Varden: Christian freedom and truth in Vatican retreat
In the fourth and fifth meditations offered to Pope Leo XIV and the Roman Curia, Bishop Erik Varden reflected on how the modern debate over “freedom” challenges Christians. In a world where “the notion of ‘freedom’ has become contentious in public discourse,” Christians must be clear about what freedom means in the light of faith, […]
St. Peter’s unveils new Stations of the Cross for Lent
A cycle of paintings by Swiss artist Manuel Dürr has been installed for Lent, marking the basilica’s quadricentennial. St. Peter’s Basilica has inaugurated new Stations of the Cross — 14 large oil paintings by Swiss painter Manuel Dürr — for Lent as part of celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the church’s 1626 consecration. The […]
Pope sends $1.17M aid, 1,000 radiators to Ukraine
The aid — worth more than $1.17 million — responds to a request from Ukrainian bishops after recent Russian bombardments. Pope Leo XIV has sent a humanitarian shipment to Ukraine containing urgently needed medicines and more than 1,000 electric radiators to assist people affected by the war. According to the Dicastery for the Service of […]
Vatican, Microsoft launch “Michelangelus” handwriting font
The new “Michelangelus” typeface, created for St. Peter’s Basilica’s anniversary, will appear in the latest versions of Microsoft Office. Writing with the distinctive hand of one of the Renaissance’s greatest geniuses is now possible. Marking the 400th anniversary of the consecration of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican and Microsoft have introduced “Michelangelus,” a new digital […]
What Leo’s Lenten Retreat Reveals About His Pontificate
COMMENTARY: The Holy Father’s bold choice of Bishop Erik Varden as retreat leader speaks volumes. Pope Leo XIV will spend the first full week of Lent on retreat — often termed “spiritual exercises” — with senior officials of the Roman Curia. This retreat is noteworthy in terms of the practice itself, the preacher and the […]
Pope Leo XIV to Visit 4 African Nations in April
The Holy Father will undertake his first pastoral visit to the continent of Africa as pontiff April 13–23, beginning with a stop in Algeria. The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV will undertake his first pastoral visit to Africa as pontiff April 13–23. In a statement released on Wednesday, Feb. 25, the Holy See […]
Pope Leo XIV to Visit Monaco in March, Spain in June
The pontiff’s visit will be the first papal trip to Spain since 2011. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, confirmed on Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV would visit several foreign countries over the next few months, including Monaco and Spain. Bruni said the pope would travel to the Principality of Monaco on […]
Vatican Retreat: Varden on St. Bernard ‘the Idealist’
As the Roman Curia’s Lenten retreat continued, Cistercian abbot-bishop Erik Varden reflected on St. Bernard of Clairvaux and on the biblical conviction that God comes to our aid. The Roman Curia’s Lenten spiritual exercises moved on to the second and third meditations Monday, Feb. 23, following the program schedule with sessions at 9 a.m. and […]
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 […]
