles west of Warsaw, had become a major Catholic publishing center.The beard with which Kolbe is often pictured is notable for several reasons, one of which was the fact that not many of his Franciscan counterparts in Poland sported them. He shaved his signature beard in order to blend in with his fellow Franciscans and with society at large. St. Maximilian Kolbe. | Credit: Public domain The second reason is that Kolbe’s beard is the only first-class relic that exists of him. The rest of his body was incinerated in the ovens of Auschwitz after he was murdered by the Nazis in 1941.Father James McCurry, a Conventual Franciscan and minister provincial of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, gave a homily in 2016 commemorating the 75th anniversary of Kolbe’s martyrdom in which he mentioned the saint’s beard.McCurry, author of the book “Maximilian Kolbe: Martyr of Charity,” said Kolbe chose to keep the beard upon his return from six years of missionary work in Japan. In those days, it was customary for missionaries to grow long beards, and Kolbe wanted to keep it as a reminder of his missionary days and as a reminder to always be a “missionary” of the Gospel.McCurry said Kolbe’s beard made him unusual among his Conventual Franciscan counterparts, who generally did not wear them. Kolbe’s fame was spreading in Poland thanks to his publishing work, and his unique beard helped him to stand out all the more.It was for this reason that Kolbe eventually, after the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, made the decision to shave it, McCurry said, so as not to stand out. Kolbe’s founding of the Militia Immaculata (MI), an evangelization movement identifying with Mary, put him high on Nazi watchlists.One book on his life offers this quote from the saint: “Beards provoke the enemy who rapidly is approaching our friary. Our Franciscan habits also will provoke him. I can part with my beard. I can’t sacrifice my habit.”After a fellow brother cut off Kolbe’s beard for him, the brother at first tried to save the beard, but Kolbe objected and told him to throw it in the stove. So, obediently, the brother threw it into the stove, but the fire was not lit, so the brother later retrieved it and stored it in a pickle jar.Today, Kolbe’s beard is his only surviving first-class relic.McCurry was also a friend of Franciszek Gajowniczek, the man for whom Kolbe laid down his life at Auschwitz in late July 1941, following his arrest on Feb. 17.Gajowniczek was one of the 10 men selected to be executed in reprisal for one prisoner’s escape from the barracks. He cried out: “What will happen to my wife and children?” And in response, Kolbe stepped forward and offered to take his place. The 10 were placed, naked, in a starvation chamber.All 10 of those condemned that day died eventually; six starved, and the deaths of the rest, including Kolbe, were hastened by an injection of carbolic acid.This story was first published in August 2021 and has been updated.
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What happened to St. Maximilian Kolbe’s beard? The answer may surprise you #Catholic In 2022, the Catholic Church in Poland shared a photo commemorating the 81st anniversary of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s arrest by the Nazis. The image, the last one taken of the saint before his final arrest, was notable for what it didn’t show — his signature long beard.By the time the photo was taken, Kolbe had already been arrested by the Nazis once but was clearly resolved to continue his nationwide evangelization efforts. The monastery he had established at Niepokalanów, 25 miles west of Warsaw, had become a major Catholic publishing center.The beard with which Kolbe is often pictured is notable for several reasons, one of which was the fact that not many of his Franciscan counterparts in Poland sported them. He shaved his signature beard in order to blend in with his fellow Franciscans and with society at large. St. Maximilian Kolbe. | Credit: Public domain The second reason is that Kolbe’s beard is the only first-class relic that exists of him. The rest of his body was incinerated in the ovens of Auschwitz after he was murdered by the Nazis in 1941.Father James McCurry, a Conventual Franciscan and minister provincial of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, gave a homily in 2016 commemorating the 75th anniversary of Kolbe’s martyrdom in which he mentioned the saint’s beard.McCurry, author of the book “Maximilian Kolbe: Martyr of Charity,” said Kolbe chose to keep the beard upon his return from six years of missionary work in Japan. In those days, it was customary for missionaries to grow long beards, and Kolbe wanted to keep it as a reminder of his missionary days and as a reminder to always be a “missionary” of the Gospel.McCurry said Kolbe’s beard made him unusual among his Conventual Franciscan counterparts, who generally did not wear them. Kolbe’s fame was spreading in Poland thanks to his publishing work, and his unique beard helped him to stand out all the more.It was for this reason that Kolbe eventually, after the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, made the decision to shave it, McCurry said, so as not to stand out. Kolbe’s founding of the Militia Immaculata (MI), an evangelization movement identifying with Mary, put him high on Nazi watchlists.One book on his life offers this quote from the saint: “Beards provoke the enemy who rapidly is approaching our friary. Our Franciscan habits also will provoke him. I can part with my beard. I can’t sacrifice my habit.”After a fellow brother cut off Kolbe’s beard for him, the brother at first tried to save the beard, but Kolbe objected and told him to throw it in the stove. So, obediently, the brother threw it into the stove, but the fire was not lit, so the brother later retrieved it and stored it in a pickle jar.Today, Kolbe’s beard is his only surviving first-class relic.McCurry was also a friend of Franciszek Gajowniczek, the man for whom Kolbe laid down his life at Auschwitz in late July 1941, following his arrest on Feb. 17.Gajowniczek was one of the 10 men selected to be executed in reprisal for one prisoner’s escape from the barracks. He cried out: “What will happen to my wife and children?” And in response, Kolbe stepped forward and offered to take his place. The 10 were placed, naked, in a starvation chamber.All 10 of those condemned that day died eventually; six starved, and the deaths of the rest, including Kolbe, were hastened by an injection of carbolic acid.This story was first published in August 2021 and has been updated.

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The last image taken of the saint before his final arrest was notable for what it didn’t show — his signature long beard.

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Fact check: Has Finland’s first Catholic school opened? #Catholic Claims circulating widely on social media that Finland’s first Catholic school will open this month, or that it is already operational, are inaccurate.The Helsinki Catholic School, which was scheduled to begin operations in August, has postponed its opening until next year, according to Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of Helsinki.The planned school gained attention after the Helsinki Diocese announced the project in its diocesan magazine last November. By the time of the announcement, groundwork was already underway, with fundraising efforts and the necessary administrative and bureaucratic processes being pursued.Once completed, the school would be the first Catholic school in Finland in roughly 500 years, following the near disappearance of Catholic institutional life in the country after the Reformation and the adoption of Lutheranism as Finland’s state religion in the 16th century. Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of Helsinki, Finland. | Credit: Amira Abuzeid/EWTN News The school’s planned modelGoyarrola previously described the project to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, as an important step in rebuilding Catholic educational life in Finland.He said the school was intended to open in August 2026 and would initially operate on the second floor of a Lutheran church dedicated to St. James the Apostle on Lauttasaari, an island in Helsinki. The bishop had also expressed hope that, if finances permitted, the diocese could acquire the building within three years.The Helsinki Catholic School is planned as a small, inclusive school initially serving grades 1–3, following Finland’s national and Helsinki city curricula while incorporating Catholic values. Its approach focuses on personal attention, a calm learning environment, initiative, and a strong character foundation.Opening delayed until 2027In response to an inquiry from EWTN News, Goyarrola clarified that the school has not opened and that its launch has been postponed.“The school will open once everything is fully in place,” Goyarrola said. “We had hoped to begin this August, but after careful consideration we have decided to postpone the opening until next year, as there are still several important matters to resolve.”He also went on to say: “The administrative procedures, logistics, and financing alone are challenging.” He further noted that “when the school is also Catholic and privately run, the work and the requirements become even more demanding.”Social media accounts and online posts have recently presented the Helsinki Catholic School as though it is already operating in an educational sense. This is inaccurate. The school is not currently teaching any students, and it is not open in the capacity that formal classes or regular educational activities are being conducted. The project remains in development.The Diocese of Helsinki continues to work with its partners toward establishing the school and remains hopeful that it will become a reality in 2027.Goyarrola asked the faithful to pray for the project as the diocese works through the remaining requirements. “We would be deeply grateful for your prayers as we continue working to make this project a reality,” he told EWTN News.
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Fact check: Has Finland’s first Catholic school opened? #Catholic Claims circulating widely on social media that Finland’s first Catholic school will open this month, or that it is already operational, are inaccurate.The Helsinki Catholic School, which was scheduled to begin operations in August, has postponed its opening until next year, according to Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of Helsinki.The planned school gained attention after the Helsinki Diocese announced the project in its diocesan magazine last November. By the time of the announcement, groundwork was already underway, with fundraising efforts and the necessary administrative and bureaucratic processes being pursued.Once completed, the school would be the first Catholic school in Finland in roughly 500 years, following the near disappearance of Catholic institutional life in the country after the Reformation and the adoption of Lutheranism as Finland’s state religion in the 16th century. Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of Helsinki, Finland. | Credit: Amira Abuzeid/EWTN News The school’s planned modelGoyarrola previously described the project to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, as an important step in rebuilding Catholic educational life in Finland.He said the school was intended to open in August 2026 and would initially operate on the second floor of a Lutheran church dedicated to St. James the Apostle on Lauttasaari, an island in Helsinki. The bishop had also expressed hope that, if finances permitted, the diocese could acquire the building within three years.The Helsinki Catholic School is planned as a small, inclusive school initially serving grades 1–3, following Finland’s national and Helsinki city curricula while incorporating Catholic values. Its approach focuses on personal attention, a calm learning environment, initiative, and a strong character foundation.Opening delayed until 2027In response to an inquiry from EWTN News, Goyarrola clarified that the school has not opened and that its launch has been postponed.“The school will open once everything is fully in place,” Goyarrola said. “We had hoped to begin this August, but after careful consideration we have decided to postpone the opening until next year, as there are still several important matters to resolve.”He also went on to say: “The administrative procedures, logistics, and financing alone are challenging.” He further noted that “when the school is also Catholic and privately run, the work and the requirements become even more demanding.”Social media accounts and online posts have recently presented the Helsinki Catholic School as though it is already operating in an educational sense. This is inaccurate. The school is not currently teaching any students, and it is not open in the capacity that formal classes or regular educational activities are being conducted. The project remains in development.The Diocese of Helsinki continues to work with its partners toward establishing the school and remains hopeful that it will become a reality in 2027.Goyarrola asked the faithful to pray for the project as the diocese works through the remaining requirements. “We would be deeply grateful for your prayers as we continue working to make this project a reality,” he told EWTN News.

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Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of Helsinki told EWTN News that the school will not open this August as planned and that the project has been pushed back to 2027.

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Pew report finds most American Catholics favor death penalty for those convicted of murder – #Catholic – A Pew Research Center survey found that 65% of American Catholics favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder, with 28% who “strongly” favor it.The research showed that support for the death penalty among U.S. adults is 6 percentage points higher than it was in April 2021, and it is about equal to where it was in August 2020 (65%).It found that about two-thirds of all Americans (66%) favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder.Pew surveyed 3,554 U.S. adults from July 6–12. Participants were all members of Pew’s American Trends Panel, which is a nationally representative panel of randomly selected U.S. adults. The margin of sampling error for the sample of respondents was plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.The report, “Most Americans Favor the Death Penalty for Those Convicted of Murder,” found that 32% of Americans oppose the death penalty for people convicted of murder, 13% of whom reported they "strongly oppose” it.While most Catholics favor it, 34% said they oppose it, with 15% who "strongly oppose” it.When asked in the context of morality, 68% of all respondents said they see the death penalty as morally justified for those who have committed murder, while 28% believe it is morally wrong.Of Catholics, 64% believe the death penalty is morally justified when someone commits murder, and 32% said it is morally wrong.A 59% majority of all Americans said the death penalty is not a crime deterrent, while 39% said that it is. A majority of Americans (73%) also said there is some risk that an innocent person could be put to death, but a quarter said that there are safeguards in place to prevent this.Since the start of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly spoken out in strong opposition of the death penalty.“I condemn capital punishment. I believe that human life is to be respected and that all people — from conception to natural [death] — their lives should be respected and protected,” the pope said in April.His remarks against the death penalty echo a relatively new magisterial teaching in the Catholic Church, which was promulgated by Pope Francis in 2018. The Church teaches that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2267).Views differ by political party, age, and educationThe poll showed partisan divides on the death penalty persist among U.S. adults.Republicans and independents who lean toward the Republican Party overwhelmingly support the death penalty with 84% in favor, including 47% who “strongly favor” it. Democrats and Democratic leaners were about split between support (51%) and opposition (48%).Most Republicans (85%) also said the death penalty is morally justified for a crime like murder, while Democrats are more split on the issue with 55% who believe it is morally justified and 42% who do not.Republicans and Democrats were most divided over whether the death penalty is fairly applied to different races.Most Republicans (77%), said white and Black people are equally likely to be sentenced to the death penalty for similar crimes, and only 23% of Democrats reported the same.The report also noted that younger adults are slightly less supportive of the death penalty than older adults. Of adults ages 18 to 29, 58% said it is morally wrong, compared with 47% of those 65 and older.Adults with a college degree, especially those with a postgraduate degree, are also slightly less likely than those with a high school degree or only some college education to favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder.
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Pew report finds most American Catholics favor death penalty for those convicted of murder – #Catholic – A Pew Research Center survey found that 65% of American Catholics favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder, with 28% who “strongly” favor it.The research showed that support for the death penalty among U.S. adults is 6 percentage points higher than it was in April 2021, and it is about equal to where it was in August 2020 (65%).It found that about two-thirds of all Americans (66%) favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder.Pew surveyed 3,554 U.S. adults from July 6–12. Participants were all members of Pew’s American Trends Panel, which is a nationally representative panel of randomly selected U.S. adults. The margin of sampling error for the sample of respondents was plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.The report, “Most Americans Favor the Death Penalty for Those Convicted of Murder,” found that 32% of Americans oppose the death penalty for people convicted of murder, 13% of whom reported they "strongly oppose” it.While most Catholics favor it, 34% said they oppose it, with 15% who "strongly oppose” it.When asked in the context of morality, 68% of all respondents said they see the death penalty as morally justified for those who have committed murder, while 28% believe it is morally wrong.Of Catholics, 64% believe the death penalty is morally justified when someone commits murder, and 32% said it is morally wrong.A 59% majority of all Americans said the death penalty is not a crime deterrent, while 39% said that it is. A majority of Americans (73%) also said there is some risk that an innocent person could be put to death, but a quarter said that there are safeguards in place to prevent this.Since the start of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly spoken out in strong opposition of the death penalty.“I condemn capital punishment. I believe that human life is to be respected and that all people — from conception to natural [death] — their lives should be respected and protected,” the pope said in April.His remarks against the death penalty echo a relatively new magisterial teaching in the Catholic Church, which was promulgated by Pope Francis in 2018. The Church teaches that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2267).Views differ by political party, age, and educationThe poll showed partisan divides on the death penalty persist among U.S. adults.Republicans and independents who lean toward the Republican Party overwhelmingly support the death penalty with 84% in favor, including 47% who “strongly favor” it. Democrats and Democratic leaners were about split between support (51%) and opposition (48%).Most Republicans (85%) also said the death penalty is morally justified for a crime like murder, while Democrats are more split on the issue with 55% who believe it is morally justified and 42% who do not.Republicans and Democrats were most divided over whether the death penalty is fairly applied to different races.Most Republicans (77%), said white and Black people are equally likely to be sentenced to the death penalty for similar crimes, and only 23% of Democrats reported the same.The report also noted that younger adults are slightly less supportive of the death penalty than older adults. Of adults ages 18 to 29, 58% said it is morally wrong, compared with 47% of those 65 and older.Adults with a college degree, especially those with a postgraduate degree, are also slightly less likely than those with a high school degree or only some college education to favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder.

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The research showed that support for the death penalty among U.S. adults is 6 percentage points higher than it was in April 2021.

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UN finds increase in migrant deaths on 2 routes in early 2026 amid Vatican concerns – #Catholic – A United Nations report published Aug. 12 found an increase in migrant deaths and missing migrants along two European routes during the first four months of 2026, as the Vatican and bishops continue to voice concerns about safety.The report, published by the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), found that many migrants fall victim to human traffickers and scams along the journey. A majority of the increase in deaths, however, were caused by drownings in the Mediterranean Sea.“Attention tends to settle on a handful of routes, but nearly half of the world’s 304 million international migrants live within their own region, moving for work, family, education and safety,” IOM Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels said in a statement.“Good data is not a substitute for solutions, but there are no solutions without it,” she said. “… When everyone is working from the same clear picture, better decisions follow.”The two routes with a sharp increase in migrant deaths were the Central Mediterranean Route and the Eastern Mediterranean Route. The central route mostly reflects migrants arriving in Italy from northern Africa and the eastern route mostly reflects routes from western Asia into Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.According to the report, the number of migrants who died or went missing along the Central Mediterranean Route was at least 821, which is 111% higher than the same time last year. It found that the primary cause of death was drowning. About 430 migrants died or went missing in January, primarily due to Cyclone Harry.The number went up by 259% on the Eastern Mediterranean Route, reaching at least 244. The report found the primary cause to be drowning. This was caused by “a series of fatal incidents” near Crete — a Greek island in the Mediterranean Sea.“This data highlights the risks faced by migrants along these routes, even as the estimates presented in this report are likely much lower than the real number of casualties,” the report states.In July, Pope Leo XIV visited the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, saying migrants who died in the sea are “victims both of decisions that were made and of decisions that were not made.”“Indifference to the common good and corruption in their countries of origin; a global economic system that generates poverty and exclusion; fear that fuels prejudice and contempt; the belief that such problems do not concern us; the criminal calculations of those who profit from the suffering of others; the slow and difficult transition from mere emergency management to the development of comprehensive and shared policies — all are present-day echoes of the haste to ‘pass by’ in the Gospel narrative,” the Holy Father said.
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UN finds increase in migrant deaths on 2 routes in early 2026 amid Vatican concerns – #Catholic – A United Nations report published Aug. 12 found an increase in migrant deaths and missing migrants along two European routes during the first four months of 2026, as the Vatican and bishops continue to voice concerns about safety.The report, published by the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), found that many migrants fall victim to human traffickers and scams along the journey. A majority of the increase in deaths, however, were caused by drownings in the Mediterranean Sea.“Attention tends to settle on a handful of routes, but nearly half of the world’s 304 million international migrants live within their own region, moving for work, family, education and safety,” IOM Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels said in a statement.“Good data is not a substitute for solutions, but there are no solutions without it,” she said. “… When everyone is working from the same clear picture, better decisions follow.”The two routes with a sharp increase in migrant deaths were the Central Mediterranean Route and the Eastern Mediterranean Route. The central route mostly reflects migrants arriving in Italy from northern Africa and the eastern route mostly reflects routes from western Asia into Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.According to the report, the number of migrants who died or went missing along the Central Mediterranean Route was at least 821, which is 111% higher than the same time last year. It found that the primary cause of death was drowning. About 430 migrants died or went missing in January, primarily due to Cyclone Harry.The number went up by 259% on the Eastern Mediterranean Route, reaching at least 244. The report found the primary cause to be drowning. This was caused by “a series of fatal incidents” near Crete — a Greek island in the Mediterranean Sea.“This data highlights the risks faced by migrants along these routes, even as the estimates presented in this report are likely much lower than the real number of casualties,” the report states.In July, Pope Leo XIV visited the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, saying migrants who died in the sea are “victims both of decisions that were made and of decisions that were not made.”“Indifference to the common good and corruption in their countries of origin; a global economic system that generates poverty and exclusion; fear that fuels prejudice and contempt; the belief that such problems do not concern us; the criminal calculations of those who profit from the suffering of others; the slow and difficult transition from mere emergency management to the development of comprehensive and shared policies — all are present-day echoes of the haste to ‘pass by’ in the Gospel narrative,” the Holy Father said.

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The U.N. found an increase in migrant deaths from drowning incidents in the Mediterranean Sea, an issue about which Pope Leo XIV has expressed serious concerns.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 14 August 2026 – A reading from the Book of Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63 The word of the LORD came to me:  Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations. Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem: By origin and birth you are of the land of Canaan; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. As for your birth, the day you were born your navel cord was not cut; you were neither washed with water nor anointed, nor were you rubbed with salt, nor swathed in swaddling clothes. No one looked on you with pity or compassion to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out on the ground as something loathsome, the day you were born. Then I passed by and saw you weltering in your blood. I said to you: Live in your blood and grow like a plant in the field. You grew and developed, you came to the age of puberty; your breasts were formed, your hair had grown, but you were still stark naked. Again I passed by you and saw that you were now old enough for love. So I spread the corner of my cloak over you to cover your nakedness; I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you; you became mine, says the Lord GOD. Then I bathed you with water, washed away your blood, and anointed you with oil. I clothed you with an embroidered gown, put sandals of fine leather on your feet; I gave you a fine linen sash and silk robes to wear. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms,  a necklace about your neck, a ring in your nose, pendants in your ears, and a glorious diadem upon your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver; your garments were of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. Fine flour, honey, and oil were your food. You were exceedingly beautiful, with the dignity of a queen. You were renowned among the nations for your beauty, perfect as it was, because of my splendor which I had bestowed on you, says the Lord GOD.  But you were captivated by your own beauty, you used your renown to make yourself a harlot, and you lavished your harlotry on every passer-by, whose own you became. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were a girl, and I will set up an everlasting covenant with you, that you may remember and be covered with confusion, and that you may be utterly silenced for shame when I pardon you for all you have done, says the Lord GOD.From the Gospel according to Matthew 19:3-12 Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?" He said in reply, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate."  They said to him, "Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?" He said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery." His disciples said to him, "If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." He answered, "Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."God makes of the two spouses one single life. The Bible uses a powerful expression and says ?one flesh?, so intimate is the union between man and woman in marriage. And this is precisely the mystery of marriage: the love of God which is reflected in the couple that decides to live together. Therefore a man leaves his home, the home of his parents, and goes to live with his wife and unites himself so strongly to her that the two become ? the Bible says ? one flesh. (?) When the husband prays for his wife and the wife prays for her husband, that bond becomes strong; one praying for the other. (?) And many times the husband and wife become a little fractious and argue between themselves. (?) Yet we must not become saddened by this, this is the human condition. The secret is that love is stronger than the moment when there is arguing, and therefore I always advise spouses: do not let a day when you have argued end without making peace. Always! (Pope Francis, General Audience, 2 April 2014)

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A reading from the Book of Ezekiel
16:1-15, 60, 63

The word of the LORD came to me: 
Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations.
Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem:
By origin and birth you are of the land of Canaan;
your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.
As for your birth, the day you were born your navel cord was not cut;
you were neither washed with water nor anointed,
nor were you rubbed with salt, nor swathed in swaddling clothes.
No one looked on you with pity or compassion
to do any of these things for you.
Rather, you were thrown out on the ground as something loathsome,
the day you were born.

