Cleveland father and son live out sacrificial faith after mother’s near-death illness #Catholic In a time when the meaning of masculinity is often misunderstood and undervalued, Joe Soltis and his 15-year-old son, Jake, are a father/son pair from Cleveland, Ohio, who have made service to others the focus of their lives.After his mother’s serious illness, Jake, almost entirely by himself, built her a sauna and exercise room in the family’s basement in order to help her recover. Joe, the CEO of a marketing company, serves on the board of an ecumenical project that unites Catholics and Protestants called Prayer At The Heart, with the aim of igniting “a great spiritual awakening out of a national movement of unified, humble, desperate prayer, unity and evangelism.”The pair spoke with EWTN News about how their Catholic faith inspires them to be men who make it their mission to love as Jesus loves, and about how they hope to inspire others to do the same.‘There’s a good chance Mom won’t be coming home’In 2020, Joe’s wife and Jake’s mom, Becky, almost died after multiple medical issues led doctors to estimate she had only a 10% chance of survival. Joe said she was diagnosed with lupus, Lyme disease, a burst gall bladder, sepsis, and pancreatitis.“We weren’t allowed to see her in the hospital because it was during Covid,” said Joe, the father of five boys and one daughter, who had to tell his kids “there’s a good chance Mom won’t be coming home.” The Soltis family. | Credit: Photo courtesy of the Soltis family After weeks in the hospital, Becky began to recover, Joe said, and “by the grace of God, she pulled through.”“Out of that hardship, I have found a woman who is incredibly holy,” Joe said of his wife, who, though mostly recovered, still suffers ongoing symptoms from lupus. “She is an incredible mom and an incredible wife. I couldn’t ask for anyone better. She is a blessing to all of us.”Joe said that time “brought our family tremendously closer together.” A plan to ‘mobilize Christians’As Becky recovered from her health crisis, Joe watched the race riots that erupted all over the country that summer, leading him to conclude that “there are evil forces” at work leading to such division between Americans.“That’s not what Christ wants,” he said, and he wondered whether such division was “manufactured and intentional.” He read Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals, which he called “diabolically brilliant.”On July 4, 2020, between his work, family, and other responsibilities, Joe “happened to be free to sit down and think.” He felt inspired to write out a plan that would address how to “mobilize Christians” in a “Catholic, Christian, biblical manner.” Becky helped him fine tune the plan, which Joe then sent to various Christian leaders. Tom Phillips, vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, called him back and put him in touch with Doug Small, a Pentecostal leader with a similar vision who also lives in Ohio. Together, the men came up with Prayer at the Heart, an evangelistic endeavor with the goal of “one million Christians praying for one million friends to know Christ.”Of the ecumenical nature of their ministry, he said there is “great unity among” the team. “We can all unite around Christ.”  “Each congregation-denomination-ministry would brand the effort calling their constituents to prayer, evangelism-mission in their own way,” reads the website, on which Christians can sign up to pray for unbelievers. “The early apostles didn’t just stay in their church and pray,” Joe said. “They went out and evangelized. It’s time for Christians to get out of their homes and churches and bring Jesus to people.”The ministry’s strategy also involves other practical initiatives, such as the organization of local gatherings and outdoor prayer meetings, as well as a prayer request line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.In addition, the ministry is organizing neighborhood prayer walks, weekly groups of Christians praying for coworkers, and a new missionary and mentorship program to train young adults in prayer and evangelism.“There’s no person or political party that’s going to save us. The only thing that’s going to save us is the love of Jesus Christ and the love of others,” Joe said.A message to fathers: ‘Love your wife’This Father’s Day, Joe has encouraging words for fathers: “Love your wife and kids the way Christ loved the Church.” “Sacrifice, be willing to lay your life down. Strive to love like Christ, knowing you will sometimes fall short,” he said. “Go to church every Sunday. Your kids wonʼt know faith is important if you don’t show it. Pray every day with your kids.”“Every night we say the Seven Sorrows of Mary, the St. Michael prayer, and the Angel of God prayer,” he said. “Then we say what we’re thankful for, and this is what we’d like God to help us with.”The Soltis’ also say a rosary once a week as a family, as well as in the car on long trips. “If your family is going through a difficult time, strongly follow the lead of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and consecrate your family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” Joe said.“One of the promises of that consecration is peace within your family. Ours didn’t have peace for a while but it does now, thank the Lord.”‘If I start, God will help me and guide me through it’Jake told EWTN News that “my dad and mom have always shown what love is. It’s a choice, You choose to love others, to love your enemy. Love is a choice and not an emotional feeling.”When he decided to build the sauna and exercise room for his mother in the family’s basement, he said he had “no idea what I was getting into.”Before beginning the basement renovation, Jake said he only “knew how to build a sub par table.” During the work, he said he “was just inspired. I just wanted to help my mom.” Becky Soltis and her son, Jake, in their basement, where Jake built a sauna and exercise room to aid in his motherʼs recovery. | Credit: Photo courtesy of the Soltis family Joe said his son “put a lot of pressure on himself because his mom’s health was at stake.” Becky had a grand mal seizure in 2025, which Joe called “scary.”“I have based the majority of my life on the saying ‘I will figure it out,’” Jake said. "I know that if I start something, and use the gifts I was given from God, I will be able to figure it out. I’m not wasting my ability, and I trust that if I start, God will help me and guide me through it.”His father said Jake “looked at two Google images” before starting the project. “He has the knack and ability to do this stuff. He would come home from school and work for thousands of hours.” “The only thing I did was I loaded the stuff in the back of the Chevy Tahoe at the hardware store. Every now and then I helped him out,” Joe laughed.“As an 8th grader, he took an unfinished basement, and now we have a fitness center, sauna, theater room, and theyʼre beautiful! They look professional. He did it all himself, for his mother,” Joe said proudly.
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Cleveland father and son live out sacrificial faith after mother’s near-death illness #Catholic In a time when the meaning of masculinity is often misunderstood and undervalued, Joe Soltis and his 15-year-old son, Jake, are a father/son pair from Cleveland, Ohio, who have made service to others the focus of their lives.After his mother’s serious illness, Jake, almost entirely by himself, built her a sauna and exercise room in the family’s basement in order to help her recover. Joe, the CEO of a marketing company, serves on the board of an ecumenical project that unites Catholics and Protestants called Prayer At The Heart, with the aim of igniting “a great spiritual awakening out of a national movement of unified, humble, desperate prayer, unity and evangelism.”The pair spoke with EWTN News about how their Catholic faith inspires them to be men who make it their mission to love as Jesus loves, and about how they hope to inspire others to do the same.‘There’s a good chance Mom won’t be coming home’In 2020, Joe’s wife and Jake’s mom, Becky, almost died after multiple medical issues led doctors to estimate she had only a 10% chance of survival. Joe said she was diagnosed with lupus, Lyme disease, a burst gall bladder, sepsis, and pancreatitis.“We weren’t allowed to see her in the hospital because it was during Covid,” said Joe, the father of five boys and one daughter, who had to tell his kids “there’s a good chance Mom won’t be coming home.” The Soltis family. | Credit: Photo courtesy of the Soltis family After weeks in the hospital, Becky began to recover, Joe said, and “by the grace of God, she pulled through.”“Out of that hardship, I have found a woman who is incredibly holy,” Joe said of his wife, who, though mostly recovered, still suffers ongoing symptoms from lupus. “She is an incredible mom and an incredible wife. I couldn’t ask for anyone better. She is a blessing to all of us.”Joe said that time “brought our family tremendously closer together.” A plan to ‘mobilize Christians’As Becky recovered from her health crisis, Joe watched the race riots that erupted all over the country that summer, leading him to conclude that “there are evil forces” at work leading to such division between Americans.“That’s not what Christ wants,” he said, and he wondered whether such division was “manufactured and intentional.” He read Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals, which he called “diabolically brilliant.”On July 4, 2020, between his work, family, and other responsibilities, Joe “happened to be free to sit down and think.” He felt inspired to write out a plan that would address how to “mobilize Christians” in a “Catholic, Christian, biblical manner.” Becky helped him fine tune the plan, which Joe then sent to various Christian leaders. Tom Phillips, vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, called him back and put him in touch with Doug Small, a Pentecostal leader with a similar vision who also lives in Ohio. Together, the men came up with Prayer at the Heart, an evangelistic endeavor with the goal of “one million Christians praying for one million friends to know Christ.”Of the ecumenical nature of their ministry, he said there is “great unity among” the team. “We can all unite around Christ.”  “Each congregation-denomination-ministry would brand the effort calling their constituents to prayer, evangelism-mission in their own way,” reads the website, on which Christians can sign up to pray for unbelievers. “The early apostles didn’t just stay in their church and pray,” Joe said. “They went out and evangelized. It’s time for Christians to get out of their homes and churches and bring Jesus to people.”The ministry’s strategy also involves other practical initiatives, such as the organization of local gatherings and outdoor prayer meetings, as well as a prayer request line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.In addition, the ministry is organizing neighborhood prayer walks, weekly groups of Christians praying for coworkers, and a new missionary and mentorship program to train young adults in prayer and evangelism.“There’s no person or political party that’s going to save us. The only thing that’s going to save us is the love of Jesus Christ and the love of others,” Joe said.A message to fathers: ‘Love your wife’This Father’s Day, Joe has encouraging words for fathers: “Love your wife and kids the way Christ loved the Church.” “Sacrifice, be willing to lay your life down. Strive to love like Christ, knowing you will sometimes fall short,” he said. “Go to church every Sunday. Your kids wonʼt know faith is important if you don’t show it. Pray every day with your kids.”“Every night we say the Seven Sorrows of Mary, the St. Michael prayer, and the Angel of God prayer,” he said. “Then we say what we’re thankful for, and this is what we’d like God to help us with.”The Soltis’ also say a rosary once a week as a family, as well as in the car on long trips. “If your family is going through a difficult time, strongly follow the lead of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and consecrate your family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” Joe said.“One of the promises of that consecration is peace within your family. Ours didn’t have peace for a while but it does now, thank the Lord.”‘If I start, God will help me and guide me through it’Jake told EWTN News that “my dad and mom have always shown what love is. It’s a choice, You choose to love others, to love your enemy. Love is a choice and not an emotional feeling.”When he decided to build the sauna and exercise room for his mother in the family’s basement, he said he had “no idea what I was getting into.”Before beginning the basement renovation, Jake said he only “knew how to build a sub par table.” During the work, he said he “was just inspired. I just wanted to help my mom.” Becky Soltis and her son, Jake, in their basement, where Jake built a sauna and exercise room to aid in his motherʼs recovery. | Credit: Photo courtesy of the Soltis family Joe said his son “put a lot of pressure on himself because his mom’s health was at stake.” Becky had a grand mal seizure in 2025, which Joe called “scary.”“I have based the majority of my life on the saying ‘I will figure it out,’” Jake said. "I know that if I start something, and use the gifts I was given from God, I will be able to figure it out. I’m not wasting my ability, and I trust that if I start, God will help me and guide me through it.”His father said Jake “looked at two Google images” before starting the project. “He has the knack and ability to do this stuff. He would come home from school and work for thousands of hours.” “The only thing I did was I loaded the stuff in the back of the Chevy Tahoe at the hardware store. Every now and then I helped him out,” Joe laughed.“As an 8th grader, he took an unfinished basement, and now we have a fitness center, sauna, theater room, and theyʼre beautiful! They look professional. He did it all himself, for his mother,” Joe said proudly.

unitedyam

The pair spoke with EWTN News about how their faith inspires them to be men who make it their mission to love as Jesus loves, and about how they hope to inspire others to do the same.

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‘The Church needs her sons’: Catholic podcast hosts call men to embrace fatherhood and faith #Catholic Samuel Blair and Jason Angelette are two of the five hosts of “The Point Man Podcast,” a podcast for Catholic men. Together, alongside Chris Price, Clint Capdepon, and Drew Pearson, they are fathers and husbands who share their knowledge and experience about navigating life today as Catholic men and as leaders of their families.Blair, a father of four, and Angelette, a widowed father of five, explained that the podcast is aimed at fathers and focuses on how masculinity and the sacramental life can be integrated. Describing themselves as a “mic’d up men’s group,” they try to foster a community to help men realize they’re not alone and encourage one another in their walk with the Lord.Ahead of Father’s Day, EWTN News spoke to the two men about how masculinity is perceived in today’s culture, what authentic masculinity looks like, and why fatherhood is such an important vocation in the life of the Church.(Editorʼs note: This interview was edited for clarity and length.)EWTN News: “Toxic masculinity” is a term used a lot in todayʼs culture. How would you each define authentic Catholic masculinity?Angelette: Jesus Christ. Thatʼs authentic masculinity. Jesus Christ fully reveals man to himself in his most high calling … the more that we model, imitate, and walk in the footsteps of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we will radiate a loving walk with our brothers and sisters in Christ in showing what real masculinity looks like.He tells the story of the prodigal son, which is the greatest short story ever told of what happens when, in the face of a father who is humiliated by his son, his son abandoned him, took the money, squandered the inheritance, and just left this complete stain on the family name, and how does he respond to it? Or when you see the compassion and the mercy that he shows the woman who is literally caught in the very act of adultery. Or you see when he embraces Peter after heʼs denied him three times and he gives him three chances to redeem himself and to show that mercy and that kindness and that humility and that gentleness.The heart of a man is a heart that has been set on fire by the Lord Jesus and he loves with gentleness and humility, not weakness in a sense of [being passive], but meekness in the sense of responding to the will of the Father.Blair: At the end of the day, when we die, the Lord doesnʼt ask us, “All right, well let me see your bank account, let me see the titles.” Itʼs “How well did you love?” And you cannot love if you donʼt receive love, which is to Jasonʼs point, he said it very succinctly, is Jesus Christ — he is the way, the truth, and life. So, modeling our lives after him and in that offering not only our wife, our children, our community, stability, offering our strength, warmth, validation because weʼve received that validation and love from the Father.Angelette: Toxic masculinity is men who are fighting the wrong fight. Men who have embraced the wrong identity, men who have abused the gifts and talents that theyʼve been given for themselves and not for others and for the kingdom. Samuel Blair, Jason Angelette, Chris Price, Clint Capdepon, and Drew Pearson film an episode of “The Point Man Podcast.” | Credit: Studio 7 at The Reminding Why is fatherhood such an important vocation in the life of the Church?Angelette: John Paul II, who wrote a play — he wrote five plays — and his last one was called “Radiation of Fatherhood.” And I feel like part of the gift of fatherhood is to radiate the fatherhood of God into the world and to our children.That is this beautiful gift that weʼve been given to participate in this way that God wants to reveal himself through us. Heʼs allowing us to participate — and not act like him, but to love like him, to love with a love like his.So as men, as husbands, as fathers, thereʼs this ability that through this masculine heart, this male heart, through this fatherhood, that we can love and reveal the love of God, the love of the father into the world.Satan hates that. I mean, the thing that destroys families is when fathers have abandoned their post and they leave. Look at the statistics of what happens when a father is not embracing his responsibility as the first herald of the faith, to lead their family in faith, and how hard it is for the faith to be passed on to the next generation.For Fatherʼs Day, what message would you like to share with fathers?Blair: Fathers, know that you’re unconditionally loved by God the Father and that the prodigal son points to that. And whether youʼre the younger son or the older son, he has this great inheritance for his boys, his sons.Not only should we enter into a relationship with Jesus for our own sake but for our wives, for our children, and ultimately the Church. The Church needs her sons fully engaged. Gone are the days you can just be on the sidelines.Angelette: You hear all the time that God loves you and unless youʼre drawing near to the Father, that just sounds like words. So, just avail yourself to really draw into prayer, to the sacraments, to connect with other men in Christ to not walk this road alone.If you want your heart on fire, draw near to the Sacred Heart and let his fire, let the heart of Christ, ignite your heart to the love that weʼre called to so we can truly love our families, truly love our children, and love our wives, and be the man that we know in our heart we want to be and that weʼre being called to be.
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‘The Church needs her sons’: Catholic podcast hosts call men to embrace fatherhood and faith #Catholic Samuel Blair and Jason Angelette are two of the five hosts of “The Point Man Podcast,” a podcast for Catholic men. Together, alongside Chris Price, Clint Capdepon, and Drew Pearson, they are fathers and husbands who share their knowledge and experience about navigating life today as Catholic men and as leaders of their families.Blair, a father of four, and Angelette, a widowed father of five, explained that the podcast is aimed at fathers and focuses on how masculinity and the sacramental life can be integrated. Describing themselves as a “mic’d up men’s group,” they try to foster a community to help men realize they’re not alone and encourage one another in their walk with the Lord.Ahead of Father’s Day, EWTN News spoke to the two men about how masculinity is perceived in today’s culture, what authentic masculinity looks like, and why fatherhood is such an important vocation in the life of the Church.(Editorʼs note: This interview was edited for clarity and length.)EWTN News: “Toxic masculinity” is a term used a lot in todayʼs culture. How would you each define authentic Catholic masculinity?Angelette: Jesus Christ. Thatʼs authentic masculinity. Jesus Christ fully reveals man to himself in his most high calling … the more that we model, imitate, and walk in the footsteps of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we will radiate a loving walk with our brothers and sisters in Christ in showing what real masculinity looks like.He tells the story of the prodigal son, which is the greatest short story ever told of what happens when, in the face of a father who is humiliated by his son, his son abandoned him, took the money, squandered the inheritance, and just left this complete stain on the family name, and how does he respond to it? Or when you see the compassion and the mercy that he shows the woman who is literally caught in the very act of adultery. Or you see when he embraces Peter after heʼs denied him three times and he gives him three chances to redeem himself and to show that mercy and that kindness and that humility and that gentleness.The heart of a man is a heart that has been set on fire by the Lord Jesus and he loves with gentleness and humility, not weakness in a sense of [being passive], but meekness in the sense of responding to the will of the Father.Blair: At the end of the day, when we die, the Lord doesnʼt ask us, “All right, well let me see your bank account, let me see the titles.” Itʼs “How well did you love?” And you cannot love if you donʼt receive love, which is to Jasonʼs point, he said it very succinctly, is Jesus Christ — he is the way, the truth, and life. So, modeling our lives after him and in that offering not only our wife, our children, our community, stability, offering our strength, warmth, validation because weʼve received that validation and love from the Father.Angelette: Toxic masculinity is men who are fighting the wrong fight. Men who have embraced the wrong identity, men who have abused the gifts and talents that theyʼve been given for themselves and not for others and for the kingdom. Samuel Blair, Jason Angelette, Chris Price, Clint Capdepon, and Drew Pearson film an episode of “The Point Man Podcast.” | Credit: Studio 7 at The Reminding Why is fatherhood such an important vocation in the life of the Church?Angelette: John Paul II, who wrote a play — he wrote five plays — and his last one was called “Radiation of Fatherhood.” And I feel like part of the gift of fatherhood is to radiate the fatherhood of God into the world and to our children.That is this beautiful gift that weʼve been given to participate in this way that God wants to reveal himself through us. Heʼs allowing us to participate — and not act like him, but to love like him, to love with a love like his.So as men, as husbands, as fathers, thereʼs this ability that through this masculine heart, this male heart, through this fatherhood, that we can love and reveal the love of God, the love of the father into the world.Satan hates that. I mean, the thing that destroys families is when fathers have abandoned their post and they leave. Look at the statistics of what happens when a father is not embracing his responsibility as the first herald of the faith, to lead their family in faith, and how hard it is for the faith to be passed on to the next generation.For Fatherʼs Day, what message would you like to share with fathers?Blair: Fathers, know that you’re unconditionally loved by God the Father and that the prodigal son points to that. And whether youʼre the younger son or the older son, he has this great inheritance for his boys, his sons.Not only should we enter into a relationship with Jesus for our own sake but for our wives, for our children, and ultimately the Church. The Church needs her sons fully engaged. Gone are the days you can just be on the sidelines.Angelette: You hear all the time that God loves you and unless youʼre drawing near to the Father, that just sounds like words. So, just avail yourself to really draw into prayer, to the sacraments, to connect with other men in Christ to not walk this road alone.If you want your heart on fire, draw near to the Sacred Heart and let his fire, let the heart of Christ, ignite your heart to the love that weʼre called to so we can truly love our families, truly love our children, and love our wives, and be the man that we know in our heart we want to be and that weʼre being called to be.

unitedyam

Samuel Blair and Jason Angelette are fathers and husbands who share their knowledge and experiences on navigating life as Catholic men and leaders of their families on “The Point Man Podcast.”

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Picture of the day A memorial to victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in front the Stonewall Inn in New York City. On June 12, 2016, a terrorist shot and killed 49 people and wounded 53 more in a mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, USA. #ImageOfTheDay
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Picture of the day A memorial to victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in front the Stonewall Inn in New York City. On June 12, 2016, a terrorist shot and killed 49 people and wounded 53 more in a mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, USA. #ImageOfTheDay

unitedyam
Picture of the day
A memorial to victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in front the Stonewall Inn in New York City. On June 12, 2016, a terrorist shot and killed 49 people and wounded 53 more in a mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, USA.
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Prayer for a Happy Death: Prayer of the Day for Sunday, June 21, 2026 – #Prayer – O God, great and omnipotent judge of the living and the dead, we are to appear before You after this short life to render an account of our works. Give us the grace to prepare for our last hour by a devout and holy life, and protect us against a sudden and unprovided death. Let us remember our frailty and mortality, that we may always live in the ways of Your commandments. Teach us to “watch and pray” (Luke 21, 36), that when Your summons comes for our departure from this world, we may go forth …

unitedyam

O God, great and omnipotent judge of the living and the dead, we are to appear before You after this short life to render an account of our works. Give us the grace to prepare for our last hour by a devout and holy life, and protect us against a sudden and unprovided death. Let us remember our frailty and mortality, that we may always live in the ways of Your commandments. Teach us to “watch and pray” (Luke 21, 36), that when Your summons comes for our departure from this world, we may go forth …

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 21 June 2026 – A reading from the Book of Jeremiah 20:10-13 Jeremiah said: "I hear the whisperings of many: ‘Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!’ All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. ‘Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.’ But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause. Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!"   A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 5:12-15 Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned— for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come. But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many.From the Gospel according to Matthew 10:26-33 Jesus said to the Twelve: "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."In this Sunday’s Gospel (cf. Mt 10:26-33) the invitation that Jesus addresses to His disciples resonates: to have no fear, to be strong and confident in the face of life’s challenges, as he forewarns them of the adversities that await them. Today’s passage is part of the missionary discourse, with which the Teacher prepares the Apostles for their first experience of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Jesus persistently exhorts them to “have no fear”. Fear is one of the most terrible enemies of our Christian life. Jesus exhorts: “have no fear”, “fear not”. And Jesus describes three tangible situations that they will find themselves facing. (…) They are like three temptations: to sugar-coat the Gospel, to water it down; second: persecution; and third: the feeling that God has left us alone. Even Jesus suffered this trial in the Garden of Olives and on the Cross: “Father, why have you forsaken me?”, Jesus asks. At times one feels this spiritual barrenness; we must not fear it. The Father takes care of us, because our value is great in His eyes. What matters is frankness, the courage of our witness, our witness of faith: “recognizing Jesus before men” and going forth doing good. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 21 June 2020)

unitedyam

A reading from the Book of Jeremiah
20:10-13

Jeremiah said:
"I hear the whisperings of many:
‘Terror on every side!
Denounce! let us denounce him!’
All those who were my friends
are on the watch for any misstep of mine.
‘Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail,
and take our vengeance on him.’
But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion:
my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.
In their failure they will be put to utter shame,
to lasting, unforgettable confusion.
O LORD of hosts, you who test the just,
who probe mind and heart,
let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause.
Sing to the LORD,
praise the LORD,
for he has rescued the life of the poor
from the power of the wicked!"

 

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans
5:12-15

Brothers and sisters:
Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned—
for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world,
though sin is not accounted when there is no law.
But death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over those who did not sin
after the pattern of the trespass of Adam,
who is the type of the one who was to come.

But the gift is not like the transgression.
For if by the transgression of the one the many died,
how much more did the grace of God
and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ
overflow for the many.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
10:26-33

Jesus said to the Twelve:
"Fear no one.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;
what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;
rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
both soul and body in Gehenna.
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
But whoever denies me before others,
I will deny before my heavenly Father."

In this Sunday’s Gospel (cf. Mt 10:26-33) the invitation that Jesus addresses to His disciples resonates: to have no fear, to be strong and confident in the face of life’s challenges, as he forewarns them of the adversities that await them. Today’s passage is part of the missionary discourse, with which the Teacher prepares the Apostles for their first experience of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Jesus persistently exhorts them to “have no fear”. Fear is one of the most terrible enemies of our Christian life. Jesus exhorts: “have no fear”, “fear not”. And Jesus describes three tangible situations that they will find themselves facing. (…)

They are like three temptations: to sugar-coat the Gospel, to water it down; second: persecution; and third: the feeling that God has left us alone. Even Jesus suffered this trial in the Garden of Olives and on the Cross: “Father, why have you forsaken me?”, Jesus asks. At times one feels this spiritual barrenness; we must not fear it. The Father takes care of us, because our value is great in His eyes. What matters is frankness, the courage of our witness, our witness of faith: “recognizing Jesus before men” and going forth doing good. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 21 June 2020)

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Obama Library Cruelly Disenfranchises Millions Of Black Americans By Requiring Photo ID For Entry #BabylonBee – CHICAGO, IL — In a cruel denial of basic human rights, the Obama Presidential Library has disenfranchised millions of black Americans by requiring photo identification for entry.
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Obama Library Cruelly Disenfranchises Millions Of Black Americans By Requiring Photo ID For Entry #BabylonBee – CHICAGO, IL — In a cruel denial of basic human rights, the Obama Presidential Library has disenfranchised millions of black Americans by requiring photo identification for entry.

