Fresh brisket is on the board!
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| Picture of the day |
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The Ziegeleisee in Böckingen, Heilbronn, Germany, view in spring. In the centre a landing mute swan (Cygnus olor).
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NASA’s Artemis II crew shared brief remarks with friends, family, and colleagues after they landed at Ellington Airport near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Saturday, April 11, 2026, after a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth.
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New York City Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned two NYPD officers after a chaotic arrest video out of Brooklyn went viral online.
The post Mamdani Condemns NYPD Officers After Chaotic Arrest Video Goes Viral appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Is Starmer really a ‘kir’?
The post Iranians Have an Obscene Nickname for British PM Starmer: REPORT appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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DNI Tulsi Gabbard has criminally referred Ukraine impeachment ‘whistleblower’ Eric Ciaramella and former intelligence community IG, Michael Atkinson to the Justice Department.
The post Tulsi Issues Criminal Referral For Eric Ciaramella, the ‘Whistleblower’ Who Sparked Trump Ukraine Impeachment, and Former Intel Community IG appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read MoreBlessed are you, loving Father,
Ruler of the universe:
You have given us Your Son as Your Leader,
And have made us temples of Your Holy Spirit.
Fill our family with Your light and peace.
Have mercy on all who suffer,
And bring us to everlasting joy with You.
Father,
We bless Your Name for ever and ever.
Amen.
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The Holy Father spent several days touring Algeria and meeting with Catholics and religious leaders before heading south to the Cameroonian capital of Yaoundé.
![Bishop Báez on Nicaragua: ‘The people’s wounds will be scars healed by the love of God’ – #Catholic – Amid the fierce persecution against the Catholic Church by the regime of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo, exiled Nicaraguan Bishop Silvio Báez denounced the “false peace” that “dictators seek to impose through fear and weapons.”In the homily delivered during a Mass he celebrated on Sunday, April 12, at St. Agatha Church in Miami, Baez, who has been living in exile since 2019, warned that the wounds inflicted on the Nicaraguan people will remain but that "they will be scars healed by the love of God — wounds glorious forever, wounds of love destined for eternity. So too will be the wounds and sores of our people. One day, they will just be historical scars reminding us of a painful past of injustice and oppression, so that we may never repeat it,” he underscored.A message of hopeThe Nicaraguan prelate reflected on the Gospel passage in which the risen Jesus shows his wounds so that the apostle Thomas may touch them and believe. Báez affirmed that “just like the glorious wounds of Jesus, so too one day will be the wounds we endured as we alleviate and heal, with respect and mercy, the wounds of others.”“And those very wounds — scarred over yet eloquent — will spur us to build the future, acting as artisans of peace, ready to foster processes of healing and reconciliation with ingenuity and boldness,” the prelate continued.Báez denounces ‘false peace’The bishop also referred to the vigil for peace led by Pope Leo XIV on April 11 at the Vatican and pointed out that “peace is not merely the absence of war. Political systems that impose themselves upon people through terror, stripping them of their freedom, are enemies of peace.”“Even if they speak of peace, if they repress, control, imprison, and force people into exile, they are enemies of peace. For peace is not a mere balance of forces, nor is it synonymous with the tranquility of cemeteries. We must not grow accustomed to the false peace and deceptive normality that dictators seek to impose through fear and arms, solely to preserve their privileges,” he continued.For the fourth consecutive year, the Nicaraguan dictatorship has banned thousands of processions and public events during Lent and Holy Week, permitting only a few on the streets and always under police surveillance.Currently, 309 religious including bishops, priests, and nuns have been forced to leave the country, while the regime has confiscated at least 39 properties belonging to the Catholic Church and has banned the ordination of priests in several dioceses.A call to be builders of peaceThe prelate emphasized that “we, the disciples of Jesus, having received his peace are called to be builders of true peace: a peace that springs from justice, is lived out in freedom, and bears the fruit of reconciliation.”The bishop expressed the hope “that the mercy of the Lord, welcomed into our hearts, may make us mature believers, earnest builders of peace in the world, and people capable of bending down with mercy [to heal] the wounds of our brothers and sisters.”“Our lives may not be easier, but they will be fuller, more vibrant, and more filled with light and love,” he 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.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/bishop-baez-on-nicaragua-the-peoples-wounds-will-be-scars-healed-by-the-love-of-god-catholic-amid-the-fierce-persecution-against-the-catholic-church-by-the-regime-of-n.webp "Bishop Báez on Nicaragua: ‘The people’s wounds will be scars healed by the love of God’ – #Catholic – Amid the fierce persecution against the Catholic Church by the regime of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo, exiled Nicaraguan Bishop Silvio Báez denounced the “false peace” that “dictators seek to impose through fear and weapons.”In the homily delivered during a Mass he celebrated on Sunday, April 12, at St. Agatha Church in Miami, Baez, who has been living in exile since 2019, warned that the wounds inflicted on the Nicaraguan people will remain but that \"they will be scars healed by the love of God — wounds glorious forever, wounds of love destined for eternity. So too will be the wounds and sores of our people. One day, they will just be historical scars reminding us of a painful past of injustice and oppression, so that we may never repeat it,” he underscored.A message of hopeThe Nicaraguan prelate reflected on the Gospel passage in which the risen Jesus shows his wounds so that the apostle Thomas may touch them and believe. Báez affirmed that “just like the glorious wounds of Jesus, so too one day will be the wounds we endured as we alleviate and heal, with respect and mercy, the wounds of others.”“And those very wounds — scarred over yet eloquent — will spur us to build the future, acting as artisans of peace, ready to foster processes of healing and reconciliation with ingenuity and boldness,” the prelate continued.Báez denounces ‘false peace’The bishop also referred to the vigil for peace led by Pope Leo XIV on April 11 at the Vatican and pointed out that “peace is not merely the absence of war. Political systems that impose themselves upon people through terror, stripping them of their freedom, are enemies of peace.”“Even if they speak of peace, if they repress, control, imprison, and force people into exile, they are enemies of peace. For peace is not a mere balance of forces, nor is it synonymous with the tranquility of cemeteries. We must not grow accustomed to the false peace and deceptive normality that dictators seek to impose through fear and arms, solely to preserve their privileges,” he continued.For the fourth consecutive year, the Nicaraguan dictatorship has banned thousands of processions and public events during Lent and Holy Week, permitting only a few on the streets and always under police surveillance.Currently, 309 religious including bishops, priests, and nuns have been forced to leave the country, while the regime has confiscated at least 39 properties belonging to the Catholic Church and has banned the ordination of priests in several dioceses.A call to be builders of peaceThe prelate emphasized that “we, the disciples of Jesus, having received his peace are called to be builders of true peace: a peace that springs from justice, is lived out in freedom, and bears the fruit of reconciliation.”The bishop expressed the hope “that the mercy of the Lord, welcomed into our hearts, may make us mature believers, earnest builders of peace in the world, and people capable of bending down with mercy [to heal] the wounds of our brothers and sisters.”“Our lives may not be easier, but they will be fuller, more vibrant, and more filled with light and love,” he 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.")
The exiled auxiliary bishop of Managua pointed out that the wounds suffered today will be a reminder of a painful past, but like the wounds of the risen Christ will be made glorious.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in East Bristol has stood in the community for over 130 years.
