The following is a homily given to the faithful by Pope Leo XIV at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Dear brothers and sisters:

Before God and in the presence of God we have a lawyer: Jesus Christ, the righteous (cf. 1 Jn 2,1-2). With these words, the apostle John helps us to grasp the mystery of salvation. In our fragility, carried with the weight of sin that marks our humanity, unable to embrace with our own forces the fullness of life and happiness, we have been reached by God himself through his Son Jesus Christ. He — says the Apostle — as a victim of atonement, carried upon himself the evil of man and the world, took it with us and for us, passed by him transforming it and freeing us forever.

Christ is the dynamic center, the heart of our faith, and it is from this centrality that I would like to address you, while I cordially greet His Highness Prince Albert, His Excellency Mons. Dominique-Marie David, the priests and the religious present, expressing to all of you the joy of being here and sharing your ecclesial path.

Contemplating Christ as a “lawyer”, in reference to the reading we have heard, I would like to offer you some reflections.

The first refers to the gift of communion. Jesus Christ, the righteous, interceding for humanity before the Father, reconciles us with Him and among us. He does not come to make a condemning judgment, but to offer to all his mercy that purifies, heals, transforms and makes us part of the only family of God. His compassionate and merciful tenter makes him a “lawyer” for the defense of the poor and sinners, certainly not to support evil, but to free them from oppression and slavery and make them children of God and brothers among themselves.

It is no coincidence that the gestures performed by Jesus are not limited to the physical or spiritual healing of the person, but also comprise an important social and political dimension; the healed person is reintegrated, with all his dignity, to the human and religious community from which, often precisely because of his condition of illness or sin, he had been excluded.

This communion is the sign par excellence of the Church, called to be in the world a reflection of the love of God that shows no partiality (cf. Ach 10:34). In this sense, I would like to say that the Church, here in the Principality of Monaco, has a great wealth: to be a place, a reality in which everyone finds welcome and hospitality, in that social and cultural mixture that is a typical trait of you.

The Principality of Monaco, in fact, is a small state inhabited, however, in a varied way by Monegasques, French, Italians and people of many other nationalities. A small cosmopolitan state, in which the variety of origins is also associated with other socioeconomic differences. In the Church, such differences never become an occasion of division into social classes; on the contrary, all are welcomed as persons and children of God, and all are recipients of a gift of grace that drives communion, fraternity and reciprocal love.

This is the gift that comes from Christ, our advocate before the Father. Indeed, we have all been baptized in Him and, for this reason, says St. Paul, “there is no longer a Jew or a pagan, slave or free, man or woman, because all of you are only one in Christ Jesus” (Ga 3:28).

However, I think it is necessary to underline a second aspect: the proclamation of the Gospel in defense of man. Wishing that everyone will accept the good news of the Fatherʼs love, Jesus places himself as a “lawyer” mainly for defense of those who were considered abandoned by God and who are judged as forgotten and marginalized, becoming the voice and face of the merciful God who “grants the right to the oppressed” (Ps 103,6).

I then think of a Church called to become a "lawyer", that is, to defend man: man in his integrity, and all human beings. It is a path of critical and prophetic discernment aimed at promoting an "integral development" of humanity, which respects its authentic dignity and identity, as well as its ultimate purpose, which refers to a mystery of full communion with the God Trinity and among us" (INTERNATIONAL THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION, Quo vadis, humanitas?, 22).

This is the first service that the proclamation of the Gospel must provide: to enlighten the human person and society so that, in the light of Christ and his Word, they may discover their own identity, the meaning of human life, the value of relationships and social solidarity, the ultimate end of existence and the destiny of history.

In this regard, I wish to encourage you to provide a passionate and generous service in evangelization. Announce the Gospel of life, hope and love; bring to all the light of the Gospel so that the life of every man and every woman is defended and promoted from their conception to their natural end; offer new maps capable of curbing those impulses of secularism that run the risk of reducing man to individualism and basing social life on the production of wealth.

It is important that the proclamation of the Gospel and the forms of faith, so rooted in your identity and society, are preserved from the risk of being reduced to habit, even if it is good. A living faith is always prophetic, capable of raising questions and offering provocations: are we really defending the human being? Are we protecting the dignity of the person in the protection of life in all its phases? Is the current economic and social model really fair and inspired by solidarity? Is this model inhabited by the ethics of responsibility, which helps us to go beyond the “logic of the exchange of equivalent things and profit as an end in itself” (BENEDICT XVI, Letter enc. Caritas in veritate, 38), to build a fairer society?

Dear friends, keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, our advocate before the Father, generates a faith rooted in the personal relationship with Him, a faith that becomes a testimony, capable of transforming life and renewing society. This faith needs to be announced with new instruments and languages, also digital, and all must be introduced and trained in it with continuity and creativity. This applies in particular to those who are opening up to the encounter with God - the catechumens - and to those who start again, to whom I ask them to have special attention.

May your patron saint, the Virgin and martyr Devota, inspire you with her example, and may Mary Most Holy, Immaculate Virgin, intercede for you and always guide you along this path.

The popeʼs homily was published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Pope Leo XIV addressed Monaco at the outset of his brief one-day visit there on March 28, telling the tiny micro-state that the “gift of smallness” and a “living spiritual heritage” lets the country “serve the cause of law and justice.”

The Holy Father touched down in the city-state at 9 a.m. The brief journey to Monaco was undertaken by helicopter to ensure the pope would not have to set foot on French soil, thereby absolving him of the institutional obligation to pay a visit to the president of the French Republic.

The pope was welcomed by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlotte; the prince had extended the invitation for the pope to visit the country following a private audience held on Feb. 17th.

Upon the popeʼs arrival a cannon fired a twenty-one-gun salute, church bells pealed in celebration, and the Vatican flag was raised.

In an address from the Palace of Monaco, Leo XIV said the country should be particularly attentive to the need for justice “at a historical juncture when the ostentation of force and the logic of domination harm the world and jeopardize peace.”

"In the Bible, as you know, it is the small who make history!” the pope said.

The Holy Father told the country that “the Catholic faith — which yours is among the few nations in the world to hold as its state religion — places us before the sovereignty of Jesus, a sovereignty that calls upon Christians to become, within the world, a kingdom of brothers and sisters.”

Monaco is the last nation in Europe where Catholicism remains the official state religion. In November of 2025, Prince Albert declined to promulgate an abortion law that would have broadened the grounds for terminating a pregnancy within the principality.

After the meeting between Leo XIV and the prince, there was a meeting with both the prince and princess in the Salon de Famille, followed by an exchange of gifts, the signing of the Book of Honor, and a papal introduction to the royal family.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies, Leo XIV and the prince joined together in prayer.

