CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News

Pope Leo recalls victims of Stalinism, Nazism; pays tribute to Blessed Władysław Findysz (CWN)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 06:08:07 GMT

At the conclusion of his August 19 general audience, Pope Leo XIV recalled the victims of Stalinism and Nazism, paid tribute to Blessed Władysław Findysz (1907-1964), and spoke about the importance of forgiveness and overcoming evil with good.

Pope encourages faithful to cultivate a commitment to peace (CWN)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 06:08:12 GMT

Pope Leo XIV encouraged the faithful to cultivate a commitment to peace.

Citing recurrent depression, German bishop resigns at 66 (CWN)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 06:08:59 GMT

Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann from the governance of the Diocese of Speyer, Germany.

Pope prays for Polish pilgrims killed in bus accident (Vatican News)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:08:03 GMT

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, sent a telegram of condolence in Pope Leo’s name following a bus accident in Hungary that killed 12 Polish pilgrims returning from Medjugorje.

“Pope Leo XIV learned with deep sorrow of the tragic traffic accident,” Cardinal Parolin wrote in his telegram to the bishops of the dioceses from which the pilgrims came. “Returning from their pilgrimage of faith, [they] have concluded their earthly pilgrimage.”

Brazilian bishops issue report on violence against indigenous peoples (CWN)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 08:08:13 GMT

The Brazilian bishops’ Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI) released a 254-page report on violence committed against indigenous peoples in the South American nation in 2025.

Baptisms in Ireland fall 30% over 10 years (Iona Institute)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 08:08:35 GMT

The number of baptisms in Ireland fell by 29.9% between 2015 and 2025. The number of births fell by 18.8% over the ten-year period.

The decline in the number of baptisms was steepest in the Diocese of Meath (-40.8%) and the Archdiocese of Dublin (-39.9%), according to a report from the Iona Institute. The number of baptisms rose in one diocese: the Diocese of Elphin (+0.9%).

Pope, in audience on Vatican II, reflects on sacred music (CWN)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:08:35 GMT

Continuing his series of Wednesday general audiences on the Second Vatican Council and its documents, Pope Leo XIV today reflected on sacred music.

Pope mourns victims of Zimbabwe ferry accident (Vatican Press Office)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 07:08:00 GMT

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, wrote a telegram in the Holy Father’s name following a ferry accident in Zimbabwe that left over 90 people dead.

Cardinal Parolin said that Pope Leo was “deeply saddened” to learn of the accident and that “entrusting the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, he sends heartfelt condolences to those who mourn their loss.”

The Pope also prayed for civil authorities and military personnel, Cardinal Parolin wrote in his August 18 telegram.

USCCB announces initiative against abortion pills (USCCB)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:08:56 GMT

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced an initiative of prayer and action against abortion pills. The initiative concludes on October 31, at the end of Respect Life Month.

In late July, the bishops’ conference posted information about the initiative on its website.

Australian state's inquiry raps Catholic schools over 'bullying and discrimination faced by LGBTIQA+ students' (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:08:35 GMT

A parliamentary inquiry in the Australian state of Tasmania issued a 225-page report on discrimination and bullying in Tasmanian schools.

Brian Mitchell, the member of parliament who chaired the committee, highlighted “the bullying and discrimination faced by LGBTIQA+ students in Tasmania’s Catholic schools.”

“We owe it to every young Tasmanian to provide schools that are both temples of learning and sanctuaries, where they feel nurtured, heard, safe, and secure, not dread, fear, and anxiety,” Mitchell said.

Cardinal Parolin recalls St. Agatha, prays for persecuted Christians (Vatican News)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 08:08:40 GMT

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, paid tribute to St. Agatha during an August 17 Mass marking the 900th anniversary of the return of her relics to Catania.

“Celebrating this anniversary, means recognizing that the Lord has been faithful to his Church throughout the centuries, sustaining her in times of trial, purifying her in difficulties, and continually making her flourish anew through the witness of the saints,” Cardinal Parolin preached, adding:

Let us therefore remember and pray at this moment for all these brothers and sisters of ours scattered throughout the various parts of the world who suffer persecution for the name of the Lord and for his Gospel. But let us not forget that there is also, so to speak, a bloodless martyrdom to which we too are called.