Then I passed by and saw you weltering in your blood.
I said to you: Live in your blood and grow like a plant in the field.
You grew and developed, you came to the age of puberty;
your breasts were formed, your hair had grown,
but you were still stark naked.
Again I passed by you and saw that you were now old enough for love.
So I spread the corner of my cloak over you to cover your nakedness;
I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you;
you became mine, says the Lord GOD.
Then I bathed you with water, washed away your blood,
and anointed you with oil.
I clothed you with an embroidered gown,
put sandals of fine leather on your feet;
I gave you a fine linen sash and silk robes to wear.
I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms, 
a necklace about your neck, a ring in your nose,
pendants in your ears, and a glorious diadem upon your head.
Thus you were adorned with gold and silver;
your garments were of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth.
Fine flour, honey, and oil were your food.
You were exceedingly beautiful, with the dignity of a queen.
You were renowned among the nations for your beauty, perfect as it was,
because of my splendor which I had bestowed on you,
says the Lord GOD. 

But you were captivated by your own beauty,
you used your renown to make yourself a harlot,
and you lavished your harlotry on every passer-by,
whose own you became.

Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were a girl,
and I will set up an everlasting covenant with you,
that you may remember and be covered with confusion,
and that you may be utterly silenced for shame
when I pardon you for all you have done, says the Lord GOD.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
19:3-12

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying,
"Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?"
He said in reply, "Have you not read that from the beginning
the Creator made them male and female and said,
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?
So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate." 
They said to him, "Then why did Moses command
that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?"
He said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts
Moses allowed you to divorce your wives,
but from the beginning it was not so.
I say to you, whoever divorces his wife
(unless the marriage is unlawful)
and marries another commits adultery."
His disciples said to him,
"If that is the case of a man with his wife,
it is better not to marry."
He answered, "Not all can accept this word,
but only those to whom that is granted.
Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so;
some, because they were made so by others;
some, because they have renounced marriage
for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

God makes of the two spouses one single life. The Bible uses a powerful expression and says ?one flesh?, so intimate is the union between man and woman in marriage. And this is precisely the mystery of marriage: the love of God which is reflected in the couple that decides to live together. Therefore a man leaves his home, the home of his parents, and goes to live with his wife and unites himself so strongly to her that the two become ? the Bible says ? one flesh. (?)

When the husband prays for his wife and the wife prays for her husband, that bond becomes strong; one praying for the other. (?) And many times the husband and wife become a little fractious and argue between themselves. (?) Yet we must not become saddened by this, this is the human condition. The secret is that love is stronger than the moment when there is arguing, and therefore I always advise spouses: do not let a day when you have argued end without making peace. Always! (Pope Francis, General Audience, 2 April 2014)

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Priest takes Blessed Sacrament and flees church with faithful during earthquake in Colombia – #Catholic – The Aug. 10 earthquake in Colombia caught countless people by surprise while attending Mass at various parishes including Most Holy Trinity in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, where the priest ensured everyone’s safety by calmly exiting the church with the faithful, taking the Blessed Sacrament with him.As seen in the livestream of the Mass starting at 53:30 in the video, Father Oscar Aguirre Calderón had just consecrated the body and blood of Christ and was distributing the Eucharist to those assisting with the celebration of the Mass. As he was preparing to give Communion to the rest of the congregation, the ground began to shake and the churchʼs stained-glass windows started vibrating.Without losing his composure, the priest said, “Our Father, pray for us all; help us, Lord, holy and mighty God” and then told the people to leave the church in an orderly manner while he carried the ciborium containing the consecrated hosts, guiding the faithful to safety.“We were able to leave with the Blessed Sacrament, which was a blessing for us all, making our way to one of the arches of the doorway; we stayed there, and the entire community gathered in the small plaza,” the priest recounted in a video shared by the Diocese of Palmira.Although people were safe, the church tower partially collapsed, as did part of the cupola. Bricks also fell inside the church: “In the area of ​​the Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima and the Just Judge, some bricks fell and smashed through the ceiling and damaged everything there,” Aguirre added.However, “thank God no one was harmed; there were no injuries and no fatalities, thank God,” he said.The priest noted that “Most Holy Trinity Parish is part of the municipality’s cultural heritage” and that many residents of Palmira have been baptized and received various sacraments there.Aguirre said there is work to be done to restore the church following the earthquake but that while repairs are being made “the Eucharist cannot be celebrated; yet, thank the Lord, we are all safe.”Other churches in Palmira also damaged The Diocese of Palmira reported that in addition to Most Holy Trinity church, the following parishes were also affected: Our Lady of La Candelaria, St. Peter the Apostle, Our Lady of Perpetual Hope, Immaculate Conception in Yotoco, Our Lady of the Rosary in Vijes, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Restrepo, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Rozo, and Our Lady of the Rosary in Chiquinquirá, as well as old St. Anthony of Padua chapel.Facebook postThis story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Priest takes Blessed Sacrament and flees church with faithful during earthquake in Colombia – #Catholic – The Aug. 10 earthquake in Colombia caught countless people by surprise while attending Mass at various parishes including Most Holy Trinity in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, where the priest ensured everyone’s safety by calmly exiting the church with the faithful, taking the Blessed Sacrament with him.As seen in the livestream of the Mass starting at 53:30 in the video, Father Oscar Aguirre Calderón had just consecrated the body and blood of Christ and was distributing the Eucharist to those assisting with the celebration of the Mass. As he was preparing to give Communion to the rest of the congregation, the ground began to shake and the churchʼs stained-glass windows started vibrating.Without losing his composure, the priest said, “Our Father, pray for us all; help us, Lord, holy and mighty God” and then told the people to leave the church in an orderly manner while he carried the ciborium containing the consecrated hosts, guiding the faithful to safety.“We were able to leave with the Blessed Sacrament, which was a blessing for us all, making our way to one of the arches of the doorway; we stayed there, and the entire community gathered in the small plaza,” the priest recounted in a video shared by the Diocese of Palmira.Although people were safe, the church tower partially collapsed, as did part of the cupola. Bricks also fell inside the church: “In the area of ​​the Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima and the Just Judge, some bricks fell and smashed through the ceiling and damaged everything there,” Aguirre added.However, “thank God no one was harmed; there were no injuries and no fatalities, thank God,” he said.The priest noted that “Most Holy Trinity Parish is part of the municipality’s cultural heritage” and that many residents of Palmira have been baptized and received various sacraments there.Aguirre said there is work to be done to restore the church following the earthquake but that while repairs are being made “the Eucharist cannot be celebrated; yet, thank the Lord, we are all safe.”Other churches in Palmira also damaged The Diocese of Palmira reported that in addition to Most Holy Trinity church, the following parishes were also affected: Our Lady of La Candelaria, St. Peter the Apostle, Our Lady of Perpetual Hope, Immaculate Conception in Yotoco, Our Lady of the Rosary in Vijes, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Restrepo, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Rozo, and Our Lady of the Rosary in Chiquinquirá, as well as old St. Anthony of Padua chapel.Facebook postThis story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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As the church began to shake right after the consecration, Father Oscar Aguirre uttered a quick prayer, grabbed the Blessed Sacrament, and directed the faithful to exit the church.

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El Papa León afirma que el domingo es fundamento y núcleo del año litúrgico #Catholic – CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) — El Papa León XIV instó a los católicos a reunirse en persona para la Misa dominical y pidió que se establezcan condiciones de trabajo que permitan a las personas asistir, afirmando que el domingo es “fundamento y el núcleo de todo el año litúrgico”. “Para santificar el domingo es fundamental celebrar la Eucaristía”, dijo el Papa durante su audiencia general del 12 de agosto en la Basílica de San Pedro. El Santo Padre instó a todos “a crear las mejores condiciones posibles para que también puedan participar en la Santa Misa aquellos que los domingos no tienen la posibilidad de ausentarse del trabajo”. Continuando con su serie de catequesis sobre los documentos del Concilio Vaticano II, el Papa León reflexionó sobre “Sacrosanctum Concilium”, la Constitución sobre la Sagrada Liturgia. El año litúrgico no es una representación estática de acontecimientos pasados, sino un encuentro continuo con Cristo, señaló. En su centro está la Pascua, cuando Cristo resucitó de entre los muertos, y por esa razón, dijo el Papa, es esencial que los fieles santifiquen el Día del Señor reuniéndose para celebrar la Eucaristía. Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí. “Que nuestra participación activa y nuestro testimonio firme nos ayuden a adentrarnos cada vez más profundamente en la realidad de pertenecer a Cristo, y que anticipemos con esperanza su venida en gloria”, dijo en sus comentarios dirigidos a los peregrinos de habla inglesa. El Papa León recordó la descripción que hizo San Juan Pablo II del domingo como la “Pascua semanal” y “el día del Señor, el día de la Iglesia, el día del hombre y, por último el ‘día de los días’”. Incluso en idiomas como el inglés y el alemán, donde el nombre del domingo hace referencia al “día del sol”, el Papa León señaló que los cristianos pueden discernir una alusión a Cristo, “el verdadero ‘sol de justicia’ que ilumina a todo hombre”. Escuchar la palabra de Dios, recibir el cuerpo de Cristo y reunirse los domingos, dijo el Papa, permite a “la comunidad cristiana” hacer “visible su comunión con el Señor” y dar testimonio de su fidelidad a Cristo y a la Iglesia. “Esta asamblea no puede sustituirse por una presencia meramente virtual, ni se reduce a una reunión meramente pasiva”, afirmó, subrayando que la asamblea litúrgica se realiza a través de la participación activa de los fieles. Dirigiéndose a los peregrinos de habla hispana, el Papa León también expresó su cercanía con las personas afectadas por el fuerte terremoto que sacudió Colombia el 10 de agosto, causando la muerte de cientos de personas y dejando a muchas otras heridas o desaparecidas. Los equipos de rescate continúan trabajando para encontrar a los sobrevivientes que siguen enterrados bajo los escombros. “Mientras ruego al Señor por el eterno descanso de los fallecidos, aseguro mis plegarias por sus familias y todos los que han sido golpeados por esta tragedia”, dijo. “Manifiesto mi gratitud a cuantos trabajan en las labores de rescate y de asistencia a los damnificados”.  
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El Papa León afirma que el domingo es fundamento y núcleo del año litúrgico #Catholic – CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) — El Papa León XIV instó a los católicos a reunirse en persona para la Misa dominical y pidió que se establezcan condiciones de trabajo que permitan a las personas asistir, afirmando que el domingo es “fundamento y el núcleo de todo el año litúrgico”. “Para santificar el domingo es fundamental celebrar la Eucaristía”, dijo el Papa durante su audiencia general del 12 de agosto en la Basílica de San Pedro. El Santo Padre instó a todos “a crear las mejores condiciones posibles para que también puedan participar en la Santa Misa aquellos que los domingos no tienen la posibilidad de ausentarse del trabajo”. Continuando con su serie de catequesis sobre los documentos del Concilio Vaticano II, el Papa León reflexionó sobre “Sacrosanctum Concilium”, la Constitución sobre la Sagrada Liturgia. El año litúrgico no es una representación estática de acontecimientos pasados, sino un encuentro continuo con Cristo, señaló. En su centro está la Pascua, cuando Cristo resucitó de entre los muertos, y por esa razón, dijo el Papa, es esencial que los fieles santifiquen el Día del Señor reuniéndose para celebrar la Eucaristía. Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí. “Que nuestra participación activa y nuestro testimonio firme nos ayuden a adentrarnos cada vez más profundamente en la realidad de pertenecer a Cristo, y que anticipemos con esperanza su venida en gloria”, dijo en sus comentarios dirigidos a los peregrinos de habla inglesa. El Papa León recordó la descripción que hizo San Juan Pablo II del domingo como la “Pascua semanal” y “el día del Señor, el día de la Iglesia, el día del hombre y, por último el ‘día de los días’”. Incluso en idiomas como el inglés y el alemán, donde el nombre del domingo hace referencia al “día del sol”, el Papa León señaló que los cristianos pueden discernir una alusión a Cristo, “el verdadero ‘sol de justicia’ que ilumina a todo hombre”. Escuchar la palabra de Dios, recibir el cuerpo de Cristo y reunirse los domingos, dijo el Papa, permite a “la comunidad cristiana” hacer “visible su comunión con el Señor” y dar testimonio de su fidelidad a Cristo y a la Iglesia. “Esta asamblea no puede sustituirse por una presencia meramente virtual, ni se reduce a una reunión meramente pasiva”, afirmó, subrayando que la asamblea litúrgica se realiza a través de la participación activa de los fieles. Dirigiéndose a los peregrinos de habla hispana, el Papa León también expresó su cercanía con las personas afectadas por el fuerte terremoto que sacudió Colombia el 10 de agosto, causando la muerte de cientos de personas y dejando a muchas otras heridas o desaparecidas. Los equipos de rescate continúan trabajando para encontrar a los sobrevivientes que siguen enterrados bajo los escombros. “Mientras ruego al Señor por el eterno descanso de los fallecidos, aseguro mis plegarias por sus familias y todos los que han sido golpeados por esta tragedia”, dijo. “Manifiesto mi gratitud a cuantos trabajan en las labores de rescate y de asistencia a los damnificados”.  

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El Papa León afirma que el domingo es fundamento y núcleo del año litúrgico #Catholic –

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) — El Papa León XIV instó a los católicos a reunirse en persona para la Misa dominical y pidió que se establezcan condiciones de trabajo que permitan a las personas asistir, afirmando que el domingo es “fundamento y el núcleo de todo el año litúrgico”.

“Para santificar el domingo es fundamental celebrar la Eucaristía”, dijo el Papa durante su audiencia general del 12 de agosto en la Basílica de San Pedro. El Santo Padre instó a todos “a crear las mejores condiciones posibles para que también puedan participar en la Santa Misa aquellos que los domingos no tienen la posibilidad de ausentarse del trabajo”.

Continuando con su serie de catequesis sobre los documentos del Concilio Vaticano II, el Papa León reflexionó sobre “Sacrosanctum Concilium”, la Constitución sobre la Sagrada Liturgia. El año litúrgico no es una representación estática de acontecimientos pasados, sino un encuentro continuo con Cristo, señaló.

En su centro está la Pascua, cuando Cristo resucitó de entre los muertos, y por esa razón, dijo el Papa, es esencial que los fieles santifiquen el Día del Señor reuniéndose para celebrar la Eucaristía.

Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí.

“Que nuestra participación activa y nuestro testimonio firme nos ayuden a adentrarnos cada vez más profundamente en la realidad de pertenecer a Cristo, y que anticipemos con esperanza su venida en gloria”, dijo en sus comentarios dirigidos a los peregrinos de habla inglesa.

El Papa León recordó la descripción que hizo San Juan Pablo II del domingo como la “Pascua semanal” y “el día del Señor, el día de la Iglesia, el día del hombre y, por último el ‘día de los días’”.

Incluso en idiomas como el inglés y el alemán, donde el nombre del domingo hace referencia al “día del sol”, el Papa León señaló que los cristianos pueden discernir una alusión a Cristo, “el verdadero ‘sol de justicia’ que ilumina a todo hombre”.

Escuchar la palabra de Dios, recibir el cuerpo de Cristo y reunirse los domingos, dijo el Papa, permite a “la comunidad cristiana” hacer “visible su comunión con el Señor” y dar testimonio de su fidelidad a Cristo y a la Iglesia.

“Esta asamblea no puede sustituirse por una presencia meramente virtual, ni se reduce a una reunión meramente pasiva”, afirmó, subrayando que la asamblea litúrgica se realiza a través de la participación activa de los fieles.

Dirigiéndose a los peregrinos de habla hispana, el Papa León también expresó su cercanía con las personas afectadas por el fuerte terremoto que sacudió Colombia el 10 de agosto, causando la muerte de cientos de personas y dejando a muchas otras heridas o desaparecidas. Los equipos de rescate continúan trabajando para encontrar a los sobrevivientes que siguen enterrados bajo los escombros.

“Mientras ruego al Señor por el eterno descanso de los fallecidos, aseguro mis plegarias por sus familias y todos los que han sido golpeados por esta tragedia”, dijo. “Manifiesto mi gratitud a cuantos trabajan en las labores de rescate y de asistencia a los damnificados”.

 

– CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) — El Papa León XIV instó a los católicos a reunirse en persona para la Misa dominical y pidió que se establezcan condiciones de trabajo que permitan a las personas asistir, afirmando que el domingo es “fundamento y el núcleo de todo el año litúrgico”. “Para santificar el domingo es fundamental celebrar la Eucaristía”, dijo el Papa durante su audiencia general del 12 de agosto en la Basílica de San Pedro. El Santo Padre instó a todos “a crear las mejores condiciones posibles para que también puedan participar en la Santa Misa aquellos que los domingos

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El Papa León XIV ora por las víctimas del terremoto en Colombia #Catholic – (OSV News) — El Papa León XIV expresó su profunda tristeza por las muertes y la destrucción provocadas por el fuerte terremoto que sacudió Colombia y dejó más de 100 muertos y decenas de edificios derrumbados. El Papa ofreció sus oraciones “por el eterno descanso de los fallecidos y eleva al Señor sus oraciones por la pronta recuperación de los afectados por esta tragedia”, según un telegrama dirigido al arzobispo Francisco Javier Múnera Correa de Cartagena, presidente de la Conferencia Episcopal Colombiana, firmado por el cardenal Pietro Parolin, Secretario de Estado del Vaticano. El terremoto sacudió el país la mañana del 10 de agosto; se publicaron cientos de videos en línea en los que se veía a personas huyendo al aire libre mientras el suelo bajo sus pies temblaba violentamente. La Asociación Colombiana de Ciudades Capitales informó que el número de muertos ascendió a 132, con más de 570 heridos. La asociación, que es una red de las principales ciudades de Colombia, señaló que se espera que la cifra cambie a medida que continúen las evaluaciones de daños en las zonas afectadas. En su mensaje, publicado por el Vaticano el 11 de agosto, el cardenal Parolin transmitió las condolencias del Papa “a los familiares que, en esta hora de profundo dolor, lloran la pérdida de sus seres queridos”. Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí. “De igual modo, asegura su cercanía espiritual y manifiesta su gratitud a cuantos con generosa entrega, trabajan en las labores de búsqueda, socorro y asistencia a los damnificados”, dijo el telegrama. El Papa pidió también, por intercesión de la Bienaventurada Virgen María, que el Señor “derrame sobre el querido pueblo colombiano los dones de la fortaleza espiritual y la esperanza cristiana”, concluyó el mensaje. Según el Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC), el epicentro del sismo se ubicó en el departamento noroccidental de Chocó, y fue “el sismo que se ha sentido más fuerte en la última década en Colombia”. El Servicio Geológico también informó que, hasta la tarde del 10 de agosto, se habían registrado en el país 18 réplicas con magnitudes entre 1,4 y 4,8 desde el sismo inicial. En un mensaje publicado el 10 de agosto, la Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia expresó su cercanía con las víctimas del mortal sismo de magnitud 7,4. “Oramos por quienes han perdido la vida para que Dios les conceda el descanso eterno; por las personas que aún se encuentran desaparecidas; por los heridos y las familias damnificadas”, dijeron los obispos. Los obispos también oraron por los organismos de socorro y personal médico, así como por las autoridades militares y gubernamentales, y “todas las personas que, con generosidad y valentía, trabajan en las labores de búsqueda, rescate y atención de los afectados”. “Este momento doloroso nos recuerda que nadie puede afrontar solo una emergencia de esta magnitud”, se lee en el comunicado. “Colombia está llamada, una vez más, a reconocerse como una sola familia y a responder al sufrimiento de sus hermanos con generosidad, responsabilidad y solidaridad”. Entre los videos que mostraban la destrucción causada por el sismo había uno de la Catedral Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario en Manizales, así como imágenes de varias iglesias que sufrieron graves daños La Arquidiócesis de Manizales también compartió un video de 10 segundos que muestra una Misa que se estaba celebrando cuando ocurrió el sismo por la mañana. En un mensaje de video dirigido a los fieles de la ciudad, el arzobispo José Miguel Gómez de Manizales expresó que, si bien la arquidiócesis continúa evaluando los daños a las iglesias, “ahora lo más importante son ustedes: los fieles, los sacerdotes y todos los vecinos que también padecieron lo mismo”. “Dios, nuestro Señor, nunca nos abandona y en estos momentos es cuando, elevando la mirada hacia Él, tenemos todos que, con humildad y con sencillez, pedirle a Él las gracias que nos hacen falta para vivir estas dificultades”, dijo el arzobispo Gómez. El arzobispo también invocó la intercesión de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, pidiéndole que consuele y reconforte a los afectados por el desastre natural. Asimismo, instó a la población a seguir las indicaciones de las autoridades. “Y, siguiendo esas instrucciones, busquen siempre estar atentos a los que más sufren, para que ninguna persona se quede sin atención en estos momentos de dificultad”, concluyó antes de impartir su bendición. La Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia informó que las diócesis de todo el país están estableciendo puntos de acopio para garantizar la distribución de alimentos a albergues, hospitales y comunidades en las zonas afectadas. Los obispos también dijeron que Cáritas Colombia ha activado su Servicio Nacional de Emergencias para recaudar fondos y brindar asistencia directa “a las jurisdicciones y comunidades que resultaron mayormente afectadas por esta tragedia”. Junno Arocho Esteves es corresponsal internacional de OSV News. Síguelo en X @jae_journalist.  
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El Papa León XIV ora por las víctimas del terremoto en Colombia #Catholic – (OSV News) — El Papa León XIV expresó su profunda tristeza por las muertes y la destrucción provocadas por el fuerte terremoto que sacudió Colombia y dejó más de 100 muertos y decenas de edificios derrumbados. El Papa ofreció sus oraciones “por el eterno descanso de los fallecidos y eleva al Señor sus oraciones por la pronta recuperación de los afectados por esta tragedia”, según un telegrama dirigido al arzobispo Francisco Javier Múnera Correa de Cartagena, presidente de la Conferencia Episcopal Colombiana, firmado por el cardenal Pietro Parolin, Secretario de Estado del Vaticano. El terremoto sacudió el país la mañana del 10 de agosto; se publicaron cientos de videos en línea en los que se veía a personas huyendo al aire libre mientras el suelo bajo sus pies temblaba violentamente. La Asociación Colombiana de Ciudades Capitales informó que el número de muertos ascendió a 132, con más de 570 heridos. La asociación, que es una red de las principales ciudades de Colombia, señaló que se espera que la cifra cambie a medida que continúen las evaluaciones de daños en las zonas afectadas. En su mensaje, publicado por el Vaticano el 11 de agosto, el cardenal Parolin transmitió las condolencias del Papa “a los familiares que, en esta hora de profundo dolor, lloran la pérdida de sus seres queridos”. Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí. “De igual modo, asegura su cercanía espiritual y manifiesta su gratitud a cuantos con generosa entrega, trabajan en las labores de búsqueda, socorro y asistencia a los damnificados”, dijo el telegrama. El Papa pidió también, por intercesión de la Bienaventurada Virgen María, que el Señor “derrame sobre el querido pueblo colombiano los dones de la fortaleza espiritual y la esperanza cristiana”, concluyó el mensaje. Según el Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC), el epicentro del sismo se ubicó en el departamento noroccidental de Chocó, y fue “el sismo que se ha sentido más fuerte en la última década en Colombia”. El Servicio Geológico también informó que, hasta la tarde del 10 de agosto, se habían registrado en el país 18 réplicas con magnitudes entre 1,4 y 4,8 desde el sismo inicial. En un mensaje publicado el 10 de agosto, la Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia expresó su cercanía con las víctimas del mortal sismo de magnitud 7,4. “Oramos por quienes han perdido la vida para que Dios les conceda el descanso eterno; por las personas que aún se encuentran desaparecidas; por los heridos y las familias damnificadas”, dijeron los obispos. Los obispos también oraron por los organismos de socorro y personal médico, así como por las autoridades militares y gubernamentales, y “todas las personas que, con generosidad y valentía, trabajan en las labores de búsqueda, rescate y atención de los afectados”. “Este momento doloroso nos recuerda que nadie puede afrontar solo una emergencia de esta magnitud”, se lee en el comunicado. “Colombia está llamada, una vez más, a reconocerse como una sola familia y a responder al sufrimiento de sus hermanos con generosidad, responsabilidad y solidaridad”. Entre los videos que mostraban la destrucción causada por el sismo había uno de la Catedral Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario en Manizales, así como imágenes de varias iglesias que sufrieron graves daños La Arquidiócesis de Manizales también compartió un video de 10 segundos que muestra una Misa que se estaba celebrando cuando ocurrió el sismo por la mañana. En un mensaje de video dirigido a los fieles de la ciudad, el arzobispo José Miguel Gómez de Manizales expresó que, si bien la arquidiócesis continúa evaluando los daños a las iglesias, “ahora lo más importante son ustedes: los fieles, los sacerdotes y todos los vecinos que también padecieron lo mismo”. “Dios, nuestro Señor, nunca nos abandona y en estos momentos es cuando, elevando la mirada hacia Él, tenemos todos que, con humildad y con sencillez, pedirle a Él las gracias que nos hacen falta para vivir estas dificultades”, dijo el arzobispo Gómez. El arzobispo también invocó la intercesión de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, pidiéndole que consuele y reconforte a los afectados por el desastre natural. Asimismo, instó a la población a seguir las indicaciones de las autoridades. “Y, siguiendo esas instrucciones, busquen siempre estar atentos a los que más sufren, para que ninguna persona se quede sin atención en estos momentos de dificultad”, concluyó antes de impartir su bendición. La Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia informó que las diócesis de todo el país están estableciendo puntos de acopio para garantizar la distribución de alimentos a albergues, hospitales y comunidades en las zonas afectadas. Los obispos también dijeron que Cáritas Colombia ha activado su Servicio Nacional de Emergencias para recaudar fondos y brindar asistencia directa “a las jurisdicciones y comunidades que resultaron mayormente afectadas por esta tragedia”. Junno Arocho Esteves es corresponsal internacional de OSV News. Síguelo en X @jae_journalist.  

