Catholic News
- Step by step, Jesus leads us to heaven, Pope tells pilgrims (Vatican Press Office)
Christ is like a mountain climber who, through His Ascension, leads His Body, the Church, to heaven, Pope Francis said during his Regina Caeli address on May 12. “Step by step, one rung at a time, Jesus shows us the way” by His word and the grace of the sacraments, the Pope said to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “What are these steps that must be taken? ... To perform the works of love: to give life, bring hope, steer away from any form of wickedness and meanness, respond to evil with good, be close to those who suffer.” The Pope continued, “And so we can ask ourselves: is the desire for God, the desire for His infinite love, for His life that is eternal life, alive in me? Or am I a bit dulled and anchored to passing things, or money, or success, or pleasure? And does my desire for Heaven isolate me, does it seal me off, or does it lead me to love my brothers and sisters with a big and selfless heart, to feel that they are my companions on the journey towards Paradise?” “May Mary, she who has already arrived at the destination, help us to walk together with joy towards the glory of Heaven,” the Pope concluded. - Pope: Holy See ready to facilitate exchange of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war (Vatican News)
Pope Francis said on May 12 that “as we celebrate the Ascension of the Risen Lord, who frees us and wants us free, I renew my appeal for a general exchange of all the prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, assuring the willingness of the Holy See to favor any effort in this regard, especially for those who are gravely injured and ill.” The Pontiff made a similar appeal on Easter Sunday, during his Urbi et Orbi message. - Peace in politics, in the world starts in people's hearts, Pope says at World Meeting on Human Fraternity (CNS)
Pope Francis joined Nobel laureates and political leaders at the Fratelli Tutti Foundation’s second World Meeting on Human Fraternity, which took place in Rome on May 10-11. “Dear brothers and sisters, war is a deception – war is always a defeat – as is the idea of international security based on the deterrent of fear,” Pope Francis said in his address to participants. “This too is a deception. To ensure lasting peace, we must return to a recognition of our common humanity and place fraternity at the center of peoples’ lives.” - Children's Declaration on Fraternity signed during papal meeting with children (Vatican News)
As part of the Fratelli Tutti Foundation’s second World Meeting on Human Fraternity, Pope Francis took part in a roundtable discussion with children. During the discussion, he asked the children, “What does happiness mean?”, “Where can happiness be bought?”, and “How can we get in touch with God?” The Pontiff signed a two-page Children’s Declaration on Fraternity, which Vatican News—the news agency of the Dicastery for Communication—reported was drafted by the children. If the Vatican news agency’s account is true, then the children have a remarkably sophisticated knowledge of twentieth-century Argentine literature. Citing Francisco Luis Bernárdez—a poet whom the Pope has mentioned a few times in recent years—the children (or other authors of the Declaration) stated: Our roots remind us that, despite the diversity of branches, we share the same life, the same dream, that of a world where love is the only fruit that can truly make us happy because, as the Argentine poet Bernardéz wrote, “’what the tree has in bloom, lives from what it has buried.” - Bavaria supports the Church and the protection of life, leader says following papal audience (@Markus_Soeder)
Pope Francis received Markus Söder, minister-president of the historically Catholic German state of Bavaria, in a May 11 audience. Söder tweeted that he had a “serious, sometimes cheerful and always very friendly conversation with the Holy Father.” “Bavaria stands by the institution of the Church,” he continued. “She makes an important contribution to a strong society and should continue to have a permanent place in our State in the future. That’s why we are against a complete separation of State and Church.” “We will maintain religious education and continue to advocate for crosses in public spaces and the protection of life,” he added. “Pope Francis was pleased with our great support for the Church and faith.” - 'Work for security, justice and peace in the Sahel,' papal message urges (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Francis has published a message, dated May 7 and released May 10, for the 40th anniversary of the creation of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel, which is now under the auspices of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Some countries in the Sahel, the arid African region south of the Sahara Desert, “are still going through crises that are increasingly threatening peace, stability, security and development,” Pope Francis wrote in his message to Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, the dicastery’s prefect. “These phenomena, linked to terrorism, economic insecurity, climate change and intercommunity struggles, are exacerbating the vulnerability of states and the poverty of their citizens, resulting in the migration of young people,” the Pope continued. “Echoing the heartfelt cries of Pope Saint John Paul II, I reiterate today his appeal to all people of goodwill throughout the world: work for security, justice and peace in the Sahel!” - Papal appeals for prayers for peace, mothers (Vatican Press Office)
Following his Regina Caeli address on May 12, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for prayer for peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Myanmar referred to the World Day of Social Communications and his message for the day called for gratitude and prayer for mothers, living and deceased, entrusting them to Mary’s protection expressed gratitude for a climate change photo exhibition in St. Peter’s Square and encouraged pilgrims to visit it The Pope also emphasized that the Holy See is ready to facilitate an exchange of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war. - Background: World Communications Day (CWN)
On May 12, the Church commemorates the 58th World Communications Day. As is customary, the papal message for the day [Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication] was released on January 24, the memorial of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists. - Pope Francis solemnly proclaims 2025 jubilee year, issues bull 'Hope Does Not Disappoint' (CWN)