 This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Leo is the first pope to visit the tiny country in nearly half a millennium.

A memorial Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica was held on the 10th anniversary of the death of Mother Angelica, the foundress of EWTN, the world’s largest Catholic media network.

The principal celebrant at the Mass, Father Michael Baggot, LC, a bioethics professor, recalled in his homily in the basilica’s Chapel of the Choir that Mother Angelica “conveyed the faith with wit and wisdom.”

“Her message was both consoling and challenging,” he said.

Father Michael Baggot, LC, delivers the homily at the memorial Mass for Mother Angelica celebrated at St. Peter’s Basilica on March 27, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

“Mother Angelica understood that the fruitfulness of the apostolate depends on union with the Lord. What she proclaimed on air, she first pondered in adoration,” Baggot continued. “Mother Angelica also knew from experience that God works through humble, unexpected instruments to spread his Gospel.”

During the homily, Baggot praised Mother Angelica’s determination and repeated one of her famous quotes about serving the Lord, even when it seems difficult and frightening.

“As Mother said, ‘You want to do something for the Lord … do it. Whatever you feel needs to be done, even though you’re shaking in your boots, you’re scared to death — take the first step forward. The grace comes with that one step and you get the grace as you step. Being afraid is not a problem; it’s doing nothing when you’re afraid.’”

Baggot said it is “fitting” to honor Mother Angelica just two days after the celebration of the Annunciation and in a chapel “dedicated to Our Lady.” He said the Blessed Mother was also “deeply troubled by the angel’s message” and both “afraid” and “scared,” but she trusted God.

“Before such a daunting mission, she abandoned herself to Divine Providence. She was sustained by a love greater than any fear,” he said.

Attendees at the memorial Mass for Mother Angelica at the Vatican on March 27, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

In view of the testimony of the Virgin Mary — whom he defined as the “definitive bearer of the Eternal Word” — the priest highlighted that Mother Angelica’s life also reflected the paschal mystery, including her suffering following a stroke in 2001. “Mother knew from Mary that the ‘fiat’ given in youth must be renewed at the foot of the cross,” Baggot noted.

Baggot added that because Mother Angelica followed God’s calling, EWTN is accessible in hundreds of millions of homes in more than 160 countries and territories, and “its programs reach areas where conflict or persecution deprives citizens of other means of religious formation.”

He further commended the network for continuing to be a beacon of beauty and inspiration.

Although EWTN “has outgrown its first Alabama garage,” he said, “it has never outgrown — and could never outgrow — the reliance on Divine Providence that characterized Mother Angelica’s life.”

In addition to the Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, EWTN marked the anniversary with special programming throughout the day, including “Remembering Mother Angelica, 10 Years Later.”

The EWTN Global Catholic Network is broadcasting these events across its television and digital platforms — including its YouTube channel, the streaming platform EWTN+, and live and on-demand at www.ewtn.com — making the tribute to Mother Angelica’s life and legacy accessible to viewers worldwide.

Pope Leo XIV is set to meet with Sarah Mullally, the first female archbishop of Canterbury, as part of Mullally’s planned visit to Rome from April 25–28.

The announcement of the visit came from Lambeth Palace just two days after Mullally’s installation, which made her the first woman to hold the highest-ranking role in the Church of England.

It is also notable that the ascension of Mullally to that post continues to have significant repercussions within Anglicanism. Earlier this month, the Global Anglican Future Conference — which represents approximately 80% of Anglicans worldwide — announced that its member churches should “remove any reference to being in communion with the See of Canterbury.”

On the occasion of her March 25 installation as the highest spiritual authority in Anglicanism, Pope Leo sent a message to Mullally in which he underscored the responsibilities of the office, particularly during “a challenging moment in the history of the Anglican family.”

The pope also recalled the progress made in ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and Anglicans and emphasized the need to continue advancing toward Christian unity.

For her part, Mullally expressed her gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his closeness and prayers, and acknowledged the value of ecumenical dialogue between churches as well as unity among Christians.

She also asked the pope for prayers for the Church of England and for the Anglican Communion as a whole, “so that we may be guided by the Holy Spirit in faithfulness, unity, and charity.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Asian Catholics paid tribute to Venerable Francis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận to mark the 50th anniversary of his spiritual writings compiled in the book “The Road of Hope: The Gospel from Prison.”

To honor the legacy of the late Vietnamese prelate, the Vatican held the “Cardinal Văn Thuận: Witness of Hope” conference at the Apostolic Palace of the Lateran in Rome on Wednesday. The event was attended by hundreds of people including members of Văn Thuận’s family.

While imprisoned by the communist government in Vietnam during the 1970s and 1980s, Văn Thuận, who was coadjutor archbishop of Sài Gòn at the time, wrote a series of spiritual reflections on scraps of paper that were clandestinely sent out to persecuted Christian communities.

“These 1,001 meditations [traveled] from family to family, from prison cells to prison cells, to reeducation camps to reeducation camps, and finally they crossed oceans with the ‘boat people’ and arrived in different countries in the world,” Văn Thuận’s sister Élisabeth Nguyễn Thị Thu Hồng said at the March 25 conference.

“In a spirit of faith, joy, and gratitude, we all witness the power of God’s presence in the story of this shepherd who, while separated from his flock, remained intimately united with all of them through the word of God,” she said.

Both Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle spoke at the event and shared personal stories and impressions of the prelate decreed “venerable” by Pope Francis in 2017.

Describing Văn Thuận as a man of “great gentleness, serenity, and inner freedom,” You Heung-sik praised him for being “a true model of Christian and priestly life.”

“His life was marked by extremely harsh trials, but it was precisely in those trials that the greatness of his faith was revealed,” the Dicastery for the Clergy prefect said.

“He drew strength every day from Jesus in the Eucharist when, while in prison, he celebrated holy Mass in secrecy with three drops of wine and a drop of water in the palm of his hand,” he added.

Tagle, who recalled first meeting Văn Thuận at a 1995 Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference meeting in Manila, said he was immediately struck by his kindness and warmth.

“There was not a trace of bitterness and hatred in him. I could not get my eyes off his radiant and smiling face,” the Filipino cardinal said. “Before going our separate ways, he said, from now on, call me ‘uncle.’”

When Văn Thuận died in Rome at the age of 74 due to stomach cancer, Tagle said he attended the funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica in the presence of St. John Paul II in September 2002.

“His suffering did not prevent him from making others happy,” he said with emotion. “Sadness was palpable in the air but also gratitude for the gift of this servant of God and the Church.”

Vietnamese communities abroad also paid tribute to Văn Thuận to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his prison meditations, including from Australia — the country his family fled to as refugees in the 1970s.