Cardinal Parolin also paid tribute to St. Agatha during a prayer vigil the previous evening.

St. Bernadette's relics to tour the United States (EWTN News)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:08:26 GMT

The relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879), to whom Our Lady appeared in Lourdes, will tour the United States in 2026-27.

The tour will begin on September 18 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

Cologne cardinal says defining synodality a 'major challenge' for Church (Catholic Herald)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:08:30 GMT

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, Germany, said in an interview that “a major challenge lies in defining for the universal Church what synodality is.”

“There will be no ‘German special path,’” he continued. “Now we are waiting to see where the Holy Father and his collaborators will make the corrections that I believe are necessary.”

Cardinal Woelki praised the work of Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, whose priests celebrate the sacraments in the extraordinary form, and said “we need a healthy mix of traditions that can grow together.” He added, “I see myself as firmly rooted in the tradition and teaching of the Second Vatican Council. The liturgical reform was one of the essential reforms there—we shouldn’t forget that.”

American CEO, 2 Notre Dame professors named consultors to Vatican dicastery (Vatican Press Office)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 08:08:05 GMT

Pope Leo XIV named 12 new consultors to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, including two professors at the University of Notre Dame and the CEO of a California asset management company.

Father Emmanuel Katongole, a Ugandan priest, is professor of theology and peace studies at the university; Clemens Sedmak is professor of social ethics and director of the Nanovic Institute for European Studies. Katie Koch, the president and CEO of TCW, also has connections to the Indiana university: she is an alumna and member of the board of trustees.

Vatican vegetable garden goes 100% organic (Vatican City State)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 08:08:30 GMT

The Vatican City State announced that the vegetable garden adjacent to Mater Ecclesiae Monastery is now 100% organic.

In 1994, Pope St. John Paul II established the monastery for contemplative nuns within the Vatican City State; the monastery became Pope Benedict XVI’s residence after his resignation. In 2023, it again became a monastery for contemplative nuns.

The Blessed Virgin Mary's Assumption points us to true beauty, Pope Leo preaches (CWN)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 09:08:23 GMT

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo this morning (video) and preached that the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption points the way to true beauty.

Vatican spokesman denounces new Massachusetts abortion law (Vatican News)

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 07:08:44 GMT

In a rare reaction to a law enacted by a state, province, or similar unit, a Vatican spokesman denounced the new Massachusetts law that removes restrictions on abortion after the 24th week of pregnancy.

Massimiliano Menichetti, deputy director of the Editorial Directorate of the Dicastery for Communication, and head of Vatican Radio – Vatican News, contrasted the law with actions taken in Colombia in the wake of the earthquake there.

“There are images and stories that go viral, that underscore truth, beauty, communion, that give hope, such as the sequence filmed in Colombia, showing a mother under the rubble protecting her newborn son with her own body after the collapse, due to the 7.4-magnitude earthquake, of a five-story building,” Menichetti wrote in an August 13 editorial. “The image captures, in all its drama, an entire fraternal, supportive society, intent on saving, taking care of, taking responsibility for the other.”

“About 4,300 kilometers away, in Massachusetts in the United States, the scene is completely different: it is that of the signing of an act,” he continued. “And the life of a child, in this case in the mother’s womb, is no longer seen in the same way; something else prevails.”

Menichetti added:

Around the world, step by step, in the silence of political correctness or in the din of ideological confrontation and opposition, winds of death against man are spreading ...

Abortion, then, becomes confirmation or distortion of what is right and what is wrong, of what is against life and what is in favor of it. The distortion lies in wanting to hide suffering, difficulty, and pain, instead of wanting to embrace those who find themselves in extreme situations and cannot find a way out.

It is here that humanity is measured: a humanity that does not kill, but loves and takes responsibility; that is willing to move through the rubble in order to save a life and to rejoice fully when this happens.

Australian bishop found guilty of sexually abusing young men (CWN)

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 08:08:07 GMT

A retired Australian bishop was convicted today of sexually abusing two young men.