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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Everything about California Governor Gavin Newsom is fake.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the Gospel according to John
6:16-21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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U.S. Embassy to the Vatican: Nigerian Christians are being targeted #Catholic ROME — It is “intolerable” that Christians are being targeted for persecution in Nigeria, said U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch during an event in Rome on Friday.The group Solidarity with the Persecuted Church (SPC) and the Embassy of the United States to the Holy See organized the April 17 conference at the embassy on threats to religious freedom in Nigeria.Burch spoke to EWTN News on the sidelines about the stance of the U.S. on religious violence in Nigeria. He described the current situation as a “conflict between radical Islamic groups and Christians because of their faith.”“The United States is the greatest friend of religious liberty,” Burch said. “The purpose of this event is to call attention to the plight of Christians who are being targeted and killed in Nigeria. Unfortunately, there are extremist Islamic groups that have been targeting Christians specifically in their churches and their homes, and the scale and size of the persecution of Christians there is intolerable.”Asked about the denial by some Nigerian government officials that Christians specifically are being targeted, Burch insisted that the current violence against Christians is alarming, citing U.S. President Donald Trump, who designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern in 2025.“The president has said that Christians face an existential crisis in Nigeria, and thanks to his leadership, he is now acting to bring an end to this. We have called on the Nigerian government to take necessary steps to protect Christians, and the United States government is now working in partnership with the Nigerian government to assist them in doing just that,” he said.Steven Wagner, president of SPC, underscored the importance of Nigeria for Christianity in Africa and the need for the Holy See to be involved in raising awareness.“As Nigeria goes, so goes Africa. More Christians are martyred for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country on earth. There is a huge crisis of internally displaced persons. We are calling on the Vatican to increase public awareness of the problem and to continue to encourage the government of Nigeria to make progress in protecting its people,” Wagner said.Burch responds to Trump’s comments on the popeIn his opening remarks at the conference, Burch commented for the first time on the recent tensions between Trump and Pope Leo XIV. He emphasized their difference in approach to armed conflicts and their shared goal of eliminating evil.“In recent days, President Trump and Pope Leo have exchanged, shall we say, sharp words. We must not pretend there is no disagreement. But both men are driven by an unshakable belief in protecting the innocent. One leads with the sword and shield of American power, the other with the cross of sacrificial love. But both are saying in their own languages, ‘Evil must not triumph and innocence must not be abandoned,’” Burch said.Papal trip in AfricaThe pontiff is currently on his first apostolic journey to Africa — visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization and a presenter at the conference, described the trip as a moment of profound unity for all Africans.“This is Africa, and much of the divisions, according to countries in Africa, are artificial divisions that were imposed on the continent,” Nwachukwu told EWTN News. “Africans quite often feel united even beyond the boundaries. So the popeʼs message to these churches and these populations will also be a message to the population in Nigeria and to the Church in Nigeria.”Many of the issues the pope is addressing on his trip “are shared in common in Nigeria,” Burch added. The Holy See and the United States “certainly share this deep, fundamental commitment to religious liberty.”
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U.S. Embassy to the Vatican: Nigerian Christians are being targeted #Catholic ROME — It is “intolerable” that Christians are being targeted for persecution in Nigeria, said U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch during an event in Rome on Friday.The group Solidarity with the Persecuted Church (SPC) and the Embassy of the United States to the Holy See organized the April 17 conference at the embassy on threats to religious freedom in Nigeria.Burch spoke to EWTN News on the sidelines about the stance of the U.S. on religious violence in Nigeria. He described the current situation as a “conflict between radical Islamic groups and Christians because of their faith.”“The United States is the greatest friend of religious liberty,” Burch said. “The purpose of this event is to call attention to the plight of Christians who are being targeted and killed in Nigeria. Unfortunately, there are extremist Islamic groups that have been targeting Christians specifically in their churches and their homes, and the scale and size of the persecution of Christians there is intolerable.”Asked about the denial by some Nigerian government officials that Christians specifically are being targeted, Burch insisted that the current violence against Christians is alarming, citing U.S. President Donald Trump, who designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern in 2025.“The president has said that Christians face an existential crisis in Nigeria, and thanks to his leadership, he is now acting to bring an end to this. We have called on the Nigerian government to take necessary steps to protect Christians, and the United States government is now working in partnership with the Nigerian government to assist them in doing just that,” he said.Steven Wagner, president of SPC, underscored the importance of Nigeria for Christianity in Africa and the need for the Holy See to be involved in raising awareness.“As Nigeria goes, so goes Africa. More Christians are martyred for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country on earth. There is a huge crisis of internally displaced persons. We are calling on the Vatican to increase public awareness of the problem and to continue to encourage the government of Nigeria to make progress in protecting its people,” Wagner said.Burch responds to Trump’s comments on the popeIn his opening remarks at the conference, Burch commented for the first time on the recent tensions between Trump and Pope Leo XIV. He emphasized their difference in approach to armed conflicts and their shared goal of eliminating evil.“In recent days, President Trump and Pope Leo have exchanged, shall we say, sharp words. We must not pretend there is no disagreement. But both men are driven by an unshakable belief in protecting the innocent. One leads with the sword and shield of American power, the other with the cross of sacrificial love. But both are saying in their own languages, ‘Evil must not triumph and innocence must not be abandoned,’” Burch said.Papal trip in AfricaThe pontiff is currently on his first apostolic journey to Africa — visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization and a presenter at the conference, described the trip as a moment of profound unity for all Africans.“This is Africa, and much of the divisions, according to countries in Africa, are artificial divisions that were imposed on the continent,” Nwachukwu told EWTN News. “Africans quite often feel united even beyond the boundaries. So the popeʼs message to these churches and these populations will also be a message to the population in Nigeria and to the Church in Nigeria.”Many of the issues the pope is addressing on his trip “are shared in common in Nigeria,” Burch added. The Holy See and the United States “certainly share this deep, fundamental commitment to religious liberty.”

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Ambassador Brian Burch described the situation in Nigeria as a “conflict between radical Islamic groups and Christians because of their faith.”

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EWTN News explains: Why does the pope visit mosques on papal trips? #Catholic For more than a quarter-century, popes have periodically visited Islamic mosques as part of official voyages and papal visits. The tradition began with Pope John Paul II, who in 2001 became the first pope in history known to have entered a mosque when he visited the Great Mosque of Damascus in the capital of Syria. The subsequent Popes Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV have all paid visits to mosques to hold ecumenical dialogues and host diplomatic meetings. Yet the practice is not without some controversy. Indeed, Leo XIVʼs visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers on April 13 drew some backlash on social media by critics incredulous over the leader of the Catholic Church visiting a major Islamic holy site. (This was Leoʼs second visit to a mosque; he also visited the famed “Blue Mosque” in Istanbul in late 2025.) Pope Leo XIV stands with Rector Mohamed Mamoun Al Qasimi at the Great Mosque in Algiers, Monday, April 13, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media So why do popes make visits to mosques, courting controversy and criticism for making a point to go to holy sites of another religion? ‘We can live together in peace’Pope Leo XIV himself addressed criticism directed toward him on April 15 on board the papal plane after leaving Algiers bound for Cameroon. “I think the visit to the mosque was significant [and showed] that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can [still] live together in peace,” the Holy Father said.  “I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today,” he said, arguing that such visits show that “together we can continue to offer in our witness as we continue on this apostolic voyage.”Gabriel Said Reynolds, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame who has written multiple works on the Quran and its relationship to Christianity, told EWTN News that interpreting papal visits to mosques should include an understanding of “the Churchʼs vision of God in the world.” “What is God’s relationship to the world? That’s been important to all of the recent popes,” he said.Reynolds pointed out that an Islamic mosque is “fundamentally different from a church.” “A Catholic church is a sort of temple in which God is present in the tabernacle — body, blood, soul, and divinity,” he said. “It’s a sacred space in the deepest sense of the word.”“What Muslims would say of a mosque is fundamentally different,” he said. “A mosque is for communal prayer, but the communal prayer that takes place in a mosque is no different than the ritual prayer that’s more often done at home.” He likened a mosque to a “gathering place” with just a few features that set it apart as a distinct site — such as a pulpit for occasional sermons and an alcove that denotes the direction of Mecca to which Muslims orient themselves during prayer. Reynolds said popes visit mosques in no small part as a “pastoral concern” for Christians living in majority-Muslim countries, such as Algeria. “Algerian society is thoroughly Islamic,” he said. “It’s not generally marked by notions of rights and responsibilities and citizenship in the same way the U.S. is. Cultivating positive relationships with Muslim leaders is absolutely essential for Christians.”Reynolds said the Churchʼs view about human dignity has “fundamental implications with its relationship toward non-Christians.” He pointed out, for instance, that the pope “could show up at an atheist convention and meet the people there and have dialogue with them.”“John 3:16 says God loves the world,” he said. “It’s not that God loves believers and doesn’t love the unbelievers. All people are children of God, according to Catholic teaching.”The declaration Nostra Aetate, meanwhile — issued by the Second Vatican Council in 1965 to address Catholicismʼs relationship with non-Christians — affirmed that the Church “regards [Muslims] with esteem.”The document points out that although Muslims “do not acknowledge Jesus as God,” they still “adore the one God” and “revere [Jesus] as a prophet” while giving honor to the Virgin Mother as well. The Second Vatican Council acknowledged that “in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen” between Christians and Muslims, but the document “urge[d] all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding.”It further called on religious adherents to “preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom.”
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EWTN News explains: Why does the pope visit mosques on papal trips? #Catholic For more than a quarter-century, popes have periodically visited Islamic mosques as part of official voyages and papal visits. The tradition began with Pope John Paul II, who in 2001 became the first pope in history known to have entered a mosque when he visited the Great Mosque of Damascus in the capital of Syria. The subsequent Popes Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV have all paid visits to mosques to hold ecumenical dialogues and host diplomatic meetings. Yet the practice is not without some controversy. Indeed, Leo XIVʼs visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers on April 13 drew some backlash on social media by critics incredulous over the leader of the Catholic Church visiting a major Islamic holy site. (This was Leoʼs second visit to a mosque; he also visited the famed “Blue Mosque” in Istanbul in late 2025.) Pope Leo XIV stands with Rector Mohamed Mamoun Al Qasimi at the Great Mosque in Algiers, Monday, April 13, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media So why do popes make visits to mosques, courting controversy and criticism for making a point to go to holy sites of another religion? ‘We can live together in peace’Pope Leo XIV himself addressed criticism directed toward him on April 15 on board the papal plane after leaving Algiers bound for Cameroon. “I think the visit to the mosque was significant [and showed] that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can [still] live together in peace,” the Holy Father said.  “I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today,” he said, arguing that such visits show that “together we can continue to offer in our witness as we continue on this apostolic voyage.”Gabriel Said Reynolds, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame who has written multiple works on the Quran and its relationship to Christianity, told EWTN News that interpreting papal visits to mosques should include an understanding of “the Churchʼs vision of God in the world.” “What is God’s relationship to the world? That’s been important to all of the recent popes,” he said.Reynolds pointed out that an Islamic mosque is “fundamentally different from a church.” “A Catholic church is a sort of temple in which God is present in the tabernacle — body, blood, soul, and divinity,” he said. “It’s a sacred space in the deepest sense of the word.”“What Muslims would say of a mosque is fundamentally different,” he said. “A mosque is for communal prayer, but the communal prayer that takes place in a mosque is no different than the ritual prayer that’s more often done at home.” He likened a mosque to a “gathering place” with just a few features that set it apart as a distinct site — such as a pulpit for occasional sermons and an alcove that denotes the direction of Mecca to which Muslims orient themselves during prayer. Reynolds said popes visit mosques in no small part as a “pastoral concern” for Christians living in majority-Muslim countries, such as Algeria. “Algerian society is thoroughly Islamic,” he said. “It’s not generally marked by notions of rights and responsibilities and citizenship in the same way the U.S. is. Cultivating positive relationships with Muslim leaders is absolutely essential for Christians.”Reynolds said the Churchʼs view about human dignity has “fundamental implications with its relationship toward non-Christians.” He pointed out, for instance, that the pope “could show up at an atheist convention and meet the people there and have dialogue with them.”“John 3:16 says God loves the world,” he said. “It’s not that God loves believers and doesn’t love the unbelievers. All people are children of God, according to Catholic teaching.”The declaration Nostra Aetate, meanwhile — issued by the Second Vatican Council in 1965 to address Catholicismʼs relationship with non-Christians — affirmed that the Church “regards [Muslims] with esteem.”The document points out that although Muslims “do not acknowledge Jesus as God,” they still “adore the one God” and “revere [Jesus] as a prophet” while giving honor to the Virgin Mother as well. The Second Vatican Council acknowledged that “in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen” between Christians and Muslims, but the document “urge[d] all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding.”It further called on religious adherents to “preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom.”

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Why do popes make visits to Islamic mosques, courting controversy and criticism by taking part in events at holy sites of another religion?

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JWST uncovers the Lobster Nebula’s firestorm of starbirth

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If you look at a photo of a face-on spiral galaxy, you’ll notice spiral arms filled with glowing gas clouds, sparkling star clusters, and opaque dust lanes curving gently away from the galaxy’s core. An image of an edge-on spiral gives a completely different picture. The gas, dust, and stars now occupy a thin diskContinue reading “JWST uncovers the Lobster Nebula’s firestorm of starbirth”

The post JWST uncovers the Lobster Nebula’s firestorm of starbirth appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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‘Do Not Fear Mass Islamic Migration,’ Says Pope Behind 40-Foot Walls Of Vatican City Fortress #BabylonBee – VATICAN CITY — Seated inside a fortress with 40-foot walls and surrounded by Swiss guards, Pope Leo XIV cautioned the rest of the world’s population not to fear mass Islamic migration.
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‘Do Not Fear Mass Islamic Migration,’ Says Pope Behind 40-Foot Walls Of Vatican City Fortress #BabylonBee – VATICAN CITY — Seated inside a fortress with 40-foot walls and surrounded by Swiss guards, Pope Leo XIV cautioned the rest of the world’s population not to fear mass Islamic migration.

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VATICAN CITY — Seated inside a fortress with 40-foot walls and surrounded by Swiss guards, Pope Leo XIV cautioned the rest of the world’s population not to fear mass Islamic migration.

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Can You Spot Everything Racist In Trump’s New Triumphal Arch? #BabylonBee – The White House announced the construction of a 250-ft "United States Triumphal Arch" in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, which sounds good until you realize just how racist it is.
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Can You Spot Everything Racist In Trump’s New Triumphal Arch? #BabylonBee – The White House announced the construction of a 250-ft "United States Triumphal Arch" in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, which sounds good until you realize just how racist it is.

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The White House announced the construction of a 250-ft "United States Triumphal Arch" in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, which sounds good until you realize just how racist it is.

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HERE WE GO: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Tells CBS News the Other Shoe is About to Drop on Swalwell Pal Senator Ruben Gallego (VIDEO) – For the last few says, Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona has looked like a hot mess. The post HERE WE GO: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Tells CBS News the Other Shoe is About to Drop on Swalwell Pal Senator Ruben Gallego (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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HERE WE GO: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Tells CBS News the Other Shoe is About to Drop on Swalwell Pal Senator Ruben Gallego (VIDEO) – For the last few says, Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona has looked like a hot mess. The post HERE WE GO: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Tells CBS News the Other Shoe is About to Drop on Swalwell Pal Senator Ruben Gallego (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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For the last few says, Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona has looked like a hot mess.