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El Papa León XIV ora por las víctimas del terremoto en Colombia #Catholic –

(OSV News) — El Papa León XIV expresó su profunda tristeza por las muertes y la destrucción provocadas por el fuerte terremoto que sacudió Colombia y dejó más de 100 muertos y decenas de edificios derrumbados.

El Papa ofreció sus oraciones “por el eterno descanso de los fallecidos y eleva al Señor sus oraciones por la pronta recuperación de los afectados por esta tragedia”, según un telegrama dirigido al arzobispo Francisco Javier Múnera Correa de Cartagena, presidente de la Conferencia Episcopal Colombiana, firmado por el cardenal Pietro Parolin, Secretario de Estado del Vaticano.

El terremoto sacudió el país la mañana del 10 de agosto; se publicaron cientos de videos en línea en los que se veía a personas huyendo al aire libre mientras el suelo bajo sus pies temblaba violentamente.

La Asociación Colombiana de Ciudades Capitales informó que el número de muertos ascendió a 132, con más de 570 heridos. La asociación, que es una red de las principales ciudades de Colombia, señaló que se espera que la cifra cambie a medida que continúen las evaluaciones de daños en las zonas afectadas.

En su mensaje, publicado por el Vaticano el 11 de agosto, el cardenal Parolin transmitió las condolencias del Papa “a los familiares que, en esta hora de profundo dolor, lloran la pérdida de sus seres queridos”.

Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí.

“De igual modo, asegura su cercanía espiritual y manifiesta su gratitud a cuantos con generosa entrega, trabajan en las labores de búsqueda, socorro y asistencia a los damnificados”, dijo el telegrama.

El Papa pidió también, por intercesión de la Bienaventurada Virgen María, que el Señor “derrame sobre el querido pueblo colombiano los dones de la fortaleza espiritual y la esperanza cristiana”, concluyó el mensaje.

Según el Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC), el epicentro del sismo se ubicó en el departamento noroccidental de Chocó, y fue “el sismo que se ha sentido más fuerte en la última década en Colombia”.

El Servicio Geológico también informó que, hasta la tarde del 10 de agosto, se habían registrado en el país 18 réplicas con magnitudes entre 1,4 y 4,8 desde el sismo inicial.

En un mensaje publicado el 10 de agosto, la Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia expresó su cercanía con las víctimas del mortal sismo de magnitud 7,4.

“Oramos por quienes han perdido la vida para que Dios les conceda el descanso eterno; por las personas que aún se encuentran desaparecidas; por los heridos y las familias damnificadas”, dijeron los obispos.

Los obispos también oraron por los organismos de socorro y personal médico, así como por las autoridades militares y gubernamentales, y “todas las personas que, con generosidad y valentía, trabajan en las labores de búsqueda, rescate y atención de los afectados”.

“Este momento doloroso nos recuerda que nadie puede afrontar solo una emergencia de esta magnitud”, se lee en el comunicado. “Colombia está llamada, una vez más, a reconocerse como una sola familia y a responder al sufrimiento de sus hermanos con generosidad, responsabilidad y solidaridad”.

Entre los videos que mostraban la destrucción causada por el sismo había uno de la Catedral Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario en Manizales, así como imágenes de varias iglesias que sufrieron graves daños

La Arquidiócesis de Manizales también compartió un video de 10 segundos que muestra una Misa que se estaba celebrando cuando ocurrió el sismo por la mañana.
En un mensaje de video dirigido a los fieles de la ciudad, el arzobispo José Miguel Gómez de Manizales expresó que, si bien la arquidiócesis continúa evaluando los daños a las iglesias, “ahora lo más importante son ustedes: los fieles, los sacerdotes y todos los vecinos que también padecieron lo mismo”.

“Dios, nuestro Señor, nunca nos abandona y en estos momentos es cuando, elevando la mirada hacia Él, tenemos todos que, con humildad y con sencillez, pedirle a Él las gracias que nos hacen falta para vivir estas dificultades”, dijo el arzobispo Gómez.

El arzobispo también invocó la intercesión de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, pidiéndole que consuele y reconforte a los afectados por el desastre natural. Asimismo, instó a la población a seguir las indicaciones de las autoridades.

“Y, siguiendo esas instrucciones, busquen siempre estar atentos a los que más sufren, para que ninguna persona se quede sin atención en estos momentos de dificultad”, concluyó antes de impartir su bendición.

La Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia informó que las diócesis de todo el país están estableciendo puntos de acopio para garantizar la distribución de alimentos a albergues, hospitales y comunidades en las zonas afectadas.

Los obispos también dijeron que Cáritas Colombia ha activado su Servicio Nacional de Emergencias para recaudar fondos y brindar asistencia directa “a las jurisdicciones y comunidades que resultaron mayormente afectadas por esta tragedia”.

Junno Arocho Esteves es corresponsal internacional de OSV News. Síguelo en X @jae_journalist.

 

– (OSV News) — El Papa León XIV expresó su profunda tristeza por las muertes y la destrucción provocadas por el fuerte terremoto que sacudió Colombia y dejó más de 100 muertos y decenas de edificios derrumbados. El Papa ofreció sus oraciones “por el eterno descanso de los fallecidos y eleva al Señor sus oraciones por la pronta recuperación de los afectados por esta tragedia”, según un telegrama dirigido al arzobispo Francisco Javier Múnera Correa de Cartagena, presidente de la Conferencia Episcopal Colombiana, firmado por el cardenal Pietro Parolin, Secretario de Estado del Vaticano. El terremoto sacudió el país la mañana

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Aug. 13, 2011: Perseids from space

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Likely the best-known meteor shower of the year, the Perseids occur from late July through late August annually, typically peaking around Aug. 12-13. Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through the debris field left behind as a comet orbits the Sun. In the case of the Perseids, that comet is Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, discovered inContinue reading “Aug. 13, 2011: Perseids from space”

The post Aug. 13, 2011: Perseids from space appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Bishop Sweeney rejoices in celebrating Mass at Mary Help Camp #Catholic – Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney on July 27 visited Mary Help of Christians Camp in North Haledon, N.J., to the delight of about 300 campers, their families, staff, and the Salesian Sisters’ community that has run the camp for the past 102 years during the camp’s annual Family Day. Bishop Sweeney presided over a Family Day Mass, which was concelebrated by Salesian Father Jim Mulloy, camp chaplain for about 20 years. The liturgy in St. Joseph Chapel occurred toward the end of the camp’s five-week season this summer, which welcomed 275 campers. The Salesian Sisters of St. Don Bosco, also known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, run the camp with the help of lay volunteers on the Salesians’ sprawling 16.33-acre campus. “MHC Camp provides meaningful leisure time activities as part of an enriching and enjoyable summer program for both boys and girls ages 4 to 13,” according to the Salesians. “We believe in the whole education of young people as a means for developing their potential as ‘good Christians and honest citizens.’” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The camp offers a wide range of activities to keep campers engaged and having fun at all times of the day. Activities include archery, arts and crafts, boating and fishing, Christian formation, dance, gardening, indoor and outdoor sports, low-rope course, music, playground, STEM, and swimming. Many campers tried a new activity this season: cupcake and cookie baking and decorating. Activities also include a “Fun Fact” game as a part of the traditional Salesian “Good Morning,” featuring prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, a “good spiritual thought” for the day, and announcements. “The kids were excited to see Bishop Sweeney, who greeted them. It means a lot that the bishop, our shepherd, took the time to see what we’re doing. We were blessed,” said Salesian Sister Ramona Beltre, the camp’s director for the past 17 years. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  
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Bishop Sweeney rejoices in celebrating Mass at Mary Help Camp #Catholic – Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney on July 27 visited Mary Help of Christians Camp in North Haledon, N.J., to the delight of about 300 campers, their families, staff, and the Salesian Sisters’ community that has run the camp for the past 102 years during the camp’s annual Family Day. Bishop Sweeney presided over a Family Day Mass, which was concelebrated by Salesian Father Jim Mulloy, camp chaplain for about 20 years. The liturgy in St. Joseph Chapel occurred toward the end of the camp’s five-week season this summer, which welcomed 275 campers. The Salesian Sisters of St. Don Bosco, also known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, run the camp with the help of lay volunteers on the Salesians’ sprawling 16.33-acre campus. “MHC Camp provides meaningful leisure time activities as part of an enriching and enjoyable summer program for both boys and girls ages 4 to 13,” according to the Salesians. “We believe in the whole education of young people as a means for developing their potential as ‘good Christians and honest citizens.’” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The camp offers a wide range of activities to keep campers engaged and having fun at all times of the day. Activities include archery, arts and crafts, boating and fishing, Christian formation, dance, gardening, indoor and outdoor sports, low-rope course, music, playground, STEM, and swimming. Many campers tried a new activity this season: cupcake and cookie baking and decorating. Activities also include a “Fun Fact” game as a part of the traditional Salesian “Good Morning,” featuring prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, a “good spiritual thought” for the day, and announcements. “The kids were excited to see Bishop Sweeney, who greeted them. It means a lot that the bishop, our shepherd, took the time to see what we’re doing. We were blessed,” said Salesian Sister Ramona Beltre, the camp’s director for the past 17 years. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  

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Bishop Sweeney rejoices in celebrating Mass at Mary Help Camp #Catholic –

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney on July 27 visited Mary Help of Christians Camp in North Haledon, N.J., to the delight of about 300 campers, their families, staff, and the Salesian Sisters’ community that has run the camp for the past 102 years during the camp’s annual Family Day.

Bishop Sweeney presided over a Family Day Mass, which was concelebrated by Salesian Father Jim Mulloy, camp chaplain for about 20 years. The liturgy in St. Joseph Chapel occurred toward the end of the camp’s five-week season this summer, which welcomed 275 campers.

The Salesian Sisters of St. Don Bosco, also known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, run the camp with the help of lay volunteers on the Salesians’ sprawling 16.33-acre campus.

“MHC Camp provides meaningful leisure time activities as part of an enriching and enjoyable summer program for both boys and girls ages 4 to 13,” according to the Salesians. “We believe in the whole education of young people as a means for developing their potential as ‘good Christians and honest citizens.’”

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The camp offers a wide range of activities to keep campers engaged and having fun at all times of the day. Activities include archery, arts and crafts, boating and fishing, Christian formation, dance, gardening, indoor and outdoor sports, low-rope course, music, playground, STEM, and swimming. Many campers tried a new activity this season: cupcake and cookie baking and decorating.

Activities also include a “Fun Fact” game as a part of the traditional Salesian “Good Morning,” featuring prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, a “good spiritual thought” for the day, and announcements.

“The kids were excited to see Bishop Sweeney, who greeted them. It means a lot that the bishop, our shepherd, took the time to see what we’re doing. We were blessed,” said Salesian Sister Ramona Beltre, the camp’s director for the past 17 years.

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI

– Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney on July 27 visited Mary Help of Christians Camp in North Haledon, N.J., to the delight of about 300 campers, their families, staff, and the Salesian Sisters’ community that has run the camp for the past 102 years during the camp’s annual Family Day. Bishop Sweeney presided over a Family Day Mass, which was concelebrated by Salesian Father Jim Mulloy, camp chaplain for about 20 years. The liturgy in St. Joseph Chapel occurred toward the end of the camp’s five-week season this summer, which welcomed 275 campers. The Salesian Sisters of St. Don Bosco, also known

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Peru seeks to turn Pope Leo’s legacy into an international pilgrimage destination – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Peru is not only building anticipation among the faithful but is also opening up the possibility of establishing permanent pilgrimage routes and showcasing the countryʼs rich spiritual heritage, which could boost local economies, according to national and international tourism experts.That was one of the key points presented at the First Specialized Conference on Religious Tourism held Aug. 3 and organized by the National Chamber of Tourism of Peru (CANATUR, by its Spanish acronym) and the World Religious Tourism Network, where experts agreed that the Holy Fatherʼs apostolic journey, scheduled for Nov. 11–17, could serve as a starting point. Adrián Lomello, the World Religious Tourism Network’s director for the Americas, gives a presentation at the First Specialized Conference on Religious Tourism, held on Aug. 3, 2026, and organized by the National Chamber of Tourism of Peru (CANATUR) and the World Religious Tourism Network. | Credit: Diego Lopez Marina/EWTN News Speaking to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, Adrián Lomello, the World Religious Tourism Network’s director for the Americas, stated that “Peruʼs potential is limitless.”“The country’s resources are enormous, and it also possesses something no one else has: the blend of Catholicism and Andean cultures. That syncretism is unique in Latin America, and here it occurs quite naturally,” he stated.For Lomello, the challenge now lies in looking beyond the pope’s upcoming visit and establishing Peru as a regular destination for pilgrimages.During the event, a proposal was made to strengthen the “Paths of Pope Leo XIV” tourist route, which encompasses cities such as Chiclayo, Piura, Trujillo, and Callao, where the Holy Father carried out a significant part of his pastoral ministry. “The idea is for these destinations to outlast the time of the visit and become a permanent offering” to pilgrims, he explained. Adrián Lomello gives a presentation at the First Specialized Conference on Religious Tourism in Peru | Credit: Diego López Marina/EWTN News Religious tourism benefits the entire communityLomello highlighted that religious tourism does not benefit only shrines or churches but also stimulates the economies of the cities that welcome pilgrims.“Religious tourism has a direct impact on the community because the pilgrim arrives, spends money locally, buys handicrafts, stays overnight, perhaps extending their visit by a day, and visits a museum,” he explained to ACI Prensa.“We have demonstrated that the financial investment yields a sixfold return. The state invests 1 sol [Peru’s unit of currency] and gets 6 back, a 600% return,” he emphasized.He noted that cities must prepare to offer experiences that complement the pilgrimage, including “excellent cuisine, engaging activities, museums, and events.” Adrián Lomello, director for the Americas of the World Religious Tourism Network. | Credit: Diego López Marina/EWTN News He noted that Peru possesses numerous destinations with great potential beyond those that are already well established.“Cusco no longer needs further promotion. It even faces limitations in accommodating more visitors, and that’s fine. However, there are other destinations that offer the same impact and need to be developed,” he pointed out.Waldin Durán, one of the speakers at the event and a specialist in innovation and digital transformation for tourism, told ACI Prensa that Leo XIV’s visit should be understood not just as a one-time event but “the precedent and the beginning,” positioning Peru as an international destination for religious tourism.Durán noted that religious tourism represents about 20% of world tourism, and according to data from the World Tourism Organization, a pilgrim can generate up to 10% more income than a conventional tourist. He said the challenge will be to take advantage of Leo XIV’s upcoming itinerary to attract visitors on an ongoing basis.The event organized by CANATUR also provided an update on the progress of preparations for the papal visit.CANATUR general manager Carlos Loayza said the tourism sector is already working to engage hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, guides, restaurants, transportation providers, artisans, and local authorities.A country shaped by faithLomello also encouraged Peruvian authorities to promote religious tourism as a matter of state policy.“We would be delighted to see the government commit to this and make religious tourism a flagship initiative. I believe some steps have already been taken, and a commission has been established that strikes me as very promising,” he noted, referring to the alliance formed between the World Religious Tourism Network, CANATUR, and the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism, which are making initial preparations for the apostolic journey.At the same time, he acknowledged that “the political transition Peru is undergoing,” with the election of Keiko Fujimori as the new president, “calls for a bit of patience” while the new government gets itself established.‘Leo XIV is Peruvian’For Lomello, one of the elements that will make the papal visit historic is the deep bond Leo XIV shares with the country.“He is of U.S. origin, but his mindset is Peruvian. His spiritual formation is Peruvian. His tastes are Peruvian,” he noted. Pope Leo XIV gives his blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica following his election on May 8, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media In his view, that bond will give the visit a special significance. “The benefits in terms of Peruvian identity will be immense. The benefits regarding spiritual conversion will be enormous,” he added.“Let’s have the finest banquet prepared,” he said. “Peru is beginning to experience a celebration. And when there is a celebration, the people rejoice; everyone’s heart is full of joy.” “May no one be left out. That is the great challenge: making this a celebration for everyone,” he added.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Peru seeks to turn Pope Leo’s legacy into an international pilgrimage destination – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Peru is not only building anticipation among the faithful but is also opening up the possibility of establishing permanent pilgrimage routes and showcasing the countryʼs rich spiritual heritage, which could boost local economies, according to national and international tourism experts.That was one of the key points presented at the First Specialized Conference on Religious Tourism held Aug. 3 and organized by the National Chamber of Tourism of Peru (CANATUR, by its Spanish acronym) and the World Religious Tourism Network, where experts agreed that the Holy Fatherʼs apostolic journey, scheduled for Nov. 11–17, could serve as a starting point. Adrián Lomello, the World Religious Tourism Network’s director for the Americas, gives a presentation at the First Specialized Conference on Religious Tourism, held on Aug. 3, 2026, and organized by the National Chamber of Tourism of Peru (CANATUR) and the World Religious Tourism Network. | Credit: Diego Lopez Marina/EWTN News Speaking to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, Adrián Lomello, the World Religious Tourism Network’s director for the Americas, stated that “Peruʼs potential is limitless.”“The country’s resources are enormous, and it also possesses something no one else has: the blend of Catholicism and Andean cultures. That syncretism is unique in Latin America, and here it occurs quite naturally,” he stated.For Lomello, the challenge now lies in looking beyond the pope’s upcoming visit and establishing Peru as a regular destination for pilgrimages.During the event, a proposal was made to strengthen the “Paths of Pope Leo XIV” tourist route, which encompasses cities such as Chiclayo, Piura, Trujillo, and Callao, where the Holy Father carried out a significant part of his pastoral ministry. “The idea is for these destinations to outlast the time of the visit and become a permanent offering” to pilgrims, he explained. Adrián Lomello gives a presentation at the First Specialized Conference on Religious Tourism in Peru | Credit: Diego López Marina/EWTN News Religious tourism benefits the entire communityLomello highlighted that religious tourism does not benefit only shrines or churches but also stimulates the economies of the cities that welcome pilgrims.“Religious tourism has a direct impact on the community because the pilgrim arrives, spends money locally, buys handicrafts, stays overnight, perhaps extending their visit by a day, and visits a museum,” he explained to ACI Prensa.“We have demonstrated that the financial investment yields a sixfold return. The state invests 1 sol [Peru’s unit of currency] and gets 6 back, a 600% return,” he emphasized.He noted that cities must prepare to offer experiences that complement the pilgrimage, including “excellent cuisine, engaging activities, museums, and events.” Adrián Lomello, director for the Americas of the World Religious Tourism Network. | Credit: Diego López Marina/EWTN News He noted that Peru possesses numerous destinations with great potential beyond those that are already well established.“Cusco no longer needs further promotion. It even faces limitations in accommodating more visitors, and that’s fine. However, there are other destinations that offer the same impact and need to be developed,” he pointed out.Waldin Durán, one of the speakers at the event and a specialist in innovation and digital transformation for tourism, told ACI Prensa that Leo XIV’s visit should be understood not just as a one-time event but “the precedent and the beginning,” positioning Peru as an international destination for religious tourism.Durán noted that religious tourism represents about 20% of world tourism, and according to data from the World Tourism Organization, a pilgrim can generate up to 10% more income than a conventional tourist. He said the challenge will be to take advantage of Leo XIV’s upcoming itinerary to attract visitors on an ongoing basis.The event organized by CANATUR also provided an update on the progress of preparations for the papal visit.CANATUR general manager Carlos Loayza said the tourism sector is already working to engage hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, guides, restaurants, transportation providers, artisans, and local authorities.A country shaped by faithLomello also encouraged Peruvian authorities to promote religious tourism as a matter of state policy.“We would be delighted to see the government commit to this and make religious tourism a flagship initiative. I believe some steps have already been taken, and a commission has been established that strikes me as very promising,” he noted, referring to the alliance formed between the World Religious Tourism Network, CANATUR, and the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism, which are making initial preparations for the apostolic journey.At the same time, he acknowledged that “the political transition Peru is undergoing,” with the election of Keiko Fujimori as the new president, “calls for a bit of patience” while the new government gets itself established.‘Leo XIV is Peruvian’For Lomello, one of the elements that will make the papal visit historic is the deep bond Leo XIV shares with the country.“He is of U.S. origin, but his mindset is Peruvian. His spiritual formation is Peruvian. His tastes are Peruvian,” he noted. Pope Leo XIV gives his blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica following his election on May 8, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media In his view, that bond will give the visit a special significance. “The benefits in terms of Peruvian identity will be immense. The benefits regarding spiritual conversion will be enormous,” he added.“Let’s have the finest banquet prepared,” he said. “Peru is beginning to experience a celebration. And when there is a celebration, the people rejoice; everyone’s heart is full of joy.” “May no one be left out. That is the great challenge: making this a celebration for everyone,” he added.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Pope Leo’s XIV’s upcoming visit to Peru can serve as a launchpad for turning the country into a regular destination for pilgrims, benefiting the local economy.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 13 August 2026 – A reading from the Book of Ezekiel 12:1-12 The word of the LORD came to me:  Son of man, you live in the midst of a rebellious house; they have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house. Now, son of man, during the day while they are looking on, prepare your baggage as though for exile,  and again while they are looking on, migrate from where you live to another place; perhaps they will see that they are a rebellious house. You shall bring out your baggage like an exile in the daytime  while they are looking on; in the evening, again while they are looking on, you shall go out like one of those driven into exile; while they look on, dig a hole in the wall and pass through it; while they look on, shoulder the burden and set out in the darkness; cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel. I did as I was told. During the day I brought out my baggage as though it were that of an exile, and at evening I dug a hole through the wall with my hand and, while they looked on, set out in the darkness, shouldering my burden. Then, in the morning, the word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, did not the house of Israel, that rebellious house, ask you what you were doing? Tell them: Thus says the Lord GOD: This oracle concerns Jerusalem and the whole house of Israel within it. I am a sign for you:  as I have done, so shall it be done to them; as captives they shall go into exile. The prince who is among them shall shoulder his burden and set out in darkness, going through a hole he has dug out in the wall, and covering his face lest he be seen by anyone.From the Gospel according to Matthew 18:21?19:1 Peter approached Jesus and asked him, ?Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?? Jesus answered, ?I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ?Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.? Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ?Pay back what you owe.? Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ?Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.? But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ?You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?? Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.? When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.In the parable we find two different attitudes: God?s ? represented by the king who forgives a lot, because God always forgives ? and that of the man. In the divine attitude justice is pervaded with mercy, whereas the human attitude is limited to justice. Jesus exhorts us to open ourselves with courage to the strength of forgiveness, because in life not everything can be resolved with justice. We know this. There is a need for that merciful love, which is also at the basis of the Lord?s answer to Peter?s question, which precedes the parable. Peter?s question goes like this: ?Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?? (v. 21). And Jesus replies, ?I do not say to you, seven times but seventy times seven? (v. 22). In the symbolic language of the Bible this means that we are called to forgive always. How much suffering, how many wounds, how many wars could be avoided if forgiveness and mercy were the style of our life! Even in families, even in families. How many disunited families, who do not know how to forgive each other. How many brothers and sisters bear this resentment within. It is necessary to apply merciful love to all human relationships: between spouses, between parents and children, within our communities, in the Church and also in society and politics. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 13 September 2020)