Father John Nguyen, OFM Cap, the first Australian-born priest of Vietnamese heritage in the country, told EWTN News Văn Thuận’s love for the priesthood and the Eucharist continues to be a source of inspiration for him.

“One of Cardinal Văn Thuận’s writings that stood out for me, since I came across it in late 2008 when I just entered postulancy with the Capuchin Franciscans, was ‘If you lack everything or have lost everything, but still have the Blessed Sacrament, you actually still have everything,’” he said.

“It is a constant reminder that if one day, despite losing everything around me, be it people, material things, or plans that have fallen through, as long as I have Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, I actually have everything since God is our everything,” he added.

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday said organ donation is a noble act that should be governed by fair and transparent criteria, avoiding “any form of commodification of the human body.”

He also encouraged the safeguarding of the well-being of patients in his comments to participants of an event organized by the Italian National Transplant Network at the Vatican on March 26.

The Holy Father thanked those who serve human life “in its moments of greatest fragility.”

The first donation by Blessed Carlo Gnocchi

In his speech, the pope recalled the first organ donation carried out in Italy, when Blessed Carlo Gnocchi asked for his corneas to be donated after his death.

The pontiff explained that the gesture “sparked widespread reflection within Italian society and helped to set in motion a process of legislative clarification.”

Soon afterward, he noted, Pope Pius XII offered early moral guidance on these questions, “recognizing the legitimacy of removal for therapeutic purposes, respecting the dignity of the human body and the rights of the people involved.”

Leo emphasized that since then, the Church’s reflection has accompanied the development of transplant medicine, “recognizing its value and at the same time setting out the necessary ethical criteria.”

The papal audience with the transplant network took place the same week the Vatican published a document addressing ethical issues connected with xenotransplantation, the use of animal organs in human patients.

A noble and meritorious act

The Holy Father then stated that organ donation is “an act that combines the generosity of giving with the moral responsibility that accompanies it.”

He also recalled that the Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that “organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as an expression of generous solidarity.”

For this reason, he warned that “vigilance is always necessary to avoid any form of commodification of the human body and ensure that transplants are governed by fair and transparent criteria.”

Leo also stressed that transplantation medicine highlights how “the relationship of care, trust, and mutual responsibility constitutes an essential condition for a transplant to take place.”

He added that “the very possibility of saving lives through transplants depends, in fact, on the generosity of donors.”

Recalling the teaching of Pope Francis, he emphasized that donation “must remain a gratuitous act, capable of bearing witness to a culture of help, giving, hope, and life.”

Scientific progress and human dignity

At the end of his address, the pope encouraged the development of scientific research, which is “called upon to develop ever more effective solutions to meet the need for organs and the needs of patients, in a context where demand still far exceeds supply.”

He stressed that “it is essential that this commitment always goes hand in hand with responsible reflection, so that scientific progress remains oriented towards the integral good of the person and respect for their dignity.”

Leo thanked members of the Italian National Transplant Network for their “demanding and often unseen” work and urged them to continue “always keeping the well-being of the patient as your guiding principle.”

He also encouraged institutions and volunteers to continue their efforts in information and awareness so that “a culture of donation may grow that is ever more informed, free, and shared, capable of recognizing in this gesture a sign of solidarity, fraternity, and hope.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

The final report of the Synod on Synodality study group dedicated to the poor and the earth raises the need to create an observatory on disability and to include theologians from poor regions in consultative and governing bodies.

The text — published March 24 — emphasizes that listening to “the cry of the poor and of the earth” is not a pastoral option but a constitutive act of faith in the mission of the Church. It identifies already existing tools such as parishes, base communities, movements, charitable organizations, and ecumenical and international networks.

However, it states that social ministry cannot be delegated only to these structures, since all Christians have the responsibility to listen and respond to the needs of the poor.

The report — which is not binding and will now be reviewed by Pope Leo XIV — is part of the work carried out by 10 study groups created by Pope Francis in 2024 during the Synod on Synodality. The groups are dissolved once their reports are published.

Within the group on the poor, another subgroup was established, mostly composed of people with disabilities.

This subgroup produced the proposal to create an international “Ecclesial Observatory on Disability” that would establish similar bodies at the diocesan, national, and regional levels.

The aim, the text states, is to use this model to “create structures and processes for listening to other marginalized groups,” including “the LGBTQIA+ community.”

“The Church has many means to listen to the cries of the poor and the earth. However, the Synod learned that women, Indigenous people, Dalits, young people, people with disability, victims of class or caste discrimination and racism, LGBTQIA+ people, those made poor, and other marginalized groups, are still asking to be heard,” it states.

“We need to deepen our listening and respond with transformative action. Synodality invites us to move from having means of listening to becoming a means of listening in the service of God’s mission,” the report says.

The document also highlights the importance of the language used for people in vulnerable situations and urges that it respect the “diversity of their experience” and reflect their dignity, for example through the use of “person first language.”

Groups for single or widowed people

Another recommendation in the report is for dioceses and bishops’ conferences to consider creating “groups for single parents, widows, and widowers” in order to offer support and learn about their needs, and that there be deeper exploration of “effective ways of listening to those affected by war, conflicts, and violence.”

It also calls for ensuring the presence of vulnerable groups, women, and those coming from territories affected by climate change and conflicts in Church bodies.

Greater role for the marginalized and the poor in theology

The report also raises the need to include theologians from “poor, marginalized, or excluded” contexts in the drafting of Church statements.

“The appointment of women, people with disabilities, and people of color should be a key priority,” it says.

It proposes creating global networks connecting theologians with organizations working on the ground, strengthening dialogue with other Christian denominations and religions, and promoting collaboration among Catholic media, universities, and young people in order to translate theological reflection into concrete action.

It suggests creating “global networks” that connect the poor “with organizations closest to the reality of the world of the poor.” According to the report, the goal is to promote a theology more connected to the reality of the poor and open to intercultural dialogue and other disciplines.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

The Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), often referred to as the Vatican bank, has announced that Luxembourg banker François Pauly will succeed Jean-Baptiste Douville de Franssu as president of its Board of Superintendence.

According to a March 25 press release, Pauly “has been elected as the next president of the Board of Superintendence” and will formally take office following the board meeting scheduled for April 28, when the institute’s 2025 financial statements are approved.

De Franssu, who has led the IOR since July 9, 2014, will remain in office until that date, concluding a tenure marked by significant internal reform and efforts to rebuild the institution’s international credibility.

The need for reform stemmed from years of scrutiny over the Vatican bank’s management, transparency, and anti-money-laundering controls. In the past, the institute faced damaged credibility amid concerns about oversight and compliance, prompting a long push to strengthen governance, tighten internal procedures, and bring its operations into line with international financial standards.