The post HERE WE GO: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Tells CBS News the Other Shoe is About to Drop on Swalwell Pal Senator Ruben Gallego (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Watch Greg Gutfeld’s EPIC Monologue About the Downfall of Eric Swalwell (VIDEO) – Last night on his show, Greg Gutfeld devoted his opening monologue to the downfall of Eric Swalwell and it was a rant for the ages. The post Watch Greg Gutfeld’s EPIC Monologue About the Downfall of Eric Swalwell (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Watch Greg Gutfeld’s EPIC Monologue About the Downfall of Eric Swalwell (VIDEO) – Last night on his show, Greg Gutfeld devoted his opening monologue to the downfall of Eric Swalwell and it was a rant for the ages. The post Watch Greg Gutfeld’s EPIC Monologue About the Downfall of Eric Swalwell (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Last night on his show, Greg Gutfeld devoted his opening monologue to the downfall of Eric Swalwell and it was a rant for the ages.

The post Watch Greg Gutfeld’s EPIC Monologue About the Downfall of Eric Swalwell (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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MEDIA MALPRACTICE: Liberal Outlet Politico Reportedly Had the Swalwell Story in 2019 But Dropped it When He Ended His Presidential Run – One thing that everyone seems to agree on is that the Swalwell scandal was one of those ‘open secrets; in Washington that everyone knew about but no one mentioned in polite company. The post MEDIA MALPRACTICE: Liberal Outlet Politico Reportedly Had the Swalwell Story in 2019 But Dropped it When He Ended His Presidential Run appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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MEDIA MALPRACTICE: Liberal Outlet Politico Reportedly Had the Swalwell Story in 2019 But Dropped it When He Ended His Presidential Run – One thing that everyone seems to agree on is that the Swalwell scandal was one of those ‘open secrets; in Washington that everyone knew about but no one mentioned in polite company. The post MEDIA MALPRACTICE: Liberal Outlet Politico Reportedly Had the Swalwell Story in 2019 But Dropped it When He Ended His Presidential Run appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Man speaking at a campaign event with "Swalwell for Governor" banners in the background, emphasizing political engagement and candidacy.

Man speaking at a campaign event with "Swalwell for Governor" banners in the background, emphasizing political engagement and candidacy.

One thing that everyone seems to agree on is that the Swalwell scandal was one of those ‘open secrets; in Washington that everyone knew about but no one mentioned in polite company.

The post MEDIA MALPRACTICE: Liberal Outlet Politico Reportedly Had the Swalwell Story in 2019 But Dropped it When He Ended His Presidential Run appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Prayer to Love God above all Things: Prayer of the Day for Friday, April 17, 2026 – #Prayer – God, my Father, may I love You in all things and above all things. May I reach the joy which You have prepared for me in Heaven. Nothing is good that is against Your Will, and all that is good comes from Your Hand. Place in my heart a desire to please You and fill my mind with thoughts of Your Love, so that I may grow in Your Wisdom and enjoy Your Peace.

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God, my Father,
may I love You in all things and above all things.
May I reach the joy which You have prepared for me in Heaven.
Nothing is good that is against Your Will,
and all that is good comes from Your Hand.
Place in my heart a desire to please You
and fill my mind with thoughts of Your Love,
so that I may grow in Your Wisdom and enjoy Your Peace.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 17 April 2026 – A reading from the Book of the Act of the Apostles Acts 5:34-42 A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time, and said to the Sanhedrin, "Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed, and all those who were loyal to him were disbanded and came to nothing. After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census. He also drew people after him, but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered. So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." They were persuaded by him. After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.From the Gospel according to John 6:1-15 Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline." Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted." So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.Let us now try to put ourselves in the place of that boy. The disciples ask him to share everything he has to eat. It seems to be an unreasonable proposal, or rather, unjust. Why deprive a person, indeed a child, of what he has brought from home and has the right to keep for himself? Why take away from one person what is not enough to feed everyone anyway? In human terms, it is illogical. But not for God. On the contrary, thanks to that small freely-given and therefore heroic gift, Jesus is able to feed everyone. This is a great lesson for us. It tells us that the Lord can do a lot with the little that we put at His disposal. It would be good to ask ourselves every day: “What do I bring to Jesus today?”. He can do a lot with one of our prayers, with a gesture of charity for others, even with one of our sufferings handed over to His mercy. Our small things to Jesus, and He works miracles. This is how God loves to act: He does great things, starting from those small things, those freely-given ones. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 25 July 2021)

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A reading from the Book of the Act of the Apostles
Acts 5:34-42

A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel,
a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,
stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,
and said to the Sanhedrin, "Fellow children of Israel,
be careful what you are about to do to these men.
Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important,
and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed,
and all those who were loyal to him
were disbanded and came to nothing.
After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.
He also drew people after him,
but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.
So now I tell you,
have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.
For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin,
it will destroy itself.
But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;
you may even find yourselves fighting against God."
They were persuaded by him.
After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged,
ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus,
and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,
they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.

From the Gospel according to John
6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?"
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him,
"Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough
for each of them to have a little."
One of his disciples,
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?"
Jesus said, "Have the people recline."
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
"Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted."
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
"This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world."
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

Let us now try to put ourselves in the place of that boy. The disciples ask him to share everything he has to eat. It seems to be an unreasonable proposal, or rather, unjust. Why deprive a person, indeed a child, of what he has brought from home and has the right to keep for himself? Why take away from one person what is not enough to feed everyone anyway? In human terms, it is illogical. But not for God. On the contrary, thanks to that small freely-given and therefore heroic gift, Jesus is able to feed everyone. This is a great lesson for us. It tells us that the Lord can do a lot with the little that we put at His disposal. It would be good to ask ourselves every day: “What do I bring to Jesus today?”. He can do a lot with one of our prayers, with a gesture of charity for others, even with one of our sufferings handed over to His mercy. Our small things to Jesus, and He works miracles. This is how God loves to act: He does great things, starting from those small things, those freely-given ones. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 25 July 2021)

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Bishop reminds Venezuelan people: ‘Christ’s resurrection is a source of solace and strength’ – #Catholic – To Venezuelans gripped by anxiety and fear after years of political violence, economic collapse, famine, and family separation, the newly-appointed bishop of Caracas said the hardships they have endured for too long can be faced with the certainty that the Lord has triumphed over sin and death.José Dionisio Gómez, who was recently appointed by Pope Leo XIV as auxiliary bishop of Caracas, reminded the Venezuelan people that Christʼs resurrection is “a source of solace and strength.”“In Venezuela, we have the hope of rising again at every moment in the face of every suffering and obstacle that confronts us,” Gómez said in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.“To rise with Christ is to strive to be better people and better witnesses to his resurrection,” Gómez said. “Throughout history, it has been demonstrated that human beings possess the capacity through the grace of God and with the solidarity of their brothers and sisters to overcome situations of suffering caused by wars, pandemics, holocausts, abuses of power, and harassment.”The capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the United States military in the early hours of Jan. 3 ushered in “a new political era," presenting a scenario that was previously unimaginable.The prelate cited the episcopate’s latest pastoral exhortation, published in mid-February, in which the bishops stated that “Jesus Christ consoles us and encourages us to move forward with hope.” Gómez noted that Venezuelans are not alone amid their daily lives: “We are all aware of [the need to] and are eager to move our country forward, a country we love so much.”On March 18, Gómez and José Manuel León were named the two new auxiliary bishops-elect of Caracas. They join Auxiliary Bishop Carlos Márquez in assisting Archbishop Raúl Biord in the governance of the Church in the Venezuelan capital.Venezuelans ‘bear signs of Christ’s passion’Reflecting on Venezuelaʼs political situation, Gómez, who also serves as rector of St. Rose of Lima archdiocesan seminary in Caracas, said that, regrettably, “all Venezuelans bear signs of Christ’s passion, whether through imprisonment, exile, or migration under duress; through acute poverty as wages aren’t enough to have a decent life; or because we witness others suffering even more and we are powerless to help them.”“Indeed, Jesus came to have compassion on us. That is why he drew near to and remained alongside the abandoned and suffering members of society, inviting them to bear that suffering with love and patience,” he noted.Gómez also referred to Pope Leo’s Lenten message, which echoed the words God addressed to Moses: “I have seen the oppression of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their cries of pain” (Ex 3:7).Law on amnesty and national reconciliationIn mid-February, the National Assembly, which is controlled by the ruling socialist party, approved the Law on Amnesty and National Reconciliation, which led to the release of hundreds of political prisoners.However, various independent organizations have said the new law has not benefited all detainees and have charged that its application serves the interests of the regime. According to the Foro Penal, 485 people remain unjustly detained in Venezuela.“There is not the slightest doubt that we all wish to live in justice and truth. The amnesty law is also the law of God’s mercy, who desires that all men be saved. For this reason, he offers his forgiveness to all,” Gómez explained.“A wounded country and a wounded human being are healed through forgiveness and reconciliation by setting aside interests of any kind and always seeking paths toward the common good and brotherhood, where we are all one despite our differing ways of thinking, accepting one another. Therefore, it is important to set aside what divides us and embrace what unites us,” he said.‘Let us make our lives a journey of peace and reconciliation’Gómez noted that “the new era” for Venezuela coincides with the Franciscan Jubilee Year, which serves as “a good opportunity to embark on a path of education for peace, one that entails nonviolence and reconciliation.”“It’s not about forgetting but rather about remembering, repairing the damage, and building bonds of fraternity. A society achieves reconciliation and rebuilds itself not with heroes but with free, responsible people capable of living together with dignity and building a future worthy of hope,” the auxiliary bishop-elect emphasized.Finally, he prayed that Catholics might make their “great contribution” to Venezuela, following the example of St. José Gregorio Hernández, who offered his life for the end of World War I.“Let us make our lives a journey of peace and reconciliation so that all Venezuelans may return to the source of our essence: a people of solidarity — friendly, humorous, and joyful — with a simple faith and fervent religious expressions, and ready to help anyone in need,” he urged.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Bishop reminds Venezuelan people: ‘Christ’s resurrection is a source of solace and strength’ – #Catholic – To Venezuelans gripped by anxiety and fear after years of political violence, economic collapse, famine, and family separation, the newly-appointed bishop of Caracas said the hardships they have endured for too long can be faced with the certainty that the Lord has triumphed over sin and death.José Dionisio Gómez, who was recently appointed by Pope Leo XIV as auxiliary bishop of Caracas, reminded the Venezuelan people that Christʼs resurrection is “a source of solace and strength.”“In Venezuela, we have the hope of rising again at every moment in the face of every suffering and obstacle that confronts us,” Gómez said in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.“To rise with Christ is to strive to be better people and better witnesses to his resurrection,” Gómez said. “Throughout history, it has been demonstrated that human beings possess the capacity through the grace of God and with the solidarity of their brothers and sisters to overcome situations of suffering caused by wars, pandemics, holocausts, abuses of power, and harassment.”The capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the United States military in the early hours of Jan. 3 ushered in “a new political era," presenting a scenario that was previously unimaginable.The prelate cited the episcopate’s latest pastoral exhortation, published in mid-February, in which the bishops stated that “Jesus Christ consoles us and encourages us to move forward with hope.” Gómez noted that Venezuelans are not alone amid their daily lives: “We are all aware of [the need to] and are eager to move our country forward, a country we love so much.”On March 18, Gómez and José Manuel León were named the two new auxiliary bishops-elect of Caracas. They join Auxiliary Bishop Carlos Márquez in assisting Archbishop Raúl Biord in the governance of the Church in the Venezuelan capital.Venezuelans ‘bear signs of Christ’s passion’Reflecting on Venezuelaʼs political situation, Gómez, who also serves as rector of St. Rose of Lima archdiocesan seminary in Caracas, said that, regrettably, “all Venezuelans bear signs of Christ’s passion, whether through imprisonment, exile, or migration under duress; through acute poverty as wages aren’t enough to have a decent life; or because we witness others suffering even more and we are powerless to help them.”“Indeed, Jesus came to have compassion on us. That is why he drew near to and remained alongside the abandoned and suffering members of society, inviting them to bear that suffering with love and patience,” he noted.Gómez also referred to Pope Leo’s Lenten message, which echoed the words God addressed to Moses: “I have seen the oppression of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their cries of pain” (Ex 3:7).Law on amnesty and national reconciliationIn mid-February, the National Assembly, which is controlled by the ruling socialist party, approved the Law on Amnesty and National Reconciliation, which led to the release of hundreds of political prisoners.However, various independent organizations have said the new law has not benefited all detainees and have charged that its application serves the interests of the regime. According to the Foro Penal, 485 people remain unjustly detained in Venezuela.“There is not the slightest doubt that we all wish to live in justice and truth. The amnesty law is also the law of God’s mercy, who desires that all men be saved. For this reason, he offers his forgiveness to all,” Gómez explained.“A wounded country and a wounded human being are healed through forgiveness and reconciliation by setting aside interests of any kind and always seeking paths toward the common good and brotherhood, where we are all one despite our differing ways of thinking, accepting one another. Therefore, it is important to set aside what divides us and embrace what unites us,” he said.‘Let us make our lives a journey of peace and reconciliation’Gómez noted that “the new era” for Venezuela coincides with the Franciscan Jubilee Year, which serves as “a good opportunity to embark on a path of education for peace, one that entails nonviolence and reconciliation.”“It’s not about forgetting but rather about remembering, repairing the damage, and building bonds of fraternity. A society achieves reconciliation and rebuilds itself not with heroes but with free, responsible people capable of living together with dignity and building a future worthy of hope,” the auxiliary bishop-elect emphasized.Finally, he prayed that Catholics might make their “great contribution” to Venezuela, following the example of St. José Gregorio Hernández, who offered his life for the end of World War I.“Let us make our lives a journey of peace and reconciliation so that all Venezuelans may return to the source of our essence: a people of solidarity — friendly, humorous, and joyful — with a simple faith and fervent religious expressions, and ready to help anyone in need,” he urged.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Caracas Auxiliary Bishop-elect José Gómez reminded Venezuelans that they “possess the capacity, through the grace of God and with the solidarity of their brothers and sisters, to overcome” suffering.