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CHICAGO, IL — In a cruel denial of basic human rights, the Obama Presidential Library has disenfranchised millions of black Americans by requiring photo identification for entry.

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Nigerian activists rally for persecuted Christians near White House – #Catholic – Nigerian advocates called on the Trump administration to take increased actions to end terrorism and Christian persecution in the West African country at a rally near the White House on June 20.The Save Nigeria Rally included speakers such as Alveda King, the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., along with representatives from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.“We are here to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the persecuted Christians of Nigeria,” Save Nigeria Group USA President Stephen Osemwegie said during his rally speech, in which he thanked the U.S. President Donald Trump for his efforts to redesignate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and to carry out strategic strikes on terrorist groups there.“This is the Juneteenth holiday weekend,” Osemwegie said. “As our American brothers and sisters celebrate the historic victory over the evils of slavery and chattel oppression, we see an unbreakable spiritual connection between the American civil rights struggle and our fight against religious persecution and terrorism today.”“The shackles may look different, but the demonic spirit of oppression is exactly the same,” he said.Osemwegie told EWTN News that ending radical terrorism and persecution in Nigeria is “in the vital national security interest of the United States.”As a country of 240 million people with 70% under the age of 45 years old, Osemwegie emphasized the critical need for the U.S. to prevent Nigeria from falling “into the hands of radical Islamic terror.”“Nigeria sits at the epicenter today of global jihad,” he said. “If Boko Haram and ISIS reconstitute like they did in Syria, Nigeria could be another Syria, another Afghanistan. And that means that their core goal  … [would be] to reconstitute and come after the United States.”“They are really planning to regroup using the awesome resources in Africa and Nigeria, which has lithium, rare earths, gold, you name it, and two million barrels per day oil production,” he said. “You cannot allow such a country to become a terror hub. It will threaten the global community.”Osemwegie further emphasized that escalating terrorism could spark a migration crisis. “We are 240 million [citizens], we could overrun many neighboring countries and Europe. We want America and the world to help us stay there by fighting the terrorism.”“What Nigeria needs is not U.S. troops fighting on the ground,” Osemwegie said. “We need support — the platform, the drones, the advisors who will be behind our very gallant Nigerian troops that are giving their lives every day. As a matter of fact, weʼve lost senior officers, generals, soldiers fighting without the right equipment.”According to Osemwegie, Nigeria needs the United States to intervene in cutting off funding to terrorist groups in the country such as Boko Haram and ISIS, which he said receive the bulk of their funding from the Middle East and other “nefarious parts of the world.”The activist further called attention to the “humanitarian crisis that Nigeria faces,” with those who have been forced to flee their homes after facing persecution from armed militant groups, particularly the Fulani militant groups that have carried out most of the Christian persecution in the country.“An estimated 11 million people have been driven from their homes since 2009,” he said. “These people now live in makeshift camps. They want for everything, but the world is not aware that they need food, shelter, and most importantly, they need to be safely returned to their communities.”‘Nigeria, we hear you, we love you’“I encourage President Trump, and I am continually praying for him, to care about the people of Nigeria," Alveda King said during her rally speech.Reflecting on the message of her late uncle, King called for people of all faiths to consider each other as brothers and sisters.“We have to learn to live together. Same thing for Israel and the Palestinians and the Jews. Theyʼre brothers. Theyʼre not neighbors and cousins. They are actually brothers,” she said, alluding to ongoing conflicts in Israel and the broader Middle East.At different points in her remarks, King sang verses of the gospel songs “This Little Light of Mine” and “How Great Thou Art.”She emphasized the need for Christians to support humanitarian causes. “When little children are hungry, I don’t say ‘Are you a Muslim or a Jew?’ ‘Are you from Nigeria or America’ A little child is hungry, so we’re going to feed that child.”In an interview with EWTN News, King encouraged the Nigerian people to maintain hope.“Be encouraged,” she said. “Of one blood, God made all people to live together on the face of the earth. My uncle, Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr, said: ‘We must learn to live together as brothers … and not to perish together as fools’”“Nigeria, we hear you, we love you, be encouraged and have faith in God,” she said.Survivor of Boko Haram kidnapping calls for ‘open doors’Rebecca Samuel Dali, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014 and survived sexual assault as a young child, told EWTN News at the rally that she came to express her gratitude for Trumpʼs efforts to end persecution in Nigeria, and to ask that he “open doors” to those fleeing persecution.Dali was taken by Boko Haram July 30, 2014. She said the group released her after three hours when its leader realized his family had benefitted from the services provided by her organization, the Center for Compassion, Empowerment, and Peace Initiative.“If America was locked, I could not have been here now,” she said. “So to open doors for people to come and stay in this peaceful country, this is why I’m here.”Dali is also a minister of the Church of the Brethren and a 2017 recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation.
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Nigerian activists rally for persecuted Christians near White House – #Catholic – Nigerian advocates called on the Trump administration to take increased actions to end terrorism and Christian persecution in the West African country at a rally near the White House on June 20.The Save Nigeria Rally included speakers such as Alveda King, the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., along with representatives from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.“We are here to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the persecuted Christians of Nigeria,” Save Nigeria Group USA President Stephen Osemwegie said during his rally speech, in which he thanked the U.S. President Donald Trump for his efforts to redesignate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and to carry out strategic strikes on terrorist groups there.“This is the Juneteenth holiday weekend,” Osemwegie said. “As our American brothers and sisters celebrate the historic victory over the evils of slavery and chattel oppression, we see an unbreakable spiritual connection between the American civil rights struggle and our fight against religious persecution and terrorism today.”“The shackles may look different, but the demonic spirit of oppression is exactly the same,” he said.Osemwegie told EWTN News that ending radical terrorism and persecution in Nigeria is “in the vital national security interest of the United States.”As a country of 240 million people with 70% under the age of 45 years old, Osemwegie emphasized the critical need for the U.S. to prevent Nigeria from falling “into the hands of radical Islamic terror.”“Nigeria sits at the epicenter today of global jihad,” he said. “If Boko Haram and ISIS reconstitute like they did in Syria, Nigeria could be another Syria, another Afghanistan. And that means that their core goal  … [would be] to reconstitute and come after the United States.”“They are really planning to regroup using the awesome resources in Africa and Nigeria, which has lithium, rare earths, gold, you name it, and two million barrels per day oil production,” he said. “You cannot allow such a country to become a terror hub. It will threaten the global community.”Osemwegie further emphasized that escalating terrorism could spark a migration crisis. “We are 240 million [citizens], we could overrun many neighboring countries and Europe. We want America and the world to help us stay there by fighting the terrorism.”“What Nigeria needs is not U.S. troops fighting on the ground,” Osemwegie said. “We need support — the platform, the drones, the advisors who will be behind our very gallant Nigerian troops that are giving their lives every day. As a matter of fact, weʼve lost senior officers, generals, soldiers fighting without the right equipment.”According to Osemwegie, Nigeria needs the United States to intervene in cutting off funding to terrorist groups in the country such as Boko Haram and ISIS, which he said receive the bulk of their funding from the Middle East and other “nefarious parts of the world.”The activist further called attention to the “humanitarian crisis that Nigeria faces,” with those who have been forced to flee their homes after facing persecution from armed militant groups, particularly the Fulani militant groups that have carried out most of the Christian persecution in the country.“An estimated 11 million people have been driven from their homes since 2009,” he said. “These people now live in makeshift camps. They want for everything, but the world is not aware that they need food, shelter, and most importantly, they need to be safely returned to their communities.”‘Nigeria, we hear you, we love you’“I encourage President Trump, and I am continually praying for him, to care about the people of Nigeria," Alveda King said during her rally speech.Reflecting on the message of her late uncle, King called for people of all faiths to consider each other as brothers and sisters.“We have to learn to live together. Same thing for Israel and the Palestinians and the Jews. Theyʼre brothers. Theyʼre not neighbors and cousins. They are actually brothers,” she said, alluding to ongoing conflicts in Israel and the broader Middle East.At different points in her remarks, King sang verses of the gospel songs “This Little Light of Mine” and “How Great Thou Art.”She emphasized the need for Christians to support humanitarian causes. “When little children are hungry, I don’t say ‘Are you a Muslim or a Jew?’ ‘Are you from Nigeria or America’ A little child is hungry, so we’re going to feed that child.”In an interview with EWTN News, King encouraged the Nigerian people to maintain hope.“Be encouraged,” she said. “Of one blood, God made all people to live together on the face of the earth. My uncle, Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr, said: ‘We must learn to live together as brothers … and not to perish together as fools’”“Nigeria, we hear you, we love you, be encouraged and have faith in God,” she said.Survivor of Boko Haram kidnapping calls for ‘open doors’Rebecca Samuel Dali, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014 and survived sexual assault as a young child, told EWTN News at the rally that she came to express her gratitude for Trumpʼs efforts to end persecution in Nigeria, and to ask that he “open doors” to those fleeing persecution.Dali was taken by Boko Haram July 30, 2014. She said the group released her after three hours when its leader realized his family had benefitted from the services provided by her organization, the Center for Compassion, Empowerment, and Peace Initiative.“If America was locked, I could not have been here now,” she said. “So to open doors for people to come and stay in this peaceful country, this is why I’m here.”Dali is also a minister of the Church of the Brethren and a 2017 recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation.

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The Save Nigeria Rally included speakers such as Alveda King, PhD, the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., along with representatives from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

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Pope Leo XIV honors Mother Cabrini as model for Church on migration – #Catholic – SANT’ANGELO LODIGIANO, Italy — Pope Leo XIV paid tribute Saturday to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen ever canonized as a Catholic saint, holding her up as a model for how the Church should respond to migrants today.Before returning to the Vatican after a daylong visit to the northern Italian city of Pavia, the pope traveled to Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, in the Diocese of Lodi, the birthplace of Cabrini, the Italian-born missionary who became a tireless defender of migrants in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century.Cabrini died in Chicago in 1917 — the same city where Pope Leo was born. She was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1938 and canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1946.Welcomed by about 5,000 faithful, Pope Leo visited the Parish of Santi Antonio Abate e Francesca Cabrini for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and to venerate the heart of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.“When I learned that Sant’Angelo Lodigiano is only a few kilometers from Pavia,” Pope Leo said, “I thought I would take the opportunity, and here I am.”The pope said Mother Cabrini, following the guidance of Pope Leo XIII and St. John Baptist Scalabrini, “interpreted the signs of the times” and understood that her dream of going to China, in imitation of St. Francis Xavier, had to be fulfilled where the need was greatest.“Today that sign, that is, the phenomenon of migration, has entered a different phase, certainly more complex, yet no less capable of challenging the Church,” he said.Pope Leo asked what Cabrini’s missionary soul would say if she were alive today.“For my part, I inherited and carried forward the magisterium of Pope Francis with the apostolic exhortation Dilexi te on love for the poor,” he said. “And there, where it speaks of charity in the form of accompanying migrants, the figure of St. Frances Cabrini appears right alongside St. John Baptist Scalabrini. What could be more timely than a missionary charism placed at the service of migrants?”The pope also urged young people to learn more about Mother Cabrini, saying that those who come to know her “are captivated by her.”“Her soul was at once contemplative and active,” Pope Leo said. “She was immersed in the love of the heart of Christ, and this gave her an extraordinary capacity for work and strength of spirit.”In his greeting to the pope, Bishop Maurizio Malvestiti of Lodi praised what he called Mother Cabrini’s “original and highly fruitful” union of contemplation and social charity.Both dimensions, he said, were “overwhelming and farsighted in an evangelical reading of the times and of new realities,” marked by “ecumenical and interreligious intuitions” that testify that “no one is a stranger in history: We are all called to fraternity in justice and peace.”The stop in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano was the final leg of Pope Leo’s brief but intense visit to Lombardy.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 honors Mother Cabrini as model for Church on migration – #Catholic – SANT’ANGELO LODIGIANO, Italy — Pope Leo XIV paid tribute Saturday to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen ever canonized as a Catholic saint, holding her up as a model for how the Church should respond to migrants today.Before returning to the Vatican after a daylong visit to the northern Italian city of Pavia, the pope traveled to Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, in the Diocese of Lodi, the birthplace of Cabrini, the Italian-born missionary who became a tireless defender of migrants in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century.Cabrini died in Chicago in 1917 — the same city where Pope Leo was born. She was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1938 and canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1946.Welcomed by about 5,000 faithful, Pope Leo visited the Parish of Santi Antonio Abate e Francesca Cabrini for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and to venerate the heart of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.“When I learned that Sant’Angelo Lodigiano is only a few kilometers from Pavia,” Pope Leo said, “I thought I would take the opportunity, and here I am.”The pope said Mother Cabrini, following the guidance of Pope Leo XIII and St. John Baptist Scalabrini, “interpreted the signs of the times” and understood that her dream of going to China, in imitation of St. Francis Xavier, had to be fulfilled where the need was greatest.“Today that sign, that is, the phenomenon of migration, has entered a different phase, certainly more complex, yet no less capable of challenging the Church,” he said.Pope Leo asked what Cabrini’s missionary soul would say if she were alive today.“For my part, I inherited and carried forward the magisterium of Pope Francis with the apostolic exhortation Dilexi te on love for the poor,” he said. “And there, where it speaks of charity in the form of accompanying migrants, the figure of St. Frances Cabrini appears right alongside St. John Baptist Scalabrini. What could be more timely than a missionary charism placed at the service of migrants?”The pope also urged young people to learn more about Mother Cabrini, saying that those who come to know her “are captivated by her.”“Her soul was at once contemplative and active,” Pope Leo said. “She was immersed in the love of the heart of Christ, and this gave her an extraordinary capacity for work and strength of spirit.”In his greeting to the pope, Bishop Maurizio Malvestiti of Lodi praised what he called Mother Cabrini’s “original and highly fruitful” union of contemplation and social charity.Both dimensions, he said, were “overwhelming and farsighted in an evangelical reading of the times and of new realities,” marked by “ecumenical and interreligious intuitions” that testify that “no one is a stranger in history: We are all called to fraternity in justice and peace.”The stop in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano was the final leg of Pope Leo’s brief but intense visit to Lombardy.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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At the birthplace of the first U.S. citizen canonized as a Catholic saint, the Chicago-born pope said the Church is still challenged by migration today.

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At St. Augustine’s tomb, Pope Leo XIV urges Pavia to honor every human life – #Catholic – PAVIA, Italy — Pope Leo XIV on Saturday visited the Basilica of St. Peter in Ciel d’Oro in Pavia, where the relics of St. Augustine are kept, in what amounted to a kind of homecoming for the Augustinian pope.The basilica, whose construction began in the eighth century, has housed the mortal remains of St. Augustine since around the year 722, when they arrived in Pavia from Cagliari. The relics had previously been brought to Sardinia from Hippo in 504.The June 20 stop continued Pope Leo’s Augustinian itinerary. In April, during his apostolic journey to Algeria, the pope visited Annaba, the ancient Hippo, where Augustine served as bishop.Upon his arrival at the basilica, Pope Leo was welcomed by Father Joseph L. Farrell, prior general of the Order of St. Augustine; Father Gabriele Pedicino, provincial prior; and Father Gianfranco Casagrande, prior of the convent. The pope then met with the Augustinian community and, later in the cloister, with bishops of the Lombardy Episcopal Conference.The last papal visit to the Basilica of St. Peter in Ciel d’Oro took place in 2007, when Pope Benedict XVI came to Pavia and was welcomed by Father Robert Francis Prevost, then prior general of the Order of St. Augustine.Greeting those present in the cloister, where about 1,800 faithful were gathered inside and outside the basilica, Pope Leo spoke briefly off the cuff.“I know many of you,” he said. “St. Augustine teaches us to live and to love God and our brothers and sisters. Fraternal love and charity toward all are important; this is the message of Jesus and of St. Augustine. We are signs of love and charity, and we know how to live forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace.”In his greeting to the Augustinian community, Leo said that “St. Augustine is not ours; he belongs to the Church, and our mission is to make him known in the Church,” because Augustine “has so much to offer in this time.”The pope said it is necessary “to offer the message of love for Christ and love for the Church,” adding: “May St. Augustine always help us to live this mission.”In his address in the basilica, Pope Leo praised the Church in Pavia as “a community of ancient tradition that remains alive and present in the city and territory, attentive to the signs of this time and to its challenges, without allowing itself to be discouraged by fatigue, by the secularized context, and by the difficulties in transmitting the faith.”To avoid discouragement, he said, Christians need “a gaze animated by the spirit of faith” that helps them read reality more deeply and resist “a negative and pessimistic attitude, incapable of generating new life.”“The gaze that is required of us is instead that of Jesus,” he said.The pope asked what it means to be “a living Church,” answering that it requires remaining united to Christ, “the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God.”“Christ is the foundation of the spiritual building,” Leo said. “He is the cornerstone placed as the basis of our ecclesial journey, of pastoral action, and of evangelization.”Being built in Christ, he said, protects the Church from the risk of becoming scattered or exhausted by “secondary things” that may be good but do not reach what is essential.“Since the center is Christ, we all draw from this one source and submit our efforts to the discernment that comes from his light and his word,” the pope said. “Then we help grow a Church in which people walk together, capable of renewing itself without division, in which all recognize one another as brothers and sisters and work joyfully in service of the kingdom of God.”Leo urged Christian communities to be centered on what is essential, “even if this should involve giving up some structures and some securities of the past.”“The essential thing is to live with Christ, and spreading his Gospel is what must be close to our hearts,” he said.The pope addressed that appeal first to priests, calling them to “always return to the center” and to unify everything in their relationship with the Lord. He also encouraged men and women religious, who he said often know the fatigue of updating the charism to which they belong, to begin again from Christ and share their gifts with the whole diocesan Church.In a secularized world, Leo said, Christians are called above all to bring “the joyful and liberating proclamation of Jesus Christ” and to help people discover or rediscover the faith.The pope then pointed again to Augustine, saying that “his thought, the story of his conversion, and his spirituality remind us of the value and primacy of interiority.”“As living stones, we are called to be a Church well rooted in the territory,” Pope Leo said, “a Church that walks amid the struggles and hopes of the people, expert in the art of listening and accompanying.”He emphasized the importance in Pavia of university pastoral ministry and dialogue with culture, saying that study and scientific work challenge believers to offer a faith capable of illuminating the human search for truth, justice, and beauty.Before the pope’s address, Bishop Corrado Sanguineti of Pavia described the local Church as “a Church on the journey,” marked by growing communion among religious communities, associations, movements, and pastoral efforts to reach people in the concrete circumstances of their lives.Farrell, the Augustinian prior general and Prevost’s successor, also addressed the pope. He said Pope Leo’s presence among the Augustinians had “inestimable meaning,” because they are “historically and spiritually, sons of the Church and sons of St. Augustine.”“We have St. Augustine for a father and the Church for a mother,” Farrell said, noting that the words would sound familiar to Leo because they were the same words then-Father Prevost had addressed to Pope Benedict XVI during his 2007 visit to Pavia. Pope Leo XIV in Pavia, Italy, on June 20, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News After leaving the basilica, Pope Leo went to Piazza Duomo, where he prayed before the Blessed Sacrament and venerated the relics of St. Syrus, the first bishop of Pavia.On the steps of the cathedral, the pope blessed a heated cradle intended for abandoned newborns and prayed before the image of Our Lady of Colombina. The then-Cardinal Prevost had been expected to visit the shrine of Colombina last year, but his election to the papacy made the visit impossible.Speaking off the cuff on the cathedral steps, Pope Leo greeted young people and the large Peruvian community present in the city.“We all want to live in peace,” he said. “It is very important that we never lose hope. But, as St. Augustine told us, if we want to change the times, if we want the world to live in peace, we must begin with ourselves.”“That means no more words of hatred, no more insults, no more bullying, no more all those things that create war between people, between communities, between countries,” the pope said. “We must all learn to be builders of peace and promoters of reconciliation.”After the visit to the cathedral, Pope Leo walked despite the intense heat to Piazza Vittoria for a meeting with the city’s residents.The beauty of Pavia, Leo said, is demanding because it represents “the precious inheritance of a past that becomes a commitment for the present.”“The city is in fact a gift and a task for those who live there,” he said.Referring to schools, universities, hospitals, and parishes, the pope said they are “significant places” that testify to welcome, education, and culture. In different ways, he said, they attest to “the same care for the person-in-community, with his dignity and his values,” which unite citizens as one people and also underlie the Italian Constitution.The city, Pope Leo said, points to “a human condition: The city is one for all; it is singular and plural.”“To be social means to be solidary, behaving as authentic partners, motivated by the common good and not by partisan interests,” he said. “Citizens are always fellow citizens.”Speaking before about 3,500 people gathered between the cathedral and Piazza Vittoria, the pope warned against indifference and called for renewed participation in civic life.“When indifference seems to break apart our community, it is necessary to renew the active participation of all in city life,” he said. “Faced with forms of degradation and civic illiteracy, we are called to share languages of dedication and service, which safeguard squares, parks, and streets as places of encounter par excellence.”Good citizenship, he said, “knows how to cultivate concord through dialogue and constructive encounter among the people and cultures that animate Pavia.”“Today I invite each of you to repeat within yourselves: I care about our city,” the pope said. “I care about the health of the person next to me. I care about the beauty of the place where I live. I care about the quality of life in the environments where I work and where I spend my free time.”Leo also highlighted the University of Pavia, saying its students experience not “an agglomeration of knowledge” but a system capable of forming the person “without speculating on his labor.”“To promote the sciences, in fact, means to promote man, who must always remain the protagonist of his own research,” the pope said. “To every form of knowledge there corresponds a form of care.”Returning to Augustine, Leo said “one cannot believe without thinking, nor is it possible to illuminate the highest questions of reason without faith.”“With this trusting openness, human reason asks and plans,” he said. “It does not close itself within the logic of profit or domination but discovers new ways to care for itself and for the world.”Faith, he added, reminds people that they are not “subjects of an anonymous fate” but are sustained by the certainty that God is “creator and savior of life.”“Thanks to your commitment, Pavia is prosperous not only in goods but also in virtues: Always honor the dignity of every human life!” he said.Earlier in the day, Pope Leo began his brief but intense visit to Pavia at the National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, known by its Italian acronym CNAO.The papal helicopter landed in Pavia shortly before 2:40 p.m. on a day of particularly high temperatures. The pope was welcomed by local authorities and Sanguineti.“Great emotion, an atmosphere of joy, a hot day because of the heat — we think it is a beautiful moment for everyone and an experience of faith for many,” the bishop told accredited journalists gathered in the press room inside the bishop’s residence.The cancer center, inaugurated Feb. 15, 2010, treats patients with solid tumors that cannot be cured surgically or with traditional radiotherapy, using hadrontherapy: irradiation with beams of protons and carbon ions.CNAO was the first center dedicated to hadrontherapy in Italy and remains the only one in the country able to offer carbon ion therapy.Inside the facility, the pope greeted administrators, medical staff, and several children undergoing treatment at the center, together with their parents.“Help the whole world understand how, when there are difficult moments, if there is not the presence and love of the family, everything is more difficult,” the pope said off the cuff. “God does not want anyone to suffer. What God promises us is that he will always be present, even when we are too weak; he sends us angels.”The pope thanked CNAO, “which works miracles,” and its staff, saying “God works in our lives also through doctors, nurses, and so many people.”“When things are difficult,” he said, “let us place all our trust in God.”After leaving Pavia, Pope Leo was scheduled to stop in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano to venerate the relics of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini before returning to the Vatican.This story was first published in three parts by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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At St. Augustine’s tomb, Pope Leo XIV urges Pavia to honor every human life – #Catholic – PAVIA, Italy — Pope Leo XIV on Saturday visited the Basilica of St. Peter in Ciel d’Oro in Pavia, where the relics of St. Augustine are kept, in what amounted to a kind of homecoming for the Augustinian pope.The basilica, whose construction began in the eighth century, has housed the mortal remains of St. Augustine since around the year 722, when they arrived in Pavia from Cagliari. The relics had previously been brought to Sardinia from Hippo in 504.The June 20 stop continued Pope Leo’s Augustinian itinerary. In April, during his apostolic journey to Algeria, the pope visited Annaba, the ancient Hippo, where Augustine served as bishop.Upon his arrival at the basilica, Pope Leo was welcomed by Father Joseph L. Farrell, prior general of the Order of St. Augustine; Father Gabriele Pedicino, provincial prior; and Father Gianfranco Casagrande, prior of the convent. The pope then met with the Augustinian community and, later in the cloister, with bishops of the Lombardy Episcopal Conference.The last papal visit to the Basilica of St. Peter in Ciel d’Oro took place in 2007, when Pope Benedict XVI came to Pavia and was welcomed by Father Robert Francis Prevost, then prior general of the Order of St. Augustine.Greeting those present in the cloister, where about 1,800 faithful were gathered inside and outside the basilica, Pope Leo spoke briefly off the cuff.“I know many of you,” he said. “St. Augustine teaches us to live and to love God and our brothers and sisters. Fraternal love and charity toward all are important; this is the message of Jesus and of St. Augustine. We are signs of love and charity, and we know how to live forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace.”In his greeting to the Augustinian community, Leo said that “St. Augustine is not ours; he belongs to the Church, and our mission is to make him known in the Church,” because Augustine “has so much to offer in this time.”The pope said it is necessary “to offer the message of love for Christ and love for the Church,” adding: “May St. Augustine always help us to live this mission.”In his address in the basilica, Pope Leo praised the Church in Pavia as “a community of ancient tradition that remains alive and present in the city and territory, attentive to the signs of this time and to its challenges, without allowing itself to be discouraged by fatigue, by the secularized context, and by the difficulties in transmitting the faith.”To avoid discouragement, he said, Christians need “a gaze animated by the spirit of faith” that helps them read reality more deeply and resist “a negative and pessimistic attitude, incapable of generating new life.”“The gaze that is required of us is instead that of Jesus,” he said.The pope asked what it means to be “a living Church,” answering that it requires remaining united to Christ, “the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God.”“Christ is the foundation of the spiritual building,” Leo said. “He is the cornerstone placed as the basis of our ecclesial journey, of pastoral action, and of evangelization.”Being built in Christ, he said, protects the Church from the risk of becoming scattered or exhausted by “secondary things” that may be good but do not reach what is essential.“Since the center is Christ, we all draw from this one source and submit our efforts to the discernment that comes from his light and his word,” the pope said. “Then we help grow a Church in which people walk together, capable of renewing itself without division, in which all recognize one another as brothers and sisters and work joyfully in service of the kingdom of God.”Leo urged Christian communities to be centered on what is essential, “even if this should involve giving up some structures and some securities of the past.”“The essential thing is to live with Christ, and spreading his Gospel is what must be close to our hearts,” he said.The pope addressed that appeal first to priests, calling them to “always return to the center” and to unify everything in their relationship with the Lord. He also encouraged men and women religious, who he said often know the fatigue of updating the charism to which they belong, to begin again from Christ and share their gifts with the whole diocesan Church.In a secularized world, Leo said, Christians are called above all to bring “the joyful and liberating proclamation of Jesus Christ” and to help people discover or rediscover the faith.The pope then pointed again to Augustine, saying that “his thought, the story of his conversion, and his spirituality remind us of the value and primacy of interiority.”“As living stones, we are called to be a Church well rooted in the territory,” Pope Leo said, “a Church that walks amid the struggles and hopes of the people, expert in the art of listening and accompanying.”He emphasized the importance in Pavia of university pastoral ministry and dialogue with culture, saying that study and scientific work challenge believers to offer a faith capable of illuminating the human search for truth, justice, and beauty.Before the pope’s address, Bishop Corrado Sanguineti of Pavia described the local Church as “a Church on the journey,” marked by growing communion among religious communities, associations, movements, and pastoral efforts to reach people in the concrete circumstances of their lives.Farrell, the Augustinian prior general and Prevost’s successor, also addressed the pope. He said Pope Leo’s presence among the Augustinians had “inestimable meaning,” because they are “historically and spiritually, sons of the Church and sons of St. Augustine.”“We have St. Augustine for a father and the Church for a mother,” Farrell said, noting that the words would sound familiar to Leo because they were the same words then-Father Prevost had addressed to Pope Benedict XVI during his 2007 visit to Pavia. Pope Leo XIV in Pavia, Italy, on June 20, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News After leaving the basilica, Pope Leo went to Piazza Duomo, where he prayed before the Blessed Sacrament and venerated the relics of St. Syrus, the first bishop of Pavia.On the steps of the cathedral, the pope blessed a heated cradle intended for abandoned newborns and prayed before the image of Our Lady of Colombina. The then-Cardinal Prevost had been expected to visit the shrine of Colombina last year, but his election to the papacy made the visit impossible.Speaking off the cuff on the cathedral steps, Pope Leo greeted young people and the large Peruvian community present in the city.“We all want to live in peace,” he said. “It is very important that we never lose hope. But, as St. Augustine told us, if we want to change the times, if we want the world to live in peace, we must begin with ourselves.”“That means no more words of hatred, no more insults, no more bullying, no more all those things that create war between people, between communities, between countries,” the pope said. “We must all learn to be builders of peace and promoters of reconciliation.”After the visit to the cathedral, Pope Leo walked despite the intense heat to Piazza Vittoria for a meeting with the city’s residents.The beauty of Pavia, Leo said, is demanding because it represents “the precious inheritance of a past that becomes a commitment for the present.”“The city is in fact a gift and a task for those who live there,” he said.Referring to schools, universities, hospitals, and parishes, the pope said they are “significant places” that testify to welcome, education, and culture. In different ways, he said, they attest to “the same care for the person-in-community, with his dignity and his values,” which unite citizens as one people and also underlie the Italian Constitution.The city, Pope Leo said, points to “a human condition: The city is one for all; it is singular and plural.”“To be social means to be solidary, behaving as authentic partners, motivated by the common good and not by partisan interests,” he said. “Citizens are always fellow citizens.”Speaking before about 3,500 people gathered between the cathedral and Piazza Vittoria, the pope warned against indifference and called for renewed participation in civic life.“When indifference seems to break apart our community, it is necessary to renew the active participation of all in city life,” he said. “Faced with forms of degradation and civic illiteracy, we are called to share languages of dedication and service, which safeguard squares, parks, and streets as places of encounter par excellence.”Good citizenship, he said, “knows how to cultivate concord through dialogue and constructive encounter among the people and cultures that animate Pavia.”“Today I invite each of you to repeat within yourselves: I care about our city,” the pope said. “I care about the health of the person next to me. I care about the beauty of the place where I live. I care about the quality of life in the environments where I work and where I spend my free time.”Leo also highlighted the University of Pavia, saying its students experience not “an agglomeration of knowledge” but a system capable of forming the person “without speculating on his labor.”“To promote the sciences, in fact, means to promote man, who must always remain the protagonist of his own research,” the pope said. “To every form of knowledge there corresponds a form of care.”Returning to Augustine, Leo said “one cannot believe without thinking, nor is it possible to illuminate the highest questions of reason without faith.”“With this trusting openness, human reason asks and plans,” he said. “It does not close itself within the logic of profit or domination but discovers new ways to care for itself and for the world.”Faith, he added, reminds people that they are not “subjects of an anonymous fate” but are sustained by the certainty that God is “creator and savior of life.”“Thanks to your commitment, Pavia is prosperous not only in goods but also in virtues: Always honor the dignity of every human life!” he said.Earlier in the day, Pope Leo began his brief but intense visit to Pavia at the National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, known by its Italian acronym CNAO.The papal helicopter landed in Pavia shortly before 2:40 p.m. on a day of particularly high temperatures. The pope was welcomed by local authorities and Sanguineti.“Great emotion, an atmosphere of joy, a hot day because of the heat — we think it is a beautiful moment for everyone and an experience of faith for many,” the bishop told accredited journalists gathered in the press room inside the bishop’s residence.The cancer center, inaugurated Feb. 15, 2010, treats patients with solid tumors that cannot be cured surgically or with traditional radiotherapy, using hadrontherapy: irradiation with beams of protons and carbon ions.CNAO was the first center dedicated to hadrontherapy in Italy and remains the only one in the country able to offer carbon ion therapy.Inside the facility, the pope greeted administrators, medical staff, and several children undergoing treatment at the center, together with their parents.“Help the whole world understand how, when there are difficult moments, if there is not the presence and love of the family, everything is more difficult,” the pope said off the cuff. “God does not want anyone to suffer. What God promises us is that he will always be present, even when we are too weak; he sends us angels.”The pope thanked CNAO, “which works miracles,” and its staff, saying “God works in our lives also through doctors, nurses, and so many people.”“When things are difficult,” he said, “let us place all our trust in God.”After leaving Pavia, Pope Leo was scheduled to stop in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano to venerate the relics of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini before returning to the Vatican.This story was first published in three parts by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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In a visit to the northern Italian city, the Augustinian pope prayed before the relics of St. Augustine, called for civic peace and solidarity, and comforted young cancer patients and their families.