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A reading from the Book of Ezekiel
12:1-12

The word of the LORD came to me: 
Son of man, you live in the midst of a rebellious house;
they have eyes to see but do not see,
and ears to hear but do not hear,
for they are a rebellious house.
Now, son of man, during the day while they are looking on,
prepare your baggage as though for exile, 
and again while they are looking on,
migrate from where you live to another place;
perhaps they will see that they are a rebellious house.
You shall bring out your baggage like an exile in the daytime 
while they are looking on;
in the evening, again while they are looking on,
you shall go out like one of those driven into exile;
while they look on, dig a hole in the wall and pass through it;
while they look on, shoulder the burden and set out in the darkness;
cover your face that you may not see the land,
for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.

I did as I was told.
During the day I brought out my baggage
as though it were that of an exile,
and at evening I dug a hole through the wall with my hand
and, while they looked on, set out in the darkness,
shouldering my burden.

Then, in the morning, the word of the LORD came to me:
Son of man, did not the house of Israel, that rebellious house,
ask you what you were doing?
Tell them: Thus says the Lord GOD:
This oracle concerns Jerusalem
and the whole house of Israel within it.
I am a sign for you: 
as I have done, so shall it be done to them;
as captives they shall go into exile.
The prince who is among them shall shoulder his burden
and set out in darkness,
going through a hole he has dug out in the wall,
and covering his face lest he be seen by anyone.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
18:21?19:1

Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
?Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times??
Jesus answered, ?I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
?Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.?
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a much smaller amount.
He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
?Pay back what you owe.?
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
?Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.?
But he refused.
Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply disturbed,
and went to their master and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, ?You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you??
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.?

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee
and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.

In the parable we find two different attitudes: God?s ? represented by the king who forgives a lot, because God always forgives ? and that of the man. In the divine attitude justice is pervaded with mercy, whereas the human attitude is limited to justice. Jesus exhorts us to open ourselves with courage to the strength of forgiveness, because in life not everything can be resolved with justice. We know this. There is a need for that merciful love, which is also at the basis of the Lord?s answer to Peter?s question, which precedes the parable. Peter?s question goes like this: ?Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?? (v. 21). And Jesus replies, ?I do not say to you, seven times but seventy times seven? (v. 22). In the symbolic language of the Bible this means that we are called to forgive always.

How much suffering, how many wounds, how many wars could be avoided if forgiveness and mercy were the style of our life! Even in families, even in families. How many disunited families, who do not know how to forgive each other. How many brothers and sisters bear this resentment within. It is necessary to apply merciful love to all human relationships: between spouses, between parents and children, within our communities, in the Church and also in society and politics. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 13 September 2020)

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Bishop Serratelli enjoys sharing fresh harvest from his garden #Catholic – Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli shows the tomatoes and zucchini he has been growing in the garden at his residence. For many years, the rich, abundant harvest of his garden has provided food for the soul and vegetables for the table to many friends and neighbors. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
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Bishop Serratelli enjoys sharing fresh harvest from his garden #Catholic – Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli shows the tomatoes and zucchini he has been growing in the garden at his residence. For many years, the rich, abundant harvest of his garden has provided food for the soul and vegetables for the table to many friends and neighbors. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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Bishop Serratelli enjoys sharing fresh harvest from his garden #Catholic –

Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli shows the tomatoes and zucchini he has been growing in the garden at his residence. For many years, the rich, abundant harvest of his garden has provided food for the soul and vegetables for the table to many friends and neighbors.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

– Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli shows the tomatoes and zucchini he has been growing in the garden at his residence. For many years, the rich, abundant harvest of his garden has provided food for the soul and vegetables for the table to many friends and neighbors. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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Haiti bishop says gangs target Church as violence shuts parishes, schools – #Catholic – Bishop Joseph Gontrand Décoste of Jérémie, Haiti, detailed the ongoing violence in the nation and warned that the Church has become a target for gangs.The Church is “the last remaining bulkhead — moral, ethical, spiritual, and prophetic,” he said. “That is why they want to eliminate us.”Décoste told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), an international Catholic pastoral aid organization, that despite the widespread violence in the Caribbean nation, the Church remains hopeful.“We keep praying, singing, and dancing. In Haiti we say: ‘As long as they haven’t cut off our head, we still have hope of wearing a hat.’ That is why we never lose hope,” he said.The bishop thanked organizations working to offer aid to the nation. He said: “Your prayers sustain us enormously; without them we could not carry on. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.”Gang violence in the nation continues to rise with armed gangs controlling between 70% and 90% of the capital.Amid the violence, in Port-au-Prince, 40 parishes have had to close, according to ACN. Schools and religious houses have also been attacked, burned, and seized.Sister Paesie, a Catholic sister who operates an organization to aid children in Cité Soleil, Haiti, also highlighted the increasing violence.The sister and her team at the Kizito Family, which runs homes, schools, and catechism programs, recently took in dozens more children following numerous recent attacks.Sister Paesie told EWTN News that last week gangs attacked an area in Port-au-Prince where the organization operates one of its schools. Most of the population fled besides a few elderly people who were unable to, and most were killed.“The parents began bringing children to us for shelter,” she told EWTN News. On Aug. 9, “we took in about 20” and “others came yesterday, and about 50 today.”“The Missionaries of Charity accepted to take in the girls” and “we have the boys,” she said.“Among them were four brothers [who] were alone when the attack took place. The parents had gone to work, and a cousin grabbed them and fled. When the father returned home, he was not aware of the attack. He was killed and burned. The mother did not show up … where the people took refuge,” she said.Sister Paesie also detailed how the attacks and destruction have left organizations, many of them run by religious orders, unable to operate and provide aid to those in need.She specifically noted a Missionaries of Charity convent that was attacked and burned down two years ago.It remains "completely empty and the buildings destroyed,” she said. “It used to receive more than 2,000 patients every year.” Sister Paesie visits the Missionaries of Charity convent in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in May 2026. The convent was attacked and burned by gangs in 2024. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Sister Paesie U.S. bishops urge protection for Haitian nationals on TPSU.S. bishops have continuously warned of the unsafe conditions in Haiti, urging lawmakers to extend temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian nationals living in the United States.Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami has previously said that ending temporary residency protections for Haitians would be “sending people into a burning building.”He said Haiti “remains a country on the brink,” noting the “widespread gang violence and kidnapping, a rampant cholera epidemic, and spreading food insecurity.”“The lack of functioning state institutions has resulted in a general breakdown of security, with attacks on women and children becoming commonplace,” he said. “It would be an act of abject cruelty for the United States to send families back to such dangerous and unsafe conditions.”Other Florida bishops, and many Ohio bishops, have also addressed the matter, calling for a more permanent solution to care for the refugees.The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation in April, and the Senate has not acted on that measure or on a bill (S. 4814), which would require the Homeland Security secretary to designate Haiti for TPS through early 2029, giving eligible Haitian nationals in the United States protection from deportation and authorization to work while conditions in Haiti remain unsafe.
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Haiti bishop says gangs target Church as violence shuts parishes, schools – #Catholic – Bishop Joseph Gontrand Décoste of Jérémie, Haiti, detailed the ongoing violence in the nation and warned that the Church has become a target for gangs.The Church is “the last remaining bulkhead — moral, ethical, spiritual, and prophetic,” he said. “That is why they want to eliminate us.”Décoste told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), an international Catholic pastoral aid organization, that despite the widespread violence in the Caribbean nation, the Church remains hopeful.“We keep praying, singing, and dancing. In Haiti we say: ‘As long as they haven’t cut off our head, we still have hope of wearing a hat.’ That is why we never lose hope,” he said.The bishop thanked organizations working to offer aid to the nation. He said: “Your prayers sustain us enormously; without them we could not carry on. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.”Gang violence in the nation continues to rise with armed gangs controlling between 70% and 90% of the capital.Amid the violence, in Port-au-Prince, 40 parishes have had to close, according to ACN. Schools and religious houses have also been attacked, burned, and seized.Sister Paesie, a Catholic sister who operates an organization to aid children in Cité Soleil, Haiti, also highlighted the increasing violence.The sister and her team at the Kizito Family, which runs homes, schools, and catechism programs, recently took in dozens more children following numerous recent attacks.Sister Paesie told EWTN News that last week gangs attacked an area in Port-au-Prince where the organization operates one of its schools. Most of the population fled besides a few elderly people who were unable to, and most were killed.“The parents began bringing children to us for shelter,” she told EWTN News. On Aug. 9, “we took in about 20” and “others came yesterday, and about 50 today.”“The Missionaries of Charity accepted to take in the girls” and “we have the boys,” she said.“Among them were four brothers [who] were alone when the attack took place. The parents had gone to work, and a cousin grabbed them and fled. When the father returned home, he was not aware of the attack. He was killed and burned. The mother did not show up … where the people took refuge,” she said.Sister Paesie also detailed how the attacks and destruction have left organizations, many of them run by religious orders, unable to operate and provide aid to those in need.She specifically noted a Missionaries of Charity convent that was attacked and burned down two years ago.It remains "completely empty and the buildings destroyed,” she said. “It used to receive more than 2,000 patients every year.” Sister Paesie visits the Missionaries of Charity convent in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in May 2026. The convent was attacked and burned by gangs in 2024. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Sister Paesie U.S. bishops urge protection for Haitian nationals on TPSU.S. bishops have continuously warned of the unsafe conditions in Haiti, urging lawmakers to extend temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian nationals living in the United States.Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami has previously said that ending temporary residency protections for Haitians would be “sending people into a burning building.”He said Haiti “remains a country on the brink,” noting the “widespread gang violence and kidnapping, a rampant cholera epidemic, and spreading food insecurity.”“The lack of functioning state institutions has resulted in a general breakdown of security, with attacks on women and children becoming commonplace,” he said. “It would be an act of abject cruelty for the United States to send families back to such dangerous and unsafe conditions.”Other Florida bishops, and many Ohio bishops, have also addressed the matter, calling for a more permanent solution to care for the refugees.The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation in April, and the Senate has not acted on that measure or on a bill (S. 4814), which would require the Homeland Security secretary to designate Haiti for TPS through early 2029, giving eligible Haitian nationals in the United States protection from deportation and authorization to work while conditions in Haiti remain unsafe.

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The Church is “the last remaining bulkhead — moral, ethical, spiritual, and prophetic,” Bishop Joseph Gontrand Décoste said. “That is why they want to eliminate us.”

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Texas court orders hospitals to provide lifesaving care to baby at center of surrogacy dispute – #Catholic – Two hospitals in Texas have been ordered to provide lifesaving care for a soon-to-be-born baby at the center of an interstate surrogacy dispute. State Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office announced in an Aug. 11 press release that UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas were legally obligated to care for Gabriel, a baby due to be born on Sept. 2 to surrogate mother McKenna West. A Texas district court had earlier ruled that the hospitals would be required to care for the baby.In an earlier letter to the hospitals on Aug. 10, Paxton said Gabriel had been diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and that his “intended parents” said they would seek to “refuse consent” to an operation. The parents, identified in court documents as Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, “may seek to move the child to California so that treatment can be withheld there,” the letter said. West reportedly traveled to Texas from Alaska after Gilkar and Ahmed urged her to seek an abortion after the diagnosis of the syndrome, according to news reports. She allegedly offered to take full responsibility of the baby, though the baby’s biological parents reportedly refused. In an emergency order dated Aug. 11, the Dallas district court ordered that upon birth the baby would be provided with “medically indicated stabilizing and life-sustaining care” at either of the hospitals. The court also barred the child’s removal from either the hospitals or the state of Texas except as necessary for his medical care. Paxton hailed the court’s order as “the right decision.” “My office utilized every tool at our disposal to protect life, and we will not back down in continuing to support baby Gabriel’s well-being,” the prosecutor said. “Every child in our state deserves to be cared for and protected, and that’s exactly what I’ll fight for.” ‘A problem for the 13th Amendment’Anthony Sirven, a Catholic Florida-based attorney who has published on the subject of surrogacy, told EWTN News that this case and others like it portend “whether we’re going to decide custody based on a contract.”“The [surrogacy] contract is about a human life,” he said. “So the question is: How do you enforce a contract over a human life? The answer should be ‘you can’t’ because of the 13th and 14th Amendments.” The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery in the United States while the 14th Amendment enshrined  equal protection and due process in the U.S. Constitution.Early litigation surrounding in vitro fertilization and surrogacy had to walk a careful line, Sirven said, as Roe v. Wade had asserted that unborn children are not human persons, putting their legal status into uncertainty. Courts ultimately settled around the idea that embryos are “a special kind of property,” he said, allowing courts to enforce contract-based rights over them.But the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision “overturned Roe and, arguably, every case that relied on Roe to recognize a property interest in human life,” he said, throwing years of precedent into uncertainty.On the Texas case, “we’ll see what happens,” Sirven said. “If this child is born and given lifesaving care, the next question will become ‘Who’s going to take custody of him?’ If the ‘intended parents’ seek custody or other rights under a contract, and the court rules in their favor on the basis of a contract, then that’s a problem under both the 13th and 14th Amendments.”Stefano Gennarini, the vice president for legal studies at the New York-based Center for Family and Human Rights, told EWTN News that “most lawyers” would agree it is “hard to predict a case like this.”Gennarini said he was not an expert in either Texas or Alaskan family law, but he said international legal conventions — specifically the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — affirms “the human right of mothers and their children to receive special protections during pregnancy and after birth.”“Allowing a third party to contractually decide what kind of treatment a surrogate mother can seek eviscerates these international protections,” he said. “Overall, this case illustrates how dangerous any form of surrogacy is.”The practice of surrogacy, he said, “legally deconstructs the natural family as recognized in international law,” leading to what he described as “inhuman scenarios” such as that in Texas.The order handed down in Texas takes effect on the event of Gabriel’s birth and “remains in effect until further order,” the court said.
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Texas court orders hospitals to provide lifesaving care to baby at center of surrogacy dispute – #Catholic – Two hospitals in Texas have been ordered to provide lifesaving care for a soon-to-be-born baby at the center of an interstate surrogacy dispute. State Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office announced in an Aug. 11 press release that UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas were legally obligated to care for Gabriel, a baby due to be born on Sept. 2 to surrogate mother McKenna West. A Texas district court had earlier ruled that the hospitals would be required to care for the baby.In an earlier letter to the hospitals on Aug. 10, Paxton said Gabriel had been diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and that his “intended parents” said they would seek to “refuse consent” to an operation. The parents, identified in court documents as Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, “may seek to move the child to California so that treatment can be withheld there,” the letter said. West reportedly traveled to Texas from Alaska after Gilkar and Ahmed urged her to seek an abortion after the diagnosis of the syndrome, according to news reports. She allegedly offered to take full responsibility of the baby, though the baby’s biological parents reportedly refused. In an emergency order dated Aug. 11, the Dallas district court ordered that upon birth the baby would be provided with “medically indicated stabilizing and life-sustaining care” at either of the hospitals. The court also barred the child’s removal from either the hospitals or the state of Texas except as necessary for his medical care. Paxton hailed the court’s order as “the right decision.” “My office utilized every tool at our disposal to protect life, and we will not back down in continuing to support baby Gabriel’s well-being,” the prosecutor said. “Every child in our state deserves to be cared for and protected, and that’s exactly what I’ll fight for.” ‘A problem for the 13th Amendment’Anthony Sirven, a Catholic Florida-based attorney who has published on the subject of surrogacy, told EWTN News that this case and others like it portend “whether we’re going to decide custody based on a contract.”“The [surrogacy] contract is about a human life,” he said. “So the question is: How do you enforce a contract over a human life? The answer should be ‘you can’t’ because of the 13th and 14th Amendments.” The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery in the United States while the 14th Amendment enshrined  equal protection and due process in the U.S. Constitution.Early litigation surrounding in vitro fertilization and surrogacy had to walk a careful line, Sirven said, as Roe v. Wade had asserted that unborn children are not human persons, putting their legal status into uncertainty. Courts ultimately settled around the idea that embryos are “a special kind of property,” he said, allowing courts to enforce contract-based rights over them.But the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision “overturned Roe and, arguably, every case that relied on Roe to recognize a property interest in human life,” he said, throwing years of precedent into uncertainty.On the Texas case, “we’ll see what happens,” Sirven said. “If this child is born and given lifesaving care, the next question will become ‘Who’s going to take custody of him?’ If the ‘intended parents’ seek custody or other rights under a contract, and the court rules in their favor on the basis of a contract, then that’s a problem under both the 13th and 14th Amendments.”Stefano Gennarini, the vice president for legal studies at the New York-based Center for Family and Human Rights, told EWTN News that “most lawyers” would agree it is “hard to predict a case like this.”Gennarini said he was not an expert in either Texas or Alaskan family law, but he said international legal conventions — specifically the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — affirms “the human right of mothers and their children to receive special protections during pregnancy and after birth.”“Allowing a third party to contractually decide what kind of treatment a surrogate mother can seek eviscerates these international protections,” he said. “Overall, this case illustrates how dangerous any form of surrogacy is.”The practice of surrogacy, he said, “legally deconstructs the natural family as recognized in international law,” leading to what he described as “inhuman scenarios” such as that in Texas.The order handed down in Texas takes effect on the event of Gabriel’s birth and “remains in effect until further order,” the court said.

