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Pope Leo to grieving father: ‘Death never has the last word’
17
Oct
By stbarnabasgh
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Pope Leo to grieving father: ‘Death never has the last word’

Pope Leo XIV has responded to a letter from a grieving father with the encouragement that “death never has the last word.” In the October issue of Piazza San Pietro magazine, the pontiff penned a letter to Francesco, a father of four, who wrote to the Holy Father about the death of his 12-year-old son, Domenico Maria, from a sudden illness 18 years ago. Despite the time that has passed, the father said he still felt like his son’s premature death happened only yesterday.  “Holiness, this letter of mine is intended only as a thought, as well as a remembrance for…
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Nigerian Catholic leaders respond to call to label Nigeria ‘country of particular concern’
17
Oct
By stbarnabasgh
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Nigerian Catholic leaders respond to call to label Nigeria ‘country of particular concern’

Catholic leaders in Nigeria have weighed in on a recent call by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for the Trump administration to redesignate Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC) over alleged Christian persecution. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced legislation in September that would require the Trump administration to adopt the CPC designation in addition to imposing targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials who facilitate or permit jihadist attacks against Christians and other religious minorities. In interviews with ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, on Oct. 14, Nigerian Catholic Church leaders shared their views on the Christian persecution in the west…
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Catholic Church must do more to help sexual abuse survivors and hold church leaders to account, hard-hitting report says
16
Oct
By stbarnabasgh
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News

Catholic Church must do more to help sexual abuse survivors and hold church leaders to account, hard-hitting report says

A Vatican commission for the protection of children has said the mishandling by the Catholic Church’s leaders of sexual abuse allegations involving clergy is causing “ongoing harm” to victims, in a hard-hitting report released Thursday. The report also called out parts of Italy and Africa for failing to implement robust anti-abuse measures. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which released its second annual report on October 16 called for greater transparency from the Vatican and noted with “concern” that survivors often perceive the church’s central administration as “lacking in sensitivity.” The report is the first to be released since the election of…
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Book to feature Pope Leo’s writings and meditations as Augustinian prior
16
Oct
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Book to feature Pope Leo’s writings and meditations as Augustinian prior

The Order of St. Augustine and the Vatican Publishing House announced the publication of a new book by Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost O.S.A., titled “Free Under Grace: Writings and Meditations 2001-2013.” The book will be presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany, which opened Wednesday. The tome will include, for the first time, the writings of the current pontiff during his term as prior general of the Augustinian Order, offering readers a "closer look at his spirituality," according to a statement from the Vatican Publishing House. It will include reflections, meditations, homilies, and addresses, all imbued with…
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Divine Mercy Sunday
21
Apr
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Divine Mercy Sunday

What is Divine Mercy Sunday? Find out the basics. In a series of revelations to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s, our Lord called for a special feast day to be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.  Today, we know that feast as Divine Mercy Sunday, named by Pope St. John Paul II at the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000. The Lord expressed His will with regard to this feast in His very first revelation to St. Faustina. The most comprehensive revelation can be found in her Diary entry 699: My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of…
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Divine Mercy Novena
21
Apr
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Divine Mercy Novena

A novena is typically nine days of prayer in preparation of a celebration of a feast day. At the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Novena is recited perpetually at the Hour of Great Mercy — the three o'clock hour.The Chaplet can be said anytime, but the Lord specifically asked that it be recited as a novena. He promised, "By this Novena (of Chaplets), I will grant every possible grace to souls." Intentions For each of the nine days, our Lord gave Saint Faustina a different intention: All mankind, especially sinners; the souls of priests…
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Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88
21
Apr
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Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta with these words: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live…
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‘Run’ to seek Christ in everyday life, Pope Francis says in Easter Sunday homily
20
Apr
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‘Run’ to seek Christ in everyday life, Pope Francis says in Easter Sunday homily

Under clear spring skies and surrounded by thousands of faithful gathered in a St. Peter’s Square adorned with vibrant yellow daffodils, Pope Francis’s Easter Sunday homily called Christians to actively seek the risen Jesus in their daily lives, urging believers to “run” just as the disciples did after discovering the empty tomb. “We must look for him without ceasing,” emphasized the pope’s text, which was delivered by Cardinal Angelo Comastri on April 20. “Because if he has risen from the dead, then he is present everywhere, he dwells among us, he hides himself and reveals himself even today in the sisters…
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