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![Knights of Columbus affirms ‘solidarity’ with Pope Leo XIV as Trump escalates criticism #Catholic The Knights of Columbus issued a statement that affirms the Catholic fraternal organization’s solidarity with Pope Leo XIV as President Donald Trump criticized the Holy Father a second time on Truth Social.“The Knights of Columbus has always stood in solidarity with the Holy Father, recognizing in him a spiritual father who calls the world not to division but to unity, not to conflict but to peace,” Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly said in the statement.“In this moment, we reaffirm that commitment with clarity and conviction,” he said.Trump escalated his criticism of the Holy Father late Tuesday evening in a second post on Truth Social, which criticized the pontiff’s staunch opposition to war.Whether one agrees or disagrees with Leo’s policy views, Kelly said, “the Holy Father’s prophetic voice deserves to be heard with respect and engaged seriously.”“Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for peace, dialogue, and restraint in a world marked by war and suffering,” he said. “The Holy Father’s words are not political talking points — they are reflections of the Gospel itself.”Kelly noted that many Catholics and others “have been deeply disappointed by the disparaging comments directed at Pope Leo XIV” by Trump, and that Leo “is not a politician — he is the vicar of Christ, entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding souls.”In his statement, Kelly acknowledged that faithful Catholics can hold differing views on foreign policy and that Catholics should engage in the public square. He said nations can safeguard security “in accordance with the demands of justice and the pursuit of peace.”“The Church does not ask Catholics to withdraw from civic life but to engage with and elevate it — bringing to our civic dialogue the light of truth, respect for the dignity of every human person, and a steadfast concern for the common good," he said.Kelly also encouraged prayers for the pope, the president, and other politicians.“As Knights, we are called to be men of unity, as followers of Christ and patriotic citizens,” he said. “I encourage all Knights of Columbus to pray for the Holy Father, to pray for civic leaders, and to pray for peace and those working to achieve it.”“And let us recommit ourselves to charity in our public discourse,” he added. “May we be known not for echoing the divisions of our time, but for healing them. In a moment of tension, the path forward is not louder conflict but deeper fidelity — to truth, to charity, and to the Gospel.”Trump goes after Leo againTrumpʼs social media post said: “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable."During the protests, Leo did call for peace, saying in January that “ongoing tensions [in Iran and Syria] continue to claim many lives.”“I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society,” he said at the time.Leo has also strongly opposed nuclear weapons, saying in June 2025: “The further proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, as well as this escalation of violence, imperils the fragile stability remaining in the region.”While Trump cited numbers exceeding 40,000 people, estimates about the number of people killed in anti-regime protests and unrest in Iran varies a lot, ranging from several thousand to more than 30,000. Most protesters were unarmed, but Iran’s government claims some were armed and killed about 500 security personnel. Trump said the United States tried to arm the protesters, but those guns did not get to the right people.Vance, bishops offer more commentsCatholic bishops and leaders have responded to Trump’s attack on Pope Leo, and elected officials also have made statements.Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, said he is deeply concerned and troubled by Trump’s social media rhetoric, especially during Holy Week and Easter, which he says falls short of the moral standard expected of both the presidency and a professed Christian. The archbishop criticized Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo, saying the pope’s calls for peace and dialogue arise from his pastoral mission, not political ideology.Sample said the Church’s role is to proclaim peace, human dignity, and the Gospel, citing Jesus’ teaching: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemned attacks and mockery directed at Pope Leo XIV and the papacy, affirming that respect for the Holy Father is essential to Catholic faith.Vice President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism, said at a Turning Point USA event that Pope Leo XIV should “be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”“One of the issues here is that if youʼre going to opine on matters of theology, youʼve got to be careful,” he said. “Youʼve got to make sure itʼs anchored in the truth.”Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said: “Any religious leader can say anything they want, but obviously, if you wade into political waters, I think you should expect some political response.”Pope Leo XIV has responded to Trump’s public criticism by saying he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and will continue to speak out boldly with the message of the Gospel.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/knights-of-columbus-affirms-solidarity-with-pope-leo-xiv-as-trump-escalates-criticism-catholic-the-knights-of-columbus-issued-a-statement-that-affirms-the-catholic-fraternal-organiz.jpg "Knights of Columbus affirms ‘solidarity’ with Pope Leo XIV as Trump escalates criticism #Catholic The Knights of Columbus issued a statement that affirms the Catholic fraternal organization’s solidarity with Pope Leo XIV as President Donald Trump criticized the Holy Father a second time on Truth Social.“The Knights of Columbus has always stood in solidarity with the Holy Father, recognizing in him a spiritual father who calls the world not to division but to unity, not to conflict but to peace,” Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly said in the statement.“In this moment, we reaffirm that commitment with clarity and conviction,” he said.Trump escalated his criticism of the Holy Father late Tuesday evening in a second post on Truth Social, which criticized the pontiff’s staunch opposition to war.Whether one agrees or disagrees with Leo’s policy views, Kelly said, “the Holy Father’s prophetic voice deserves to be heard with respect and engaged seriously.”“Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for peace, dialogue, and restraint in a world marked by war and suffering,” he said. “The Holy Father’s words are not political talking points — they are reflections of the Gospel itself.”Kelly noted that many Catholics and others “have been deeply disappointed by the disparaging comments directed at Pope Leo XIV” by Trump, and that Leo “is not a politician — he is the vicar of Christ, entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding souls.”In his statement, Kelly acknowledged that faithful Catholics can hold differing views on foreign policy and that Catholics should engage in the public square. He said nations can safeguard security “in accordance with the demands of justice and the pursuit of peace.”“The Church does not ask Catholics to withdraw from civic life but to engage with and elevate it — bringing to our civic dialogue the light of truth, respect for the dignity of every human person, and a steadfast concern for the common good,\" he said.Kelly also encouraged prayers for the pope, the president, and other politicians.“As Knights, we are called to be men of unity, as followers of Christ and patriotic citizens,” he said. “I encourage all Knights of Columbus to pray for the Holy Father, to pray for civic leaders, and to pray for peace and those working to achieve it.”“And let us recommit ourselves to charity in our public discourse,” he added. “May we be known not for echoing the divisions of our time, but for healing them. In a moment of tension, the path forward is not louder conflict but deeper fidelity — to truth, to charity, and to the Gospel.”Trump goes after Leo againTrumpʼs social media post said: “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable.\"During the protests, Leo did call for peace, saying in January that “ongoing tensions [in Iran and Syria] continue to claim many lives.”“I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society,” he said at the time.Leo has also strongly opposed nuclear weapons, saying in June 2025: “The further proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, as well as this escalation of violence, imperils the fragile stability remaining in the region.”While Trump cited numbers exceeding 40,000 people, estimates about the number of people killed in anti-regime protests and unrest in Iran varies a lot, ranging from several thousand to more than 30,000. Most protesters were unarmed, but Iran’s government claims some were armed and killed about 500 security personnel. Trump said the United States tried to arm the protesters, but those guns did not get to the right people.Vance, bishops offer more commentsCatholic bishops and leaders have responded to Trump’s attack on Pope Leo, and elected officials also have made statements.Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, said he is deeply concerned and troubled by Trump’s social media rhetoric, especially during Holy Week and Easter, which he says falls short of the moral standard expected of both the presidency and a professed Christian. The archbishop criticized Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo, saying the pope’s calls for peace and dialogue arise from his pastoral mission, not political ideology.Sample said the Church’s role is to proclaim peace, human dignity, and the Gospel, citing Jesus’ teaching: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemned attacks and mockery directed at Pope Leo XIV and the papacy, affirming that respect for the Holy Father is essential to Catholic faith.Vice President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism, said at a Turning Point USA event that Pope Leo XIV should “be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”“One of the issues here is that if youʼre going to opine on matters of theology, youʼve got to be careful,” he said. “Youʼve got to make sure itʼs anchored in the truth.”Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said: “Any religious leader can say anything they want, but obviously, if you wade into political waters, I think you should expect some political response.”Pope Leo XIV has responded to Trump’s public criticism by saying he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and will continue to speak out boldly with the message of the Gospel.")
Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly is asking Catholics to pray for the pope and the president, as President Trump again criticized Leo’s comments about the Iran war.
Reflecting on the visit to Algeria, the pope described it as “a wonderful opportunity to continue building bridges and promoting dialogue.”
Celestron Weatherproof Telescope Cover CelestronTorrance, California Celestron’s Weatherproof Telescope Cover protects the company’s scopes as large as 11 inches from the effects of the elements. The aluminum-laminated cover measures 57.9 by 70.1 inches (147 by 178 centimeters) and weighs just 1.3 pounds (0.6 kilogram). $59.951-310-803-5955www.celestron.comShop now at High Point Scientific The Martians Liveright PublishingNew York,Continue reading “New astronomy products to spring for this month”
The post New astronomy products to spring for this month appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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The Amazing Story of St. Dymphna, the city that welcomed and embraced her, and Hope for Healing #Catholic – 
“The slain Dymphna was heavily mourned, respectfully buried, and long remembered in the Geel community, both for her stoic demise and for her generosity in building a hospice. After a long period of being venerated, she was canonized in 1247…”
Inspired by Dymphna, Belgium town welcomes mentally ill
BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY
Our Catholic Faith, especially the stories and impact of the lives of the saints, never ceases to amaze me! Last October, in the place of my weekly column, I introduced the presentation of a “new ministry resource,” a group that was being formed in our diocese called the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society. As part of the introduction, I said that,
“The St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society (is) a group of the faithful, as “pilgrims of Hope” within our diocese (who) have discerned the call to offer this pro-life ministry of accompaniment and offering of resources to brothers and sisters who are struggling with mental illness, addiction, or isolation.
I was grateful when the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society let me know (reminded me) that the Feast of St. Dymphna is on May 15. As is the case with many, many Saints, the Feast of St. Dymphna is not included in the liturgical calendar of Feasts (and Memorials) celebrated on an annual basis in the United States. I was grateful that the members of the society reminded me that the Feast of St. Dymphna was only a few weeks away and offered some suggestions as to how we might pray, celebrate, and raise awareness of St. Dymphna on her Feast Day.
As I thought about the upcoming Feast Day and the suggestions offered by the society, I began to do some research online. As with most subjects, there is a great amount of information available on the internet about St. Dymphna. The story of St. Dymphna, of her life and death, is not an “easy read.” The article I quote above begins, “The story of Dymphna — the patron saint of the mentally ill — involves such horrors as incest and decapitation. However, her legacy launched a community of unprecedented and unrivaled compassion for the mentally ill.” The article goes on to tell the story of the town of Geel, Belgium, where St. Dymphna was martyred and is buried. It also tells the truly amazing story of how it became a therapeutic community that continues to welcome and assist those who struggle with mental illness to the present day.
With regard to online resources, one that I would highly recommend is the website of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. On the “Resources” section of the website, under “Worship and Liturgy” and “Prayer,” you can find prayers and novenas, asking the intercession of St. Dymphna. You may also see there are some (older) traditions that recognize May 30 as St. Dymphna’s Feast Day. The “Worship and Liturgy” section of the website speaks about the Feast Day and May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
The month of May provides opportunities to have a special Mass for people living with mental illness and for intercessory prayers and homilies that focus on mental health and how the Church is called to accompany people who live with mental illness. Saint Dymphna is a patron saint for those who live with a mental health challenge or disorder, and her feast day is May 30 (or May 15). In addition, May is Mental Health Month in the United States, and Mental Health Awareness Week is commemorated in Canada and Europe in May. Worship and Liturgy Resources
For more information on May as Mental Health Awareness Month, see also: The National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
I hope that many readers are already aware that the five Latin Rite Dioceses of our State, along with the Byzantine Eparchy of Passaic, and the New Jersey Catholic Conference will be sponsoring a Mental Health Conference: “From Isolation to Belonging: Mental Health and the Catholic Church” on Saturday, May 2. For more information and to register, you can go to our Diocesan website or click New Jersey Catholic Conference.