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A Texas district court ruled that UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas were obligated to care for Gabriel, a baby due to be born to surrogate mother McKenna West.

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AI outgrows Earth

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AI’s appetite for power and water is growing as fast as its role in daily life. In 2024, artificial intelligence data centers accounted for roughly 4% of the U.S.’s electricity consumption. This figure is expected to more than double by 2030. To meet those increasing demands, several of Silicon Valley’s biggest names have turned theirContinue reading “AI outgrows Earth”

The post AI outgrows Earth appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Medicaid formally ends funds for ‘sex-rejecting procedures’ for minors with final rule #Catholic The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it has implemented a final rule that formally bans using funds for “sex-rejecting procedures” for minors, which are drugs and surgeries used to facilitate “gender transitions.”According to a CMS news release, this includes puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical operations. It states these medical procedures cause irreversible damage, including infertility, impaired sexual function, diminished bone density, altered brain development, and other physiological effects.The move formalizes a policy of President Donald Trump’s administration to prevent minors from accessing these drugs and surgeries. In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order that instructed agencies to adopt rules to “end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”The final rule includes a tapering-off period of up to six months for children who are receiving cross-sex hormones, which allows them to be gradually weaned off the medicine. It does not affect mental health services.“Children deserve our protection, not experimental interventions that pose serious risks and convey no proven benefits,” CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said in a statement.“By cutting off federal funds for these sex-rejecting procedures, we’re following the science, saving taxpayer dollars, and, most importantly, protecting children from potentially irreversible harm so they can truly flourish,” he said.Rachel N. Morrison, director of the Ethics and Public Policy Center’s Administrative State Accountability Project, told EWTN News that government funding should never support “harmful, sterilizing, and often irreversible sex-rejecting procedures.”“I am grateful to CMS and the Trump administration for their efforts to combat gender ideology, protect children from the harms [of] sex-rejecting procedures, and advance policies that reflect a true understanding of the nature of the human person,” she said.The Church’s positionThe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) referred EWTN News to a Feb. 17 letter to CMS, which said the proposed ban on federal funding “aligns with Catholic teaching on the nature of the human person” and “reflects true distinctions between the sexes.” “Rejection of our God-given bodies, such as by modifying them to appear as the opposite sex, is a grave matter, and when done with full knowledge and complete consent, is a grave sin,” the letter states.In November 2025, the USCCB published a new edition of its ”Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services” guidelines, which prohibit Catholic institutions from providing treatments that “aim not to restore but rather to alter the fundamental order of the human body in its form or function” such as “interventions that aim to transform sexual characteristics of a human body into those of the opposite sex (or to nullify sexual characteristics…).”Joseph Meaney, past president and senior ethicist for the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), told EWTN News CMS “should be applauded for putting an end to federal taxpayer funding of transgender procedures on children.”“There is substantial agreement between U.S. government policy and Catholic teaching in this area of healthcare policy,” he said.Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, an NCBC senior ethicist, told EWTN News that the implementation of the rule “is very sensible and long overdue.”“Countless youth have already been railroaded along this path, placing themselves at great risk and damaging their bodies as they struggle with this confusion,” Pacholczyk said. “Once a young person steps onto that train, they often become ‘regular business customers,’ with a lifelong dependence on the continued prescribing of hormones and additional cycles of expensive surgeries.”He said tax money should not pay for “a hysterectomy on a girl who wants to live as a boy, nor to provide breast implants into a boy who thinks he is a girl.” He said children “deserve far better from the world of medicine and psychiatry.”“They are entitled to solid psychotherapy as a means of assisting them to reintegrate their subjective gender identity with their objective lifelong biology so they can recognize and embrace the beautiful gift of the biological sex they have been endowed with from the beginning,” Pacholczyk said.
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Medicaid formally ends funds for ‘sex-rejecting procedures’ for minors with final rule #Catholic The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it has implemented a final rule that formally bans using funds for “sex-rejecting procedures” for minors, which are drugs and surgeries used to facilitate “gender transitions.”According to a CMS news release, this includes puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical operations. It states these medical procedures cause irreversible damage, including infertility, impaired sexual function, diminished bone density, altered brain development, and other physiological effects.The move formalizes a policy of President Donald Trump’s administration to prevent minors from accessing these drugs and surgeries. In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order that instructed agencies to adopt rules to “end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”The final rule includes a tapering-off period of up to six months for children who are receiving cross-sex hormones, which allows them to be gradually weaned off the medicine. It does not affect mental health services.“Children deserve our protection, not experimental interventions that pose serious risks and convey no proven benefits,” CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said in a statement.“By cutting off federal funds for these sex-rejecting procedures, we’re following the science, saving taxpayer dollars, and, most importantly, protecting children from potentially irreversible harm so they can truly flourish,” he said.Rachel N. Morrison, director of the Ethics and Public Policy Center’s Administrative State Accountability Project, told EWTN News that government funding should never support “harmful, sterilizing, and often irreversible sex-rejecting procedures.”“I am grateful to CMS and the Trump administration for their efforts to combat gender ideology, protect children from the harms [of] sex-rejecting procedures, and advance policies that reflect a true understanding of the nature of the human person,” she said.The Church’s positionThe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) referred EWTN News to a Feb. 17 letter to CMS, which said the proposed ban on federal funding “aligns with Catholic teaching on the nature of the human person” and “reflects true distinctions between the sexes.” “Rejection of our God-given bodies, such as by modifying them to appear as the opposite sex, is a grave matter, and when done with full knowledge and complete consent, is a grave sin,” the letter states.In November 2025, the USCCB published a new edition of its ”Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services” guidelines, which prohibit Catholic institutions from providing treatments that “aim not to restore but rather to alter the fundamental order of the human body in its form or function” such as “interventions that aim to transform sexual characteristics of a human body into those of the opposite sex (or to nullify sexual characteristics…).”Joseph Meaney, past president and senior ethicist for the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), told EWTN News CMS “should be applauded for putting an end to federal taxpayer funding of transgender procedures on children.”“There is substantial agreement between U.S. government policy and Catholic teaching in this area of healthcare policy,” he said.Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, an NCBC senior ethicist, told EWTN News that the implementation of the rule “is very sensible and long overdue.”“Countless youth have already been railroaded along this path, placing themselves at great risk and damaging their bodies as they struggle with this confusion,” Pacholczyk said. “Once a young person steps onto that train, they often become ‘regular business customers,’ with a lifelong dependence on the continued prescribing of hormones and additional cycles of expensive surgeries.”He said tax money should not pay for “a hysterectomy on a girl who wants to live as a boy, nor to provide breast implants into a boy who thinks he is a girl.” He said children “deserve far better from the world of medicine and psychiatry.”“They are entitled to solid psychotherapy as a means of assisting them to reintegrate their subjective gender identity with their objective lifelong biology so they can recognize and embrace the beautiful gift of the biological sex they have been endowed with from the beginning,” Pacholczyk said.

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The development formalizes a policy of the Trump administration. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged government action in this area.

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Last Chinese Trappist monk to survive Maoist persecution dies at 108 #Catholic Father Benedict Chao, the worldʼs oldest Trappist monk and the last survivor of the community that suffered communist persecution in China, died at the age of 108 on July 31 in Lantau, Hong Kong.The Order of Cistercians of Strict Observance reported that Chao was born in 1918 in Chengting, Hebei Province, China. He entered the monastery in Hebei in 1941, made his solemn profession in 1947, and was ordained a priest in 1949.He lived as a monk for 79 years and as a priest for 77. His funeral is scheduled for Aug. 14.According to AsiaNews, Chao also served for more than 20 years as superior of the Trappist community on Lantau.TweetPersecuted by communistsIn 1941, at the age of 23, Chau entered the Abbey of Our Lady of Joy, also known by its French name, “Liesse,” meaning “jubilation.”According to AsiaNews, the monastery was occupied by Japanese troops in 1937 and several monks were imprisoned and killed.However, the worst was yet to come when the Chinese dictator Mao Zedong took control of the region.In 1947, the same year Chao made his solemn vows, the Abbey of Our Lady of Consolation in Yangjiaping was attacked. The monks were tortured and forced to leave the monastery.A year later, six monks were executed by firing squad following a peopleʼs trial. Among them was 29-year-old Father Chrysostom Chang, the communityʼs sub-prior.Those who were killed during the persecution are commemorated as the 33 martyrs of Yangjiaping, comprising 30 Chinese monks and three foreign religious, according to AsiaNews.Exile and new monastery in Hong KongThe Liesse community, where the young Chao was living, also came under attack, leaving the monks no choice but to seek refuge in another city.As the persecution intensified, some monks were sent out of China. Among them was Chao, who arrived at the monastery of Notre-Dame-des-Prairies in Manitoba, Canada.In 1951, the Xindu community also had to close due to communist persecution. The monks who had managed to leave China then began preparing to rebuild their community in Hong Kong.With the support of the then-bishop of Hong Kong, Enrico Valtorta, a missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, the monks were granted a plot of land in the highlands of Lantau Island.There, eight monks built the new monastery, which was inaugurated in 1956. In 1999, the Cistercian order recognized the Lantau community as an autonomous abbey, and in January 2000, it reclaimed the name Abbey of Our Lady of Joy, the same name the community had in Hebei.With Chao’s passing, the abbey bids farewell to the last survivor of that generation of Trappist monks who were persecuted by Mao but managed to reestablish a monastery in Hong Kong.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Last Chinese Trappist monk to survive Maoist persecution dies at 108 #Catholic Father Benedict Chao, the worldʼs oldest Trappist monk and the last survivor of the community that suffered communist persecution in China, died at the age of 108 on July 31 in Lantau, Hong Kong.The Order of Cistercians of Strict Observance reported that Chao was born in 1918 in Chengting, Hebei Province, China. He entered the monastery in Hebei in 1941, made his solemn profession in 1947, and was ordained a priest in 1949.He lived as a monk for 79 years and as a priest for 77. His funeral is scheduled for Aug. 14.According to AsiaNews, Chao also served for more than 20 years as superior of the Trappist community on Lantau.TweetPersecuted by communistsIn 1941, at the age of 23, Chau entered the Abbey of Our Lady of Joy, also known by its French name, “Liesse,” meaning “jubilation.”According to AsiaNews, the monastery was occupied by Japanese troops in 1937 and several monks were imprisoned and killed.However, the worst was yet to come when the Chinese dictator Mao Zedong took control of the region.In 1947, the same year Chao made his solemn vows, the Abbey of Our Lady of Consolation in Yangjiaping was attacked. The monks were tortured and forced to leave the monastery.A year later, six monks were executed by firing squad following a peopleʼs trial. Among them was 29-year-old Father Chrysostom Chang, the communityʼs sub-prior.Those who were killed during the persecution are commemorated as the 33 martyrs of Yangjiaping, comprising 30 Chinese monks and three foreign religious, according to AsiaNews.Exile and new monastery in Hong KongThe Liesse community, where the young Chao was living, also came under attack, leaving the monks no choice but to seek refuge in another city.As the persecution intensified, some monks were sent out of China. Among them was Chao, who arrived at the monastery of Notre-Dame-des-Prairies in Manitoba, Canada.In 1951, the Xindu community also had to close due to communist persecution. The monks who had managed to leave China then began preparing to rebuild their community in Hong Kong.With the support of the then-bishop of Hong Kong, Enrico Valtorta, a missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, the monks were granted a plot of land in the highlands of Lantau Island.There, eight monks built the new monastery, which was inaugurated in 1956. In 1999, the Cistercian order recognized the Lantau community as an autonomous abbey, and in January 2000, it reclaimed the name Abbey of Our Lady of Joy, the same name the community had in Hebei.With Chao’s passing, the abbey bids farewell to the last survivor of that generation of Trappist monks who were persecuted by Mao but managed to reestablish a monastery in Hong Kong.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Father Benedict Chau survived the period of communist persecution by Mao Zedong and ended his days at the reestablsihed monastery of Our Lady of Joy on Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

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Lion Nebula Roars in Webb’s Sights – NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope imaged the planetary nebula NGC 2392, the Lion Nebula, using the observatory’s NIRCam and MIRI instruments. The central star’s remains are responsible for the nebula’s structure, including a lion face-shaped bubble of ionized gas and dust “mane.”
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Lion Nebula Roars in Webb’s Sights – NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope imaged the planetary nebula NGC 2392, the Lion Nebula, using the observatory’s NIRCam and MIRI instruments. The central star’s remains are responsible for the nebula’s structure, including a lion face-shaped bubble of ionized gas and dust “mane.”

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NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope imaged the planetary nebula NGC 2392, the Lion Nebula, using the observatory’s NIRCam and MIRI instruments. The central star’s remains are responsible for the nebula’s structure, including a lion face-shaped bubble of ionized gas and dust “mane.”

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This Stunning Beach Is One of the Best in New York State—and It Has Massive Dunes, White Quartz Sand, and a Charming Village Nearby #Travel Coopers Beach in Southampton pairs wide stretches of quartz sand and grassy dunes with easy access to restaurants, galleries, and Hamptons shopping.
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This Stunning Beach Is One of the Best in New York State—and It Has Massive Dunes, White Quartz Sand, and a Charming Village Nearby #Travel Coopers Beach in Southampton pairs wide stretches of quartz sand and grassy dunes with easy access to restaurants, galleries, and Hamptons shopping.

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Coopers Beach in Southampton pairs wide stretches of quartz sand and grassy dunes with easy access to restaurants, galleries, and Hamptons shopping.

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Florida Credits Record-Low Crime Rate To Having Chased Away All The Democrats #BabylonBee – TALLAHASSEE, FL — With recent data showing a marked decrease in crime across the Sunshine State, Florida officials credited its record-low crime rate to having chased away all the Democrats.
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Florida Credits Record-Low Crime Rate To Having Chased Away All The Democrats #BabylonBee – TALLAHASSEE, FL — With recent data showing a marked decrease in crime across the Sunshine State, Florida officials credited its record-low crime rate to having chased away all the Democrats.

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TALLAHASSEE, FL — With recent data showing a marked decrease in crime across the Sunshine State, Florida officials credited its record-low crime rate to having chased away all the Democrats.

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GHOULS: Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNOW Yuk it Up Over Threat to Trump’s Life Overseas (VIDEO) – Rachel Maddow of MSNOW recently brought on her network colleague Lawrence O’Donnell and the two of them enjoyed a laugh talking about reports on the latest threat to Trump’s life, as he was leaving Turkey in July. The post GHOULS: Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNOW Yuk it Up Over Threat to Trump’s Life Overseas (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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GHOULS: Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNOW Yuk it Up Over Threat to Trump’s Life Overseas (VIDEO) – Rachel Maddow of MSNOW recently brought on her network colleague Lawrence O’Donnell and the two of them enjoyed a laugh talking about reports on the latest threat to Trump’s life, as he was leaving Turkey in July. The post GHOULS: Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNOW Yuk it Up Over Threat to Trump’s Life Overseas (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Rachel Maddow of MSNOW recently brought on her network colleague Lawrence O’Donnell and the two of them enjoyed a laugh talking about reports on the latest threat to Trump’s life, as he was leaving Turkey in July.

The post GHOULS: Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNOW Yuk it Up Over Threat to Trump’s Life Overseas (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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JUST IN: 14-Term Connecticut Democrat Incumbent Rep. John Larson Unseated by Former Hartford Mayor Who Cheered on DSA Members – Another long-serving Democrat incumbent got booted from office. The post JUST IN: 14-Term Connecticut Democrat Incumbent Rep. John Larson Unseated by Former Hartford Mayor Who Cheered on DSA Members appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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JUST IN: 14-Term Connecticut Democrat Incumbent Rep. John Larson Unseated by Former Hartford Mayor Who Cheered on DSA Members – Another long-serving Democrat incumbent got booted from office. The post JUST IN: 14-Term Connecticut Democrat Incumbent Rep. John Larson Unseated by Former Hartford Mayor Who Cheered on DSA Members appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Another long-serving Democrat incumbent got booted from office.

The post JUST IN: 14-Term Connecticut Democrat Incumbent Rep. John Larson Unseated by Former Hartford Mayor Who Cheered on DSA Members appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Brilliant and Beautiful Former NFL Reporter Michele TaFoya Wins GOP Senate Primary in Minnesota – The brilliant FOX News contributor Michele TaFoya won the Republican primary election for US Senate in Minnesota tonight. The post Brilliant and Beautiful Former NFL Reporter Michele TaFoya Wins GOP Senate Primary in Minnesota appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Brilliant and Beautiful Former NFL Reporter Michele TaFoya Wins GOP Senate Primary in Minnesota – The brilliant FOX News contributor Michele TaFoya won the Republican primary election for US Senate in Minnesota tonight. The post Brilliant and Beautiful Former NFL Reporter Michele TaFoya Wins GOP Senate Primary in Minnesota appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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The brilliant FOX News contributor Michele TaFoya won the Republican primary election for US Senate in Minnesota tonight.

The post Brilliant and Beautiful Former NFL Reporter Michele TaFoya Wins GOP Senate Primary in Minnesota appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 12 August 2026 – A reading from the Book of Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22 The LORD cried loud for me to hear: Come, you scourges of the city! With that I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate which faces the north, each with a destroying weapon in his hand. In their midst was a man dressed in linen, with a writer?s case at his waist. They entered and stood beside the bronze altar. Then he called to the man dressed in linen with the writer?s case at his waist, saying to him: Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and mark a ?Thau? on the foreheads of those who moan and groan over all the abominations that are practiced within it. To the others I heard the LORD say: Pass through the city after him and strike! Do not look on them with pity nor show any mercy! Old men, youths and maidens, women and children?wipe them out! But do not touch any marked with the ?Thau?; begin at my sanctuary. So they began with the men, the elders, who were in front of the temple. Defile the temple, he said to them, and fill the courts with the slain; then go out and strike in the city. Then the glory of the LORD left the threshold of the temple and rested upon the cherubim. These lifted their wings, and I saw them rise from the earth, the wheels rising along with them. They stood at the entrance of the eastern gate of the Lord?s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was up above them. Then the cherubim lifted their wings, and the wheels went along with them, while up above them was the glory of the God of Israel.From the Gospel according to Matthew 18:15-20 Jesus said to his disciples: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that  every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."The Gospel text from chapter 18 of Matthew on the life of the Christian community tells us that brotherly love also involves a sense of mutual responsibility. For this reason if my brother commits a sin against me I must treat him charitably and first of all, speak to him privately, pointing out that what he has said or done is wrong. This approach is known as ?fraternal correction?: it is not a reaction to the offence suffered but is motivated by love for one’s brethren. (?) Another fruit of love in the community is unanimous prayer. Jesus said: ?If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them? (Mt 18:19-20). Personal prayer is of course important, indeed indispensable, but the Lord guarantees his presence to the community ? even if it is very small ? which is united and in agreement, because this reflects the very reality of the Triune God, perfect communion of love. Origen says ?we should practise this symphony? (Commentary on the Gospel according to Matthew, 14,1), in other words this harmony within the Christian community. We should practise both fraternal correction ? which demands deep humility and simplicity of heart ? and prayer so that it may rise to God from a community truly united in Christ. (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 4 September 2011)

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A reading from the Book of Ezekiel
9:1-7; 10:18-22

The LORD cried loud for me to hear:
Come, you scourges of the city!
With that I saw six men coming from the direction
of the upper gate which faces the north,
each with a destroying weapon in his hand.
In their midst was a man dressed in linen,
with a writer?s case at his waist.
They entered and stood beside the bronze altar.
Then he called to the man dressed in linen
with the writer?s case at his waist, saying to him:
Pass through the city, through Jerusalem,
and mark a ?Thau? on the foreheads of those who moan and groan
over all the abominations that are practiced within it.
To the others I heard the LORD say:
Pass through the city after him and strike!
Do not look on them with pity nor show any mercy!
Old men, youths and maidens, women and children?wipe them out!
But do not touch any marked with the ?Thau?; begin at my sanctuary.
So they began with the men, the elders, who were in front of the temple.
Defile the temple, he said to them, and fill the courts with the slain;
then go out and strike in the city.

Then the glory of the LORD left the threshold of the temple
and rested upon the cherubim.
These lifted their wings, and I saw them rise from the earth,
the wheels rising along with them.
They stood at the entrance of the eastern gate of the Lord?s house,
and the glory of the God of Israel was up above them.
Then the cherubim lifted their wings, and the wheels went along with them,
while up above them was the glory of the God of Israel.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:
"If your brother sins against you,
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
If he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you,
so that  every fact may be established
on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church.
If he refuses to listen even to the Church,
then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
Amen, I say to you,
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them."

The Gospel text from chapter 18 of Matthew on the life of the Christian community tells us that brotherly love also involves a sense of mutual responsibility. For this reason if my brother commits a sin against me I must treat him charitably and first of all, speak to him privately, pointing out that what he has said or done is wrong. This approach is known as ?fraternal correction?: it is not a reaction to the offence suffered but is motivated by love for one’s brethren. (?)