The transition “follows a carefully managed succession process conducted over the past 12 months in close collaboration between the Board of Superintendence and the Commission of Cardinals, ensuring continuity in the governance of the Institute,” the IOR said.

Pauly, a Luxembourg national, has served on the board since 2024. His appointment was approved Jan. 28 by the Commission of Cardinals following a proposal by the board in December 2025, in accordance with the institute’s statutes.

He brings decades of experience in the financial sector, having begun his banking career in the late 1980s. He previously served as deputy chief executive officer of Dexia Crediop in Italy and later as CEO and chairman of Banque Internationale à Luxembourg from 2011 to 2016. He also served on the board of the Vatican Pension Fund from 2017 to 2021.

Currently, Pauly is chairman of La Luxembourgeoise Group and a member of the Commission for Economic Affairs of the Archdiocese of Luxembourg, while also serving on the boards of several financial firms across Europe.

In a statement, de Franssu reflected on his tenure, saying the institute had undergone “a profound structural transformation” that restored credibility and strengthened financial performance.

“This process has enabled the institute to achieve strong international credibility and to deliver solid financial results,” he said, noting that reforms improved governance, transparency, and compliance with international anti-money laundering standards.

Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, president of the IOR’s Commission of Cardinals, expressed “deep gratitude” for de Franssu’s service and praised his “essential contribution” to the institute’s renewal.

He also welcomed Pauly’s appointment, highlighting his “extensive professional experience” as key to consolidating recent progress and strengthening the institute’s ties with the global financial sector.

“We hope that, under his leadership, the Board of Superintendence continues to effectively support the mission of the IOR in service of the universal Church,” Petrocchi said.

The Commission of Cardinals will now appoint a new member of the Board of Superintendence to replace de Franssu, subject to regulatory approval.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Pope Leo XIV expressed the desire to continue dialogue with the Church of England in a message to Sarah Mullally on the occasion of her installation as archbishop of Canterbury.

Mullally, formerly the bishop of London, was appointed archbishop of Canterbury in October 2025 with the approval of the King of England. She was installed March 25 in Canterbury Cathedral in east London. She the first woman to occupy the highest-ranking position in the Church of England.

In his message, dated March 20 from the Vatican, Leo expressed his spiritual closeness and sent Mullally “prayerful greetings” on the occasion of her installation.

The pope emphasized the responsibility of the office, noting that it is a mission “with responsibilities not only in the Diocese of Canterbury but throughout the Church of England as well as the Anglican Communion as a whole,” especially at “a challenging moment in the history of the Anglican family.”

“In asking the Lord to strengthen you with the gift of wisdom, I pray that you may be guided by the Holy Spirit in serving your communities and draw inspiration from the example of Mary, the mother of God,” he wrote.

A call to unity and dialogue

In his message, Pope Leo recalled the progress of ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and Anglicans since the historic meeting between St. Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey in 1966, which began “a new stage in the development of fraternal relations, based on Christian charity.”

He praised the fruits of the theological dialogue promoted by the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), which has made it possible to “to witness together more effectively” in the face of current challenges.

He also acknowledged the difficulties along the ecumenical journey, quoting his and Mullally’s immediate predecessors, Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby, who wrote in a 2016 Joint Declaration that “new circumstances have presented new disagreements among us.”

Leo insisted on the need to continue moving forward: “We need to continue to dialogue in truth and love, for it is only in truth and love that we come to know together the grace, mercy, and peace of God.”

Unity in service of proclaiming the Gospel

The pope emphasized that the unity of Christians is not an end in itself but is oriented toward the mission of evangelization: “The unity which Christians seek is never an end in itself but is directed towards the proclamation of Christ, in order that … ‘the world may believe.’”

In this context, he recalled the words of Pope Francis, who warned that “it would be a scandal if, due to our divisions, we did not fulfill our common vocation to make Christ known.”

A historic and controversial election

Mullally’s election has had significant repercussions within Anglicanism. The Global Anglican Future Conference announced after her appointment that it was breaking with Canterbury and the Church of England, and stated it would not participate in meetings convened by the new archbishop nor contribute financially to Anglican bodies.

The churches belonging to GAFCON represent about 80% of Anglicans worldwide, reflecting the magnitude of the division opened by this historic appointment.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It was translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said on Thursday that the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran does not meet the Catholic Church’s criteria for a just war.

“No, it does not seem to meet the conditions,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an academic conference at the Vatican Apostolic Library.

When asked by EWTN News about the decision of the United States to attack Iran, Parolin referred to recent remarks by Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington, D.C.

In an interview with his archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Standard, McElroy said the intervention in Iran failed to meet several conditions required by the Church’s teaching on just war, including that the benefits of this war will not “outweigh the harm which will be done.”

“He explained this point very well,” Parolin said, referring to McElroy’s statement.

Parolin’s comments follow those of Pope Leo XIV in a statement given to journalists on Tuesday at Castel Gandolfo, the papal villa south of Rome, when he renewed his call for an unconditional ceasefire, saying that “death and pain caused by these wars is a scandal for the entire human family.”

Parolin was also asked about a letter he sent on behalf of the pope on Wednesday to the bishops of France, in which Leo encouraged them to be more inclusive of communities attached to the Traditional Latin Mass, which the pope said had become a divisive issue in the Church.

The debate over the Traditional Latin Mass has taken on fresh urgency in France in part because of the Society of St. Pius X, founded by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and known for celebrating only the traditional liturgy. The SSPX said in February that it plans to consecrate bishops on July 1 without a pontifical mandate, a step canon law says carries automatic excommunication for both the consecrating bishop and the one ordained.

“The liturgy must not become a source of conflict and division among us,” Parolin said, without pointing to any specific solutions. “It will be necessary to find the formula that can meet legitimate needs. But I believe that, well, this can happen without turning the liturgy into a battlefield.”

Pope Leo XIV has called for renewed unity in the Church’s liturgical life, urging French bishops to seek “concrete solutions” to include Catholics attached to the Traditional Latin Mass while preserving communion.

In a message sent through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, to the French bishops’ spring plenary assembly in Lourdes (March 24–26), the pope expressed concern over divisions surrounding the liturgy, describing them as “a painful wound” within the Church.

“It is troubling that a painful wound continues to open in the Church concerning the celebration of the Mass, the very sacrament of unity,” the message stated.

The pope emphasized the need for a renewed spirit of charity and understanding among Catholics of differing liturgical sensibilities.

“A new outlook of each toward the other, with greater understanding of their sensitivities, is certainly necessary,” he wrote, “an outlook that would allow brothers and sisters, enriched by their diversity, to welcome one another in charity and in the unity of the faith.”