We will be sending information to our pastors and parishes for those who may be interested in having a special Mass, prayer service, or a prayer of the faithful during the month (May) that can be one of the “busiest” months for parish life, with First Holy Communions, Confirmations, graduations, Mother’s Day, and many other activities.
I am happy to let you know that, in collaboration with the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society, St. Mary’s parish in Pompton Lakes will be offering a special Mass on the Feast of St. Dymphna, Friday, May 15, for Those Living With and Supporting Those Living with Mental Illness. For more information, see the flyer included with this article below. The Mass will also be livestreamed on St. Mary’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Mental illness should not lead to a life of isolation. That is an imperative born of faith. In a recent address to the Pontifical Academy for Life, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, emphasized our common responsibility to reach out to the vulnerable. The Holy Father notes, “We need to rediscover the fundamental attitude of care as support and closeness to others, not only because someone is in need or is sick, but because they experience vulnerability, the vulnerability that is common to all human beings.” There should be no stigma attached to seeking personal health care for those struggling with mental illness, nor in caring for those who suffer from mental illness.
In our efforts to accompany those who bear the cross of emotional and mental anguish, we recognize our shared mortality and our hope for the fullness of life as God’s children. For those of us who have been impacted by a loved one who has struggled with mental illness, we know that it can be a very long and painful journey. Those who suffer personally from mental illness and those who care for them share a profound experience of the mystery of the Lord’s cross, the mystery of suffering. These Easter days and this beautiful Easter Season remind us that, as people of Faith, Hope, and Love, we know that the mystery of the cross, of pain, suffering, and isolation will lead us to the joy and peace of Easter. If we are united with Him in His suffering, we will be “…united with Him in the resurrection.” (Rom. 6:5)
The gift of our Catholic Faith can give us the Grace and strength to persevere in times of trial and accompany one another on the journey. I am grateful for the ministry of the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society, and I am glad that they reminded me that the Feast of St. Dymphna was drawing near. As I mentioned above, I was amazed to learn more about the story of St. Dymphna’s life and death, but I was also amazed to learn of the impact that she has had and continues to have on the town of Geel in Belgium. I encourage you to read the full article, quoted above from “ncronline.” I also want to give credit and offer thanks to the Hallow app, because it was a link to the Hallow app’s webpage on St. Dymphna that led me to the “ncronline” article.
We believe that God “works in mysterious ways.” Let us continue to pray for all those who suffer, especially those suffering with mental illness, as we ask the intercession of our Lady of Hope and of St. Dympna, knowing that our Risen Lord can give us the gifts of His healing and peace. St. Dymphna, patroness of those who suffer mental affliction, pray for us. St. Dymphna, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
– “The slain Dymphna was heavily mourned, respectfully buried, and long remembered in the Geel community, both for her stoic demise and for her generosity in building a hospice. After a long period of being venerated, she was canonized in 1247…” Inspired by Dymphna, Belgium town welcomes mentally ill BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY Our Catholic Faith, especially the stories and impact of the lives of the saints, never ceases to amaze me! Last October, in the place of my weekly column, I introduced the presentation of a “new ministry resource,” a group that was being formed in our diocese called the
NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist hugs the Orion spacecraft in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha, Saturday, April 11, 2026.
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HOLLYWOOD, CA — It’s a simple formula: take an already wildly popular franchise and then tweak it a bit to attract even more fans.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the sudden resignation of California Representative Eric Swalwell over sexual assault charges, analysts speculated that there were now just 534 perverts remaining in the United States Congress.
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| Picture of the day |
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Solitary tree with frost and fields near Hausdülmen, Dülmen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
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Holy Mary, mother fair,
Filled with love for God,
Pray for us in all our needs.
Pray for us today.
Obituary: Deacon Charles ‘Chuck’ Mathias, 92 #Catholic – 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held April 16 at Holy Spirit Church in Avon Lake, Ohio, for Deacon Charles “Chuck” Thomas Mathias, a former permanent deacon of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, who died on April 11. He was 92.
Deacon Mathias was ordained a permanent deacon of the Paterson Diocese in 1995 and served St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Sparta, N.J. for 23 years. He belonged to Knights of Columbus and was a former Grand Knight of the Columbus Marquette Council 588 in Sparta. He also served as a chaplain in Sussex County in New Jersey.
In 2018, Deacon Mathias moved to Ohio to be closer to family and was incardinated in Cleveland, Ohio that year. He was a member of the Holy Name Society in Cleveland.
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Deacon Mathias was born to the late Charles and Esther Mathias in Dover, Ohio, in 1934. He graduated St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1951. He continued his education at John Carroll University and Western Reserve Law School, where he earned a juris doctorate in 1958.
In 1956 in Ohio, Deacon Mathias married his wife, Mary Jo, whom he met during their college years. They remained married for more than 69 years. They lived in Lakewood, Ohio; Cleveland; Novi, Mich.; Byram, N.J. where they spent 35 years; and finally in Sheffield Village in Ohio.
Deacon Mathias was an attorney and retired from Allied Signal as risk manager in Morristown, N.J. He was a published poet and a member of the Wellington Writers Guild. He also was a member of the Sussex County Harmonizers.
Deacon Mathias is survived by his wife Mary Jo Mathias (nee Spoerl); their daughter, Debra DiCillo (James); their grandchildren, David Charles McFeeture and Ryan Joseph Munro (Diana); their great-grandchildren, Elexis Macy (Nathan) and Miles Munro; and their great-great-granddaughter, Mia Macy. He was predeceased by their daughter, Amy Joan Mathias, and their granddaughter, Elissa Spence (Rick).
Please mail condolences to Mrs. Mary Jo Mathias, 5435 Barkwood Dr., Sheffield Village, OH 44054 or email her at maryjmathias18@gmail.com
– A Mass of Christian Burial will be held April 16 at Holy Spirit Church in Avon Lake, Ohio, for Deacon Charles “Chuck” Thomas Mathias, a former permanent deacon of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, who died on April 11. He was 92. Deacon Mathias was ordained a permanent deacon of the Paterson Diocese in 1995 and served St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Sparta, N.J. for 23 years. He belonged to Knights of Columbus and was a former Grand Knight of the Columbus Marquette Council 588 in Sparta. He also served as a chaplain in Sussex County in New Jersey.
A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 5:17-26
The high priest rose up and all his companions,
that is, the party of the Sadducees,
and, filled with jealousy,
laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail.
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,
led them out, and said,
"Go and take your place in the temple area,
and tell the people everything about this life."
When they heard this,
they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.
When the high priest and his companions arrived,
they convened the Sanhedrin,
the full senate of the children of Israel,
and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison,
so they came back and reported,
"We found the jail securely locked
and the guards stationed outside the doors,
but when we opened them, we found no one inside."
When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report,
they were at a loss about them,
as to what this would come to.
Then someone came in and reported to them,
"The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area
and are teaching the people."
Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them,
but without force,
because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
From the Gospel according to John
3:16-21
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
“God so loved the world that he gave his Only-Begotten Son”. This is one of the central verses of the Gospel. The subject is God the Father, origin of the whole creating and redeeming mystery. The verbs “to love” and “to give” indicate a decisive and definitive act that expresses the radicalism with which God approached man in love, even to the total gift, crossing the threshold of our ultimate solitude, throwing himself into the abyss of our extreme abandonment, going beyond the door of death. The object and beneficiary of divine love is the world, namely, humanity. It is a word that erases completely the idea of a distant God alien to man’s journey and reveals, rather, his true face. He gave us his Son out of love, to be the near God, to make us feel his presence, to come to meet us and carry us in his love so that the whole of life might be enlivened by this divine love. The Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give life. God does not domineer but loves without measure. He does not express his omnipotence in punishment, but in mercy and in forgiveness. Understanding all this means entering into the mystery of salvation. Jesus came to save, not to condemn; with the sacrifice of the Cross he reveals the loving face of God. (Pope Benedict XVI, Homily, 4 November 2010)
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The People of Hope Museum offers personal stories of Catholic Charities workers, an immersive poverty‑simulation experience, and interactive data displays.
Is this coincidence or coordination?
The post The Unholy Alliance? — Hal Lambert Raises Alarming Questions After Obama Strategist David Axelrod Spotted at Vatican as ‘American’ Pope Leo XIV Launches Attacks on President Trump appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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On September 23, 2021, an active-duty Air Force officer who has served for 18 years submitted a request for a religious accommodation for the COVID-19 shot mandate.
The post Application Denied: Another Dive into the Failures of Military Bureaucracy and COVID-19 Mandate Relief appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Trump further called on the UK to ‘get rid of windmills.’ By now, no one is surprised that US President Donald J.
The post Trump Calls British Labour Government ‘Crazy’ for Banning North Sea Oil Exploration appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Pro-lifers call the win “a huge victory for all Americans who want our right to speak our minds peacefully in a law-abiding way without fear of our own government.”