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News Outlet Caves to Democratic Senate Candidate, Kills Poll That Makes Her Look Bad – The already-dramatic Democratic primary contest in Michigan just got a new plot twist. The post News Outlet Caves to Democratic Senate Candidate, Kills Poll That Makes Her Look Bad appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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News Outlet Caves to Democratic Senate Candidate, Kills Poll That Makes Her Look Bad – The already-dramatic Democratic primary contest in Michigan just got a new plot twist. The post News Outlet Caves to Democratic Senate Candidate, Kills Poll That Makes Her Look Bad appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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The already-dramatic Democratic primary contest in Michigan just got a new plot twist.

The post News Outlet Caves to Democratic Senate Candidate, Kills Poll That Makes Her Look Bad appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Watch: Trump Physically Supports Marine Maj. James Capers, 88, Before Awarding the Unkillable Vietnam Vet the Congressional Medal of Honor – Conservatives by temperament only reluctantly admit that anything, anywhere, has ever improved. The post Watch: Trump Physically Supports Marine Maj. James Capers, 88, Before Awarding the Unkillable Vietnam Vet the Congressional Medal of Honor appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Watch: Trump Physically Supports Marine Maj. James Capers, 88, Before Awarding the Unkillable Vietnam Vet the Congressional Medal of Honor – Conservatives by temperament only reluctantly admit that anything, anywhere, has ever improved. The post Watch: Trump Physically Supports Marine Maj. James Capers, 88, Before Awarding the Unkillable Vietnam Vet the Congressional Medal of Honor appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Donald Trump poses with a decorated military veteran, showcasing their camaraderie against a backdrop of flags and military honors.

Donald Trump poses with a decorated military veteran, showcasing their camaraderie against a backdrop of flags and military honors.

Conservatives by temperament only reluctantly admit that anything, anywhere, has ever improved.

The post Watch: Trump Physically Supports Marine Maj. James Capers, 88, Before Awarding the Unkillable Vietnam Vet the Congressional Medal of Honor appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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June 20, 1955: Pingualuit Crater is discovered

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On June 20, 1943, Pingualuit Crater (formerly known as Chubb Crater and as the New Quebec Crater) was first photographed by a U.S. Army Air Force crew during a meterological flight over northern Quebec. Formed approximately 1.4 million years ago by a meteorite impact, the 2.1-mile-wide (3.4 kilometers) crater has an unusually circular shape resultingContinue reading “June 20, 1955: Pingualuit Crater is discovered”

The post June 20, 1955: Pingualuit Crater is discovered appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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5 powerful moments of faith at the 2026 FIFA World Cup #Catholic The 2026 FIFA World Cup began on June 11 — making history as the first World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.The FIFA World Cup is one of the most-watched sporting events with roughly 5 billion people tuning in to the tournament that brings together soccer’s best athletes from around the world.Despite only being a little over a week into the soccer tournament, the name of Jesus has already been made known many times from several of the athletes and teams as they compete on this global stage.Here are five powerful moments of faith we’ve seen at the World Cup so far:1. Croatian team shares the importance of their Catholic faithAhead of Croatia’s first match against England, two members of the team took part in a press conference where they discussed the role their Catholic faith plays in their lives.EWTN News correspondent Mark Irons was in attendance and asked Kristijan Jakić and Igor Matanović what Catholicism means to the team and if prayer and faith is important to them in their own lives.“I think faith is very important in my life. When you pray to God, it’s like a feeling that someone is listening to you, and that gives me a lot of strength,” Matanović said.Jakić added: “We are a country in which we are Catholics and in which faith means the path in our lives. I think faith represents the entire national team. Faith simply means everything in our lives.”Instagram post2. Players from Curaçao and Germany join in prayer after competing against one anotherThe national team from the country of Curaçao — which is a Caribbean island with a population of 150,000 — made history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time. By qualifying, the island nation set a Guinness World Record as the smallest country by population to ever reach the global menʼs tournament.Despite losing to Germany in their first match 7-1, the players and coaches were visibly emotional realizing the achievement the team had accomplished. In a moment of gratitude, several of the athletes joined on the pitch for a moment of prayer. They were then joined by German players Jonathan Tah and Felix Nmecha — both outspoken Christians.In a postgame interview, Nmecha said: “During the game, we are opponents, but after the game we are all Christians and we are brothers… In our faith, we all believe that Jesus is glorified through the game and that’s why we came together and simply prayed together.”Instagram post3. Lionel Messi thanks God after making historyArgentina went up against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, Kansas, where over 69,000 fans watched history unfold at the feet of the famous Argentinian player Lionel Messi.During the 3-0 victory against Algeria, Messi recorded the first FIFA World Cup hat trick — when a single player scores three goals during one game — of his career. Additionally, Messi made history by tying former German soccer player Miroslav Klose’s record for most men’s World Cup goals scored at 16.After the game, Messi, a devout Catholic, said: “I can’t ask for more than what I received. As I’ve said many times, thank God that he has given me so much and everything that comes now is a blessing.”Instagram post4. Team USA shares a moment of prayer after historic win against ParaguayOn June 12, the men from the United States started their World Cup journey on a positive note with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay. After the game, defender Mark McKenzie led the team in a moment of prayer on the field.Leading into the tournament, several of the U.S. players were vocal about their faith. Star winger Christian Pulisic is known for leading several of his teammates in a Bible study he calls “Bible Time” and has discussed the important role reading Scripture plays in his daily life.Goalkeeper Matt Freese recently spoke to Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast and discussed how his faith and career are intertwined.“Godʼs given me so many opportunities within this game and within my career. I still have a role to play in that. I still have to do my part and take that opportunity and do something with it,” Freese said.He also shared that he’s a listener of Father Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” podcast.“Right now I’m listening to ‘Bible in a Year’ by Father Mike Schmitz. It’s been fantastic and it kind of makes me able to — even when I’m on the road or even if itʼs a busy stretch — make sure I’m spending some time every day, hopefully every day, [with Scripture],” he said.Instagram post5. Felix Nmecha honors Jesus in post-goal celebrationGerman midfielder Felix Nmecha honored Jesus by making a powerful gesture after scoring the first goal in Germany’s 7-1 victory against Curaçao on June 14.After scoring the goal, Nmecha knelt down on one knee and made the gesture of taking off a crown from his head, placed it on the ground, and then pointed up to the sky. This “crown down” gesture, as it has been called, symbolizes that every gift, every victory, and every moment of glory belongs to Christ.In a postgame interview, Nmecha said: “It was an incredible blessing to score my first goal for Germany and for it to be so fast. All the glory I give to God, because he is the one who has given me this talent and the opportunity to be here living this dream.”Instagram post
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5 powerful moments of faith at the 2026 FIFA World Cup #Catholic The 2026 FIFA World Cup began on June 11 — making history as the first World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.The FIFA World Cup is one of the most-watched sporting events with roughly 5 billion people tuning in to the tournament that brings together soccer’s best athletes from around the world.Despite only being a little over a week into the soccer tournament, the name of Jesus has already been made known many times from several of the athletes and teams as they compete on this global stage.Here are five powerful moments of faith we’ve seen at the World Cup so far:1. Croatian team shares the importance of their Catholic faithAhead of Croatia’s first match against England, two members of the team took part in a press conference where they discussed the role their Catholic faith plays in their lives.EWTN News correspondent Mark Irons was in attendance and asked Kristijan Jakić and Igor Matanović what Catholicism means to the team and if prayer and faith is important to them in their own lives.“I think faith is very important in my life. When you pray to God, it’s like a feeling that someone is listening to you, and that gives me a lot of strength,” Matanović said.Jakić added: “We are a country in which we are Catholics and in which faith means the path in our lives. I think faith represents the entire national team. Faith simply means everything in our lives.”Instagram post2. Players from Curaçao and Germany join in prayer after competing against one anotherThe national team from the country of Curaçao — which is a Caribbean island with a population of 150,000 — made history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time. By qualifying, the island nation set a Guinness World Record as the smallest country by population to ever reach the global menʼs tournament.Despite losing to Germany in their first match 7-1, the players and coaches were visibly emotional realizing the achievement the team had accomplished. In a moment of gratitude, several of the athletes joined on the pitch for a moment of prayer. They were then joined by German players Jonathan Tah and Felix Nmecha — both outspoken Christians.In a postgame interview, Nmecha said: “During the game, we are opponents, but after the game we are all Christians and we are brothers… In our faith, we all believe that Jesus is glorified through the game and that’s why we came together and simply prayed together.”Instagram post3. Lionel Messi thanks God after making historyArgentina went up against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, Kansas, where over 69,000 fans watched history unfold at the feet of the famous Argentinian player Lionel Messi.During the 3-0 victory against Algeria, Messi recorded the first FIFA World Cup hat trick — when a single player scores three goals during one game — of his career. Additionally, Messi made history by tying former German soccer player Miroslav Klose’s record for most men’s World Cup goals scored at 16.After the game, Messi, a devout Catholic, said: “I can’t ask for more than what I received. As I’ve said many times, thank God that he has given me so much and everything that comes now is a blessing.”Instagram post4. Team USA shares a moment of prayer after historic win against ParaguayOn June 12, the men from the United States started their World Cup journey on a positive note with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay. After the game, defender Mark McKenzie led the team in a moment of prayer on the field.Leading into the tournament, several of the U.S. players were vocal about their faith. Star winger Christian Pulisic is known for leading several of his teammates in a Bible study he calls “Bible Time” and has discussed the important role reading Scripture plays in his daily life.Goalkeeper Matt Freese recently spoke to Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast and discussed how his faith and career are intertwined.“Godʼs given me so many opportunities within this game and within my career. I still have a role to play in that. I still have to do my part and take that opportunity and do something with it,” Freese said.He also shared that he’s a listener of Father Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” podcast.“Right now I’m listening to ‘Bible in a Year’ by Father Mike Schmitz. It’s been fantastic and it kind of makes me able to — even when I’m on the road or even if itʼs a busy stretch — make sure I’m spending some time every day, hopefully every day, [with Scripture],” he said.Instagram post5. Felix Nmecha honors Jesus in post-goal celebrationGerman midfielder Felix Nmecha honored Jesus by making a powerful gesture after scoring the first goal in Germany’s 7-1 victory against Curaçao on June 14.After scoring the goal, Nmecha knelt down on one knee and made the gesture of taking off a crown from his head, placed it on the ground, and then pointed up to the sky. This “crown down” gesture, as it has been called, symbolizes that every gift, every victory, and every moment of glory belongs to Christ.In a postgame interview, Nmecha said: “It was an incredible blessing to score my first goal for Germany and for it to be so fast. All the glory I give to God, because he is the one who has given me this talent and the opportunity to be here living this dream.”Instagram post

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Christian athletes are making the name of Jesus known at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here are five powerful moments of faith at the international tournament so far.

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Funding cuts force Catholic charity to scale back Rohingya aid in Bangladesh #Catholic Caritas Bangladesh has been forced to scale back its relief work for Rohingya refugees in the city of Coxʼs Bazar as funding from foreign donors declines, its emergency response director said.“Our biggest challenge now is funding,” said Liton Luis Gomes, project director of Caritas Bangladeshʼs Emergency Response Program.“We only received 60% of the funds we planned for this fiscal year; we didnʼt get the remaining 40%,” Gomes told EWTN News by phone. “Thatʼs why we had to reduce the quantity while maintaining the quality of our services.”The cuts have fallen hardest on shelter and hygiene work. “If we used to be able to repair 500 houses, now it has decreased by 50%. If someone asks for a hygiene kit like soap, we canʼt give it urgently,” Gomes said.A shrinking budgetThe decline in donor support has been steep. Caritas Bangladesh reported receiving about 916 million taka ($7.4 million) for its Rohingya response in 2017–18. Support fell to about 468 million taka ($3.8 million) in 2020 and about 417 million taka ($3.4 million) in 2024. It rose to about 531 million taka ($4.3 million) in 2025 before falling again to about 427 million taka ($3.5 million) so far in 2026, the agency said.Even so, Gomes said, the charity is maintaining the services that do not require money. “We are doing things like training volunteers for the crisis period, raising awareness about disaster relief,” he said.Caritas Bangladesh has worked in the camps since the 2017 exodus, providing shelter, water and sanitation, child protection, and education. Between 2017 and 2024, its shelter and settlement program reached an average of 38,335 households a year, the charity said, through transitional shelter assistance, repairs, tarpaulin distribution, and monsoon support. It runs 12 learning centers and two youth and adolescent centers in the camps, teaching children under the Myanmar curriculum.Lives in the campsThe charityʼs work is felt in individual lives. Mohammad Arshad, 23, who lives in Camp 19, has volunteered in the shelter program of Caritas Bangladeshʼs Emergency Response Program since 2018. He had studied up to class nine in Myanmar and helped his father run a grocery shop before the family was forced to flee. With no stable income and eight people to support, including his aging parents, his wife, his young son, and two younger siblings, he had lain awake wondering how he would provide.“The job was more than just a source of income; it gave me a sense of purpose. I learned how to organize workers, coordinate with engineers, and develop technical skills,” Arshad told EWTN News.“This opportunity had not only helped me; it supports my family but also [has] given me hope for a better future. As I watched my son sleep peacefully at night, [I] whispered silent thanks, to Caritas Bangladesh, to the people who had trusted me, to the strength that kept me going,” Arshad added.Momtaz Begum, a vulnerable woman who received income-generating support through Caritas, described a similar turnaround. “My husbandʼs addiction left us in debt, and after he abandoned us, I struggled to provide for my family by raising poultry and growing vegetables. The COVID-19 pandemic made things worse, leaving us without food or income. When our home was destroyed in the rain, I moved to my fatherʼs house, where I faced mistreatment from relatives,” she told EWTN News.On Jan. 18, 2022, Begum received 25,000 taka (about $200) from Caritas Bangladesh to start an income-generating activity. She used the money to expand her cloth business. “Earlier, I had to share profits with a shopkeeper, but now I buy cloth independently and keep all the profit. This has increased my daily earnings to 400-500 taka [about $3 to $4], allowing me to save … money,” Begum told EWTN News.A stateless peopleRohingya refugees have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh since the 1970s. In the 1990s, more than 250,000 sheltered in Coxʼs Bazar, though all but 20,000 were repatriated after a campaign that began in the early 2000s. The influx resumed in 2015, and by 2017 an estimated 300,000 Rohingya were in Bangladesh. About 537,000 more fled across the border to Coxʼs Bazar in August 2017 as violence intensified in Myanmarʼs Rakhine state, prompting the United Nations to call the situation “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” By December 2023, 971,904 Rohingya were living in 33 camps in the Coxʼs Bazar district. Pope Francis met a group of Rohingya refugees during his apostolic visit to Bangladesh in 2017.Looking ahead, Caritas Bangladesh said it aims to build stronger links between the refugees it assists and local businesses, and to deepen cooperation with government and aid agencies, even within a tighter budget.
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Funding cuts force Catholic charity to scale back Rohingya aid in Bangladesh #Catholic Caritas Bangladesh has been forced to scale back its relief work for Rohingya refugees in the city of Coxʼs Bazar as funding from foreign donors declines, its emergency response director said.“Our biggest challenge now is funding,” said Liton Luis Gomes, project director of Caritas Bangladeshʼs Emergency Response Program.“We only received 60% of the funds we planned for this fiscal year; we didnʼt get the remaining 40%,” Gomes told EWTN News by phone. “Thatʼs why we had to reduce the quantity while maintaining the quality of our services.”The cuts have fallen hardest on shelter and hygiene work. “If we used to be able to repair 500 houses, now it has decreased by 50%. If someone asks for a hygiene kit like soap, we canʼt give it urgently,” Gomes said.A shrinking budgetThe decline in donor support has been steep. Caritas Bangladesh reported receiving about 916 million taka ($7.4 million) for its Rohingya response in 2017–18. Support fell to about 468 million taka ($3.8 million) in 2020 and about 417 million taka ($3.4 million) in 2024. It rose to about 531 million taka ($4.3 million) in 2025 before falling again to about 427 million taka ($3.5 million) so far in 2026, the agency said.Even so, Gomes said, the charity is maintaining the services that do not require money. “We are doing things like training volunteers for the crisis period, raising awareness about disaster relief,” he said.Caritas Bangladesh has worked in the camps since the 2017 exodus, providing shelter, water and sanitation, child protection, and education. Between 2017 and 2024, its shelter and settlement program reached an average of 38,335 households a year, the charity said, through transitional shelter assistance, repairs, tarpaulin distribution, and monsoon support. It runs 12 learning centers and two youth and adolescent centers in the camps, teaching children under the Myanmar curriculum.Lives in the campsThe charityʼs work is felt in individual lives. Mohammad Arshad, 23, who lives in Camp 19, has volunteered in the shelter program of Caritas Bangladeshʼs Emergency Response Program since 2018. He had studied up to class nine in Myanmar and helped his father run a grocery shop before the family was forced to flee. With no stable income and eight people to support, including his aging parents, his wife, his young son, and two younger siblings, he had lain awake wondering how he would provide.“The job was more than just a source of income; it gave me a sense of purpose. I learned how to organize workers, coordinate with engineers, and develop technical skills,” Arshad told EWTN News.“This opportunity had not only helped me; it supports my family but also [has] given me hope for a better future. As I watched my son sleep peacefully at night, [I] whispered silent thanks, to Caritas Bangladesh, to the people who had trusted me, to the strength that kept me going,” Arshad added.Momtaz Begum, a vulnerable woman who received income-generating support through Caritas, described a similar turnaround. “My husbandʼs addiction left us in debt, and after he abandoned us, I struggled to provide for my family by raising poultry and growing vegetables. The COVID-19 pandemic made things worse, leaving us without food or income. When our home was destroyed in the rain, I moved to my fatherʼs house, where I faced mistreatment from relatives,” she told EWTN News.On Jan. 18, 2022, Begum received 25,000 taka (about $200) from Caritas Bangladesh to start an income-generating activity. She used the money to expand her cloth business. “Earlier, I had to share profits with a shopkeeper, but now I buy cloth independently and keep all the profit. This has increased my daily earnings to 400-500 taka [about $3 to $4], allowing me to save … money,” Begum told EWTN News.A stateless peopleRohingya refugees have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh since the 1970s. In the 1990s, more than 250,000 sheltered in Coxʼs Bazar, though all but 20,000 were repatriated after a campaign that began in the early 2000s. The influx resumed in 2015, and by 2017 an estimated 300,000 Rohingya were in Bangladesh. About 537,000 more fled across the border to Coxʼs Bazar in August 2017 as violence intensified in Myanmarʼs Rakhine state, prompting the United Nations to call the situation “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” By December 2023, 971,904 Rohingya were living in 33 camps in the Coxʼs Bazar district. Pope Francis met a group of Rohingya refugees during his apostolic visit to Bangladesh in 2017.Looking ahead, Caritas Bangladesh said it aims to build stronger links between the refugees it assists and local businesses, and to deepen cooperation with government and aid agencies, even within a tighter budget.