Addressing the growth of communities attached to the “Vetus Ordo,” Leo XIV encouraged bishops to discern practical ways forward.

“May the Holy Spirit inspire you with concrete solutions that allow for the generous inclusion of those sincerely attached to the ‘Vetus Ordo,’ in respect for the directions desired by the Second Vatican Council in matters of liturgy,” the message said.

Benedict XVI in 2007 broadly liberalized celebration of the preconciliar liturgy in Summorum Pontificum, allowing wider use of the Traditional Latin Mass, but Pope Francis in 2021 sharply restricted that permission in Traditionis Custodes, returning tighter control to diocesan bishops.

The debate has taken on fresh urgency in France in part because of the Society of St. Pius X, founded by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and known for celebrating only the traditional liturgy. The SSPX said in February that it plans to consecrate bishops on July 1 without a pontifical mandate, a step canon law says carries automatic excommunication for both the consecrating bishop and the one ordained.

Beyond liturgical concerns, the pope also addressed the ongoing abuse crisis, urging perseverance in prevention efforts and continued care for victims.

“It is appropriate to persevere over the long term in the prevention measures that have been undertaken,” he wrote, while also calling for the Church to show “attention to victims and the mercy of God toward all,” including offending priests, who should not be excluded from pastoral reflection.

After “years of painful crises,” the pope added, “the time has come to turn resolutely toward the future” and to offer “a message of encouragement and confidence” to priests in France.

The message also highlighted the importance of Catholic education amid increasing societal pressure on Catholic institutions.

“With respect for the convictions of each and with constant concern to welcome all,” the pope encouraged bishops “to defend with determination the Christian dimension of Catholic education which, without reference to Jesus Christ, would lose its reason for being.”

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

The Vatican has called for a global ethical framework governing the use of animal organs in human transplants, warning that rapid advances in the field demand coordinated international oversight.

The Pontifical Academy for Life presented a new document examining the ethical challenges posed by xenotransplantation — the transplantation of animal organs into humans — an area that until recently was considered close to science fiction.

“It is an important contribution that the Church offers not only to believers but also to the scientific and ethical community, to see how to continue research, with protocols approved for human beings in this field,” said Msgr. Renzo Pegoraro, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, at a Vatican press conference introducing the volume “The Prospects for Xenotransplantation — Scientific Aspects and Ethical Considerations.”

The text, published in English in November and presented March 24, includes contributions from leading experts, including Harvard Medical School professor Jay A. Fishman, who has studied infectious risks linked to genetically modified pigs used for organ donation for three decades.

The 90-page document — the result of collaboration among scientists, clinicians, legal experts, theologians, and bioethicists — is intended as a “useful point of reference” for decision-makers at international, national, and local levels, Pegoraro said.

It updates a previous Vatican publication on the topic from 2001 and acknowledges that while some countries have already developed regulations, existing frameworks remain fragmented. The Vatican stresses the “importance” of achieving “substantial convergence of international legislation as soon as possible.”

Xenotransplantation has emerged in response to a global shortage of human organs. In the United States alone, between 13 and 17 people die each day while waiting for a transplant, and more than 100,000 patients remain on waiting lists — about 80% of them in need of a kidney.

“This is one of the possible solutions to alleviate the organ shortage we have, not only in the United States but globally,” said Dr. Daniel J. Hurst of Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, another contributor to the volume.

The document affirms that Catholics may morally accept animal organ transplants for medical treatment. “Catholic theology does not present obstacles, for religious or ritual reasons, to the use of any animal as a source of organs, tissues, or cells for transplantation into human beings,” it states.

However, it emphasizes that the use of animals is justified only when necessary to achieve a “significant benefit for human beings.”

Researchers involved in the project stressed the need to avoid unnecessary animal suffering and to establish clear ethical limits. Monica Consolandi, who coordinated the publication, said such procedures must be governed by strict criteria, ensuring “reasonable use, only out of necessity,” while avoiding “unnecessary suffering for the animal world.”

She also highlighted environmental concerns, warning that the use of genetically modified animals must not harm biodiversity and requires “a specific effort to preserve it.”

Beyond biological and environmental issues, the document addresses the psychological and spiritual impact on patients. Recipients of animal organs may experience emotional or identity-related challenges, Consolandi noted, making psychological support and comprehensive informed consent essential.

“We know that the human being is not determined by matter,” she said, adding that such procedures should not affect a person’s fundamental identity. Still, she stressed the importance of accompanying patients throughout the process, including after the transplant.

The document also notes that while the Catholic Church has articulated its position, other religious traditions — particularly Judaism and Islam — have yet to issue definitive guidance, though some openness has been observed in past discussions.

Experts involved in the project said a broader international consensus will be increasingly urgent as the technique moves closer to routine clinical use.

The Vatican also raised concerns about public health risks, particularly the potential transmission of diseases between species — known as xenozoonosis. “We must ask how to adequately protect both the patient and the public from this known but difficult-to-quantify risk,” Hurst said.

The document underscores that informed consent is “a cornerstone of ethics” in both research and clinical practice, requiring transparency not only about known risks and benefits but also about unknown factors.

Finally, the Vatican frames the issue within a broader moral vision of human responsibility toward creation. While humans are entrusted with stewardship over the natural world, Hurst said, “that does not mean we can do whatever we want with the earth, with resources, or with animal life.”

Instead, he added, such stewardship calls for responsible care — a central principle guiding the Vatican’s approach to emerging biomedical technologies.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Anthony Randazzo of Broken Bay, Australia, as prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, granting him the personal title of archbishop, the Vatican announced Wednesday.

With the appointment, Randazzo will become the first Australian to head a dicastery of the Roman Curia since Cardinal George Pell, who served as prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy until his retirement in 2019.

Randazzo, 59, was born in Sydney on Oct. 7, 1966, to parents originally from the island of Lipari in Italy. He was ordained a priest in 1991 after studies in Brisbane and later earned a degree in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He has held a number of roles in Australia and at the Vatican, including service as an official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2004 to 2008. He later served as rector of Holy Spirit Seminary in Brisbane and as auxiliary bishop of Sydney before being appointed bishop of Broken Bay in 2019.

Randazzo has also been a member of the permanent committee of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and chaired its canonical affairs panel.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, welcomed the appointment, saying Randazzo’s “formation and long experience in canon law have been a precious gift to the Church.”

“His expertise and leadership in canonical matters have been invaluable to the work of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference,” Costelloe added.

In another appointment, Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, was named titular bishop of Gabi and granted the personal title of archbishop.