The lunar eclipse of Sept. 7/8, 2025, was not favorable to observers in the Americas or Europe, but was well-placed for viewers in Asia. Tianyao Yang took the opportunity to capture the silhouette of the Chinese space station Tiangong (or “heavenly palace”) as it crossed the Moon during the eclipse. The International Space Station hasContinue reading “A palace on the Moon”
The post A palace on the Moon appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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At the Basilica of St. Augustine, the pontiff urged Christians to bear witness through “simple gestures, genuine relationships and a dialogue lived out day by day.”
![Chicago priest resigns after archdiocese discovers misuse of parish funds #Catholic A priest in Chicago has resigned after the archdiocese found that he misused parish funds for “personal expenses,” Cardinal Blase Cupich told parishioners this month. Cupich told St. John Henry Newman Parish in Evanston that the archdiocese had launched a review of the parishʼs finances on March 30 amid “serious questions” about the parishʼs “fiscal administration.” The prelate said in an April 10 letter to the parish that the review found Father Kenneth Anderson “violated a number of core archdiocesan policies pertaining to the proper exercise of good stewardship of parish resources.” Among the reported violations included “the creation and maintenance of a separate bank account into which he deposited substantial parish funds,” Cupich said. Some of those funds “were used to cover costs unrelated to parish needs including his personal expenses.”Anderson resigned after being presented with the findings of the report, Cupich said. The priest also “accepted [Cupichʼs] instruction that, when the full accounting is complete, he is to make restitution for any funds clearly identified as covering his personal expenses.”The archdiocese did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the total amount of funds reportedly misused at the parish. Cupich in his letter said Father Wayne Watts, the pastor of Sts. Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish in nearby Wilmette, oversaw the administration of St. John Henry Newman Parishʼs finances during the review process. The archbishop further said that he had asked the archdiocesan placement board to recommend a new pastor for the parish by July 1. Retired priest Father Gerald Gunderson will serve as parish administrator until the new pastor is appointed, Cupich said. The parish was formed in 2022 after the merging of Sts. Athanasius and Joan of Arc parishes as part of the archdiocesan Renew My Faith campaign.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/chicago-priest-resigns-after-archdiocese-discovers-misuse-of-parish-funds-catholic-a-priest-in-chicago-has-resigned-after-the-archdiocese-found-that-he-misused-parish-funds-for-personal-expe.jpg "Chicago priest resigns after archdiocese discovers misuse of parish funds #Catholic A priest in Chicago has resigned after the archdiocese found that he misused parish funds for “personal expenses,” Cardinal Blase Cupich told parishioners this month. Cupich told St. John Henry Newman Parish in Evanston that the archdiocese had launched a review of the parishʼs finances on March 30 amid “serious questions” about the parishʼs “fiscal administration.” The prelate said in an April 10 letter to the parish that the review found Father Kenneth Anderson “violated a number of core archdiocesan policies pertaining to the proper exercise of good stewardship of parish resources.” Among the reported violations included “the creation and maintenance of a separate bank account into which he deposited substantial parish funds,” Cupich said. Some of those funds “were used to cover costs unrelated to parish needs including his personal expenses.”Anderson resigned after being presented with the findings of the report, Cupich said. The priest also “accepted [Cupichʼs] instruction that, when the full accounting is complete, he is to make restitution for any funds clearly identified as covering his personal expenses.”The archdiocese did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the total amount of funds reportedly misused at the parish. Cupich in his letter said Father Wayne Watts, the pastor of Sts. Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish in nearby Wilmette, oversaw the administration of St. John Henry Newman Parishʼs finances during the review process. The archbishop further said that he had asked the archdiocesan placement board to recommend a new pastor for the parish by July 1. Retired priest Father Gerald Gunderson will serve as parish administrator until the new pastor is appointed, Cupich said. The parish was formed in 2022 after the merging of Sts. Athanasius and Joan of Arc parishes as part of the archdiocesan Renew My Faith campaign.")
Father Kenneth Anderson violated “a number of core archdiocesan policies,” Cardinal Blase Cupich told parishioners.
![Celebrate Morris Plains carnival’s 50th anniversary with funnel cakes, faith #Catholic - Five decades of amusement rides and sugary, savory food, while promoting a sense of community and the Catholic faith, culminate in early May in Morris Plains, N.J. St. Virgil Parish there is set to attract nearly 10,000 festival-goers to its 50th carnival, which marks the start of the Catholic festival season in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey.
“I really enjoy and respect that the carnival has been part of the parish for 50 years,” said Father Lukasz Wnuk, the parish’s pastor. “It would have been easy for it to decline or even stop at any point, especially during COVID, when the parish could not hold it. Instead, it keeps growing, and we continue to invest in it.”
The St. Virgil Carnival is set to run on the parish grounds on Wednesday, May 6, through Friday, May 8, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., and on Saturday, May 9, from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. The usual Saturday Mass of Anticipation at 5 p.m. will still take place inside the church.
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“We make money on the carnival, which helps keep us going as a parish,” said Terence Boyne, a 60-year parishioner at St. Virgil who has regularly volunteered since the carnival began.
Originally, one of the carnival’s purposes was to help a community recovering from a natural disaster.
Three years before the carnival started, a priest from St. Virgil’s visited the Bahamas. A natural disaster occurred in the area he visited, and the church there was badly damaged. A deacon from St. Virgil visited and reported that it would cost $10,000 to $12,000 to repair the church. According to Boyne, there was the thought that maybe St. Virgil’s could help them.
“Somebody said, ‘Why don’t we try doing a carnival? We’ll run it every year until we make up the cost.’ We ran it the first year, and they made $15,000 or $18,000. They couldn’t believe it. They sent the $10,000 to $12,000 down there, and the rest went to charities.”
The annual event has grown a lot, Boyne said. It started with 10 kiddie rides and only a few rides for older kids. Now it fills the parish property and fills the whole neighborhood with parked cars.
While the plethora of carnival rides attracts kids, the tasty food attracts thousands from across the diocese.
“I’d say the funnel cake line is never without at least a dozen people to 20 people at any given time during the carnival,” said Michael Scannelli, the carnival’s 2026 chair. He said the carnival added fried Oreos, fried pickles, chocolate brownies, and gelato, in addition to Dellano’s Food Trucks, pizza, soft pretzels, and other carnival staples.
Parish leaders emphasized that this kind of tradition doesn’t happen by accident, but through the dedication, hard work, and caring that countless people like Boyne and Scannelli have poured into it over the years.
Scannelli said the carnival allows St. Virgil’s to invite the wider community to experience the Catholic faith and the Eucharist at the parish throughout the rest of the year.
“I think the carnival-goers really see our faith-based community. I think they see all of us volunteering, coming together as one. Yes, we’re raising money, but we also feel like we’re giving back to the community and giving them a great four-day event,” said Scannelli. “You can’t help but see signs of faith like statues and crosses around St. Virgil’s, whether it’s outside the church or the Tracy Center (the parish hall). Our statue of Mary is right in the middle of where people eat and drink. You can’t help but feel some type of evangelization within the grounds itself,” he said.
Father Wnuk added, “Everyone is truly welcome. Whether you have been part of the parish for years or you are just stopping by for the first time, there’s a place for you here.”
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/celebrate-morris-plains-carnivals-50th-anniversary-with-funnel-cakes-faith-catholic-five-decades-of-amusement-rides-and-sugary-savory-food-while-promoting-a-sense-of-community-and-the-c.jpg)
Celebrate Morris Plains carnival’s 50th anniversary with funnel cakes, faith #Catholic – 
Five decades of amusement rides and sugary, savory food, while promoting a sense of community and the Catholic faith, culminate in early May in Morris Plains, N.J. St. Virgil Parish there is set to attract nearly 10,000 festival-goers to its 50th carnival, which marks the start of the Catholic festival season in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey.
“I really enjoy and respect that the carnival has been part of the parish for 50 years,” said Father Lukasz Wnuk, the parish’s pastor. “It would have been easy for it to decline or even stop at any point, especially during COVID, when the parish could not hold it. Instead, it keeps growing, and we continue to invest in it.”
The St. Virgil Carnival is set to run on the parish grounds on Wednesday, May 6, through Friday, May 8, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., and on Saturday, May 9, from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. The usual Saturday Mass of Anticipation at 5 p.m. will still take place inside the church.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
“We make money on the carnival, which helps keep us going as a parish,” said Terence Boyne, a 60-year parishioner at St. Virgil who has regularly volunteered since the carnival began.
Originally, one of the carnival’s purposes was to help a community recovering from a natural disaster.
Three years before the carnival started, a priest from St. Virgil’s visited the Bahamas. A natural disaster occurred in the area he visited, and the church there was badly damaged. A deacon from St. Virgil visited and reported that it would cost $10,000 to $12,000 to repair the church. According to Boyne, there was the thought that maybe St. Virgil’s could help them.
“Somebody said, ‘Why don’t we try doing a carnival? We’ll run it every year until we make up the cost.’ We ran it the first year, and they made $15,000 or $18,000. They couldn’t believe it. They sent the $10,000 to $12,000 down there, and the rest went to charities.”
The annual event has grown a lot, Boyne said. It started with 10 kiddie rides and only a few rides for older kids. Now it fills the parish property and fills the whole neighborhood with parked cars.
While the plethora of carnival rides attracts kids, the tasty food attracts thousands from across the diocese.
