VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christian archaeology seeks to see, hear and touch the Word made flesh, Pope Leo XIV said, inviting the world's bishops and others to encourage young people, lay people and priests to study archaeology.Ancient relics, catacombs, artifacts and ruins from the early Christian communities help the faithful "rediscover the roots of their faith," and they speak "to […]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The secret to living an authentic life is praying to understand what is truly beneficial according to God's plan and letting go of the superfluous, Pope Leo XIV said.In fact, death "can be a great teacher of life. To know that it exists, and above all to reflect on it, teaches us to choose what we […]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Pope Leo XIV reiterated the importance of dialogue and his hopes for a just and lasting peace in the region."In addition, the questions of prisoners of war and the need to assure the return of Ukrainian children to their families were also discussed," the Vatican press office said in a […]

ROME (CNS) — Celebrating the feast of the Immaculate Conception as the Jubilee Year was ending, Pope Leo XIV prayed that "Jubilee hope" would "blossom in Rome and in every corner of the earth," bringing with it reconciliation, nonviolence and peace.Standing near the Spanish Steps in central Rome, at the foot of a towering column topped by a statue of […]

WASHINGTON – In light of recent statements regarding the Somali community in the United States, Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation, called on all people to remember each person’s God-given human dignity.Bishop Garcia’s full statement below: “As Catholics, we believe that every person is beloved by […]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV asked Canadian singer Michael Bublé and other artists to do their very best when performing a Christmas concert for the poor.The annual concert at the Vatican "is not merely a performance by talented artists or simply a musical event, beautiful as it may be, nor even a moment of solidarity to ease our […]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A commission set up by Pope Francis to study women deacons has voted against the possibility of ordaining women deacons while also supporting more study on the issue.It also expressed hope that women's access to other ministries would be expanded.Pope Francis established the "Study Commission on the Female Diaconate" in 2020 as a follow-up to a […]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Visiting two countries over six days on his first foreign papal trip, Pope Leo XIV preached unity, dialogue and respect for differences as the only paths to peace.Spending time with Catholics, other Christian leaders and top Muslim clerics in Turkey Nov. 27-Nov. 30 and Lebanon Nov. 30-Dec. 2, the pope made formal speeches about how believing […]

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM LEBANON (CNS) — At the end of his first foreign trip as pope, a trip focused on dialogue, Pope Leo XIV said the examples of friendship and respect he had seen could be a helpful example for people in North America and Europe, too.For example, the stories of Christians and Muslims helping each other in […]

HARISSA, Lebanon (CNS) — At a shrine topped by a 28-foot-tall statue of Our Lady of Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV listened to stories of unshakable faith amid war, injustice and suffering.The pope began Dec. 1 at the tomb of St. Charbel at the Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya, a place known for its atmosphere of silent prayer, especially in […]