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As foreign donations dwindle, the Catholic Church’s relief agency in Bangladesh is repairing fewer shelters and rationing hygiene supplies for Rohingya refugees who depend on it.

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Prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help #7: Prayer of the Day for Saturday, June 20, 2026 – #Prayer – Behold, O Mother of Perpetual Help, at thy feet a wretched sinner, who has recourse to thee and trusts in thee. O Mother of mercy, have pity on me; I hear all men call thee the refuge and hope of sinners: be therefore my refuge and my hope. Help me for the love of Jesus Christ: hold out thy hand to a fallen wretch, who commends himself to thee and dedicates himself to be thy servant forever. I praise and thank God, who of His great mercy hath given me this …

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Behold, O Mother of Perpetual Help,
at thy feet a wretched sinner,
who has recourse to thee and trusts in thee.
O Mother of mercy, have pity on me;
I hear all men call thee the refuge and hope of sinners:
be therefore my refuge and my hope.
Help me for the love of Jesus Christ:
hold out thy hand to a fallen wretch,
who commends himself to thee
and dedicates himself to be thy servant forever.
I praise and thank God,
who of His great mercy
hath given me this …

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Detroit Archdiocese forecasts suspension of weekend Masses at 90 parishes – #Catholic – Weekend Masses could be suspended at a total of 90 parishes across southeast Michigan, according to plans revealed by the Archdiocese of Detroit.Previously released models identified 58 parishes for potential stoppage of weekend Masses. An additional 32 parishes could see a suspension in weekend Masses. The models released June 18 cover several planning areas across parts of metro Detroit and nearby counties including Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb.The latest update follows the completion of 400 listening sessions at parishes across the archdiocese amid its two-year restructuring process. While the listening sessions are complete, parishioners are invited to share feedback through an online form available until July 31.Archbishop Edward Weisenburger announced the restructuring and renewal initiative for the archdiocese on Nov. 16, 2025, saying: “I believe with all my heart that God is inviting us to reimagine parish life, priestly ministry, and our mission with new creativity and deep faith, to build something that will last — something vibrant, sustainable, and full of hope.”Weisenburger said at the time that a reduction in the number of parishes and worship sites was expected and that implementation of the plan would take place in 2027, “with a goal of fostering long-term health and missionary vitality throughout the archdiocese.”A similar suspension of weekend Masses at more than 80 parishes across northeastern Iowa will also take place this summer as a part of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa’s reorganization plan that began in September 2024.Like the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Archdiocese of Dubuque cited a declining Catholic population, lower participation in the sacraments, and a continuously shrinking number of priests as reason for its restructuring.
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Detroit Archdiocese forecasts suspension of weekend Masses at 90 parishes – #Catholic – Weekend Masses could be suspended at a total of 90 parishes across southeast Michigan, according to plans revealed by the Archdiocese of Detroit.Previously released models identified 58 parishes for potential stoppage of weekend Masses. An additional 32 parishes could see a suspension in weekend Masses. The models released June 18 cover several planning areas across parts of metro Detroit and nearby counties including Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb.The latest update follows the completion of 400 listening sessions at parishes across the archdiocese amid its two-year restructuring process. While the listening sessions are complete, parishioners are invited to share feedback through an online form available until July 31.Archbishop Edward Weisenburger announced the restructuring and renewal initiative for the archdiocese on Nov. 16, 2025, saying: “I believe with all my heart that God is inviting us to reimagine parish life, priestly ministry, and our mission with new creativity and deep faith, to build something that will last — something vibrant, sustainable, and full of hope.”Weisenburger said at the time that a reduction in the number of parishes and worship sites was expected and that implementation of the plan would take place in 2027, “with a goal of fostering long-term health and missionary vitality throughout the archdiocese.”A similar suspension of weekend Masses at more than 80 parishes across northeastern Iowa will also take place this summer as a part of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa’s reorganization plan that began in September 2024.Like the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Archdiocese of Dubuque cited a declining Catholic population, lower participation in the sacraments, and a continuously shrinking number of priests as reason for its restructuring.

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The latest update follows the completion of 400 listening sessions at parishes across the Archdiocese of Detroit amid its two-year restructuring process.

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Pope Leo urges youth to seek ‘true peace’ and ‘perfect joy’ – #Catholic – In a message to thousands of participants on the 50th anniversary of the Steubenville Youth Conferences, Pope Leo XIV encouraged young Catholics to seek “true peace” and “perfect joy” through a deeper relationship with God, drawing inspiration from the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.Hosted by Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, the annual conferences are large Catholic youth evangelization events for high school students in North America. Since their founding in 1976, the conferences have drawn hundreds of thousands of young people for worship, Eucharistic adoration, confession, catechesis, and fellowship. This year more than 43,000 teenagers are expected to participate in conferences held in Steubenville and at regional sites across North America. There is no known record of any previous papal message to the Steubenville conferences. In his message, the pope reflected on the witness of St. Francis of Assisi and wrote on two themes that defined the saint’s life: authentic peace and perfect joy.Recalling St. Francis’ traditional greeting, “peace and all good,” the pope emphasized that true peace is a gift from God and flows from a relationship with Christ. He encouraged participants to seek moments of silence and prayer during the conferences to discover the peace that Christ promised disciples and to become instruments of that peace in their families, communities, and society.The Holy Father also addressed the meaning of “perfect joy,” drawing on St. Francis’ teaching that lasting happiness is not found in material success, popularity, entertainment, or social media. Instead, he explained, true joy comes from knowing God’s love and remaining faithful even amid suffering, rejection, and hardship.The pope recalled St. Francis’ explanation for what perfect joy is. He wrote: “One winter evening, as he was walking back to Assisi with Brother Leo, one of the first members of the Franciscan order, St. Francis began to give a long list of apparently ‘good’ things that do not lead to perfect joy. At a certain point, Brother Leo finally exclaimed, ‘Father Francis, I pray that you will teach me about perfect joy!’”Then, the pope wrote, St. Francis recounted “a tragic situation that implied suffering cold, hunger, and rejection — the opposite of what you would expect — and added that if such difficulties are embraced with patience, without complaining, and with love for God, ‘This is perfect joy.’” “Is it really possible to have joy in such difficult circumstances, we might ask? It is only possible if our life is founded upon our relationship with God as a loving Father,” the pope wrote.“Only the love of God can provide us with true and perfect joy,” the pope wrote, reminding young people that they are precious in God’s eyes and loved unconditionally by him. He urged conference participants to deepen their relationship with Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and trust in God’s providence.The message concluded with an invitation to discern God’s call. Whether to marriage, priesthood, religious life, or missionary service, the pope encouraged young people not to be afraid to respond generously if they sense the Lord calling them to a particular vocation.
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Pope Leo urges youth to seek ‘true peace’ and ‘perfect joy’ – #Catholic – In a message to thousands of participants on the 50th anniversary of the Steubenville Youth Conferences, Pope Leo XIV encouraged young Catholics to seek “true peace” and “perfect joy” through a deeper relationship with God, drawing inspiration from the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.Hosted by Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, the annual conferences are large Catholic youth evangelization events for high school students in North America. Since their founding in 1976, the conferences have drawn hundreds of thousands of young people for worship, Eucharistic adoration, confession, catechesis, and fellowship. This year more than 43,000 teenagers are expected to participate in conferences held in Steubenville and at regional sites across North America. There is no known record of any previous papal message to the Steubenville conferences. In his message, the pope reflected on the witness of St. Francis of Assisi and wrote on two themes that defined the saint’s life: authentic peace and perfect joy.Recalling St. Francis’ traditional greeting, “peace and all good,” the pope emphasized that true peace is a gift from God and flows from a relationship with Christ. He encouraged participants to seek moments of silence and prayer during the conferences to discover the peace that Christ promised disciples and to become instruments of that peace in their families, communities, and society.The Holy Father also addressed the meaning of “perfect joy,” drawing on St. Francis’ teaching that lasting happiness is not found in material success, popularity, entertainment, or social media. Instead, he explained, true joy comes from knowing God’s love and remaining faithful even amid suffering, rejection, and hardship.The pope recalled St. Francis’ explanation for what perfect joy is. He wrote: “One winter evening, as he was walking back to Assisi with Brother Leo, one of the first members of the Franciscan order, St. Francis began to give a long list of apparently ‘good’ things that do not lead to perfect joy. At a certain point, Brother Leo finally exclaimed, ‘Father Francis, I pray that you will teach me about perfect joy!’”Then, the pope wrote, St. Francis recounted “a tragic situation that implied suffering cold, hunger, and rejection — the opposite of what you would expect — and added that if such difficulties are embraced with patience, without complaining, and with love for God, ‘This is perfect joy.’” “Is it really possible to have joy in such difficult circumstances, we might ask? It is only possible if our life is founded upon our relationship with God as a loving Father,” the pope wrote.“Only the love of God can provide us with true and perfect joy,” the pope wrote, reminding young people that they are precious in God’s eyes and loved unconditionally by him. He urged conference participants to deepen their relationship with Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and trust in God’s providence.The message concluded with an invitation to discern God’s call. Whether to marriage, priesthood, religious life, or missionary service, the pope encouraged young people not to be afraid to respond generously if they sense the Lord calling them to a particular vocation.

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The pope, writing to attendees at the Steubenville Youth Conferences, reflected on “the message St. Francis might have for young people today.”

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Colombian pro-life caucus celebrates victories, eyes new challenges – #Catholic – Colombia’s Congressional Pro-Life and Pro-Family Caucus on June 16 presented a detailed report on its four-year legislative record, highlighting its growth from 24 to 52 members and key victories including the passage of three landmark laws and the successful defense of traditional marriage, while warning of fresh battles as the new Congress convenes on July 20.The caucus, which first formed in 2020, established ad hoc committees for the defense of life, family, and religious freedom in both chambers, coordinated by Rep. Luis Miguel López and Sen. Karina Espinosa. Over the 2022–2026 term, the group advanced more than 30 legislative initiatives, three of which became law: Law 2310 of 2023 (the “Empty Arms” Law) providing comprehensive support for parents mourning miscarriage or newborn loss; Law 2361 of 2024 strengthening public policy on breastfeeding and human milk banks; and Law 2495 of 2025 creating the “Made by Family” Seal to support family-owned businesses. The caucus also successfully modified Bill 155/23C to define marriage in the Civil Code as between “a man and a woman.” The bill initially stated that marriage is between “two adults.” Furthermore, the caucus blocked or amended “articles to defend the family, life, and religious freedom.”In the report, members of the caucus addressed not only their achievements but also “the battles fought against harmful bills, many of which were ultimately shelved thanks to the joint action of the caucus members.”“Each victory represents a step toward solidifying the goal of ensuring that the voices of those who defend life and the family have a place in democratic debate,” the report notes.The caucus also successfully eliminated the tax on churches within the Tax Reform and removed Article 277 of Bill 338/23C — the “2022–2026 National Development Plan” — which sought to establish a public policy favoring abortion and other “sexual and reproductive rights.’”Furthermore, prevented from moving forward in the legislative process were initiatives “seeking to legalize cannabis, the four statutory bills on euthanasia, the more than 10 bills seeking to impose gender ideology, and the three statutory bills seeking to authorize surrogacy, among others.”Nevertheless, the report notes that “the challenges ahead are enormous” for the members of the pro-life caucus during the term beginning on July 20.Among these challenges are “continuing to strengthen the unity of the pro-life caucus, broadening its influence on public opinion, and confronting with solid arguments and constructive proposals the cultural and legislative challenges that put the values ​​we defend under strain.”“The struggle for life, family, and religious freedom is ongoing, and this report stands as a testament to the fact that, with perseverance and commitment, significant victories can be achieved and the groundwork laid for those yet to come.”In the lead-up to the congressional elections on March 8, the citizens' group Unidos por la Vida (United for Life) encouraged candidates to sign the “Commitment to Life and Family.”Following the official vote count, the group reported that more than 30 of the candidates who signed the pledge were elected to the new Congress. They will form the next pro-life caucus in the Legislature, alongside any other lawmakers who wish to join.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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Colombian pro-life caucus celebrates victories, eyes new challenges – #Catholic – Colombia’s Congressional Pro-Life and Pro-Family Caucus on June 16 presented a detailed report on its four-year legislative record, highlighting its growth from 24 to 52 members and key victories including the passage of three landmark laws and the successful defense of traditional marriage, while warning of fresh battles as the new Congress convenes on July 20.The caucus, which first formed in 2020, established ad hoc committees for the defense of life, family, and religious freedom in both chambers, coordinated by Rep. Luis Miguel López and Sen. Karina Espinosa. Over the 2022–2026 term, the group advanced more than 30 legislative initiatives, three of which became law: Law 2310 of 2023 (the “Empty Arms” Law) providing comprehensive support for parents mourning miscarriage or newborn loss; Law 2361 of 2024 strengthening public policy on breastfeeding and human milk banks; and Law 2495 of 2025 creating the “Made by Family” Seal to support family-owned businesses. The caucus also successfully modified Bill 155/23C to define marriage in the Civil Code as between “a man and a woman.” The bill initially stated that marriage is between “two adults.” Furthermore, the caucus blocked or amended “articles to defend the family, life, and religious freedom.”In the report, members of the caucus addressed not only their achievements but also “the battles fought against harmful bills, many of which were ultimately shelved thanks to the joint action of the caucus members.”“Each victory represents a step toward solidifying the goal of ensuring that the voices of those who defend life and the family have a place in democratic debate,” the report notes.The caucus also successfully eliminated the tax on churches within the Tax Reform and removed Article 277 of Bill 338/23C — the “2022–2026 National Development Plan” — which sought to establish a public policy favoring abortion and other “sexual and reproductive rights.’”Furthermore, prevented from moving forward in the legislative process were initiatives “seeking to legalize cannabis, the four statutory bills on euthanasia, the more than 10 bills seeking to impose gender ideology, and the three statutory bills seeking to authorize surrogacy, among others.”Nevertheless, the report notes that “the challenges ahead are enormous” for the members of the pro-life caucus during the term beginning on July 20.Among these challenges are “continuing to strengthen the unity of the pro-life caucus, broadening its influence on public opinion, and confronting with solid arguments and constructive proposals the cultural and legislative challenges that put the values ​​we defend under strain.”“The struggle for life, family, and religious freedom is ongoing, and this report stands as a testament to the fact that, with perseverance and commitment, significant victories can be achieved and the groundwork laid for those yet to come.”In the lead-up to the congressional elections on March 8, the citizens' group Unidos por la Vida (United for Life) encouraged candidates to sign the “Commitment to Life and Family.”Following the official vote count, the group reported that more than 30 of the candidates who signed the pledge were elected to the new Congress. They will form the next pro-life caucus in the Legislature, alongside any other lawmakers who wish to join.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 caucus passed bills reinforcing pro-life values, prevented harmful bills from advancing in the legislative process, and saw more than 30 pro-life candidates elected for the 2026-2030 term.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 20 June 2026 – A reading from the Second Book of Chronicles 24:17-25 After the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came and paid homage to King Joash, and the king then listened to them. They forsook the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and began to serve the sacred poles and the idols; and because of this crime of theirs, wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although prophets were sent to them to convert them to the LORD, the people would not listen to their warnings. Then the Spirit of God possessed Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest. He took his stand above the people and said to them: "God says, ‘Why are you transgressing the LORD’s commands, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have abandoned the LORD, he has abandoned you.’" But they conspired against him, and at the king’s order they stoned him to death in the court of the LORD’s temple. Thus King Joash was unmindful of the devotion shown him by Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, and slew his son. And as Zechariah was dying, he said, "May the LORD see and avenge." At the turn of the year a force of Arameans came up against Joash. They invaded Judah and Jerusalem, did away with all the princes of the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus. Though the Aramean force came with few men, the LORD surrendered a very large force into their power, because Judah had abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers. So punishment was meted out to Joash. After the Arameans had departed from him, leaving him in grievous suffering, his servants conspired against him because of the murder of the son of Jehoiada the priest. He was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.From the Gospel according to Matthew 4:24-34 Jesus said to his disciples: "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."In the face of the situations of so many people, near and far, who live in wretchedness, Jesus’ discourse might appear hardly realistic, if not evasive. In fact, the Lord wants to make people understand clearly that it is impossible to serve two masters: God and mammon [riches]. Whoever believes in God, the Father full of love for his children, puts first the search for his Kingdom and his will. And this is precisely the opposite of fatalism or ingenuous irenics. Faith in Providence does not in fact dispense us from the difficult struggle for a dignified life but frees us from the yearning for things and from fear of the future. It is clear that although Jesus’ teaching remains ever true and applicable for all it is practised in different ways according to the different vocations: a Franciscan friar will be able to follow it more radically while a father of a family must bear in mind his proper duties to his wife and children. In every case, however, Christians are distinguished by their absolute trust in the heavenly Father, as was Jesus. It was precisely Christ’s relationship with God the Father that gave meaning to the whole of his life, to his words, to his acts of salvation until his Passion, death and Resurrection. Jesus showed us what it means to live with our feet firmly planted on the ground, attentive to the concrete situations of our neighbour yet at the same time keeping our heart in Heaven, immersed in God’s mercy. (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 27 February 2011)

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A reading from the Second Book of Chronicles
24:17-25

After the death of Jehoiada,
the princes of Judah came and paid homage to King Joash,
and the king then listened to them.
They forsook the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers,
and began to serve the sacred poles and the idols;
and because of this crime of theirs,
wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Although prophets were sent to them to convert them to the LORD,
the people would not listen to their warnings.
Then the Spirit of God possessed Zechariah,
son of Jehoiada the priest.
He took his stand above the people and said to them:
"God says, ‘Why are you transgressing the LORD’s commands,
so that you cannot prosper?
Because you have abandoned the LORD, he has abandoned you.’"
But they conspired against him,
and at the king’s order they stoned him to death
in the court of the LORD’s temple.
Thus King Joash was unmindful of the devotion shown him
by Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, and slew his son.
And as Zechariah was dying, he said, "May the LORD see and avenge."

At the turn of the year a force of Arameans came up against Joash.
They invaded Judah and Jerusalem,
did away with all the princes of the people,
and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.
Though the Aramean force came with few men,
the LORD surrendered a very large force into their power,
because Judah had abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers.
So punishment was meted out to Joash.
After the Arameans had departed from him,
leaving him in grievous suffering,
his servants conspired against him
because of the murder of the son of Jehoiada the priest.
He was buried in the City of David,
but not in the tombs of the kings.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
4:24-34

Jesus said to his disciples:
"No one can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink,
or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky;
they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns,
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are not you more important than they?
Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?
Why are you anxious about clothes?
Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.
They do not work or spin.
But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor
was clothed like one of them.
If God so clothes the grass of the field,
which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow,
will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’
or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’
All these things the pagans seek.
Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.
Sufficient for a day is its own evil."

In the face of the situations of so many people, near and far, who live in wretchedness, Jesus’ discourse might appear hardly realistic, if not evasive. In fact, the Lord wants to make people understand clearly that it is impossible to serve two masters: God and mammon [riches]. Whoever believes in God, the Father full of love for his children, puts first the search for his Kingdom and his will. And this is precisely the opposite of fatalism or ingenuous irenics. Faith in Providence does not in fact dispense us from the difficult struggle for a dignified life but frees us from the yearning for things and from fear of the future.

It is clear that although Jesus’ teaching remains ever true and applicable for all it is practised in different ways according to the different vocations: a Franciscan friar will be able to follow it more radically while a father of a family must bear in mind his proper duties to his wife and children. In every case, however, Christians are distinguished by their absolute trust in the heavenly Father, as was Jesus. It was precisely Christ’s relationship with God the Father that gave meaning to the whole of his life, to his words, to his acts of salvation until his Passion, death and Resurrection. Jesus showed us what it means to live with our feet firmly planted on the ground, attentive to the concrete situations of our neighbour yet at the same time keeping our heart in Heaven, immersed in God’s mercy. (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 27 February 2011)

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‘Now Witness The Firepower Of This Fully Armed And Operational Battle Station,’ Cackles Obama #BabylonBee – CHICAGO, IL — Seated upon his spinning throne chair, a cackling former President Barack Obama invited guests to witness the firepower of his now fully-armed and operational battle station.
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‘Now Witness The Firepower Of This Fully Armed And Operational Battle Station,’ Cackles Obama #BabylonBee – CHICAGO, IL — Seated upon his spinning throne chair, a cackling former President Barack Obama invited guests to witness the firepower of his now fully-armed and operational battle station.

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CHICAGO, IL — Seated upon his spinning throne chair, a cackling former President Barack Obama invited guests to witness the firepower of his now fully-armed and operational battle station.

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British Tourists Pleasantly Surprised By Quality Of American Food, Lack Of Rape Gangs #BabylonBee – U.S. — British tourists visiting the United States have reportedly been surprised by the quality of American food, and also the fact there are no violent hordes of rape gangs roaming the countryside.
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British Tourists Pleasantly Surprised By Quality Of American Food, Lack Of Rape Gangs #BabylonBee – U.S. — British tourists visiting the United States have reportedly been surprised by the quality of American food, and also the fact there are no violent hordes of rape gangs roaming the countryside.

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U.S. — British tourists visiting the United States have reportedly been surprised by the quality of American food, and also the fact there are no violent hordes of rape gangs roaming the countryside.

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Pope Leo XIV: Synodality can help us avoid being another Tower of Babel #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on Friday highlighted the role of synodality in promoting the common good and avoiding new divisions.In his private audience with the participants of the Borgo Dialogues at the Vatican on June 19, Leo praised their work as a commitment to the “ecological, social, and economic transformation of the world.” He also described their work as grounded in the Church’s vision to promote global unity.“Your dialogues have been structured on the Catholic Church’s vision of synodality, listening from the ground up while fostering global unity,” Leo said.In his remarks, the pope drew extensively on his recent encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas. He urged leaders to resist the temptation to prioritize profits over a civilization of love.“In the face of the temptation to build the ‘Tower of Babel,’ which represents the idolatry of profit at the expense of the most vulnerable and enhances the risk of dehumanization, we are called to contribute to the construction of the New Jerusalem, the civilization of love, in which love is the only guiding principle of economic, political, and cultural life.”The Borgo Dialogues were held June 17–19 at the Borgo Laudato Si’, part of the Pontifical Villa Gardens in Castel Gandolfo. Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the meetings brought together leaders from academia, culture, and business to focus on global ecological challenges and related topics.
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Pope Leo XIV: Synodality can help us avoid being another Tower of Babel #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on Friday highlighted the role of synodality in promoting the common good and avoiding new divisions.In his private audience with the participants of the Borgo Dialogues at the Vatican on June 19, Leo praised their work as a commitment to the “ecological, social, and economic transformation of the world.” He also described their work as grounded in the Church’s vision to promote global unity.“Your dialogues have been structured on the Catholic Church’s vision of synodality, listening from the ground up while fostering global unity,” Leo said.In his remarks, the pope drew extensively on his recent encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas. He urged leaders to resist the temptation to prioritize profits over a civilization of love.“In the face of the temptation to build the ‘Tower of Babel,’ which represents the idolatry of profit at the expense of the most vulnerable and enhances the risk of dehumanization, we are called to contribute to the construction of the New Jerusalem, the civilization of love, in which love is the only guiding principle of economic, political, and cultural life.”The Borgo Dialogues were held June 17–19 at the Borgo Laudato Si’, part of the Pontifical Villa Gardens in Castel Gandolfo. Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the meetings brought together leaders from academia, culture, and business to focus on global ecological challenges and related topics.