“I’d say the funnel cake line is never without at least a dozen people to 20 people at any given time during the carnival,” said Michael Scannelli, the carnival’s 2026 chair. He said the carnival added fried Oreos, fried pickles, chocolate brownies, and gelato, in addition to Dellano’s Food Trucks, pizza, soft pretzels, and other carnival staples.
Parish leaders emphasized that this kind of tradition doesn’t happen by accident, but through the dedication, hard work, and caring that countless people like Boyne and Scannelli have poured into it over the years.
Scannelli said the carnival allows St. Virgil’s to invite the wider community to experience the Catholic faith and the Eucharist at the parish throughout the rest of the year.
“I think the carnival-goers really see our faith-based community. I think they see all of us volunteering, coming together as one. Yes, we’re raising money, but we also feel like we’re giving back to the community and giving them a great four-day event,” said Scannelli. “You can’t help but see signs of faith like statues and crosses around St. Virgil’s, whether it’s outside the church or the Tracy Center (the parish hall). Our statue of Mary is right in the middle of where people eat and drink. You can’t help but feel some type of evangelization within the grounds itself,” he said.
Father Wnuk added, “Everyone is truly welcome. Whether you have been part of the parish for years or you are just stopping by for the first time, there’s a place for you here.”
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org] – Five decades of amusement rides and sugary, savory food, while promoting a sense of community and the Catholic faith, culminate in early May in Morris Plains, N.J. St. Virgil Parish there is set to attract nearly 10,000 festival-goers to its 50th carnival, which marks the start of the Catholic festival season in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey. “I really enjoy and respect that the carnival has been part of the parish for 50 years,” said Father Lukasz Wnuk, the parish’s pastor. “It would have been easy for it to decline or even stop at any point, especially during COVID,
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Angel of God
My guardian dear
To Whom His love
Commits me here
Ever this day
Be at my side
To light and guard
To rule and guide. Amen
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; left, Christina Koch, mission specialist; CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist; and NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, right, pose for a group photo after viewing the Orion spacecraft in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. The quartet splashed down Friday, April 10 at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07p.m. EDT).
Read MoreA reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 4:32-37
The community of believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the Apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the Apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.
Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas
(which is translated "son of encouragement"),
a Levite, a Cypriot by birth,
sold a piece of property that he owned,
then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.
From the Gospel according to John
3:7b-15
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
"’You must be born from above.’
The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Nicodemus answered and said to him,
‘How can this happen?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?
Amen, amen, I say to you,
we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen,
but you people do not accept our testimony.
If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe,
how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
The scene unfolds at night: Nicodemus, one of the leaders of the Jews, a righteous and open-minded person (cf. Jn 7:50-51), comes to meet Jesus. He needs light and guidance: he seeks God and asks the Teacher of Nazareth for help because he recognizes him as a prophet, a man who performs extraordinary signs. The Lord welcomes him, listens to him, and eventually reveals to him that the Son of Man must be lifted up, “so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (Jn 3:15), adding: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (v. 16). Nicodemus, who perhaps does not fully comprehend the meaning of these words in the moment, will certainly do so when he helps to bury the Savior’s body after the crucifixion (cf. Jn 19:39). It is then that he will understand that God, in order to redeem humanity, became man and died on the cross (…) for the immense love with which God has transformed the means to death into an instrument of life, embracing it for our salvation, teaching us that nothing can separate us from him (cf. Rom 8:35-39) and that his love is greater than our own sin (cf. Francis, Catechesis, 30 March 2016). (Pope Leo XIV, Angelus, 14 September 2025)
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TULSA, OK — The security line ground to a halt this morning at the Tulsa International Airport as it took 42 minutes for a local dad to empty his cargo pants.
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U.S. — According to advertising experts, the reason television commercials no longer depict medicine as tiny little warriors murdering tiny little germs is because of "wokeness."
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| Picture of the day |
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Boy under waterfall in Phu Sang National Park, Thailand
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‘Cabrini’ screening to boost awareness of Eucharistic pilgrimage event #Catholic – 
“Cabrini,” the 2024 film about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, America’s first Catholic saint and advocate for immigrants, will be screened Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. at the Dolan Performing Arts Center, St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.
A week later, on Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m., executive producer J. Eustace Wolfington and his team will host a “talk-back” on the film’s creation, focusing on human rights, women’s leadership, and hope. Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio of the Brooklyn Diocese in New York, who advocates for immigrants’ rights, and Mother Cabrini’s family are also scheduled to appear.
Both events at St. Elizabeth’s will focus on St. Frances Cabrini as a model of women’s leadership, especially in her work with immigrants and the poor. They also promote the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) stops in Passaic and Paterson, N.J., on June 14 and 15. The St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Route of the NEP will travel the Eastern Seaboard this summer.
Before the “Cabrini” screening, Father Cesar Jaramillo, pilgrimage stop delegate and pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., will address attendees and invite them to join the local NEP event. Members of the Communications Department of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey will also be present to distribute NEP promotional materials.
Register now to secure your spot for the pilgrimage. See the schedule below for details.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
“The pilgrimage in our diocese is an opportunity for Catholics to renew their love for Jesus and the Eucharist — a goal of the New Evangelization — and to show solidarity with immigrants,” Father Cesar Jaramillo said. “We invite all Paterson parishes and the broader community to attend and join us in this spiritual journey.”
The pilgrimage route honors Mother Cabrini, born in Italy in 1850. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1889, Pope Leo XIII sent her and her sisters to New York. They opened schools and orphanages for Italian immigrants despite many challenges. According to the Missionary Sisters, Mother Cabrini traveled across Europe, the Americas, and the U.S., founding 67 institutions.
Father Jaramillo described “Cabrini” as telling the story of “a remarkable woman who was passionate about social justice.”
“Mother Cabrini was steadfast in giving a voice to the voiceless. Most were Italian immigrants who were ignored. The movie reflects today’s immigrant crisis in the U.S. The pilgrimage will also honor the U.S.’s 250th birthday. Immigrants built much of our country in search of the American Dream,” Father Jaramillo said.
The “Cabrini” screening and “talk-back” are possible through the friendship between Carol Bezak — a St. Elizabeth’s alumna and president of the National Association of Shrine and Pilgrimage Apostolate — and one of the film’s executive producers. Other NEP stops will also host screenings of the films, said Andrea M. Adams, director of alumni engagement and annual giving.
All are welcome to attend the two “Cabrini” film events at St. Elizabeth’s. Admission is free.
The pilgrimage, themed “One Nation Under God,” includes 18 stops from Pentecost to Independence Day in Philadelphia. It calls for renewal, unity, and mission. Nine young adult Perpetual Pilgrims and their chaplains will carry the Blessed Sacrament through the original 13 colonies, 18 dioceses, and two Eastern Rite eparchies.
All are welcome to pray before the Blessed Sacrament during the pilgrimage. Admission to events is free, but advance registration is requested to assist organizers. Please register now to reserve your spot for one or more events using the QR code on this page.
For questions about events in this diocese, please contact:MMoncaleano@patersondiocese.org. For registration assistance, please contact:registration@eucharisticcongress.org.
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage activities in the Paterson Diocese, N.J., on June 14 and 15
Pilgrimage activities on June 14:
3:30–5 p.m.: Eucharist talk (English), Fr. Rafael Capo, Holy Rosary Church, 6 Wall St., Passaic, N.J.
3:30–5 p.m.: “Influenciados por la Eucaristía” opening talk (Spanish), P. Heriberto García, St. Nicholas, 217 President St., Passaic, N.J.
5–6:30 p.m.: Eucharistic Procession from Holy Rosary Church (6 Wall St, Passaic, N.J.) to Boverini Stadium (1.5 miles). The procession will end with the opening Mass.
6:30–8 p.m.: Opening Mass, Boverini Stadium, 262 River Dr., Passaic, N.J., with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.
Pilgrimage events on June 15:
3–5 p.m.: Divine Liturgy with Byzantine Catholic community, St. Michael Chapel, 415 Lackawanna Ave., Woodland Park, N.J.
5:30–7 p.m.: Eucharistic Procession (loop) for communicants and local faithful at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 381 Grand St., Paterson, N.J.
