Cardinals Rebuke SSPX Over Planned Bishop Consecrations
Canon law prescribes the penalty of automatic excommunication for those who participate in episcopal consecrations unauthorized by Rome. Cardinal Gerhard Müller and Cardinal Robert Sarah, two prominent supporters of the Traditional Latin Mass, have spoken out against the decision of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to defy the Vatican and ordain new […]
Varden: Don’t Weaponize the Gospel in Culture Wars
Opening the Vatican’s Lenten spiritual exercises, the Norwegian Cistercian bishop warned against weaponizing the Gospel in culture wars. Norwegian Cistercian Bishop Erik Varden opened the Vatican’s annual Lenten spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia by urging Christians to resist using the Gospel as a political weapon and to measure authentic faith by fidelity to Christ […]
Pope Leo: Switch Off Smartphones to Make Space for Silence
At the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV also urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine as the war approaches its fourth year, insisting peace “cannot be postponed.” Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to switch off their cellphones during Lent to create room for silence and prayer, while also calling Sunday for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine as […]
Pope Leo Begins Lenten Retreat Led by Bishop Erik Varden
Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian from Trondheim, Norway, is leading the Lenten spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia, which are taking place Feb. 22–27 at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV began a Lenten retreat with the Roman Curia at the Vatican on Sunday. Cistercian Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway, is leading the spiritual exercises […]
Pope Leo: Don’t Use AI to Write Homilies, Use Your Brain
Here’s what Leo said in a private Q-and-A with priests this week. In a private exchange with priests of the Diocese of Rome on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV responded to four questions, advising them on prayer, study, and priestly fraternity. The off-camera moment took place after Leo gave a public speech to the priests, inviting […]
Assisi: Thousands Venerate St. Francis’ Relics in Historic Viewing
Nearly 400,000 people are expected to venerate the saint’s relics while on public display through March 22. Hundreds of pilgrims lined up before dawn on Sunday to be among the first to pray before the exposed relics of St. Francis in his basilica in Assisi, Italy. The saint’s bones will lie in a glass box […]
Pope Leo XIV: Freedom Is Saying Yes to God
During a Lenten pastoral stop near Rome’s Termini station, the pope joked that he once considered joining the Salesians: “They came in second place, sorry!” Pope Leo XIV on Sunday visited Rome’s Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in the central Castro Pretorio neighborhood, steps from Termini station, telling parishioners that true freedom “is fulfilled by […]
Vatican to Use AI to Translate St. Peter’s Masses Live
Mass attendees at St. Peter’s Basilica will be able to understand the readings, chants, and prayers live and in their own languages with a new AI-assisted translation system. This spring, the Vatican will debut a simultaneous translation system assisted by artificial intelligence, allowing people to follow liturgical celebrations in St. Peter’s Basilica in real time […]
The Popes Theologian
When Lent begins in the Vatican, the rhythm of life within the Apostolic Palace changes. The Holy Father withdraws for the annual Spiritual Exercises, praying alongside cardinals, bishops, and members of the Roman Curia. Among them is a quiet but crucial figure: the Theologian of the Papal Household. Considered part of the so-called “papal family,” […]
Windows of Life in Rome: Baby Boxes
Today, the Tiber River offers one of Rome’s most picturesque views. Tourists stroll along its banks, and locals pass by without a second thought. But in the Middle Ages, its waters carried a darker story. At the end of the 12th century, Pope Innocent III learned that newborn babies—especially those born into poverty or to […]
