Pier Giorgio Frassati's love for the mountains

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Evangelization

Pier Giorgio Frassati's love for the mountains

Excerpt from "Fascinated by the summits", by Pedro Estaún: the passion of Pier Giorgio Frassati for the mountains, lived as a school of virtues and a way of encountering God.

Pedro Estaún-September 17, 2025-Reading time: 9 minutes

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Last September 7, Pope Leo canonized two young men in Rome: Carlo Acutis, 15, and Pier Giorgio Frassati, 24. In a square filled to overflowing, Leo XIV recalled the virtues of these two young men who can be an example for so many others. I will focus on recalling just one of the aspects of one of them: the love of the mountains in Fassati.

Pier Giorgio was born in 1901 into a wealthy family in Turin. He attended primary school at a Jesuit school and then engineering school. He loved sports. He often cycled the 87 kilometers that separated Turin from Pollone. He was also attracted to the sea. He savored the joy of fighting the water by swimming, rowing or sailing. He practiced horseback riding on Parsifal, a rather difficult horse. But his great passion was the mountains. It was a hobby that - like any good mountaineer - grew on him as time went by.

From a very young age he began to have a passion for the mountains. This passion grew out of his summer stays in Pollone, near Biella, in the province of Vercelli, in the Alps, where he used to hike with his family and friends. In some notes that his mother took in 1909, on returning from the Col du Teodulo, 3,317 meters above Zermatt, which in the guidebooks is listed as a ten-hour hike, we find: "We were climbing towards the White Peaks. The whole landscape was, as almost always at that hour, without shadows, without relief (...). Crossing the Teodulo with Pier Giorgio tied to me by the rope went very smoothly - the boy was often hungry - and also in this I agreed with his mother. We would stop, eat and continue. We stopped for two days at the Schwarzsee. Everyone was interested in the handsome little mountaineer." That fondness for the mountains, which was then dawning on him, he would maintain throughout his life. It was a passion that he would later justify for two reasons. Firstly, because mountaineering offered him a magnificent opportunity to exercise human virtues such as fortitude, companionship,...; and secondly, because the summits revealed to him the magnificence of the Creator.

Pier Giorgio loved sports. Even at a very young age he used to go on bicycle excursions. He often cycled the 87 kilometers from Turin to Pollone. He was also attracted to the sea, especially in his early youth. He savored the joy of fighting the water by swimming, rowing or sailing. He practiced horseback riding on Parsifal, a rather difficult horse with which he often rode to and from Turin to Pollone. But his great passion was the mountains. It was a hobby that - like any good mountaineer - grew on him as time went by.

"Every day I get more excited about the mountain," he wrote to a friend. "It is something that fascinates me. I like more and more to climb the summits, to reach the most daring peaks, to experience that pure joy that only the mountain can give. I would like to give up mountaineering, but how can I give up the fascinating appeal of the snow?".

Shortly afterwards he wrote to another: "I have left my heart on the summits and I hope to find it when I climb Mont Blanc". And even more: "If my studies would allow me, I would like to spend whole days on the mountain and admire, in such a pure atmosphere, the magnificence of the Creator".

It is understandable that he would take every opportunity to climb the Alps that were so close to him. During her university years it was customary for her to use the Christmas vacations to spend a few days in the Little St. Bernard. She would go skiing with a group of friends. They stayed in the guesthouse, using rooms where it was so cold at night that the water in the basins froze; it was one of those places where it is necessary to wrap up extra warm at bedtime.

One morning a friend and I started downhill on skis in the direction of Switzerland. The descent was beautiful, the weather unbeatable: snow in good conditions, favorable wind, signposts... And down they went, down they went. How far? They can't say for sure, but the descent was very long. When they resumed the ascent, the wind that had favored them on the way down was now a serious obstacle: gusts of sleet and whirlwinds whipped in their faces; the track had been erased, the signposts had become invisible. The friend began to pant and begged Pier Giorgio to slow down. After a long time and with considerable effort, they reached the refuge. Pier Giorgio had hardly tired; his companion, however, took a long time to recover.

After supper they had a very pleasant time together: they would sing, recall the day's events or play a game. Late at night they would retire to their rooms, which were large and could accommodate several people. Pier Giorgio would invite his companions to pray the rosary, which, in general, they all accepted, although many followed him from bed. He would pray it on his knees on the hard floor. In the morning he was the first to get up. He would call the others and remind them that the night before they had pledged to accompany him to mass. He usually helped the priest and always received communion.

Another time he went with a friend to the Adolfo Kind refuge and they stopped longer than necessary without realizing that the weather was changing. The place they had to return to was far away. They had to climb a mountain and then descend it on skis. The journey was becoming more and more difficult, especially as they were pressed for time. Suddenly Pier Giorgio realized that he had lost his watch. His companion wanted to stop to look for it, which Pier Giorgio had to oppose energetically, realizing that a delay in these circumstances could be dangerous. Around seven o'clock they reached the summit of Fraiteve. It was dark and the storm was raging. They began the descent together and carefully. At one point Pier Giorgio made a turn to stop and a ski came loose and flew off through the icy snow. Let's take a look at his partner's account:

"Frassati, at that time, was a mountaineer and a man. In my long wanderings in the Alps, I have learned to know the psychology of man at altitude, to judge him and to understand him. I am familiar with the moments of confusion that suddenly affect even the most courageous climbers at altitude, when they are overcome by an incident that can have consequences. Pier Giorgio was aware of the mishap, although I, more practical, would have tried to lessen its seriousness, in order to avoid the dejection that could have had bad consequences for his spirits. He understood this and remained serene at the time; I was perfectly convinced that I was in the presence of a type of mountain race: brave and cool in the face of danger". They descended as best they could through a heavy snowfall with the hostility of the mountain when it becomes an enemy. At last they discovered a light that was their destiny. When days later he told his mother about it, trying to play it down, he told her:

"Look, I've lost a ski. But when the snow melts we'll go look for it and we're sure to find it. I've lost my watch, too. Nothing else?" his mother asked with a wry smile. Immediately Pier Giorgio answered: "But when the snow melts... A plant will be born", his mother replied, increasing her smile. The ski appeared and today it is preserved as a memory of the man who had enjoyed so much on the snow.

But Pier Giorgio's mountaineering activity was above all climbing. He climbed at all times of the year. In the ve-ranos he had climbed many times the Col Mucrone on which there was a large cross. Winds, rain and snow had caused it to fall in the winter of 1920. When the good weather arrived, the parish priest of Pollone, at the suggestion of others in the village, decided to put up a new one, install it properly and rebuild it. Frassati joined the initiative.

During the climb, which took place at night, the priest had a serious fall which, although it did not have serious consequences, meant that he had to continue with the help of others. Pier Giorgio lent himself to help him and also helped to carry up part of what was needed to celebrate mass on the summit.

In November 1924, two companions proposed an excursion to the Bessanesse, 3,622 meters high. On their way from Bal-me to the refuge, they were surprised by the night and were unable to make their way up again. They were forced to stop in a small space, with the prospect of spending the night there. Pier Giorgio himself tells us about it:

"Our intention on leaving was to climb the summit of Bessanesse via the Zsigsmondi route. When we saw the state of the snow, it seemed imprudent and we decided to change our plans and headed for the Albarón de Saboya (3,392 meters). On the way back, the non-night was upon us and we had no choice but to improvise a bivouac at an altitude of 2,500 meters. We were lucky and found a rock, on which hung a very thick layer of snow on a slope, as a roof; we dug under it a shelter of 2.50 meters long, by 0.50 wide and no more than 0.40 high, which was very well ventilated. Once the space was prepared, we had something to eat and we had to spend the whole night devising entertainments because sleeping in those circumstances would have been dangerous".

One of the companions recalls that they prayed the rosary and, as soon as dawn broke, they prayed the Angelus to the Virgin.

His last mountain ascent was on June 7, 1925. He made it to the Lunelle peaks. He arrived at the station at the last moment, which earned him a protest from his companions. He answered them:

"What did you want, that I should miss Mass? I woke up late and could not attend with you the one we had arranged."

One of them remembers that climb, which was on the most difficult face, the Santi Plate, where a climber had fallen. "Pier Giorgio was the second in our team and he would belay me on the most difficult points. Climbing gave him real joy and he especially enjoyed some of the descents using the double rope (...) As soon as we reached the top he asked us to say a prayer for Cesarino Rovere, who had killed himself on that wall only a year before". On his return, Pier Giorgio wrote to his sister telling her about a climb and saying that he hoped to return with more material to open a new route. That one was no longer possible. Within a month, on July 4, Pier Giorgio gave his soul to God after a rapid illness that no one had been able to foresee.

For John Paul II, Frassati was a model. As Cardinal of Krakow, he recalled the figure of this young man who for a few days was unable to finish his engineering studies. "He was a model for those who climbed mountains to go climbing or skiing: he thought that he too did the same, that this was for him the path of sanctification, because in everything he discovered God. He was also aware of his responsibility in society. Responsibility for the life of the nation to which he belonged; responsibility for its authentic spiritual and Christian tradition. He faced this responsibility without sparing any effort. At the same time, his sensitivity towards the poor, the needy and the sick was striking. Undoubtedly, this is a call of particular significance and a challenge to our generation and to our time, which runs the risk of falling into insensitivity. All of us must break a lance - all of us, including myself - to discover the face of man and become aware of his situation, his sufferings and his difficulties. All this we find in Pier Giorgio.

When he was already Roman Pontiff, in one of the summers that the Pope spent a few days in the Alps, he celebrated a Mass in Cogne, in an immense green meadow called San Urso or valley of the Gran d'Eyvia (Great Water), located 30 kilometers from Aosta. He arrived by helicopter and after being welcomed by the local bishop, he moved to the altar built in wood by artisans of the region, and celebrated the Eucharist before more than 20,000 local faithful. In his homily he referred to the majesty of those mountains and said: "This enchanting place also preserves the memory of a young believer of our century, Pier Giorgio Frassati, whom I had the joy of proclaiming blessed on May 20, 1990. He used to frequent the town of Cogne. He explored with ardor the peaks that crown it; he had made of every climb to the mountains an itinerary that accompanied the ascetic and spiritual one, a school of prayer and adoration, an effort of discipline and elevation. He said to his friends: 'Every day that passes I fall more madly in love with the mountain'. And he continued: 'I desire more and more to climb mountains, to conquer the steepest peaks, to feel the pure joy that can only be experienced in the mountains'". (...) "Beloved brothers," the Pope concluded, "like St. Besso and St. Urso, Blessed Pier Giorgio knew how to combine admiration for the harmony of creation with generous service to the Lord and to his brothers. This admiration of creation, admiration of God's work, is extremely necessary. Through this admiration of creation, we admire God himself; through admiration of the visible, we admire the invisible. May Pier Giorgio, almost a contemporary of ours, be an example especially for young people, for those who come here and for those who go to the mountains to spend a period of well-deserved rest. Before such an extraordinary spectacle of nature, we spontaneously raise our hearts to heaven, as the young Frassati often used to do".

The young Frassati is not forgotten over the years. Since 1996, the Italian Alpine Club has been putting his name on a network of mountain trails throughout the country. In 2001, the year of the centenary of his birth, those of Le Marche, Veneto and Lazio were inaugurated. An association, "L'Assotiazione Internazionale Sentieri Pier Giorgio Frassati", was also created for the occasion. In this way, the figure of this young Italian is kept alive among the mountaineers of this century in which there are so many people who live their mountain experiences through hiking both on old rehabilitated paths and on others of recent creation. And now, as a saint, he will be a model for the many of us who love the mountains and go to its slopes whenever possible.

Chapter from the book "Fascinated by the summits" published with the author's permission.

The authorPedro Estaún

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

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Culture

Jesuit app uses AI to care for your spiritual life

Created by the Loyola Communication Group (Society of Jesus), AMDG is a free app that suggests personalized prayers, readings and music every day thanks to AI.

Editorial Staff Omnes-September 16, 2025-Reading time: < 1 minute

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The Loyola Communication Group has presented AMDGa free application that combines cutting-edge technology and interiority. It is the first mobile platform that, with the help of artificial intelligence, accompanies the spiritual life of each user in a personalized way.

With the slogan "For God to be noticed," the new tool offers daily prayers, readings and music selected according to the person's interests and searches. "We wanted to put
the enormous amount of spiritual and reflective resources available to the people of the world.
Society of Jesus. It can also be offered in depth through cell phones," explains Jesuit Carlos Maza, content director of AMDG.

The application, developed by SJDigital, brings together and organizes thousands of pastoral and spiritual resources developed by Jesuit projects such as Rezandovoy, PastoralSJ, SerJesuita, IGNIS, VocesSJ, Evangelio Diario, Sal Terrae, Mensajero, TSNC, La Biblia de Nuestro Pueblo, Jesuitas Acústico, Manresa or MAG+S. One of the most outstanding elements of AMDG.app is its integration of the daily review, a
classical spiritual practice that, thanks to this application, offers a new perspective.

AMDG can be downloaded free of charge. Those looking for more extensive support can opt for the AMDG PLUS version, which for €6.90 per month or €69 per year offers full access to an extensive catalog of reference books and magazines - with authors such as José María Rodríguez Olaizola or José Carlos Bermejo - as well as exclusive content without advertising.

With this initiative, the Jesuits aim to demonstrate that spiritual depth and technology are not only not incompatible, but can complement each other to bring prayer and reflection closer to everyday life.

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Evangelization

Saints Cornelius, pope, Cyprian, bishop, and Ludmila, mother of noble family

Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, pope and bishop respectively, whom the liturgy celebrates on September 16, are mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass. They were martyrs and important figures in the Church in the 3rd century. St. Ludmila was a mother of a noble family in the 9th century, and grandmother of St. Wenceslaus.

Francisco Otamendi-September 16, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

The commemoration of these two events on the same day martyr saints of the third century, Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, whom the Jeronimian Martyrology recalls together, is very old. A few centuries later lived St. Ludmila, who married the Duke of Bohemia, had six children, and educated her grandchild St. Wesceslao in the 9th century.

Saints Cornelius and Cyprian were victims of Valerian's persecution in June 253 and September 14, 258. Their memoirs appear together in the ancient liturgical books of Rome from the middle of the fourth century. Their history is intertwined, although the African bishop stands out more with his writings.

The Roman Martyrology He quotes them as follows. "Memory of Saints Cornelius, pope, and Cyprian, bishop, martyrs, about whom on the fourteenth of September the burial of the first and the passion of the second are recounted. Together they are celebrated in this memory by the Christian world. For both bore witness, in days of persecution, to their love for the unfailing truth before God and the world (252, 258)".

Pope Cornelius, a Roman, had to see how his election was not accepted by the heretic Novatian, who consecrated himself antipope and promoted a schism in Rome. He died in exile, but was buried in Rome in the catacombs of St. Callixtus.

Saint Ludmila, Christian mother and grandmother

Saint Ludmila (Mielnik, present-day Poland, around 860), was the daughter of the Duke of Milsko and married the Duke of Bohemia, with whom she had six children. In 874, her husband converted to Christianity, and was baptized by St. Methodius.

Ludmila also embraced the Christian faith, and spread it among her people, who were not yet Christian. When her husband and son died, the nobles of Bohemia entrusted her to educate their grandson, St. Wenceslaus, to whom she taught the Christian faith. She died in Prague, strangled in a conspiracy.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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A. Alderliesten: "We want to avoid the marginalization of man in the decision on life and abortion".

ColumnistsBryan Lawrence Gonsalves

Reducing the Abortion Debate to Religion Misses the Point

Labeling the pro-life cause as "religious" is a way of evading the real ethical debate: the defense of life is based on reason, ethics and justice, not only on religion.

September 16, 2025-Reading time: 4 minutes

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Considering the recent debates within the Lithuanian Parliament over abortion legislation, I’ve observed a recurring assertion that strikes me as both intellectually lazy and morally evasive: that abortion should be banned because it conflicts with religious beliefs.

This framing is not only reductive but also dishonest. It implies that the pro-life position is inherently religious, a relic of dogma rather than a conclusion drawn from reason, ethics, or a consistent philosophy of human value. What is worse, this assumption is often weaponized by those on the opposing side, who paint anyone with pro-life convictions as a religious fanatic or a zealot waging war on women.

Religious beliefs are not the foundation

To argue that a belief must be dismissed because it is shared by a religion is a fallacy of the highest order. Atheists exist who reject abortion not because of divine command, but because they hold, through reason, that life has intrinsic value. Are they to be accused of secret piety? Are we to discard their arguments because they do not fit neatly into a religious narrative?

Reducing the pro-life argument to a matter of faith alone is not only a disservice to the debate, but also an abdication of moral responsibility. It is easier to dismiss a conviction as “religious dogma” than to confront the logic, the ethics, and the uncomfortable questions it may raise.

To call the defence of life a “religious issue” is to attempt to discredit a moral stance without engaging its substance. It is not only weak labelling; in my view it is intellectual cowardice.

Are the Foundations of being Pro Life Religious?

The foundational pro-life argument is grounded in biology (when human life begins), ethics (the value of human life) and the virtue of justice (the moral and innate obligation to protect the innocent and powerless). None of these aspects require a belief in God to be accepted.

Yes, it is true that many in the pro-life movement are religious. So what? That’s not the point. When did a movement’s demographics start determining the truth or legitimacy of its principles? We don’t dismiss the civil rights movement as a religious crusade, even though many of its leaders such as Dr Martin Luther King foremost among them, were pastors. We don’t write off environmentalism because many its adherents speak of nature in emotional and personal terms. Why then is the pro-life cause uniquely singled out by having its moral seriousness reduced to mere religious sentiment?

Did the Pro-Life movement start for religious reasons?

Even if the early pro-life movement had strong roots in religious communities (which is a complex and contested historical point), that still tells us nothing about the merit of its arguments. The truth of an idea does not depend on who said it first, or why.

If Einstein had been a priest, would the theory of relativity be theological? If a religious person says stealing is wrong, is the moral weight of that position nullified by their faith?