7–8:30 p.m.: Closing Mass with Bishop Sweeney and homily by Father Casey Cole, O.F.M., at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 381 Grand St., Paterson. The municipal parking lot opens at 5 p.m. across from the Cathedral. Watch the livestream at https://rcdopcathedral.org/
– “Cabrini,” the 2024 film about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, America’s first Catholic saint and advocate for immigrants, will be screened Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. at the Dolan Performing Arts Center, St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J. A week later, on Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m., executive producer J. Eustace Wolfington and his team will host a “talk-back” on the film’s creation, focusing on human rights, women’s leadership, and hope. Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio of the Brooklyn Diocese in New York, who advocates for immigrants’ rights, and Mother Cabrini’s family are also
![‘60 Minutes’ takes stock of Catholic Church under Leo with top cardinals – #Catholic – Three influential American cardinals spoke about the Church under Pope Leo XIV in an interview on “60 Minutes” this week.In two segments of the show, Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C.; Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey; and Cardinal Blaise Cupich of Chicago spoke on the Church in America, from increased conversions and the meaning of patriotism to controversial topics like the Iran ceasefire and immigration enforcement.Why are young people joining the Church?Cupich said he does not entirely know what is behind the reported rise in young people entering the Catholic Church as U.S. dioceses report elevated numbers of Easter baptisms and confirmations.“We are doing some surveys about people who are coming to church to see whatʼs motivating them,” he said. “I do think, though, that research is showing that there really is a deep hunger in the hearts of young people for something that can help them with the meaning of life. But also thereʼs a woundedness on the part of young people that they are seeking healing for.”“We donʼt have all the answers, but we are going to try to drill down to find out more about that,” Cupich said.McElroy pointed to a need for “moral leadership in the world” as a partial explanation.“What a tragedy to have a world in which there are not moral leaders,” he said. “I think young people, and young adults particularly, are looking for a sense of that in their lives — and some of those are coming into the Church for that reason.”“The number of those joining the Church this year is a record for the archdiocese, which is a wonderful thing,” he said of the Archdiocese of Washington, which had 1,800 converts.Tobin credited some of the rising interest and attendance in the Catholic Church to Pope Leo.“Iʼve had the privilege of working closely with four popes: very different people in a lot of ways, but each one in some way was the right one for that moment in time,” Tobin said. “I believe that Pope Leo is the right man at this time.”When asked about the effect of the sex abuse scandal on people leaving the Church, Cupich noted that it “prompts us to be even more forthright in doing everything possible to protect children, but also to address the harm that was done.”“That, I think, is something thatʼs always on the front burner for us with regard to the fall off in terms of people practicing,” he said.Cupich noted, however, that other religions are seeing declines in membership as well.“Itʼs also part of the secularization thatʼs happening in society today,” he said. “People have a lot more options on Sunday, on the weekend, than they did before. So I think there are a number of factors that contributed to that decline.”What does patriotism look like for Catholics?In light of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the cardinals shared their thoughts on a Catholic understanding of patriotism.“For us as Catholic Americans, we love our country because of what it aspires to be and has for the past 250 years,” McElroy said.“We love our country not merely because we were born here, if we were, but rather because of its aspirations of democracy, justice, equality, of freedom that have been lived out with differing levels of success all through our history, and having to change it and readapt it to make it more true to its core,” he continued.“For me," Cupich said, "patriotism is about being united in the common task of creating the opportunities for everyone to flourish — that they would have the opportunity to be the person God intended them to be."“That is part of the aspirations that immigrants came here with; an opportunity to have a fresh start,” he said. “So how can we work together to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to flourish? I think thatʼs patriotism.”Pope Leo and politics: Iran and ICEWhen asked if he would like to see the first American pope be more outspoken on controversial issues, Tobin said: “Heʼs the pastor of the world; heʼs not a pundit.”“The distinction is heʼs not going to pronounce on everything, but heʼs going to pronounce on whatʼs important,” Tobin said.Recently, Pope Leo has called for an end to the war with Iran, advocating for peace and dialogue.When asked if the Iran war is a just war according to Catholic teaching, McElroy said it is not.“Catholic faith teaches us there are certain prerequisites for a just war,“ he said. ”You canʼt go for a variety of different aims. You have to have a focused aim, which is to restore justice and restore peace. Thatʼs it.”When asked about the destruction of the Iranian regimeʼs nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities as an aim of the war, McElroy agreed that the regime “should be removed.”“Itʼs an abominable regime and it should be removed,” McElroy said. “But this is a war of choice that we went to and I think itʼs embedded in a wider moment in the United States thatʼs worrying, which is this. Weʼre seeing before us the possibility of war after war after war.”Cupich criticized the Trump administrationʼs “gamification” of the war through social media posts and edits, calling it “sickening.”“Weʼre dehumanizing the victims of war by turning the suffering of people and the killing of children and our own soldiers into entertainment,” he said. “It is sickening. To splice together movie cuts with actual bombing and targeting of people for the purposes of entertainment is sickening. This is not who we are. Weʼre better than this.”The cardinals also shared pastoral concerns amid ongoing deportations, an issue about which Pope Leo has also spoken.Tobin criticized the tactics used by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, saying that when immigrants “have to hide their identities,” this “can actually violate other guarantees of our Constitution and Bill of Rights.”“I think somebodyʼs got to call that out,” he said. “And Iʼm not the only one.”McElroy shared his concern that many immigrants “live under fear.”He said attendance at Spanish Masses in his archdiocese went down 30% in the past year. “Thirty percent — thatʼs a lot, and itʼs all fear,” he said.McElroy said there "is a roundup of people throughout the country, people who have been living good, strong lives; [who have] been here a long time." These people "raised their children here; many of their children [were] born here and are citizens,” he said. “Thatʼs what our objection is.”But the cardinal, who for 10 years served as bishop of San Diego, added that he does believe in strong borders, noting that under Biden, “it got to a point where it was getting out of control.”Recalling the popeʼs recent words and actions (the pope is currently visiting Africa on his third international journey), Cupich said Leo is “sending a message that his top priority right now is to be with those who are downcast and marginalized.”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/60-minutes-takes-stock-of-catholic-church-under-leo-with-top-cardinals-catholic-three-influential-american-cardinals-spoke-about-the-church-under-pope-leo-xiv-in-an-interview-on.jpg "‘60 Minutes’ takes stock of Catholic Church under Leo with top cardinals – #Catholic – Three influential American cardinals spoke about the Church under Pope Leo XIV in an interview on “60 Minutes” this week.In two segments of the show, Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C.; Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey; and Cardinal Blaise Cupich of Chicago spoke on the Church in America, from increased conversions and the meaning of patriotism to controversial topics like the Iran ceasefire and immigration enforcement.Why are young people joining the Church?Cupich said he does not entirely know what is behind the reported rise in young people entering the Catholic Church as U.S. dioceses report elevated numbers of Easter baptisms and confirmations.“We are doing some surveys about people who are coming to church to see whatʼs motivating them,” he said. “I do think, though, that research is showing that there really is a deep hunger in the hearts of young people for something that can help them with the meaning of life. But also thereʼs a woundedness on the part of young people that they are seeking healing for.”“We donʼt have all the answers, but we are going to try to drill down to find out more about that,” Cupich said.McElroy pointed to a need for “moral leadership in the world” as a partial explanation.“What a tragedy to have a world in which there are not moral leaders,” he said. “I think young people, and young adults particularly, are looking for a sense of that in their lives — and some of those are coming into the Church for that reason.”“The number of those joining the Church this year is a record for the archdiocese, which is a wonderful thing,” he said of the Archdiocese of Washington, which had 1,800 converts.Tobin credited some of the rising interest and attendance in the Catholic Church to Pope Leo.“Iʼve had the privilege of working closely with four popes: very different people in a lot of ways, but each one in some way was the right one for that moment in time,” Tobin said. “I believe that Pope Leo is the right man at this time.”When asked about the effect of the sex abuse scandal on people leaving the Church, Cupich noted that it “prompts us to be even more forthright in doing everything possible to protect children, but also to address the harm that was done.”“That, I think, is something thatʼs always on the front burner for us with regard to the fall off in terms of people practicing,” he said.Cupich noted, however, that other religions are seeing declines in membership as well.“Itʼs also part of the secularization thatʼs happening in society today,” he said. “People have a lot more options on Sunday, on the weekend, than they did before. So I think there are a number of factors that contributed to that decline.”What does patriotism look like for Catholics?In light of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the cardinals shared their thoughts on a Catholic understanding of patriotism.“For us as Catholic Americans, we love our country because of what it aspires to be and has for the past 250 years,” McElroy said.“We love our country not merely because we were born here, if we were, but rather because of its aspirations of democracy, justice, equality, of freedom that have been lived out with differing levels of success all through our history, and having to change it and readapt it to make it more true to its core,” he continued.“For me,\" Cupich said, \"patriotism is about being united in the common task of creating the opportunities for everyone to flourish — that they would have the opportunity to be the person God intended them to be.\"“That is part of the aspirations that immigrants came here with; an opportunity to have a fresh start,” he said. “So how can we work together to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to flourish? I think thatʼs patriotism.”Pope Leo and politics: Iran and ICEWhen asked if he would like to see the first American pope be more outspoken on controversial issues, Tobin said: “Heʼs the pastor of the world; heʼs not a pundit.”“The distinction is heʼs not going to pronounce on everything, but heʼs going to pronounce on whatʼs important,” Tobin said.Recently, Pope Leo has called for an end to the war with Iran, advocating for peace and dialogue.When asked if the Iran war is a just war according to Catholic teaching, McElroy said it is not.“Catholic faith teaches us there are certain prerequisites for a just war,“ he said. ”You canʼt go for a variety of different aims. You have to have a focused aim, which is to restore justice and restore peace. Thatʼs it.”When asked about the destruction of the Iranian regimeʼs nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities as an aim of the war, McElroy agreed that the regime “should be removed.”“Itʼs an abominable regime and it should be removed,” McElroy said. “But this is a war of choice that we went to and I think itʼs embedded in a wider moment in the United States thatʼs worrying, which is this. Weʼre seeing before us the possibility of war after war after war.”Cupich criticized the Trump administrationʼs “gamification” of the war through social media posts and edits, calling it “sickening.”“Weʼre dehumanizing the victims of war by turning the suffering of people and the killing of children and our own soldiers into entertainment,” he said. “It is sickening. To splice together movie cuts with actual bombing and targeting of people for the purposes of entertainment is sickening. This is not who we are. Weʼre better than this.”The cardinals also shared pastoral concerns amid ongoing deportations, an issue about which Pope Leo has also spoken.Tobin criticized the tactics used by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, saying that when immigrants “have to hide their identities,” this “can actually violate other guarantees of our Constitution and Bill of Rights.”“I think somebodyʼs got to call that out,” he said. “And Iʼm not the only one.”McElroy shared his concern that many immigrants “live under fear.”He said attendance at Spanish Masses in his archdiocese went down 30% in the past year. “Thirty percent — thatʼs a lot, and itʼs all fear,” he said.McElroy said there \"is a roundup of people throughout the country, people who have been living good, strong lives; [who have] been here a long time.\" These people \"raised their children here; many of their children [were] born here and are citizens,” he said. “Thatʼs what our objection is.”But the cardinal, who for 10 years served as bishop of San Diego, added that he does believe in strong borders, noting that under Biden, “it got to a point where it was getting out of control.”Recalling the popeʼs recent words and actions (the pope is currently visiting Africa on his third international journey), Cupich said Leo is “sending a message that his top priority right now is to be with those who are downcast and marginalized.”")
