Middle East War Puts Christians at Risk Again
Attacks and counterattacks between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia, have created a dire situation for Christians in the Israel-Lebanon border region. JERUSALEM — Christians are a minority in the Middle East, but they have as much of a stake in the region’s latest war as any other residents, local church leaders say. Since Israel […]
Catholic Leaders in Holy Land Call for Prayer and Peace
Catholic Church leaders in the Holy Land reaffirmed the Christian community’s commitment to peace amid the harshness of war. Amid the war engulfing the Middle East, the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land issued a spiritual and humanitarian message expressing the Churches’ deep concern over the situation in the region and reaffirming Christians’ commitment to […]
Pope Leo XIV Names New Papal Almoner
Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín will succeed Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who has been appointed metropolitan archbishop of Łódź, Poland. Pope Leo XIV has appointed Spanish Augustinian Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín as papal almoner and prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who has led the office since […]
More Than 80 Scientists Sign Vatican Peace Manifesto
The Pontifical Academy for Life has launched a new initiative appealing to the scientific and academic world to contribute to the pursuit of peace. The Pontifical Academy for Life launched the initiative Scientists for Peace, an appeal to scientists, researchers, and academics worldwide to promote the concrete pursuit of peace through scientific research and international […]
How the Chaldean Church Elects Its Patriarch
Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako’s resignation leaves the Chaldean patriarchal see vacant and raises questions about how his successor will be chosen. Pope Leo XIV announced this week that he had accepted the resignation of Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako from the leadership of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and throughout the world after more […]
Synod: More Leadership Roles for Women No Female Deacons Yet
The Synod on Synodality’s study group on “Women’s Participation in the Life and Leadership of the Church” has issued its final report, calling for expanded leadership roles for women in the Church. The final report of the Synod on Synodality’s study group “Women’s Participation in the Life and Leadership of the Church” raises the possibility […]
Evacuated Tehran Cardinal Meets Pope Leo XIV
Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan Cardinal Dominique Mathieu witnessed the first days of military clashes in the Iranian capital. Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan Cardinal Dominique Mathieu met with the pope March 11 after witnessing the first days of military clashes in the Iranian capital. Mathieu had been leading the Roman Catholic Church in Iran, which has about 2,000 […]
Religious Sisters Taking Leadership Roles in the Vatican
The percentage of Vatican employees who are women grew from 19.2% to 23.4% during the first decade of the last pontificate. VATICAN CITY — Religious sisters and consecrated women are a formidable presence inside Vatican City State and the Roman Curia, with recent years seeing their number and prominence rise. The increasing presence of women […]
Pope Leo: Slain Lebanese Priest Was ‘True Shepherd’
“I am close to all the Lebanese people at this time of grave trial,” the pope said on March 11. VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday remembered Father Pierre El Raii, a Maronite priest who died after being wounded in an Israeli bombing in southern Lebanon, and described him as “a true shepherd” […]
Vatican Promoting Dialogue on Cuba, Parolin Says
The Vatican secretary of state pointed to recent contacts with Cuban and U.S. officials as the Holy See seeks a dialogue-based solution on the island. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the Holy See is promoting dialogue on Cuba and has taken “the necessary steps” with the aim of encouraging a negotiated solution […]