The pope also named Major Archbishop Claudiu-Lucian Pop of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia of the Romanians as a member of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches. Pop, born in 1972 in Pişcolt, Romania, has served in various pastoral and academic roles, including studies in Rome and leadership positions within the Romanian Greek Catholic Church.

Additionally, the Vatican announced new members of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology: Alfonsina Russo, a senior official in Italy’s Ministry of Culture, and professors Lucrezia Spera and Francesca Romana Stasolla, both specialists in Christian and medieval archaeology at Roman universities.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday said priestly ministry in the Catholic Church, entrusted only to men, is understood in light of apostolic succession and called for priests who are “ardent with evangelical charity” and “courageous missionaries.”

During his March 25 catechesis dedicated to the dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium, from the Second Vatican Council, Leo explained that the Church “is founded on the apostles, whom Christ appointed as the living pillars of his mystical body.”

Speaking in St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff emphasized that the Church possesses a “hierarchical structure that works in the service of the unity, mission, and sanctification of all her members,” and that it is not merely an organizational structure but an institution of divine origin.

The pope recalled that the apostles, as authoritative witnesses of the Resurrection, received from Christ the mission to teach, sanctify, and guide, and that this ministry “is handed on to men who, until Christ’s return, continue to sanctify, guide, and instruct the Church ‘through their successors in pastoral office.’”

This transmission, he explained, forms the basis of apostolic succession and of the sacrament of holy orders, which is structured in three degrees: the episcopate, the presbyterate, and the diaconate.

The pope quoted from chapter 3 of Lumen Gentium, which is about the hierarchical structure of the Church, and states that this structure “is not a human construct, functional to the internal organization of the Church as a social body,” but a divine institution through which Christ’s mission continues throughout history.

The essential difference of the ministerial priesthood

In his address, the pontiff highlighted that Vatican II teaches that the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood “differs ‘in essence and not only in degree’ from the common priesthood of the faithful,” while making clear that the latter are “nonetheless interrelated: Each of them in its own special way is a participation in the one priesthood of Christ.”

Thus, the ordained ministry is conferred on men who receive “sacra potestas,” or sacred power, for service in the Church, in continuity with the apostolic mission originally entrusted to the Twelve Apostles.

This link with the apostles — chosen by Christ from among men — constitutes the theological foundation explaining why the Church considers the ministerial priesthood to be reserved to men, in fidelity to tradition and to the mandate received from Christ.

A service born from charity

Leo insisted that this hierarchical structure must always be understood as service. Quoting the Second Vatican Council, he recalled that the duty entrusted to pastors “is a true service, which in sacred literature is significantly called ‘diakonia’ or ministry.”

He also recalled the words of St. Paul VI, who described the hierarchy as a reality “born of the charity of Christ, to fulfill, spread, and ensure the intact and fruitful transmission of the wealth of faith, examples, precepts, and charisms bequeathed by Christ to his Church.”

Call for new priests

In the final part of his catechesis, the pope invited Catholics to pray for priestly vocations.

“Let us pray to the Lord that he may send to his Church ministers who are ardent with evangelical charity, dedicated to the good of all the baptized, and courageous missionaries in every part of the world,” he said.

Spiritual adoption of unborn children

In his remarks to Polish pilgrims at the general audience, the pope praised an initiative in defense of human life, especially in an international context marked by conflicts and wars.

On March 25, Poland celebrates the “Day for the Sanctity of Life,” which was instituted in response to St. John Paul II’s call to promote respect for human life in the encyclical Evangelium Vitae.

“We really need initiatives like the spiritual adoption of an unborn child, which is being launched today. In a time marked by the madness of war, it is important to defend life from conception to its natural end,” Leo said.

Catholics in Poland are encouraging people to commit to pray for an unborn child in danger of abortion for nine months, from the March 25 solemnity of the Annunciation to Dec. 25.

This story was first published in two parts by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Dani Dayan, chairman of Yad Vashem, said that remembering and honoring the Holocaust is essential to combating rising antisemitism worldwide.

Dayan, who met with Pope Leo XIV on March 23 together with Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See, Yaron Sideman, said their conversation focused on “two issues: the historical remembrance, the need to remember, to know about the Holocaust — but not just for the sake of history, also for the sake of the present and the sake of the future.”

We have to make sure that an “atrocity like this cannot happen again — not to the Jewish people, not to any other people,” he said.

He added that antisemitism is “raising its ugly head again all over the world” and that the two issues are closely linked.

“I think that knowing about the Holocaust, learning about the Holocaust, remembering, honoring the Holocaust is one of the tools to combat antisemitism,” Dayan said.

‘Antisemitism is bigotry’

Asked whether Israeli policy risks fueling antisemitism, Dayan rejected the premise.

“I think antisemitism should not have palliative reasons. Antisemitism is bigotry, antisemitism is racism, and it’s completely independent of anything that Israel does or does not,” he said.

He described antisemitism as a unifying force among otherwise opposed extremist groups.

“In many sectors in the world, antisemitism has become the common denominator, the lingua franca of all the extremists in the world — left-wing extremists, right-wing extremists, religious extremists, Islamist extremists, and many others,” he said.

“They hate each other on any other issue… [but] they don’t only agree, they even collaborate.”

“Antisemitism should not be understood. It should be combated without any reservation,” he added, noting he found “full agreement” with Pope Leo XIV on the point.

Memory, politics, and responsibility

Dayan emphasized the distinction between Holocaust remembrance and contemporary political debates.

“The policy and Holocaust remembrance are two completely different things,” he said, while noting that the Holocaust remains “omnipresent in the back of our minds” for many Jews and continues to shape collective identity.

He said the obligation to remember the Holocaust is “threefold”: for the future, to build a world free of bigotry and genocide; for the present, amid resurging antisemitism; and as a moral duty to the victims.

“Six million victims that were massacred by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during the Shoah deserve to be remembered,” he said. “It’s a debt that we have to maintain.”

A shared history and a future visit?

Reflecting on relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people, Dayan pointed to the significance of papal visits to Yad Vashem.

He presented Pope Leo XIV with a painting by Jewish artist Carol Deutsch, created during the Shoah, depicting the biblical question “Adam, where are you?”

He linked the image to Pope Francis’ address at Yad Vashem, in which the late pope asked: “Where was humanity?”

Dayan expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV would visit Yad Vashem in the future, “when circumstances allow it.”

‘Peace is an imperative’

Asked about the role of believers in promoting peace, Dayan said the memory of the Holocaust underscores the urgency of that mission.

“To yearn for it and to act for it,” he said. “Learning about the Holocaust… is one of the greatest motivations a person can have to understand that peace is an imperative.”