Three influential American cardinals spoke about the Church under Pope Leo XIV in an interview on “60 Minutes” that looked at rising conversions, patriotism, the Iran war, and immigration enforcement.
![President Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV sparks global reaction – #Catholic – President Donald Trump sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” and saying he is “not a fan” of the pope, prompting a wave of international reactions.Trump made the comments about the Holy Father in a lengthy April 12 post on Truth Social that appeared to be reacting to the pontiff’s recent appeals for peace and an end to the war in Iran. In comments to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, shortly afterward, Trump said: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. … I am not a fan of Pope Leo.” He added: “He’s a very liberal person.”On Monday morning, the president doubled down on his comments, saying he would not apologize to the pontiff “because Pope Leo said things that are wrong.”In recent weeks, the pope has repeatedly called for an end to hostilities, crying out “Enough of war!” while presiding over a vigil for peace at St. Peterʼs Basilica at the Vatican on April 11. “Stop! Itʼs time for peace! Sit at tables of dialogue and mediation, not at tables where rearmament is planned and death actions are deliberated,” he continued.Iranian leadership spoke out against Trump’s comments, with both the current presidentʼs and the late Imam Sayyid Ali Khameneiʼs social media accounts issuing statements.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote in an April 13 social media post: “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah.”Pezeshkian’s statement comes after peace talks involving Vice President JD Vance collapsed on April 12. Vance, a Catholic convert and Iraq War veteran, blamed Iran’s refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear program.Khamenei’s social media account posted an April 13 message invoking the teachings of Jesus against war: “Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) used to call people to the path of God, and forbade them from vice and injustice.”Tweet“The corrupt and tyrannical powers sought to assassinate that divine Messenger,” the post read, “for those steeped in their passions and the instigators of wars could not tolerate the religion, nor the Prophet, nor those who followed the divine path.”Romeʼs mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, wrote in an April 13 post: “Rome is close to Pope Leo. Donald Trump’s attacks on his high spiritual magisterium and on his commitment to peace are unacceptable and wound sensitivities and consciences. The city of Rome, uniquely bound to its bishop, firmly reaffirms the values of respect, dialogue, and peace.”Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has strong diplomatic ties to the Trump administration, has yet to make a statement.Father Nikodemus Schnabel, abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition in Jerusalem, denounced Trump’s post, writing in German: “And then there are actually Catholics — even in the German-speaking world (!) — who still try to sugarcoat the words and actions of this morally bankrupt president and even defend him on moral grounds.”Catholic bishops in the United Kingdom condemned Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo and defended the Holy Father’s repeated calls for peace.“As Pope Leo has made clear, we cannot stand by and allow the message of the Gospel to be abused,” Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark, England, said in a statement shared with EWTN News. “As bishops, we are not politicians, nor statesmen, nor do we pretend to have all the answers. But as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we know that each of us is called to be a beacon of his peace."Wilson called Catholics in the U.K. to “be as courageous as our Holy Father in proclaiming the truth that God demands peace.”Cardinal Fernando Chomali of Santiago, Chile, also defended the Holy Father, writing in an April 13 post: “Pope Leo XIV is a good man, forged by years of prayer, study, and closeness to the poor.”Tweet“[Leo] prefers to obey God rather than men. His courage comes from his deepest convictions, from God, and not from passions. We have a coherent leader who charts a path of no return for us: to promote peace always and under all circumstances,” Chomali said.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/president-trumps-criticism-of-pope-leo-xiv-sparks-global-reaction-catholic-president-donald-trump-sharply-criticized-pope-leo-xiv-on-sunday-calling-him-weak-on-crime-a.jpg "President Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV sparks global reaction – #Catholic – President Donald Trump sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” and saying he is “not a fan” of the pope, prompting a wave of international reactions.Trump made the comments about the Holy Father in a lengthy April 12 post on Truth Social that appeared to be reacting to the pontiff’s recent appeals for peace and an end to the war in Iran. In comments to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, shortly afterward, Trump said: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. … I am not a fan of Pope Leo.” He added: “He’s a very liberal person.”On Monday morning, the president doubled down on his comments, saying he would not apologize to the pontiff “because Pope Leo said things that are wrong.”In recent weeks, the pope has repeatedly called for an end to hostilities, crying out “Enough of war!” while presiding over a vigil for peace at St. Peterʼs Basilica at the Vatican on April 11. “Stop! Itʼs time for peace! Sit at tables of dialogue and mediation, not at tables where rearmament is planned and death actions are deliberated,” he continued.Iranian leadership spoke out against Trump’s comments, with both the current presidentʼs and the late Imam Sayyid Ali Khameneiʼs social media accounts issuing statements.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote in an April 13 social media post: “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah.”Pezeshkian’s statement comes after peace talks involving Vice President JD Vance collapsed on April 12. Vance, a Catholic convert and Iraq War veteran, blamed Iran’s refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear program.Khamenei’s social media account posted an April 13 message invoking the teachings of Jesus against war: “Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) used to call people to the path of God, and forbade them from vice and injustice.”Tweet“The corrupt and tyrannical powers sought to assassinate that divine Messenger,” the post read, “for those steeped in their passions and the instigators of wars could not tolerate the religion, nor the Prophet, nor those who followed the divine path.”Romeʼs mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, wrote in an April 13 post: “Rome is close to Pope Leo. Donald Trump’s attacks on his high spiritual magisterium and on his commitment to peace are unacceptable and wound sensitivities and consciences. The city of Rome, uniquely bound to its bishop, firmly reaffirms the values of respect, dialogue, and peace.”Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has strong diplomatic ties to the Trump administration, has yet to make a statement.Father Nikodemus Schnabel, abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition in Jerusalem, denounced Trump’s post, writing in German: “And then there are actually Catholics — even in the German-speaking world (!) — who still try to sugarcoat the words and actions of this morally bankrupt president and even defend him on moral grounds.”Catholic bishops in the United Kingdom condemned Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo and defended the Holy Father’s repeated calls for peace.“As Pope Leo has made clear, we cannot stand by and allow the message of the Gospel to be abused,” Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark, England, said in a statement shared with EWTN News. “As bishops, we are not politicians, nor statesmen, nor do we pretend to have all the answers. But as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we know that each of us is called to be a beacon of his peace.\"Wilson called Catholics in the U.K. to “be as courageous as our Holy Father in proclaiming the truth that God demands peace.”Cardinal Fernando Chomali of Santiago, Chile, also defended the Holy Father, writing in an April 13 post: “Pope Leo XIV is a good man, forged by years of prayer, study, and closeness to the poor.”Tweet“[Leo] prefers to obey God rather than men. His courage comes from his deepest convictions, from God, and not from passions. We have a coherent leader who charts a path of no return for us: to promote peace always and under all circumstances,” Chomali said.")
Politicians and faith leaders around the world condemned President Donald Trump’s comments about the American pontiff.
Galaxy season is upon us — the time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere when Earth’s nightside faces out of the plane of the Milky Way. This week, Astronomy magazine Editor Emeritus Dave Eicher invites you to explore some of the best galaxies on offer in Leo, Ursa Major, Coma Berenices, and Virgo. ClearContinue reading “See spring’s best galaxies”
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The meeting in the Catholic Basilica of Our Lady of Africa concluded the first day of the pope’s journey to Africa.
Watch Wayne Allyn Root’s Top Ten Stories of the Week – including the failing communist state of Colorado… Democrats legalizing public sex in the gay Somali bathhouses of Minnesota… and NYC putting police officers in prison for stopping bad guys.
The post Wayne Root’s Top Ten Stories of the Week – Including the Failing Communist State of Colorado… Democrats Legalizing Public Sex in the Gay Somali Bathhouses of Minnesota… and NYC Putting Police Officers in Prison for Stopping Bad Guys (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Jackson Warne, the son of legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne, joined 2WorldsPodcast to discuss his father’s untimely death at just 52 years old.