This line of reasoning, tracing the origin of an argument to discredit it, is known as the “genetic fallacy”. It’s the same type of reasoning used by those who say “democracy is a Western idea” to reject it in non-Western societies. It’s lazy, shallow, and irrelevant to the content of the argument itself.

Why This Mislabelling Matters

Words shape perception, and perception shapes discourse. Classifying the pro-life position as a 'religious issue' is not just a matter of classification; it is a way of distorting the nature of the discussion before it begins. Labeling pro-life convictions as 'religious' marginalizes the argument from the outset. It removes it from the realm of public ethics and places it in the private realm of faith, as if it has no more relevance to policy than a personal dietary preference. It teaches people to see a very moral social issue as the personal opinion of "a pious few" and thus suggests that this conversation only makes sense in churches, not in courts or parliaments.

My concern is that this mischaracterization teaches people, especially the young and those outside religious circles, that unless you belong to a specific faith, you have no reason or right to hold a pro-life view. It suggests that caring about the unborn life is only for the religious, shutting out thoughtful individuals who might reach the same conclusion through reason, ethics, or personal conviction. It turns a universal moral issue into a tribal badge. And in doing so, it shuts the door on thousands of thoughtful individuals who might otherwise engage the issue seriously.

Worse still, it leads to a kind of argumental apartheid, where certain perspectives are excluded from legitimate public debate not because they are false or harmful, but because they are perceived to belong to “the wrong kind of people”. In a certain sense it can also lead to intellectual segregation since it may promote the moral view that certain beliefs are less worthy of engagement simply because of who holds them.

This mislabelling also impoverishes the pro-choice side of the debate. Since by refusing to engage seriously with the strongest pro-life arguments, which is rooted in biology, ethics, and justice, many who call themselves pro-choice end up arguing against a strawman. They debate an imagined theocracy instead of a real philosophy. They ridicule their idea of cartoonish villains instead of grappling with rigorous reasoning. And as a result, the entire conversation stagnates.

A functioning society cannot afford to treat fundamental moral questions as niche theological squabbles. We do not relegate questions of war, racism, or poverty to the religious domain simply because many religious people have strong views about them. We don’t say opposition to racism is a "religious issue" just because churches supported the 1965 Selma marches to secure voting rights for African Americans. We don’t claim that caring for the poor is invalid because it echoes Biblical principles. We understand, rightly, that these are not sectarian concerns, they are public, civic, and deeply human issues.

So why not life?

Why is the question of abortion, arguably one of the most profound moral issues of our time, singled out and cordoned off by being dismissed as the territory of “the religious”? If human dignity matters, if justice for the vulnerable matters, if ethics and compassion and reason are values, we hold dear, then we owe it to ourselves, and to one another, to engage this question with honesty, not with labels.

The value of human life is not a denominational concern. It is not Catholic or Protestant, Muslim or Jewish, spiritual or secular. It is universal. And any society that hopes to be just must treat it that way. This is not a “religious issue”. This is a human one. And it deserves to be treated with the seriousness and moral clarity that all human issues do.

The authorBryan Lawrence Gonsalves

Founder of "Catholicism Coffee".

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Integral ecology

Why does the Pope criticize the "high salaries" of some managers?

The statements have been published in Crux, the newspaper where Elise Allen works, which has conducted the first major interview granted by Leo XIV.

Javier García Herrería-September 16, 2025-Reading time: 3 minutes

The exorbitant salaries of managers and elite athletes have been a recurring theme in public debate. The recent declarations of Pope Leo XIV, in his first official interview, reactivate interest in this issue.

Asked about the polarization in our societies, Leo XIV stated: "I consider the growing gap between the income levels of the working class and the money received by the richest to be very significant. For example, CEOs who 60 years ago might have earned four to six times more than what workers receive, the latest figure I saw is 600 times more than what the average worker receives. Yesterday it came out that Elon Musk will be the world's first billionaire - what does that mean and what's it all about? If that's the only thing that still has value, then we're in serious trouble....".

Leo XIV does not make an explicit condemnation of capitalism or liberalism, but he does underline how gigantic inequalities are problematic. It does not seem that the Pope intends to criticize personal success, but he does question the values that society prioritizes.

Why is the Church meddling in the salary debate?

The Catholic Church has a say on disproportionate wages not because of an intrusion into purely economic matters, but as a matter of moral principle. The Social Doctrine of the Church holds that capitalism and liberalism cannot be systems without limits. One of the fundamental principles of this doctrine is the universal destination of human goods.

This principle, which goes back to the Fathers of the Church, states that the earth and its resources are meant to be used by all humanity. Therefore, as long as a large number of human beings are in serious material need, the excessive accumulation of wealth by others is problematic.

Although the Church recognizes and defends the right to private property as a means of guaranteeing autonomy and personal development, this right is not absolute. In a world where inequality has skyrocketed, the Church considers the excessive accumulation of wealth by a minority to be contrary to the universal destination of goods.

Global inequality: data that validate the criticism

The Church's criticism is supported by data showing growing economic inequality. As the reports of numerous organizations unanimously point out (UNESCO, OSXFAM, Credit Suisse), the world's richest 1% possess an amount of wealth that exceeds that of the majority of the world's population. For example, the richest 10% of the world's population hold 76% of the total wealth, while the poorest 50% hold only 2% of the global wealth.

This disparity is not just a statistical problem, but a moral injustice that has serious social and civic consequences. The problem with our economic system is not that it allows people to be very rich, but that this happens while millions of people struggle to access the basics of a dignified life. The Church does not seek the abolition of private property or economic equality among all human beings, but an economy that provides a minimum of material dignity for all people.

The echo of Michael Sandel's critique

The Pope's words resonate with the ideas of the American philosopher Michael Sandel, Princess of Asturias Award winner and famous former Harvard professor, who has been one of the most famous critics of wage inequality. If the only indicator of value is the accumulation of wealth, the importance of solidarity and the common good is dismissed. By decoupling the value of work from its real contribution to society, it erodes the dignity of those jobs that, although essential, are poorly paid.

Sandel argues that the idea that success is based solely on individual effort is a fallacy. Luck, social environment and circumstances of birth play a crucial role, yet meritocratic society tends to ignore these factors. The data show that the social elevator does not work and, therefore, one is not as responsible for one's success (or failure) as the American dream would have us believe.

For Sandel, the astronomical salaries of managers and athletes are the product of a society that confuses market value with moral value. This distinction is crucial: an investment fund manager may generate a fortune, but is his or her contribution really more valuable to society than that of a teacher or a nurse? Sandel's critique, like that which the Pope seems to make in his statements, does not seek to nullify success, but to redefine what should be valued by society.

In a world where inequality is growing and social polarization is increasing, Leo XIV's words invite a review of our values. By questioning wage disproportionality, Leo XIV raises the debate about what society we are building and who is really being rewarded.

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Spain

Pope appoints Msgr. Piero Pioppo as Nuncio to Spain

The Italian archbishop, with a long career in the diplomatic service of the Holy See, now assumes the representation in Spain.

Editorial Staff Omnes-September 15, 2025-Reading time: < 1 minute

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Piero Pioppo, titular archbishop of Torcello, as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Spain. The appointment, made public today at 12:00 noon, was communicated to the Spanish Episcopal Conference by the Apostolic Nunciature.

Born in Savona (Italy) on September 29, 1960, Pioppo was ordained a priest in 1985 in the Diocese of Acqui Terme and incardinated there. He holds a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology and, since 1993, has been a member of the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See, where he has worked in the nunciatures of Korea and Chile, as well as in the Secretariat of State. He is fluent in Italian, French, English and Spanish.

In 2006 he was appointed Prelate of the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR) and, four years later, Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, a post to which he was ordained bishop on March 18, 2010. Since 2017 he served as Nuncio to Indonesia and, since 2018, to ASEAN.

Delay in appointment

The appointment of Bishop Piero Pioppo as apostolic nuncio to Spain was accompanied by a striking diplomatic detail: the granting of the Spanish government's approval was delayed for several months.

In diplomatic circles, this type of delay is usually interpreted as a sign of disagreement or protest towards the party presenting the candidate. Although no official explanation has been offered from Moncloa, many analysts have interpreted it as a sign of protest.

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Blessed Trojanowski (Auschwitz), and martyrs in Japan, China and Alexandria

The World

60 adults baptized in Shanghai on the feast of the Holy Cross

Sixty adults were baptized in a celebration presided over by the Bishop of Shanghai, Msgr. Joseph Shen, in the Cathedral of St. Ignatius (Xujiahui).

Editorial Staff Omnes-September 15, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

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In an atmosphere of deep faith and joy, the Cathedral of St. Ignatius in the historic Xujiahui neighborhood of Shanghai was the scene of an extraordinary event: sixty adults received the sacrament of Baptism during the celebration of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The solemn Eucharist was presided over by Monsignor Joseph Shen, Bishop of Shanghai, and was attended by hundreds of faithful who wanted to accompany the new members of the Church.

The testimonies of those present testify to the emotion of the moment, one of the witnesses said: "It was impressive to see that large group of catechumens approaching the fountain of grace to be baptized".

In the midst of the rite, the words of the Apocalypse came spontaneously to mind: "Then one of the elders spoke, saying to me, 'Who are these who are clothed in white robes, and where have they come from? And I said unto him, Lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, 'These are they who have come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb'" (Rev 7:13-14).

A sign of hope

The white vestments of the neophytes evoked this passage, reminding everyone that Baptism is new birth in Christ and participation in his victory over sin and death. In a context where faith is often lived in silence and discretion, this event is perceived as a true sign of hope and a reason to thank God for the vitality of his Church.

The sacrament of Baptism is the gateway to Christian life and, for these sixty adults, it signifies the beginning of a journey of faith that, supported by the community. The Catholic community in Shanghai, with the support of their pastors and catechists, patiently accompanied their preparation in a catechumenal journey that now flourishes in this celebration, in which they also received Confirmation and Eucharist.

On the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, where it is remembered that the salvation of the world was given in the Cross of Christ, the Church in Shanghai renews its commitment to be a witness to the faith in the midst of contemporary society.

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Blessed Trojanowski (Auschwitz), and martyrs in Japan, China and Alexandria

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Evangelization

Our Lady of Sorrows

In the month of September, which contains so many advocations of the Virgin Mary, the Church celebrates Our Lady of Sorrows on the 15th, a memorial linked to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Sunday the 14th.

Francisco Otamendi-September 15, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

Devotion to the Mater Dolorosa, Our Lady of Sorrows, particularly widespread in Mediterranean countries, developed from the end of the 11th century. Pope Pius VII introduced the celebration into the Roman liturgical calendar in 1814. And St. Pius X fixed the date definitively on September 15, passing from the 'Seven Sorrows' to 'Our Lady of Sorrows', he points out. Vatican News.

Testimony to the antiquity of this devotion is the Stabat Mater, attributed to Blessed Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306). The first liturgical celebrations of Mary Sorrowful at the foot of the Cross date back to the 15th century, the Vatican agency explains. It should not be forgotten that in 1233 the Order of the friars 'Servants of Mary' was founded. The Serbites contributed to the spread of devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows.

The feast commemorates the suffering and fortitude of Mary during the Passion and Death of Jesus. The invocation is also known by other names such as La Dolorosa, Virgen de la Amargura and Virgen de la Piedad. In union with the redemptive work of the Son, Mary becomes the Mother who gives birth to every Christian, every disciple of Jesus.

Mary, at the foot of the cross

Referring to this celebration, wrote St. Paul VI: it is "a propitious occasion to relive a decisive moment in the history of salvation. And to venerate, together with the Son exalted on the Cross, the Mother who shares his sorrow. In union with the redemptive work of the Son, Mary becomes the Mother who gives birth to every Christian, to every disciple of Jesus.

Benedict XIV noted in his encyclical 'Deus caritas est' that our Mother "is humble," and a woman of faith, of hope. "A woman who loves," as the book 'Maria'. "The hour of the Mother will come only at the moment of the cross, which will be the true hour of Jesus. Then, when the disciples have fled, she will remain at the foot of the cross".

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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Photo Gallery

Charlie Kirk moments before he was killed

The event took place on September 10 at the University of Utah.

Editorial Staff Omnes-September 15, 2025-Reading time: < 1 minute

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ColumnistsAntonio Moreno

The spotless lamb

On September 15, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, this story was born: the story of a mother torn and redeemed, who in her own pain found the echo of Mary's at the foot of the cross.

September 15, 2025-Reading time: 5 minutes

The child that had just emerged from her womb was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. Although she had been taught not to get attached to him, Alina's heart broke when he was quickly carried out of the delivery room wrapped in a towel.

The medical team was also trained to avoid as much as possible the contact of the laboring woman with the baby, so they had placed a sheet in front of them as a screen. But providence arranged that, in the movement of the baby's extraction, the midwife also unintentionally pulled the sheet allowing that fleeting glance thanks to which, still exhausted, the mother was able to admire the beauty of that little brown miracle.

Her other two daughters, who were waiting for her at home, were as blonde as the sun. They were born bald, although they soon grew long manes that Alina took great pains to brush every morning before going to school. How she loved to caress those silky golden strands while she listened to them tell those things that only a mother tells a mother in a family hairdressing session! By the way, how would they be? After two weeks in the clinic for risk of pre-eclampsia, she had forgotten their voices and their smell.

The agency managing the surrogacy was very concerned about the health of its "associates" and had forced her to go into hospital, so the girls had to stay with their paternal grandmother, the only family they had left in Kiev. The mother-in-law had happily overcome the depression caused by the loss of her only son, Dmytro, on the Donbas front. Her granddaughters and daughter-in-law had been her ladder out of the pit of mental illness. Her meager pension barely gets her to the 7th of every month and now, after the news that Russia recently bombed a queue of pensioners waiting to collect it, she doesn't even dare to go.

As she was being prepared for the episiotomy, Alina began to have horrible thoughts about the child's future. She knew that the parents who had commissioned him were well off. The 14,000 euros she would receive, equivalent to three times the average annual salary, was only a portion of the total amount of expenses involved in renting their services. With so much money, she was sure that the child would lack nothing materially, but she could not help imagining him being mistreated, abused or unwanted.

The sharp pain of the first stitch of the suture (anesthesia is rationed in hospitals in times of war) forced her to throw her head back in a reflex action that caused her gaze to cross with that of a Madonna at the head of the bed. It was an icon of Perpetual Help, that image in which the child Jesus, frightened at the sight of the nails and other instruments of the passion carried by angels, runs to seek the protection of his mother.

-Oh, another stitch, another nail. Help, mother! -Alina cried inside, gritting her teeth and wishing she could hide, like the child, under Mary's mantle. What kind of mother gives birth to a child to give it to others? -she blamed herself. That fat, beautiful child, who only knows me, how can you give him to someone you don't know how he will be cared for?

But he justified himself by thinking of his two blondes who would not be without a glass of milk for breakfast for years to come.

-Besides, the brown one is not mine," he continued, excusing himself, "it doesn't carry my genes.

But he was so beautiful! She was so proud to have brought him into the world, and the pain of the separation, which had only lasted a few minutes, kept growing.

-And how many more times will he be looking for me and I won't be there to help him! Oh, my baby! Oh, my brown one! she cried aloud.

-Calm down, Alina, he is fine," an assistant calmed her down. He is with his parents who are going to love him very much and you are going to see your daughters again tomorrow and take them out for ice cream as you told me yesterday.

Words of consolation were useless, he no longer wanted that ice cream with his blondes. He no longer wanted the "compensation for the inconvenience" as they euphemistically called in the agency the humiliating exploitation of poor women, which is what they really do. His daughters and his mother-in-law? they would get ahead, he thought.

Looking again at the Byzantine icon, he prayed wholeheartedly: "Mary, you know the pain of losing a son. You too had to give up your son for others. You who saw your spotless lamb led to the slaughter, do not let anything bad happen to mine, give him a mother, the best mother, be his mother. Take care of him wherever he goes and tell your son to forgive my bad head. I am sorry, very sorry".

She had not finished saying the sentence when the door of the delivery room opened again and the head of the agency appeared, looking as if something was wrong.

-Hello Alina," the businesswoman approached sweetly, "How are you? They told me it was a very good delivery in the end, despite the high blood pressure and the stitches....

-Yes, thank you, this one was quicker than the previous ones," he replied. How is the child, have his parents seen him yet?

-You see, Alina, there's a problem....

-Problem, what problem? Tell me he's okay, please tell me nothing has happened to him.

-It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay. She just... She has a small defect, something that could not be detected in the ultrasound, a hemangioma on her arm. It's no health problem just a spot on the skin that... Well, it's not perfect and the parents have rejected him because they're embarrassed that the kids are going to mess with him when he goes to school. Besides, they are instagramers and wanted to take a lot of pictures of him and that was not going to be possible. Since they don't have a money problem, they will try again.

-It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!

-Yes, it is, Alina, I think like you," he dramatized. The child is a cutie. You see... It is foreseen in these cases that, when the child has to be offered in a new adoption, the surrogate mother will be asked first. You will receive, of course, the compensation we had agreed upon, with a small bonus that will be charged separately to the parents for the return. Do you agree?

-Do I agree? -she answered with a smile from ear to ear and sitting up as if she hadn't just given birth. Bring me the child right now, he is mine and mine alone and no one has ever wanted him and no one will ever want him more than me.

With a gesture of relief, the businesswoman quickly left the room, returning immediately with the child in her arms.

As the mother held him to her breast, the baby seemed to recognize her at once and began to shake his head, trying to squeeze out the first colostrum. Alina couldn't stop looking at every crease of his skin and stroking that clump of black hair on his head. And the spot on his arm? On closer inspection, it is in the shape of a star, like the one Our Lady is wearing on her head in the icon up there.

-This will be your sign, Dmytro," she whispered to her newborn, stroking his spot as she nursed him, "the sign of the mother of another brown child; a little lamb without a spot, whom she had to give up with much pain to save many, but who was then returned to her to live with her forever.