He acknowledged that he once believed the devastation of World War II and the Holocaust would end war and antisemitism.

“Unfortunately… I was very naive in that respect. We have to work harder, all of us, in order to make that a reality in the future,” he said.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Representatives of the International Association of Exorcists (AIE) have asked Pope Leo XIV to ensure that every Catholic diocese worldwide has “one or more” trained exorcists, citing what they describe as a rise in cases linked to occult practices and spiritual distress.

The request was made during a private audience March 13 at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, where the pope met with Bishop Karel Orlita and Father Francesco Bamonte, president and vice president of the association. The meeting focused on what the group described as “unprecedented challenges” facing the ministry of exorcism.

During the half-hour meeting, the AIE presented the pope with a detailed report warning of a “painful and increasingly widespread situation of people seriously affected by the extraordinary action of the devil as a result of their involvement in occult sects,” according to a statement released after the meeting.

The group’s primary proposal was structural and educational. Given the “great suffering caused by the extraordinary action of the devil,” it emphasized “the need for each diocese in the world to have one or more priest exorcists” who are properly trained.

To that end, the AIE called for expanded formation at multiple levels of Church life: instruction in seminaries on the “real existence and nature of the demonic world” in light of the Gospel; a brief course in exorcism ministry for newly appointed bishops so they can oversee it in their dioceses; and mandatory prior training for priests designated as exorcists, in line with the Church’s official ritual.

In comments to ACI Prensa, Bamonte warned that ignoring the extraordinary action of the devil risks “leaving the faithful without defense against serious spiritual attacks,” potentially prolonging suffering or leading people to seek inappropriate solutions.

“The spread of occultism in its various forms, and of Satanism, unfortunately opens doors and windows to the extraordinary action of the devil in today’s world,” he said. “This can cause grave suffering in those who imprudently turn to these practices, through possible cases of possession, vexation, obsession, or diabolical infestation.”

Bamonte said it is “reasonable” to believe such cases are increasing, pointing to the rise of esoteric and magical practices in recent decades.

According to the group, this trend is also linked to a broader “turning away from God, the increase of sin, and the spread of esotericism and occultism.”

The presence of authorized exorcists, Bamonte said, allows the Church to “continue Christ’s mandate to cast out demons” and to assist those suffering from what it describes as extraordinary demonic influence.

“The Church, as the family of God, has the task of caring for its members in all their needs, even the most extreme at the spiritual level; the priest exorcist is a pastor who offers this help,” he said.

He added that the absence of exorcists in a diocese constitutes “a harm” to the faithful, depriving them of specific sacramental assistance and weakening the Church’s ability to function as a true “family of God.”

For that reason, he stressed the importance of preparing clergy to address such cases. “The future priest must be prepared to face the real pastoral situations he will encounter in his ministry, including the growing number of faithful who request the intervention of exorcists,” he said.

This formation, he added, should include criteria to discern when the intervention of an exorcist is necessary and should begin during seminary training.

One of the AIE’s recent initiatives has been the publication of “Guidelines for the Ministry of Exorcism,” a document reviewed by several Vatican dicasteries that offers doctrinal and practical guidance. The text was presented to the pope during the audience, along with an image of St. Michael the Archangel from the sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo.

During the meeting, Pope Leo XIV also told those present that he had known and appreciated Father Gabriele Amorth, the priest who founded the International Association of Exorcists in 1994.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Pope Leo XIV warned that children must not come to see artificial intelligence chatbots as substitutes for real friendship, cautioning that such reliance could harm their intellectual and emotional development.

“We must not allow children to end up believing they can find in artificial intelligence chatbots their best friends or the oracle of all knowledge, dulling their intelligence and their capacity for relationships, and numbing their creativity and thinking,” the pope said.

Leo made the remarks in a message published Sunday in Popotus, the weekly supplement of the Italian newspaper Avvenire dedicated to children, marking its 30th anniversary.

In that context, he urged adults to “safeguard” childhood and guide “the growth of children so that they may become protagonists of a renewed world.”

The pope has consistently highlighted artificial intelligence as a central concern of his pontificate, framing it as an ethical challenge comparable to the industrial revolution addressed by Pope Leo XIII.

On May 10, 2025, in an address to cardinals in the New Synod Hall, he stressed the need to “respond to another industrial revolution — the digital one — and to developments in artificial intelligence, which pose new challenges in defending human dignity, justice, and work.”

In recognition of his engagement on the issue, Time magazine included him on Aug. 29 in its list of the 100 most influential people in the field of artificial intelligence, following several notable interventions on the topic in the early months of his pontificate.

In his message to Popotus readers, Leo encouraged children to rediscover the beauty of the world.

“I want to tell you that restoring the world’s beauty is possible and that you can help adults to see it — precisely through this newspaper designed for you — with renewed wonder, to think about it with trust, and to build it without prejudice,” he said.

He also emphasized fundamental values to be preserved in childhood: “Trust in those who love you, the universal language of love, the disarming power of a smile, the courage to ask forgiveness, the beauty of making peace.”

The Holy Father expressed “great concern” over wars threatening humanity’s future and underscored the need to recover a pure way of seeing reality.

Quoting Jesus’ words — “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” — the pope explained that becoming like children does not mean going backward but rather “safeguarding a key to seeing what is essential in everything, to finding surprising answers even to the most difficult questions.”

“Perhaps only by looking into the lost eyes of children in the face of the barbarity of war can we be converted. We must learn again to look into one another’s eyes and to see the world with pure eyes,” he added.

Addressing parents and educators, Leo thanked them for “the care and love with which they educate children,” helping them “to draw out the beauty within them and to express it in ever new ways.”

“Today especially, in the digital age and the age of artificial intelligence, we all need ongoing education. And to remain human, we must preserve a childlike way of looking at reality,” he concluded.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

On March 23, thousands of athletes raced through the streets of Rome in the annual Rome Marathon. One of them, wearing the white habit of a Dominican friar under his jersey, was the Franco-Algerian Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, OP — the first cardinal to participate in the 44-year history of the event.

“Since I was a child, I have been running,” Vesco told EWTN News. “I love running and I have already run several marathons, like the New York Marathon 37 years ago.”

In a homily during Mass for participants of the Rome Marathon on March 21, the cardinal said competition teaches about the fragility of the human body and how this can be a “school of prayer” and of life.

“At some point in the race, our strength will fail, and we will have to take a leap of faith, going beyond our own strength. This is difficult. But it is precisely at this point that we can search deeper within ourselves for meaning, and perhaps it will be a moment of prayer,” he said.