Another fruit of love in the community is unanimous prayer. Jesus said: ?If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them? (Mt 18:19-20). Personal prayer is of course important, indeed indispensable, but the Lord guarantees his presence to the community ? even if it is very small ? which is united and in agreement, because this reflects the very reality of the Triune God, perfect communion of love. Origen says ?we should practise this symphony? (Commentary on the Gospel according to Matthew, 14,1), in other words this harmony within the Christian community. We should practise both fraternal correction ? which demands deep humility and simplicity of heart ? and prayer so that it may rise to God from a community truly united in Christ. (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 4 September 2011)

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Latin American bishops pray for Colombia, express solidarity, following powerful earthquake – #Catholic – Bishops from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Chile expressed their solidarity and offered prayers following the earthquake that struck Colombia on Aug. 10 leaving at least 180 dead and thousands injured.The bishops of Argentina expressed their “closeness and solidarity with the Church and with the entire beloved people of Colombia.”In a letter sent to Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera, president of the Colombian Bishops' Conference, the Argentine prelates stated: “We especially share in the pain of the victims and their families, and we accompany with our prayers all the communities affected by this difficult time.”“We ask the Lord to grant comfort to those who are suffering, strength to those who have lost loved ones, and hope to those facing the consequences of this tragedy,” they emphasized.Solidarity with the Colombian peopleThe bishops of Peru expressed their “most heartfelt closeness and solidarity with the beloved Colombian people and with the entire Catholic Church in Colombia.”“We accompany with our prayers the families going through moments of anguish and, especially, those who have lost their loved ones. We ask the Lord to welcome the deceased into his presence and to grant solace and strength to their families,” the bishops continued.The Peruvian prelates also prayed to the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, patroness of Colombia, for the injured and for all those “affected by this disaster, as well as for those participating in relief and aid efforts.”“From Peru, we renew our prayers and our affection for the sister people of Colombia,” the bishops stated.Mexican bishops invoke Our Lady of Guadalupe’s intercessionThe Mexican Bishops’ Conference stated on X that “we join in prayer with the Latin American Bishops’ Council and the entire Church in Colombia in the face of the earthquake that occurred today.” One of the towers of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, Colombia, is partially collapsed due to the earthquake of Aug. 10, 2026. | Credit: Archdiocese of Manizales “We express our closeness and solidarity with the affected families. We ask God to grant strength and hope to those experiencing moments of anguish today and to bless those working in relief and rescue efforts,” they stated.“May Our Lady of Guadalupe accompany the Colombian people and cover them with her mantle of protection,” the prelates prayed.Joining humanitarian aid initiativesThe Chilean Bishops’ Conference also expressed its “fraternal closeness to the Colombian people and their shepherds,” joining in prayer “for the families who have lost loved ones, the injured, and those suffering the destruction of their homes.”“We also share the concern of the Colombian community in Chile and assure them of our closeness and remembrance before the altar of the Lord,” they added.The Chilean bishops encouraged the faithful to “pray for the victims and join in the humanitarian aid initiatives of the civil and ecclesial institutions.”The earthquake in ColombiaThe 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck several Colombian departments (administrative districts) on Aug. 10 has left at least 180 people dead. In an update on Aug. 11, President Abelardo de la Espriella said that almost 2,600 people were injured, almost 200 are missing, more than 1,100 homes have been destroyed, and more than 8,000 have been damaged, the BBC reported.The quake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time at a depth of about 60 miles, with its epicenter in the town of San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó on the Pacific coast.De la Espriella declared a state of emergency to coordinate aid for the nine departments affected by the earthquake, the strongest in the last 10 years.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Latin American bishops pray for Colombia, express solidarity, following powerful earthquake – #Catholic – Bishops from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Chile expressed their solidarity and offered prayers following the earthquake that struck Colombia on Aug. 10 leaving at least 180 dead and thousands injured.The bishops of Argentina expressed their “closeness and solidarity with the Church and with the entire beloved people of Colombia.”In a letter sent to Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera, president of the Colombian Bishops' Conference, the Argentine prelates stated: “We especially share in the pain of the victims and their families, and we accompany with our prayers all the communities affected by this difficult time.”“We ask the Lord to grant comfort to those who are suffering, strength to those who have lost loved ones, and hope to those facing the consequences of this tragedy,” they emphasized.Solidarity with the Colombian peopleThe bishops of Peru expressed their “most heartfelt closeness and solidarity with the beloved Colombian people and with the entire Catholic Church in Colombia.”“We accompany with our prayers the families going through moments of anguish and, especially, those who have lost their loved ones. We ask the Lord to welcome the deceased into his presence and to grant solace and strength to their families,” the bishops continued.The Peruvian prelates also prayed to the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, patroness of Colombia, for the injured and for all those “affected by this disaster, as well as for those participating in relief and aid efforts.”“From Peru, we renew our prayers and our affection for the sister people of Colombia,” the bishops stated.Mexican bishops invoke Our Lady of Guadalupe’s intercessionThe Mexican Bishops’ Conference stated on X that “we join in prayer with the Latin American Bishops’ Council and the entire Church in Colombia in the face of the earthquake that occurred today.” One of the towers of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, Colombia, is partially collapsed due to the earthquake of Aug. 10, 2026. | Credit: Archdiocese of Manizales “We express our closeness and solidarity with the affected families. We ask God to grant strength and hope to those experiencing moments of anguish today and to bless those working in relief and rescue efforts,” they stated.“May Our Lady of Guadalupe accompany the Colombian people and cover them with her mantle of protection,” the prelates prayed.Joining humanitarian aid initiativesThe Chilean Bishops’ Conference also expressed its “fraternal closeness to the Colombian people and their shepherds,” joining in prayer “for the families who have lost loved ones, the injured, and those suffering the destruction of their homes.”“We also share the concern of the Colombian community in Chile and assure them of our closeness and remembrance before the altar of the Lord,” they added.The Chilean bishops encouraged the faithful to “pray for the victims and join in the humanitarian aid initiatives of the civil and ecclesial institutions.”The earthquake in ColombiaThe 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck several Colombian departments (administrative districts) on Aug. 10 has left at least 180 people dead. In an update on Aug. 11, President Abelardo de la Espriella said that almost 2,600 people were injured, almost 200 are missing, more than 1,100 homes have been destroyed, and more than 8,000 have been damaged, the BBC reported.The quake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time at a depth of about 60 miles, with its epicenter in the town of San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó on the Pacific coast.De la Espriella declared a state of emergency to coordinate aid for the nine departments affected by the earthquake, the strongest in the last 10 years.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The bishops of several Latin American countries offered prayers and expressed their closeness to the victims of the earthquake that struck Colombia this week.

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Court reconsiders First Amendment challenge to Michigan school’s transgender policies – #Catholic – A federal court granted a request from two parents to consider whether a Michigan school district violated the First Amendment when officials began treating their daughter as a boy without informing them.Judge Paul Maloney granted the motion to reconsider Aug. 7 in light of the 2026 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Mirabelli v. Bonta. The Supreme Court decided 6-3 that a similar policy in California likely violated the parents’ First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion, which includes the right to direct the religious development of their children.Similar to the California lawsuit, the two Michigan parents — Dan and Jennifer Mead — have argued that their views on gender and human sexuality are based on their Christian faith. The original lawsuit states that the Meads believe “each of us is born with a fixed biological sex that is a gift from God, not an arbitrary imposition subject to change.”According to the lawsuit, their seventh-grade daughter asked school officials at the Rockford Public School District to refer to her with a masculine name and use male pronouns. School officials began doing this but never informed her parents, and the school counselor had discussed the daughter’s broader mental health struggles with her parents, the lawsuit states.Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Senior Counsel Kate Anderson, who represents the parents in court, said in a statement that “parents have the right to direct the upbringing, education, and healthcare of their children — without government interference.”“By intentionally concealing this information from the Meads, the school district violated their constitutional rights as parents to make critical decisions about their daughter,” Anderson said. “The court’s ruling is a necessary step toward protecting the Mead family’s First Amendment rights.”Steve Matthews, superintendent for Rockford Public Schools, told EWTN News “the legal process continues to proceed” and “we have no comment at this time as we continue through this process.”Court proceedings continueThe lawsuit alleges that school officials began treating the Meads’ daughter as a boy in 2022. It states that the school used a masculine name and male pronouns when speaking with their daughter and in internal school records. Yet, they used her legal name and female pronouns when talking to her parents and in documents shared with parents, it states.Her parents removed her from the school in October 2022 after school officials forgot to alter a document that used the masculine name and male pronouns before giving it to her parents, the lawsuit states. This is how the parents discovered the school’s practices.The Meads filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleging the school district violated their First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion and the 14th Amendment’s protection of a parent’s right to raise his or her children.In 2025, a federal court allowed the 14th Amendment claims to proceed but dismissed the First Amendment claims. On Aug. 7, 2026, the court granted a motion to reconsider First Amendment claims in light of the new Supreme Court precedent set in Mirabelli v. Bonta.Maloney’s court order in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan Southern Division states the Supreme Court ruling “calls into question the court’s interpretation of the relevant law and will grant the motion to reconsider.” It says the lawsuit filed in Mirabelli v. Bonta “involved school policies similar to the district’s policies here.”“When a student engaged in gender transitioning at school, the policy prevented school staff from telling the student’s parents about their child’s situation unless the student consented,” the judge said of the Mirabelli v. Bonta decision.“Like the policies at issue in Mirabelli, the policies here likely created a substantial burden on the Meads’ free-exercise rights,” the order adds. “The Meads share religious beliefs similar to the parents in Mirabelli about the permanency of biological sex and the fixed relationship between sex and gender.”The judge’s order notes that the Rockford Public School District’s position is that its policies are designed “to meet [the district’s] interest in promoting student safety and success.” Yet, the court order states that the policies “do not factor in parents’ views and, as a result, they ‘cut’ parents out.”
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Court reconsiders First Amendment challenge to Michigan school’s transgender policies – #Catholic – A federal court granted a request from two parents to consider whether a Michigan school district violated the First Amendment when officials began treating their daughter as a boy without informing them.Judge Paul Maloney granted the motion to reconsider Aug. 7 in light of the 2026 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Mirabelli v. Bonta. The Supreme Court decided 6-3 that a similar policy in California likely violated the parents’ First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion, which includes the right to direct the religious development of their children.Similar to the California lawsuit, the two Michigan parents — Dan and Jennifer Mead — have argued that their views on gender and human sexuality are based on their Christian faith. The original lawsuit states that the Meads believe “each of us is born with a fixed biological sex that is a gift from God, not an arbitrary imposition subject to change.”According to the lawsuit, their seventh-grade daughter asked school officials at the Rockford Public School District to refer to her with a masculine name and use male pronouns. School officials began doing this but never informed her parents, and the school counselor had discussed the daughter’s broader mental health struggles with her parents, the lawsuit states.Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Senior Counsel Kate Anderson, who represents the parents in court, said in a statement that “parents have the right to direct the upbringing, education, and healthcare of their children — without government interference.”“By intentionally concealing this information from the Meads, the school district violated their constitutional rights as parents to make critical decisions about their daughter,” Anderson said. “The court’s ruling is a necessary step toward protecting the Mead family’s First Amendment rights.”Steve Matthews, superintendent for Rockford Public Schools, told EWTN News “the legal process continues to proceed” and “we have no comment at this time as we continue through this process.”Court proceedings continueThe lawsuit alleges that school officials began treating the Meads’ daughter as a boy in 2022. It states that the school used a masculine name and male pronouns when speaking with their daughter and in internal school records. Yet, they used her legal name and female pronouns when talking to her parents and in documents shared with parents, it states.Her parents removed her from the school in October 2022 after school officials forgot to alter a document that used the masculine name and male pronouns before giving it to her parents, the lawsuit states. This is how the parents discovered the school’s practices.The Meads filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleging the school district violated their First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion and the 14th Amendment’s protection of a parent’s right to raise his or her children.In 2025, a federal court allowed the 14th Amendment claims to proceed but dismissed the First Amendment claims. On Aug. 7, 2026, the court granted a motion to reconsider First Amendment claims in light of the new Supreme Court precedent set in Mirabelli v. Bonta.Maloney’s court order in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan Southern Division states the Supreme Court ruling “calls into question the court’s interpretation of the relevant law and will grant the motion to reconsider.” It says the lawsuit filed in Mirabelli v. Bonta “involved school policies similar to the district’s policies here.”“When a student engaged in gender transitioning at school, the policy prevented school staff from telling the student’s parents about their child’s situation unless the student consented,” the judge said of the Mirabelli v. Bonta decision.“Like the policies at issue in Mirabelli, the policies here likely created a substantial burden on the Meads’ free-exercise rights,” the order adds. “The Meads share religious beliefs similar to the parents in Mirabelli about the permanency of biological sex and the fixed relationship between sex and gender.”The judge’s order notes that the Rockford Public School District’s position is that its policies are designed “to meet [the district’s] interest in promoting student safety and success.” Yet, the court order states that the policies “do not factor in parents’ views and, as a result, they ‘cut’ parents out.”

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The court initially dismissed the First Amendment challenge. In light of a recent U.S. Supreme Supreme Court decision, the judge is reconsidering those claims.

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Church in Colombia prays and mobilizes to help those affected by major earthquake – #Catholic – The Colombian Bishops’ Conference expressed its concern for those affected by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Aug. 10, with the bishops calling upon “all the faithful to support them through prayer and solidarity.”The earthquakeʼs epicenter was in the San José del Palmar subdistrict in the department of Chocó, and it was also felt in at least the departments of Antioquia, Caldas, Cauca, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca as well as in the capital, Bogotá.In its initial report, the national government stated that 111 people died and 87 were injured. In addition, 1,575 homes were damaged, 37 were destroyed, 61 buildings had collapsed, and six airports were affected, with one suffering damage to its runway. According to the Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon, at least 180 people were reported dead and 2,500 were injured, with thousands still missing.Faced with this situation, the bishops’ conference prayed that Christ would strengthen the hearts of the victims and “grant them solace and hope, and accompany those involved in medical attention and rescue efforts.”“Let us lift up with one voice a fervent prayer for Colombia; let us put into practice the charity of Christ toward our brothers and sisters, especially in these moments of suffering. May our prayer and closeness also be a sign of hope,” the bishops stated on social media.Subsequently, in a message published on its website, the national bishops’ conference reiterated its call for solidarity, noting “that no one can face an emergency of this magnitude alone.”“Colombia is called upon, once again, to recognize itself as one family and to respond to the suffering of its brothers and sisters with generosity and solidarity,” the bishops' conference stated, with the prelates adding that they would announce as soon as possible the ways the faithful can provide aid in solidarity with those affected.Catholic organizations move to provide aidTo assist those affected, various food banks and other Catholic organizations have activated their protocols to collect donations and send them to the affected communities as soon as possible including the food banks of the archdioceses of Bogotá and Bucaramanga, which have issued an appeal on social media for monetary donations and packaged food.The Colombia office of Aid to the Church in Need has also encouraged people to contribute donations to support the affected communities, “because when everything seems to be tottering, the Church remains.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Church in Colombia prays and mobilizes to help those affected by major earthquake – #Catholic – The Colombian Bishops’ Conference expressed its concern for those affected by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Aug. 10, with the bishops calling upon “all the faithful to support them through prayer and solidarity.”The earthquakeʼs epicenter was in the San José del Palmar subdistrict in the department of Chocó, and it was also felt in at least the departments of Antioquia, Caldas, Cauca, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca as well as in the capital, Bogotá.In its initial report, the national government stated that 111 people died and 87 were injured. In addition, 1,575 homes were damaged, 37 were destroyed, 61 buildings had collapsed, and six airports were affected, with one suffering damage to its runway. According to the Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon, at least 180 people were reported dead and 2,500 were injured, with thousands still missing.Faced with this situation, the bishops’ conference prayed that Christ would strengthen the hearts of the victims and “grant them solace and hope, and accompany those involved in medical attention and rescue efforts.”“Let us lift up with one voice a fervent prayer for Colombia; let us put into practice the charity of Christ toward our brothers and sisters, especially in these moments of suffering. May our prayer and closeness also be a sign of hope,” the bishops stated on social media.Subsequently, in a message published on its website, the national bishops’ conference reiterated its call for solidarity, noting “that no one can face an emergency of this magnitude alone.”“Colombia is called upon, once again, to recognize itself as one family and to respond to the suffering of its brothers and sisters with generosity and solidarity,” the bishops' conference stated, with the prelates adding that they would announce as soon as possible the ways the faithful can provide aid in solidarity with those affected.Catholic organizations move to provide aidTo assist those affected, various food banks and other Catholic organizations have activated their protocols to collect donations and send them to the affected communities as soon as possible including the food banks of the archdioceses of Bogotá and Bucaramanga, which have issued an appeal on social media for monetary donations and packaged food.The Colombia office of Aid to the Church in Need has also encouraged people to contribute donations to support the affected communities, “because when everything seems to be tottering, the Church remains.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Local Church leaders called on the faithful to respond with prayer, generosity, and solidarity.

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NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir Uses VR Goggles – NASA astronaut and Expedition 75 commander Jessica Meir wears a set of virtual reality goggles, also called the Nevada Screening Vision System, for a test that measures visual function using a series of vision screening apps testing visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and more.
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NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir Uses VR Goggles – NASA astronaut and Expedition 75 commander Jessica Meir wears a set of virtual reality goggles, also called the Nevada Screening Vision System, for a test that measures visual function using a series of vision screening apps testing visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and more.

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NASA astronaut and Expedition 75 commander Jessica Meir wears a set of virtual reality goggles, also called the Nevada Screening Vision System, for a test that measures visual function using a series of vision screening apps testing visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and more.

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Pope chooses theme on AI and war for World Day of Peace 2027 #Catholic Pope Leo XIV has chosen “Disarming Technology, Serving Peace. Politics as Preventive Responsibility” as the theme of the 2027 World Day of Peace. The theme will be part of the celebrations for the 60th World Day of Peace, observed on Jan. 1, 2027, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development announced on Aug. 11. The announcement referenced Leo’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, highlighting his appeal to civil leaders to prioritize humanitarian principles and shared responsibility.Quoting from Magnifica Humanitas, the Vatican said that Pope Leo, “recalling that ‘no algorithm can make war morally acceptable’ and warning of the risks involved in entrusting military decisions to artificial intelligence … makes a fervent appeal to the international community to foster shared agreements capable of safeguarding human responsibility and humanitarian principles in situations in which human life and peaceful coexistence among peoples are at stake.”The Aug. 11 statement also explained that the pontiff had chosen this theme to “draw attention to the moral responsibility of those called to serve in the public sphere.”The World Day of Peace was instituted by St. Paul VI, who proposed it on Dec. 8, 1967, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The Church first celebrated the day on Jan. 1, 1968, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.The observance has often been an occasion for popes to highlight the relevance of Catholic social teaching to global challenges, including war, the right to life, and international diplomacy.
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Pope chooses theme on AI and war for World Day of Peace 2027 #Catholic Pope Leo XIV has chosen “Disarming Technology, Serving Peace. Politics as Preventive Responsibility” as the theme of the 2027 World Day of Peace. The theme will be part of the celebrations for the 60th World Day of Peace, observed on Jan. 1, 2027, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development announced on Aug. 11. The announcement referenced Leo’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, highlighting his appeal to civil leaders to prioritize humanitarian principles and shared responsibility.Quoting from Magnifica Humanitas, the Vatican said that Pope Leo, “recalling that ‘no algorithm can make war morally acceptable’ and warning of the risks involved in entrusting military decisions to artificial intelligence … makes a fervent appeal to the international community to foster shared agreements capable of safeguarding human responsibility and humanitarian principles in situations in which human life and peaceful coexistence among peoples are at stake.”The Aug. 11 statement also explained that the pontiff had chosen this theme to “draw attention to the moral responsibility of those called to serve in the public sphere.”The World Day of Peace was instituted by St. Paul VI, who proposed it on Dec. 8, 1967, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The Church first celebrated the day on Jan. 1, 1968, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.The observance has often been an occasion for popes to highlight the relevance of Catholic social teaching to global challenges, including war, the right to life, and international diplomacy.

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The 60th World Day of Peace will take place on Jan. 1, 2027.