Pope Francis solemnly proclaimed the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025 at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica on the evening of May 9, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (video, booklet). - USCCB releases updated list of catechetical resources deemed in conformity with Catechism (USCCB)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on the Catechism has released an updated list of catechetical resources that have been deemed in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. A new methodology “permits the evaluation and use of digital materials,” the subcommittee stated on May 9, with its current conformity review process remaining in effect. - Pope 'very likely' to visit Luxembourg later this year? (RTL)
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg says that it is “very, very likely” that Pope Francis will visit Luxembourg in September. Although the Vatican has not announced such a plan, the Pope has said that he is “certain” to travel to neighboring Belgium, where the Catholic University of Leuven is celebrating its 600th anniversary. Cardinal Hollerich, a Jesuit with close ties to the Pontiff, specifically mentioned September as a likely time for the papal visit. Pope Francis is already scheduled for an 11-day trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore earlier that month. - Pope urges generosity to counter declining birth rates (Vatican News)
Speaking at an Italian conference on the declining birth rate, Pope Francis rebuked the proponents of the now-discredited “population explosion” theory, who “talked about human beings as if they were problems.” The Pope first said there is “an urgent need for effective policies” to combat the birth dearth, saying that governments should help younger generations. Next he suggested “a culture of generosity and intergenerational solidarity.” “Have children, lots of them,” said the Pope—who in the past has cautioned parents against having too many children. - New York State files suit against pro-life pregnancy centers to end abortion-pill reversals (New York State Attorney General)
New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed suit against Heartbeat International and 11 pro-life pregnancy centers to end the practice of abortion-pill reversals, which she described as “unproven” and “potentially unsafe.” Heartbeat International, in turn, filed suit against the attorney general, alleging “egregious violations of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, equal protection under the law, and civil rights violations.” In March, the US bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities explained that “chemical abortion uses two drugs. First, mifepristone (also called by the brand name, Mifeprex, or RU-486) is taken to damage a woman’s uterine lining, cutting off nutrition and oxygen to her pre-born child, causing starvation and suffocation. Then, one to two days later, misoprostol is taken to push the baby’s remains from the womb.” “Fortunately, if a woman changes her mind before taking the second drug, the child may be saved about two-thirds of the time through an abortion pill reversal process involving the hormone progesterone,” the USCCB office added. - Washington attorney general charges archdiocese with impending abuse probe (Crux)
The attorney general of the State of Washington has charged that the Seattle archdiocese has “refused to comply” with an investigation into abuse complaints. The attorney general, Bob Ferguson—who is seeking election as governor—is looking into the possibility that the archdiocese has used funds designated for charities to pay abuse settlements. The Seattle archdiocese said that Ferguson’s press conference “was a surprise to us, since we welcome the investigation and have been working closely with the attorney general’s team for months now.” - Charity coordinator examines 'remarkable increase' of Protestantism in Honduras (Aid to the Church in Need)
In an interview, the project coordinator for Central America of Aid to the Church in Need discussed the challenges facing the Church in Honduras (map) and examined why self-identified Protestants now outnumber self-identified Catholics there. In a 2020 survey, only 34% of Hondurans described themselves as Catholic. “The few priests there are already have a very heavy workload,” said Veronica Katz. “Honduras has the highest percentage of Protestants of any country in Latin America. There has been a remarkable increase in the number of evangelical churches.” “Many of these Protestant sects are funded by groups in the United States, and their pastors go to places that are underserved by Catholic priests,” she continued. “Catholics are drawn to those sects basically out of habit, rather than conviction. The Church is making a big effort to educate its faithful, so they can better resist this invasion of other denominations and sects.” - Pope lists priorities for theological study (Vatican News)
At a May 10 audience with members of the International Network of Societies for Catholic Theology (a group known by the unfortunate acronym INSECT), Pope Francis suggested three guidelines for theology today: a creative fidelity to tradition, a cross-disciplinary approach, and a collegial style. - Papal aid for flood-stricken Brazilians (Vatican News)
Pope Francis has sent €100,000 ($107,800) in aid to the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops to assist victims of massive flooding in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (map). Over 160,000 people have been displaced by the flooding, and 230 have been killed or are missing. - Pope mourns victims of attack on displaced persons in DR Congo (Vatican News)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, has sent a telegram of condolence in the Pope’s name to Bishop Willy Ngumbi Ngengele, M Afr of Goma, DR Congo, following bomb attacks on two camps for displaced persons. The Pope, said Cardinal Parolin, is close to those “affected by this act of blind hatred which has not spared many children,“ and “supports the injured and the grieving families with his prayers, and prays for the repose of all those who lost their lives.“ The Pope also condemned “any act of violence to resolve conflicts, violence of which the poorest and most deprived are always the first victims.” - Bishop Paprocki charges Biden with sacrilege (CatholicVote)
BIshop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois has released a video statement in which he charges President Joe Biden with sacrilege, pointing to Biden’s making the Sign of the Cross during a pro-abortion rally. That gesture made “a mockery of our Catholic faith,” the bishop said. He added: “Sacrilege is a grave sin.” - Papal encouragement for Massachusetts college (Vatican News)
Pope Francis met on May 10 with the trustees of Merrimack College, an institution that was established to provide academic training for soldiers returning from World War II. Those young men needed “more than academic training alone,” the Pope remarked. He added that today’s students also face special challenges: “not letting themselves be overwhelmed, but rather responding in such a way that every crisis, even when it involves suffering, can be transformed into an opportunity for growth.” - More...