The authorAntonio Moreno

Journalist. Graduate in Communication Sciences and Bachelor in Religious Sciences. He works in the Diocesan Delegation of Media in Malaga. His numerous "threads" on Twitter about faith and daily life have a great popularity.

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The future of Catholic universities

Education

José María La Porte: "Openness of thought is an attraction of Catholic universities".

Prof. José María La Porte is one of the driving forces behind the International Congress Purpose of the UniversityThe purpose of the meeting was to reflect on the identity and mission of Catholic universities.

Alina Maria Balaj-September 15, 2025-Reading time: 4 minutes

"Form together to evangelize. Report of Roman Pontifical Universities and Institutions Related News

On the occasion of the International Congress Purpose of the University on the purpose of the university in the Catholic sphere, to be held October 29-31, 2025, Omnes has interviewed one of the promoters of the event, Professor José María La Porte (professor at the Faculty of Communication of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross), who is part of the international group of researchers University and Catholic Identity.

This team is part of the Research Laboratory of the University of the Holy Cross and aims to create an international forum of experts and an interdisciplinary platform that delves into key issues related to the culture and mission of Catholic universities.

The interview is also published on the occasion of the launching of the book Universities, Purpose and Catholic Identity. Examining Governance, Communication, and Core Curriculumpublished by Routledge. This work addresses the contemporary challenges and aspirations of Catholic universities through a historical, philosophical and practical lens.

This conversation addresses the reasons that inspired the organization of this first congress, the role of Catholic universities in a polarized world, their model of governance, and the challenges they face in terms of teaching, research and social outreach. An in-depth look that explores how these institutions can offer a truly meaningful educational proposal, open to diversity, committed to the person in all its dimensions and attentive to the needs of today's society.

Why have you organized a conference on the purpose of the university in the Catholic sphere?

-This congress is part of a broader project. It is promoted by a research group on the Christian identity of the university: what it consists of, how it is manifested, how it is cultivated or diffused.

The group is made up of professors from nine universities in different countries, who intend to conduct research on these topics over the next few years. This congress is the first one promoted by the group. The purpose of the university seemed to us to be a good theme to start with, as it is something essential, since it inspires all activities and motivates people.

How is the "governance" of a Catholic university defined, and how does it differ from that of a secular university?

-Governance is a fundamental element in a university: it determines the direction, establishes the strategy, distributes resources. In that sense, all universities are similar: they must have clear objectives, they must aspire to quality, they need to be well managed.

Perhaps the governance of a Catholic university could be characterized by a special attention to people. I say "special" because I understand that it is something that interests everyone. And also an awareness of one's own evangelizing mission.

What would be the purpose of a Catholic university in today's polarized context?

-I think that, at this time, Catholic universities can make a great contribution by promoting certain Christian values: respect for the person, love of freedom, the culture of dialogue and encounter, the desire to serve one's own community.

The universal Catholic mentality is accustomed to the coexistence of people from different countries and cultures. This can be seen very well in the pontifical universities, which are a real mosaic. All this, in my opinion, is an antidote that avoids single thinking and polarization.

Teaching, research and social engagement are the pillars on which any university is based. How are they deployed in a Catholic context?

–It is a very broad question, and it would take more than one congress to answer it. To say something common to the three missions, I think that a Catholic university has to offer the possibility of studying the great themes of anthropology, the great questions that every human being asks: life, death, the meaning of existence, the vocation to service. Faith sheds much light on these questions, which are present in research, teaching and outreach.

What business management models can be applied in Catholic universities, maintaining a vision of service and care for the person?

-I'm not sure there is one best business management model for Catholic universities. Models depend on the culture of the country in which the university is located. But if there is one thing common to all, in my opinion, it is that they have to be excellent at managing scarce resources. This implies a lot of professionalism and a lot of ingenuity.

What impact can the culture of a Catholic university have on today's society? Can it induce changes in the collective mentality?

-The influence of a Catholic university on society is similar to the influence of any other university. Above all, it is noticeable in the formation that its students have received. They are the ones who, when they finish their studies and enter the workplace and social life, bring with them behaviors, values, ideas and projects that have an incalculable impact.

I think that keeping that personal, concrete perspective helps a lot to work with serenity.

What challenges must Catholic universities face to remain relevant through research?

-The best universities transmit knowledge and also generate it. I think that research in Catholic universities can be very relevant because of the topics it deals with and the approaches it adopts.

For example, I know of a research project being carried out by several universities that is focused on the study of the values that inspire young people, what attracts and moves them. The possibilities for developing impactful research are endless.

Why do young people continue to choose a Catholic university and how can new students be attracted in a secularized society?

-Catholic universities encounter the same difficulties as all the others: demographic and economic problems, etc. I think students are very attracted to two things about our universities: the close-knit atmosphere and the openness of thought.

A few months ago, an atheist student who came from a theoretically neutral but ideologically very biased university was telling the professor at a Catholic university: "In your course I felt much freer than in the courses I attended at my previous university. Here I was able to talk about everything, to discuss ideas without fear. There were some topics that could not be touched upon or could only be approached in a certain way.".

The authorAlina Maria Balaj

D. student in Communication at the PUSC.

"Form together to evangelize. Report of Roman Pontifical Universities and Institutions Related News

The future of Catholic universities

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Cinema

Big theft, small thief

The Sticky Mixing humor, drama and crime: Three misfits, a million-dollar heist and a lot of syrup: the sweetest comedy of crime.

Pablo Úrbez-September 15, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

Series

AddressBrian Donovan and Ed Herro

DistributionMargo Martindale, Guillaume Cyr

Platform: Prime Video

Country: Canada, 2024

The Sticky - Prime VideoIn a small town in French-speaking Canada, almost all of the world's maple syrup production is concentrated. Ruth Clarke, who lives by selling syrup and whose husband is in a coma, suffers from the corrupt and despotic management of the Federation of Syrup Producers. Remy Bouchard, on the other hand, is a forty-something who still lives in his father's house and works as a security guard at the Federation's warehouse. Finally, Mike Byrne belongs to a family of gangsters, but no one gives him serious jobs because of his ineptitude, so he acts as an errand boy. These three characters decide to undertake together the theft of hundreds of barrels of syrup, worth millions of dollars.

The term sticky which gives the title to this series would come to mean stickyin reference to maple syrup. This is a series of local character, of Canadian production and geographical and cultural references fully ascribable to the French-speaking region of Canada, but which is universal in its development of the story, in the characterization of its characters and in its way of narrating. The Sticky is a tragicomedy, which alternates comedy due to the tragic situations suffered by its characters, with suspense and drama in the background. One of its greatest virtues is its restraint in knowing how to ridicule at every moment, expose the absurdity of the situations and use wit, as well as giving credibility to the drama of the protagonists and encouraging the viewer to empathize with them.

The series, consisting of six episodes (and awaiting a second season), is inspired by a real event: between 2011 and 2012, thieves stole almost 10,000 barrels of syrup over several months. A label informs at the beginning of each chapter of this circumstance, but to indicate, precisely, that it is not intended to reconstruct that episode. It is not, therefore, a historical series, but is based on a juicy anecdote to design three endearing characters and mold this work to the patterns of grand theft stories: designing the plan, arming the material and executing it, with the corresponding subplots. It is a story starring society's outcasts, whose worth runs parallel to the achievement or failure of their ambitious plan.

The authorPablo Úrbez

Series

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Culture

Catholic Scientists: Amalia Heredia, Researcher and Philanthropist

On October 16, 1902, Amalia Heredia, researcher, philanthropist, collector and patron of the arts, died; she was also the Marquise of Casa Loring. This series of short biographies of Catholic scientists is published thanks to the collaboration of the Society of Catholic Scientists of Spain.

Society of Catholic Scientists-September 15, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

Amalia Heredia Livermore (March 3, 1830 - October 16, 1902) was the youngest of ten siblings in a family in which, in addition to a Catholic education, they were taught a love for the fine arts.

At the age of twenty she married Jorge Loring Oyarzábal, an influential engineer, businessman and politician, who would later become a marquis, with whom she had nine children. After her marriage, she transformed her residence in Malaga into a botanical garden, like the ones she had known in her travels through Europe. This is the La Concepción Botanical Garden, which can still be visited today in Malaga. Also interested in collecting, she acquired with her husband the tables of the Lex Flavia Malacitana, a piece composed of two copper plates of the first century AD, which contains part of the legislative articles of the Roman Malaga. That acquisition was the germ of what is known as the Loringiano Museum, which Amalia and Jorge built in their residence by collecting archaeological pieces from many different places.

She also financed the Hospital de San Julián, the Civil Hospital of Málaga, and the Colegio de La Asunción, with which she brought to Málaga the nuns of the French congregation that had founded Santa María Eugenia de Jesús. The first students of the school were Amalia's own daughters, although the school also welcomed girls who otherwise would not have had access to education.

Being a woman who had received in her house illustrious personalities such as King Alfonso XII or the Empress Sissi, it is said that when she was visiting with her husband in the Alhambra in Granada, a fire broke out. She, without hesitation, began to carry buckets of water to put it out, working as a laborer without any fear that her dress would be ruined.

In addition, when the couple moved to Madrid, Amalia Heredia was a founding member of the Royal Spanish Society of Natural History and a member of the Order of Noble Ladies of Maria Luisa, an order created by Charles IV in 1792 to distinguish noblewomen who stood out for their services or qualities.

The authorSociety of Catholic Scientists

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The Vatican

Today's martyrs show power of love over hate, says Pope

Pope Leo XIV said in an ecumenical prayer on Sunday, September 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, that today's martyrs and witnesses to the faith show the power of love in the face of hatred. In the morning, more than 30,000 faithful in St. Peter's Square warmly congratulated Leo XIV on his 70th birthday.

CNS / Omnes-September 14, 2025-Reading time: 7 minutes

- Cindy Wooden / Carol Glatz (CNS).

In situations where "hatred seemed to have permeated every aspect of life," modern Christian martyrs demonstrated that love is stronger than death. This is how has stated Pope Leo XIV at an ecumenical prayer service, held on the evening of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Sunday on which he celebrated his 70th birthday.

The Sept. 14 prayer service commemorated 1,624 Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and Protestants who died for their faith between 2000 and 2025. During the Holy Year 2000, St. John Paul II led a similar commemoration of Christians killed in the 20th century, mainly by communist and fascist regimes.

Pope Leo met with 28 representatives of other churches and Christian communities for the prayer service in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.

With Anglicans, Orthodox and Protestants

Anglican Bishop Anthony Ball, representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Holy See, and Orthodox Archbishop Elia of Helsinki and All Finland, representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, were on either side of the Pope. Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Antony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's department for external relations, also attended.

The Vatican did not publish the names of the 1,624 new members martyrswhose stories were submitted over the past two years by Catholic bishops' conferences, religious orders and nunciatures around the world.

Dorothy Stang, Father Ragheed Ganni, Brother Francis Tofi...

But Pope Leo mentioned some of them in his homily, including Sister Dorothy Stang, a U.S. member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She was shot and killed in the Brazilian Amazon in 2005 for defending the land rights of indigenous and poor farmers.

"When those who were about to kill her asked her for a weapon, she showed them her Bible and replied: 'This is my only weapon,'" Pope Leo said.

He also spoke of Chaldean Father Ragheed Ganni of Mosul, Iraq, "who refused to fight to witness to true Christian behavior." He and three subdeacons were shot dead in front of their church in 2007.

The Pope also mentioned Brother Francis Tofi, an Anglican and member of the Melanesian Brotherhood, who gave his life for peace in the Solomon Islands. Tofi and six other members of the religious order were killed by militiamen on Guadalcanal in 2003.

Persecution increases and "we do not want to forget".

"Unfortunately, despite the end of the great dictatorships of the 20th century, the persecution of Christians has not ceased to this day," the pope said. "On the contrary, in some parts of the world it has increased."

"We cannot and do not want to forget," the Pope said. And "we want to keep this memory alive together with our brothers and sisters of other churches and Christian communities. For this reason, I wish to reaffirm the Catholic Church's commitment to safeguard the memory of witnesses to the faith of all Christian traditions."

The new martyrs and witnesses to the faith were not killed because of the denomination to which they belonged, but because they were Christians, he said, and lived the Gospel of loving service to their brothers and sisters.

Ecumenism of the blood

"As we recognized during the recent synod, the ecumenism of blood unites Christians from different backgrounds who together give their lives for the faith in Jesus Christ," he continued. "The witness of their martyrdom is more eloquent than any words: unity comes from the Cross of the Lord," he said, citing the final document of the synod.

"Their martyrdom continues to spread the Gospel in a world marked by hatred, violence and war," Pope Leo said. "It is a hope full of immortality because, although they have been physically killed, no one can silence their voice or erase the love they have shown."

A group of people from the Peruvian city of Monsefu (Chiclayo), holds a 70th birthday greeting card addressed to Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square (Photo CNS/Vatican Media).

In the morning in San Pedro, congratulations

'Auguri Papa Leone', said a large pilgrims' banner in St. Peter's Square this morning during the prayer of the AngelusAnd another, Happy Birthday, Pope Leo! The faithful congratulated the Pope on his 70th birthday, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The largest banner, red and white, was held by a group from the Peruvian town of Monsefu, in the province of Chiclayo, where the Pope had served as bishop for eight years.

"Dear friends, it seems you already know that today I am 70 years old," the Pope said amid loud cheers and shouts of "auguri"" which in Italian means "congratulations" and "happy birthday."

Acknowledgments

"I thank the Lord and my parents; and I thank all those who have remembered me in their prayers" he said after praying the Angelus with the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

The musicians and bands in the plaza played the melody of "Happy Birthday" and the people sang and applauded.

Thank you all very much," he said, and someone shouted: "Long live the Pope!

"Thank you, have a good Sunday!" he said.

The Vatican also released the trailer for a new documentary celebrating the American roots of Pope Leo XIII. The first American-born pope, Robert F. Prevost was born on September 14, 1955 in Chicago and grew up in Dolton, a nearby suburb.

"Leo from Chicago"

Titled Leo from ChicagoThe documentary "will be released soon on Vatican Media channels" and "will offer viewers an intimate portrait of Pope Leo XIV's early life in the United States. It begins with the testimonies of his brothers Louis and John, along with numerous voices, images and stories" told by those close to him, according to the Sept. 13 press release.

Leo from Chicago' follows Lion of Perua documentary about the Pope's years of mission in Peru.

Meanwhile, children at the Vatican-owned pediatric hospital sent the Pope hand-drawn cards and letters. And church leaders from around the world also wished the pope a happy birthday, according to Vatican News.

Prayers

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, issued a message on behalf of the Roman Curia. He expressed "deep gratitude for your tireless witness to the Gospel and your constant encouragement to the faithful."

"We assure you of our prayers for your health and strength, so that you may continue to lead God's people in unity and peace," the message said.

Greetings from celebrities

Italian President Sergio Mattarella praised the Pope and wrote: "His words have always reminded the international community of the dignity of every human person and the need for peace. On behalf of the Italian people, I wish him the best of health and serenity."

UN Secretary-General António Guterres wrote to thank the Pope for his "steadfast advocacy for dialogue and care for our common home. His moral leadership continues to inspire the global community."

Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople wrote: "We rejoice with our Catholic brothers and sisters on this day, giving thanks for their fraternal spirit and dedication to Christian unity. May the Lord grant them many more years of health and peace."

Italian Bishops

The Italian Episcopal Conference wrote: "We thank the Lord for the gift of Pope Leo XIV, who reminds us daily that hope and fraternity are at the heart of Christian life. We join the whole Church in wishing him serenity and the joy of the Spirit."

Writing on behalf of the Pope's Diocese of Rome , Cardinal Baldassare Reina, papal vicar for Rome, noted. "Please accept our prayers and affection for all that you do every day, with tireless dedication, in the service of the universal Church, beginning with the Church of Rome."

"In sharing your concerns, especially about the many scenes of war that blood the world, we hope that you can achieve what your heart desires and continue to sow hope for the men and women of today," the cardinal said.

More congratulations

Jesuit Father Arturo Sosa, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, sent greetings on behalf of all Jesuits worldwide, writing, "Your encouragement to 'go to the peripheries' continues to inspire our mission and our apostolic work."

Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican-based umbrella organization for national Catholic charities, wrote: "Your voice on behalf of the poor and displaced strengthens our charitable mission. We celebrate your birthday by renewing our service to those most in need."

60th Anniversary of the Synod of Bishops

At the end of the Angelus, the Holy Father recalled that "tomorrow (Monday), we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Synod of Bishops, a prophetic institution of St. Paul VI, so that the bishops could exercise more and better communion with the Successor of Peter". "I hope that this celebration," he added, "will renew the commitment to unity, to synodality and to the mission of the Church."

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The Pope began his address by referring to the feast of the day. "Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which commemorates the finding of the wood of the Cross by St. Helena in Jerusalem in the fourth century and the restitution of the precious relic to the Holy City by Emperor Heraclius.

Then, after commenting on Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, which is recorded in the Gospel of the day, the Pope underlined the depth of Jesus' self-giving.

"God saved us by showing himself to us, offering himself as our companion, teacher, doctor, friend, to the point of becoming for us Bread broken in the Eucharist. And to accomplish this work he made use of one of the cruelest instruments of death that man has ever invented: the cross," he said.

The immense love of Jesus

For this reason, "today we celebrate her "exaltation". We do so because of the immense love with which God, embracing her for our salvation, transformed her from a means of death into an instrument of life. In this way she teaches us that "nothing can separate us from him (cf. Rm 8:35-39) and that his charity is greater than our sin itself (cf. Francis, Catechesis, 30 March 2016)."

In conclusion, Pope Leo invited us to ask, "through the intercession of Mary, the Mother present on Calvary with her Son, that her saving love may also take root and grow in us". "And may we too know how to give ourselves to one another, just as he gave himself entirely to all.

The authorCNS / Omnes

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The Vatican

Historic concert in San Pedro: music for universal fraternity

Last night, St. Peter's Square hosted the macro-concert Grace for the Worldwhich brought together international artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Karol G and Pharrell Williams.