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Young U.S. men overtake women in saying religion is ‘very important’ – #Catholic – Young men in the United States surpass young women in regard to the importance of religion in their lives.Findings from 2024-2025 Gallup data revealed that 42% of young men ages 18 to 29 said religion is “very important” to them, up 14 percentage points since 2022-2023. This jump pushes them above the 29% of young women who reported the same.Gallupʼs data comes from 4,015 interviews with U.S. adults, including 295 men under 30 and 145 women under 30. The survey had a margin of error of between plus or minus 7 and 10 percentage points. It also used information from separate reports of 26,601 U.S. adults, including 1,905 men under 30 and 832 women under 30, and a report of 27,616 U.S. adults, including 1,839 men 18 to 29 and 796 women 18 to 29. The margin of error was between plus or minus 3 and 4 percentage points.Gallup found that young women are significantly the least likely age group of women to report religion is “very important” to them, compared with 47% of women ages 30 to 49, 53% of women ages 50-64, and 64% of women 65 or older.While young women’s stance on religion has held steady at about 30% since 2020-2021, young menʼs has been less stable. In 2020-2021, 34% of young men said religion was “very important” in their lives; this declined to 28% in 2022-2023 and has increased again.Further findings from Gallup’s religious data also found that from 2000-2001 through 2024-2025, young men have returned to the high point of how many find religion important. The percentage of young men who reported monthly or more frequent attendance at religious services has risen. In 2022-2023, 33% of young men reported attending, compared with 40% in 2024-2025.According to Gallup’s monthly measurement of religious attendance in 2026 so far, 40% of young men continue to attend religious services weekly or monthly, consistent with 2025.Young women’s attendance has also increased since 2022-2023, rising three points to 39% in 2024-2025. However, this rate remains below the levels recorded in the early 2000s, when the group was at 54%.Impact of political party and religious affiliationThe research looked at how political affiliation affects how often young men and women attend religious services. Republican women and men are far more likely to attend religious services than Democratic women and men, with 58% of Republican women and 52% of  men attending at least monthly, compared with 31% of Democratic women and 26% of men.The report noted that the partisan shifts affect the trends among young men and women differently, because of differences in party identification between them.In 2024-2025, 48% of young men identified as or leaned Republican, compared with 41% who identified as or leaned Democratic. Among young women, 27% identified as or leaned Republican, compared with 60% who identified as or leaned Democratic.The report also examined trends in how many young adults practice specific religions. The data found that as young men have become more religious since 2022-2023, more identify with a specific religion, but they still remain the least likely male age group to do so.In 2024-2025, 63% of young men reported identifying with a specific religion including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, or another religion. This was nearly the same as the 61% who reported the same in 2022-2023. However, it is the highest number reported by young men since 2012-2013, when the group was at 67%.
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Young U.S. men overtake women in saying religion is ‘very important’ – #Catholic – Young men in the United States surpass young women in regard to the importance of religion in their lives.Findings from 2024-2025 Gallup data revealed that 42% of young men ages 18 to 29 said religion is “very important” to them, up 14 percentage points since 2022-2023. This jump pushes them above the 29% of young women who reported the same.Gallupʼs data comes from 4,015 interviews with U.S. adults, including 295 men under 30 and 145 women under 30. The survey had a margin of error of between plus or minus 7 and 10 percentage points. It also used information from separate reports of 26,601 U.S. adults, including 1,905 men under 30 and 832 women under 30, and a report of 27,616 U.S. adults, including 1,839 men 18 to 29 and 796 women 18 to 29. The margin of error was between plus or minus 3 and 4 percentage points.Gallup found that young women are significantly the least likely age group of women to report religion is “very important” to them, compared with 47% of women ages 30 to 49, 53% of women ages 50-64, and 64% of women 65 or older.While young women’s stance on religion has held steady at about 30% since 2020-2021, young menʼs has been less stable. In 2020-2021, 34% of young men said religion was “very important” in their lives; this declined to 28% in 2022-2023 and has increased again.Further findings from Gallup’s religious data also found that from 2000-2001 through 2024-2025, young men have returned to the high point of how many find religion important. The percentage of young men who reported monthly or more frequent attendance at religious services has risen. In 2022-2023, 33% of young men reported attending, compared with 40% in 2024-2025.According to Gallup’s monthly measurement of religious attendance in 2026 so far, 40% of young men continue to attend religious services weekly or monthly, consistent with 2025.Young women’s attendance has also increased since 2022-2023, rising three points to 39% in 2024-2025. However, this rate remains below the levels recorded in the early 2000s, when the group was at 54%.Impact of political party and religious affiliationThe research looked at how political affiliation affects how often young men and women attend religious services. Republican women and men are far more likely to attend religious services than Democratic women and men, with 58% of Republican women and 52% of  men attending at least monthly, compared with 31% of Democratic women and 26% of men.The report noted that the partisan shifts affect the trends among young men and women differently, because of differences in party identification between them.In 2024-2025, 48% of young men identified as or leaned Republican, compared with 41% who identified as or leaned Democratic. Among young women, 27% identified as or leaned Republican, compared with 60% who identified as or leaned Democratic.The report also examined trends in how many young adults practice specific religions. The data found that as young men have become more religious since 2022-2023, more identify with a specific religion, but they still remain the least likely male age group to do so.In 2024-2025, 63% of young men reported identifying with a specific religion including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, or another religion. This was nearly the same as the 61% who reported the same in 2022-2023. However, it is the highest number reported by young men since 2012-2013, when the group was at 67%.

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Numbers of U.S. young men and women who frequently attend religious services have increased, Gallup data shows.

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Donald Trump on tensions with Pope Leo XIV: ‘I have nothing against the pope’ – #Catholic – U.S. President Donald Trump on April 16 downplayed his recent public criticism of Pope Leo XIV, stating that he has “nothing against the pope” while continuing to falsely suggest that Leo wants Iran to develop nuclear weapons.While speaking to the press on April 16, Trump was asked why he was “fighting with the pope.” Trump responded that he himself “[has] to do whatʼs right.”“Itʼs very simple, I have nothing against the pope,” Trump said. “… Iʼm not fighting with him. The pope made a statement, he says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.” The president had slammed Leo as “weak on crime” and “weak on nuclear weapons” in an April 12 social media post while suggesting that the pope “thinks itʼs OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” Leo has several times in recent weeks called for peace while criticizing the ongoing U.S.-led war against Iran, but it is unclear why Trump has repeatedly claimed that Leo has advocated for nuclear weapons in Iran. The pope has spoken out explicitly against the expansion of global nuclear armaments in the recent past.‘I want him to preach the Gospel’Asked at the April 16 press gaggle about the popeʼs obligation to preach the Gospel, the president responded: “I want him to preach the Gospel.” “Iʼm all about the Gospel,” Trump told reporters. “But I also know that you cannot let [Iran] have a nuclear weapon. If they did, they would use it, and I think theyʼd use it quickly, and they would kill many millions of people.”“As president of the United States of America, I canʼt allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” he said. “And hereʼs the story: They wonʼt have [it]. Theyʼve already agreed not to have [it]. Thatʼs good news. And I think the pope will be very happy.”Asked by a reporter if he would meet with the pope “to even out your differences,” Trump said: “I donʼt think thatʼs necessary.” During a press conference at the White House on Monday, Trump claimed that Iranian officials had contacted him seeking a peace deal. “Theyʼd like to make a deal very badly,” the president said.Earlier peace talks in Islamabad, led by Vice President JD Vance, collapsed last weekend after Iran refused to meet U.S. demands to end its nuclear program. Trumpʼs support among Catholics dipped notably after the launch of the Iran war, with bipartisan polling finding that 48% of Catholic voters approve of the job Trump is doing as president and 52% disapprove. The president won 55% of the Catholic vote in the 2024 election. The poll found that most Catholics disapprove of Trump’s actions in Iran and the use of military force against the country but still favor some American influence in the region.
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Donald Trump on tensions with Pope Leo XIV: ‘I have nothing against the pope’ – #Catholic – U.S. President Donald Trump on April 16 downplayed his recent public criticism of Pope Leo XIV, stating that he has “nothing against the pope” while continuing to falsely suggest that Leo wants Iran to develop nuclear weapons.While speaking to the press on April 16, Trump was asked why he was “fighting with the pope.” Trump responded that he himself “[has] to do whatʼs right.”“Itʼs very simple, I have nothing against the pope,” Trump said. “… Iʼm not fighting with him. The pope made a statement, he says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.” The president had slammed Leo as “weak on crime” and “weak on nuclear weapons” in an April 12 social media post while suggesting that the pope “thinks itʼs OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” Leo has several times in recent weeks called for peace while criticizing the ongoing U.S.-led war against Iran, but it is unclear why Trump has repeatedly claimed that Leo has advocated for nuclear weapons in Iran. The pope has spoken out explicitly against the expansion of global nuclear armaments in the recent past.‘I want him to preach the Gospel’Asked at the April 16 press gaggle about the popeʼs obligation to preach the Gospel, the president responded: “I want him to preach the Gospel.” “Iʼm all about the Gospel,” Trump told reporters. “But I also know that you cannot let [Iran] have a nuclear weapon. If they did, they would use it, and I think theyʼd use it quickly, and they would kill many millions of people.”“As president of the United States of America, I canʼt allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” he said. “And hereʼs the story: They wonʼt have [it]. Theyʼve already agreed not to have [it]. Thatʼs good news. And I think the pope will be very happy.”Asked by a reporter if he would meet with the pope “to even out your differences,” Trump said: “I donʼt think thatʼs necessary.” During a press conference at the White House on Monday, Trump claimed that Iranian officials had contacted him seeking a peace deal. “Theyʼd like to make a deal very badly,” the president said.Earlier peace talks in Islamabad, led by Vice President JD Vance, collapsed last weekend after Iran refused to meet U.S. demands to end its nuclear program. Trumpʼs support among Catholics dipped notably after the launch of the Iran war, with bipartisan polling finding that 48% of Catholic voters approve of the job Trump is doing as president and 52% disapprove. The president won 55% of the Catholic vote in the 2024 election. The poll found that most Catholics disapprove of Trump’s actions in Iran and the use of military force against the country but still favor some American influence in the region.

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The president downplayed his public criticism of Leo while falsely claiming that the Holy Father said Iran “can have a nuclear weapon.”

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Punk legend Patti Smith, Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao to represent Vatican at Venice Biennale #Catholic For the fourth consecutive year, the Holy See will have its own pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in Italy.The Dicastery for Culture and Education announced the participation of several influential figures in contemporary art and culture — including American singer Patti Smith and Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao — in the Holy See Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, which will be held May 9 through Nov. 22.This edition of the Italian cultural event, titled “In Minor Keys,” is a sensory and meditative experience that seeks to reconnect participants with the emotional and affective roles of art in society.In a press release, the Dicastery for Culture and Education announced the 24 artists who will form part of the Holy See’s selection this year, reflecting the eventʼs concept for 2026, which invites visitors to slow down the pace of life and open up spaces for reflection and silence.This edition is marked by the unexpected death in May 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, of its curator, Koyo Kouoh, a Cameroonian-Swiss artist globally recognized as one of the most powerful voices in the promotion of contemporary African art.Patti Smith is popularly known as the “Godmother of Punk.” Her 1975 debut album “Horses” marked a turning point in New York punk by fusing rock and poetry.The prestigious Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao, internationally renowned for her humanist and social approach to architecture, will also participate in the project. She designed the pavilion for the 2025 Venice Biennale, a project titled “Opera Aperta” (“Open Work”), which received a special mention from the jury.Inspired by a medieval saintInspired by the life and spiritual legacy of St. Hildegard of Bingen, the Holy See’s pavilion as explained by the Vatican is conceived as a space for contemplation and deep listening. Titled “L’orecchio è l’occhio dell’anima” (“The Ear Is the Eye of the Soul”), the pavilion will be hosted across two historic venues in the city: Cannaregio and Castello. St. Hildegard of Bingen. | Credit: Haffitt (CC BY-SA 4.0) It has been curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers in collaboration with the Soundwalk Collective and draws upon the life and spiritual legacy of St. Hildegard, a 12th-century Benedictine nun, mystic, composer, and thinker who was proclaimed a saint and doctor of the Church in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.The works commissioned from the participating artists are conceived as a “sonic prayer”: an art form that unites music, spoken word, film, and silence, and invites the visitor to an experience of contemplative listening.As explained by the Vatican, the proposal reflects a curatorial vision that conceives of sound as a path to inner knowledge and spiritual experience, reviving a central insight of the thought of Hildegard of Bingen.The project is curated by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Punk legend Patti Smith, Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao to represent Vatican at Venice Biennale #Catholic For the fourth consecutive year, the Holy See will have its own pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in Italy.The Dicastery for Culture and Education announced the participation of several influential figures in contemporary art and culture — including American singer Patti Smith and Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao — in the Holy See Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, which will be held May 9 through Nov. 22.This edition of the Italian cultural event, titled “In Minor Keys,” is a sensory and meditative experience that seeks to reconnect participants with the emotional and affective roles of art in society.In a press release, the Dicastery for Culture and Education announced the 24 artists who will form part of the Holy See’s selection this year, reflecting the eventʼs concept for 2026, which invites visitors to slow down the pace of life and open up spaces for reflection and silence.This edition is marked by the unexpected death in May 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, of its curator, Koyo Kouoh, a Cameroonian-Swiss artist globally recognized as one of the most powerful voices in the promotion of contemporary African art.Patti Smith is popularly known as the “Godmother of Punk.” Her 1975 debut album “Horses” marked a turning point in New York punk by fusing rock and poetry.The prestigious Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao, internationally renowned for her humanist and social approach to architecture, will also participate in the project. She designed the pavilion for the 2025 Venice Biennale, a project titled “Opera Aperta” (“Open Work”), which received a special mention from the jury.Inspired by a medieval saintInspired by the life and spiritual legacy of St. Hildegard of Bingen, the Holy See’s pavilion as explained by the Vatican is conceived as a space for contemplation and deep listening. Titled “L’orecchio è l’occhio dell’anima” (“The Ear Is the Eye of the Soul”), the pavilion will be hosted across two historic venues in the city: Cannaregio and Castello. St. Hildegard of Bingen. | Credit: Haffitt (CC BY-SA 4.0) It has been curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers in collaboration with the Soundwalk Collective and draws upon the life and spiritual legacy of St. Hildegard, a 12th-century Benedictine nun, mystic, composer, and thinker who was proclaimed a saint and doctor of the Church in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.The works commissioned from the participating artists are conceived as a “sonic prayer”: an art form that unites music, spoken word, film, and silence, and invites the visitor to an experience of contemplative listening.As explained by the Vatican, the proposal reflects a curatorial vision that conceives of sound as a path to inner knowledge and spiritual experience, reviving a central insight of the thought of Hildegard of Bingen.The project is curated by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The exhibition by the Dicastery for Culture and Education features the work of contemporary artists in various fields, inspired by the life and spiritual legacy of St. Hildegard of Bingen.

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Beyond The Beacon podcast 109 – John Fanta: Sports broadcaster, storyteller and man of faith #Catholic – For the latest episode of Beyond The Beacon, we talk sports and faith with John Fanta, a prominent national broadcaster at NBC Sports, who attends Mass with his wife and young son at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon, N.J. He joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. Fanta went to Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he became deeply involved with the Pirate Sports Network, WSOU radio, and student journalism, and laid the foundation for his national broadcasting career. But his first break came when his first-grade teacher recognized Fanta’s talent for singing and encouraged him to be a cantor and lector at St. Bernadette Church in Westlake, Ohio, where he grew up. Bishop Sweeney also discusses the establishment of a new parish, Padre Pio, in Paterson, N.J., on April 12 (Divine Mercy Sunday). Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
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Beyond The Beacon podcast 109 – John Fanta: Sports broadcaster, storyteller and man of faith #Catholic – For the latest episode of Beyond The Beacon, we talk sports and faith with John Fanta, a prominent national broadcaster at NBC Sports, who attends Mass with his wife and young son at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon, N.J. He joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. Fanta went to Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he became deeply involved with the Pirate Sports Network, WSOU radio, and student journalism, and laid the foundation for his national broadcasting career. But his first break came when his first-grade teacher recognized Fanta’s talent for singing and encouraged him to be a cantor and lector at St. Bernadette Church in Westlake, Ohio, where he grew up. Bishop Sweeney also discusses the establishment of a new parish, Padre Pio, in Paterson, N.J., on April 12 (Divine Mercy Sunday). Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

unitedyam

Beyond The Beacon podcast 109 – John Fanta: Sports broadcaster, storyteller and man of faith #Catholic –

For the latest episode of Beyond The Beacon, we talk sports and faith with John Fanta, a prominent national broadcaster at NBC Sports, who attends Mass with his wife and young son at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon, N.J. He joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.