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Read More![Trump’s comments on Pope Leo called ‘disrespectful’ as Americans react #Catholic Catholic bishops and U.S. elected officials have publicly criticized the president’s statements about Pope Leo XIV.President Donald Trump called Leo “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” in a lengthy social media post April 12 that drew response from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and elected officials.Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, called Trump’s attack on Pope Leo XIV “disrespectful." Barron, who serves on Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, said in a post on X that Trump’s comments “were entirely inappropriate and disrespectful” and “I think the president owes the pope an apology.”“[Trump’s comments] don’t contribute at all to a constructive conversation,” he said. “It is the pope’s prerogative to articulate Catholic doctrine and the principles that govern the moral life. In regard to the concrete application of those principles, people of goodwill can and do disagree.”Barron encouraged Catholic Trump officials to arrange a meeting with Vatican officials “so that a real dialogue can take place,” saying “this is far preferable to the statements on social media.”Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, said in a social media post: “Along with Archbishop [Paul] Coakley, president of the USCCB, and my brother bishops, I was disheartened by recent comments from President Trump concerning Pope Leo XIV and the Church. I pray that civility and respect are fully restored as together, with God’s grace, we work for peace and harmony among all people. May we also be united in our prayer for the end of war and violence so that Christ’s peace reigns throughout the world and in our hearts.”Palm Beach, Florida, Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez posted on X: “The @DiocesePB stands firm with our Holy Father, @Pontifex, and strongly rejects the disrespectful and violent attacks that Donald J. Trump has directed against the Holy Father.”Buffalo, New York, Bishop Michael Fisher posted on X: “This is not about politics but the very cause of humanity.”The Catholic Association's Ashley McGuire said in a statement: “The Catholic Church does not in any way fit into American political boxes. It will always prioritize the protection of innocent life in all its stages as well as the cause of the poor and marginalized. Insulting the pope, and all Catholics by extension, with the hope of making the Church bend to American political agendas, is discouraging and counterproductive.” McGuire added: “We pray that President Trump apologizes to Pope Leo.”U.S. officials' reaction beginsRepublican Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, has not yet commented on the matter, nor has Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also a Catholic.Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, who is Catholic, posted on X that “I find it abhorrent that the president of the United States would publicly attack the successor of St. Peter.”U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on X that Trump “shamefully attacked” the pope. Few Republican elected officials have spoken out.TweetDemocratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X: “Hey @GOP, you good with your guy directly attacking the pope now?”Rep. Lukas Schubert, a Republican Montana state lawmaker, disputed the presidentʼs statement that the pope is a “liberal person.”“Pope Leo is significantly further to the right than President Trump on abortion, gay marriage, and family values. Also he is more America First on the Iran War,” Schubert said.AI imageTrump also posted an AI-created image on Truth Social that appeared to portray himself as Jesus Christ, healing the sick, which led several Catholics to accuse the president of blasphemy.Edward Feser, a Catholic philosopher and professor at Pasadena City College, posted on X that Trump’s comments illustrate “how utter enslavement to the sin of pride makes a man unsuitable for the presidency.”“For all their faults, previous presidents had the visceral understanding of proper boundaries not to attack the vicar of Christ even when they disagreed with him,” he said.Feser quoted Daniel 11:36-37 in response to Trump’s AI image of himself as Christ, which reads: “And the king shall do according to his will; he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods … He shall not give heed to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.”In reaction to the AI photo, Matt Fradd, the host of “Pints With Aquinas,“ urged Catholics to “offer a rosary today for Donald Trump and all blasphemers. … Seriously. Do it. I will too.”TweetRep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, did not directly reference Trumpʼs remarks about the pope but criticized the AI-created image on X: “There aren’t enough words to denounce how wrong this is.”The comments came after Leo criticized the Iran war and Trump’s rhetoric about targeting the entire civilization of Iran. Leo said in response to the post: “I have no fear neither of the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.”Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Republican congresswoman who was a strong ally of Trump before splitting with him on the Iran war and his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, posted on X that Trump “attacked the pope because the pope is rightly against Trump’s war in Iran and then he posted this picture of himself as if he is replacing Jesus.”“This comes after last week’s post of his evil tirade on Easter and then threatening to kill an entire civilization,” she said. “I completely denounce this and I’m praying against it!!!”‘Fuels division’Father Robert Sirico, the founder of the Acton Institute, said in a statement that Leo “has both the right and the duty to speak prophetically on matters of war and peace, the dignity of the human person, and the moral limits of force — even when his words discomfort political leaders.”He said Trump’s post does not “strengthen America’s moral standing but “merely fuels division.”Sirico also added that Catholics can disagree with popes on prudential judgments, such as foreign policy or crime, which he said are not infallible: “The Church herself teaches that such applications of principle admit of legitimate debate.”This story was updated at 11:50 a.m. ET on April 13, 2026, with comments from Buffalo, New York, Bishop Michael Fisher and The Catholic Associationʼs Ashley McGuire.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/trumps-comments-on-pope-leo-called-disrespectful-as-americans-react-catholic-catholic-bishops-and-u-s-elected-officials-have-publicly-criticized-the-presidents-st.jpg "Trump’s comments on Pope Leo called ‘disrespectful’ as Americans react #Catholic Catholic bishops and U.S. elected officials have publicly criticized the president’s statements about Pope Leo XIV.President Donald Trump called Leo “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” in a lengthy social media post April 12 that drew response from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and elected officials.Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, called Trump’s attack on Pope Leo XIV “disrespectful.\" Barron, who serves on Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, said in a post on X that Trump’s comments “were entirely inappropriate and disrespectful” and “I think the president owes the pope an apology.”“[Trump’s comments] don’t contribute at all to a constructive conversation,” he said. “It is the pope’s prerogative to articulate Catholic doctrine and the principles that govern the moral life. In regard to the concrete application of those principles, people of goodwill can and do disagree.”Barron encouraged Catholic Trump officials to arrange a meeting with Vatican officials “so that a real dialogue can take place,” saying “this is far preferable to the statements on social media.”Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, said in a social media post: “Along with Archbishop [Paul] Coakley, president of the USCCB, and my brother bishops, I was disheartened by recent comments from President Trump concerning Pope Leo XIV and the Church. I pray that civility and respect are fully restored as together, with God’s grace, we work for peace and harmony among all people. May we also be united in our prayer for the end of war and violence so that Christ’s peace reigns throughout the world and in our hearts.”Palm Beach, Florida, Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez posted on X: “The @DiocesePB stands firm with our Holy Father, @Pontifex, and strongly rejects the disrespectful and violent attacks that Donald J. Trump has directed against the Holy Father.”Buffalo, New York, Bishop Michael Fisher posted on X: “This is not about politics but the very cause of humanity.”The Catholic Association's Ashley McGuire said in a statement: “The Catholic Church does not in any way fit into American political boxes. It will always prioritize the protection of innocent life in all its stages as well as the cause of the poor and marginalized. Insulting the pope, and all Catholics by extension, with the hope of making the Church bend to American political agendas, is discouraging and counterproductive.” McGuire added: “We pray that President Trump apologizes to Pope Leo.”U.S. officials' reaction beginsRepublican Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, has not yet commented on the matter, nor has Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also a Catholic.Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, who is Catholic, posted on X that “I find it abhorrent that the president of the United States would publicly attack the successor of St. Peter.”U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on X that Trump “shamefully attacked” the pope. Few Republican elected officials have spoken out.TweetDemocratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X: “Hey @GOP, you good with your guy directly attacking the pope now?”Rep. Lukas Schubert, a Republican Montana state lawmaker, disputed the presidentʼs statement that the pope is a “liberal person.”“Pope Leo is significantly further to the right than President Trump on abortion, gay marriage, and family values. Also he is more America First on the Iran War,” Schubert said.AI imageTrump also posted an AI-created image on Truth Social that appeared to portray himself as Jesus Christ, healing the sick, which led several Catholics to accuse the president of blasphemy.Edward Feser, a Catholic philosopher and professor at Pasadena City College, posted on X that Trump’s comments illustrate “how utter enslavement to the sin of pride makes a man unsuitable for the presidency.”“For all their faults, previous presidents had the visceral understanding of proper boundaries not to attack the vicar of Christ even when they disagreed with him,” he said.Feser quoted Daniel 11:36-37 in response to Trump’s AI image of himself as Christ, which reads: “And the king shall do according to his will; he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods … He shall not give heed to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.”In reaction to the AI photo, Matt Fradd, the host of “Pints With Aquinas,“ urged Catholics to “offer a rosary today for Donald Trump and all blasphemers. … Seriously. Do it. I will too.”TweetRep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, did not directly reference Trumpʼs remarks about the pope but criticized the AI-created image on X: “There aren’t enough words to denounce how wrong this is.”The comments came after Leo criticized the Iran war and Trump’s rhetoric about targeting the entire civilization of Iran. Leo said in response to the post: “I have no fear neither of the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.”Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Republican congresswoman who was a strong ally of Trump before splitting with him on the Iran war and his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, posted on X that Trump “attacked the pope because the pope is rightly against Trump’s war in Iran and then he posted this picture of himself as if he is replacing Jesus.”“This comes after last week’s post of his evil tirade on Easter and then threatening to kill an entire civilization,” she said. “I completely denounce this and I’m praying against it!!!”‘Fuels division’Father Robert Sirico, the founder of the Acton Institute, said in a statement that Leo “has both the right and the duty to speak prophetically on matters of war and peace, the dignity of the human person, and the moral limits of force — even when his words discomfort political leaders.”He said Trump’s post does not “strengthen America’s moral standing but “merely fuels division.”Sirico also added that Catholics can disagree with popes on prudential judgments, such as foreign policy or crime, which he said are not infallible: “The Church herself teaches that such applications of principle admit of legitimate debate.”This story was updated at 11:50 a.m. ET on April 13, 2026, with comments from Buffalo, New York, Bishop Michael Fisher and The Catholic Associationʼs Ashley McGuire.")
President Donald Trump called Leo “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” in a lengthy social media post April 12 that drew response from U.S. bishops and elected officials.
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