Editorial Staff Omnes-September 14, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

Yesterday evening, St. Peter's Square was transformed into a festive and symbolic stage for the macro-concert "Grace for the World".The third edition of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity culminated.

What was the point of the concert?

The event, promoted by the Vatican and the Foundation Fratelli TuttiThe objective of the event was to spread a global message of peace, unity, fraternity and reconciliation, in the face of the conflicts and divisions that affect the world today. It was conceived as a festive closing of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, which gathered experts and leaders from various fields.

Who acted?

The line-up included internationally renowned artists of diverse styles:

Karol G, the Colombian artist, who performed While my heart heals at the beginning, and later he joined the tenor to sing I live for her.
Andrea Bocelli, central figure of the event, inaugurated the event with a Ave Maria and participated in several duets.
Pharrell Williams, who energized the audience with Happy and asked that cell phones be turned on to illuminate the square as a symbolic gesture of unity.
John Legend, who contributed songs such as Glory o Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Also participating were Angélique Kidjo, Jennifer Hudson, rapper Jelly Roll, K-pop artists such as BamBam, and other guests who brought their musical diversity to the repertoire.

Visual and special elements

One of the most impressive moments was the spectacle of the droneswith more than 3,500 devices that drew emblematic images of Christianity in the sky, such as fragments of Adam's Creation from the Sistine Chapel and the smiling face of the late Pope Francis.

Institutional presence

Although Pope Leo XIV did not attend the concert, his role was present through the Vatican's institutional message. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, representing the Vatican, reiterated the condemnation of war and the call for universal brotherhood.

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Spain

Pep Borrell, Gregorio Luri or Sara Pérez Tomé among the speakers at the First Conference of the Family Forum

The I Jornada Foro de la Familia will take place on October 18 from 10:00 to 14:00 at the Colegio Mayor Universitario de San Pablo in Madrid.

Editorial Staff Omnes-September 14, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

On October 18, the auditorium of the Colegio Mayor Universitario de San Pablo in Madrid will be the venue of the I Family Forum Conference, a meeting that seeks to reflect on the role of the family in today's society as a privileged space for human, emotional and educational growth.

The event will bring together renowned specialists in the fields of philosophy, education, psychology and family counseling.

Families and economy

Gregorio Lurione of the most influential Spanish thinkers in the field of contemporary education will be in charge of opening the conference with a paper entitled: In Praise of Sensibly Imperfect Families with which Luri will address the importance of the home as the original place where the truth about goodness, love and identity is learned.

One of the most original and attractive topics of the day focuses on financial education, a subject that will be addressed by Marta Cuevas, Training Director of the Institute of Family Financial Planning (IPFF). Cuevas will stress the importance of the family as the first school of financial habits to prevent crises, encourage responsibility and give children tools for serenity and freedom in the management of their resources.

Emotional education and family stability

The second part of the day will feature Pep Borrell, one of the authors in vogue for his interesting proposals in defense of the joy and beauty of marriage. Borrell will address how married love becomes a real emotional school for children.

Following this presentation, three experts: Fernando Muñoz, psychologist specialized in affectivity and sexuality; Sara Pérez-Tomé, family counselor and couples therapist; and Fernando Sánchez, psychologist expert in childhood disorders, will address the need for emotional stability and daily effort based on listening, example and the construction of healthy limits to allow children to develop with strength, balance and empathy.

The day will conclude with an institutional closing ceremony that will reaffirm the commitment of the Family Forum to place the family at the center of social life, highlighting its value as the nucleus of education, stability and cultural transmission.

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Spain

"How much beauty and joy can be transmitted by a family that prays," said Ignacio Barrera in Torreciudad.

The 33rd Marian Family Day gathered more than six thousand pilgrims in an atmosphere of faith, joy and commitment to family values.

Editorial Staff Omnes-September 13, 2025-Reading time: 3 minutes

Torreciudad celebrated today the 33rd Marian Family Day, which brought together more than six thousand pilgrims from all over Spain. Ángel Lasheras welcomed the attendees, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the opening for worship of the new temple dedicated to the Virgin of Torreciudad.

After the Angelus prayer, there was a varied presentation of offerings by the participating associations, parishes, schools and groups, such as flowers, local products, children's handicrafts, images of the Virgin and decorative objects.

Families as "bright and cheerful homes".

The Eucharist celebrated on the esplanade was the main act of the event, and was presided over by Ignacio Barrera, Vicar of Opus Dei in Spain. In his homily he encouraged people to collaborate so that "society will learn to love without calculation, to serve, to forgive, to give joy and peace. With words of St. Josemaría, he referred to families as "luminous and joyful homes," "sowers of peace and joy. And he asked: "Don't you think that there is a great need for this in our time, in social life, in political life, in the workplace?

Barrera also said that, starting from the personal light, "the Lord will take care of the rest and will kindle many other lights. Give light in your homes, in your schools, in elevators, when you play sports, in the workplace, in parks, in bars, in transportation, at parties, in stadiums and concerts... How much beauty and joy can be transmitted by a family that prays, loves one another, serves one another, forgives one another and is united.

"Laugh with others, don't laugh at others."

At the end of the ceremony, the parents made the traditional offering of their children to the Virgin of Torreciudad inside the church. At 15:00 h. the Alborada School Choirfrom Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), offered a recital on the esplanade, followed by a colloquium with the well-known couple Nachter and Roseanne (he has 27 million followers on social networks) on "How to improve our family relationships with a lot of humor".

Roseanne pointed out that, in order not to hurt anyone, it is very important "to laugh with others, not to laugh at others. Nachter recalled that, "just as mothers can do everything and do everything at the same time, so can the Virgin Mary, and for this reason we can ask her for a lot of help". Both agreed in their experience that "in the face of pain, it is essential that our life is not defined by suffering, but by the help we give each other. And above all God, who is our father and we can fully trust in Him even if sometimes we do not understand Him".

Volunteers and collaborators

The events concluded with the prayer of the rosary through the arcades of the esplanade and the blessing with the Blessed Sacrament from the outdoor altar. During the day, basic hygiene products were collected for needy families in the area, which will be distributed in collaboration with Caritas Diocesana de Barbastro-Monzón.

More than 200 volunteers have helped the participants in the services of parking, information, placement of chairs and signs, childcare, playground and cleaning. The Civil Guard, Aragon Tourism, the Huesca regions of Somontano de Barbastro, Ribagorza and Cinca Medio, the town councils of Secastilla and El Grado, the CARF Foundation and the Mahou San Miguel Group collaborated in the event.

Valuation of authorities

Javier Betorz, delegate of the Government of Aragon in Huesca, stressed that "Torreciudad is an undoubted focus of attraction, therefore has our full support in promoting religious and cultural tourism".

Mari Carmen Obis, mayor of El Grado, has pointed out the importance of the festival "in these calls to share our heritage and our joy, so that they reach new visitors".

José Luis Arasanz, deputy mayor of Secastilla, and Ana María Rabal, councilor, trust in the road axis project with El Grado and Graus through the municipality. Antonio Comps, mayor of Castejón del Puente, thinks that "the day is a very important event for Alto Aragón, with a deep positive meaning for the family and as an element of promotion".

Fernando Torres, mayor of Barbastro, said he was "very happy to repeat another edition, and to have shared the concern of the sanctuary for the damage caused by last night's storm", while for José Pedro Sierra, mayor of Peraltilla, "the best thing is that I have seen many people, with families that we hope will repeat and make our environment known".

José María Civiac, president of the Cinca Medio region and mayor of Alfántega, commented that "I have seen many people, willing to travel a long way sometimes, and of course, we must all work together to increase the number of visitors".

Lola Ibort, councilor in Almudévar and provincial deputy, said in her second attendance to this day, that "I am very happy to return because I share so many values that promote the family, which is so important. And these young families are, at the same time, the best ambassadors of our territory".

Sanctuary of Torreciudad

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Evangelization

St. John Chrysostom and St. Marcellin of Carthage

St. John Chrysostom, bishop, Father and doctor of the Church, is known by the nickname of "golden mouth", for his eloquent ability to speak about the faith. Born in the 4th century, he was Patriarch of Constantinople, and died in exile. St. Marcellin of Carthage was a lay martyr, friend of St. Augustine and St. Jerome.

Francisco Otamendi-September 13, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

The liturgy celebrates St. John Chrysostom and St. Marcellin of Carthage, among other saints, on September 13. The former was a native of Antioch, present-day Turkey (year 349), where the followers of Jesus began to call themselves Christians. He was the son of an imperial official, received an excellent education and was ordained a priest.

As bishop of Constantinople, he undertook a profound reform of the customs of the clergy and the faithful. Opposition from the imperial court, whose excesses he denounced, and from envious people, led him to exile on several occasions.

St. John Chrysostom, a pillar of faith

He is considered one of the great Parents He was a pillar of the faith, and remembered for his defense of truth and justice. And also for the writings that enriched the Catholic doctrine, to the point of deserving the nickname of Chrysostom, that is to say, 'golden mouth' (in Greek).

Bishop John "golden mouth" died in 407, in Comana Pontica, during one of the many transfers he had to make. His wisdom has remained intact throughout the centuries, notes the saint's day Vatican. Hundreds of writings by a man and a priest convinced that "in all things" "glory must be given to God" corroborate this.

Saint Marcellin, lay martyr

Saint Marcellinus of Carthage (there are other Marcellins in the saints' calendar), born in Toledo in the 4th century, became a tribune and notary of the emperor Honorius, a Spanish-Roman diplomat. Friend of St. Augustinewho dedicated some of his works to him, and St. Jerome. From the year 411 he was involved in controversies of the Donatists, who denied forgiveness Christians who apostatized during the persecutions.

Marcellinus was sent to Carthage (Tunis) to mediate in the dialogue between the Catholic bishops and the Donatists, and he was assassinated in 413. Emperor Honorius recognized the arbitrariness of the execution by a general and annulled it, but he was too late. You can see the story here. The Catholic Church proclaimed him a martyr. St. Augustine and St. Jerome wrote his funeral eulogy.

The Roman Martyrology says: Lay martyr. "In Carthage, in Africa, St. Marcellinus, martyr, who being a high imperial official closely related to Saints Augustine and Jerome. He was accused of being a supporter of the usurper Heraclión and, although innocent, for defending the Catholic faith was killed by heretics Donatists (413)".

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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Immigrants turned into political weapons

Education

Braval: from dialogue to real integration

Josep Masabeu, president of Braval, explains how the 'Conversations' - monthly meetings with diverse profiles - have become a key tool for the integration of young immigrants in the Raval.

Teresa Aguado Peña-September 13, 2025-Reading time: 3 minutes

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In 2005, Braval had already been working for seven years to improve the integration of young immigrants through sports, educational support and intercultural coexistence. Josep Masabeu, its president, wanted to go further: "We asked ourselves: 'What's happening in other entities? What's happening with the administration? What are the trends?"

Thus, in search of a deep and practical understanding of the reality, 'Conversations on Immigration' were born, in the form of monthly lunches with people from different fields: journalists, businessmen, educators, civil servants... always with varied profiles to avoid unilateral visions: "The contrast of opinions and experiences is very enriching", emphasizes Josep.

20 years and 142 conversations later, Braval has created a network of connections that allows them to have direct and effective contact with entities that help solve concrete problems of young people. In addition, many people share experiences that work elsewhere. "Sometimes they even invite their leaders to the next meal, and in this way a network of mutual learning is generated," says Josep.

The impact has also been on the labor market. Through the conversations, opportunities have arisen to place young people in sectors in urgent need of personnel. And thanks to the trust generated, it is often the guests themselves who open doors to new collaborations.

The key: mix to integrate

Masabeu stresses cultural mixing as the key to integration: "If you don't mix, you are basically maintaining the ghetto".

At Braval, mixing is achieved especially through sports: "Our soccer and basketball teams are mixed. Because if you make a team of Filipinos against a team of Moroccans, or Ecuadorians against Spaniards, you haven't broken anything."

Through shared play, the children break down prejudices. Soccer and basketball are just the starting point. From there, Braval structures a series of supports: school reinforcement, weekly team meetings, personalized accompaniment... and training in values.

But the focus is clear: no "immigrant" activities. "We are not in a league for immigrants. We are in the normal Barcelona league, with 120 teams from all neighborhoods. That allows our kids to get out of the neighborhood and for others to come and learn about our reality."

In contrast to the stereotypical image of the passive or dependent immigrant, Masabeu stresses a very different reality: "They have a brutal fighting capacity, which the kids here don't have.

Interreligious dialogue based on Christian identity

One of the most striking dimensions of Braval is the natural coexistence between religions. The center has a Christian identity - it is an initiative of Opus Dei - and does not hide it.

"We have an oratory with the Blessed Sacrament, a priest comes once a week, and we offer catechesis to whoever wants it. But we have never had a problem with anyone," says Masabeu.

Living together is part of the daily experience. There are volunteers and participants from nine religions: Catholics, Evangelicals, Orthodox, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews and atheists. The result is a rich coexistence, where religion, far from dividing, unites through mutual respect.

"The kids ask a lot of questions. What party are you having today? Why are you eating this? Why aren't you eating that? If you invite me to your party, I come. And when it's mine, you come". At confirmations, for example, the kids invite their friends from the team - of any religion - and everyone participates with joy.

Love and transcendence

At bottom, Braval's success is not explained only by a good organization or an educational model. What makes the difference is something deeper: "What you are transmitting is love. And they notice that. Sometimes you have to tell them off, of course, but they feel welcome.

Because in the end, more than a strategy, Braval is a community of people who care about each other. From prayer, from dedication, from faith. And so, integration is not a program, but a concrete experience of friendship, service and shared hope.

The authorTeresa Aguado Peña

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Immigrants turned into political weapons

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The World

Pope's calls to Gaza bring "great joy," says parish priest

Receiving phone calls from the Pope continues to provide "great joy" to the hundreds of people who receive shelter and support from the only Latin Rite Catholic Church in Gaza, said the pastor.

CNS / Omnes-September 12, 2025-Reading time: 3 minutes

- Carol Glatz, Vatican City (CNS)

Some 450 people forced to flee their homes, mostly elderly, sick and children, are housed in the compound of the Holy Family Church in Gaza. Argentine parish priest Gabriel Romanelli has reported what is happening to Vatican Media. And he has said that the Pope's phone calls give "great joy." "He follows the situation very closely."

Pope Francis, an Argentine compatriot, called the parish priest almost every day for more than a year and a half since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023. He also called just two days before his death in April.

Father Romanelli told Vatican Media that Pope Leo XIV has also called them, but did not specify how often.

The situation remains very difficult

After Israel launched an attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar on September 9, Pope Leo XIV told reporters that he had just tried to call the parish in Gaza City.

"I just tried to call the pastor, but I have no news," the Pope commented, expressing concern about a new evacuation order from Israel. Israeli planes had dropped leaflets over Gaza City in the morning. They warned of a new attack on the city and encouraged civilians to evacuate.

Father Romanelli shared a video with Vatican media on Sept. 10, in which he claimed that he and other residents had been able to speak with the pope after his attempt to call. "We told him that we are fine, that the situation is still difficult."

"The majority of the population does not want to leave," he said, stressing that "we are still close to them." "We are fine, despite the terrible situation in the entire Gaza Strip," he told Vatican Media in his video.

"He follows the situation closely and is very committed."

In a video shared on his Instagram feed on Sept. 10, Father Romanelli said it was not the first time Pope Leo had called.

"He always follows the situation closely and is very committed to the end of this war, working and praying for peace," the priest said in Spanish. The Pope "sends his blessings to everyone, to the entire Gaza Strip, to the entire parish community."

"It is a great joy to be in communication with the Holy Father, with Pope Leo," he said.

The priest explained that he could not answer the phone when the Pope called because they were in the middle of a long and beautiful liturgical celebration.

Father Romanelli told Vatican Media that they were celebrating Mass and the sacrament of marriage for a Catholic couple, "a great joy." Other joyful news, "in the midst of so much pain," he said, was the birth of a baby boy named Mark. The mother is one of the many internally displaced people they house.

Priests have refused to leave

Priests from the compounds of Holy Family Church and St. Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church have refused to evacuate as they were providing shelter to hundreds of civilians who have nowhere else to go.

Israeli forces damaged both church compounds: St. Porphyry in October 2023 and the Holy Family in December 2023 and in July of this year. The Israeli military claimed that the attacks were unintentional.

"We are still in the parish."

Father Romanelli addressed the aftermath of those attacks in his video to Vatican Media. "We are still here in the parish with the people we care for." This includes families and "a considerable number" of elderly, sick and children.

"In other parts of Gaza City, there are people moving south," he said, emphasizing that "most of the population does not want to leave."

"Many say the same thing we have heard since the beginning of the war: everywhere there is danger, there is bombing, real danger, there is death, wounded, destruction," he said.

However, since many want to continue living in the city, he said, "we continue with our daily activities, which is what we can do. We have been able to help many families.

The authorCNS / Omnes

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Evangelization

The Most Holy Name of Mary

On an apostolic journey to Munich, Alttöting and Regensburg (2006), Benedict XVI celebrated Holy Mass on September 12. He said: "Today we celebrate the feast of the 'Name of Mary. To those who bear this name - my mother and my sister did - I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on their feast day".

Francisco Otamendi-September 12, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

On the feast of the Sweet Name of Mary, which originated in Cuenca (Spain), and which Pope Innocent XI extended to the Church in the West, Benedict XVI referred to the Word of God. "Today we have heard in the Gospel how the Lord gives her as Mother to the beloved disciple and, in him, to all of us."

"In every age Christians have gratefully welcomed this testament of Jesus," he added. "And together with the Mother they have always found the security and confident hope that fill us with joy in God and in our faith in him."

Benedict XVI: "Mary, Mother of the Lord and mirror of all holiness".

On December 25, 2005, a few months after he was elected Pope, Benedict XVI signed his encyclical 'Deus caritas est'. For the feast that concerns us, see nn. 40 to 42.