Fanta went to Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he became deeply involved with the Pirate Sports Network, WSOU radio, and student journalism, and laid the foundation for his national broadcasting career.

But his first break came when his first-grade teacher recognized Fanta’s talent for singing and encouraged him to be a cantor and lector at St. Bernadette Church in Westlake, Ohio, where he grew up.

Bishop Sweeney also discusses the establishment of a new parish, Padre Pio, in Paterson, N.J., on April 12 (Divine Mercy Sunday).

Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

– For the latest episode of Beyond The Beacon, we talk sports and faith with John Fanta, a prominent national broadcaster at NBC Sports, who attends Mass with his wife and young son at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon, N.J. He joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. Fanta went to Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he became deeply involved with the Pirate Sports Network, WSOU radio, and student journalism, and laid the foundation for his national broadcasting career. But his first break came when his

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Police reveal bomb threat at Chicago-area home of Pope Leo XIV’s brother #Catholic The brother of Pope Leo XIV was reportedly the victim of a hoax bomb threat in a suburb outside of Chicago, according to police and media reports. The New Lenox, Illinois, Police Department said in a Facebook post on April 15 that it had responded to a “reported bomb threat at a private residence” in the Chicago suburb about 40 miles outside of the city center. The statement did not identify the home as belonging to Leoʼs brother John Prevost, but local media reports said the target of the threat was Prevostʼs home. Public records indicate that Prevost lives on the street to which police responded. Police evacuated nearby homes during their investigation and called in explosive-detection K9 units. “After careful examination, investigators determined that the threat was unsubstantiated and that no explosive devices or hazardous materials were present,” New Lenox police said. The police noted that no injuries were reported but that the false bomb threat was “a serious offense and may result in criminal charges.”New Lenox Police Chief Micah Nuesse told EWTN News via email on April 16 that the matter was an “active and ongoing investigation” and that the police department had “no new updates to share” about the crime or any suspects. The hoax threat came just several days after President Donald Trump praised Pope Leo XIVʼs other brother, Louis, in a rambling Truth Social post in which he derided Pope Leo XIV as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” after Leo repeatedly criticized the ongoing U.S.-led war in Iran. “I like [Leoʼs] brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!” Trump said. Louis Prevost currently lives in Florida. On April 11 at a Vatican peace vigil, the pope criticized the “madness of war” and urged world leaders: “Stop! Itʼs time for peace!” On March 29, meanwhile, he said that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.”In Trumpʼs Truth Social post, he suggested that Leo — the first American-born pontiff — was only elected to the papacy as part of a diplomatic strategy to “deal with” Trump himself, due to Leoʼs U.S. background. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump claimed in the post. Responding to a question about Trumpʼs post on April 13, Leo told media that “people who read it will be able to draw their own conclusions.” "I am not a politician, and I have no intention of entering into a debate with him,” the pope said, adding that he had "no fear neither of the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel."
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Police reveal bomb threat at Chicago-area home of Pope Leo XIV’s brother #Catholic The brother of Pope Leo XIV was reportedly the victim of a hoax bomb threat in a suburb outside of Chicago, according to police and media reports. The New Lenox, Illinois, Police Department said in a Facebook post on April 15 that it had responded to a “reported bomb threat at a private residence” in the Chicago suburb about 40 miles outside of the city center. The statement did not identify the home as belonging to Leoʼs brother John Prevost, but local media reports said the target of the threat was Prevostʼs home. Public records indicate that Prevost lives on the street to which police responded. Police evacuated nearby homes during their investigation and called in explosive-detection K9 units. “After careful examination, investigators determined that the threat was unsubstantiated and that no explosive devices or hazardous materials were present,” New Lenox police said. The police noted that no injuries were reported but that the false bomb threat was “a serious offense and may result in criminal charges.”New Lenox Police Chief Micah Nuesse told EWTN News via email on April 16 that the matter was an “active and ongoing investigation” and that the police department had “no new updates to share” about the crime or any suspects. The hoax threat came just several days after President Donald Trump praised Pope Leo XIVʼs other brother, Louis, in a rambling Truth Social post in which he derided Pope Leo XIV as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” after Leo repeatedly criticized the ongoing U.S.-led war in Iran. “I like [Leoʼs] brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!” Trump said. Louis Prevost currently lives in Florida. On April 11 at a Vatican peace vigil, the pope criticized the “madness of war” and urged world leaders: “Stop! Itʼs time for peace!” On March 29, meanwhile, he said that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.”In Trumpʼs Truth Social post, he suggested that Leo — the first American-born pontiff — was only elected to the papacy as part of a diplomatic strategy to “deal with” Trump himself, due to Leoʼs U.S. background. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump claimed in the post. Responding to a question about Trumpʼs post on April 13, Leo told media that “people who read it will be able to draw their own conclusions.” "I am not a politician, and I have no intention of entering into a debate with him,” the pope said, adding that he had "no fear neither of the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel."

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The bomb threat was determined to be “unsubstantiated,” according to law enforcement.

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‘We can always begin anew’: Pope Leo leads peace meeting in heart of Cameroon’s conflict zone #Catholic – BAMENDA, Cameroon (OSV News) — A religious sister in Cameroon who was kidnapped just a few months ago by separatists and held hostage for three days in the bush was among those who shared her testimony with Pope Leo XIV April 16 in an emotional peace meeting in Cameroon’s northwest city of Bamenda, a region marred by years of separatist violence. “We were held hostage for three days and three nights. During those days and nights, we neither slept nor ate,” Sister Carine Tangiri Mangu told the pope. “What kept our hope alive was the rosary which we prayed continuously for those days,” she added. “Most Holy Father, this is the situation under which many consecrated women do their work and live their lives within this war zone. Some have undergone more dramatic and more traumatizing experiences, but we continue to rely on the help of God and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” she said. Pope Leo led a historic peace meeting on April 16 in Cameroon’s northwest city of Bamenda, a region marred by years of separatist violence. The long-running separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions has killed thousands since 2017. The violence pits Anglophone separatists against the Francophone-dominated government, leaving entire communities displaced and children out of school in what humanitarian groups describe as one of the world’s most neglected conflicts. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In his speech in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Pope Leo loudly and passionately said, “I am here to proclaim peace,” to an enthusiastic reaction in the crowd. The pope also had strong words of denunciation for those who perpetuate war. “The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild,” the pope said. “They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.” Pope Leo strongly denounced those who “rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilization and death.” “The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters,” he underlined. During the peace meeting, the pope heard testimonies from local traditional and religious leaders and a family displaced by the violence. A local chief imam told the pope about how in November armed men invaded a mosque in Sabga, near Bamenda, during the time of prayer and killed three people, injuring nine others. Mohammed Abubakar of the Buea Central Mosque continued that on Jan. 14, 2025, “Armed men targeted cattle rearers from the Mbororo ethnic community and killed at least 15 people, including 8 children.” The chief imam added that “The Islamic community has suffered in many English speaking towns and villages, and there were Muslim victims in what has come to be known as the Ngabur Massacre, in which 23 civilians were killed in 2020. “Holy Father, welcome, and please help us to have peace again,” the imam added. Denis Salo met the pope, along with his wife and three children, telling Pope Leo how “five of my neighbors were killed and one of my close friends was also killed. While we were being targeted by the separatist fighters, government soldiers were also burning down houses.” “In 2017, I escaped with my family out of Mbiame, abandoning all that I ever owned, including house, farms, and animals, and arrived in Bamenda. My kids had to abandon school. After seeing no better in Bamenda, I proceeded to Douala to look for livelihood and not finding anything better, I returned to Bamenda,” he said. “I now live in a little rented house with my entire family, and working as a gateman in the hospital of Maria Soledad, and at the same time working as gardener in the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Ngomgham,” Salo said. The pope affirmed to the afflicted community that “God has never abandoned us! In him, in his peace, we can always begin anew!” In an emotional address welcoming the Holy Father in the cathedral, Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda told the pope: “Today your feet are standing on the soil of Bamenda that has drunk the blood of many of our children.” “The archbishop mentioned the prophecy that exclaims: ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace!’ (Is 52:7). He welcomed me with these words, and now I would like to respond: how beautiful are your feet as well, dusty from this bloodstained yet fertile land that has been mistreated, yet is rich in vegetation and fruit,” the pope said. The Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, moderator emeritus of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, described to the pope how religious leaders of different denominations have “bonded together and founded a Peace Movement through which we have tried to broker peace and dialogue with the government of Cameroon and the Separatist Fighters.” He said that under the leadership of Archbishop Nkea, they “have visited and spoken with many of the leaders of the separatist movements at home and abroad, and we have tried to engage the local separatist fighters on the ground in dialogue, convincing them that peace is better than war, and that war can never really solve any conflict,” he said. “Practically all of us gathered here are traumatized and need both psychological and spiritual healing,” the reverend said. “This Anglophone crisis is one of the forgotten crises on the planet earth, but it was brought to the notice of the Vatican, and the Vatican was even willing to facilitate dialogue between the warring factions,” Rev. Forba said. Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi of Buea told OSV News that the Anglophone crisis made it impossible for people to live normally in the conflicted region. On top of loss of life and education opportunities for children, he said people “experienced abject poverty” as farmers were unable to sell products due to violence. “There are people whose houses have been destroyed and they have been rendered homeless,” instantly becoming internally displaced, the bishop listed. Even though pastoral work has been challenging, the bishop said, “we continue to hope in God, as we continue to pray and the situation will be better.” Pope Leo expressed support for how “religious leaders have come together to establish a Movement for Peace, through which they seek to mediate between the opposing sides.” He had however a strong condemnation for those who wage war in the name of God. “But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth,” Pope Leo said. “Yes, dear brothers and sisters, you who hunger and thirst for justice, who are poor, merciful, meek, and pure of heart, who have wept — you are the light of the world! (cf. Mt 5:3-14),” he said. After the ceremony, Pope Leo XIV released doves outside of the cathedral, symbolizing peace. A crowd gathered outside of the cathedral, people sang and cheered enthusiastically. “Our hearts are full of joy and it sounds unbelievable that the successor of St. Peter is among us in this remote part of Africa,” Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda told the pope. Courtney Mares is Vatican editor for OSV News. Follow her on X @catholicourtney.
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‘We can always begin anew’: Pope Leo leads peace meeting in heart of Cameroon’s conflict zone #Catholic – BAMENDA, Cameroon (OSV News) — A religious sister in Cameroon who was kidnapped just a few months ago by separatists and held hostage for three days in the bush was among those who shared her testimony with Pope Leo XIV April 16 in an emotional peace meeting in Cameroon’s northwest city of Bamenda, a region marred by years of separatist violence. “We were held hostage for three days and three nights. During those days and nights, we neither slept nor ate,” Sister Carine Tangiri Mangu told the pope. “What kept our hope alive was the rosary which we prayed continuously for those days,” she added. “Most Holy Father, this is the situation under which many consecrated women do their work and live their lives within this war zone. Some have undergone more dramatic and more traumatizing experiences, but we continue to rely on the help of God and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” she said. Pope Leo led a historic peace meeting on April 16 in Cameroon’s northwest city of Bamenda, a region marred by years of separatist violence. The long-running separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions has killed thousands since 2017. The violence pits Anglophone separatists against the Francophone-dominated government, leaving entire communities displaced and children out of school in what humanitarian groups describe as one of the world’s most neglected conflicts. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In his speech in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Pope Leo loudly and passionately said, “I am here to proclaim peace,” to an enthusiastic reaction in the crowd. The pope also had strong words of denunciation for those who perpetuate war. “The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild,” the pope said. “They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.” Pope Leo strongly denounced those who “rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilization and death.” “The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters,” he underlined. During the peace meeting, the pope heard testimonies from local traditional and religious leaders and a family displaced by the violence. A local chief imam told the pope about how in November armed men invaded a mosque in Sabga, near Bamenda, during the time of prayer and killed three people, injuring nine others. Mohammed Abubakar of the Buea Central Mosque continued that on Jan. 14, 2025, “Armed men targeted cattle rearers from the Mbororo ethnic community and killed at least 15 people, including 8 children.” The chief imam added that “The Islamic community has suffered in many English speaking towns and villages, and there were Muslim victims in what has come to be known as the Ngabur Massacre, in which 23 civilians were killed in 2020. “Holy Father, welcome, and please help us to have peace again,” the imam added. Denis Salo met the pope, along with his wife and three children, telling Pope Leo how “five of my neighbors were killed and one of my close friends was also killed. While we were being targeted by the separatist fighters, government soldiers were also burning down houses.” “In 2017, I escaped with my family out of Mbiame, abandoning all that I ever owned, including house, farms, and animals, and arrived in Bamenda. My kids had to abandon school. After seeing no better in Bamenda, I proceeded to Douala to look for livelihood and not finding anything better, I returned to Bamenda,” he said. “I now live in a little rented house with my entire family, and working as a gateman in the hospital of Maria Soledad, and at the same time working as gardener in the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Ngomgham,” Salo said. The pope affirmed to the afflicted community that “God has never abandoned us! In him, in his peace, we can always begin anew!” In an emotional address welcoming the Holy Father in the cathedral, Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda told the pope: “Today your feet are standing on the soil of Bamenda that has drunk the blood of many of our children.” “The archbishop mentioned the prophecy that exclaims: ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace!’ (Is 52:7). He welcomed me with these words, and now I would like to respond: how beautiful are your feet as well, dusty from this bloodstained yet fertile land that has been mistreated, yet is rich in vegetation and fruit,” the pope said. The Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, moderator emeritus of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, described to the pope how religious leaders of different denominations have “bonded together and founded a Peace Movement through which we have tried to broker peace and dialogue with the government of Cameroon and the Separatist Fighters.” He said that under the leadership of Archbishop Nkea, they “have visited and spoken with many of the leaders of the separatist movements at home and abroad, and we have tried to engage the local separatist fighters on the ground in dialogue, convincing them that peace is better than war, and that war can never really solve any conflict,” he said. “Practically all of us gathered here are traumatized and need both psychological and spiritual healing,” the reverend said. “This Anglophone crisis is one of the forgotten crises on the planet earth, but it was brought to the notice of the Vatican, and the Vatican was even willing to facilitate dialogue between the warring factions,” Rev. Forba said. Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi of Buea told OSV News that the Anglophone crisis made it impossible for people to live normally in the conflicted region. On top of loss of life and education opportunities for children, he said people “experienced abject poverty” as farmers were unable to sell products due to violence. “There are people whose houses have been destroyed and they have been rendered homeless,” instantly becoming internally displaced, the bishop listed. Even though pastoral work has been challenging, the bishop said, “we continue to hope in God, as we continue to pray and the situation will be better.” Pope Leo expressed support for how “religious leaders have come together to establish a Movement for Peace, through which they seek to mediate between the opposing sides.” He had however a strong condemnation for those who wage war in the name of God. “But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth,” Pope Leo said. “Yes, dear brothers and sisters, you who hunger and thirst for justice, who are poor, merciful, meek, and pure of heart, who have wept — you are the light of the world! (cf. Mt 5:3-14),” he said. After the ceremony, Pope Leo XIV released doves outside of the cathedral, symbolizing peace. A crowd gathered outside of the cathedral, people sang and cheered enthusiastically. “Our hearts are full of joy and it sounds unbelievable that the successor of St. Peter is among us in this remote part of Africa,” Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda told the pope. Courtney Mares is Vatican editor for OSV News. Follow her on X @catholicourtney.