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The pontiff addressed participants of the Borgo Dialogues at the Vatican on June 19.

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June 19, 2004: Astroid Apophis is discovered

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On June 19, 2004, at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, astronomers Roy Tucker, David Tholen, and Fabrizio Bernardi discovered Asteroid Apophis. This Near-Earth Object (NEO), approximately 1,099 to 1,230 feet (335 to 375 meters) wide, reached the highest ever rating of level 4 out of 10 on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale,Continue reading “June 19, 2004: Astroid Apophis is discovered”

The post June 19, 2004: Astroid Apophis is discovered appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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4 Venezuelans form new community of hermits where Christianity began in Spain #Catholic Since last May, the Diocese of Guadix in Spain has been home to a new community of hermits — four Venezuelan men who have settled at the site of the martyrdom of St. Torquatus.St. Torquatus, beheaded in the first century, was one of the seven reputed disciples of the apostle James, known as the apostolic men, who were the first to preach Christianity in Spain.Carlos Andrés, Óscar Eduardo, Osmar Moisés, and Emilio José have taken up residence at Face Retama, a desert area within the Granada Geopark and the location of the hermitage of St. Torquatus, the patron saint of the Diocese of Guadix.The four Venezuelans have formed a community known as the Hermits of Sts. Torquatus, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, receiving their habits in early May.According to the Diocese of Guadix, this diocesan foundation was established through the efforts of Bishop Francisco Jesús Orozco, who wants to ensure that the diocese “keep[s] the memory of the place alive and pray[s] for the Church proclaimed by St. Torquatus in the first century and that endures to this day.”In recent years, the hermitage of Face Retama has been restored and designated a diocesan shrine, with plans for regular Masses and pilgrimages.The four new hermits have been preparing for their arrival for three years and, prior to establishing the community, underwent a period of acclimatization to the location.“They arrive guided by and inspired by the charism of the Congregation of Martha and Mary, which already has two communities of women religious in the diocese, one in Castril and the other in the city of Guadix,” the diocese explained.The ceremony consecrating the four men as hermits held at the Guadix Cathedral was attended by numerous religious sisters from this community, including its founder, Mother Ángela, and the superior general, Mother Rutilia.Signs of their commitment as hermitsSeveral signs of the new communityʼs eremitic life were present during the celebration: a white tablecloth, recalling the table Martha prepared for Jesus, the purity of Lazarus’s resurrection, and the Eucharist they will celebrate daily; a cross with its nails, a symbol of the self-offering of the family of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, “seeking nothing other than to unite with the sufferings of Christ in order to share in his glory”; and a staff, a water gourd, and sandals, reminding that “the hermit through his seclusion upholds the mission of the Church through prayer.”During the homily, Orozco reminded the newly consecrated men of their new commitments: “In the perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, you will be the beating heart of our diocese, interceding ceaselessly for the needs of the Church and, very especially, for the needs of our Holy Father, the pope.”He also reminded them that their new way of life “is not a flight from the world. It is much more; it is personal intimacy with Christ.”“In the desert of Face Retama you will never be alone. Where a Christian or where a hermit lives, he gives himself, suffers, makes sacrifices, and lives in fidelity to prayer and contemplation; there the entire Church is with him. That is the desert, that is your vocation,” he continued.“In you, dear hermits, we place our rich history of 21 centuries of faith; may Face Retama, through your fidelity, be heaven on Earth,” the bishop told them.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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4 Venezuelans form new community of hermits where Christianity began in Spain #Catholic Since last May, the Diocese of Guadix in Spain has been home to a new community of hermits — four Venezuelan men who have settled at the site of the martyrdom of St. Torquatus.St. Torquatus, beheaded in the first century, was one of the seven reputed disciples of the apostle James, known as the apostolic men, who were the first to preach Christianity in Spain.Carlos Andrés, Óscar Eduardo, Osmar Moisés, and Emilio José have taken up residence at Face Retama, a desert area within the Granada Geopark and the location of the hermitage of St. Torquatus, the patron saint of the Diocese of Guadix.The four Venezuelans have formed a community known as the Hermits of Sts. Torquatus, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, receiving their habits in early May.According to the Diocese of Guadix, this diocesan foundation was established through the efforts of Bishop Francisco Jesús Orozco, who wants to ensure that the diocese “keep[s] the memory of the place alive and pray[s] for the Church proclaimed by St. Torquatus in the first century and that endures to this day.”In recent years, the hermitage of Face Retama has been restored and designated a diocesan shrine, with plans for regular Masses and pilgrimages.The four new hermits have been preparing for their arrival for three years and, prior to establishing the community, underwent a period of acclimatization to the location.“They arrive guided by and inspired by the charism of the Congregation of Martha and Mary, which already has two communities of women religious in the diocese, one in Castril and the other in the city of Guadix,” the diocese explained.The ceremony consecrating the four men as hermits held at the Guadix Cathedral was attended by numerous religious sisters from this community, including its founder, Mother Ángela, and the superior general, Mother Rutilia.Signs of their commitment as hermitsSeveral signs of the new communityʼs eremitic life were present during the celebration: a white tablecloth, recalling the table Martha prepared for Jesus, the purity of Lazarus’s resurrection, and the Eucharist they will celebrate daily; a cross with its nails, a symbol of the self-offering of the family of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, “seeking nothing other than to unite with the sufferings of Christ in order to share in his glory”; and a staff, a water gourd, and sandals, reminding that “the hermit through his seclusion upholds the mission of the Church through prayer.”During the homily, Orozco reminded the newly consecrated men of their new commitments: “In the perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, you will be the beating heart of our diocese, interceding ceaselessly for the needs of the Church and, very especially, for the needs of our Holy Father, the pope.”He also reminded them that their new way of life “is not a flight from the world. It is much more; it is personal intimacy with Christ.”“In the desert of Face Retama you will never be alone. Where a Christian or where a hermit lives, he gives himself, suffers, makes sacrifices, and lives in fidelity to prayer and contemplation; there the entire Church is with him. That is the desert, that is your vocation,” he continued.“In you, dear hermits, we place our rich history of 21 centuries of faith; may Face Retama, through your fidelity, be heaven on Earth,” the bishop told them.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 hermits have taken up residence in the historic hermitage of St. Torquatus to pray for the needs of the pope and the Church.

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HILARIOUS: Liberal Actor Tom Hanks Insults MSNOW to Network Reporter’s Face During Obama Event (VIDEO) – Actor Tom Hanks is a very liberal guy, but apparently, he doesn’t take MSNOW very seriously and doesn’t think anyone else does either. The post HILARIOUS: Liberal Actor Tom Hanks Insults MSNOW to Network Reporter’s Face During Obama Event (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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HILARIOUS: Liberal Actor Tom Hanks Insults MSNOW to Network Reporter’s Face During Obama Event (VIDEO) – Actor Tom Hanks is a very liberal guy, but apparently, he doesn’t take MSNOW very seriously and doesn’t think anyone else does either. The post HILARIOUS: Liberal Actor Tom Hanks Insults MSNOW to Network Reporter’s Face During Obama Event (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

Actor Tom Hanks is a very liberal guy, but apparently, he doesn’t take MSNOW very seriously and doesn’t think anyone else does either.

The post HILARIOUS: Liberal Actor Tom Hanks Insults MSNOW to Network Reporter’s Face During Obama Event (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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ANOTHER STRIKE AGAINST PLATNER: Called Law Enforcement Officers ‘Opportunistic Cowards’ in Newly Resurfaced Comments – About a month ago, lots of people were saying that more dirt was coming on Graham Platner, the Democratic Socialist (communist) running for a U.S. The post ANOTHER STRIKE AGAINST PLATNER: Called Law Enforcement Officers ‘Opportunistic Cowards’ in Newly Resurfaced Comments appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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ANOTHER STRIKE AGAINST PLATNER: Called Law Enforcement Officers ‘Opportunistic Cowards’ in Newly Resurfaced Comments – About a month ago, lots of people were saying that more dirt was coming on Graham Platner, the Democratic Socialist (communist) running for a U.S. The post ANOTHER STRIKE AGAINST PLATNER: Called Law Enforcement Officers ‘Opportunistic Cowards’ in Newly Resurfaced Comments appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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About a month ago, lots of people were saying that more dirt was coming on Graham Platner, the Democratic Socialist (communist) running for a U.S.

The post ANOTHER STRIKE AGAINST PLATNER: Called Law Enforcement Officers ‘Opportunistic Cowards’ in Newly Resurfaced Comments appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is Creating Their Own ‘Red Guard’ – A Militia Network Called the ‘Red Rabbits’ – The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is creating an armed paramilitary group called the ‘Red Rabbits’ which sounds almost exactly like Mao Zedong’s infamous ‘Red Guards’ in communist China. The post The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is Creating Their Own ‘Red Guard’ – A Militia Network Called the ‘Red Rabbits’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is Creating Their Own ‘Red Guard’ – A Militia Network Called the ‘Red Rabbits’ – The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is creating an armed paramilitary group called the ‘Red Rabbits’ which sounds almost exactly like Mao Zedong’s infamous ‘Red Guards’ in communist China. The post The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is Creating Their Own ‘Red Guard’ – A Militia Network Called the ‘Red Rabbits’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is creating an armed paramilitary group called the ‘Red Rabbits’ which sounds almost exactly like Mao Zedong’s infamous ‘Red Guards’ in communist China.

The post The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is Creating Their Own ‘Red Guard’ – A Militia Network Called the ‘Red Rabbits’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Spiritual hunger, Church’s tradition cited as top drivers of U.S. adult conversions, survey finds – #Catholic – A survey of U.S. adults who participated in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) in 2026 found that most were drawn to the Catholic Church either through a search for meaning and purpose or an attraction to the Churchʼs teachings, liturgy, and historical tradition.“Personal growth in goodness, inner peace, and an understanding of truth emerged as some of the strongest motivations for exploring the Catholic faith,” said the report, titled “Why Are So Many People Becoming Catholic?”About 85% of respondents said desire to grow closer to God was their primary reason for entering the Church and 77% listed “wanting to grow in goodness and virtue,” while 76% cited a desire for “a deeper understanding of truth” and 72% said they were looking for “a greater sense of inner peace.”Led by the Archdiocese of Chicago, the survey conducted from Feb. 22 to May 31 included 2,127 responses from participants across 20 U.S. Catholic dioceses. The report did not list a margin of error.About 68% of respondents named attraction to the Church’s sacred liturgy, prayer, ritual, and the sacraments as a significant factor in their conversion, while 65% said they were “attracted to the wisdom of a 2,000-year-old Church to help me navigate life.”Fewer Catholics flirting to convertAdult converts to the faith were less likely to cite dating or marrying a Catholic as a factor related to their conversion, researchers found.“About 26% of catechumens and candidates for reception into full communion cited dating or marrying a Catholic as part of their journey to the Church,” the survey said. “By comparison, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), using data from Pew Research Center’s 2007 Religious Landscape Study (Conversion Recontact Survey), found that 72% of Catholic converts at the time said marriage was an important reason for becoming Catholic.”For respondents who did cite dating or marrying a Catholic as a part of their journey to the Catholic Church, the gender composition varied based on generation. Among Gen Z respondents, women represented a majority at 63%, while men comprised 37%. For millennials, the distribution was balanced, according to the survey, while men “represented a clear majority” among Gen X and baby boomer respondents.Other motivesA little more than half of respondents identified the desire to belong to a church community or being inspired by the positive example of Catholic family, friends, or other personal connections.The Church’s stance on social issues and its position as a worldwide provider of charitable services were ranked lowest among participants.Challenges and fears among respondentsOCIA participants listed a variety of obstacles to their conversion, ranging from personal fears and apprehension about Church teaching to difficulty navigating parish systems and fitting OCIA classes into their schedules, according to the survey.“Many expressed anxiety about navigating the liturgy itself, often feeling unfamiliar with and intimidated by the rituals of Mass. Others feared not belonging in a parish, worrying they would feel like outsiders within an established community,” researchers said. “Finally, some held back due to doctrinal uncertainty, unsure whether they could fully embrace all Catholic teachings and fearful of committing to a journey they might ultimately feel unable to complete.” The study’s authors included Chicago archdiocesan employees Betsy Bohlen, chief operating officer; Pat Brown, strategy and research manager; and Tim Weiske, director of the department of parish vitality and mission.
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Spiritual hunger, Church’s tradition cited as top drivers of U.S. adult conversions, survey finds – #Catholic – A survey of U.S. adults who participated in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) in 2026 found that most were drawn to the Catholic Church either through a search for meaning and purpose or an attraction to the Churchʼs teachings, liturgy, and historical tradition.“Personal growth in goodness, inner peace, and an understanding of truth emerged as some of the strongest motivations for exploring the Catholic faith,” said the report, titled “Why Are So Many People Becoming Catholic?”About 85% of respondents said desire to grow closer to God was their primary reason for entering the Church and 77% listed “wanting to grow in goodness and virtue,” while 76% cited a desire for “a deeper understanding of truth” and 72% said they were looking for “a greater sense of inner peace.”Led by the Archdiocese of Chicago, the survey conducted from Feb. 22 to May 31 included 2,127 responses from participants across 20 U.S. Catholic dioceses. The report did not list a margin of error.About 68% of respondents named attraction to the Church’s sacred liturgy, prayer, ritual, and the sacraments as a significant factor in their conversion, while 65% said they were “attracted to the wisdom of a 2,000-year-old Church to help me navigate life.”Fewer Catholics flirting to convertAdult converts to the faith were less likely to cite dating or marrying a Catholic as a factor related to their conversion, researchers found.“About 26% of catechumens and candidates for reception into full communion cited dating or marrying a Catholic as part of their journey to the Church,” the survey said. “By comparison, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), using data from Pew Research Center’s 2007 Religious Landscape Study (Conversion Recontact Survey), found that 72% of Catholic converts at the time said marriage was an important reason for becoming Catholic.”For respondents who did cite dating or marrying a Catholic as a part of their journey to the Catholic Church, the gender composition varied based on generation. Among Gen Z respondents, women represented a majority at 63%, while men comprised 37%. For millennials, the distribution was balanced, according to the survey, while men “represented a clear majority” among Gen X and baby boomer respondents.Other motivesA little more than half of respondents identified the desire to belong to a church community or being inspired by the positive example of Catholic family, friends, or other personal connections.The Church’s stance on social issues and its position as a worldwide provider of charitable services were ranked lowest among participants.Challenges and fears among respondentsOCIA participants listed a variety of obstacles to their conversion, ranging from personal fears and apprehension about Church teaching to difficulty navigating parish systems and fitting OCIA classes into their schedules, according to the survey.“Many expressed anxiety about navigating the liturgy itself, often feeling unfamiliar with and intimidated by the rituals of Mass. Others feared not belonging in a parish, worrying they would feel like outsiders within an established community,” researchers said. “Finally, some held back due to doctrinal uncertainty, unsure whether they could fully embrace all Catholic teachings and fearful of committing to a journey they might ultimately feel unable to complete.” The study’s authors included Chicago archdiocesan employees Betsy Bohlen, chief operating officer; Pat Brown, strategy and research manager; and Tim Weiske, director of the department of parish vitality and mission.

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“Personal growth in goodness, inner peace, and an understanding of truth emerged as some of the strongest motivations for exploring the Catholic faith,” according to a survey of adult converts.

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Pew survey: Majority of Catholics say Trump is too critical of Pope Leo XIV – #Catholic – A survey by Pew Research Center found that more than three-fourths of Catholics view Pope Leo XIV favorably and that many Catholics, especially Democratic‑leaning Catholics, believe President Donald Trump has been too critical of Pope Leo, with views breaking sharply along party lines.The survey of 1,848 Catholics between May 26 and June 1, part of Pew’s broader American Trends Panel survey, found 78% of Catholics view Leo favorably. This is down from last summer when his favorability was at 84%, mostly due to lower favorability from Catholic Republicans.Only 12% of Catholic Americans viewed the pope unfavorably, and 10% did not answer or did not know who Leo was.The survey found Leo’s favorability at 84% among Democratic or Democratic-leaning Catholics, which is five points lower than last year. Only 5% of Democrats said they had an unfavorable view. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning Catholics, 72% had a favorable view, which is 12 points lower than last year. About 22% had an unfavorable view.Leo’s favorability is highest among those who attend Mass weekly, at 85%, and lowest among those who seldom attend Mass, at 73%. It was 79% among those who attend monthly or yearly.Leo and TrumpThe survey found that a plurality of Catholics say Pope Leo has struck the right balance in his approach to the Trump administration, while smaller shares say he has been too critical or not critical enough. Views vary sharply by party.Leo criticized some of Trump’s rhetoric about the Iran war and called for a peaceful resolution, and Trump called the pontiff “terrible on foreign policy.” The U.S. and Iran are close to a peace deal as of mid-June. On June 18, Trump shared an article on Truth Social about the Holy Father’s approval of the ongoing peace negotiations.Among all Catholics, 51% say Trump has been too critical of Leo, 14% say Trump has struck the right balance in his criticisms, and 4% say he has not been critical enough of the pope. The remaining 31% were either unsure or did not answer.The survey found that only 19% said Leo has been too critical of Trump, 35% said the pope struck the right balance, and 16% said he has not been critical enough of the president. Another 30% were unsure or did not answer.It found that 70% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning Catholics say Trump has been too critical of Leo, and 3% said the pope has been too critical of the president. Alternatively, it found that 32% of Republican and Republican-leaning Catholics said Trump has been too critical of Leo, and 39% said the pope has been too critical of the president.John White, a retired politics professor at The Catholic University of America, told EWTN News the poll results are not surprising, saying “itʼs very clear that Pope Leo has settled into his role — indeed, he was made for it.”“Pope Leo XIV has bridged the divisions among Catholics with his wise, timely pronouncements — all of which are true to the Gospel,” White said. “He is a moral leader for this time.”White said Trump’s decision to demean the pope in social media posts are not received well by Catholic Americans or Americans more broadly.According to an April Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll of 2,560 American adults, about two-thirds of Americans viewed Leo’s calls for peace positively and a majority of Americans did not like Trump’s criticism of the pontiff.
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Pew survey: Majority of Catholics say Trump is too critical of Pope Leo XIV – #Catholic – A survey by Pew Research Center found that more than three-fourths of Catholics view Pope Leo XIV favorably and that many Catholics, especially Democratic‑leaning Catholics, believe President Donald Trump has been too critical of Pope Leo, with views breaking sharply along party lines.The survey of 1,848 Catholics between May 26 and June 1, part of Pew’s broader American Trends Panel survey, found 78% of Catholics view Leo favorably. This is down from last summer when his favorability was at 84%, mostly due to lower favorability from Catholic Republicans.Only 12% of Catholic Americans viewed the pope unfavorably, and 10% did not answer or did not know who Leo was.The survey found Leo’s favorability at 84% among Democratic or Democratic-leaning Catholics, which is five points lower than last year. Only 5% of Democrats said they had an unfavorable view. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning Catholics, 72% had a favorable view, which is 12 points lower than last year. About 22% had an unfavorable view.Leo’s favorability is highest among those who attend Mass weekly, at 85%, and lowest among those who seldom attend Mass, at 73%. It was 79% among those who attend monthly or yearly.Leo and TrumpThe survey found that a plurality of Catholics say Pope Leo has struck the right balance in his approach to the Trump administration, while smaller shares say he has been too critical or not critical enough. Views vary sharply by party.Leo criticized some of Trump’s rhetoric about the Iran war and called for a peaceful resolution, and Trump called the pontiff “terrible on foreign policy.” The U.S. and Iran are close to a peace deal as of mid-June. On June 18, Trump shared an article on Truth Social about the Holy Father’s approval of the ongoing peace negotiations.Among all Catholics, 51% say Trump has been too critical of Leo, 14% say Trump has struck the right balance in his criticisms, and 4% say he has not been critical enough of the pope. The remaining 31% were either unsure or did not answer.The survey found that only 19% said Leo has been too critical of Trump, 35% said the pope struck the right balance, and 16% said he has not been critical enough of the president. Another 30% were unsure or did not answer.It found that 70% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning Catholics say Trump has been too critical of Leo, and 3% said the pope has been too critical of the president. Alternatively, it found that 32% of Republican and Republican-leaning Catholics said Trump has been too critical of Leo, and 39% said the pope has been too critical of the president.John White, a retired politics professor at The Catholic University of America, told EWTN News the poll results are not surprising, saying “itʼs very clear that Pope Leo has settled into his role — indeed, he was made for it.”“Pope Leo XIV has bridged the divisions among Catholics with his wise, timely pronouncements — all of which are true to the Gospel,” White said. “He is a moral leader for this time.”White said Trump’s decision to demean the pope in social media posts are not received well by Catholic Americans or Americans more broadly.According to an April Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll of 2,560 American adults, about two-thirds of Americans viewed Leo’s calls for peace positively and a majority of Americans did not like Trump’s criticism of the pontiff.

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Pope Leo XIV has a strong favorability rating among Catholics. Political leanings, however, affect how Catholics view the dynamic between the pope and the president.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 19 June 2026 – A reading from the Second Book of Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she began to kill off the whole royal family. But Jehosheba, daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash, his son, and spirited him away, along with his nurse, from the bedroom where the princes were about to be slain. She concealed him from Athaliah, and so he did not die. For six years he remained hidden in the temple of the LORD, while Athaliah ruled the land. But in the seventh year, Jehoiada summoned the captains of the Carians and of the guards. He had them come to him in the temple of the LORD, exacted from them a sworn commitment, and then showed them the king’s son. The captains did just as Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each one with his men, both those going on duty for the sabbath and those going off duty that week, came to Jehoiada the priest. He gave the captains King David’s spears and shields, which were in the temple of the LORD. And the guards, with drawn weapons, lined up from the southern to the northern limit of the enclosure, surrounding the altar and the temple on the king’s behalf. Then Jehoiada led out the king’s son and put the crown and the insignia upon him. They proclaimed him king and anointed him, clapping their hands and shouting, “Long live the king!” Athaliah heard the noise made by the people, and appeared before them in the temple of the LORD. When she saw the king standing by the pillar, as was the custom, and the captains and trumpeters near him, with all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, she tore her garments and cried out, “Treason, treason!” Then Jehoiada the priest instructed the captains in command of the force: “Bring her outside through the ranks. If anyone follows her,” he added, “let him die by the sword.” He had given orders that she should not be slain in the temple of the LORD. She was led out forcibly to the horse gate of the royal palace, where she was put to death. Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD as one party and the king and the people as the other, by which they would be the LORD’s people; and another covenant, between the king and the people. Thereupon all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and demolished it. They shattered its altars and images completely, and slew Mattan, the priest of Baal, before the altars. Jehoiada appointed a detachment for the temple of the LORD. All the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet, now that Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the royal palace.From the Gospel according to Matthew 6:19-23 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”The Evangelist Matthew invites us to reflect on the importance of the heart, quoting this beautiful phrase of Jesus: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt 6:21). It is therefore in the heart that true treasure is kept, not in earthly safes, not in large financial investments, which today more than ever before are out of control and unjustly concentrated at the bloody price of millions of human lives and the devastation of God’s creation. It is important to reflect on these aspects, because in the numerous commitments we continually face, there is an increasing risk of dispersion, sometimes of despair, of meaninglessness, even in apparently successful people. Instead, interpreting life in the light of Easter, looking at it with the Risen Jesus, means finding access to the essence of the human person, to our heart: cor inquietum. With this adjective “restless”, Saint Augustine helps us understand the human being’s yearning for fulfilment. The full sentence refers to the beginning of the Confessions, where Augustine writes: “Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you” (I, 1,1). Restlessness is the sign that our heart does not move by chance, in a disordered way, without a purpose or a destination, but is oriented towards its ultimate destination, the “return home”. The authentic approach of the heart does not consist in possessing the goods of this world, but in achieving what can fill it completely; namely, the love of God, or rather, God who is Love. (Pope Leo XIV, General Audience, 17 December 2025)

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A reading from the Second Book of Kings
11:1-4, 9-18, 20

When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah,
saw that her son was dead,
she began to kill off the whole royal family.
But Jehosheba, daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah,
took Joash, his son, and spirited him away, along with his nurse,
from the bedroom where the princes were about to be slain.
She concealed him from Athaliah, and so he did not die.
For six years he remained hidden in the temple of the LORD,
while Athaliah ruled the land.

But in the seventh year,
Jehoiada summoned the captains of the Carians
and of the guards.
He had them come to him in the temple of the LORD,
exacted from them a sworn commitment,
and then showed them the king’s son.

The captains did just as Jehoiada the priest commanded.
Each one with his men, both those going on duty for the sabbath
and those going off duty that week,
came to Jehoiada the priest.
He gave the captains King David’s spears and shields,
which were in the temple of the LORD.
And the guards, with drawn weapons,
lined up from the southern to the northern limit of the enclosure,
surrounding the altar and the temple on the king’s behalf.
Then Jehoiada led out the king’s son
and put the crown and the insignia upon him.
They proclaimed him king and anointed him,
clapping their hands and shouting, “Long live the king!”