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Dying lights

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Greg Meyer, taken from Starfront Observatory, near Brady, Texas Two faint planetary nebulae glow in Cassiopeia — Abell 6 (lower left), about 3,750 light-years away, and HFG1 (upper right), roughly 2,300 light-years distant. These objects are dying, Sun-like stars shedding their outer layers as they run out of nuclear fuel. HFG1 displays a prominent bowContinue reading “Dying lights”

The post Dying lights appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Pope Leo XIV offers prayers, condolences as bishops urge solidarity following Colombia earthquake #Catholic – (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction following a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia, leaving more than 100 dead and dozens of collapsed buildings. The pope offered prayers “for the eternal rest of the deceased and raises his prayers to the Lord for the speedy recovery of those affected by this tragedy,” said a telegram to Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera Correa of Cartagena, president of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. The earthquake struck in the morning Aug. 10, with hundreds of videos posted online of people fleeing outdoors as the ground below them violently shook. The Colombian Association of Capital Cities reported that the death toll rose to 132, with more than 570 injured. The association, which is a network of Colombia’s major cities, said the number is expected to change as damage assessments continue in the affected areas. In his message, which the Vatican published Aug. 11, Cardinal Parolin conveyed the pope’s condolences “to the families who, in this hour of deep sorrow, mourn the loss of their loved ones.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. “In the same way, he assures his spiritual closeness and expresses his gratitude to all those who, with generous dedication, are working in the search, rescue, and assistance efforts for those affected,” the message read. “Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he asks the Lord to pour out upon the beloved Colombian people the gifts of spiritual strength and Christian hope,” said the message. According to Colombia’s Geological Service, the quake’s epicenter was the northwestern department of Chocó, and the intense magnitude made it “the strongest earthquake felt in Colombia in the last decade.” The Geological Service also reported that, as of Aug. 10 in the afternoon, the country has recorded 18 aftershocks with magnitudes between 1.4 and 4.8 since the initial earthquake. In a message published Aug. 10, the Colombian Bishops’ Conference expressed its closeness to the victims of the deadly 7.4 magnitude quake, as well as those who have been displaced. “We pray for those who have lost their lives, that God may grant them eternal rest; for the persons who are still missing; for the injured, and for the affected families,” the bishops said. The bishops also prayed for relief and medical personnel, as well as military and government authorities, “and all those who, with generosity and courage, are working in search, rescue, and care efforts for those affected.” “This painful moment reminds us that no one can face an emergency of this magnitude alone,” the statement read. “Colombia is called, once again, to recognize itself as one family and to respond to the suffering of its brothers and sisters with generosity, responsibility, and solidarity.” Among the videos of the destruction wrought by the earthquake were that of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, as well as several churches that were heavily damaged in the aftermath. The Archdiocese of Manizales also shared a 10-second video showing a Mass taking place as the earthquake struck in the morning. In a video message to the city’s faithful, Archbishop José Miguel Gómez of Manizales said that while the archdiocese continues to assess the damage to churches, “the most important thing is you, the faithful, the priests, and all our neighbors who suffered the same.” “God, our Lord, never abandons us, and it is in these moments when, lifting our eyes to Him, we must all, with humility and simplicity, ask Him for the graces we need to live through these difficulties,” Archbishop Gómez said. The archbishop also invoked the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, asking her to “console and comfort” those affected by the natural disaster. He also urged people to follow guidelines given by the authorities. “And, following those instructions, always seek to be attentive to those who suffer the most, so that no person is left without care in these difficult times,” he said before imparting his blessing. The Colombian bishops’ conference said dioceses across the country are setting up collection points to ensure food distribution to shelters, hospitals and communities in the affected areas. Caritas Colombia, the conference said, activated its National Emergency Service “to raise funds to directly help the jurisdictions and communities that were most affected by this tragedy.” Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News. Follow him on X @jae_journalist. A drone view shows damage to the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica after an earthquake, in Manizales, Colombia, Aug. 10, 2026. (OSV News photo | Andres Camilo Valencia, Reuters)
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Pope Leo XIV offers prayers, condolences as bishops urge solidarity following Colombia earthquake #Catholic – (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction following a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia, leaving more than 100 dead and dozens of collapsed buildings. The pope offered prayers “for the eternal rest of the deceased and raises his prayers to the Lord for the speedy recovery of those affected by this tragedy,” said a telegram to Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera Correa of Cartagena, president of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. The earthquake struck in the morning Aug. 10, with hundreds of videos posted online of people fleeing outdoors as the ground below them violently shook. The Colombian Association of Capital Cities reported that the death toll rose to 132, with more than 570 injured. The association, which is a network of Colombia’s major cities, said the number is expected to change as damage assessments continue in the affected areas. In his message, which the Vatican published Aug. 11, Cardinal Parolin conveyed the pope’s condolences “to the families who, in this hour of deep sorrow, mourn the loss of their loved ones.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. “In the same way, he assures his spiritual closeness and expresses his gratitude to all those who, with generous dedication, are working in the search, rescue, and assistance efforts for those affected,” the message read. “Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he asks the Lord to pour out upon the beloved Colombian people the gifts of spiritual strength and Christian hope,” said the message. According to Colombia’s Geological Service, the quake’s epicenter was the northwestern department of Chocó, and the intense magnitude made it “the strongest earthquake felt in Colombia in the last decade.” The Geological Service also reported that, as of Aug. 10 in the afternoon, the country has recorded 18 aftershocks with magnitudes between 1.4 and 4.8 since the initial earthquake. In a message published Aug. 10, the Colombian Bishops’ Conference expressed its closeness to the victims of the deadly 7.4 magnitude quake, as well as those who have been displaced. “We pray for those who have lost their lives, that God may grant them eternal rest; for the persons who are still missing; for the injured, and for the affected families,” the bishops said. The bishops also prayed for relief and medical personnel, as well as military and government authorities, “and all those who, with generosity and courage, are working in search, rescue, and care efforts for those affected.” “This painful moment reminds us that no one can face an emergency of this magnitude alone,” the statement read. “Colombia is called, once again, to recognize itself as one family and to respond to the suffering of its brothers and sisters with generosity, responsibility, and solidarity.” Among the videos of the destruction wrought by the earthquake were that of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, as well as several churches that were heavily damaged in the aftermath. The Archdiocese of Manizales also shared a 10-second video showing a Mass taking place as the earthquake struck in the morning. In a video message to the city’s faithful, Archbishop José Miguel Gómez of Manizales said that while the archdiocese continues to assess the damage to churches, “the most important thing is you, the faithful, the priests, and all our neighbors who suffered the same.” “God, our Lord, never abandons us, and it is in these moments when, lifting our eyes to Him, we must all, with humility and simplicity, ask Him for the graces we need to live through these difficulties,” Archbishop Gómez said. The archbishop also invoked the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, asking her to “console and comfort” those affected by the natural disaster. He also urged people to follow guidelines given by the authorities. “And, following those instructions, always seek to be attentive to those who suffer the most, so that no person is left without care in these difficult times,” he said before imparting his blessing. The Colombian bishops’ conference said dioceses across the country are setting up collection points to ensure food distribution to shelters, hospitals and communities in the affected areas. Caritas Colombia, the conference said, activated its National Emergency Service “to raise funds to directly help the jurisdictions and communities that were most affected by this tragedy.” Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News. Follow him on X @jae_journalist. A drone view shows damage to the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica after an earthquake, in Manizales, Colombia, Aug. 10, 2026. (OSV News photo | Andres Camilo Valencia, Reuters)

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Pope Leo XIV offers prayers, condolences as bishops urge solidarity following Colombia earthquake #Catholic –

(OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction following a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia, leaving more than 100 dead and dozens of collapsed buildings.

The pope offered prayers “for the eternal rest of the deceased and raises his prayers to the Lord for the speedy recovery of those affected by this tragedy,” said a telegram to Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera Correa of Cartagena, president of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

The earthquake struck in the morning Aug. 10, with hundreds of videos posted online of people fleeing outdoors as the ground below them violently shook.

The Colombian Association of Capital Cities reported that the death toll rose to 132, with more than 570 injured. The association, which is a network of Colombia’s major cities, said the number is expected to change as damage assessments continue in the affected areas.

In his message, which the Vatican published Aug. 11, Cardinal Parolin conveyed the pope’s condolences “to the families who, in this hour of deep sorrow, mourn the loss of their loved ones.”

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“In the same way, he assures his spiritual closeness and expresses his gratitude to all those who, with generous dedication, are working in the search, rescue, and assistance efforts for those affected,” the message read.

“Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he asks the Lord to pour out upon the beloved Colombian people the gifts of spiritual strength and Christian hope,” said the message.

According to Colombia’s Geological Service, the quake’s epicenter was the northwestern department of Chocó, and the intense magnitude made it “the strongest earthquake felt in Colombia in the last decade.”

The Geological Service also reported that, as of Aug. 10 in the afternoon, the country has recorded 18 aftershocks with magnitudes between 1.4 and 4.8 since the initial earthquake.

In a message published Aug. 10, the Colombian Bishops’ Conference expressed its closeness to the victims of the deadly 7.4 magnitude quake, as well as those who have been displaced.

“We pray for those who have lost their lives, that God may grant them eternal rest; for the persons who are still missing; for the injured, and for the affected families,” the bishops said.

The bishops also prayed for relief and medical personnel, as well as military and government authorities, “and all those who, with generosity and courage, are working in search, rescue, and care efforts for those affected.”

“This painful moment reminds us that no one can face an emergency of this magnitude alone,” the statement read. “Colombia is called, once again, to recognize itself as one family and to respond to the suffering of its brothers and sisters with generosity, responsibility, and solidarity.”

Among the videos of the destruction wrought by the earthquake were that of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, as well as several churches that were heavily damaged in the aftermath.

The Archdiocese of Manizales also shared a 10-second video showing a Mass taking place as the earthquake struck in the morning.

In a video message to the city’s faithful, Archbishop José Miguel Gómez of Manizales said that while the archdiocese continues to assess the damage to churches, “the most important thing is you, the faithful, the priests, and all our neighbors who suffered the same.”

“God, our Lord, never abandons us, and it is in these moments when, lifting our eyes to Him, we must all, with humility and simplicity, ask Him for the graces we need to live through these difficulties,” Archbishop Gómez said.

The archbishop also invoked the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, asking her to “console and comfort” those affected by the natural disaster. He also urged people to follow guidelines given by the authorities.

“And, following those instructions, always seek to be attentive to those who suffer the most, so that no person is left without care in these difficult times,” he said before imparting his blessing.

The Colombian bishops’ conference said dioceses across the country are setting up collection points to ensure food distribution to shelters, hospitals and communities in the affected areas.

Caritas Colombia, the conference said, activated its National Emergency Service “to raise funds to directly help the jurisdictions and communities that were most affected by this tragedy.”

Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News. Follow him on X @jae_journalist.

A drone view shows damage to the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica after an earthquake, in Manizales, Colombia, Aug. 10, 2026. (OSV News photo | Andres Camilo Valencia, Reuters)

– (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction following a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia, leaving more than 100 dead and dozens of collapsed buildings. The pope offered prayers “for the eternal rest of the deceased and raises his prayers to the Lord for the speedy recovery of those affected by this tragedy,” said a telegram to Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera Correa of Cartagena, president of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. The earthquake struck in the morning Aug. 10, with hundreds of

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Pope Leo XIV expresses sorrow for the victims of earthquake in Colombia #Catholic Amid the devastation of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Aug. 10, Pope Leo XIV has sent his condolences to all victims of the disaster and assured them of his closeness.In a telegram dated Aug. 11 and signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope expressed his sorrow upon learning of the earthquake, which, according to an Aug. 11 BBC news report, has killed at least 132 people and injured 570.It has also severely damaged several buildings, including the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as the Manizales Cathedral.“The Holy Father,” according to the telegram, is “deeply saddened to learn of the sorrowful news of the earthquake that has severely affected several areas of Colombia, causing casualties and numerous injuries, as well as serious material damage, including to many churches.” The telegram added that the pontiff “offers prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased and raises his prayers to the Lord for the speedy recovery of those affected by this tragedy.”TweetThe message, addressed to the archbishop of Cartagena and president of the bishops’ conference of Colombia, Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera Correa, ICM, asks him “to convey the heartfelt condolences of His Holiness Leo XIV to the families who, in this hour of profound sorrow, mourn the loss of their loved ones.”Local and national authorities continue to assess the casualties and damage from the earthquake, concentrated in the municipality of San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, located on the Pacific coast.On its social media, the Archdiocese of Manizales shared a video showing cracks in the facade and the partial collapse of one of the side towers of the Manizales Cathedral, which stands 390 feet tall, making it the tallest cathedral in Colombia and the tallest neo-Gothic church in the Americas.
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Pope Leo XIV expresses sorrow for the victims of earthquake in Colombia #Catholic Amid the devastation of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Aug. 10, Pope Leo XIV has sent his condolences to all victims of the disaster and assured them of his closeness.In a telegram dated Aug. 11 and signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope expressed his sorrow upon learning of the earthquake, which, according to an Aug. 11 BBC news report, has killed at least 132 people and injured 570.It has also severely damaged several buildings, including the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as the Manizales Cathedral.“The Holy Father,” according to the telegram, is “deeply saddened to learn of the sorrowful news of the earthquake that has severely affected several areas of Colombia, causing casualties and numerous injuries, as well as serious material damage, including to many churches.” The telegram added that the pontiff “offers prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased and raises his prayers to the Lord for the speedy recovery of those affected by this tragedy.”TweetThe message, addressed to the archbishop of Cartagena and president of the bishops’ conference of Colombia, Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera Correa, ICM, asks him “to convey the heartfelt condolences of His Holiness Leo XIV to the families who, in this hour of profound sorrow, mourn the loss of their loved ones.”Local and national authorities continue to assess the casualties and damage from the earthquake, concentrated in the municipality of San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, located on the Pacific coast.On its social media, the Archdiocese of Manizales shared a video showing cracks in the facade and the partial collapse of one of the side towers of the Manizales Cathedral, which stands 390 feet tall, making it the tallest cathedral in Colombia and the tallest neo-Gothic church in the Americas.

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The pontiff expressed his closeness to the Colombian people in a message on Aug. 11.

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7 things to know about St. Clare of Assisi, the patron saint of television #Catholic On Aug. 11, the Catholic Church celebrates St. Clare of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints of the Middle Ages. Best known as the founder of the Poor Clares and a close friend of St. Francis of Assisi, Clareʼs life was marked by radical trust in God, profound Eucharistic devotion, and remarkable courage.Here are seven things to know about the woman whose witness continues to inspire Catholics more than 800 years later:1. She came from a wealthy noble family — but left everything behind.Clare was born in Assisi, Italy, on July 16, 1194, into one of the cityʼs most prominent noble families. As a young woman, she enjoyed a privileged upbringing and was expected to marry into another wealthy household.Instead, after hearing Francis — who is now known as St. Francis of Assisi — preach about living the Gospel with radical simplicity, Clare felt called to dedicate her life entirely to Christ. At age 18, she secretly left her family home on Palm Sunday night in 1212 to begin a new life of poverty.Her family attempted to bring her home by force, but Clare firmly refused and cut off her hair as a sign that she belonged to God alone.2. She founded the Poor Clares.With Francis' guidance, Clare established a community of women at the Church of San Damiano outside Assisi that would become known as the Poor Clares. She eventually became abbess and led the monastery for more than 40 years.Despite their similarities, Franciscans and Poor Clares have distinctive differences.The Franciscans, founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209, include men who are called to live the Gospel through poverty, fraternity, and service, often ministering in parishes, schools, missions, and charitable works around the world. The Poor Clares, founded by St. Clare of Assisi in 1212 with the guidance of St. Francis, are a contemplative order of women who live a cloistered life centered on prayer, the Eucharist, and community life.While both embrace the Franciscan ideals of simplicity and poverty, the Franciscans are primarily active in apostolic ministry, whereas the Poor Clares dedicate their lives to supporting the Church through prayer and contemplation.3. She was the first woman to write a rule for a religious order that received papal approval.One of St. Clareʼs most significant contributions to the Church was authoring the Rule for the Poor Clares. While many womenʼs religious communities of the time followed rules adapted from existing monastic traditions, Clare aimed to preserve the distinctive charism she had embraced alongside St. Francis.For decades, Clare resisted pressure from Church authorities to modify her communityʼs way of life by accepting property or financial endowments. Instead, she carefully composed a rule that reflected the Franciscan ideal while providing practical guidance for the sisters' communal life, prayer, governance, and observance of enclosure.On Aug. 9, 1253, just two days before Clareʼs death, Pope Innocent IV formally approved her rule, making her the first woman in the history of the Church to write a rule for a religious order that received papal approval. The rule remains the foundation of Poor Clare communities throughout the world and stands as a lasting testament to Clareʼs spiritual leadership and unwavering commitment to the Franciscan vision.4. She had an extraordinary devotion to the Eucharist.Perhaps no aspect of Clareʼs spirituality stands out more than her love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. She spent countless hours in prayer before the Eucharist and encouraged her sisters to center their lives on Christʼs real presence.This Eucharistic devotion became especially evident during one of the most famous events of her life.One of the best-known stories about Clare occurred when invading Saracen mercenaries threatened the convent of San Damiano. Although seriously ill, Clare asked that the Blessed Sacrament be brought to her. Holding the monstrance before the attackers, she prayed for Godʼs protection, and the invaders fled.5. She is the patron saint of television.Near the end of Clare’s life, illness prevented her from attending Mass. According to tradition, she was miraculously able to see and hear the Christmas midnight Mass in 1252 being celebrated on the wall of her room in the convent. Because of this extraordinary supernatural event, Pope Pius XII declared her the patron saint of television in 1958.6. She and St. Francis shared one of the Churchʼs most remarkable friendships.The friendship between St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most enduring examples of holy companionship in Church history. Although Francis played a pivotal role in Clareʼs discernment and inspired her embrace of a life of poverty, their relationship was marked by mutual respect and a shared desire to follow Christ above all else. Francis entrusted Clare with establishing and leading the community at San Damiano, while Clare remained a steadfast guardian of the Franciscan charism, especially after Francis' death in 1226.Despite living separate vocations, the two maintained a deep spiritual bond rooted in prayer, humility, and service to the Gospel. More than eight centuries later, their example continues to inspire men and women to support one another in faithfully responding to Godʼs call.7. Her influence continues more than 800 years later.On Aug. 11, 1253, Clare died at the age of 59. She was canonized by Pope Alexander IV on Sept. 26, 1255.More than 800 years after she left her family home to follow Christ, St. Clareʼs witness continues to resonate with Catholics across the globe. Her unwavering trust in Godʼs providence, profound love for the Eucharist, and commitment to a life of simplicity remain as relevant today as they were in the 13th century.Through the monasteries of the Poor Clares, her spirit of contemplative prayer and poverty lives on, with thousands of religious sisters dedicating their lives to praying for the needs of the Church and the world.Today, there are approximately 20,000 Poor Clare nuns worldwide. They live in more than 500 monasteries in over 70 countries.
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7 things to know about St. Clare of Assisi, the patron saint of television #Catholic On Aug. 11, the Catholic Church celebrates St. Clare of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints of the Middle Ages. Best known as the founder of the Poor Clares and a close friend of St. Francis of Assisi, Clareʼs life was marked by radical trust in God, profound Eucharistic devotion, and remarkable courage.Here are seven things to know about the woman whose witness continues to inspire Catholics more than 800 years later:1. She came from a wealthy noble family — but left everything behind.Clare was born in Assisi, Italy, on July 16, 1194, into one of the cityʼs most prominent noble families. As a young woman, she enjoyed a privileged upbringing and was expected to marry into another wealthy household.Instead, after hearing Francis — who is now known as St. Francis of Assisi — preach about living the Gospel with radical simplicity, Clare felt called to dedicate her life entirely to Christ. At age 18, she secretly left her family home on Palm Sunday night in 1212 to begin a new life of poverty.Her family attempted to bring her home by force, but Clare firmly refused and cut off her hair as a sign that she belonged to God alone.2. She founded the Poor Clares.With Francis' guidance, Clare established a community of women at the Church of San Damiano outside Assisi that would become known as the Poor Clares. She eventually became abbess and led the monastery for more than 40 years.Despite their similarities, Franciscans and Poor Clares have distinctive differences.The Franciscans, founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209, include men who are called to live the Gospel through poverty, fraternity, and service, often ministering in parishes, schools, missions, and charitable works around the world. The Poor Clares, founded by St. Clare of Assisi in 1212 with the guidance of St. Francis, are a contemplative order of women who live a cloistered life centered on prayer, the Eucharist, and community life.While both embrace the Franciscan ideals of simplicity and poverty, the Franciscans are primarily active in apostolic ministry, whereas the Poor Clares dedicate their lives to supporting the Church through prayer and contemplation.3. She was the first woman to write a rule for a religious order that received papal approval.One of St. Clareʼs most significant contributions to the Church was authoring the Rule for the Poor Clares. While many womenʼs religious communities of the time followed rules adapted from existing monastic traditions, Clare aimed to preserve the distinctive charism she had embraced alongside St. Francis.For decades, Clare resisted pressure from Church authorities to modify her communityʼs way of life by accepting property or financial endowments. Instead, she carefully composed a rule that reflected the Franciscan ideal while providing practical guidance for the sisters' communal life, prayer, governance, and observance of enclosure.On Aug. 9, 1253, just two days before Clareʼs death, Pope Innocent IV formally approved her rule, making her the first woman in the history of the Church to write a rule for a religious order that received papal approval. The rule remains the foundation of Poor Clare communities throughout the world and stands as a lasting testament to Clareʼs spiritual leadership and unwavering commitment to the Franciscan vision.4. She had an extraordinary devotion to the Eucharist.Perhaps no aspect of Clareʼs spirituality stands out more than her love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. She spent countless hours in prayer before the Eucharist and encouraged her sisters to center their lives on Christʼs real presence.This Eucharistic devotion became especially evident during one of the most famous events of her life.One of the best-known stories about Clare occurred when invading Saracen mercenaries threatened the convent of San Damiano. Although seriously ill, Clare asked that the Blessed Sacrament be brought to her. Holding the monstrance before the attackers, she prayed for Godʼs protection, and the invaders fled.5. She is the patron saint of television.Near the end of Clare’s life, illness prevented her from attending Mass. According to tradition, she was miraculously able to see and hear the Christmas midnight Mass in 1252 being celebrated on the wall of her room in the convent. Because of this extraordinary supernatural event, Pope Pius XII declared her the patron saint of television in 1958.6. She and St. Francis shared one of the Churchʼs most remarkable friendships.The friendship between St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most enduring examples of holy companionship in Church history. Although Francis played a pivotal role in Clareʼs discernment and inspired her embrace of a life of poverty, their relationship was marked by mutual respect and a shared desire to follow Christ above all else. Francis entrusted Clare with establishing and leading the community at San Damiano, while Clare remained a steadfast guardian of the Franciscan charism, especially after Francis' death in 1226.Despite living separate vocations, the two maintained a deep spiritual bond rooted in prayer, humility, and service to the Gospel. More than eight centuries later, their example continues to inspire men and women to support one another in faithfully responding to Godʼs call.7. Her influence continues more than 800 years later.On Aug. 11, 1253, Clare died at the age of 59. She was canonized by Pope Alexander IV on Sept. 26, 1255.More than 800 years after she left her family home to follow Christ, St. Clareʼs witness continues to resonate with Catholics across the globe. Her unwavering trust in Godʼs providence, profound love for the Eucharist, and commitment to a life of simplicity remain as relevant today as they were in the 13th century.Through the monasteries of the Poor Clares, her spirit of contemplative prayer and poverty lives on, with thousands of religious sisters dedicating their lives to praying for the needs of the Church and the world.Today, there are approximately 20,000 Poor Clare nuns worldwide. They live in more than 500 monasteries in over 70 countries.

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The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Clare of Assisi on Aug. 11.