Pope Benedict wrote: "The saints are the true bearers of light in history, because they are men and women of faith, hope and love. Among the saints, Mary, Mother of the Lord and mirror of all holiness, stands out".

"Luke's Gospel shows her engaged in a charitable service to her cousin Elizabeth, with whom she stayed "about three months" (1:56) to care for her during her pregnancy," he continues.

The figure of Mary

This fragment of the encyclical, towards the end, and others, are collected in the last chapter of the book 'Mary', a selection of homilies and speeches of Benedict XVI, edited by Cristiandad. The introduction is by Pablo Blanco SartoThe brief preface is by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Vicar General Emeritus of His Holiness for Vatican City.

"'Mariais a careful anthology of Benedict XVI's texts on the Virgin Mary, selected for their depth, beauty and doctrinal coherence. Far from being a secondary devotion, the figure of Mary appears here as the living nucleus of the Christian faith: where Mary is, there is the Church; where Mary is, the human face of God shines forth," describes Christianity editions. On Monday the 15th, Our Lady of Sorrows, we will return to it.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

The Most Holy Name of Mary

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Evangelization

Duchess of Kent, royalty who chose the Catholic faith

Remembered for her passion for charity, teaching music and unwavering humility, the Duchess of Kent, a high-ranking Catholic member of the British royal family, died Sept. 4 at age 92. The funeral will take place on September 16 at Westminster Cathedral.

OSV / Omnes-September 12, 2025-Reading time: 5 minutes

- Simon Caldwell (OSV News).

Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, in a Sept. 5 statement, said he remembered "fondly" the memory of the Duchess of Kent, born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley, who converted to Catholicism in 1994.

"I received with sadness the news today of the death of Her Royal Highness, Catherine, Duchess of Kent," said Cardinal Nichols, president of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

"I fondly remember his presence in our community, especially his participation in the pilgrimage to Lourdes, as well as his life of public service," Cardinal Nichols said.

'Prayers of the Catholic Community'.

"I have written to His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent and assured him of the prayers of the Catholic community in England and Wales," the cardinal continued. "We pray that God will receive her soul into heaven, as promised to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. May Catherine rest in peace and rise in glory."

The Duchess was received into the faith by Cardinal Basil Hume in 1994 in a private ceremony at Westminster Cathedral. And as early as the 1980s she discussed the possibility of converting to Catholicism. She was the first British royal to join the Catholic faith since 1685.

The Duchess of Kent attends the 1995 Childline Awards (Photo by OSV News/Reuters).

An active and committed Catholic

From then on, the Duchess of Kent became an active and committed Catholic, often helping the sick and elderly on pilgrimages to the Marian shrine of Lourdes in France, for example.

She became a patron of the Samaritans, a charity whose aim is to provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress. And struggling to cope or at risk of suicide throughout the UK and Ireland.

He also completed a 10-week training course to enable him to work four-hour shifts counseling people on the verge of suicide. He also supported 'The Passage', a charity run by the Catholic Church for homeless people.

The Duchess rarely used her title of Royal Highness and increasingly preferred anonymity to royal duties. Eventually, she disappeared from public life and opted to teach at an elementary school in Hull, northern England, from 1996 to 2004.

'Driven by the love of music and children'.

"She made weekly 400-mile round-trips to teach, driven by a love of music and children," her own charity, Future Talent, said in her obituary.

"Deliberately inconspicuous, she was known simply as 'Mrs. Kent,' and her students and their parents were unaware of who she really was," the charity stated.

The death of the duchess was announced "with deep regret" by Buckingham Palace in a statement to the media on September 5.

The statement said the duchess "passed away peacefully" at Kensington Palace, her London residence, "surrounded by her family."

The note added that King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and "all members of the Royal Family, join the Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning her loss. And to remember with affection the Duchess's lifelong devotion to all the organizations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people."

President Nelson Mandela walks hand in hand with Britain's Duchess of Kent during a press conference at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, in this file photo (OSV News/Reuters photo).

Burial on September 16 in Windsor

On Sept. 6, Buckingham Palace said the duchess will be buried at Windsor after a requiem mass on Sept. 16 at Westminster Cathedral in London.

The statement said that initially the Duchess's coffin "will rest in the private chapel at Kensington Palace," before being moved by hearse to the cathedral on Sept. 15, where "the Rite of Reception and Vespers will take place."

The coffin will rest overnight in the Chapel of the Virgin and the King, Queen and other members of the Royal Family will join mourners for the funeral the following day.

Cardinal Nichols to preside at the funeral

According to British media reports, Cardinal Nichols will preside at the funeral, which will also be attended by the Anglican Dean of Windsor.

The duchess came from a wealthy, but not aristocratic, family and became the first untitled person to marry a member of the British royal family since the Tudor period. She married Edward, Duke of Kent and cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1961.

Her first child, George, was born in 1962, followed by Helen in 1964 and Nicholas in 1970. In 1975, she contracted measles during pregnancy and aborted her fourth child on medical advice and after consultation with Anglican religious authorities.

Human life, a gift from God

The experience had a profound impact on her life, and in 1977 she was unable to deliver a speech to the British Congress of Obstetricians. Instead, it (the text) was read on her behalf, the Telegraph said in its massive obituary of the duchess.

In his speech, he expressed the view that human life was a gift from God and praised the pro-life movement.

Two years later, she lost her fifth child, baby Patrick, when he was stillborn. "It had a most devastating effect on me," she later said, the BBC reported.

"I suffered from acute depression for a while. I think I'd be a pretty rare person if I didn't succumb under those circumstances," he said.

For decades it was considered a beacon of empathy.

However, for decades, the Duchess was considered a true beacon of empathy and associated with the annual international tennis tournament at Wimbledon, London. She presented the Women's Singles Trophy from 1976 to 2001 on all but three occasions.

One example became iconic when in 1993, the Duchess of Kent comforted a devastated Jana Novotna, a Czech tennis player who lost the final, by simply hugging her.

She is survived by her husband and three sons, the youngest of whom, Nicholas, followed her to the Catholic faith in 2001.

———————

Simon Caldwell writes for OSV News from Liverpool, England.

This information was originally published in OSV News. You can consult it here.

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The authorOSV / Omnes

Duchess of Kent

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The more planes filled, the more cradles emptied

Since 1964, international tourism has continued to grow while the world's birth rate has halved.

September 12, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

Pope's forceful speech in favor of life and childbirth Related News

Gianluigi De Palo: "A global birth pact is a proposal that could be discussed at the international level". Related News

No birth rate, no future

International tourism has a high inverse correlation with birth rates. Correlation does not imply causation, but a plausible hypothesis is that the massification of tourism is largely due to the fact that people have stopped having children and have fewer fixed expenses.

According to the World Tourism Organization, in 2024 international tourist arrivals reached 1.465 billion, the same level as in 2019 in absolute numbers, with a compound annual growth of 4.5% between 1964 and 2024, much higher than what the world GDP has grown in constant dollars and per capita, which since 1964 has grown at a compound annual rate of about 2.0%.

As a percentage of the population, tourists traveling internationally represented 3.20 % of the global population in 1964, while in 2024 they represent 17.95 % (still slightly below 2019).

Therefore, neither per capita wealth growth nor population growth can explain the enormous growth of tourism in the last 60 years. There must be other factors. My hypothesis is that one of the most important, if not the most important, is the falling birth rate.

According to the World Bank, the world fertility rate in 1964 was 5.13 children per woman. Since then it has plummeted to 2.2 children per woman in 2023, and is less than 2 children per woman if we exclude sub-Saharan Africa, where women still have, thank God, 4.4 children on average. In Spain, the rate is 1.12 children per woman, in Italy 1.18, in the USA 1.62, in Japan 1.20 and in South Korea 0.72.

We have to do something to reverse the downward trend in the birth rate, especially in the developed world. Otherwise, sectors such as tourism will continue to grow, but increasingly in "Imserso mode", and then decline and disappear rapidly.

The authorJoseph Gefaell

Analyst. Science, economics and religion. Five children. Investment banker. Profile on X: @ChGefaell.

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"Free". The film that uncovers the treasure of the contemplative life.

Cinema

"Light of the World": a Gospel film to watch with your children.

"Light of the World" is an animated Gospel film that combines catechetical storytelling and evangelical overtones and is intended for pre-teens and their families.

OSV / Omnes-September 12, 2025-Reading time: 3 minutes

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By John Mulderig, OSV News

"Light of the World" (Salvation Poem Project), an animated Gospel story, provides an excellent vehicle for conveying its fundamental message in an easily assimilated form. Although the film includes material that would be too frightening for younger children, its ideal target audience is older children.

Narrated from the perspective of a young John the Evangelist (voice of Benjamin Jacobson), this generally light-hearted journey through salvation history necessarily has its serious moments. Among them are a brief flashback to the fall of Adam and Eve, as well as scenes establishing the oppressive nature of Roman rule in the Holy Land in the first century.

In this historical context, John - a well-meaning but impulsive and irascible boy - undergoes a conversion when he comes under the influence of Jesus (voice of Ian Hanlin). Becoming one of the Twelve, he witnesses the miracles of the promised Messiah and takes seriously his teachings, some of which are conveyed through parables.

From the beginning, John's parents and brother James (voice of Dylan Leonard), Salome (voice of Erin Mathews) and Zebedee (voice of Dave Pettitt), represent the polar opposites of steadfast faith and skepticism, respectively, with John unsure, at times, which of their examples to follow. (Spoiler alert: Mom wins).

The theology behind directors John J. Schafer and Tom Bancroft's endearing, humor-tinged drama is fragmentary from a Catholic perspective. Peter (voice of Sam Darkoh) is presented, albeit in passing, as the rock on which Jesus will lean. And his reconciliation with the Savior after the Resurrection, healing the wound of his denial of Jesus, is portrayed quietly but effectively.

The Virgin Mary (voiced by Rebekah Schafer) also takes center stage, endowed with greater insight than those around her and braver than others in the face of Jesus' condemnation to the cross. A poignant painting reminiscent of Michelangelo's Pieta follows his death.

However, according to David and Drew Armstrong's script, the film shows a strong evangelical character. As a result, the sacraments receive little attention. The institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, for example, is almost informal, as the Apostles do not share the bread and chalice given to them by Jesus, but consume portions of bread and wine already in their places.

As for baptism, the situation is more complex. John the Baptist (voice of Jesse Inocalla) is an important character in the narrative (in a recurring joke, his eccentric fondness for eating insects disgusts both young John and Jesus). And the purification ritual he practices is accurately described as symbolic, not sacramental.

But the fact that Jesus ultimately elevated baptism to the status of a sacrament and established it as the gateway to the new covenant in his blood is ignored. Instead, the recitation of the poetic prayer from which the film's production company takes its name is shown, in a climactic scene, as the closing of a character's desire to convert to Christianity.

Parents might consider these gaps as a basis for a family conversation. It is also worth keeping in mind, in advance, that the Passion is described too graphically for younger children. However, the bottom line is that, as a whole, "Light of the World" can serve as a valuable catechetical tool, as well as an enjoyable viewing experience, for tweens and their elders.

The film contains scenes of suffering and death, and characters in peril. OSV News rating is A-II (for adults and teenagers). The Motion Picture Association rating is PG (PG-II); parental supervision is recommended. Some material may be inappropriate for children.

The authorOSV / Omnes

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Books

Israel and Palestine. The history of a never-ending conflict

Eduardo Baura's book on Israel and Palestine explains in a clear and non-partisan way the historical, religious and political roots of the confrontation, from the biblical origins to the present day.

Álvaro Gil Ruiz-September 12, 2025-Reading time: 3 minutes

Rare is the day that does not bring news of the endless conflict between Israel and Palestine. Reality entangled by the branches of this "dense forest" in the Middle East, which generates confusion, rejection and compassion. And that inevitably precipitates many to one side or another -few are those who are saved-, by the biased and unconnected knowledge that we have of this reality. Since the "chapters" of this "series" without a final season, do not follow the expected order to achieve peace, but the one dictated by hatred and revenge, and the desire to achieve their goals.

It is also rare, perhaps not as rare as the "endless history" of this armed struggle, to find a person who is knowledgeable about this complex reality, and who knows how to explain it in a synthetic and, to top it all, non-partisan way. That is why the book "Israel and Palestine. La historia de un conflicto interminable" by Eduardo Baura García in ediciones Ciudadela, is a wonderful novelty, very valuable. How to summarize in such a fortunate way such a complex reality? What is the key to clarify the most fundamental facts that have caused this "Semitic hornet's nest"? It lies in the author's knowledge and communicative skills.

Baura (Madrid, 1986) holds a degree in Humanities, a PhD in Medieval History from CEU San Pablo and is also an adjunct professor of contemporary history at the same university. He has three master's degrees in different subjects from various universities and is the author of multiple publications. In this book he shows his deep knowledge of this topical subject and his pedagogical skills to explain it in a clear and direct way. His pen is light, which makes the book an agile, pleasant and essential reading, ideal for any moment.

Structure of the work

It begins with the biblical accounts that allow us to understand the origin of the Semitic peoples, specifically the Jews and the Arabs. And the legitimacy argued by both to claim this territory as theirs since ancient times.

Later he explains how, curiously, the monotheistic religions are intimately linked to the legendary Holy City (Jerusalem), threefold. For Christians, it is the place where Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was tortured and killed on the cross. It is also holy for the Jews, because it is the land promised by God to Abraham, and because it is where the rock is where he almost sacrificed his son Isaac, on Mount Moriah. And it is also for Muslims, because next to this rock, which is inside the Dome of the Rock (in the esplanade of the mosques, where the famous Al-Aqsa is also located), is the place where, according to Islamic tradition, Muhammad ascended to Heaven on a winged horse, Buraq.

But most of the book focuses on the beginning of the interminable conflict, when the Ottomans lost Palestine to the British, after the conflict of World War I. It also pays attention to the development, after many political, military and all kinds of actions, of the Zionist movement. And it also pays attention to the development, after many political, military and other actions, of the Zionist movement. This lobby demanded a nation for the Jews, after the anti-Jewish movements that had taken place mainly in Europe, during the last decades of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century.

Zionist movement

This political-cultural movement succeeded in getting Palestine to welcome this people, under the name of Israel. It was on May 15, 1948, under the impulse of its first president, David Ben-Gurion. With the passage of time, this Middle Eastern nation has managed to have access to the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, almost 10 million inhabitants, 22,000 square kilometers, where Muslim Arabs, Christians, Druze and Samaritans live. They consider Jerusalem to be their capital, although the financial center is in Tel Aviv-Yafo and the largest industrial center is in Haifa. The country's main sources of financing are the production of cut and polished diamonds, the manufacture of chips, as well as other products. It is also noted for its tourism.

Israel's dispute for the same territory with Palestine (mostly Arab), whose dominion is reduced to the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip (it is not known for how long), makes this place a "hornet's nest", since the dispute has international dimensions, due to the support received from countries defending the interests of each side.

The author's conclusion is clear, this conflict has a difficult or impossible solution in a fair way and therefore makes it endless. At the end of the book he provides a list of essays, novels, films, documentaries and series that facilitate a deeper understanding of this reality.

Israel and Palestine. The history of a never-ending conflict

AuthorEduardo Baura García

Editorial: Citadel

Year: 2025

Number of pages: 208

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Spain

A Silent Faith: Chinese Catholics in Spain

Although invisible to many, Chinese Catholics in Spain live a vibrant faith, with young, active and committed communities. Their discreet witness, forged in persecution and now lived in freedom, is a seed of hope for the Church.

Javier García Herrería-September 12, 2025-Reading time: 5 minutes

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Although many hardly notice it, the Chinese Catholic community in Spain represents a surprisingly active and deeply committed to their faith. In the midst of a diaspora characterized by hard work and discretion, there are an estimated 2,000 Chinese Catholics in the country, of whom about 1,500 are regular practitioners, according to several of the priests who accompany these communities.

Far from the public eye, this Church flourishes from within: catechesis, retreats and Eucharistic celebrations weave a network of faith that unites different generations, many of them already born in Spain.

Jubilee Celebration at the Almudena

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, a multitudinous Eucharist was celebrated in Madrid's Almudena Cathedral on the occasion of the Jubilee of Hope of the Chinese Catholic communities in Spain. Presided over by Bishop Vicente Marin, Auxiliary Bishop of Madrid, and concelebrated by several Chinese priests, it was a moment of deep communion.

From 11:00 a.m., the faithful arrived from all parts of the country: Valencia, Barcelona, Bilbao, Mallorca, Zaragoza, as well as the communities of Madrid. The liturgy, lived with great recollection, was an expression of unity and diversity.

The Chinese choir dazzled those present. "I'm not a music specialist, but that choir was the Chinese translation of Gregorian."commented one of the attendees. The precision, harmony and spirituality created an unparalleled atmosphere. And the reverent silence of the faithful - especially the children - impressed everyone.

Stories of faith and courage

Among those present were Ana and Maria, accompanied by their mother, Teresa. Their family, marked by faith in times of persecution, lived a moving story. Their grandfather, a former communist official, converted after a spiritual experience linked to his illness. His sister, moved by an inner message attributed to the Virgin Mary, promised to convert her people if her brother was healed. And so it happened.

Teresa, the sick man's daughter, lived in hiding for months in order to have a second child in the midst of the one-child policy. Later, they emigrated to Spain, where the family has continued to live and transmit their faith freely.

Growing presence: nine communities

There are currently nine active Chinese Catholic centers in Spain, in Valencia, Mallorca, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Tenerife and Barcelona. In Madrid there are three other communities: in Usera, Santa Rita and Parla, the latter in the diocese of Getafe.

The specific pastoral work in Madrid began in 2007, when the growing number of Chinese faithful led to the initiation of activities in Santa Rita, a parish run by the Augustinian Recollects. The first leaders were Father Jose Yan Tao and later Father Juan Maria Guo Kun Peng. Since then, Mass in Chinese is celebrated weekly and a constant schedule of activities is maintained.