Athaliah heard the noise made by the people,
and appeared before them in the temple of the LORD.
When she saw the king standing by the pillar, as was the custom,
and the captains and trumpeters near him,
with all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets,
she tore her garments and cried out, “Treason, treason!”
Then Jehoiada the priest instructed the captains
in command of the force:
“Bring her outside through the ranks.
If anyone follows her,” he added, “let him die by the sword.”
He had given orders that she
should not be slain in the temple of the LORD.
She was led out forcibly to the horse gate of the royal palace,
where she was put to death.

Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD as one party
and the king and the people as the other,
by which they would be the LORD’s people;
and another covenant, between the king and the people.
Thereupon all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal
and demolished it.
They shattered its altars and images completely,
and slew Mattan, the priest of Baal, before the altars.
Jehoiada appointed a detachment for the temple of the LORD.
All the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet,
now that Athaliah had been slain with the sword
at the royal palace.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
6:19-23

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
But store up treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

“The lamp of the body is the eye.
If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light;
but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness.
And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”

The Evangelist Matthew invites us to reflect on the importance of the heart, quoting this beautiful phrase of Jesus: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt 6:21). It is therefore in the heart that true treasure is kept, not in earthly safes, not in large financial investments, which today more than ever before are out of control and unjustly concentrated at the bloody price of millions of human lives and the devastation of God’s creation.

It is important to reflect on these aspects, because in the numerous commitments we continually face, there is an increasing risk of dispersion, sometimes of despair, of meaninglessness, even in apparently successful people. Instead, interpreting life in the light of Easter, looking at it with the Risen Jesus, means finding access to the essence of the human person, to our heart: cor inquietum. With this adjective “restless”, Saint Augustine helps us understand the human being’s yearning for fulfilment. The full sentence refers to the beginning of the Confessions, where Augustine writes: “Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you” (I, 1,1).

Restlessness is the sign that our heart does not move by chance, in a disordered way, without a purpose or a destination, but is oriented towards its ultimate destination, the “return home”. The authentic approach of the heart does not consist in possessing the goods of this world, but in achieving what can fill it completely; namely, the love of God, or rather, God who is Love. (Pope Leo XIV, General Audience, 17 December 2025)

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Church in European Union calls for migration policy that respects inviolable dignity of every person – #Catholic – The president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), Bishop Mariano Crociata, expressed the commission’s view on the new “Return Regulation” approved June 17 by the European Parliament.The new regulation aims to unify and streamline procedures for the expulsion of individuals in an irregular situation (who are illegally present) within the European Union, strengthening cooperation among member states and facilitating returns to ensure the effectiveness of the common migration system.Migration affects people who possess inviolable dignityWhile acknowledging the legitimate responsibility of public authorities to manage migration, ensure border integrity, and combat human trafficking, the president of COMECE expressed “deep concern” regarding certain aspects of the new regulation.Speaking on behalf of the Church in the EU, he noted that the extension of detention, limitations on legal remedies, and the increasing externalization of responsibilities to third countries raise “serious ethical and humanitarian questions” and could undermine “effective protection of fundamental rights and the dignity of vulnerable persons.”Crociata warned that migration “is not merely a matter of procedures, statistics, or border management” but rather affects human beings “with an inviolable dignity that must remain at the center of every policy decision.”‘Security and solidarity are not opposing principles’In response to Pope Leo XIV’s call not to remain indifferent to the suffering of migrants, Crociata noted that the EU “was founded on the conviction that human dignity is inviolable” and therefore urged that migration and asylum policies respect that dignity.The commission also reiterated that “security and solidarity are not opposing principles” but rather “must advance together” and appealed to the affected countries’ responsibility “to address the root causes that force people to migrate and to protect those who are on the move.”Furthermore, Crociata insisted that everyone has “the right to seek protection when life is threatened” as well as the right “not to be forced to leave their homeland because of war, persecution, poverty, corruption, or environmental collapse.”Crociata pointed out that the vote held on June 17 concerns not only migration policy but also raises “a broader question about the kind of Europe we wish to build.”“At this decisive moment, Europe is called not to retreat from its founding values but to reaffirm them with courage, wisdom, and humanity,” he stated.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Church in European Union calls for migration policy that respects inviolable dignity of every person – #Catholic – The president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), Bishop Mariano Crociata, expressed the commission’s view on the new “Return Regulation” approved June 17 by the European Parliament.The new regulation aims to unify and streamline procedures for the expulsion of individuals in an irregular situation (who are illegally present) within the European Union, strengthening cooperation among member states and facilitating returns to ensure the effectiveness of the common migration system.Migration affects people who possess inviolable dignityWhile acknowledging the legitimate responsibility of public authorities to manage migration, ensure border integrity, and combat human trafficking, the president of COMECE expressed “deep concern” regarding certain aspects of the new regulation.Speaking on behalf of the Church in the EU, he noted that the extension of detention, limitations on legal remedies, and the increasing externalization of responsibilities to third countries raise “serious ethical and humanitarian questions” and could undermine “effective protection of fundamental rights and the dignity of vulnerable persons.”Crociata warned that migration “is not merely a matter of procedures, statistics, or border management” but rather affects human beings “with an inviolable dignity that must remain at the center of every policy decision.”‘Security and solidarity are not opposing principles’In response to Pope Leo XIV’s call not to remain indifferent to the suffering of migrants, Crociata noted that the EU “was founded on the conviction that human dignity is inviolable” and therefore urged that migration and asylum policies respect that dignity.The commission also reiterated that “security and solidarity are not opposing principles” but rather “must advance together” and appealed to the affected countries’ responsibility “to address the root causes that force people to migrate and to protect those who are on the move.”Furthermore, Crociata insisted that everyone has “the right to seek protection when life is threatened” as well as the right “not to be forced to leave their homeland because of war, persecution, poverty, corruption, or environmental collapse.”Crociata pointed out that the vote held on June 17 concerns not only migration policy but also raises “a broader question about the kind of Europe we wish to build.”“At this decisive moment, Europe is called not to retreat from its founding values but to reaffirm them with courage, wisdom, and humanity,” he stated.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union expressed reservations about the EU’s Return Regulation affecting persons illegally staying in the EU, emphasizing dignity and rights.

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A meteorite impact may have once rained gold on Western Australia – new study

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We’re used to a lot of different natural things falling out of the sky. These can include snow, rain, and sometimes even frogs (yes, really). All of these relate to weather phenomena. Far more exotic things fall from the sky that are not related to weather. Earth is pelted by about 14 tons of micrometeoritesContinue reading “A meteorite impact may have once rained gold on Western Australia – new study”

The post A meteorite impact may have once rained gold on Western Australia – new study appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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MLB Orders Players Who Refused To Bow To Pride Flag To Be Thrown Into Fiery Furnace #BabylonBee – NEW YORK, NY — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, reportedly infuriated by news of ball players defiling their pride hats with Bible verses, has ordered anyone who refuses to bow to the pride flag be cast into the fiery furnace.
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MLB Orders Players Who Refused To Bow To Pride Flag To Be Thrown Into Fiery Furnace #BabylonBee – NEW YORK, NY — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, reportedly infuriated by news of ball players defiling their pride hats with Bible verses, has ordered anyone who refuses to bow to the pride flag be cast into the fiery furnace.

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NEW YORK, NY — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, reportedly infuriated by news of ball players defiling their pride hats with Bible verses, has ordered anyone who refuses to bow to the pride flag be cast into the fiery furnace.

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Tim Walz Volunteers To Personally Check Each And Every California Business To See If Owners Are Gay Enough #BabylonBee – SAN FRANCISCO, CA — With California adopting a new system to reward LGBTQ+ businesses, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz showed up uninvited at the offices of the California Public Utilities Commission volunteering to personally inspect every California business to see if the owners are gay enough.
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Tim Walz Volunteers To Personally Check Each And Every California Business To See If Owners Are Gay Enough #BabylonBee – SAN FRANCISCO, CA — With California adopting a new system to reward LGBTQ+ businesses, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz showed up uninvited at the offices of the California Public Utilities Commission volunteering to personally inspect every California business to see if the owners are gay enough.

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA — With California adopting a new system to reward LGBTQ+ businesses, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz showed up uninvited at the offices of the California Public Utilities Commission volunteering to personally inspect every California business to see if the owners are gay enough.

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Bishops mark ‘sobering anniversary’ of Canada euthanasia law, call faithful to action #Catholic – The Catholic bishops of Canada asked the Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill “to voice renewed concern” about the country’s Medical Assistance in Dying law, now in place for a decade. In June 2016, Parliament passed federal legislation, Bill C-14, allowing “medical assistance in dying,” also known as MAiD. On June 17, David Johnston, then Canada’s governor general, gave “royal assent” to the measure, which permits eligible adults, under specified conditions, to access legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide across Canada. In calling for renewed concern “as we mark this sobering anniversary,” the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Standing Committee for Family and Life also urged all “to remain steadfast in opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide, to pray for the conversion of hearts and minds away from this practice, and to be present to persons who are sick and vulnerable.” “We reject complacency with the status quo on euthanasia in Canada,” the bishops said in a June 10 statement. “Formed by the Gospel, we are called to draw near to those who suffer: not to ignore, trivialize, or abandon them in their pain or despair, but to accompany them with compassion, practical care, and hope (cf. Lk 10:30-37). Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. They continued, “We actively seek opportunities for effective, collaborative strategies to provide concrete and compassionate support to those living with serious physical or mental illness, those with disabilities, and those nearing the end of life, as well as their families and caregivers.” Under the law, eligible adults can request a medical professional to directly administer a lethal substance (euthanasia), or provide lethal drugs for self-administration (assisted suicide). They currently must meet several criteria including being at least 18 years old and mentally competent; being eligible for publicly funded Canadian health services; having a serious, incurable illness, disease or disability; and being in an advanced state of irreversible decline and experiencing intolerable physical or psychological suffering. They also must confirm their request is voluntary and not the result of external pressure or influence. Individuals who suffer solely from a mental illness will become eligible for MAiD March 17, 2027. An earlier date for their eligibility was delayed, and in the meantime, Bill C-218 has been introduced to stop the expansion of the law to individuals with a mental illness. “Canada now has ‘the world’s largest and fastest-growing euthanasia program,’” the bishops said in their statement. Citing the government’s “Sixth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada, 2024,” they said the percentage of MAiD deaths is increasing annually and accounted for 5.1% of all deaths in 2024, or 16,499 Canadians. A November 2025 update to the report said there have been 76,475 deaths under MAiD since its 2016 legalization. “Grave concern is warranted regarding the continued expansion of the eligibility criteria for ‘MAID,’ which puts increasing numbers of Canadians at risk,” they said. “In 2016, only individuals whose death was ‘reasonably foreseeable’ were eligible for ‘MAID’ with so-called ‘safeguards” in place,’” the bishops said. “Subsequent legislation in 2021, however, considerably broadened the criteria, expanding access to include those whose death is not ‘reasonably foreseeable,’ but whose condition is ‘grievous and irremediable.’” “True compassion does not answer suffering with death, but accompanies those who suffer with hope, presence, palliative care, and relief of pain,” the bishops said. The Catholic faith “teaches that we must strive for proportionate treatment options that neither unduly prolong nor intentionally hasten death, but instead offer life-affirming and compassionate care,” they said. They prayed for “all those whose lives have been lost to ‘MAID” and also “for their loved ones, many of whom continue to carry grief, confusion, regret, or unanswered questions.” In remembering all those who continue to suffer — the sick, those with disabilities, the elderly, those living with mental illness, those near the end of life, and “all who experience loneliness, fear or despair” — Canadian bishops renewed their call to “give witness at the side of the sick person and to become a ‘healing community.’” The bishops thanked “the many dioceses, eparchies, parishes, organizations, healthcare workers, families, and volunteers who, over the past 10 years, have promoted Christian hope in the face of illness and death and have resisted ‘MAID’ with courage and compassion.” “Their witness reminds us that defending life is not only a public teaching,” they said, “but also a daily work of presence: visiting the sick, supporting caregivers, accompanying those in despair, advocating for the vulnerable, and helping build communities where no one feels they must face suffering alone.” They ended their statement with a prayer: “In communion with our Lord, the Great Physician, let us offer together a prayer of hope, compassion, and vision towards the promise of everlasting love and life: Loving God, rock of strength for those who trust in you; comforter of those who call on you. Hear the cry of those who suffer from sickness or weakness, and embrace them in your loving arms. Give them peace, and strengthen them with the vision of your kingdom. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”  
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Bishops mark ‘sobering anniversary’ of Canada euthanasia law, call faithful to action #Catholic – The Catholic bishops of Canada asked the Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill “to voice renewed concern” about the country’s Medical Assistance in Dying law, now in place for a decade. In June 2016, Parliament passed federal legislation, Bill C-14, allowing “medical assistance in dying,” also known as MAiD. On June 17, David Johnston, then Canada’s governor general, gave “royal assent” to the measure, which permits eligible adults, under specified conditions, to access legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide across Canada. In calling for renewed concern “as we mark this sobering anniversary,” the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Standing Committee for Family and Life also urged all “to remain steadfast in opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide, to pray for the conversion of hearts and minds away from this practice, and to be present to persons who are sick and vulnerable.” “We reject complacency with the status quo on euthanasia in Canada,” the bishops said in a June 10 statement. “Formed by the Gospel, we are called to draw near to those who suffer: not to ignore, trivialize, or abandon them in their pain or despair, but to accompany them with compassion, practical care, and hope (cf. Lk 10:30-37). Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. They continued, “We actively seek opportunities for effective, collaborative strategies to provide concrete and compassionate support to those living with serious physical or mental illness, those with disabilities, and those nearing the end of life, as well as their families and caregivers.” Under the law, eligible adults can request a medical professional to directly administer a lethal substance (euthanasia), or provide lethal drugs for self-administration (assisted suicide). They currently must meet several criteria including being at least 18 years old and mentally competent; being eligible for publicly funded Canadian health services; having a serious, incurable illness, disease or disability; and being in an advanced state of irreversible decline and experiencing intolerable physical or psychological suffering. They also must confirm their request is voluntary and not the result of external pressure or influence. Individuals who suffer solely from a mental illness will become eligible for MAiD March 17, 2027. An earlier date for their eligibility was delayed, and in the meantime, Bill C-218 has been introduced to stop the expansion of the law to individuals with a mental illness. “Canada now has ‘the world’s largest and fastest-growing euthanasia program,’” the bishops said in their statement. Citing the government’s “Sixth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada, 2024,” they said the percentage of MAiD deaths is increasing annually and accounted for 5.1% of all deaths in 2024, or 16,499 Canadians. A November 2025 update to the report said there have been 76,475 deaths under MAiD since its 2016 legalization. “Grave concern is warranted regarding the continued expansion of the eligibility criteria for ‘MAID,’ which puts increasing numbers of Canadians at risk,” they said. “In 2016, only individuals whose death was ‘reasonably foreseeable’ were eligible for ‘MAID’ with so-called ‘safeguards” in place,’” the bishops said. “Subsequent legislation in 2021, however, considerably broadened the criteria, expanding access to include those whose death is not ‘reasonably foreseeable,’ but whose condition is ‘grievous and irremediable.’” “True compassion does not answer suffering with death, but accompanies those who suffer with hope, presence, palliative care, and relief of pain,” the bishops said. The Catholic faith “teaches that we must strive for proportionate treatment options that neither unduly prolong nor intentionally hasten death, but instead offer life-affirming and compassionate care,” they said. They prayed for “all those whose lives have been lost to ‘MAID” and also “for their loved ones, many of whom continue to carry grief, confusion, regret, or unanswered questions.” In remembering all those who continue to suffer — the sick, those with disabilities, the elderly, those living with mental illness, those near the end of life, and “all who experience loneliness, fear or despair” — Canadian bishops renewed their call to “give witness at the side of the sick person and to become a ‘healing community.’” The bishops thanked “the many dioceses, eparchies, parishes, organizations, healthcare workers, families, and volunteers who, over the past 10 years, have promoted Christian hope in the face of illness and death and have resisted ‘MAID’ with courage and compassion.” “Their witness reminds us that defending life is not only a public teaching,” they said, “but also a daily work of presence: visiting the sick, supporting caregivers, accompanying those in despair, advocating for the vulnerable, and helping build communities where no one feels they must face suffering alone.” They ended their statement with a prayer: “In communion with our Lord, the Great Physician, let us offer together a prayer of hope, compassion, and vision towards the promise of everlasting love and life: Loving God, rock of strength for those who trust in you; comforter of those who call on you. Hear the cry of those who suffer from sickness or weakness, and embrace them in your loving arms. Give them peace, and strengthen them with the vision of your kingdom. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”  

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Bishops mark ‘sobering anniversary’ of Canada euthanasia law, call faithful to action #Catholic –

The Catholic bishops of Canada asked the Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill “to voice renewed concern” about the country’s Medical Assistance in Dying law, now in place for a decade.

In June 2016, Parliament passed federal legislation, Bill C-14, allowing “medical assistance in dying,” also known as MAiD. On June 17, David Johnston, then Canada’s governor general, gave “royal assent” to the measure, which permits eligible adults, under specified conditions, to access legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide across Canada.

In calling for renewed concern “as we mark this sobering anniversary,” the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Standing Committee for Family and Life also urged all “to remain steadfast in opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide, to pray for the conversion of hearts and minds away from this practice, and to be present to persons who are sick and vulnerable.”

“We reject complacency with the status quo on euthanasia in Canada,” the bishops said in a June 10 statement. “Formed by the Gospel, we are called to draw near to those who suffer: not to ignore, trivialize, or abandon them in their pain or despair, but to accompany them with compassion, practical care, and hope (cf. Lk 10:30-37).

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

They continued, “We actively seek opportunities for effective, collaborative strategies to provide concrete and compassionate support to those living with serious physical or mental illness, those with disabilities, and those nearing the end of life, as well as their families and caregivers.”

Under the law, eligible adults can request a medical professional to directly administer a lethal substance (euthanasia), or provide lethal drugs for self-administration (assisted suicide).

They currently must meet several criteria including being at least 18 years old and mentally competent; being eligible for publicly funded Canadian health services; having a serious, incurable illness, disease or disability; and being in an advanced state of irreversible decline and experiencing intolerable physical or psychological suffering. They also must confirm their request is voluntary and not the result of external pressure or influence.

Individuals who suffer solely from a mental illness will become eligible for MAiD March 17, 2027. An earlier date for their eligibility was delayed, and in the meantime, Bill C-218 has been introduced to stop the expansion of the law to individuals with a mental illness.

“Canada now has ‘the world’s largest and fastest-growing euthanasia program,’” the bishops said in their statement.

Citing the government’s “Sixth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada, 2024,” they said the percentage of MAiD deaths is increasing annually and accounted for 5.1% of all deaths in 2024, or 16,499 Canadians. A November 2025 update to the report said there have been 76,475 deaths under MAiD since its 2016 legalization.

“Grave concern is warranted regarding the continued expansion of the eligibility criteria for ‘MAID,’ which puts increasing numbers of Canadians at risk,” they said.

“In 2016, only individuals whose death was ‘reasonably foreseeable’ were eligible for ‘MAID’ with so-called ‘safeguards” in place,’” the bishops said. “Subsequent legislation in 2021, however, considerably broadened the criteria, expanding access to include those whose death is not ‘reasonably foreseeable,’ but whose condition is ‘grievous and irremediable.’”

“True compassion does not answer suffering with death, but accompanies those who suffer with hope, presence, palliative care, and relief of pain,” the bishops said.

The Catholic faith “teaches that we must strive for proportionate treatment options that neither unduly prolong nor intentionally hasten death, but instead offer life-affirming and compassionate care,” they said.

They prayed for “all those whose lives have been lost to ‘MAID” and also “for their loved ones, many of whom continue to carry grief, confusion, regret, or unanswered questions.”

In remembering all those who continue to suffer — the sick, those with disabilities, the elderly, those living with mental illness, those near the end of life, and “all who experience loneliness, fear or despair” — Canadian bishops renewed their call to “give witness at the side of the sick person and to become a ‘healing community.’”

The bishops thanked “the many dioceses, eparchies, parishes, organizations, healthcare workers, families, and volunteers who, over the past 10 years, have promoted Christian hope in the face of illness and death and have resisted ‘MAID’ with courage and compassion.”

“Their witness reminds us that defending life is not only a public teaching,” they said, “but also a daily work of presence: visiting the sick, supporting caregivers, accompanying those in despair, advocating for the vulnerable, and helping build communities where no one feels they must face suffering alone.”

They ended their statement with a prayer: “In communion with our Lord, the Great Physician, let us offer together a prayer of hope, compassion, and vision towards the promise of everlasting love and life: Loving God, rock of strength for those who trust in you; comforter of those who call on you. Hear the cry of those who suffer from sickness or weakness, and embrace them in your loving arms. Give them peace, and strengthen them with the vision of your kingdom. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

 

– The Catholic bishops of Canada asked the Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill “to voice renewed concern” about the country’s Medical Assistance in Dying law, now in place for a decade. In June 2016, Parliament passed federal legislation, Bill C-14, allowing “medical assistance in dying,” also known as MAiD. On June 17, David Johnston, then Canada’s governor general, gave “royal assent” to the measure, which permits eligible adults, under specified conditions, to access legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide across Canada. In calling for renewed concern “as we mark this sobering anniversary,” the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Standing Committee