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Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France seeks donations as it prepares for Pope Leo’s visit #Catholic The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV as part of his pastoral visit to France in September, a development that represents “an unprecedented logistical and spiritual challenge” for the site where the Immaculate Conception first appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.The shrine’s recent newsletters have highlighted the preparations and appealed for support to help carry out the necessary work to welcome the Holy Father and the thousands of pilgrims expected for the occasion.For the Sunday, Sept. 27, Mass, organizers plan to install a platform capable of accommodating 400 people, an audio system suitable for the sanctuary’s meadow, 10 giant screens, and enhanced signage.In addition, measures are being taken “to ensure the safety of pedestrian routes and facilitate the movement of sick, elderly, and disabled persons,” a priority that is already central to the shrine’s mission but one that organizers hope to improve further.Most of these upgrades will remain at the shrine for the long-term benefit of pilgrims, so any donations are viewed as an investment in Lourdes’ future.In total, organizers expect to install more than 6.2 miles of security barriers, mobilize approximately 600 volunteers, welcome nearly 3,000 priests, provide 1,000 temporary public restrooms, and implement an enhanced cleaning and waste-management system.Registration opens for Mass and rosary processionBeyond the technical challenges, shrine officials emphasize that the essential priority during the pope’s visit is to maintain the shrine’s normal activities, “accompanying the sick with the same tenderness” and ensuring that “the spiritual heart of Lourdes continues to beat uninterrupted alongside the day’s events.”Organizers also announced that registration forms are now available for those wishing to attend, either individually or as part of a group. While registration is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.Two registration forms have been created: one for individuals, families, or groups of fewer than 10 people, and another for larger groups.Upon registering, pilgrims will receive practical information by email, including transportation options, recommended travel routes, and instructions for access and seating arrangements in the Meadow or the Rosary Esplanade.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France seeks donations as it prepares for Pope Leo’s visit #Catholic The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV as part of his pastoral visit to France in September, a development that represents “an unprecedented logistical and spiritual challenge” for the site where the Immaculate Conception first appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.The shrine’s recent newsletters have highlighted the preparations and appealed for support to help carry out the necessary work to welcome the Holy Father and the thousands of pilgrims expected for the occasion.For the Sunday, Sept. 27, Mass, organizers plan to install a platform capable of accommodating 400 people, an audio system suitable for the sanctuary’s meadow, 10 giant screens, and enhanced signage.In addition, measures are being taken “to ensure the safety of pedestrian routes and facilitate the movement of sick, elderly, and disabled persons,” a priority that is already central to the shrine’s mission but one that organizers hope to improve further.Most of these upgrades will remain at the shrine for the long-term benefit of pilgrims, so any donations are viewed as an investment in Lourdes’ future.In total, organizers expect to install more than 6.2 miles of security barriers, mobilize approximately 600 volunteers, welcome nearly 3,000 priests, provide 1,000 temporary public restrooms, and implement an enhanced cleaning and waste-management system.Registration opens for Mass and rosary processionBeyond the technical challenges, shrine officials emphasize that the essential priority during the pope’s visit is to maintain the shrine’s normal activities, “accompanying the sick with the same tenderness” and ensuring that “the spiritual heart of Lourdes continues to beat uninterrupted alongside the day’s events.”Organizers also announced that registration forms are now available for those wishing to attend, either individually or as part of a group. While registration is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.Two registration forms have been created: one for individuals, families, or groups of fewer than 10 people, and another for larger groups.Upon registering, pilgrims will receive practical information by email, including transportation options, recommended travel routes, and instructions for access and seating arrangements in the Meadow or the Rosary Esplanade.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Most of the upgrades will remain at the shrine for the long-term benefit of pilgrims, so any donations are viewed as an investment in Lourdes’ future.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 11 August 2026 – A reading from the Book of Ezekiel 2:8-3:4 The Lord GOD said to me: As for you, son of man, obey me when I speak to you: be not rebellious like this house of rebellion, but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you. It was then I saw a hand stretched out to me, in which was a written scroll which he unrolled before me. It was covered with writing front and back, and written on it was:  Lamentation and wailing and woe! He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat. Son of man, he then said to me, feed your belly and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you. I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. He said: Son of man, go now to the house of Israel, and speak my words to them.From the Gospel according to Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 The disciples approached Jesus and said, ?Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?? He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, ?Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. ?See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.  In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost."?See that you do not despise one of these little ones: for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven? (Mt 18:10). Thus, children are in and of themselves a treasure for humanity and also for the Church, for they constantly evoke that necessary condition for entering the Kingdom of God: that of not considering ourselves self-sufficient, but in need of help, of love, of forgiveness. We all are in need of help, of love and of forgiveness! Children remind us of another beautiful thing: they remind us that we are always sons and daughters. Even if one becomes an adult, or an elderly person, even if one becomes a parent, if one occupies a position of responsibility, underneath all of this is still the identity of a child. We are all sons and daughters. And this always brings us back to the fact that we did not give ourselves life but that we received it. The great gift of life is the first gift that we received. Sometimes in life we risk forgetting about this, as if we were the masters of our existence, and instead we are fundamentally dependent. In reality, it is a motive of great joy to feel at every stage of life, in every situation, in every social condition, that we are and we remain sons and daughters. This is the main message that children give us, by their very presence: simply by their presence they remind us that each and every one of us is a son or daughter. (Pope Francis, General Audience, 18 March 2015)

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A reading from the Book of Ezekiel
2:8-3:4

The Lord GOD said to me:
As for you, son of man, obey me when I speak to you:
be not rebellious like this house of rebellion,
but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.

It was then I saw a hand stretched out to me,
in which was a written scroll which he unrolled before me.
It was covered with writing front and back,
and written on it was: 
Lamentation and wailing and woe!

He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you;
eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.
So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat.
Son of man, he then said to me,
feed your belly and fill your stomach
with this scroll I am giving you.
I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
He said: Son of man, go now to the house of Israel,
and speak my words to them.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
18:1-5, 10, 12-14

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
?Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven??
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
?Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

?See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. 
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost."

?See that you do not despise one of these little ones: for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven? (Mt 18:10).

Thus, children are in and of themselves a treasure for humanity and also for the Church, for they constantly evoke that necessary condition for entering the Kingdom of God: that of not considering ourselves self-sufficient, but in need of help, of love, of forgiveness. We all are in need of help, of love and of forgiveness! Children remind us of another beautiful thing: they remind us that we are always sons and daughters. Even if one becomes an adult, or an elderly person, even if one becomes a parent, if one occupies a position of responsibility, underneath all of this is still the identity of a child. We are all sons and daughters. And this always brings us back to the fact that we did not give ourselves life but that we received it. The great gift of life is the first gift that we received. Sometimes in life we risk forgetting about this, as if we were the masters of our existence, and instead we are fundamentally dependent. In reality, it is a motive of great joy to feel at every stage of life, in every situation, in every social condition, that we are and we remain sons and daughters. This is the main message that children give us, by their very presence: simply by their presence they remind us that each and every one of us is a son or daughter. (Pope Francis, General Audience, 18 March 2015)

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Spanish bishop calls for a vigil for peace, justice, and stability in Ceuta after immigration crisis – #Catholic – The apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta in Spain, Bishop Ramón Valdivia, called for a vigil for peace, justice, and stability in Ceuta, the Spanish city located in northern Africa and the site of a recent immigration crisis.In a letter addressed to the priests, religious, and faithful of Ceuta, where the recent arrival of thousands of illegal migrants led to an overwhelming breach of the city’s maritime border, Valdivia invited the faithful to pray on the eve of the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated on Aug. 15, following a suggestion made by Pope Leo XIV.“As a proposal for ecclesial action in response to this humanitarian and confidence crisis, I believe it is necessary to turn our gaze toward God,” Valdivia wrote, expressing his desire that this prayer take place “with the intention not only of seeking protection for the city of Ceuta but also so that we may become aware of the importance of maturing in the faith we have received and ask for the necessary light so that, united, we may experience these moments as a new cultural beginning and not simply as a crisis, which one hopes will prove temporary.”“These events seem to me to reveal the depth of the cultural change that is taking place. For this reason, now more than ever, we need to lift our eyes and pray together the Our Father, saying: ‘Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!’” he insisted.In the letter, Valdivia, who is also the auxiliary bishop of Seville, acknowledged that he needed time “to reflect on and understand the scope of what we have suffered and, at the same time, to try to understand, with the light available to me, the repercussions that go beyond what the media have been showing.”The bishop pointed to “the humanitarian disaster generated by ambition and corruption” in which “young people without a future threw themselves into the unknown, driven only by political slogans or ill-intentioned promises” while adults “took advantage of the lack of government control to flee the criminal responsibilities of their own country, perhaps aided by a premeditated pardon arranged for this occasion.”He also wrote of minors who, “abandoned by their families, become easy prey for predators” and, referring to the residents of Ceuta, “people who have felt their own space violated.”‘Our Lady of Africa has been our stronghold’In his reflection, Valdivia shared that what arose in his heart was “gratitude born of faith,” emphasizing that “from the very first moment, Our Lady of Africa has been the stronghold in which we can find refuge.”“I have been able to perceive how the mother and patroness of Ceuta has once again, throughout history, become the lighthouse guiding us as we navigate stormy seas,” he added.The auxiliary bishop of Seville also highlighted the way Catholics have faced the challenge of the arrival of a group nearly as large as Ceuta’s own population: “It is only right that we all send a message of gratitude to this small Christian community, so that they may receive strong encouragement from the rest of the diocese and continue to keep alive the witness of faith.”“I want to believe that both the floral offering and the celebration and procession with the image of Our Lady of Africa were not merely a passing sigh but rather a catalyst for breaking the inertia generated by fear, the spark that awakens awareness of what faith contributes to the rebuilding of the city, the greatest challenge facing society and the Church in this time that the Lord has given us,” Valdivia said.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Spanish bishop calls for a vigil for peace, justice, and stability in Ceuta after immigration crisis – #Catholic – The apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta in Spain, Bishop Ramón Valdivia, called for a vigil for peace, justice, and stability in Ceuta, the Spanish city located in northern Africa and the site of a recent immigration crisis.In a letter addressed to the priests, religious, and faithful of Ceuta, where the recent arrival of thousands of illegal migrants led to an overwhelming breach of the city’s maritime border, Valdivia invited the faithful to pray on the eve of the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated on Aug. 15, following a suggestion made by Pope Leo XIV.“As a proposal for ecclesial action in response to this humanitarian and confidence crisis, I believe it is necessary to turn our gaze toward God,” Valdivia wrote, expressing his desire that this prayer take place “with the intention not only of seeking protection for the city of Ceuta but also so that we may become aware of the importance of maturing in the faith we have received and ask for the necessary light so that, united, we may experience these moments as a new cultural beginning and not simply as a crisis, which one hopes will prove temporary.”“These events seem to me to reveal the depth of the cultural change that is taking place. For this reason, now more than ever, we need to lift our eyes and pray together the Our Father, saying: ‘Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!’” he insisted.In the letter, Valdivia, who is also the auxiliary bishop of Seville, acknowledged that he needed time “to reflect on and understand the scope of what we have suffered and, at the same time, to try to understand, with the light available to me, the repercussions that go beyond what the media have been showing.”The bishop pointed to “the humanitarian disaster generated by ambition and corruption” in which “young people without a future threw themselves into the unknown, driven only by political slogans or ill-intentioned promises” while adults “took advantage of the lack of government control to flee the criminal responsibilities of their own country, perhaps aided by a premeditated pardon arranged for this occasion.”He also wrote of minors who, “abandoned by their families, become easy prey for predators” and, referring to the residents of Ceuta, “people who have felt their own space violated.”‘Our Lady of Africa has been our stronghold’In his reflection, Valdivia shared that what arose in his heart was “gratitude born of faith,” emphasizing that “from the very first moment, Our Lady of Africa has been the stronghold in which we can find refuge.”“I have been able to perceive how the mother and patroness of Ceuta has once again, throughout history, become the lighthouse guiding us as we navigate stormy seas,” he added.The auxiliary bishop of Seville also highlighted the way Catholics have faced the challenge of the arrival of a group nearly as large as Ceuta’s own population: “It is only right that we all send a message of gratitude to this small Christian community, so that they may receive strong encouragement from the rest of the diocese and continue to keep alive the witness of faith.”“I want to believe that both the floral offering and the celebration and procession with the image of Our Lady of Africa were not merely a passing sigh but rather a catalyst for breaking the inertia generated by fear, the spark that awakens awareness of what faith contributes to the rebuilding of the city, the greatest challenge facing society and the Church in this time that the Lord has given us,” Valdivia said.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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In a letter addressed to the priests, religious, and faithful of Ceuta, Bishop Ramón Valdivia invited the faithful to pray on the eve of the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.

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Massachusetts becomes 11th state with no abortion limits as Gov. Healey signs bill – #Catholic – Democratic Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill allowing abortion at any point in pregnancy in the state of Massachusetts, making it the 11th state to impose no limits on abortion.The legislation signed Aug. 10 removes all of the state’s restrictions on abortion after 24 weeks. An elective late-term abortion may be done based upon “the professional judgment of the physician” performing it, under the law.“It should shock the conscience that tens of thousands of unborn Americans are barbarically dismembered limb by limb and torn apart every single year. Sadly, that number will only increase with Gov. Healey’s approval of the Abortion Up Until Birth Bill,” Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, said in a statement.The state Senate sent the legislation to Healey’s desk on July 31 for her signature.Under the previous statute, state law allowed abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy if a physician says it is necessary to preserve the life, physical or mental health of the woman, because of a lethal fetal anomaly or diagnosis, or because the fetus wouldn’t likely survive outside the uterus.“Today, mothers and fathers and families who experience these devastating diagnoses — and they are devastating, heartbreaking — now theyʼll be able to make their own choices,” Healey said at a press conference on Aug. 10.Healey and supporters of the measure said the change in the law was needed because Massachusetts hospitals were increasingly refusing to provide abortions for women who already qualified for post‑24‑week abortions under existing law and that doctors needed clearer authority to reaffirm that medical judgment governs late‑term abortion decisions.Healey, who is an outspoken supporter of abortion access, has served as the state’s governor since 2023. Responding to the enacted legislation, Dannenfelser urged that the GOP “must abandon the ‘leave it to the states’ position — a stance that permits egregious late-term abortion laws like this one — and advance national protections for unborn children.”SBA Pro-Life America highlighted that abortions done during the second and third trimesters are generally done by dismemberment of the baby or labor, noting that inducing labor may result in a live birth.“Without a minimum national standard, the United States remains 1 of only 8 countries worldwide that allows abortion at any point in pregnancy,” Dannenfelser said.According to a 2024 study from the Charlotte Lozier Institute, 46 of 50 countries in Europe limit abortion after 15 weeks –– a point by which the baby feels pain. The institute also found that over 60,000 abortions occur after 15 weeks each year.“We must do all we can to turn the page on America’s ugly chapter of late-term abortion,” Dannenfelser said.
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Massachusetts becomes 11th state with no abortion limits as Gov. Healey signs bill – #Catholic – Democratic Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill allowing abortion at any point in pregnancy in the state of Massachusetts, making it the 11th state to impose no limits on abortion.The legislation signed Aug. 10 removes all of the state’s restrictions on abortion after 24 weeks. An elective late-term abortion may be done based upon “the professional judgment of the physician” performing it, under the law.“It should shock the conscience that tens of thousands of unborn Americans are barbarically dismembered limb by limb and torn apart every single year. Sadly, that number will only increase with Gov. Healey’s approval of the Abortion Up Until Birth Bill,” Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, said in a statement.The state Senate sent the legislation to Healey’s desk on July 31 for her signature.Under the previous statute, state law allowed abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy if a physician says it is necessary to preserve the life, physical or mental health of the woman, because of a lethal fetal anomaly or diagnosis, or because the fetus wouldn’t likely survive outside the uterus.“Today, mothers and fathers and families who experience these devastating diagnoses — and they are devastating, heartbreaking — now theyʼll be able to make their own choices,” Healey said at a press conference on Aug. 10.Healey and supporters of the measure said the change in the law was needed because Massachusetts hospitals were increasingly refusing to provide abortions for women who already qualified for post‑24‑week abortions under existing law and that doctors needed clearer authority to reaffirm that medical judgment governs late‑term abortion decisions.Healey, who is an outspoken supporter of abortion access, has served as the state’s governor since 2023. Responding to the enacted legislation, Dannenfelser urged that the GOP “must abandon the ‘leave it to the states’ position — a stance that permits egregious late-term abortion laws like this one — and advance national protections for unborn children.”SBA Pro-Life America highlighted that abortions done during the second and third trimesters are generally done by dismemberment of the baby or labor, noting that inducing labor may result in a live birth.“Without a minimum national standard, the United States remains 1 of only 8 countries worldwide that allows abortion at any point in pregnancy,” Dannenfelser said.According to a 2024 study from the Charlotte Lozier Institute, 46 of 50 countries in Europe limit abortion after 15 weeks –– a point by which the baby feels pain. The institute also found that over 60,000 abortions occur after 15 weeks each year.“We must do all we can to turn the page on America’s ugly chapter of late-term abortion,” Dannenfelser said.

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Enacted legislation removes all of Massachusetts’ restrictions on abortion after 24 weeks and allows elective abortion through all nine months based on the “judgment of the physician.”

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How gravitational waves transformed our universe

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Some 1.3 billion years ago, when multicellular organisms were just emerging on Earth and life was still confined to the ocean, two behemoth black holes smashed together in a far-flung galaxy. The collision was so powerful that it jolted the universe, creating a ripple in the fabric of space-time that traveled across the cosmos atContinue reading “How gravitational waves transformed our universe”

The post How gravitational waves transformed our universe appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Earthquake in Colombia causes at least 20 deaths, partial collapse of neo-Gothic cathedral – #Catholic – A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake shook several regions of western Colombia on Monday, Aug. 10, killing at least 20 people and causing severe damage to many buildings, including the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as the Manizales Cathedral, in the department of Caldas.The earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time, and its epicenter was the municipality of San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, located on the Pacific coast.On its social media, the Archdiocese of Manizales shared a video showing cracks in the facade and the partial collapse of one of the side towers of the 390-foot-high neo-Gothic church, the tallest cathedral in Colombia and the tallest neo-Gothic church in the Americas.Instagram postThe death toll remains unknown as local and national authorities continue to gather information in order to get a complete picture of the number of victims and the structural damage caused by the earthquake, considered the strongest in the last decade.Colombia’s newly elected president, Abelardo De La Espriella, said on social media he has “personally taken charge of the emergency response in San José del Palmar” and has ordered the “establishment of a Unified Command Post to coordinate the response to the damage and assist those affected.”“You are not alone,” wrote De La Espriella, who is Catholic. “The state is present and acting.”The Archdiocese of Manizales called on the population to pray “for all the people and families who may have been affected, for those who today feel fear and uncertainty, and, especially, for those who need help.”“May God protect Manizales and Colombia, strengthen our hearts, and grant us serenity, solidarity, and hope. Lord, we place Colombia in your hands,” the archdiocese said in its post.The governor of Chocó, Nubia Córdoba, stated on her social media account that “in the capital, Quibdó, there are injuries and serious damage to buildings.” In its first report, the Civil Aeronautics Authority of Colombia reported that the earthquake affected the facilities of “the airports of Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura.”“For safety reasons, air operations at these terminals remain suspended until structural damage to the infrastructure is assessed,” the group stated.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Earthquake in Colombia causes at least 20 deaths, partial collapse of neo-Gothic cathedral – #Catholic – A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake shook several regions of western Colombia on Monday, Aug. 10, killing at least 20 people and causing severe damage to many buildings, including the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as the Manizales Cathedral, in the department of Caldas.The earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time, and its epicenter was the municipality of San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, located on the Pacific coast.On its social media, the Archdiocese of Manizales shared a video showing cracks in the facade and the partial collapse of one of the side towers of the 390-foot-high neo-Gothic church, the tallest cathedral in Colombia and the tallest neo-Gothic church in the Americas.Instagram postThe death toll remains unknown as local and national authorities continue to gather information in order to get a complete picture of the number of victims and the structural damage caused by the earthquake, considered the strongest in the last decade.Colombia’s newly elected president, Abelardo De La Espriella, said on social media he has “personally taken charge of the emergency response in San José del Palmar” and has ordered the “establishment of a Unified Command Post to coordinate the response to the damage and assist those affected.”“You are not alone,” wrote De La Espriella, who is Catholic. “The state is present and acting.”The Archdiocese of Manizales called on the population to pray “for all the people and families who may have been affected, for those who today feel fear and uncertainty, and, especially, for those who need help.”“May God protect Manizales and Colombia, strengthen our hearts, and grant us serenity, solidarity, and hope. Lord, we place Colombia in your hands,” the archdiocese said in its post.The governor of Chocó, Nubia Córdoba, stated on her social media account that “in the capital, Quibdó, there are injuries and serious damage to buildings.” In its first report, the Civil Aeronautics Authority of Colombia reported that the earthquake affected the facilities of “the airports of Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura.”“For safety reasons, air operations at these terminals remain suspended until structural damage to the infrastructure is assessed,” the group stated.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The death toll remains unknown as authorities assess the damage, which affected several cities in the western part of the country.

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Picture of the day Ceiling of Sala della Stufa, Galleria Palatina, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. The room, created between 1627 and 1641, was originally an open gallery, but it was closed off later in the 17th century and restructured as a “stove” room, a bathroom heated using the same techniques as the Roman baths and intended for private use by the Grand Duke, whose bedroom is believed to be next door. The decoration, specially the frescos and stuccos, commissioned by Grand Duke Ferdinand II de’ Medici, are a work of Michelangelo Cinganelli (1558-1635) Matteo Rosselli (1578-1650) and Ottavio Vannini (1585–1643). #ImageOfTheDay
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Picture of the day Ceiling of Sala della Stufa, Galleria Palatina, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. The room, created between 1627 and 1641, was originally an open gallery, but it was closed off later in the 17th century and restructured as a “stove” room, a bathroom heated using the same techniques as the Roman baths and intended for private use by the Grand Duke, whose bedroom is believed to be next door. The decoration, specially the frescos and stuccos, commissioned by Grand Duke Ferdinand II de’ Medici, are a work of Michelangelo Cinganelli (1558-1635) Matteo Rosselli (1578-1650) and Ottavio Vannini (1585–1643). #ImageOfTheDay

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Picture of the day
Ceiling of Sala della Stufa, Galleria Palatina, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. The room, created between 1627 and 1641, was originally an open gallery, but it was closed off later in the 17th century and restructured as a “stove” room, a bathroom heated using the same techniques as the Roman baths and intended for private use by the Grand Duke, whose bedroom is believed to be next door. The decoration, specially the frescos and stuccos, commissioned by Grand Duke Ferdinand II de’ Medici, are a work of Michelangelo Cinganelli (1558-1635) Matteo Rosselli (1578-1650) and Ottavio Vannini (1585–1643).
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