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‘We can always begin anew’: Pope Leo leads peace meeting in heart of Cameroon’s conflict zone #Catholic –

BAMENDA, Cameroon (OSV News) — A religious sister in Cameroon who was kidnapped just a few months ago by separatists and held hostage for three days in the bush was among those who shared her testimony with Pope Leo XIV April 16 in an emotional peace meeting in Cameroon’s northwest city of Bamenda, a region marred by years of separatist violence.

“We were held hostage for three days and three nights. During those days and nights, we neither slept nor ate,” Sister Carine Tangiri Mangu told the pope.

“What kept our hope alive was the rosary which we prayed continuously for those days,” she added.

“Most Holy Father, this is the situation under which many consecrated women do their work and live their lives within this war zone. Some have undergone more dramatic and more traumatizing experiences, but we continue to rely on the help of God and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” she said.

Pope Leo led a historic peace meeting on April 16 in Cameroon’s northwest city of Bamenda, a region marred by years of separatist violence.

The long-running separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions has killed thousands since 2017. The violence pits Anglophone separatists against the Francophone-dominated government, leaving entire communities displaced and children out of school in what humanitarian groups describe as one of the world’s most neglected conflicts.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In his speech in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Pope Leo loudly and passionately said, “I am here to proclaim peace,” to an enthusiastic reaction in the crowd.

The pope also had strong words of denunciation for those who perpetuate war. “The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild,” the pope said. “They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.”

Pope Leo strongly denounced those who “rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilization and death.”

“The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters,” he underlined.

During the peace meeting, the pope heard testimonies from local traditional and religious leaders and a family displaced by the violence.

A local chief imam told the pope about how in November armed men invaded a mosque in Sabga, near Bamenda, during the time of prayer and killed three people, injuring nine others.

Mohammed Abubakar of the Buea Central Mosque continued that on Jan. 14, 2025, “Armed men targeted cattle rearers from the Mbororo ethnic community and killed at least 15 people, including 8 children.” The chief imam added that “The Islamic community has suffered in many English speaking towns and villages, and there were Muslim victims in what has come to be known as the Ngabur Massacre, in which 23 civilians were killed in 2020.

“Holy Father, welcome, and please help us to have peace again,” the imam added.

Denis Salo met the pope, along with his wife and three children, telling Pope Leo how “five of my neighbors were killed and one of my close friends was also killed. While we were being targeted by the separatist fighters, government soldiers were also burning down houses.”

“In 2017, I escaped with my family out of Mbiame, abandoning all that I ever owned, including house, farms, and animals, and arrived in Bamenda. My kids had to abandon school. After seeing no better in Bamenda, I proceeded to Douala to look for livelihood and not finding anything better, I returned to Bamenda,” he said. “I now live in a little rented house with my entire family, and working as a gateman in the hospital of Maria Soledad, and at the same time working as gardener in the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Ngomgham,” Salo said.

The pope affirmed to the afflicted community that “God has never abandoned us! In him, in his peace, we can always begin anew!”

In an emotional address welcoming the Holy Father in the cathedral, Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda told the pope: “Today your feet are standing on the soil of Bamenda that has drunk the blood of many of our children.”

“The archbishop mentioned the prophecy that exclaims: ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace!’ (Is 52:7). He welcomed me with these words, and now I would like to respond: how beautiful are your feet as well, dusty from this bloodstained yet fertile land that has been mistreated, yet is rich in vegetation and fruit,” the pope said.

The Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, moderator emeritus of the Presbyterian Church
in Cameroon, described to the pope how religious leaders of different denominations have “bonded together and founded a Peace Movement through which we have tried to broker peace and dialogue with the government of Cameroon and the Separatist Fighters.”

He said that under the leadership of Archbishop Nkea, they “have visited and spoken with many of the leaders of the separatist movements at home and abroad, and we have tried to engage the local separatist fighters on the ground in dialogue, convincing them that peace is better than war, and that war can never really solve any conflict,” he said.

“Practically all of us gathered here are traumatized and need both psychological and spiritual healing,” the reverend said.

“This Anglophone crisis is one of the forgotten crises on the planet earth, but it was brought to the notice of the Vatican, and the Vatican was even willing to facilitate dialogue between the warring factions,” Rev. Forba said.

Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi of Buea told OSV News that the Anglophone crisis made it impossible for people to live normally in the conflicted region.

On top of loss of life and education opportunities for children, he said people “experienced abject poverty” as farmers were unable to sell products due to violence.

“There are people whose houses have been destroyed and they have been rendered homeless,” instantly becoming internally displaced, the bishop listed.

Even though pastoral work has been challenging, the bishop said, “we continue to hope in God, as we continue to pray and the situation will be better.”

Pope Leo expressed support for how “religious leaders have come together to establish a Movement for Peace, through which they seek to mediate between the opposing sides.”

He had however a strong condemnation for those who wage war in the name of God.

“But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth,” Pope Leo said.

“Yes, dear brothers and sisters, you who hunger and thirst for justice, who are poor, merciful, meek, and pure of heart, who have wept — you are the light of the world! (cf. Mt 5:3-14),” he said.

After the ceremony, Pope Leo XIV released doves outside of the cathedral, symbolizing peace. A crowd gathered outside of the cathedral, people sang and cheered enthusiastically.

“Our hearts are full of joy and it sounds unbelievable that the successor of St. Peter is among us in this remote part of Africa,” Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda told the pope.

Courtney Mares is Vatican editor for OSV News. Follow her on X @catholicourtney.

– BAMENDA, Cameroon (OSV News) — A religious sister in Cameroon who was kidnapped just a few months ago by separatists and held hostage for three days in the bush was among those who shared her testimony with Pope Leo XIV April 16 in an emotional peace meeting in Cameroon’s northwest city of Bamenda, a region marred by years of separatist violence. “We were held hostage for three days and three nights. During those days and nights, we neither slept nor ate,” Sister Carine Tangiri Mangu told the pope. “What kept our hope alive was the rosary which we prayed continuously

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Diocese of Paterson Migrant Pastoral Ministry launches parish leadership training #Catholic - A three-session formation cycle aims to prepare ministers to accompany immigrant communities with faith, service, and justice The Migrant Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson has launched a formation cycle for future Parish Migrant Ministry leaders, as a concrete effort to strengthen support for the region’s immigrant communities. The first gathering took place on Saturday, March 21, bringing together more than 80 parishioners from eight parishes, all united by the desire to be formed and to serve in this ministry. The event was supported by Father Javier Bareño, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J., and featured the participation of Father Duberney Villamizar, episcopal vicar for Hispanic Affairs of the Diocese of Paterson. Diocesan Coordinator Miguel Antonio presented the details of the initiative, which will unfold across three sessions. The second gathering is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Dover, N.J., and the formation cycle will conclude on May 16 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Paterson, N.J. Comprehensive formation: Faith, justice, and accompaniment The first session included presentations addressing both the pastoral dimension and the practical aspects of accompanying migrants. Marilú González, representative of the national Migrant Pastoral Ministry office based in Chicago, Ill., emphasized the close relationship between this ministry and Christian commitment, stressing that this work demands long-term dedication, with the goal of channeling resources, accompanying processes, and promoting fair treatment for those facing the challenges of the current immigration climate. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Immigration attorney Mayra Cano offered legal guidance, clarifying key issues and providing practical advice for situations involving contact with immigration authorities. In the same line,  Leslie Tejada, representing the office of Senator Cory A. Booker, along with Henrique Ferreira, director of Community Outreach, shared information about resources available at the state level. Father Alex Gaitán, director of Migrant Pastoral Ministry for the Archdiocese of Newark, and Damaris Nostrand presented a sobering account of conditions at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, describing the circumstances faced by many individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Building a Network of Support One of the primary goals of these sessions is the formation of parish teams that will serve as the foundation for a strong support network, built on three core pillars: service, accompaniment, and justice. The gathering also featured firsthand accounts from parishes already active in this field. Carmen Patricia Bautista, from the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J., presented a resource kit developed by her community to guide those seeking assistance. Teresa Prendergast, from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson, highlighted collaborative efforts among various organizations, including joint initiatives with Protestant churches in the area. Testimonies of hope and commitment Participant testimonies reflected the profound impact of the gathering. José E. Sánchez, from Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary Parish in Dover, N.J., highlighted the importance of close accompaniment for migrant families and the essential role of parish leaders. Nancy Ruiz, from St. Gerard Majella Parish in Paterson, N.J., described the experience as deeply edifying, emphasizing the need to be formed in order to guide the community and remind people that they are not alone. Evelyn Leiton, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at St. Paul in Prospect Park, N.J., spoke to the reality faced by many families dealing with separation, and expressed her desire to offer close support. Brenda Sánchez, from Our Lady Queen of Peace in Branchville, N.J., expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate and her eagerness to serve the community. Deacon Luis Carlos Méndez, from St. Christopher in Parsippany, underscored the urgent need for accompaniment, affirming that migrants need to feel loved and welcomed by the Church in their new country. This formation cycle responds to a concrete reality: the growing need to accompany migrant brothers and sisters with dignity, faith, and commitment. The Migrant Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson continues to invite the faithful to become involved, recognizing that service to the most vulnerable is a living expression of the Gospel. The upcoming sessions will continue to prepare leaders who can serve as bridges of hope, support, and justice within their parish communities. For more information about the Migrant Pastoral Ministry, please contact Miguel Rodríguez at MRodriguez@patersonDiocese.org [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  
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Diocese of Paterson Migrant Pastoral Ministry launches parish leadership training #Catholic – A three-session formation cycle aims to prepare ministers to accompany immigrant communities with faith, service, and justice The Migrant Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson has launched a formation cycle for future Parish Migrant Ministry leaders, as a concrete effort to strengthen support for the region’s immigrant communities. The first gathering took place on Saturday, March 21, bringing together more than 80 parishioners from eight parishes, all united by the desire to be formed and to serve in this ministry. The event was supported by Father Javier Bareño, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J., and featured the participation of Father Duberney Villamizar, episcopal vicar for Hispanic Affairs of the Diocese of Paterson. Diocesan Coordinator Miguel Antonio presented the details of the initiative, which will unfold across three sessions. The second gathering is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Dover, N.J., and the formation cycle will conclude on May 16 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Paterson, N.J. Comprehensive formation: Faith, justice, and accompaniment The first session included presentations addressing both the pastoral dimension and the practical aspects of accompanying migrants. Marilú González, representative of the national Migrant Pastoral Ministry office based in Chicago, Ill., emphasized the close relationship between this ministry and Christian commitment, stressing that this work demands long-term dedication, with the goal of channeling resources, accompanying processes, and promoting fair treatment for those facing the challenges of the current immigration climate. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Immigration attorney Mayra Cano offered legal guidance, clarifying key issues and providing practical advice for situations involving contact with immigration authorities. In the same line,  Leslie Tejada, representing the office of Senator Cory A. Booker, along with Henrique Ferreira, director of Community Outreach, shared information about resources available at the state level. Father Alex Gaitán, director of Migrant Pastoral Ministry for the Archdiocese of Newark, and Damaris Nostrand presented a sobering account of conditions at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, describing the circumstances faced by many individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Building a Network of Support One of the primary goals of these sessions is the formation of parish teams that will serve as the foundation for a strong support network, built on three core pillars: service, accompaniment, and justice. The gathering also featured firsthand accounts from parishes already active in this field. Carmen Patricia Bautista, from the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J., presented a resource kit developed by her community to guide those seeking assistance. Teresa Prendergast, from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson, highlighted collaborative efforts among various organizations, including joint initiatives with Protestant churches in the area. Testimonies of hope and commitment Participant testimonies reflected the profound impact of the gathering. José E. Sánchez, from Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary Parish in Dover, N.J., highlighted the importance of close accompaniment for migrant families and the essential role of parish leaders. Nancy Ruiz, from St. Gerard Majella Parish in Paterson, N.J., described the experience as deeply edifying, emphasizing the need to be formed in order to guide the community and remind people that they are not alone. Evelyn Leiton, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at St. Paul in Prospect Park, N.J., spoke to the reality faced by many families dealing with separation, and expressed her desire to offer close support. Brenda Sánchez, from Our Lady Queen of Peace in Branchville, N.J., expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate and her eagerness to serve the community. Deacon Luis Carlos Méndez, from St. Christopher in Parsippany, underscored the urgent need for accompaniment, affirming that migrants need to feel loved and welcomed by the Church in their new country. This formation cycle responds to a concrete reality: the growing need to accompany migrant brothers and sisters with dignity, faith, and commitment. The Migrant Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson continues to invite the faithful to become involved, recognizing that service to the most vulnerable is a living expression of the Gospel. The upcoming sessions will continue to prepare leaders who can serve as bridges of hope, support, and justice within their parish communities. For more information about the Migrant Pastoral Ministry, please contact Miguel Rodríguez at MRodriguez@patersonDiocese.org [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  

unitedyam

Diocese of Paterson Migrant Pastoral Ministry launches parish leadership training #Catholic –

A three-session formation cycle aims to prepare ministers to accompany immigrant communities with faith, service, and justice

The Migrant Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson has launched a formation cycle for future Parish Migrant Ministry leaders, as a concrete effort to strengthen support for the region’s immigrant communities.

The first gathering took place on Saturday, March 21, bringing together more than 80 parishioners from eight parishes, all united by the desire to be formed and to serve in this ministry. The event was supported by Father Javier Bareño, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J., and featured the participation of Father Duberney Villamizar, episcopal vicar for Hispanic Affairs of the Diocese of Paterson.

Diocesan Coordinator Miguel Antonio presented the details of the initiative, which will unfold across three sessions. The second gathering is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Dover, N.J., and the formation cycle will conclude on May 16 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Paterson, N.J.

Comprehensive formation: Faith, justice, and accompaniment

The first session included presentations addressing both the pastoral dimension and the practical aspects of accompanying migrants.

Marilú González, representative of the national Migrant Pastoral Ministry office based in Chicago, Ill., emphasized the close relationship between this ministry and Christian commitment, stressing that this work demands long-term dedication, with the goal of channeling resources, accompanying processes, and promoting fair treatment for those facing the challenges of the current immigration climate.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Immigration attorney Mayra Cano offered legal guidance, clarifying key issues and providing practical advice for situations involving contact with immigration authorities. In the same line,  Leslie Tejada, representing the office of Senator Cory A. Booker, along with Henrique Ferreira, director of Community Outreach, shared information about resources available at the state level.

Father Alex Gaitán, director of Migrant Pastoral Ministry for the Archdiocese of Newark, and Damaris Nostrand presented a sobering account of conditions at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, describing the circumstances faced by many individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Building a Network of Support

One of the primary goals of these sessions is the formation of parish teams that will serve as the foundation for a strong support network, built on three core pillars: service, accompaniment, and justice.

The gathering also featured firsthand accounts from parishes already active in this field. Carmen Patricia Bautista, from the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J., presented a resource kit developed by her community to guide those seeking assistance. Teresa Prendergast, from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson, highlighted collaborative efforts among various organizations, including joint initiatives with Protestant churches in the area.

Testimonies of hope and commitment

Participant testimonies reflected the profound impact of the gathering.