In the diocese of Getafe, more than a hundred faithful are part of this reality. In the parish of Saints Justo and Pastor in Parla, between forty and fifty people attend the 8:00 p.m. Mass every Saturday. Catechesis in Chinese is also given there for children, young people and adults, supported by two Sisters of the Guardian Angels, a key part of the pastoral care. However, many will be surprised to know that in Mallorca and Valencia are present the two parishes with more faithful and activities.

The parish of Usera

The Chinese pastoral work in the Usera neighborhood of Madrid was consolidated thanks to the vision of the then parish priest, Daniel Rodriguez. He first counted on the help of the religious Pablo Liu, who for a few years helped to set up the celebrations and activities.

As time went by, the need for a more stable dedication became evident, and so the priest Pedro Liu (no relation to Pablo), trained at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Madrid, arrived. He was parochial vicar for several years, and under his guidance the community grew remarkably. Although he is now in another parish, the work he left behind has borne lasting fruit in a community that is alive and continually developing.

From secrecy to religious freedom

Many of the Chinese Catholics in Spain come from the underground Church, not recognized by their country's regime. Two priests in Getafe, for example, were trained in hidden seminaries before being sent to Spain. One of them recalls how his family embraced the faith after the miraculous healing of his father. Baptized in 1987, he lived a vocation that led him from his diocese in China to serve compatriots on Spanish soil today.

Most Chinese families in Spain are young. Many children were born here or arrived as children. While the young children are fluent in Spanish, their parents sometimes barely speak it, creating a linguistic and cultural challenge in daily life and in pastoral care.

In fact, it is not uncommon for priests to act as a bridge, accompanying parents to school meetings, translating, arranging aid and supporting health issues. They are pastors and cultural mediators at the same time.

Faith lived in community

In addition to Mass and catechesis, the communities organize activities that strengthen the bonds among their members: monthly excursions, youth meetings and spiritual retreats. In Parla, for example, there are 18 fully integrated teenagers. Many study in Catholic schools such as John Paul II or St. James the Apostle.

After the age of 16, many young people start working in the summer, which makes it difficult for them to participate. Even so, they remain connected to the community and attend catechesis when they can.

Last summer, more than 40 children from Madrid and Zaragoza participated in a week-long camp. For this year, one of the priests has planned an urban camp for the whole of July, from Monday to Friday, with extended hours until five in the afternoon. This is a valuable alternative for children whose parents cannot take vacations.

Evangelizing through friendship

Evangelizing among the Chinese, especially those from Fujian, is not easy. They are culturally reserved and not very open to religion. "First you have to make friends and have trust with them."explains a priest. However, despite the difficulties, every year there are conversions. In Valencia, for example, about twenty adults are baptized annually. In other communities, the numbers are more modest but constant.

Word-of-mouth is fundamental: newcomers arrive at the invitation of a friend, and many stay because of the warmth of the community.

Firm and close commitment

Unlike many Spanish parishes, where attendance decreases, in these communities up to 80 % of the faithful attend Mass regularly. Those who are absent are contacted and encouraged to return. This pastoral closeness strengthens commitment.

One of the big problems in attending Sunday Mass is work on weekends. In fact, in the large distribution complex of products coming from China in Madrid, the famous Cobo Calleja industrial park, every Sunday there is a Eucharist in a room of the warehouse. Some workers attend it during a break at work.

A Church between cultures

Chinese Catholics in Spain live between two languages, two cultures and two worlds. But in the parish everything comes together: children who barely speak Chinese, parents who barely understand Spanish..., and the Gospel as a meeting place.

These communities are a silent witness of fidelity, sacrifice and hope. A Church that, although small, is great in faith. A Church that grows. Many have known the faith in contexts of persecution and their testimony is profound. Moreover, the absence of elders - who often stay in China - means that these communities are composed mainly of young families.

Ecclesial diversity at the service of mission

The Chinese communities count on the help of various charisms. In addition to Chinese priests, they are assisted by Dominican nuns, nuns of the Institute of the Incarnate Word and Augustinian Recollects, who contribute to catechesis, formation and liturgy.

The Jubilee Mass was not just a celebration, but a visible reminder of the catholicity of the Church. A living body, diverse and united in faith. A witness that challenges. And a call to look with hope to the future of the Church in Spain.

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Arguments and responses to euthanasia

Latin America

Church rejects euthanasia bill in Chile

Senate Health Committee approves euthanasia bill; Catholic Church reiterates its rejection and calls for protection of life

Pablo Aguilera-September 11, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

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On September 9, in the Health Commission of the Chilean Senate, the Euthanasia bill sent by the Government was approved; 2 left-wing and 1 independent senators voted in favor and 2 right-wing senators voted against. It will now go to the floor to be voted by all the senators.

In the previous weeks, several experts spoke before the Commission. Cardinal Fernando Chomalí, Archbishop of Santiago, accompanied by Bishop Juan Ignacio González, Bishop of San Bernardo, presented the position of the Catholic Church.

The day after the vote, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Conference of Chile issued a statement. They begin by recalling the words of St. John Paul II: "Euthanasia remains an inadmissible act, even in extreme cases, since it constitutes "a grave violation of the Law of God, insofar as it is a deliberate and morally unacceptable elimination of a human person. This doctrine is based on the natural law and on the written Word of God; it is handed down by the Tradition of the Church and taught by the ordinary and universal Magisterium" (Evangelium Vitae, n. 65).

They recall that "Medical science and the legislative experience of other nations have warned - based on the reality of what has happened - that the legal opening to euthanasia always walks towards a progressive expansion of the admitted causes, leading, eventually, to the so-called medicine of desire, where the value of life is measured by utility or a personal decision."

The bishops trust in the wisdom of the Senate and its responsibility to protect life, so they hope that legislation allowing euthanasia will not pass.

A vote on this bill is expected to take place on the Senate floor in the coming weeks, the outcome of which is uncertain.

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Evangelization

Our Lady of Coromoto, Patron Saint of Venezuela

September 11 is the day of the coronation of Our Lady of Coromoto, Queen and main Patroness of Venezuela, consecrated by Pius XII in 1952. This happened just 300 years after her appearance to the indigenous chief Coromoto and his wife. On February 10, 1996, St. John Paul II inaugurated the shrine in Venezuela at the site of the apparitions.

Francisco Otamendi-September 11, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

Our Lady of Coromoto is the Patroness of Venezuela, venerated in the city of Guanare, where she appeared on September 8, 1652, as in the whole country. Venezuelans celebrate her several times a year. Every February 2 (feast of the Presentation of the Lord), September 8 (Nativity of the Virgin Mary) and September 11 (the central day).

When Guanare was founded in 1591, the indigenous inhabitants of the region, the Cospes, fled to the jungle north of the city. It is said that this made it difficult to evangelization that the Church had undertaken in the region. And one day in 1561, the indigenous chief Coromoto and his wife were crossing a stream of water. They saw a Lady of extraordinary beauty who told them in their language: "Go to the whites' house and ask them to pour water on your head so you can go to heaven".

Cospes Indian Community

According to the story, the Blessed Virgin appeared to several Indians on different days and to their children when they went to fetch water. After several vicissitudesCoromoto was baptized. And the Cospes Indians formed a community of faithful, accompanied for years by a Capuchin friar named José de Najera.

On October 7, 1944, Pope Pius XII declared Our Lady of Coromoto as "Patroness of the Republic of Venezuela". Her canonical coronation took place on September 11, 1952, on the occasion of the third centenary of the apparition. The National Sanctuary of the Virgin of Coromoto was declared a basilica by the same Pope on May 24, 1949.

St. John Paul II: "Our Lady of Coromoto, pray for Venezuela!"

On February 10, 1996, St. John Paul II inaugurated the National Shrine of Our Lady of Coromoto, built on the site of the apparitions. The sanctuary is located in the parish "Virgen de Coromoto" (Guanare). On that day, the Polish Pope prayed to Our Lady in this way.

"You are the pride of our people! In the numerous Marian shrines that are erected in so many places on earth, we repeat these words from the book of Judith, to express our joy, because the Mother of God has established her dwelling among her people. Today these words are pronounced by the inhabitants of Venezuela, who precisely here in Coromoto, unite to venerate her as Patroness of Venezuela". Our Lady of Coromoto, pray for Venezuela and for Catholic America!

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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Evangelization

Philosopher Byung-Chul Han's surprising proposals on the difficulty of praying

The German philosopher of South Korean origin, Byung-Chul Han (1959), was awarded the 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities in May. En October, "On God" is launched. See some of his proposals on today's society and prayer.

Francisco Otamendi-September 11, 2025-Reading time: 5 minutes

Considered one of the most outstanding contemporary philosophers, the award-winning Byung-Chul Han has dedicated some of his reflections, in particular, to what he calls the "society of weariness" or "society of transparency". The Jury The Princess of Asturias Awards has highlighted his "brilliance in interpreting the challenges of the technological society".

In fact, one of the main points of interest for his followers is that in previous books he had referred to God, but not in a totally explicit way. However, the published Sprechen Über Gott'. (Talking about God), by Matthes & Seitz Berlin, answers to the title. Y About GodThe book, which is already on pre-sale from Paidós, in Spanish, as well.

The analysis of today's society and the proposals offered by the philosopher Han, based on the thought of Simone Weil, combining Eastern wisdom, are striking. Simone Weil is, in Byung-Chul Han's opinion, the most brilliant intellectual figure of the 20th century. And the South Korean thinker relies on the French philosopher as "an ethical and spiritual compass for our time, in the face of a world dominated by performance, consumption and hyperactivity".

Rediscovering silence, transcendence...

Therefore, Han and Weil invite us to "rediscover emptiness, silence, attention and transcendence as possible and necessary forms of life", to a point that is probably analysts of its evolution, or other scholarsthey didn't suspect, or maybe they did...

One of the first authors to comment on Byung-Chul Han's reflections was the philosopher and professor at the Complutense University, José María Barrio. In his opinion, Han makes "one of the best portraits of our time, as well as medicine for its most vulnerable sides. He gathers the best of Eastern wisdom to purify our post-Christian wounds.

On the other hand, philosophy graduate and Nietzsche researcher Iván Campillo is commenting on the latest contributions of Han with some videoswhich "do not replace the original work, they are only a complement to the reading".

Some reflections by Byung-Chul Han

The exposition of the philosopher Han is described in seven fundamental concepts, according to 'Sprechen Über Gott' (Speaking about God). These are, according to the table of contents, seven points, preceded by a prologue, which also appear in 'On God'. They are as follows: Attention, Uncreation, Emptiness, Silence, Beauty, Pain, Inactivity, and Notes.

In these lines we present brief quotations, not complete, from the German edition, with our own translation, and some commentary on the selected theme, which is the difficulty of praying. Consequently, we focus on the first point: Attention, and some additional ideas, always according to Byung-Chul Han (and Simone Weil).

30 ideas. Attention to

1) Some time ago, "Simone Weil (SW) has settled in me. It has settled in my soul".

2) (Weil) never reads without shuddering "the story of the barren fig tree".

3) "The current crisis of religion is not simply because certain contents of faith have lost their validity" (...), or because the Church has lost all confidence. Rather, there are structural reasons (...)". "Among them is the decline of attention".

4) "The crisis of religion is, therefore, also a crisis of attention, a crisis of sight and hearing."

5) "Perception has become extremely voracious. It lacks all contemplative breadth. It eats constantly.

6) "Consumption is their basic attitude. The 'binge watching' (binge watching) expresses their voracity very well".

7) "Only the soul that fasts can look (...) The eternal part of the soul feeds on hunger".

8) "The hunger of the soul is hard to bear, but there is no other remedy for the disease".

9) "Contemplative attention is essential to look". To contemplate things without wanting to appropriate them. Whoever is able to look empties himself".

10) According to Simone Weil, it is the imagination that, in the service of the self, constantly dreams of food, subjecting things to the needs, desires and interests of the self.

11) "Imagination, as 'gravity', blinds the soul to the true relationship between things (...) It prevents the soul from rising towards the transcendent"....

12) Religious attention is 'looking' and not 'seeking', not 'clinging'. Perhaps that is why we clasp our hands together when we pray.

Digitization

13) "Digitalization greatly accelerates the total availability of reality. It accustoms us to everything being immediately available, accessible, predictable and consumable."

14) Mental attitudes such as waiting or patience, which would offer access to the inaccessible, fall into disuse.

15) Information as a stimulus fragments attention. Deep attention is resistant to stimuli and even rejects them. It resembles a prayer: 'With fullness of attention one can only think of God'.

Distracted

16) "We are constantly distracted (...) Only by constant distraction has God abandoned us: 'God is attention without distraction'. If we were not distracted, we would be with God."

17) Today's addicted society is "a society without attention. Perception is controlled by addiction and dopamine. Addiction and attention are opposing forces."

18) "Social networks use addictive algorithms to make people dependent, to control and direct them. The smartphone is a digital addiction machine."

19) "Deep and contemplative attention is directed to what is lasting, to what remains and endures".

20) The true is the lasting. The dominance of information destroys it by plunging us into a permanent whirlwind of actuality.

21) "An essential characteristic of good is that it does not interrupt attention as prayer. There is only one perfect criterion of good and evil: uninterrupted inner prayer."

Good, evil

22) "Good is indirect, discreet, even timid, while evil is intrusive. Evil behaves the other way around. It seduces us, makes us addicted. Only attention can repel it".

23) "Good unites and reconciles, while evil separates and divides. Evil is multifaceted. Good, on the contrary, is based on the one truth".

24) Simone Weil assumes that evil or violence is due to inattention- There would be less violence in the world if we were better able to pay similar attention to prayer.

25) The whole world is transformed into a bustling marketplace where everyone is shouting for attention. Capitalism does not value silence because noise generates capital, silence does not produce profit.

26) Simone Weil: there is no happiness comparable to inner silence, the spirit needs this silence to be able to create or receive something totally different.

Bombarded by noise

27) We cannot pray easily because we are constantly bombarded by information noise. Our senses are in constant voracity, always eating up stimuli.

28) Art in its deepest essence is a religious experience. The highest beauty is actually a sacrament.

The beauty

29) Beauty is a much stronger proof of God than the usual arguments based on the order of the world.

30) Beauty as the incarnation of God also spiritualizes science by transforming study into a form of prayer. "The silence that emanates from a great work of art is an echo of the divine silence."

Recall. The source is Byung-Chul Han, 'Sprechen über Gott,' Matthes & Seitz, 2025. The book 'On God', from Ediciones Paidós, which comes out in October, is already on pre-sale. You can ask at Casa del Libro, etc.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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St. John Paul II and the search for truth, goodness and beauty

Alejandro Pardo, doctor in Moral Theology, has recently published a volume entitled In the Footsteps of God in the World: St. John Paul II and the Search for Truth, Goodness and Beauty. Cn the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of his death, which will be celebrated in 2025, we will publish a series of articles on his teaching.

Alejandro Pardo-September 11, 2025-Reading time: 8 minutes

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Last April marked the twentieth anniversary of the death of St. John Paul II. His figure has left a deep mark on the recent historical panorama of the Church and the world. Poet and playwright, philosopher and theologian, he was a man of extraordinary culture, an acclaimed and respected moral leader, a pastor close to his people, a living witness of faith incarnate.

Martyr in life, his fame of sanctity exploded in an unusual popular acclaim after his death, calling for his immediate elevation to the altars. He was beatified six years after his death and canonized within a decade. His long pontificate has left a vast body of teachings, which have been expounded and treated in a prodigal manner in recent decades. However, there are still perspectives to be explored. This article proposes one of them, presenting this holy Pope as a promoter of the search for truth, goodness and beauty as a way to re-Christianize culture, inspiring it from a Christocentric humanism.

A polyphonic organ for an anthropological symphony

The intellectual and pastoral figure of Karol Wojtyła/John Paul II has not ceased to grow over the years, as evidenced by the numerous publications that continue to appear after his death. His main endeavor-as a priest and university professor first, and then as pastor of the universal Church-can be summed up in the mutually enriching dialogue between Christian Revelation and modernity (or rather, postmodernity), especially in the fields of anthropology, ethics and culture. This challenge will fully coincide with the concern manifested, in this same sense, by the Second Vatican Council, as can be seen in the first numbers of the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et SpesThe then young Archbishop of Krakow was actively involved in the drafting of the book.

Moved by this challenge, Karol Wojtyła set out to elaborate a personalist and transcendent anthropology that, starting from a solid Aristotelian-Thomistic foundation and enriched with a phenomenological approach, would respond to the demands of modernity-subjectivity, freedom and autonomy, conscience-from a Christian perspective. On this basis, he developed an ethics of the person and of culture, in which his theory of human action (the person projects himself in his actions; human action has a transforming, that is, humanizing, effect) was also reflected.

Later, during his Petrine magisterium, he continued his commitment to clarify the Christocentric reality of man and the world, thus proposing a new and regenerating humanism, in line with the directives of the last ecumenical council.

If anything has been brought out by some scholars of Wojtyła's life and work, it has been the profound unity and coherence of a thought, present in a personality as powerful as he was multifaceted: poet, playwright, philosopher, theologian and pastor. As Massimo Serreti wrote in the initial years of his pontificate, "this multiformity of thought - quite unusual now in our cultural panorama - allows Wojtyła to approach the truth about man and the truth about God from disparate visual planes and angles, but surprisingly confluent in the end."

This same opinion another expert on his figure, Lluís Clavell, for whom Wojtyła's works "proceed from the interior of the unique and unrepeatable subject, but according to various registers, such as the sound of an organ throughout a concert." This is a very apt metaphor. St. John Paul II himself used it in a letter to Professor Giovanni Reale, who was responsible for the critical edition of his philosophical works in Italian. In it he defended how the truth about the human being and about the world can be explored both through art (music, poetry, painting) and through philosophical or theological reflection, so that, among all these modes of expression, we can obtain "a sort of singular anthropological 'symphony' in which the inspiring vein that flows from the perennial Christian message (...) orients all cultures for the greater glory of God and of man, inseparably united to the mystery of Christ".