The cardinal’s personal hero: A Muslim fellow runner

The cardinal completed the Rome Marathon with his longtime friend, Khaled Boudaoui. An Algerian Muslim, Boudaoui competed in the Rome Marathon last year and was awarded the trophy “La Coppa degli Ultimi” by the Vatican to recognize those who were “witnesses to hope” during the race.

Khaled was recently diagnosed with a tumor and began chemotherapy only 25 days before competing this year in Rome. Vesco praised his friend, saying his courage inspired him to run another public marathon.

“Khaled is my hero. He is sick, and we wanted to race and cross the finish line hand in hand. A marathon is beautiful because it’s a bit like life. In a marathon, we don’t run against each other but with each other — a race of brotherhood,” he said.

Khaled added in turn: “It was very difficult for me to run after starting chemotherapy. But I ran today thanks to my friend, Jean-Paul. I ran to show others, who may be going through similar illnesses, that they too can run. We ran to build bridges.”

A Catholic presence at the marathon inspired by Pope Francis

Vesco’s participation in the marathon was a highlight for Catholics already competing in the race. The Vatican’s sports team, Atletica Vaticana, has competed in the marathon since 2019, having been encouraged by Pope Francis. Giampaolo Mattei, president of Atletica Vaticana, described Francis’ impact on their mission of sports and service to others.

“We were inspired by Pope Francis’ example of inclusion,” Mattei said to EWTN News, recalling that the late pope asked them to include migrants in their team. “In our sports team, we are not looking for just Catholics. We look for core values — being together, community, and attention to the disabled and the poor.”

“La Coppa degli Ultimi” (“the Cup of the Last”) is one of several spiritual initiatives promoted by Atletica Vaticana. Another initiative was a prayer box for the participants, into which runners of all faiths were invited to place written prayer intentions before competing.

Valentina Giacometti, vice president of Atletica Vaticana, explained the initiative: “On the day before the race, we invited all runners to submit prayer intentions. Each card began with the phrase ‘I ran for,’ and we offered all of these intentions to the Lord during the Mass with Cardinal Vesco.”

Another noteworthy initiative of Atletica Vaticana is its service to Rome’s poor. After the race, the members of Atletica Vaticana and other volunteers go to Rome’s central train station, Roma Termini, to serve food to the homeless. Sister Marié-Theo Puybareau Manaud, who competed in the race, described it as a way of expressing universal fraternity as taught by Pope Francis.

“Service to the poor might seem disconnected to the idea of running. But I believe that connection is precisely that of universal brotherhood — ‘fratelli tutti,’” she said, alluding to the 2020 encyclical by Pope Francis. “In this race, we are not competitors but brothers. Sport and service together make up a movement of life, especially alongside the poorest, for whom we can offer hope.”

On the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Leo XIV met last week with some of his eighth grade classmates from St. Mary of the Assumption lower school in south Chicago, where he grew up.

Of the 82 eighth graders with whom he attended St. Mary’s in 1969, 10 greeted him after the general audience on March 18, exchanging laughs, gifts, and warm handshakes.

During the meeting, his former classmates gave him a photograph of the class of 1969, which he held up as he posed for another group shot more than 50 years later.

Jerome Clemens pointed out the young Robert Prevost standing among his classmates to the L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper: “Here he is, our friend, the pope,” showing the back of the photo with Prevost’s old autograph and his new one, which he signed, “Leo XIV.”

Another former classmate, Sherry Stone (née Blue), dropped a sign she held that read “God bless you Pope Leo” when the pope approached her.

“Sorry! I’m nervous!” she said, laughing, as he shook her hand.

Instagram post

Last spring, Stone told the Lansing Journal: “When he was in the conclave, I thought, ‘Could it be him? Could Bob be the new pope? No, probably not.’ When I saw that it was him, I was just amazed. I was crying tears of joy.”

“He was a super nice guy, but not nerdy,” she said.

After finishing eighth grade at St. Mary’s, Prevost attended boarding school at St. Augustine Seminary High School in Michigan, graduating in 1973. He then attended another Augustinian school, Villanova University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1977 before entering the Augustinian novitiate that September.

He was ordained a priest in 1982, earning a master of divinity degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago that same year. He earned a licentiate in canon law (JCL) in 1984 and completed a doctorate in canon law (JCD) in 1987, both from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

St. Mary’s church and school on Chicago’s ‘most endangered list’

St. Mary of the Assumption Church and School, where a young Prevost served as an altar boy and his mother, Mildred Prevost, worked as a librarian, was at the center of a vibrant Catholic community in the Riverdale neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side in the 1960s.

The property, which has been vacant since 2011 and is now privately owned, is located just a few blocks from the pope’s childhood home in Dolton, Illinois, but within Chicago city limits.

The neighborhood has seen significant decline since the pope’s childhood. Ward Miller of Preservation Chicago told EWTN News that St. Mary’s, which has a hole in the roof of the church building, broken windows, graffiti, and many other issues, was listed on Preservation Chicago’s 2026 “7 Most Endangered List" as of March 4.

Broken windows and graffiti on St. Mary of the Assumption School, where Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, attended eighth grade in 1969. | Credit: Matthew Kaplan

“We at Preservation Chicago are of the opinion that the church and school buildings of St. Mary’s are in need of immediate attention in order to secure temporary repairs, with a long-term goal of a full restoration of the campus of buildings, before everything is lost to deterioration,” Miller said.

The property’s current owner, Joel Hall, said last year he is open to a landmark designation by the city, according to Miller.

Preservation Chicago, a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to preserving historic sites in Chicago and encouraging landmark designations in the city, presented its case to designate it as such at a meeting in May 2025 of the Commission of Chicago Landmarks.

No decision has been made yet regarding the landmark designation, but Preservation Chicago has created an online petition to the city of Chicago to “Save the Pope’s Church!”

“This complex should become a visitors site, an oratory or shrine, as this is our first American pope — a world leader, and from Chicago!” Miller told EWTN News.

The interior of the dilapidated St. Mary of the Assumption Church, showing water damage to the floor and graffiti behind where the altar once stood. Pope Leo XIV served as an altar boy there during his childhood. | Credit: Ward Miller/Preservation Chicago

“We would very much like to see a partnership form to save these buildings and tell the story of this world leader,” reads an article on Preservation Chicago’s website. “An initial step in this process would be to consider a Chicago landmark designation of the buildings of this campus, with a plan to methodically restore and repurpose each of the buildings.”

Close-up of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Riverdale, Chicago, Pope Leo XIV’s childhood parish, which was recently added to Preservation Chicagoʼs “7 Most Endangered” list of historic structures in the city. | Credit: Cristen Brown

Miller told EWTN News he would like to see the property “prepared [in time] for the pope’s return visits to Chicago!”

The pope does not yet have plans to visit the United States.