José E. Sánchez, from Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary Parish in Dover, N.J., highlighted the importance of close accompaniment for migrant families and the essential role of parish leaders. Nancy Ruiz, from St. Gerard Majella Parish in Paterson, N.J., described the experience as deeply edifying, emphasizing the need to be formed in order to guide the community and remind people that they are not alone.

Evelyn Leiton, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at St. Paul in Prospect Park, N.J., spoke to the reality faced by many families dealing with separation, and expressed her desire to offer close support. Brenda Sánchez, from Our Lady Queen of Peace in Branchville, N.J., expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate and her eagerness to serve the community.

Deacon Luis Carlos Méndez, from St. Christopher in Parsippany, underscored the urgent need for accompaniment, affirming that migrants need to feel loved and welcomed by the Church in their new country.

This formation cycle responds to a concrete reality: the growing need to accompany migrant brothers and sisters with dignity, faith, and commitment. The Migrant Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson continues to invite the faithful to become involved, recognizing that service to the most vulnerable is a living expression of the Gospel.

The upcoming sessions will continue to prepare leaders who can serve as bridges of hope, support, and justice within their parish communities.

For more information about the Migrant Pastoral Ministry, please contact Miguel Rodríguez at MRodriguez@patersonDiocese.org

[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]

 

– A three-session formation cycle aims to prepare ministers to accompany immigrant communities with faith, service, and justice The Migrant Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson has launched a formation cycle for future Parish Migrant Ministry leaders, as a concrete effort to strengthen support for the region’s immigrant communities. The first gathering took place on Saturday, March 21, bringing together more than 80 parishioners from eight parishes, all united by the desire to be formed and to serve in this ministry. The event was supported by Father Javier Bareño, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J., and

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At Cameroonian orphanage, Pope Leo tells children they can always find a friend in Jesus #Catholic – YAOUNDE, Cameroon (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV brought joy to 64 orphaned and abandoned children on the evening of April 15 when he visited the Ngul Zamba orphanage in Cameroon, blessing the children and assuring them that despite their suffering, Jesus “cares especially for children like you.” The orphanage, whose name means “the power of God” in the Ewondo language, is run by the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary and currently houses children ranging in age from 3 to 20 years old. “Dear children, I know that many of you have endured difficult trials,” the pope told the children, speaking in French. “Some of you have known the pain of loss through the death of parents or loved ones. Others have experienced fear, rejection, abandonment, deprivation and uncertainty. Yet, you are called to a future that is greater than your wounds.” The pope drew on the Gospel to remind the children of Christ’s particular love for the young, noting that Jesus “would often place them at the center of a gathering” and looks upon each child “with that same affection” today. Among those meeting the pope was Florence, who was celebrating her 11th birthday on the day of the papal visit. She told OSV News she was “very happy.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The visit became a spontaneous moment of celebration when the children sang for the pope — and he joined in. Afterward, children and religious sisters alike, including some elderly sisters in wheelchairs, danced and sang in praise, offering a hymn drawing from the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Magnificat. Pope Leo closed his remarks to the children by offering them an apostolic blessing and entrusting them to the care of Our Lady. “As I impart my heartfelt blessing, I entrust each of you to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother,” he said. “May she always watch over you, console you in moments of sadness and help you to grow as true friends of her son, Jesus.” The superior general of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary informed the pope that the congregation is marking its 100th anniversary of being founded in Cameroon this year. She noted that for more than 40 years, the congregation has welcomed abandoned children “to offer them a real family life,” in keeping with their charism, “In the footsteps of Christ, at the service of the poor and the small.” The pope thanked the sisters, staff, volunteers and teachers who care for the children, urging them to persevere in their mission. “Your faithful dedication is a beautiful testimony of love,” he said. “By caring for these children, you are getting a foretaste of the joy that the Lord has promised to those who serve the little ones. Your patience reflects the face of divine mercy.” He added, “Through you, God’s tenderness is made manifest.” The visit to the orphanage took place on Pope Leo’s first day in Cameroon, and the third day of an 11-day apsotolic visit to four African countries. Courtney Mares is Vatican editor for OSV News. Follow her on X @catholicourtney.  
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At Cameroonian orphanage, Pope Leo tells children they can always find a friend in Jesus #Catholic – YAOUNDE, Cameroon (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV brought joy to 64 orphaned and abandoned children on the evening of April 15 when he visited the Ngul Zamba orphanage in Cameroon, blessing the children and assuring them that despite their suffering, Jesus “cares especially for children like you.” The orphanage, whose name means “the power of God” in the Ewondo language, is run by the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary and currently houses children ranging in age from 3 to 20 years old. “Dear children, I know that many of you have endured difficult trials,” the pope told the children, speaking in French. “Some of you have known the pain of loss through the death of parents or loved ones. Others have experienced fear, rejection, abandonment, deprivation and uncertainty. Yet, you are called to a future that is greater than your wounds.” The pope drew on the Gospel to remind the children of Christ’s particular love for the young, noting that Jesus “would often place them at the center of a gathering” and looks upon each child “with that same affection” today. Among those meeting the pope was Florence, who was celebrating her 11th birthday on the day of the papal visit. She told OSV News she was “very happy.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The visit became a spontaneous moment of celebration when the children sang for the pope — and he joined in. Afterward, children and religious sisters alike, including some elderly sisters in wheelchairs, danced and sang in praise, offering a hymn drawing from the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Magnificat. Pope Leo closed his remarks to the children by offering them an apostolic blessing and entrusting them to the care of Our Lady. “As I impart my heartfelt blessing, I entrust each of you to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother,” he said. “May she always watch over you, console you in moments of sadness and help you to grow as true friends of her son, Jesus.” The superior general of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary informed the pope that the congregation is marking its 100th anniversary of being founded in Cameroon this year. She noted that for more than 40 years, the congregation has welcomed abandoned children “to offer them a real family life,” in keeping with their charism, “In the footsteps of Christ, at the service of the poor and the small.” The pope thanked the sisters, staff, volunteers and teachers who care for the children, urging them to persevere in their mission. “Your faithful dedication is a beautiful testimony of love,” he said. “By caring for these children, you are getting a foretaste of the joy that the Lord has promised to those who serve the little ones. Your patience reflects the face of divine mercy.” He added, “Through you, God’s tenderness is made manifest.” The visit to the orphanage took place on Pope Leo’s first day in Cameroon, and the third day of an 11-day apsotolic visit to four African countries. Courtney Mares is Vatican editor for OSV News. Follow her on X @catholicourtney.  

unitedyam

At Cameroonian orphanage, Pope Leo tells children they can always find a friend in Jesus #Catholic –

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV brought joy to 64 orphaned and abandoned children on the evening of April 15 when he visited the Ngul Zamba orphanage in Cameroon, blessing the children and assuring them that despite their suffering, Jesus “cares especially for children like you.”

The orphanage, whose name means “the power of God” in the Ewondo language, is run by the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary and currently houses children ranging in age from 3 to 20 years old.

“Dear children, I know that many of you have endured difficult trials,” the pope told the children, speaking in French. “Some of you have known the pain of loss through the death of parents or loved ones. Others have experienced fear, rejection, abandonment, deprivation and uncertainty. Yet, you are called to a future that is greater than your wounds.”

The pope drew on the Gospel to remind the children of Christ’s particular love for the young, noting that Jesus “would often place them at the center of a gathering” and looks upon each child “with that same affection” today.

Among those meeting the pope was Florence, who was celebrating her 11th birthday on the day of the papal visit. She told OSV News she was “very happy.”

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The visit became a spontaneous moment of celebration when the children sang for the pope — and he joined in. Afterward, children and religious sisters alike, including some elderly sisters in wheelchairs, danced and sang in praise, offering a hymn drawing from the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Magnificat.

Pope Leo closed his remarks to the children by offering them an apostolic blessing and entrusting them to the care of Our Lady.

“As I impart my heartfelt blessing, I entrust each of you to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother,” he said. “May she always watch over you, console you in moments of sadness and help you to grow as true friends of her son, Jesus.”

The superior general of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary informed the pope that the congregation is marking its 100th anniversary of being founded in Cameroon this year. She noted that for more than 40 years, the congregation has welcomed abandoned children “to offer them a real family life,” in keeping with their charism, “In the footsteps of Christ, at the service of the poor and the small.”

The pope thanked the sisters, staff, volunteers and teachers who care for the children, urging them to persevere in their mission.

“Your faithful dedication is a beautiful testimony of love,” he said. “By caring for these children, you are getting a foretaste of the joy that the Lord has promised to those who serve the little ones. Your patience reflects the face of divine mercy.”

He added, “Through you, God’s tenderness is made manifest.”

The visit to the orphanage took place on Pope Leo’s first day in Cameroon, and the third day of an 11-day apsotolic visit to four African countries.

Courtney Mares is Vatican editor for OSV News. Follow her on X @catholicourtney.

 

– YAOUNDE, Cameroon (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV brought joy to 64 orphaned and abandoned children on the evening of April 15 when he visited the Ngul Zamba orphanage in Cameroon, blessing the children and assuring them that despite their suffering, Jesus “cares especially for children like you.” The orphanage, whose name means “the power of God” in the Ewondo language, is run by the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary and currently houses children ranging in age from 3 to 20 years old. “Dear children, I know that many of you have endured difficult trials,” the pope told the