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Pope says Church ‘must move forward’ if SSPX proceeds with illicit ordinations #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV said that although he is considering a final appeal to the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, the choice to splinter from the Catholic Church falls on them. Speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo June 16, the pope was asked about his feelings regarding plans by the traditionalist society, commonly known as SSPX, to proceed with the consecration of new bishops without a papal mandate. The pope said that while he is “considering making another appeal to say: ‘Do not do this, let us try to live in communion within the Church,’” the decision to proceed “is their choice.” “Certainly, division among Christians is always a painful point. But they refuse to accept certain fundamental elements of the Church, starting with several points from the Second Vatican Council,” Pope Leo said. “If they make that choice, I am sorry, but we must move forward,” he added. In February, Father Davide Pagliarani, superior general of the SSPX, announced the society would proceed with the consecration of new bishops July 1, following a breakdown in communication with the Vatican after requests for an audience with Pope Leo went unanswered. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. After announcing their intention to proceed with the consecrations, Father Pagliarani was invited to meet with Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, who offered to continue dialogue with the SSPX, but only if the society suspended its decision to consecrate new bishops. After meeting with SSPX council members, Father Pagliarani sent a letter to the cardinal saying that while he welcomed continued dialogue, he could not accept the conditions, noting that the society and the Holy See remained divided over the Vatican II and post-conciliar reforms. In a May 13 statement, Cardinal Fernández said that without the “requisite pontifical mandate,” the consecrations would be considered “a schismatic act” and that “formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and entails the excommunication established under Church law.” U.S.-Iran agreement Pope Leo also expressed his optimism about the recent deal to end the war in Iran that is expected to be signed June 19 in Switzerland. “Thank God, there is at least this memorandum that it seems they will officially sign this Friday, so they are saying,” the pope said about the tentative agreement between the United States and Iran. According to a draft of the memorandum published June 17 by Bloomberg News, the agreement outlined a framework for an immediate end to the conflict, mandating an end to all hostilities, including in Lebanon, and the restoration of shipping traffic along the Strait of Hormuz. It also dictates 0 billion from the United States and its partners to be used “for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and an end to sanctions on the country. For its part, Iran will commit to “never produce nuclear weapons.” The pope expressed his hope that the agreement “will truly be a solution to the war, that the war is truly finished and that we can move forward for the good of all.” “Eliminating nuclear weapons, yes, that as well; seeking the good of all peoples, and seeking how to resolve problems also at the economic and social level that have been created during this time,” he said. Vacation, future travels Asked about his recent June 6-12 visit to Spain, Pope Leo told journalists that “the enthusiastic response from so many people” was “something very beautiful.” “Every moment was very well prepared, it must be said, by the bishops with so many lay people and so many volunteers in all the places who worked to prepare everything. It has been wonderful. From what I’ve seen, the people were very happy, and I am certainly happy to be able to celebrate the faith,” the pope said. Regarding his summer vacation, the pope said that while he expects “a bit of rest,” there will also be “a lot of reading, reflection, and preparation for what comes next.” “There is always work too, but peacefully,” he said. Among the most anticipated events after the summer is the pope’s Sept. 25-28 visit to France. In a June 9 statement, the French bishops’ conference released additional details on the upcoming papal trip, which includes stops in Paris, Metz and Lourdes. When asked about other trips after France, Pope Leo said he was “looking into others.” Although the Vatican has yet to announce any other trips, Peruvian President José María Balcázar told journalists outside a polling station in Chiclayo, the pope’s former diocese, that Pope Leo is expected to arrive in Peru Nov. 10, the Peruvian news site RPP reported June 7. Regarding a possible 2027 visit to Mexico, Pope Leo told journalists that he hoped it would be much sooner. “We will see about that, but hopefully not too much time passes,” he said. Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes of Mexico City said in January that he had invited the pope to visit Mexico, “which he had originally extended a few days after the conclave.” “In response, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude and stated his desire and interest in being in our country soon to entrust his pontificate to the Virgin of Guadalupe,” the statement read. Mexico City is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is on the site of Mary’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 1531. Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News. Follow him on X @jae_journalist.  
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Pope says Church ‘must move forward’ if SSPX proceeds with illicit ordinations #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV said that although he is considering a final appeal to the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, the choice to splinter from the Catholic Church falls on them. Speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo June 16, the pope was asked about his feelings regarding plans by the traditionalist society, commonly known as SSPX, to proceed with the consecration of new bishops without a papal mandate. The pope said that while he is “considering making another appeal to say: ‘Do not do this, let us try to live in communion within the Church,’” the decision to proceed “is their choice.” “Certainly, division among Christians is always a painful point. But they refuse to accept certain fundamental elements of the Church, starting with several points from the Second Vatican Council,” Pope Leo said. “If they make that choice, I am sorry, but we must move forward,” he added. In February, Father Davide Pagliarani, superior general of the SSPX, announced the society would proceed with the consecration of new bishops July 1, following a breakdown in communication with the Vatican after requests for an audience with Pope Leo went unanswered. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. After announcing their intention to proceed with the consecrations, Father Pagliarani was invited to meet with Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, who offered to continue dialogue with the SSPX, but only if the society suspended its decision to consecrate new bishops. After meeting with SSPX council members, Father Pagliarani sent a letter to the cardinal saying that while he welcomed continued dialogue, he could not accept the conditions, noting that the society and the Holy See remained divided over the Vatican II and post-conciliar reforms. In a May 13 statement, Cardinal Fernández said that without the “requisite pontifical mandate,” the consecrations would be considered “a schismatic act” and that “formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and entails the excommunication established under Church law.” U.S.-Iran agreement Pope Leo also expressed his optimism about the recent deal to end the war in Iran that is expected to be signed June 19 in Switzerland. “Thank God, there is at least this memorandum that it seems they will officially sign this Friday, so they are saying,” the pope said about the tentative agreement between the United States and Iran. According to a draft of the memorandum published June 17 by Bloomberg News, the agreement outlined a framework for an immediate end to the conflict, mandating an end to all hostilities, including in Lebanon, and the restoration of shipping traffic along the Strait of Hormuz. It also dictates $300 billion from the United States and its partners to be used “for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and an end to sanctions on the country. For its part, Iran will commit to “never produce nuclear weapons.” The pope expressed his hope that the agreement “will truly be a solution to the war, that the war is truly finished and that we can move forward for the good of all.” “Eliminating nuclear weapons, yes, that as well; seeking the good of all peoples, and seeking how to resolve problems also at the economic and social level that have been created during this time,” he said. Vacation, future travels Asked about his recent June 6-12 visit to Spain, Pope Leo told journalists that “the enthusiastic response from so many people” was “something very beautiful.” “Every moment was very well prepared, it must be said, by the bishops with so many lay people and so many volunteers in all the places who worked to prepare everything. It has been wonderful. From what I’ve seen, the people were very happy, and I am certainly happy to be able to celebrate the faith,” the pope said. Regarding his summer vacation, the pope said that while he expects “a bit of rest,” there will also be “a lot of reading, reflection, and preparation for what comes next.” “There is always work too, but peacefully,” he said. Among the most anticipated events after the summer is the pope’s Sept. 25-28 visit to France. In a June 9 statement, the French bishops’ conference released additional details on the upcoming papal trip, which includes stops in Paris, Metz and Lourdes. When asked about other trips after France, Pope Leo said he was “looking into others.” Although the Vatican has yet to announce any other trips, Peruvian President José María Balcázar told journalists outside a polling station in Chiclayo, the pope’s former diocese, that Pope Leo is expected to arrive in Peru Nov. 10, the Peruvian news site RPP reported June 7. Regarding a possible 2027 visit to Mexico, Pope Leo told journalists that he hoped it would be much sooner. “We will see about that, but hopefully not too much time passes,” he said. Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes of Mexico City said in January that he had invited the pope to visit Mexico, “which he had originally extended a few days after the conclave.” “In response, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude and stated his desire and interest in being in our country soon to entrust his pontificate to the Virgin of Guadalupe,” the statement read. Mexico City is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is on the site of Mary’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 1531. Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News. Follow him on X @jae_journalist.  

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Pope says Church ‘must move forward’ if SSPX proceeds with illicit ordinations #Catholic –

Pope Leo XIV said that although he is considering a final appeal to the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, the choice to splinter from the Catholic Church falls on them.

Speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo June 16, the pope was asked about his feelings regarding plans by the traditionalist society, commonly known as SSPX, to proceed with the consecration of new bishops without a papal mandate.

The pope said that while he is “considering making another appeal to say: ‘Do not do this, let us try to live in communion within the Church,’” the decision to proceed “is their choice.”

“Certainly, division among Christians is always a painful point. But they refuse to accept certain fundamental elements of the Church, starting with several points from the Second Vatican Council,” Pope Leo said.

“If they make that choice, I am sorry, but we must move forward,” he added.

In February, Father Davide Pagliarani, superior general of the SSPX, announced the society would proceed with the consecration of new bishops July 1, following a breakdown in communication with the Vatican after requests for an audience with Pope Leo went unanswered.

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After announcing their intention to proceed with the consecrations, Father Pagliarani was invited to meet with Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, who offered to continue dialogue with the SSPX, but only if the society suspended its decision to consecrate new bishops.

After meeting with SSPX council members, Father Pagliarani sent a letter to the cardinal saying that while he welcomed continued dialogue, he could not accept the conditions, noting that the society and the Holy See remained divided over the Vatican II and post-conciliar reforms.

In a May 13 statement, Cardinal Fernández said that without the “requisite pontifical mandate,” the consecrations would be considered “a schismatic act” and that “formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and entails the excommunication established under Church law.”

U.S.-Iran agreement

Pope Leo also expressed his optimism about the recent deal to end the war in Iran that is expected to be signed June 19 in Switzerland.

“Thank God, there is at least this memorandum that it seems they will officially sign this Friday, so they are saying,” the pope said about the tentative agreement between the United States and Iran.

According to a draft of the memorandum published June 17 by Bloomberg News, the agreement outlined a framework for an immediate end to the conflict, mandating an end to all hostilities, including in Lebanon, and the restoration of shipping traffic along the Strait of Hormuz.

It also dictates $300 billion from the United States and its partners to be used “for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and an end to sanctions on the country. For its part, Iran will commit to “never produce nuclear weapons.”

The pope expressed his hope that the agreement “will truly be a solution to the war, that the war is truly finished and that we can move forward for the good of all.”

“Eliminating nuclear weapons, yes, that as well; seeking the good of all peoples, and seeking how to resolve problems also at the economic and social level that have been created during this time,” he said.

Vacation, future travels

Asked about his recent June 6-12 visit to Spain, Pope Leo told journalists that “the enthusiastic response from so many people” was “something very beautiful.”

“Every moment was very well prepared, it must be said, by the bishops with so many lay people and so many volunteers in all the places who worked to prepare everything. It has been wonderful. From what I’ve seen, the people were very happy, and I am certainly happy to be able to celebrate the faith,” the pope said.

Regarding his summer vacation, the pope said that while he expects “a bit of rest,” there will also be “a lot of reading, reflection, and preparation for what comes next.”

“There is always work too, but peacefully,” he said.

Among the most anticipated events after the summer is the pope’s Sept. 25-28 visit to France. In a June 9 statement, the French bishops’ conference released additional details on the upcoming papal trip, which includes stops in Paris, Metz and Lourdes.

When asked about other trips after France, Pope Leo said he was “looking into others.”

Although the Vatican has yet to announce any other trips, Peruvian President José María Balcázar told journalists outside a polling station in Chiclayo, the pope’s former diocese, that Pope Leo is expected to arrive in Peru Nov. 10, the Peruvian news site RPP reported June 7.

Regarding a possible 2027 visit to Mexico, Pope Leo told journalists that he hoped it would be much sooner.

“We will see about that, but hopefully not too much time passes,” he said.

Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes of Mexico City said in January that he had invited the pope to visit Mexico, “which he had originally extended a few days after the conclave.”

“In response, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude and stated his desire and interest in being in our country soon to entrust his pontificate to the Virgin of Guadalupe,” the statement read.

Mexico City is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is on the site of Mary’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 1531.

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

 

– Pope Leo XIV said that although he is considering a final appeal to the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, the choice to splinter from the Catholic Church falls on them. Speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo June 16, the pope was asked about his feelings regarding plans by the traditionalist society, commonly known as SSPX, to proceed with the consecration of new bishops without a papal mandate. The pope said that while he is “considering making another appeal to say: ‘Do not do this, let us try to live in communion within the Church,’” the decision

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‘Faith in action’: Over 5,000 volunteers in San Diego pack 2 million meals for those in need #Catholic – “Never did I ever think that it would be this big.” Deacon Jim Scull was referring to the Million Meal Event, which he and a small team of deacons from the Diocese of San Diego launched five years ago. At the inaugural event, volunteers packed 1 million nutritious meals to distribute to impoverished families across the border in Tijuana and in Africa. The deacons held the fifth edition of the Million Meal Event over the June 13-14 weekend, again returning to the expansive grounds of Cathedral Catholic High School. This year, around 5,100 volunteers doubled the number of meals they packed — to 2 million. The event is a project of the diocese’s permanent deacons to serve the most vulnerable. They recruit volunteers at their parishes and raise funds to cover the event’s costs, which this year totaled about 0,000. They collaborate with a Christ-centered nonprofit organization, Kids Around the World, which buys the bulk ingredients and distributes a portion of the meals overseas to the communities they serve. This year’s Million Meal Event was the largest of the nearly 200 packing events the agency will support in 2026, said its CEO, Jeff Rosene. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Two years ago, the deacons joined forces with Catholic Charities, also part of the Diocese of San Diego, to strengthen their event. Catholic Charities works with many parishes to serve needy families in their communities through its Emergency Food Distribution Network+. Under the leadership of San Diego’s Bishop Michael M. Pham, Catholic Charities set out to pack an additional 1 million meals this year to provide for hungry families across the diocese, which runs the length of California’s border with Mexico. Of the remaining million meals, 500,000 meals will again be destined for an urban center that serves needy families in Tijuana, Casa de los Pobres, operated by Franciscan sisters. And the other 500,000 meals will be transported to Ecuador, where Kids Around the World serves 4,000 poor children in its feeding and discipleship program. “You are not only packing meals today but you’re also feeding people in both San Diego and Imperial counties,” Catholic Charities’ CEO, Appaswamy “Vino” Pajanor, told the volunteers during the morning shift June 13. “Who is my neighbor?” Pajanor asked them. “It’s my neighbor next door as well as my neighbor who I don’t know.” The volunteers — about 34% more than last year — came from 78 of the diocese’s parishes and from schools and other organizations. They cheerfully arrived in groups and families, some pushing strollers, as if they were going to an outdoor celebration. Participants ranged in age from around 8 to 80-plus. They packed meals over two 2.5-hour shifts on Saturday and one on Sunday afternoon, working in assembly lines under large tents shading them from the hot sun. Many volunteers worked alongside people they knew, while others quickly introduced themselves and got to work. They measured ingredients that went into each packet — red lentils, dehydrated vegetables, vitamins and minerals — and to seal and label each one. Then they placed the packets in boxes, which in turn were stacked for easy transportation. A DJ played popular tunes during the packing shifts, with volunteers dancing along. Periodically, a deacon or another organizer would announce a new milestone — “We just packed another 200,000 meals!” — to widespread cheering. Many volunteers were veterans of the event, while others were newcomers. “It’s an amazing day for the community,” said Nicole Winfield, from St. James Academy, as she worked at a table alongside her children. “My kids enjoy it every year. It kicks off their summertime. To do something for others is our faith in action,” she told The Southern Cross, San Diego’s diocesan news outlet. This was the first time for Briana Powell, a young adult member of The Immaculata Parish. She was part of a group of about 50 volunteers from the parish who turned out for the Saturday morning shift, all sporting bright blue T-shirts. She said she learned about the event one Sunday after Mass, when she stopped by a booth, and signed up on the spot. “I wanted to give back to the community,” said Powell. “And to be a part of something great.” Catholic Charities’ CEO, Pajanor, said he was sharing the Million Meal Event with the other Catholic Charities agencies across the country to show the impact the project can have in parishes, the diocese’s home region and globally. At the packing tables, the deacons and priests worked alongside their parishioners. Newly ordained Deacon Joseph Parker, from Resurrection Parish in Escondido, was one of them. “Today we’re helping to feed those who are in most need,” the deacon said. “We’re here to be able to serve. This is the body of Christ. We’re all called to serve any way we can.” Between shifts on Saturday, Jesuit Father Eduardo Samaniego, who directs the diocese’s Office for the Permanent Diaconate, reflected on the challenges of starting and growing the event during its five-year existence. By 2024, volunteer interest had been so high that the deacons set out to pack 1.5 million meals, but accomplishing that goal turned out harder than expected. Last year they reverted to the original 1 million meal goal. “Who would have thought we would get it up to 2 million?” he asked. He noted the number of children and young people who participated in the event. “The kids grow up enjoying it,” he said. “And eventually, you teach them why we do it.” He pointed to a large banner that greeted volunteers entering the school grounds on their way to the packing tables, bearing the Gospel passage in Matthew 25: “For I was hungry and you gave me food.” “We’re doing this for Jesus,” he said. Aida Bustos, director of media for the San Diego Diocese, is editor of The Southern Cross, the diocesan news outlet. This article was published in The Southern Cross and distributed in partnership with OSV News.  
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‘Faith in action’: Over 5,000 volunteers in San Diego pack 2 million meals for those in need #Catholic – “Never did I ever think that it would be this big.” Deacon Jim Scull was referring to the Million Meal Event, which he and a small team of deacons from the Diocese of San Diego launched five years ago. At the inaugural event, volunteers packed 1 million nutritious meals to distribute to impoverished families across the border in Tijuana and in Africa. The deacons held the fifth edition of the Million Meal Event over the June 13-14 weekend, again returning to the expansive grounds of Cathedral Catholic High School. This year, around 5,100 volunteers doubled the number of meals they packed — to 2 million. The event is a project of the diocese’s permanent deacons to serve the most vulnerable. They recruit volunteers at their parishes and raise funds to cover the event’s costs, which this year totaled about $600,000. They collaborate with a Christ-centered nonprofit organization, Kids Around the World, which buys the bulk ingredients and distributes a portion of the meals overseas to the communities they serve. This year’s Million Meal Event was the largest of the nearly 200 packing events the agency will support in 2026, said its CEO, Jeff Rosene. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Two years ago, the deacons joined forces with Catholic Charities, also part of the Diocese of San Diego, to strengthen their event. Catholic Charities works with many parishes to serve needy families in their communities through its Emergency Food Distribution Network+. Under the leadership of San Diego’s Bishop Michael M. Pham, Catholic Charities set out to pack an additional 1 million meals this year to provide for hungry families across the diocese, which runs the length of California’s border with Mexico. Of the remaining million meals, 500,000 meals will again be destined for an urban center that serves needy families in Tijuana, Casa de los Pobres, operated by Franciscan sisters. And the other 500,000 meals will be transported to Ecuador, where Kids Around the World serves 4,000 poor children in its feeding and discipleship program. “You are not only packing meals today but you’re also feeding people in both San Diego and Imperial counties,” Catholic Charities’ CEO, Appaswamy “Vino” Pajanor, told the volunteers during the morning shift June 13. “Who is my neighbor?” Pajanor asked them. “It’s my neighbor next door as well as my neighbor who I don’t know.” The volunteers — about 34% more than last year — came from 78 of the diocese’s parishes and from schools and other organizations. They cheerfully arrived in groups and families, some pushing strollers, as if they were going to an outdoor celebration. Participants ranged in age from around 8 to 80-plus. They packed meals over two 2.5-hour shifts on Saturday and one on Sunday afternoon, working in assembly lines under large tents shading them from the hot sun. Many volunteers worked alongside people they knew, while others quickly introduced themselves and got to work. They measured ingredients that went into each packet — red lentils, dehydrated vegetables, vitamins and minerals — and to seal and label each one. Then they placed the packets in boxes, which in turn were stacked for easy transportation. A DJ played popular tunes during the packing shifts, with volunteers dancing along. Periodically, a deacon or another organizer would announce a new milestone — “We just packed another 200,000 meals!” — to widespread cheering. Many volunteers were veterans of the event, while others were newcomers. “It’s an amazing day for the community,” said Nicole Winfield, from St. James Academy, as she worked at a table alongside her children. “My kids enjoy it every year. It kicks off their summertime. To do something for others is our faith in action,” she told The Southern Cross, San Diego’s diocesan news outlet. This was the first time for Briana Powell, a young adult member of The Immaculata Parish. She was part of a group of about 50 volunteers from the parish who turned out for the Saturday morning shift, all sporting bright blue T-shirts. She said she learned about the event one Sunday after Mass, when she stopped by a booth, and signed up on the spot. “I wanted to give back to the community,” said Powell. “And to be a part of something great.” Catholic Charities’ CEO, Pajanor, said he was sharing the Million Meal Event with the other Catholic Charities agencies across the country to show the impact the project can have in parishes, the diocese’s home region and globally. At the packing tables, the deacons and priests worked alongside their parishioners. Newly ordained Deacon Joseph Parker, from Resurrection Parish in Escondido, was one of them. “Today we’re helping to feed those who are in most need,” the deacon said. “We’re here to be able to serve. This is the body of Christ. We’re all called to serve any way we can.” Between shifts on Saturday, Jesuit Father Eduardo Samaniego, who directs the diocese’s Office for the Permanent Diaconate, reflected on the challenges of starting and growing the event during its five-year existence. By 2024, volunteer interest had been so high that the deacons set out to pack 1.5 million meals, but accomplishing that goal turned out harder than expected. Last year they reverted to the original 1 million meal goal. “Who would have thought we would get it up to 2 million?” he asked. He noted the number of children and young people who participated in the event. “The kids grow up enjoying it,” he said. “And eventually, you teach them why we do it.” He pointed to a large banner that greeted volunteers entering the school grounds on their way to the packing tables, bearing the Gospel passage in Matthew 25: “For I was hungry and you gave me food.” “We’re doing this for Jesus,” he said. Aida Bustos, director of media for the San Diego Diocese, is editor of The Southern Cross, the diocesan news outlet. This article was published in The Southern Cross and distributed in partnership with OSV News.  

unitedyam

‘Faith in action’: Over 5,000 volunteers in San Diego pack 2 million meals for those in need #Catholic –

“Never did I ever think that it would be this big.”

Deacon Jim Scull was referring to the Million Meal Event, which he and a small team of deacons from the Diocese of San Diego launched five years ago. At the inaugural event, volunteers packed 1 million nutritious meals to distribute to impoverished families across the border in Tijuana and in Africa.

The deacons held the fifth edition of the Million Meal Event over the June 13-14 weekend, again returning to the expansive grounds of Cathedral Catholic High School. This year, around 5,100 volunteers doubled the number of meals they packed — to 2 million.

The event is a project of the diocese’s permanent deacons to serve the most vulnerable. They recruit volunteers at their parishes and raise funds to cover the event’s costs, which this year totaled about $600,000.

They collaborate with a Christ-centered nonprofit organization, Kids Around the World, which buys the bulk ingredients and distributes a portion of the meals overseas to the communities they serve. This year’s Million Meal Event was the largest of the nearly 200 packing events the agency will support in 2026, said its CEO, Jeff Rosene.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Two years ago, the deacons joined forces with Catholic Charities, also part of the Diocese of San Diego, to strengthen their event.

Catholic Charities works with many parishes to serve needy families in their communities through its Emergency Food Distribution Network+. Under the leadership of San Diego’s Bishop Michael M. Pham, Catholic Charities set out to pack an additional 1 million meals this year to provide for hungry families across the diocese, which runs the length of California’s border with Mexico.

Of the remaining million meals, 500,000 meals will again be destined for an urban center that serves needy families in Tijuana, Casa de los Pobres, operated by Franciscan sisters. And the other 500,000 meals will be transported to Ecuador, where Kids Around the World serves 4,000 poor children in its feeding and discipleship program.

“You are not only packing meals today but you’re also feeding people in both San Diego and Imperial counties,” Catholic Charities’ CEO, Appaswamy “Vino” Pajanor, told the volunteers during the morning shift June 13.

“Who is my neighbor?” Pajanor asked them. “It’s my neighbor next door as well as my neighbor who I don’t know.”

The volunteers — about 34% more than last year — came from 78 of the diocese’s parishes and from schools and other organizations. They cheerfully arrived in groups and families, some pushing strollers, as if they were going to an outdoor celebration. Participants ranged in age from around 8 to 80-plus.

They packed meals over two 2.5-hour shifts on Saturday and one on Sunday afternoon, working in assembly lines under large tents shading them from the hot sun. Many volunteers worked alongside people they knew, while others quickly introduced themselves and got to work.

They measured ingredients that went into each packet — red lentils, dehydrated vegetables, vitamins and minerals — and to seal and label each one. Then they placed the packets in boxes, which in turn were stacked for easy transportation.

A DJ played popular tunes during the packing shifts, with volunteers dancing along. Periodically, a deacon or another organizer would announce a new milestone — “We just packed another 200,000 meals!” — to widespread cheering.

Many volunteers were veterans of the event, while others were newcomers.

“It’s an amazing day for the community,” said Nicole Winfield, from St. James Academy, as she worked at a table alongside her children. “My kids enjoy it every year. It kicks off their summertime. To do something for others is our faith in action,” she told The Southern Cross, San Diego’s diocesan news outlet.

This was the first time for Briana Powell, a young adult member of The Immaculata Parish. She was part of a group of about 50 volunteers from the parish who turned out for the Saturday morning shift, all sporting bright blue T-shirts.

She said she learned about the event one Sunday after Mass, when she stopped by a booth, and signed up on the spot.

“I wanted to give back to the community,” said Powell. “And to be a part of something great.”

Catholic Charities’ CEO, Pajanor, said he was sharing the Million Meal Event with the other Catholic Charities agencies across the country to show the impact the project can have in parishes, the diocese’s home region and globally.

At the packing tables, the deacons and priests worked alongside their parishioners. Newly ordained Deacon Joseph Parker, from Resurrection Parish in Escondido, was one of them.

“Today we’re helping to feed those who are in most need,” the deacon said. “We’re here to be able to serve. This is the body of Christ. We’re all called to serve any way we can.”

Between shifts on Saturday, Jesuit Father Eduardo Samaniego, who directs the diocese’s Office for the Permanent Diaconate, reflected on the challenges of starting and growing the event during its five-year existence.

By 2024, volunteer interest had been so high that the deacons set out to pack 1.5 million meals, but accomplishing that goal turned out harder than expected. Last year they reverted to the original 1 million meal goal.

“Who would have thought we would get it up to 2 million?” he asked.

He noted the number of children and young people who participated in the event.

“The kids grow up enjoying it,” he said. “And eventually, you teach them why we do it.”

He pointed to a large banner that greeted volunteers entering the school grounds on their way to the packing tables, bearing the Gospel passage in Matthew 25: “For I was hungry and you gave me food.”

“We’re doing this for Jesus,” he said.

Aida Bustos, director of media for the San Diego Diocese, is editor of The Southern Cross, the diocesan news outlet. This article was published in The Southern Cross and distributed in partnership with OSV News.