And he added: "I thank the Lord, who has granted me the honor and joy of participating in this cultural and spiritual enterprise: first, with my youthful passion, and then, as the years went by, with an approach progressively enriched by the contrast with other cultures and, above all, by the exploration of the immense doctrinal patrimony of the Church".

The way of the transcendentals

This anthropological and ethical proposal that Karol Wojtyła/John Paul II puts forward can be analyzed from various points of view. One of them consists in illuminating it from the prism of the transcendentals of being -in particular, of the verumthe bonum and the pulchrum-. Certainly, this holy Pope has not dealt with them in a monographic way; however, his constant reference to them is striking, particularly when he has referred to the anthropological and ethical foundation of the person, as well as to their projection in the cultural and social sphere.

To what extent are the search for goodness, truth and beauty essential in the teachings of this thinker and pope? We can bring up a couple of statements of his, as revealing as they are unknown. One of them took place during one of his pastoral visits to a Roman parish (Santa Maria in Traspontina), where, after being received by a children's choir, he took the opportunity to speak of the importance of education in beauty.

In the impromptu colloquium that followed, in response to a question, St. John Paul II revealed something that was deeply engraved in his heart: "One of you asked me what the Pope would have done if he had not been Pope (...) Even if I were not Pope, my main task would be to preserve, protect, defend, increase and deepen this aspiration to the good, the true, the beautiful".

A review of his interventions on the occasion of meetings with representatives of culture, artists and communicators shows that this was not a one-off comment. For example, barely a month and a half after being elected Successor of Peter, in an audience with representatives of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan on the occasion of the centenary of its founder, Father Agostino Gemelli, the newly elected Polish Pontiff clearly stated that "the human person finds full self-fulfillment only in reference to the One who constitutes the fundamental reason for all our judgments about being, good, truth and beauty". From then on, there will be numerous explicit references to these three transcendentals in speeches and addresses addressed to those who work in the field of culture, art or communication.

The "eternal stigma of God" in the world and in man's heart

In fact, starting from the mystery of man as a person, created in the image of God, Karol Wojtyła/John Paul II proposes an ascending itinerary towards God, because, as he affirms, "what is human carries in itself the eternal stigma of God, it is an image of God." Truth, Good and Beauty are but other names of that Supreme and Personal Being whom we call God, and to them we aspire; they are the object of our spiritual powers (intelligence, will, affections). From this conviction, Wojtyła would follow his particular intellectual and artistic path, based on phenomenology and illuminated by faith, which he had the opportunity to describe in those sermons addressed to the Curia in 1976 and collected in the book Sign of contradictionThe itinerarium mentis in Deum emerges from the depths of creatures and from man's innermost being.

In this journey, the modern mentality is based on the experience of man and on the affirmation of the transcendence of the human person (...). The transcendence of the person is closely linked to the reference to the One who constitutes the fundamental basis of all our judgments about being, about the good, about truth and beauty. It is linked to the reference to the One who is also totally Other, because He is infinite".

The way of the transcendentals thus responds to the anthropological need of human beings to be open to the infinite, to which they aspire by their own rational and spiritual nature. These categories or dimensions of being (truth, good, beauty) constitute the main threads of the web that unites man (creature, participated being) with God (creator, being by essence), thanks to his condition of imago Dei. Wojtyła himself has tried to traverse this threefold path through art, philosophy and theology, convinced that, indeed, everything that is truly human reflects the imprint of God. Thus, as Wojtyła himself notes, "the. itinerarium mentis in Deumas a "way of the thought of the whole man", ends up becoming a true "way of the thought of the whole man".itinerarium hominis".

This path of truth, goodness and beauty is uniquely suited to recovering the Christian foundation of a society and a culture that have drifted away from God and from man himself, and to a certain extent have fallen into self-destruction and despair. Faced with the crisis of metaphysics - and the consequent dispersion or disunity among the transcendentals - brought about by modern philosophy, St. John Paul II has once again recovered the metaphysical foundation of philosophy and proposed a personalist and transcendent perspective, from which in turn derives an ethical proposal equally anchored in the human person and in his transcendence. In this sense, Pope Wojtyła has wanted to take up this enormous cultural and anthropological challenge referred to by the Second Vatican Council and has constructed a solid anthropological and ethical response to the questions raised by modern thought.

A life and teaching project

Karol Wojtyła/John Paul II has dedicated his life to this path, with constancy, conviction and firmness. Initially pointed out in his stage as a philosopher and professor of Ethics from a more anthropological point of view, it acquires greater development and maturity throughout his pontificate, during which he also approaches them from a theological perspective (Christological and Trinitarian). More specifically, he insistently reiterates the need to base cultural, artistic and communicative expressions on the transcendentals of being. "Culture is the incarnation of the spiritual experiences of a people," he will say on one occasion, "and gives concrete expression to truth, goodness and beauty. Indeed, the search for the true and beautiful good leads man to an encounter with God and with the deepest reality of his own being.

To the extent that the person projects himself in his work, he can help to ensure that this itinerary is also followed by those who contemplate what has come from his hands or is the fruit of his intelligence or creative talent. Hence, cultural and artistic manifestations, and the contents disseminated through the means of communication and entertainment, are an ideal channel for "a more vigorous cultural irradiation of the Church in this world in search of beauty and truth, of unity and love". This anthropological search also becomes a Christological encounter, since Jesus Christ is the Model according to which man has been made, and as Way, Truth and Life he is also the full manifestation of Beauty, Truth and Goodness.

"I carry your name in me"

Throughout his life, this saintly Pope has personally walked these three paths of beauty (through the cultivation of poetry and theater), reason (in his philosophical facet) and faith (as a theologian), steadfast in his commitment to find the divine traces present in the human person and in creation (the pulchrumthe verum and the bonum) to elaborate, from there, that anthropological "symphony" that he interpreted with his life, as part of the evangelizing mission in which God invited him to participate. Here, too, he has honored his role of pontifex ("builder of bridges"), because he has brought together the two shores of faith and culture, which are sometimes opposed to each other, and has also embodied the ideal of the Christian humanist, encouraging him to place at the service of the Gospel each and every one of the means of communication, as well as the various cultural and artistic expressions.

A major part of this endeavor has been to rediscover the path of the transcendentals, those traces or stigmata of God present in the heart of man. He would refer to this again in the collection of poems he wrote in the twilight of his life (Roman Triptych), in which he writes: "I bear your name within me, / this name is a sign of the Covenant / that the eternal Word made with you before the creation of the world (...) / Who is He? The Undefinable, / Being by Himself, / Unique, Creator of all, / At the same time Creator of all, / At the same time Creator of all. Creator of all, / At the same time, the Communion of Persons, / In this Communion there is a mutual gift of the fullness of truth, goodness and beauty."

In the letter he wrote to Professor Giovanni Reale at the end of his life, St. John Paul II expressed his gratitude to Divine Providence for having made him capable of carrying out such a "cultural and spiritual enterprise" - an entire life project - at the center of which "man as a person (...), image of the Subsistent Being, (...) the object of an incessant philosophical and theological analysis" is always found. In our opinion, it can be affirmed that he has more than achieved this objective. Not in vain, as Rino Fisichella affirms, "each successor of Peter is called at the right time and with his personality corresponds to the needs that arise on the tapestry of history".

The authorAlejandro Pardo

Priest. Doctor in Audiovisual Communication and Moral Theology. Professor of the Core Curriculum Institute of the University of Navarra.

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Gospel

A merciful punishment. Exaltation of the Holy Cross (C)

Joseph Evans comments on the readings of the Exaltation of the Salta Cruz (C) for September 14, 2025.

Joseph Evans-September 11, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

So that we would not be condemned, Christ was condemned. God took upon himself the condemnation that we deserved. And so we read in today's Gospel: "For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world through him might be saved.". This year, the great feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross falls on a Sunday and thus gives the whole Church another opportunity to meditate on the Cross and how it is the perfect combination of divine justice and mercy. Justice demands punishment for sin. This justice must be satisfied, it cannot be ignored. But, in his mercy, God took the punishment upon himself, leaving only a small part for us to share.

The first reading shows the Israelites literally receiving the bite of the serpents as punishment for their sin. Although this actually happened, it also symbolically expresses the "bite" of sin. Every time we sin, sin comes back to bite us. We wound others with sin, but we ourselves are wounded even more, although sometimes the wound may be - and this may be the worst of all - the insensitivity of conscience to appreciate the evil we have done.

However, to save the Israelites, God tells Moses to raise up a bronze serpent, a representation of the very creature that causes their death. The Israelites are forced to face their sin, to look at it and acknowledge it. It is not surprising, therefore, that when Jesus dies on the cross, St. John quotes the prophecy of Zechariah: "They shall look upon him whom they have pierced." (Jn 19:37; Zech 12:10). We must be willing to face and acknowledge our sins so that they may be forgiven. Hence the value of confession.

Sin is shown in this episode, as with Adam and Eve, as a lack of trust in God. God then punishes, but even His punishment, in itself, is merciful: it is less than we deserve and is only meant to bring us back to Him. As we read in Ps: "And when he caused them to die, they sought him, and rose up early to turn to God.". To compensate for the disobedience of Adam and Eve before a tree inspired by pride, which led to death (cf. Gen 3:1-7 and 17-19), Christ was humbly obedient to death on a tree. As St. Paul tells us in the second reading: "he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.". If we have the humility to admit our sins, the greater humility of God hastens to save us.

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Pope reflects on artificial intelligence

Integral ecology

Artificial Intelligence, Leo XIV and the Church's Social Doctrine

The Church proposes to discern the digital revolution from the Social Doctrine, so that artificial intelligence may be an instrument at the service of the person and the common good.

Ignacio Amorós-September 10, 2025-Reading time: 10 minutes

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In a world marked by dizzying technological advances, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool that transforms society, the economy and human relationships. Is AI a gift of human creativity that can glorify God in the service of the common good, or a danger that threatens the dignity of the person?

The Social Doctrine of the Church (SDC), rooted in the Gospel and developed over the centuries, offers a prophetic light for discerning and guiding this "digital revolution". As Pope Leo XIV stated in his first address to the cardinals on May 10, 2025, "advances in artificial intelligence pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and work." Inspired by Leo XIII, who responded to the Industrial Revolution by Rerum Novarum (1891), Leo XIV has prioritized AI as the "new social question," calling for an ethical response that integrates Catholic faith with technological innovation.

This article aims to synthesize some of the Church's teachings on AI, following the principles of the SDC. Enriched with recent documents such as Antiqua et nova (2025), Pope Francis' 2024 World Day of Peace Message, and the reflections of Leo XIV, explores the definition of AI, its context, applicable moral principles and some practical recommendations. The DSI does not impose rigid rules, but offers universal principles-human dignity, common good, solidarity and subsidiarity-and values-truth, freedom, justice and love-to guide its responsible use. At a time when AI permeates everyday life, from personalized recommendations to medical diagnoses, the Church invites us to a profound reflection so that this technology may serve man and not enslave him.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

AI is a man-made technology that mimics functions of human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning and decision making. Based on mathematical algorithms and machine learning models, it processes large volumes of data to identify patterns, make predictions and execute autonomous tasks. As explained by Antiqua et novaAI does not possess intelligence in the human sense - which includes soul, emotions and moral capacity - but operates functionally, mimicking cognitive processes without genuine consciousness.

Everyday examples include assistants like ChatGPT or Grok, which synthesize information in seconds; personalized recommendations at Netflix or Amazon; chatbots at companies like BBVA; and social network analysis by brands like Coca-Cola. For example, an assistant like ChatGPT can summarize the Bible or write a poem in the style of Lope de Vega in seconds.

AI use is growing exponentially. A study by GAD-3 (2025) indicates that 85% of teens use AI at least once a week. In addition, a Microsoft report (2024) notes that AI use has grown from 55% in 2023 to 75% in 2024, with organizations employing generative AI often to optimize processes, products, and sales. In medicine, AI accelerates diagnoses; in education, it generates multilingual content; in science, it analyzes data to combat hunger or climate change.

However, AI makes mistakes - such as confusions or generating false information - and does not replace human judgment. As it warns Antiqua et novaIts morality depends on human choices: "Like any product of human creativity, AI can be directed toward positive or negative ends. This distinction is crucial, since AI is not neutral: its design and application reflect human values, and the Church calls us to orient it toward the good.

Historical Context: From the Industrial to the Digital Revolution

The Industrial Revolution (18th-19th centuries) transformed production with innovations such as the steam engine, multiplying productivity, but generated inequalities and unemployment. Leo XIII responded with Rerum Novarumdefending the dignity of the worker and promoting social justice based on biblical principles and the teachings of Jesus.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is unleashing a revolution of global scope, comparable to, or even greater than, the Industrial Revolution, transforming both the world and the mission of the Church. For example, a 2023 World Economic Forum study predicts that AI will automate 25% of global jobs, reducing costs in some sectors by 30-40%, but may generate greater inequalities. Pope Leo XIV links it to digital "new things," comparing it to the Industrial Revolution.

This transformation raises a crucial question: is AI simply an incremental advance or a qualitative change? The current consensus points to the latter: AI introduces a fundamental difference by mimicking human reasoning, marking a new category in society. As Pope Francis described, we are facing an "epochal change," a true revolution, which calls for a profound ethical reflection to orient its immense potential towards the common good and the glory of God. In his Message for the 2024 World Day of Peace, Pope Francis emphasized that AI can promote peace if it is oriented toward the common good, but warns against its misuse in conflict or discrimination.

The Church values AI for its potential in science, medicine and equity, but insists that every advance must serve human dignity. Tools such as Magisterium AI synthesize ecclesial teachings, illustrating how AI can evangelize and spread the Gospel to new audiences.

Leo XIV to the AI Revolution

Pope Leo XIV, elected Roman Pontiff on May 8, 2025, has emphasized the role of AI in his magisterium from the outset. Choosing his name in reference to Leo XIII is no accident: he seeks to respond to the "new things" of our time, such as the digital revolution, with the same boldness and "prophetic spirit" that his predecessor faced the industrial one. In his first address to the cardinals, Leo XIV declared: "Advances in artificial intelligence pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and work," underscoring the need for moral guidance that puts the human being at the center.

In his message to participants at the Second Annual Conference on AI on June 17, 2025, the Pope expanded on this vision: "Your presence testifies to the urgent need for serious reflection and ongoing dialogue on the inherent ethical dimension of AI, as well as its implications for the future of humanity." Here, Leo XIV emphasized that AI must be governed ethically, promoting inclusive development that respects the dignity of every person. Furthermore, in a message to corporate leaders in AI on June 20, 2025, he stated, "Intelligence does not consist in accumulating data, but in seeking the true meaning of life, not in having heaps of information." This phrase highlights his concern about a technocratic approach that forgets the spiritual.

Leo XIV has repeatedly called for an international treaty to regulate AI, ensuring that its ends are oriented to the common good, justice and peace, with human supervision ever present. Rumors of an encyclical entitled Rerum Digitalium suggest that it will delve deeper into these issues, in the spirit of the Rerum Novarum. His early legacy positions the Church as a global moral voice in this revolution, insisting that "human dignity must never be violated in the name of efficiency." Thus, Leo XIV not only warns of risks, but proposes an ethic that integrates Christian values into the design of AI.

Principles of the Social Doctrine of the Church Applied to IA

The ISD offers four universal principles and four values to guide AI, ensuring that it is "authentic progress". For any technological development, advance or innovation to represent authentic progress it must cooperate with the dignity of the person and the common good. The principles of Catholic social thought, derived from the Gospel and the magisterium, are applied to AI to balance innovation with human ethics. A full presentation can be found in the 2004 Compendium of the DSI. These principles are detailed below, including specific examples and relevant quotations.

Dignity of the Human PersonThis fundamental principle affirms that the human being, created in the image of God (Gen 1:27), is an end in itself, not a means to technological or economic ends. In the context of AI, it implies that machines should serve man, not degrade him. For example, in the workplace, AI can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for creative activities, but it should not reduce workers to disposable "cogs". Antiqua et nova emphasizes that human intelligence belongs to the whole person, differentiating it from functional AI, which lacks soul or empathy. In healthcare, AI can diagnose accurately, but it must be complemented by human compassion, respecting informed consent and the inviolability of the patient. AI should not "create a substitute for God," but respect inherent dignity.
Common GoodIt refers to the set of social conditions that allow the integral development of all, including the universal destination of goods. AI should promote equitable access to resources, preventing it from benefiting only elites. For example, in education, it can generate personalized content for underdeveloped regions, but if it is concentrated in the hands of corporations, it will aggravate digital inequalities. Francis' Message for Peace in 2024 stresses that "technologies that do not improve the quality of life of all humanity, but aggravate inequalities, are not true progress". This aligns with the preferential option for the poor, where AI could innovate in agriculture to combat hunger, but only if it is oriented to the good of all and of the whole man.
SolidarityRecognizing human interdependence as a family created by God, this principle urges us to care for the vulnerable. Applied to AI, it implies fostering inclusive tools that connect people, not isolate through fictitious relationships (chatbots as emotional "companions"). In an individualistic world, AI can simulate empathy, but it does not replace authentic connections. Jesus told us that we will be judged by love: "Whatever you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me" (Mt 25:40). Pope Francis emphasized that how we use AI to include those most in need will be the true measure of our humanity. In global contexts, solidarity demands that AI helps poor nations, promoting fraternity and social justice.
SubsidiarityThis principle advocates solving problems at the most local level possible, scaling up only when necessary, to respect the autonomy of individuals and communities. In AI, it implies balanced regulations: local for community innovations (educational apps in parishes), and global for transnational risks such as cybersecurity. Leo XIV has called for coordinated global governance for AI, but based on subsidiarity, ensuring that power is not centralized in states or corporations. For example, parents should freely choose AI educational tools, without state impositions.

The four values The fundamental principles of the DSI-truth, freedom, justice and love-reinforce the principles of human dignity, common good, solidarity and subsidiarity, offering moral guidance for the ethical use of AI.

