Pope Leo Praises Beauty in Italy’s Land of Fires

The Holy Father on May 23 met with Church leaders and local residents at Acerra in Italyʼs “Land of Fires.” Pope Leo XIV greeted residents and civic leaders in the southern Italian town of Acerra on May 23, a region marred by toxic wastes but possessing what the pope said was “beauty no injustice can […]

Pope Leo XIV Laments Cry of Creation and Poor

The Holy Father said Pope Francis‘ encyclical Laudato Si’ is a framework for addressing the social and environmental crises of the region. Pope Leo XIV arrived in Italyʼs “Terra dei Fuochi,” or “Land of Fires,” for a one-day visit on May 23, the first pope in history to meet with this population amid a yearslong […]

Vaticano: Pope Leo, Mary, and the New Encyclical

Pope Leo XIV has released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, focused on human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence. The Vatican has also launched a new commission on AI as the Holy Father calls young Catholics to persevere in the faith and highlights the central role of the sacred liturgy in the life of […]

Why Catholics Honor Mary as Mother of the Church

The Catholic Church celebrates the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church each year on the Monday after Pentecost. This year, it falls on May 25. In 2018, Pope Francis added the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, to the Roman calendar. This memorial is celebrated each year […]

Pope Leo XIV Discusses EU Challenges With Bishops

While the bishops proposed many possible topics for the meeting, the pontiff emphasized dialogue and peace as priorities. The pope also said migrants must be respected and needed services not denied. Pope Leo XIV met on May 21 with the Commission of the Episcopal Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), with whom he discussed the […]

Magnifica Humanitas: Pope invokes justice to combat ‘anti

Published Monday, the pope’s new encyclical warns of a “culture of power” fueled by the digital revolution and artificial intelligence. In his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, published Monday, Pope Leo XIV calls on society and AI developers to implement “shared standards of social justice” in order for artificial intelligence to respect human dignity and serve the […]

Pope Leo XIV Authorizes Beatification of 80 Martyrs

In addition, the pope will declare four other religious from various countries as venerable. On May 22, Pope Leo XIV approved the promulgation of six decrees from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, following an audience granted to its prefect, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro. With the pontiffʼs authorization, 80 martyrs of the Spanish Civil War […]

Peace, Unity, and AI in Pope Leo XIV’s Thought

Ahead of the publication of Leoʼs first encyclical, what do his writings and speeches, both before and after his election, reveal about his thought? During his papacy and before, Pope Leo XIV has revealed his thought on a myriad of issues in his speeches, homilies, and writings, and several clear themes have emerged. He has […]

Czech Cardinal Reflects on Martyrs Under Communism

The two priests were imprisoned and executed by the Czechoslovak communist regime because of its hatred of the Catholic faith, according to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Cardinal Michael Czerny this week reflected on the martyrdom of Catholics who gave witness to Jesus Christ under communist rule in eastern and central Europe during […]

Marian Images throughout the Streets of Rome

Rome’s streets, squares, and narrow alleyways are home to more than 500 Marian street shrines, known as the Madonnelle. Painted, frescoed, or sculpted, these sacred images have long been woven into the city’s spiritual and cultural identity, serving as places of prayer, gratitude, and quiet encounter. Some passersby pause for a moment of reflection; others […]