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Americans continue to feel drawn to Pope Leo, first American pontiff, a year after election #Catholic – CHICAGO (OSV News) — A year into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV is still enjoying popularity and rockstar-like fame, especially in Chicago, his hometown. Beyond the pop-culture interest, some of the faithful told OSV News his message of peace, dedication to the faith and outreach to young people have stood out. After Easter morning Mass, Victoria Mendez and her family stopped to talk by the heavy bronze doors of St. Rita of Casica Catholic Church on Chicago’s South Side. The parish is run by Augustinians, the religious order and its Midwest province that formed Pope Leo. “I think we’ve seen a lot of people fall in love with Catholicism, seeing that their pope is from Chicago,” said 24-year-old Mendez. While anecdotal, said she has the sense Pope Leo is drawing interest in the faith. She has observed more youth in the church since his election. She also mentioned an uptick in conversions to the faith — not just in the U.S. but also Europe, particularly this Easter. Though none of the reports about the bump in new Catholics have tied the pope’s popularity to the numbers, several people told OSV News it may play a role. “He’s just very good with people. He’s very into creating peace within different forms of Catholicism. And he’s just so open-minded. And he cares about everybody,” said Mendez. “You see that in all his actions and everything he says and does, and the way he reflects himself. You can tell he’s really trying to bring peace on earth.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. On the day of his election, from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Leo’s first words were, “Peace be with you all!” His message for peace has been consistent throughout the past year. And these days, it is more vehement because of the war in Iran that the U.S. and Israel began Feb. 28. Mendez pointed out Pope Leo also “connects with the younger generation” through his social media posts and stories of his youth told by his brothers about growing up in Dolton, a southern suburb of Chicago. Pope Leo, born Robert F. Prevost, lived in Dolton until he entered the Augustinians’ minor seminary in Holland, Michigan, when he was 13. He completed an undergraduate degree in math at Villanova University near Philadelphia in 1977, earned a master’s degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982, the year he was ordained to the priesthood, and earned a doctorate in canon law in 1984 at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He then served in Peru’s impoverished northwest for nearly 20 years, where in 2015 he became bishop. He also held leadership positions in Rome, including prior general for the Augustinians, head of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He was elevated to cardinal in September 2023 and elected pope May 8, 2025. Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side herself, Mendez said “it makes me happy” that Pope Leo is relatable to even non-Catholics, especially as a fellow fan of the South Side-based Chicago White Sox. Mendez’s mother, Maria, said the family was drawn to St. Rita and recently began attending Mass there because of its ties to the pope. She said the papal connection and the Augustinian charism of fostering unity have made the parish very attractive. The Augustinians “approach people in a different way, that makes people come back. (It’s) the welcoming (way), their hospitality,” said Maria. The 70-year old Pope Leo is “a happy pope,” she said, adding, “He brings happiness to every individual. Doesn’t matter the nationality or age, he’s there for everyone. Yeah, we could feel it.” Northeast of St. Rita, people walked April 7 under a bright spring sun and braced themselves against strong, cold wind as they left the downtown Holy Name Cathedral following daily Mass. Tom Pyden was descending the cathedral’s steps when he told OSV News Pope Leo has “done a very good job” for the Church and the world because of “his repeated calls for peace and not backing down from that.” Pyden was in Chicago from Plymouth, Michigan, to visit his son for Easter week. Though he is not from the Windy City, he said of Pope Leo that he was “so very proud that he’s from the U.S.” “I read daily inspirational sayings from him. I think he’s very inclusive. And I don’t know him, but it seems like he has a wonderful personality that draws people together,” said Pyden, who also remarked on his possible impact on the number of new Catholics entering the Church at Easter vigil, even at his own parish. Ellie Greg, a 26-year-old dog walker who lives near the cathedral, said she might have been baptized Catholic but was raised as a non-denomination Christian. She told OSV News she does not practice any faith now, but, she said, for pope “obviously, it’s good to have somebody hometown.” “I haven’t had any complaints,” she said of the pope. “Honestly, I don’t pay too much attention to news of the Vatican, but I haven’t heard anything offensive (from Pope Leo).” Even though she is not practicing the faith, Greg has a personal connection to the American pope. She grew up in Frankfurt, a south Chicago suburb. “It’s pretty close to where Pope Leo grew up,” she said, “and they said his favorite restaurant is Aurelio’s. I used to work at Aurelio’s.” The local south suburban-based pizza chain created a “poperoni pizza” within days of his election. A passerby who said she was on her way to her nearby mainline Protestant church shouted over her shoulder, “I think he’s doing a great job! Love him! Just love him!” Pilar Villa of Guadalajara, Mexico, was visiting Chicago over Easter with her twin teenage daughters. She told OSV News she likes that Pope Leo has given clear messages and has dedicated time to youth and young people. “He recently talked about the importance of young people not having ties to artificial intelligence, that they should follow God and believe in God,” she said. Pope Leo has spoken via video twice with American youth, first in June and then in November. In a video message to youth in June at the Chicago archdiocese Mass of thanksgiving for his election as pope, he emphasized the importance of recognizing God’s presence in their lives, especially “that longing for love in our lives, for … searching, a true searching, for finding the ways that we may be able to do something with our own lives to serve others.” In November, Pope Leo had a live video encounter with young people at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. “Look to Jesus. Trust his mercy and go to him with confidence. He will always welcome you home,” he said. Retired Bishop Daniel T. Turley of Chulacanas, Peru, a native Chicago South Sider and Pope Leo’s past Augustinian superior during his missionary work, said Pope Leo’s solid upbringing in the faith and missionary life in impoverished Peru beset with domestic terrorism have influenced Pope Leo’s leadership. “(He) is a pope at a very time of crisis, so he brings to his papacy, a great deal of balance, of joy, but also a message asking for peace, asking for non-violence, asking to respect the dignity of life throughout the world, and asking countries to search out ways of unity. And he is a pope that is trying to build bridges,” he told OSV News. Bishop Turley said a “Leo effect” might be having some impact on the faithful coming into the Church or returning. He said he has celebrated numerous large-group confirmations throughout the Chicago archdiocese over the past year, and pastors at those parishes have observed increased numbers of those entering rites of initiation. “There’s a ‘Leo effect’ for Chicago in particular,” he said. “It’s like a ripple of the ocean, the waves, you know. So it’s a wave of energy, happiness, joy, hope. That’s rippling through the Augustinian order. It’s rippling through the United States of America because he’s the first American pope in the history of the Church. But he’s also the first pope from Chicago. There’s a ‘Leo effect’ in Chicago, in the United States, and then in the whole world.” Simone Orendain is an OSV News correspondent. She writes from Chicago.  
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Americans continue to feel drawn to Pope Leo, first American pontiff, a year after election #Catholic – CHICAGO (OSV News) — A year into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV is still enjoying popularity and rockstar-like fame, especially in Chicago, his hometown. Beyond the pop-culture interest, some of the faithful told OSV News his message of peace, dedication to the faith and outreach to young people have stood out. After Easter morning Mass, Victoria Mendez and her family stopped to talk by the heavy bronze doors of St. Rita of Casica Catholic Church on Chicago’s South Side. The parish is run by Augustinians, the religious order and its Midwest province that formed Pope Leo. “I think we’ve seen a lot of people fall in love with Catholicism, seeing that their pope is from Chicago,” said 24-year-old Mendez. While anecdotal, said she has the sense Pope Leo is drawing interest in the faith. She has observed more youth in the church since his election. She also mentioned an uptick in conversions to the faith — not just in the U.S. but also Europe, particularly this Easter. Though none of the reports about the bump in new Catholics have tied the pope’s popularity to the numbers, several people told OSV News it may play a role. “He’s just very good with people. He’s very into creating peace within different forms of Catholicism. And he’s just so open-minded. And he cares about everybody,” said Mendez. “You see that in all his actions and everything he says and does, and the way he reflects himself. You can tell he’s really trying to bring peace on earth.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. On the day of his election, from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Leo’s first words were, “Peace be with you all!” His message for peace has been consistent throughout the past year. And these days, it is more vehement because of the war in Iran that the U.S. and Israel began Feb. 28. Mendez pointed out Pope Leo also “connects with the younger generation” through his social media posts and stories of his youth told by his brothers about growing up in Dolton, a southern suburb of Chicago. Pope Leo, born Robert F. Prevost, lived in Dolton until he entered the Augustinians’ minor seminary in Holland, Michigan, when he was 13. He completed an undergraduate degree in math at Villanova University near Philadelphia in 1977, earned a master’s degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982, the year he was ordained to the priesthood, and earned a doctorate in canon law in 1984 at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He then served in Peru’s impoverished northwest for nearly 20 years, where in 2015 he became bishop. He also held leadership positions in Rome, including prior general for the Augustinians, head of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He was elevated to cardinal in September 2023 and elected pope May 8, 2025. Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side herself, Mendez said “it makes me happy” that Pope Leo is relatable to even non-Catholics, especially as a fellow fan of the South Side-based Chicago White Sox. Mendez’s mother, Maria, said the family was drawn to St. Rita and recently began attending Mass there because of its ties to the pope. She said the papal connection and the Augustinian charism of fostering unity have made the parish very attractive. The Augustinians “approach people in a different way, that makes people come back. (It’s) the welcoming (way), their hospitality,” said Maria. The 70-year old Pope Leo is “a happy pope,” she said, adding, “He brings happiness to every individual. Doesn’t matter the nationality or age, he’s there for everyone. Yeah, we could feel it.” Northeast of St. Rita, people walked April 7 under a bright spring sun and braced themselves against strong, cold wind as they left the downtown Holy Name Cathedral following daily Mass. Tom Pyden was descending the cathedral’s steps when he told OSV News Pope Leo has “done a very good job” for the Church and the world because of “his repeated calls for peace and not backing down from that.” Pyden was in Chicago from Plymouth, Michigan, to visit his son for Easter week. Though he is not from the Windy City, he said of Pope Leo that he was “so very proud that he’s from the U.S.” “I read daily inspirational sayings from him. I think he’s very inclusive. And I don’t know him, but it seems like he has a wonderful personality that draws people together,” said Pyden, who also remarked on his possible impact on the number of new Catholics entering the Church at Easter vigil, even at his own parish. Ellie Greg, a 26-year-old dog walker who lives near the cathedral, said she might have been baptized Catholic but was raised as a non-denomination Christian. She told OSV News she does not practice any faith now, but, she said, for pope “obviously, it’s good to have somebody hometown.” “I haven’t had any complaints,” she said of the pope. “Honestly, I don’t pay too much attention to news of the Vatican, but I haven’t heard anything offensive (from Pope Leo).” Even though she is not practicing the faith, Greg has a personal connection to the American pope. She grew up in Frankfurt, a south Chicago suburb. “It’s pretty close to where Pope Leo grew up,” she said, “and they said his favorite restaurant is Aurelio’s. I used to work at Aurelio’s.” The local south suburban-based pizza chain created a “poperoni pizza” within days of his election. A passerby who said she was on her way to her nearby mainline Protestant church shouted over her shoulder, “I think he’s doing a great job! Love him! Just love him!” Pilar Villa of Guadalajara, Mexico, was visiting Chicago over Easter with her twin teenage daughters. She told OSV News she likes that Pope Leo has given clear messages and has dedicated time to youth and young people. “He recently talked about the importance of young people not having ties to artificial intelligence, that they should follow God and believe in God,” she said. Pope Leo has spoken via video twice with American youth, first in June and then in November. In a video message to youth in June at the Chicago archdiocese Mass of thanksgiving for his election as pope, he emphasized the importance of recognizing God’s presence in their lives, especially “that longing for love in our lives, for … searching, a true searching, for finding the ways that we may be able to do something with our own lives to serve others.” In November, Pope Leo had a live video encounter with young people at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. “Look to Jesus. Trust his mercy and go to him with confidence. He will always welcome you home,” he said. Retired Bishop Daniel T. Turley of Chulacanas, Peru, a native Chicago South Sider and Pope Leo’s past Augustinian superior during his missionary work, said Pope Leo’s solid upbringing in the faith and missionary life in impoverished Peru beset with domestic terrorism have influenced Pope Leo’s leadership. “(He) is a pope at a very time of crisis, so he brings to his papacy, a great deal of balance, of joy, but also a message asking for peace, asking for non-violence, asking to respect the dignity of life throughout the world, and asking countries to search out ways of unity. And he is a pope that is trying to build bridges,” he told OSV News. Bishop Turley said a “Leo effect” might be having some impact on the faithful coming into the Church or returning. He said he has celebrated numerous large-group confirmations throughout the Chicago archdiocese over the past year, and pastors at those parishes have observed increased numbers of those entering rites of initiation. “There’s a ‘Leo effect’ for Chicago in particular,” he said. “It’s like a ripple of the ocean, the waves, you know. So it’s a wave of energy, happiness, joy, hope. That’s rippling through the Augustinian order. It’s rippling through the United States of America because he’s the first American pope in the history of the Church. But he’s also the first pope from Chicago. There’s a ‘Leo effect’ in Chicago, in the United States, and then in the whole world.” Simone Orendain is an OSV News correspondent. She writes from Chicago.  

unitedyam

Americans continue to feel drawn to Pope Leo, first American pontiff, a year after election #Catholic –

CHICAGO (OSV News) — A year into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV is still enjoying popularity and rockstar-like fame, especially in Chicago, his hometown. Beyond the pop-culture interest, some of the faithful told OSV News his message of peace, dedication to the faith and outreach to young people have stood out.

After Easter morning Mass, Victoria Mendez and her family stopped to talk by the heavy bronze doors of St. Rita of Casica Catholic Church on Chicago’s South Side. The parish is run by Augustinians, the religious order and its Midwest province that formed Pope Leo.

“I think we’ve seen a lot of people fall in love with Catholicism, seeing that their pope is from Chicago,” said 24-year-old Mendez.

While anecdotal, said she has the sense Pope Leo is drawing interest in the faith. She has observed more youth in the church since his election. She also mentioned an uptick in conversions to the faith — not just in the U.S. but also Europe, particularly this Easter. Though none of the reports about the bump in new Catholics have tied the pope’s popularity to the numbers, several people told OSV News it may play a role.

“He’s just very good with people. He’s very into creating peace within different forms of Catholicism. And he’s just so open-minded. And he cares about everybody,” said Mendez. “You see that in all his actions and everything he says and does, and the way he reflects himself. You can tell he’s really trying to bring peace on earth.”

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

On the day of his election, from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Leo’s first words were, “Peace be with you all!”

His message for peace has been consistent throughout the past year. And these days, it is more vehement because of the war in Iran that the U.S. and Israel began Feb. 28.

Mendez pointed out Pope Leo also “connects with the younger generation” through his social media posts and stories of his youth told by his brothers about growing up in Dolton, a southern suburb of Chicago.

Pope Leo, born Robert F. Prevost, lived in Dolton until he entered the Augustinians’ minor seminary in Holland, Michigan, when he was 13. He completed an undergraduate degree in math at Villanova University near Philadelphia in 1977, earned a master’s degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982, the year he was ordained to the priesthood, and earned a doctorate in canon law in 1984 at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

He then served in Peru’s impoverished northwest for nearly 20 years, where in 2015 he became bishop. He also held leadership positions in Rome, including prior general for the Augustinians, head of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He was elevated to cardinal in September 2023 and elected pope May 8, 2025.

Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side herself, Mendez said “it makes me happy” that Pope Leo is relatable to even non-Catholics, especially as a fellow fan of the South Side-based Chicago White Sox.

Mendez’s mother, Maria, said the family was drawn to St. Rita and recently began attending Mass there because of its ties to the pope. She said the papal connection and the Augustinian charism of fostering unity have made the parish very attractive.

The Augustinians “approach people in a different way, that makes people come back. (It’s) the welcoming (way), their hospitality,” said Maria.

The 70-year old Pope Leo is “a happy pope,” she said, adding, “He brings happiness to every individual. Doesn’t matter the nationality or age, he’s there for everyone. Yeah, we could feel it.”

Northeast of St. Rita, people walked April 7 under a bright spring sun and braced themselves against strong, cold wind as they left the downtown Holy Name Cathedral following daily Mass.

Tom Pyden was descending the cathedral’s steps when he told OSV News Pope Leo has “done a very good job” for the Church and the world because of “his repeated calls for peace and not backing down from that.”

Pyden was in Chicago from Plymouth, Michigan, to visit his son for Easter week. Though he is not from the Windy City, he said of Pope Leo that he was “so very proud that he’s from the U.S.”

“I read daily inspirational sayings from him. I think he’s very inclusive. And I don’t know him, but it seems like he has a wonderful personality that draws people together,” said Pyden, who also remarked on his possible impact on the number of new Catholics entering the Church at Easter vigil, even at his own parish.

Ellie Greg, a 26-year-old dog walker who lives near the cathedral, said she might have been baptized Catholic but was raised as a non-denomination Christian. She told OSV News she does not practice any faith now, but, she said, for pope “obviously, it’s good to have somebody hometown.”

“I haven’t had any complaints,” she said of the pope. “Honestly, I don’t pay too much attention to news of the Vatican, but I haven’t heard anything offensive (from Pope Leo).”

Even though she is not practicing the faith, Greg has a personal connection to the American pope. She grew up in Frankfurt, a south Chicago suburb. “It’s pretty close to where Pope Leo grew up,” she said, “and they said his favorite restaurant is Aurelio’s. I used to work at Aurelio’s.”

The local south suburban-based pizza chain created a “poperoni pizza” within days of his election.

A passerby who said she was on her way to her nearby mainline Protestant church shouted over her shoulder, “I think he’s doing a great job! Love him! Just love him!”

Pilar Villa of Guadalajara, Mexico, was visiting Chicago over Easter with her twin teenage daughters. She told OSV News she likes that Pope Leo has given clear messages and has dedicated time to youth and young people.

“He recently talked about the importance of young people not having ties to artificial intelligence, that they should follow God and believe in God,” she said.

Pope Leo has spoken via video twice with American youth, first in June and then in November.

In a video message to youth in June at the Chicago archdiocese Mass of thanksgiving for his election as pope, he emphasized the importance of recognizing God’s presence in their lives, especially “that longing for love in our lives, for … searching, a true searching, for finding the ways that we may be able to do something with our own lives to serve others.”

In November, Pope Leo had a live video encounter with young people at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. “Look to Jesus. Trust his mercy and go to him with confidence. He will always welcome you home,” he said.

Retired Bishop Daniel T. Turley of Chulacanas, Peru, a native Chicago South Sider and Pope Leo’s past Augustinian superior during his missionary work, said Pope Leo’s solid upbringing in the faith and missionary life in impoverished Peru beset with domestic terrorism have influenced Pope Leo’s leadership.

“(He) is a pope at a very time of crisis, so he brings to his papacy, a great deal of balance, of joy, but also a message asking for peace, asking for non-violence, asking to respect the dignity of life throughout the world, and asking countries to search out ways of unity. And he is a pope that is trying to build bridges,” he told OSV News.

Bishop Turley said a “Leo effect” might be having some impact on the faithful coming into the Church or returning. He said he has celebrated numerous large-group confirmations throughout the Chicago archdiocese over the past year, and pastors at those parishes have observed increased numbers of those entering rites of initiation.

“There’s a ‘Leo effect’ for Chicago in particular,” he said. “It’s like a ripple of the ocean, the waves, you know. So it’s a wave of energy, happiness, joy, hope. That’s rippling through the Augustinian order. It’s rippling through the United States of America because he’s the first American pope in the history of the Church. But he’s also the first pope from Chicago. There’s a ‘Leo effect’ in Chicago, in the United States, and then in the whole world.”

Simone Orendain is an OSV News correspondent. She writes from Chicago.

