Pope Leo XIV Warns Intelligence Agencies Over Church Freedom
Pope warns about risks to Church when intelligence agencies ‘act for nefarious purposes’ Pope Leo XIV warned that intelligence agencies in some countries work against the Catholic Church, “oppressing its freedom” by using confidential information for “nefarious purposes.” In an audience at the Vatican on Friday with people who work in Italy’s intelligence sector, the […]
Pope Leo XIV: Christian Archaeology Reveals Hidden Holiness
Pope Leo praises Christian archaeology, capable of ‘bringing to light anonymous holiness’ On the centenary of the founding of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology, Pope Leo XIV published a new apostolic letter in which he praised Christian archaeology as a work capable of “giving a voice to the silence of history” and of “bringing […]
Pope Leo XIV Entrusts His Pontificate to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Pope Leo XIV entrusts pontificate to the Virgin of Guadalupe On Dec. 12, Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Mass on the solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whom he asked to come to his aid “so that she may confirm in the one true path that leads to the blessed Fruit of your […]
Swedish Choir Honors St. Lucy at Vatican Mass
Swedish choir honors St. Lucy with songs in St. Peter’s Basilica A Swedish youth choir marked the feast of St. Lucy by singing at a Mass at the Vatican on Thursday, Dec. 11. Students from Nordiska Musikgymnasiet — The Nordic Music High School — in Stockholm performed traditional Swedish “Lucia songs” during an afternoon Mass […]
Pope Leo XIV urges mercy at Vatican Jubilee of Prisoners
Pope Leo XIV urges mercy, reform as Jubilee of Prisoners closes Holy Year Pope Leo XIV on Sunday presided over the final major celebration of the Holy Year, calling for renewed commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and hope as he celebrated a Jubilee Mass dedicated to prisoners in St. Peter’s Basilica. About 6,000 pilgrims from some […]
Vatican to Unveil Nativity, Light Christmas Tree Dec. 15
Vatican to unveil Nativity scene, light up Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 15 The Governorate of Vatican City State has announced the origins of the fir tree and Nativity scenes that will adorn St. Peter’s Square and the Paul VI Audience Hall this Christmas as well as those who prepared the tree’s […]
Pope Leo XIV Urges Dialogue Amid Renewed Congo Fighting
Pope Leo XIV voices concern over renewed fighting in eastern Congo, urges dialogue Pope Leo XIV on Sunday voiced deep concern over renewed fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, urging an immediate end to violence and a return to dialogue in line with ongoing peace efforts. After leading pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s […]
The Francis Connection: How a Name Shaped a Pontificate
The Francis Connection: How a Name Shaped a Pontificate When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in 2013, he introduced himself to the world not only as a new Pope, but under a new name. By choosing “Francis,” he offered an early and unmistakable clue to the spiritual compass […]
The First Latin American Pope
The First Latin American Pope When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope in 2013, the Catholic Church crossed a historic threshold. For the first time, the Bishop of Rome came from Latin America, carrying with him the faith, wounds, and hopes of an entire continent. Pope Francis did not simply arrive from the New […]
Pope Leo XIV Urges Cultural Diplomacy to Overcome Borders
Pope Leo calls for promoting ‘cultural diplomacy’ to overcome borders and prejudices Pope Leo XIV on Dec. 11 emphasized the academic, cultural, and ecclesial value of archaeology and called for the promotion of “cultural diplomacy” to overcome borders and prejudices. Receiving members of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeologyin an audience, the pope emphasized that […]