 

– “Never did I ever think that it would be this big.” Deacon Jim Scull was referring to the Million Meal Event, which he and a small team of deacons from the Diocese of San Diego launched five years ago. At the inaugural event, volunteers packed 1 million nutritious meals to distribute to impoverished families across the border in Tijuana and in Africa. The deacons held the fifth edition of the Million Meal Event over the June 13-14 weekend, again returning to the expansive grounds of Cathedral Catholic High School. This year, around 5,100 volunteers doubled the number of meals they

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El Papa reflexiona sobre su viaje a España y afirma que el fenómeno migratorio exige que los cristianos relean el Evangelio #Catholic – Al reflexionar sobre su viaje de una semana a España, el Papa León XIV dijo que una “una clave de interpretación general” provino de las Islas Canarias, donde la migración reveló tanto los desafíos que enfrenta Europa como lo que él describió como un camino cristiano hacia una “civilización del amor”. En su audiencia general semanal del 17 de junio, el Papa señaló que el papel del archipiélago como puerta de entrada para miles de migrantes procedentes de África ofrecía una visión integral de un tema complejo que también desafía a los cristianos a releer el Evangelio en el mundo actual. Señaló que el fenómeno migratorio es “complejo y que requiere planes de acción orgánicos y concertados”, pero también desafía a los cristianos a “releer el Evangelio en el mundo de hoy intercambiándonos los dones de nuestras respectivas culturas y, en especial, los frutos que produce en ellas la fecundidad del mensaje de Cristo”. “Este camino no es fácil; requiere buena voluntad y la ayuda de Dios, pero es el camino que conduce a la civilización del amor”, dijo en la Plaza de San Pedro. Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí. El Papa abordó el tema de la migración en repetidas ocasiones durante los últimos días de su viaje apostólico, con las declaraciones más contundentes de su pontificado al respecto. “Una conciencia humana, y más aún una conciencia cristiana, no puede permanecer indiferente ante las víctimas de los naufragios y de la falta de ayuda”, dijo el 12 de junio durante un encuentro en Tenerife con organizaciones que ayudan a integrar a los migrantes. El día anterior, desde el Puerto de Arguineguín, en Gran Canaria, advirtió contra la indiferencia ante las muertes de los migrantes. “No podemos acostumbrarnos a contar muertos”, dijo. “La dignidad humana no tiene pasaporte ni pierde valor al cruzar una frontera”. A pesar de bromear con los periodistas durante el vuelo a España diciendo que tal vez más gente estuviera interesada en los conciertos de Bad Bunny que se realizaban en Madrid esa misma semana, el Papa se encontró con multitudes enormes en todo el país. Más de 1,2 millones de personas asistieron a una misa en la Plaza de Cibeles de Madrid, y otras 500.000 se reunieron para una vigilia de oración juvenil en la Plaza de Lima. “He podido notar con alegría cómo la gente, de todas las edades y condiciones, esperaba la visita del Papa: en todas partes he encontrado multitudes que me han dado la bienvenida con gran cariño. Este hecho no era algo que se pudiera dar por sentado, y merece una reflexión”, expresó durante su audiencia semanal. A lo largo del viaje, el Papa León señaló que la misión del papado es promover la comunión, el diálogo y la unidad a través de la diversidad, temas que destacó en sus discursos por toda España. Al reflexionar sobre la entusiasta acogida que recibió, dijo: “Considero que manifiesta la necesidad generalizada de reencontrarse unidos sobre un fundamento verdadero y profundo, no ideológico ni de interés parcial”. Lo que la gente busca, dijo, en última instancia solo se puede encontrar en Cristo, cuyo Evangelio responde a la búsqueda de la verdad y a la sed de justicia de la humanidad. El también Papa destacó su visita a la Basílica de la Sagrada Familia de Barcelona, donde celebró la Misa y bendijo la recién terminada Torre de Jesucristo, lo que convirtió a la basílica en la iglesia más alta del mundo. “Este encuentro de lo antiguo y lo moderno, de la tradición católica y la cultura contemporánea, me ha hecho percibir directamente el carácter propio de Europa, su riqueza inestimable, como realidad actual, no superada”, dijo a la multitud en la Plaza de San Pedro. “Se trata de un patrimonio que hay que custodiar con cuidado, para poder invertirlo en el hoy global con sus desafíos históricos: la paz, la ecología integral, el desarrollo equitativo y sostenible, el respeto a la dignidad humana”. El Papa también reflexionó durante su audiencia semanal sobre sus encuentros con jóvenes, sobrevivientes de abusos y presos, y señaló que la sociedad moderna a menudo deja a las personas en busca de esperanza y sentido. “Es importante tomar conciencia de cómo la salud mental se ve cada vez más amenazada en el contexto de sociedades que se consideran avanzadas”, dijo el 9 de junio en el Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys de Barcelona. “Es una señal de que hay algo profundamente erróneo en una cierta idea de crecimiento que somete a las personas a presiones, expectativas y tensiones que comprometen equilibrios fundamentales”. Durante su visita a España, también rechazó los intentos de “espiritualizar el dolor, reconduciéndolo superficialmente a la ‘voluntad de Dios’ o a algún misterioso proyecto suyo, porque esto corre el riesgo de minimizar ese sufrimiento, de silenciarlo, de herir a las personas”. “Dios no quiere el sufrimiento, lo lleva con nosotros y nos invita a confiar en Él de modo perseverante”, dijo, porque “con Dios, la vida renace siempre”. El lema del viaje fue “Alzad la mirada”, tomado del relato evangélico en el que Jesús enseña a sus discípulos a mirar más allá de sus circunstancias y a reconocer en los demás el deseo de vida, verdad y plenitud. El Papa León afirmó haber sido testigo de ese anhelo por toda España. “Hoy quisiera compartir con ustedes esta invitación: ¡alcemos la mirada! Aprendamos de Jesús a mirar al prójimo, la gente, el mundo, ‘con los ojos de Dios’, es decir, con amor, respeto y compasión”, dijo el 17 de junio.  
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El Papa reflexiona sobre su viaje a España y afirma que el fenómeno migratorio exige que los cristianos relean el Evangelio #Catholic – Al reflexionar sobre su viaje de una semana a España, el Papa León XIV dijo que una “una clave de interpretación general” provino de las Islas Canarias, donde la migración reveló tanto los desafíos que enfrenta Europa como lo que él describió como un camino cristiano hacia una “civilización del amor”. En su audiencia general semanal del 17 de junio, el Papa señaló que el papel del archipiélago como puerta de entrada para miles de migrantes procedentes de África ofrecía una visión integral de un tema complejo que también desafía a los cristianos a releer el Evangelio en el mundo actual. Señaló que el fenómeno migratorio es “complejo y que requiere planes de acción orgánicos y concertados”, pero también desafía a los cristianos a “releer el Evangelio en el mundo de hoy intercambiándonos los dones de nuestras respectivas culturas y, en especial, los frutos que produce en ellas la fecundidad del mensaje de Cristo”. “Este camino no es fácil; requiere buena voluntad y la ayuda de Dios, pero es el camino que conduce a la civilización del amor”, dijo en la Plaza de San Pedro. Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí. El Papa abordó el tema de la migración en repetidas ocasiones durante los últimos días de su viaje apostólico, con las declaraciones más contundentes de su pontificado al respecto. “Una conciencia humana, y más aún una conciencia cristiana, no puede permanecer indiferente ante las víctimas de los naufragios y de la falta de ayuda”, dijo el 12 de junio durante un encuentro en Tenerife con organizaciones que ayudan a integrar a los migrantes. El día anterior, desde el Puerto de Arguineguín, en Gran Canaria, advirtió contra la indiferencia ante las muertes de los migrantes. “No podemos acostumbrarnos a contar muertos”, dijo. “La dignidad humana no tiene pasaporte ni pierde valor al cruzar una frontera”. A pesar de bromear con los periodistas durante el vuelo a España diciendo que tal vez más gente estuviera interesada en los conciertos de Bad Bunny que se realizaban en Madrid esa misma semana, el Papa se encontró con multitudes enormes en todo el país. Más de 1,2 millones de personas asistieron a una misa en la Plaza de Cibeles de Madrid, y otras 500.000 se reunieron para una vigilia de oración juvenil en la Plaza de Lima. “He podido notar con alegría cómo la gente, de todas las edades y condiciones, esperaba la visita del Papa: en todas partes he encontrado multitudes que me han dado la bienvenida con gran cariño. Este hecho no era algo que se pudiera dar por sentado, y merece una reflexión”, expresó durante su audiencia semanal. A lo largo del viaje, el Papa León señaló que la misión del papado es promover la comunión, el diálogo y la unidad a través de la diversidad, temas que destacó en sus discursos por toda España. Al reflexionar sobre la entusiasta acogida que recibió, dijo: “Considero que manifiesta la necesidad generalizada de reencontrarse unidos sobre un fundamento verdadero y profundo, no ideológico ni de interés parcial”. Lo que la gente busca, dijo, en última instancia solo se puede encontrar en Cristo, cuyo Evangelio responde a la búsqueda de la verdad y a la sed de justicia de la humanidad. El también Papa destacó su visita a la Basílica de la Sagrada Familia de Barcelona, donde celebró la Misa y bendijo la recién terminada Torre de Jesucristo, lo que convirtió a la basílica en la iglesia más alta del mundo. “Este encuentro de lo antiguo y lo moderno, de la tradición católica y la cultura contemporánea, me ha hecho percibir directamente el carácter propio de Europa, su riqueza inestimable, como realidad actual, no superada”, dijo a la multitud en la Plaza de San Pedro. “Se trata de un patrimonio que hay que custodiar con cuidado, para poder invertirlo en el hoy global con sus desafíos históricos: la paz, la ecología integral, el desarrollo equitativo y sostenible, el respeto a la dignidad humana”. El Papa también reflexionó durante su audiencia semanal sobre sus encuentros con jóvenes, sobrevivientes de abusos y presos, y señaló que la sociedad moderna a menudo deja a las personas en busca de esperanza y sentido. “Es importante tomar conciencia de cómo la salud mental se ve cada vez más amenazada en el contexto de sociedades que se consideran avanzadas”, dijo el 9 de junio en el Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys de Barcelona. “Es una señal de que hay algo profundamente erróneo en una cierta idea de crecimiento que somete a las personas a presiones, expectativas y tensiones que comprometen equilibrios fundamentales”. Durante su visita a España, también rechazó los intentos de “espiritualizar el dolor, reconduciéndolo superficialmente a la ‘voluntad de Dios’ o a algún misterioso proyecto suyo, porque esto corre el riesgo de minimizar ese sufrimiento, de silenciarlo, de herir a las personas”. “Dios no quiere el sufrimiento, lo lleva con nosotros y nos invita a confiar en Él de modo perseverante”, dijo, porque “con Dios, la vida renace siempre”. El lema del viaje fue “Alzad la mirada”, tomado del relato evangélico en el que Jesús enseña a sus discípulos a mirar más allá de sus circunstancias y a reconocer en los demás el deseo de vida, verdad y plenitud. El Papa León afirmó haber sido testigo de ese anhelo por toda España. “Hoy quisiera compartir con ustedes esta invitación: ¡alcemos la mirada! Aprendamos de Jesús a mirar al prójimo, la gente, el mundo, ‘con los ojos de Dios’, es decir, con amor, respeto y compasión”, dijo el 17 de junio.  

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El Papa reflexiona sobre su viaje a España y afirma que el fenómeno migratorio exige que los cristianos relean el Evangelio #Catholic –

Al reflexionar sobre su viaje de una semana a España, el Papa León XIV dijo que una “una clave de interpretación general” provino de las Islas Canarias, donde la migración reveló tanto los desafíos que enfrenta Europa como lo que él describió como un camino cristiano hacia una “civilización del amor”.

En su audiencia general semanal del 17 de junio, el Papa señaló que el papel del archipiélago como puerta de entrada para miles de migrantes procedentes de África ofrecía una visión integral de un tema complejo que también desafía a los cristianos a releer el Evangelio en el mundo actual.

Señaló que el fenómeno migratorio es “complejo y que requiere planes de acción orgánicos y concertados”, pero también desafía a los cristianos a “releer el Evangelio en el mundo de hoy intercambiándonos los dones de nuestras respectivas culturas y, en especial, los frutos que produce en ellas la fecundidad del mensaje de Cristo”.

“Este camino no es fácil; requiere buena voluntad y la ayuda de Dios, pero es el camino que conduce a la civilización del amor”, dijo en la Plaza de San Pedro.

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

El Papa abordó el tema de la migración en repetidas ocasiones durante los últimos días de su viaje apostólico, con las declaraciones más contundentes de su pontificado al respecto.

“Una conciencia humana, y más aún una conciencia cristiana, no puede permanecer indiferente ante las víctimas de los naufragios y de la falta de ayuda”, dijo el 12 de junio durante un encuentro en Tenerife con organizaciones que ayudan a integrar a los migrantes.

El día anterior, desde el Puerto de Arguineguín, en Gran Canaria, advirtió contra la indiferencia ante las muertes de los migrantes.

“No podemos acostumbrarnos a contar muertos”, dijo. “La dignidad humana no tiene pasaporte ni pierde valor al cruzar una frontera”.

A pesar de bromear con los periodistas durante el vuelo a España diciendo que tal vez más gente estuviera interesada en los conciertos de Bad Bunny que se realizaban en Madrid esa misma semana, el Papa se encontró con multitudes enormes en todo el país. Más de 1,2 millones de personas asistieron a una misa en la Plaza de Cibeles de Madrid, y otras 500.000 se reunieron para una vigilia de oración juvenil en la Plaza de Lima.

“He podido notar con alegría cómo la gente, de todas las edades y condiciones, esperaba la visita del Papa: en todas partes he encontrado multitudes que me han dado la bienvenida con gran cariño. Este hecho no era algo que se pudiera dar por sentado, y merece una reflexión”, expresó durante su audiencia semanal.

A lo largo del viaje, el Papa León señaló que la misión del papado es promover la comunión, el diálogo y la unidad a través de la diversidad, temas que destacó en sus discursos por toda España.

Al reflexionar sobre la entusiasta acogida que recibió, dijo: “Considero que manifiesta la necesidad generalizada de reencontrarse unidos sobre un fundamento verdadero y profundo, no ideológico ni de interés parcial”. Lo que la gente busca, dijo, en última instancia solo se puede encontrar en Cristo, cuyo Evangelio responde a la búsqueda de la verdad y a la sed de justicia de la humanidad.

El también Papa destacó su visita a la Basílica de la Sagrada Familia de Barcelona, donde celebró la Misa y bendijo la recién terminada Torre de Jesucristo, lo que convirtió a la basílica en la iglesia más alta del mundo.

“Este encuentro de lo antiguo y lo moderno, de la tradición católica y la cultura contemporánea, me ha hecho percibir directamente el carácter propio de Europa, su riqueza inestimable, como realidad actual, no superada”, dijo a la multitud en la Plaza de San Pedro.

“Se trata de un patrimonio que hay que custodiar con cuidado, para poder invertirlo en el hoy global con sus desafíos históricos: la paz, la ecología integral, el desarrollo equitativo y sostenible, el respeto a la dignidad humana”.

El Papa también reflexionó durante su audiencia semanal sobre sus encuentros con jóvenes, sobrevivientes de abusos y presos, y señaló que la sociedad moderna a menudo deja a las personas en busca de esperanza y sentido.

“Es importante tomar conciencia de cómo la salud mental se ve cada vez más amenazada en el contexto de sociedades que se consideran avanzadas”, dijo el 9 de junio en el Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys de Barcelona. “Es una señal de que hay algo profundamente erróneo en una cierta idea de crecimiento que somete a las personas a presiones, expectativas y tensiones que comprometen equilibrios fundamentales”.

Durante su visita a España, también rechazó los intentos de “espiritualizar el dolor, reconduciéndolo superficialmente a la ‘voluntad de Dios’ o a algún misterioso proyecto suyo, porque esto corre el riesgo de minimizar ese sufrimiento, de silenciarlo, de herir a las personas”.

“Dios no quiere el sufrimiento, lo lleva con nosotros y nos invita a confiar en Él de modo perseverante”, dijo, porque “con Dios, la vida renace siempre”.

El lema del viaje fue “Alzad la mirada”, tomado del relato evangélico en el que Jesús enseña a sus discípulos a mirar más allá de sus circunstancias y a reconocer en los demás el deseo de vida, verdad y plenitud. El Papa León afirmó haber sido testigo de ese anhelo por toda España.

“Hoy quisiera compartir con ustedes esta invitación: ¡alcemos la mirada! Aprendamos de Jesús a mirar al prójimo, la gente, el mundo, ‘con los ojos de Dios’, es decir, con amor, respeto y compasión”, dijo el 17 de junio.

 

– Al reflexionar sobre su viaje de una semana a España, el Papa León XIV dijo que una “una clave de interpretación general” provino de las Islas Canarias, donde la migración reveló tanto los desafíos que enfrenta Europa como lo que él describió como un camino cristiano hacia una “civilización del amor”. En su audiencia general semanal del 17 de junio, el Papa señaló que el papel del archipiélago como puerta de entrada para miles de migrantes procedentes de África ofrecía una visión integral de un tema complejo que también desafía a los cristianos a releer el Evangelio en el mundo

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Beyond The Beacon podcast 114: Ways the Eucharist is transforming the lives of these pilgrims #Catholic – When the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) journeyed through the Diocese of Paterson earlier this week, three of the young pilgrims on the journey — known as “Perpetual Pilgrims” — joined the podcast. Paterson is one of 18 participating dioceses holding special Masses, processions, talks, and more centered around the Eucharist. Zach Dotson, Mary Carmen Zakrajsek, and Raymond Martinez II are guests with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Also joining for a segment is Father Cesar Jaramillo, the local NEP coordinator for the Diocese of Paterson, and Father Casey Cole, O.F.M., a social media influencer who gave a reflection to students earlier in the day. Co-hosting is Communications Director Jai Agnish. The episode was recorded at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Parsippany, N.J. 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 114: Ways the Eucharist is transforming the lives of these pilgrims #Catholic – When the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) journeyed through the Diocese of Paterson earlier this week, three of the young pilgrims on the journey — known as “Perpetual Pilgrims” — joined the podcast. Paterson is one of 18 participating dioceses holding special Masses, processions, talks, and more centered around the Eucharist. Zach Dotson, Mary Carmen Zakrajsek, and Raymond Martinez II are guests with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Also joining for a segment is Father Cesar Jaramillo, the local NEP coordinator for the Diocese of Paterson, and Father Casey Cole, O.F.M., a social media influencer who gave a reflection to students earlier in the day. Co-hosting is Communications Director Jai Agnish. The episode was recorded at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Parsippany, N.J. 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 114: Ways the Eucharist is transforming the lives of these pilgrims #Catholic –

When the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) journeyed through the Diocese of Paterson earlier this week, three of the young pilgrims on the journey — known as “Perpetual Pilgrims” — joined the podcast. Paterson is one of 18 participating dioceses holding special Masses, processions, talks, and more centered around the Eucharist.

Zach Dotson, Mary Carmen Zakrajsek, and Raymond Martinez II are guests with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Also joining for a segment is Father Cesar Jaramillo, the local NEP coordinator for the Diocese of Paterson, and Father Casey Cole, O.F.M., a social media influencer who gave a reflection to students earlier in the day. Co-hosting is Communications Director Jai Agnish. The episode was recorded at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Parsippany, N.J.

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.

– When the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) journeyed through the Diocese of Paterson earlier this week, three of the young pilgrims on the journey — known as “Perpetual Pilgrims” — joined the podcast. Paterson is one of 18 participating dioceses holding special Masses, processions, talks, and more centered around the Eucharist. Zach Dotson, Mary Carmen Zakrajsek, and Raymond Martinez II are guests with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Also joining for a segment is Father Cesar Jaramillo, the local NEP coordinator for the Diocese of Paterson, and Father Casey Cole, O.F.M., a social media influencer who gave a reflection to students

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Pope Leo XIV declares American religious founder Mary Teresa Tallon venerable #Catholic Pope Leo XIV has declared American religious sister Mary Teresa Tallon venerable.The pontiff signed a decree on Thursday recognizing the heroic virtue of the foundress of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate in New York. He also recognized the heroic virtue of several others, bringing them closer to sainthood. Just before signing the decree, he met with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.Mary Teresa Tallon: Making every soul countTallon was born on May 6, 1867, in Hanover, New York, as the daughter of Irish immigrants.In 1887, at the age of 19, Tallon joined the Sisters of the Holy Cross, despite her family’s disapproval. She remained part of the congregation for the next 33 years, teaching in Catholic schools in South Bend, Indiana.During this time, Tallon was inspired to establish a new congregation dedicated to contemplation and to preaching the Gospel to the neglected. In 1920, she left the Sisters of the Holy Cross and, on Aug. 15, established the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate (PVMI). She gave it the motto “Make every soul count.”Considered a gifted scholar, Tallon authored a report documenting the first decade of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in New York for the National Catechetical Congress in 1936.Tallon died on Feb. 10, 1954, after a prolonged illness. In 2013, she was declared a servant of God in recognition of her holiness.Others declared venerablePope Leo XIV on June 18 also moved several other servants of God along the path to sainthood.Two Italians were declared venerable: Maria Agnese Tribbioli, a religious sister who founded the Pie Operaie di San Giuseppe congregation, and Maria Petra Giordano, a Dominican nun.Others included Spanish nun Clara Andreu y Malferit and Belgian missionary Júlio Maria de Lombaerde.Leo also recognized the martyrdom of Juan Torres Torres and 19 companions, all Catholic priests, for having been killed “in odium fidei” (“in hatred of the faith”) in Spain during the Spanish Civil War.
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Pope Leo XIV declares American religious founder Mary Teresa Tallon venerable #Catholic Pope Leo XIV has declared American religious sister Mary Teresa Tallon venerable.The pontiff signed a decree on Thursday recognizing the heroic virtue of the foundress of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate in New York. He also recognized the heroic virtue of several others, bringing them closer to sainthood. Just before signing the decree, he met with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.Mary Teresa Tallon: Making every soul countTallon was born on May 6, 1867, in Hanover, New York, as the daughter of Irish immigrants.In 1887, at the age of 19, Tallon joined the Sisters of the Holy Cross, despite her family’s disapproval. She remained part of the congregation for the next 33 years, teaching in Catholic schools in South Bend, Indiana.During this time, Tallon was inspired to establish a new congregation dedicated to contemplation and to preaching the Gospel to the neglected. In 1920, she left the Sisters of the Holy Cross and, on Aug. 15, established the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate (PVMI). She gave it the motto “Make every soul count.”Considered a gifted scholar, Tallon authored a report documenting the first decade of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in New York for the National Catechetical Congress in 1936.Tallon died on Feb. 10, 1954, after a prolonged illness. In 2013, she was declared a servant of God in recognition of her holiness.Others declared venerablePope Leo XIV on June 18 also moved several other servants of God along the path to sainthood.Two Italians were declared venerable: Maria Agnese Tribbioli, a religious sister who founded the Pie Operaie di San Giuseppe congregation, and Maria Petra Giordano, a Dominican nun.Others included Spanish nun Clara Andreu y Malferit and Belgian missionary Júlio Maria de Lombaerde.Leo also recognized the martyrdom of Juan Torres Torres and 19 companions, all Catholic priests, for having been killed “in odium fidei” (“in hatred of the faith”) in Spain during the Spanish Civil War.

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On June 18, the pope issued a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of the foundress of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate in New York, among several others.

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Pope Leo XIV urges universities to promote peace in a divided world #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on Thursday highlighted the role of universities in an increasingly polarized world, describing them as “privileged places for dialogue.”During a private audience at the Vatican with the board of governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on June 18, Leo said the universities can be promoters of peace at a time “often characterized by violence and pointed rhetoric.”“While not always easy, universities must constantly work to ensure that opportunities for meaningful encounters remain available,” Leo said in his remarks. “In an atmosphere where respectful dialogue is possible, everyone can grow in knowledge through learning from the points of view and living testimonies of others, even those with whom they might disagree.”The pope also highlighted the role of the university amid a rise in armed conflicts worldwide. Citing his message for the 59th World Day of Peace in January, Leo encouraged higher education leaders to work for peace within and beyond their academic communities, even if peace seemed impossible.“Rather than believing peace to be impossible and beyond our reach, we must seek to promote it in our communities and to welcome and recognize it in our own lives,” Leo said. “I pray that through forming artisans of peace, the university community may continue to be a beacon of hope and unity in a world that is increasingly divided.”
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Pope Leo XIV urges universities to promote peace in a divided world #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on Thursday highlighted the role of universities in an increasingly polarized world, describing them as “privileged places for dialogue.”During a private audience at the Vatican with the board of governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on June 18, Leo said the universities can be promoters of peace at a time “often characterized by violence and pointed rhetoric.”“While not always easy, universities must constantly work to ensure that opportunities for meaningful encounters remain available,” Leo said in his remarks. “In an atmosphere where respectful dialogue is possible, everyone can grow in knowledge through learning from the points of view and living testimonies of others, even those with whom they might disagree.”The pope also highlighted the role of the university amid a rise in armed conflicts worldwide. Citing his message for the 59th World Day of Peace in January, Leo encouraged higher education leaders to work for peace within and beyond their academic communities, even if peace seemed impossible.“Rather than believing peace to be impossible and beyond our reach, we must seek to promote it in our communities and to welcome and recognize it in our own lives,” Leo said. “I pray that through forming artisans of peace, the university community may continue to be a beacon of hope and unity in a world that is increasingly divided.”

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The pontiff met with the board of governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on June 18.

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James Talarico Praised Left Wing Climate Change Group Fighting to Eliminate the Oil Business in Texas in Resurfaced Video – Another horrible video has surfaced of James Talarico, the bizarre, supposedly Christian Democrat running for a U.S. The post James Talarico Praised Left Wing Climate Change Group Fighting to Eliminate the Oil Business in Texas in Resurfaced Video appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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James Talarico Praised Left Wing Climate Change Group Fighting to Eliminate the Oil Business in Texas in Resurfaced Video – Another horrible video has surfaced of James Talarico, the bizarre, supposedly Christian Democrat running for a U.S. The post James Talarico Praised Left Wing Climate Change Group Fighting to Eliminate the Oil Business in Texas in Resurfaced Video appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Man in a suit smiling in front of a bookshelf filled with various books, showcasing a professional and academic environment.

Man in a suit smiling in front of a bookshelf filled with various books, showcasing a professional and academic environment.

Another horrible video has surfaced of James Talarico, the bizarre, supposedly Christian Democrat running for a U.S.

The post James Talarico Praised Left Wing Climate Change Group Fighting to Eliminate the Oil Business in Texas in Resurfaced Video appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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