 

– CHICAGO (OSV News) — A year into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV is still enjoying popularity and rockstar-like fame, especially in Chicago, his hometown. Beyond the pop-culture interest, some of the faithful told OSV News his message of peace, dedication to the faith and outreach to young people have stood out. After Easter morning Mass, Victoria Mendez and her family stopped to talk by the heavy bronze doors of St. Rita of Casica Catholic Church on Chicago’s South Side. The parish is run by Augustinians, the religious order and its Midwest province that formed Pope Leo. “I think we’ve seen

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Court hears lawsuit on Illinois law mandating pro-life doctors, centers give abortion referrals #Catholic – CHICAGO (OSV News) — A federal appellate court in Chicago heard oral arguments April 10 in a case challenging an Illinois law that compels pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers to give patients who ask for it a referral to an abortion provider. Erin Hawley, counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, a public interest firm dedicated to religious freedom, went before a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to argue against the law on behalf of pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers. The case is Shroeder et al v. Treto Jr., and the lawsuit has to do with a provision left in place by U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston in a split decision handed down a year ago. On April 4, 2025, Judge Johnston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois struck down the part of the state’s 2016 Health Care Right of Conscience Act that required pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers to share the “benefits of abortion” after giving a pregnant woman an ultrasound — or lose their conscience protection rights. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. But Johnston upheld a separate amendment to the act which lawyers with the Thomas More Society argued “gutted conscience protections for pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers and required them to refer for abortion.” Johnston ruled the provision “merely regulates professional conduct, instructing clinicians, upon request, to either refer or transfer a patient to another physician, or at least provide her with a list of potential providers,” and does not “compel speech.” A preliminary injunction enjoining enforcement of the act, known as HCRCA, has been in place since 2017. Hawley told OSV News outside the federal courthouse in downtown Chicago that ADF also believes the district court was “incorrect” on the referral provision. “The district court found that a referral was conduct (behavior), but, of course, it’s speaking words,” Hawley said. “It also conveys a message — as the pregnancy center experts expressed at trial — that the person you’re recommending is capable of performing the surgery and it vouches for them,” she said. “So we think, and that the 7th Circuit seemed to agree, that referrals are, in fact, speech that are protected by the First Amendment.” Therefore, Hawley argued, refusing to engage in speech on referrals is also protected by the First Amendment. Hawley added she was “hopeful” the appellate judges would rule in their favor based on their argument that a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Colorado’s ban on so-called conversion therapy for minors was unconstitutional. The justices ruled 8-1 March 31 in Chiles v. Salazar that a “talk therapy” counselor working with clients who wanted to “eliminate unwanted sexual attractions, change sexual behaviors or grow in the experience of harmony with their bodies,” could not be stopped by the state. They said the therapy is based on “how to best speak” and falls under free speech protections. Schroeder, et al. v. Treto Jr. — Mario Treto Jr. heads the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — was filed in 2017 by lawyers for the Thomas More Society. The Catholic-run public interest firm based in Chicago was representing Illinois physician Dr. Ronald Schroeder, 1st Way Pregnancy Support Services, and Pregnancy Aid South Suburbs. Patrick Gillen, Thomas More Society senior counsel, said he was “hopeful that they’ll recognize the import of recent decisions like Chiles … and see that this case is very close” to that type of case. He told OSV News if this appeal fails, they are prepared to go to the U.S. Supreme Court, calling cases like this “fundamentally important.” “There’s no more telling sign of a society and a culture in crisis, than the effort to suppress dissent,” Gillen said. With these cases, he said, “it becomes vitally important to push back against what I call a totalitarian impulse on the part of the state to control the speech and thoughts of their citizenry on matters of life and death importance.” Simone Orendain is an OSV News correspondent. She writes from Chicago.
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Court hears lawsuit on Illinois law mandating pro-life doctors, centers give abortion referrals #Catholic – CHICAGO (OSV News) — A federal appellate court in Chicago heard oral arguments April 10 in a case challenging an Illinois law that compels pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers to give patients who ask for it a referral to an abortion provider. Erin Hawley, counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, a public interest firm dedicated to religious freedom, went before a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to argue against the law on behalf of pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers. The case is Shroeder et al v. Treto Jr., and the lawsuit has to do with a provision left in place by U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston in a split decision handed down a year ago. On April 4, 2025, Judge Johnston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois struck down the part of the state’s 2016 Health Care Right of Conscience Act that required pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers to share the “benefits of abortion” after giving a pregnant woman an ultrasound — or lose their conscience protection rights. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. But Johnston upheld a separate amendment to the act which lawyers with the Thomas More Society argued “gutted conscience protections for pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers and required them to refer for abortion.” Johnston ruled the provision “merely regulates professional conduct, instructing clinicians, upon request, to either refer or transfer a patient to another physician, or at least provide her with a list of potential providers,” and does not “compel speech.” A preliminary injunction enjoining enforcement of the act, known as HCRCA, has been in place since 2017. Hawley told OSV News outside the federal courthouse in downtown Chicago that ADF also believes the district court was “incorrect” on the referral provision. “The district court found that a referral was conduct (behavior), but, of course, it’s speaking words,” Hawley said. “It also conveys a message — as the pregnancy center experts expressed at trial — that the person you’re recommending is capable of performing the surgery and it vouches for them,” she said. “So we think, and that the 7th Circuit seemed to agree, that referrals are, in fact, speech that are protected by the First Amendment.” Therefore, Hawley argued, refusing to engage in speech on referrals is also protected by the First Amendment. Hawley added she was “hopeful” the appellate judges would rule in their favor based on their argument that a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Colorado’s ban on so-called conversion therapy for minors was unconstitutional. The justices ruled 8-1 March 31 in Chiles v. Salazar that a “talk therapy” counselor working with clients who wanted to “eliminate unwanted sexual attractions, change sexual behaviors or grow in the experience of harmony with their bodies,” could not be stopped by the state. They said the therapy is based on “how to best speak” and falls under free speech protections. Schroeder, et al. v. Treto Jr. — Mario Treto Jr. heads the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — was filed in 2017 by lawyers for the Thomas More Society. The Catholic-run public interest firm based in Chicago was representing Illinois physician Dr. Ronald Schroeder, 1st Way Pregnancy Support Services, and Pregnancy Aid South Suburbs. Patrick Gillen, Thomas More Society senior counsel, said he was “hopeful that they’ll recognize the import of recent decisions like Chiles … and see that this case is very close” to that type of case. He told OSV News if this appeal fails, they are prepared to go to the U.S. Supreme Court, calling cases like this “fundamentally important.” “There’s no more telling sign of a society and a culture in crisis, than the effort to suppress dissent,” Gillen said. With these cases, he said, “it becomes vitally important to push back against what I call a totalitarian impulse on the part of the state to control the speech and thoughts of their citizenry on matters of life and death importance.” Simone Orendain is an OSV News correspondent. She writes from Chicago.

unitedyam

Court hears lawsuit on Illinois law mandating pro-life doctors, centers give abortion referrals #Catholic –

CHICAGO (OSV News) — A federal appellate court in Chicago heard oral arguments April 10 in a case challenging an Illinois law that compels pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers to give patients who ask for it a referral to an abortion provider.

Erin Hawley, counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, a public interest firm dedicated to religious freedom, went before a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to argue against the law on behalf of pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers.

The case is Shroeder et al v. Treto Jr., and the lawsuit has to do with a provision left in place by U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston in a split decision handed down a year ago.

On April 4, 2025, Judge Johnston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois struck down the part of the state’s 2016 Health Care Right of Conscience Act that required pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers to share the “benefits of abortion” after giving a pregnant woman an ultrasound — or lose their conscience protection rights.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

But Johnston upheld a separate amendment to the act which lawyers with the Thomas More Society argued “gutted conscience protections for pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers and required them to refer for abortion.”

Johnston ruled the provision “merely regulates professional conduct, instructing clinicians, upon request, to either refer or transfer a patient to another physician, or at least provide her with a list of potential providers,” and does not “compel speech.”

A preliminary injunction enjoining enforcement of the act, known as HCRCA, has been in place since 2017.

Hawley told OSV News outside the federal courthouse in downtown Chicago that ADF also believes the district court was “incorrect” on the referral provision.

“The district court found that a referral was conduct (behavior), but, of course, it’s speaking words,” Hawley said.

“It also conveys a message — as the pregnancy center experts expressed at trial — that the person you’re recommending is capable of performing the surgery and it vouches for them,” she said. “So we think, and that the 7th Circuit seemed to agree, that referrals are, in fact, speech that are protected by the First Amendment.”

Therefore, Hawley argued, refusing to engage in speech on referrals is also protected by the First Amendment.

Hawley added she was “hopeful” the appellate judges would rule in their favor based on their argument that a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Colorado’s ban on so-called conversion therapy for minors was unconstitutional.

The justices ruled 8-1 March 31 in Chiles v. Salazar that a “talk therapy” counselor working with clients who wanted to “eliminate unwanted sexual attractions, change sexual behaviors or grow in the experience of harmony with their bodies,” could not be stopped by the state. They said the therapy is based on “how to best speak” and falls under free speech protections.

Schroeder, et al. v. Treto Jr. — Mario Treto Jr. heads the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — was filed in 2017 by lawyers for the Thomas More Society. The Catholic-run public interest firm based in Chicago was representing Illinois physician Dr. Ronald Schroeder, 1st Way Pregnancy Support Services, and Pregnancy Aid South Suburbs.

Patrick Gillen, Thomas More Society senior counsel, said he was “hopeful that they’ll recognize the import of recent decisions like Chiles … and see that this case is very close” to that type of case.

He told OSV News if this appeal fails, they are prepared to go to the U.S. Supreme Court, calling cases like this “fundamentally important.”

“There’s no more telling sign of a society and a culture in crisis, than the effort to suppress dissent,” Gillen said.

With these cases, he said, “it becomes vitally important to push back against what I call a totalitarian impulse on the part of the state to control the speech and thoughts of their citizenry on matters of life and death importance.”

Simone Orendain is an OSV News correspondent. She writes from Chicago.

– CHICAGO (OSV News) — A federal appellate court in Chicago heard oral arguments April 10 in a case challenging an Illinois law that compels pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers to give patients who ask for it a referral to an abortion provider. Erin Hawley, counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, a public interest firm dedicated to religious freedom, went before a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to argue against the law on behalf of pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers. The case is Shroeder et al v. Treto Jr., and the lawsuit has to do with a

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R Aquarii’s strange, twisted relationship

unitedyam

As odd couples go, it’s tough to beat the stellar pair at the heart of R Aquarii. This symbiotic binary system comprises a cool red giant and a sizzling white dwarf locked in a 44-year elliptical orbit. The enormous star pulsates in a roughly 390-day period, driving changes in temperature and brightness. It has onlyContinue reading “R Aquarii’s strange, twisted relationship”

The post R Aquarii’s strange, twisted relationship appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Artemis II Crew Returns to Houston – 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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Artemis II Crew Returns to Houston – 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.

unitedyam

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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Mamdani Condemns NYPD Officers After Chaotic Arrest Video Goes Viral – 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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Mamdani Condemns NYPD Officers After Chaotic Arrest Video Goes Viral – 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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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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Tulsi Issues Criminal Referral For Eric Ciaramella, the ‘Whistleblower’ Who Sparked Trump Ukraine Impeachment, and Former Intel Community IG – 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.
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Tulsi Issues Criminal Referral For Eric Ciaramella, the ‘Whistleblower’ Who Sparked Trump Ukraine Impeachment, and Former Intel Community IG – 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.

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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.

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Prayer for our Family #1: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, April 16, 2026 – #Prayer – Blessed 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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Blessed 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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Gospel and Word of the Day – 16 April 2026 – A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles Acts 5:27-33 When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, "We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us." But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.From the Gospel according to John 3:31-36 The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.This means, then, that this final judgement is already in progress, it begins now over the course of our lives. Thus judgement is pronounced at every moment of life, as it sums up our faith in the salvation which is present and active in Christ, or of our unbelief, whereby we close in upon ourselves. But if we close ourselves to the love of Jesus, we condemn ourselves. Salvation is to open oneself to Jesus, it is he who saves us. If we are sinners — and we all are — we ask him for forgiveness and if we go to him with the desire to be good, the Lord forgives us. But for this we must open ourselves to Jesus’ love, which is stronger than all else. Jesus’ love is great, Jesus’ love is merciful, Jesus’ love forgives; but you have to open yourself and to open oneself means to repent, to accuse oneself of the things that are not good and which we have done. The Lord Jesus gave himself and he continues to give himself to us, in order to fill us with all of the mercy. (Pope Francis, General Audience, 11 December 2013)

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A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 5:27-33

When the court officers had brought the Apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
"We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man’s blood upon us."
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
"We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

When they heard this,
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

From the Gospel according to John
3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.

This means, then, that this final judgement is already in progress, it begins now over the course of our lives. Thus judgement is pronounced at every moment of life, as it sums up our faith in the salvation which is present and active in Christ, or of our unbelief, whereby we close in upon ourselves. But if we close ourselves to the love of Jesus, we condemn ourselves. Salvation is to open oneself to Jesus, it is he who saves us. If we are sinners — and we all are — we ask him for forgiveness and if we go to him with the desire to be good, the Lord forgives us. But for this we must open ourselves to Jesus’ love, which is stronger than all else. Jesus’ love is great, Jesus’ love is merciful, Jesus’ love forgives; but you have to open yourself and to open oneself means to repent, to accuse oneself of the things that are not good and which we have done. The Lord Jesus gave himself and he continues to give himself to us, in order to fill us with all of the mercy. (Pope Francis, General Audience, 11 December 2013)

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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV continues papal trip in Algeria, Cameroon – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV finished the first leg of his papal trip to Africa on April 15, wrapping up meetings with Catholics and local religious and civic leaders in Algeria before heading south to Cameroon. The Holy Father will spend several days in Cameroon before heading on to Angola and Equatorial Guinea during his first apostolic journey to Africa. The trip is scheduled to last through April 23.Here is a look at the popeʼs activities in both Algeria and Cameroon: Pope Leo XIV watches a performance by children at the Notre Dame d’Afrique Kindergarten, run by the Missionary Sisters of Charity, near Algiers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets a child at the Notre Dame d’Afrique Kindergarten, run by the Missionary Sisters of Charity, near Algiers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV poses with religious sisters at the Notre Dame d’Afrique Kindergarten, run by the Missionary Sisters of Charity, near Algiers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at Houari Boumediene International Airport before departing Algeria, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at Houari Boumediene International Airport before departing Algeria, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV boards the papal airplane at Houari Boumediene International Airport while departing Algeria, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV is greeted by a young Catholic upon his arrival at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport near Yaoundé, Cameroon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV is given a ceremonial greeting upon arriving at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport near Yaoundé, Cameroon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets crowds after landing at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport in Cameroon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV meets with Cameroon President Paul Biya at the Presidential Palace in Yaounde on the third day of an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Alberto PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images Pope Leo XIV speaks with Cameroon President Paul Biya at the Presidential Palace in Yaounde, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV meets with clergy and Cameroonian officials at the Presidential Palace in Yaoundé, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to clergy and Cameroonian officials at the Presidential Palace in Yaoundé, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to children at the Ngul Zamba Orphanage in Yaoundé, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Children pray with Pope Leo XIV at the Ngul Zamba Orphanage in Yaoundé, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV continues papal trip in Algeria, Cameroon – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV finished the first leg of his papal trip to Africa on April 15, wrapping up meetings with Catholics and local religious and civic leaders in Algeria before heading south to Cameroon. The Holy Father will spend several days in Cameroon before heading on to Angola and Equatorial Guinea during his first apostolic journey to Africa. The trip is scheduled to last through April 23.Here is a look at the popeʼs activities in both Algeria and Cameroon: Pope Leo XIV watches a performance by children at the Notre Dame d’Afrique Kindergarten, run by the Missionary Sisters of Charity, near Algiers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets a child at the Notre Dame d’Afrique Kindergarten, run by the Missionary Sisters of Charity, near Algiers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV poses with religious sisters at the Notre Dame d’Afrique Kindergarten, run by the Missionary Sisters of Charity, near Algiers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at Houari Boumediene International Airport before departing Algeria, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at Houari Boumediene International Airport before departing Algeria, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV boards the papal airplane at Houari Boumediene International Airport while departing Algeria, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV is greeted by a young Catholic upon his arrival at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport near Yaoundé, Cameroon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV is given a ceremonial greeting upon arriving at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport near Yaoundé, Cameroon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets crowds after landing at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport in Cameroon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV meets with Cameroon President Paul Biya at the Presidential Palace in Yaounde on the third day of an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Alberto PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images Pope Leo XIV speaks with Cameroon President Paul Biya at the Presidential Palace in Yaounde, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV meets with clergy and Cameroonian officials at the Presidential Palace in Yaoundé, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to clergy and Cameroonian officials at the Presidential Palace in Yaoundé, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to children at the Ngul Zamba Orphanage in Yaoundé, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Children pray with Pope Leo XIV at the Ngul Zamba Orphanage in Yaoundé, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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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.

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