I. The truth is essential to counter disinformation, such as deepfakes, which generate false content capable of polarizing societies, damaging reputations or manipulating elections. The DSI requires AI to be programmed to verify data and promote truthfulness, avoiding lies that erode social trust, as the DSI Compendium underlines: "Truth is the basis of a coherent society.

II. The freedomThe freedom of algorithms, a sign of human dignity, protects against algorithmic coercion that manipulates decisions, such as when AI predicts behaviors to direct consumption or limit personal choices. Defending freedom means ensuring that algorithms respect human autonomy, without falling into forms of technological control reminiscent of totalitarianism.

III. The justice demands decent working conditions in the face of mass automation, which threatens to eliminate millions of jobs. AI must support fair wages and working environments that respect the dignity of the worker. Rerum Novarumwork must be remunerated in such a way as to enable man to live with dignity.

IV. Finally, the lovewhich transcends technical efficiency, incorporating mercy and forgiveness, values that no machine can replicate. St. John Paul II taught that love is the supreme value of Catholic social morality, and AI must serve this charity, promoting mercy, fraternity and compassion, especially toward those most in need. These values ensure that AI not only optimizes processes, but builds a "civilization of love" aligned with the Gospel.

DSI Principle	Detailed Description	Application to AI	Relevant Quote
Human Dignity	Human being as an end, not a means; body-soul integrity.	Supervision in vital decisions; no downgrading of work.	"AI must serve humanity while respecting the unique dignity of each individual."
Common Good	Conditions for the development of all; universal destination of goods.	Equitable access; inclusive innovations.	"Technological developments that aggravate inequalities can never be counted as true progress."
Solidarity	Interdependence and care of the vulnerable.	Global inclusion; avoiding digital isolation.	"We are called to act responsibly and respect fundamental human values."
Subsidiarity	Local solutions first; scale up if necessary.	Balanced regulation; community autonomy.	"It is unfair (...) to transfer to a larger community what the smaller ones can accomplish."

Application of the Principles to Specific Issues

The DSI illuminates key issues, applying its principles to concrete AI challenges. The dignity of the human person is threatened when AI fosters unrealistic relationships, such as robots or chatbots that simulate empathy but do not replace authentic connections, leading to isolation in an individualistic digital culture.

Work, an expression of dignity (Gen 2:15), could be dehumanized by massive automation, losing jobs and reducing man to a means of efficiency; the Church defends dignified employment that allows for personal development.

The right to privacy is violated with predictive data analysis, where AI anticipates behaviors for commercial purposes, invading privacy and treating the human as an object.

The common good is put at risk when AI aggravates social inequalities, concentrating in the hands of the powerful few and leaving the vulnerable behind, rather than promoting solidarity and justice.

Finally, truth is eroded by lies and deepfakes, generating disinformation that polarizes societies and damages reputations, demanding ethical programming that prioritizes truthfulness. These issues underscore that AI must be ordered to man, not the other way around, guided by the ISD for authentic progress.

Ethical Risks and Challenges

AI offers great advances such as the liberation from repetitive tasks, innovations in agriculture and education, and the promotion of fraternity if used ethically. All of these can alleviate suffering, promote integral development and end wars. However, the risks of AI are multifaceted, affecting dignity, society and peace.

Antiqua et nova and Leo XIV's interventions highlight some challenges in education, economics and health. The main dangers include algorithmic biases that perpetuate discrimination, disinformation via deepfakes that foster polarization, loss of privacy with mass surveillance, mass unemployment that destabilizes families, lethal autonomous weapons that allow machines to decide deaths in violation of dignity, and fictitious relationships that aggravate loneliness. The Church warns that AI can "aggravate conflicts" if not ethically designed and urges moral responsibility at all levels to mitigate these risks through human oversight.

Conclusion

In sum, AI represents an epochal change that the ISD illuminates with permanent and universal principles, reminding us that technology is a human gift subordinate to God, the source of all wisdom (cf. 1 Cor 1:24). Expanding on these principles, we see that human dignity demands that AI be an ally, not a substitute; the common good urges global equity; solidarity fosters inclusion; and subsidiarity balances regulations. Risks - disinformation, unemployment, autonomous weapons - demand ethical vigilance, while some benefits such as medical advances invite cautious hope.

As Catholics, we are called to action: forming our conscience with the DSI, using resources such as DoCat, advocating for international treaties, and using AI to evangelize and serve the poor. Intelligence is not about accumulating data, but about seeking the true meaning of life.

Catholic parishes, schools and families can adopt tools like Magisterium AI to enrich catechesis, while participating in local forums to advocate for ethical AI. Forming our conscience in DSI empowers us to transform this digital revolution into an opportunity for evangelization and service to those most in need.

In a world tempted by the idolatry of thinking that AI can bring eternal salvation, let us remember that only in God do we find true salvation and only Christ quenches our infinite thirst for love and happiness (cf. Ps. 63:2). May AI impel us to build the "civilization of love," where technology and faith converge in fraternity. God, the eternal Logos, the eternal Intelligence, invites us to love through all creation. May this revolution of AI and digital culture help us to build a better world, more human and in solidarity, and lead us to love and give glory to God.

The authorIgnacio Amorós

Priest and editor of "Rebels Wanted".

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The Vatican

Pope invites Holy Land Arabs to turn trial into prayer

On a rainy day in Rome, during today's Audience, the Pope invited the Arabic-speaking faithful, especially those in the Holy Land, to convert the "moments of trial and tribulation in confident prayer, because God always listens to his children". Yesterday, Leo XIV described as "serious" the Israeli bombing in Doha (Qatar) against Hamas leaders.

Francisco Otamendi-September 10, 2025-Reading time: 3 minutes

Pope Leo has had in the Audience The Pope's General Audience this morning, on a rainy Roman morning, included two moments in which he made special reference to the wars. Addressing the Arabic-speaking faithful, especially those in the Holy Land, he invited them to "transform their cry in times of trial and tribulation into confident prayer." "For God always listens to his children and responds when it suits him best," he said.

Later, addressing the Polish-speaking people, he recalled that "today they celebrate the National Day of Polish Children Victims of War, which symbolically commemorates their suffering and their contribution to the reconstruction of Poland after the Second World War".

"Remember also in your prayers and in your humanitarian projects the children of Ukraine, Gaza and other regions of the world affected by war," he said. "I entrust you and the children who are suffering today to the protection of Mary, Queen of Peace. Pazand I bless you from my heart".

"The situation is really serious."

Yesterday, as he left his residence at Castel Gandolfo, Leo XIV responded briefly to journalists' questions about the bombing of Doha, Qatar: "We don't know how things are going. We must pray a lot, continue to work and insist on peace." Regarding the evacuation order in Gaza City, the Pontiff said he tried to contact the parish priest: "I have no news."

Leo XIV expressed his concern about what was happening in the Middle East, reported the Vatican Agency: "The situation is really serious," he said. "We do not know where things are heading; it is always serious. We must pray fervently and keep working, seeking and insisting on peace."

The cry of Jesus on the cross

In his opening catechesis, the Pope continued with the theme "Jesus Christ, our hope", proper to the Jubilee, and centered his meditation on the cry of Jesus on the cross: "Jesus cried out with a loud cry and breathed his last" (Mk 15:37).

"In this catechesis we contemplate the death of Jesus on the cross. The Gospel offers us a very valuable detail, and that is that Jesus does not die in silence, but gives his life with a cry. This cry expresses pain, abandonment, faith, total self-offering," the Pope pointed out.

Cry of pain to the Father, of humanity: prayer

"The Son, who has always lived in intimate communion with the Father, now experiences silence, absence, the abyss. But the cry of Jesus is not one of despair but of sincerity and truth, and reveals a deep trust, which resists even when everything is silent."

The Pontiff emphasized that "in the Crucified One we can recognize a God who does not remain distant, but who enters into the depths of our pain. His cry is a profound act of humanity, and it is also an extreme form of prayer".

In that cry, Jesus cries out to the Father because he believes in him, because he loves him and has not lost hope. Thus "he teaches us, in our dark nights, to offer our cries of pain to the Father. They are cries of hope in the hour of trial, which help us to trust and to open our hearts to the God who saves".

The centurion understands

The centurion, a pagan, understands the love of Jesus. "Not because he heard a discourse, but because he saw Jesus die in that way: 'Truly this man was the Son of God' (Mk 15:39). It is the first profession of faith after the death of Jesus".

Let us ask the Holy Spirit, Pope Leo concluded, to help us "to give voice to the sufferings of humanity through our prayer and concrete works of charity, so that this voice, united to that of Christ, may become a source of hope for all."

To the French-speaking pilgrims, with a group from Montreal (Canada), the Pope said: "When the moment of trial arrives, like the new saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo AcutisWe learn from Christ the cry of hope and the desire to open our hearts to the will of the Father, who desires our salvation.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

Pope Leo XIV

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St. Nicholas of Tolentine, first Augustinian saint, and martyrs of Nagasaki

On September 10, the liturgy commemorates St. Nicholas of Tolentino (13th century), considered the first saint of the Order of St. Augustine. He was noted for his pastoral dedication as a confessor and his care for the most needy, and he is the protector of the souls in purgatory. The Blessed Martyrs of Nagasaki (Japan) are also celebrated today.

Francisco Otamendi-September 10, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

Short biographies about San Nicolás de Tolentino They emphasize his asceticism, his kind smile, long prayers and fasting, always accompanied by sympathy and charity. This is pointed out by the vatican saints' calendar and the Roman Martyrology.

"In Tolentino, Piceno, St. Nicholas, a priest, religious of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, who, a friar of rigorous penance and assiduous prayer, severe with himself and understanding with others, often imposed on himself the penance of others († 1305)," writes the Martyrology.

As we said, St. Nicholas is recognized as the patron saint of the souls in Purgatory, protector of suffering souls. Especially after a vision in which a friar asked him to pray for him and other souls in Purgatory.

A fellow friar spoke to him from Purgatory

According toOne night, Father Nicholas was sleeping in his cell when he heard the voice of one of his fellow friars, who had recently died. The friar told St. Nicholas that he was in purgatory and asked him to celebrate the Eucharist for him and other souls who were there. So that they would be freed by the mercy of Christ.

After Nicholas had celebrated Mass for this intention for seven days, the friar spoke to him again. This time it was to thank him and tell him that many souls, including his own, were now with God.

Many miracles are attributed to St. Nicholas, both during his lifetime and after his death. He always asked them not to comment on anything, and to thank God. When his days were running out, someone asked"Father, why are you so joyful and happy?" Fr. Nicholas replied, "Because my God and Lord Jesus Christ, accompanied by his Holy Mother and my Holy Father Augustine, is saying to me : "Come on! Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord".

Blessed martyrs of Nagasaki

On July 7, 1867, Pope Pius IX beatified 205 Servants of God martyred in Japan between 1617 and 1632. Of these, 52 were immolated, burned alive or beheaded, on the 'Martyrs' Hill' of Nagasaki (Japan), on September 10, 1622. Among the martyrs were priests, religious, married couples, young people, catechists, widows and children, who offered a heroic example. They belonged to various nationalities.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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On the delirious effort to make Cervantes a homosexual

ColumnistsLupita Venegas

Mom, Dad, I'm gay

How to accompany children with same-sex attraction from the Christian faith: a call to understanding, truth and love according to the teaching of the Church.

September 10, 2025-Reading time: 4 minutes

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A number of Christian parents have approached me to tell me of their pain upon receiving the news that a son or daughter is considered homosexual, i.e., they experience "same-sex attraction" (SSA). Parents are confused and do not know how to act. They are hesitant about how to deal with this issue. They want what is best for them but do not know what is best.

In order to give you some practical suggestions, I will first present the two prevailing positions in our society today. They are basically two ways of understanding the human being: immanent anthropological vision (gender ideology) and transcendent vision (anthropology of the unity of the person).

We are aware that schools, laws and the media are three massive avenues through which we are being bombarded to adopt a way of thinking that favors the idea that we can choose our gender, regardless of whether we are born sexed as male or female, we are told that we are born "neutral" (immanent view). Our children have received this information in abundance.

The Church, for her part, an expert in human nature, expresses in a balanced and luminous way the transcendent vision, maintaining that we are an inseparable unity of body and soul, and our sexuality is not detached from our soul, from our capacity to love. For this reason, the Church calls us to give an integral sexual education that is properly an affective-sexual education, an education to love.

It also starts from the acceptance of a given nature. We were created male and female, we have the same dignity but we are sexually different and complementary, a fact that simple observation and common sense can corroborate. In the nature of our design, the double purpose of human sexuality is perfectly inscribed, which is both unitive and procreative: it helps us to love each other more as a couple and to give life to children.

The catechism asks us to distinguish between homosexual person, homosexual act and homosexual culture:

For the person, all the love and understanding that we can have.
For the act, zero promotion as it is inherently messy.
For the culture, denunciation of an expression that produces deep pain in the person, the family and the whole society.

I will quote the teachings of two magisterial documents given to us by the Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear and profound in its response to this issue. It says: "An appreciable number of men and women present homosexual tendencies. They should be received with respect, compassion and sensitivity. In their regard, every sign of unjust discrimination is to be avoided. These persons are called to carry out the will of God in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's cross the difficulties they may encounter because of their condition" (CCC 2358).

The person, every person, is called to live the virtue of chastity. It is not an exclusive requirement for those who are attracted to the same sex. It is about living the virtue that is the guardian of true love: self-control at the service of love! Sexuality is beautiful and is designed to be lived in the perfect channel called marriage. To live it outside this channel will cause it to overflow and wreak havoc.

On the other hand, the document entitled "The truth about human love", issued by the Spanish Episcopal Conference, states in its point 57:

It is easy to discover that the background framework in which gender ideology develops is the "pansexualist" culture. A modern society, it is said, must consider it good to "use sex" as just another object of consumption. And if it has no personal value, if the sexual dimension of the human being lacks personal significance, there is nothing to prevent us from falling into a superficial evaluation of behavior based on mere utility or simple satisfaction. This is how we end up in the most radical permissiveness and, ultimately, in the most absolute nihilism. It is not difficult to see the harmful consequences of this emptying of meaning.

In this light, what are Christian parents to do when faced with a child who asks to be accepted with AMS.

- Hug and bless our child. Listen to him/her with a sincere desire to understand.

- To accompany him in the pursuit of his happiness, which, to be authentic, must always be compatible with holiness.

We can propose the Christian vision of the person and sexuality to our children; it is not a matter of imposing but of presenting Christ with love and allowing them to choose in freedom.

And of course, to pray for the good of our child and for the unity of the family. To ask with faith for discernment and wisdom to guide in truth, always within the framework of true charity.

Join the church's ministry to family and friends of people with MSA, for example in Courage.

God loves us all unconditionally and calls us all to holiness. Let us try to imitate this merciful love of our good God. This translates into knowing our children better, listening to them, living with them, expressing our love openly to them, and calling them to live chastity.

They will accept or reject our invitation in full use of their freedom. We will learn to respect each other and to place in God's hands the one we love so much.

As Christian parents, we know that choosing God's plan is what fills our hearts with longing. Let us strive to bear witness to this and to put all the means at our disposal to bring our children closer to an encounter with the source of love: God our Lord.

The authorLupita Venegas

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Pray, chat, convert. The Discord server that evangelizes

Digital evangelization does not only take place in Instagram y YouTubebut it can also be found on the servers of Discordan instant messaging service known mainly for its video game and celebrity-themed conversations. However, there is also a corner for the Catholic community.

Bryan Lawrence Gonsalves-September 10, 2025-Reading time: 5 minutes

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In appearance, Servus Dei could be just another corner of the Internet: usernames float around in a chat room, memes share space with theology and, amidst the hubbub, someone asks for help with a passage of Scripture.

But this is not a game server or a chat room composed of fans. Servus Dei could be the most unexpected rebirth of the Catholic community in the digital age. Far from traditional methods of digital evangelization, it is a developing experiment in how beliefs can be lived, shared and shaped online through real-time conversation.

From memes to Mass

Founded during the silent chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, Servus Deiwhich in Latin means "Servant of God", was not born in the basement of a church or in a seminary dormitory, but in the text channels of Discorda platform better known for game chats than for theological discussions.

"At that time, Discord it was mostly to play".explains CathMeme, founder of the server, who asks to remain anonymous. "But we saw an opportunity to create something different, a space where ordinary Catholics could discuss faith, be formed and create community.".

At present, Servus Dei has more than 8,400 members from around the world, making it the largest Catholic server officially verified and associated by Discord. Its Spanish counterpart, Terra Sanctahas more than 1,100 Spanish-speaking members. Together, they are part of a silent revolution, changing the "likes" and "dislikes" of the retweets by community-led Rosary sessions and religious questions and answers 24 hours a day.

Within this server it is not uncommon to see one Catholic answering a question about Marian dogma while another posts a meme of St. Augustine wrestling with Wi-Fi. Despite the chaos typical of any open online space, there is a palpable reverence and rhythm. Daily Rosaries, Divine Mercy chaplets and structured prayer sessions coexist with apologetics conversations, informal debates and faith-based memes.

"Servus Dei is a mixed group of people from all walks of life who come to learn about God, love and laugh together."says DariusAngel, one of the server's moderators. It's not just a warm feeling, this mix of informal camaraderie and deep Catholic tradition has had serious repercussions.

According to the server's records, more than 16,000 religious questions have been answered since its founding. Even more surprisingly, more than 300 non-Catholics have converted to the Catholic faith after spending time on the server.

"I came to Servus Dei no expectations"says long-time member Jackyboy. "At the very least, I didn't expect to be an active member, as I had never used Discord in that way. However, very soon I found myself participating in discussions and learning not only by reading, but by dialoguing with other fantastic people who take their Catholic faith very seriously.". He now visits him every day, attracted by what he calls "nuggets of knowledge" and, from time to time, for a good laugh.

This unique blend of the sacred and the social is what differentiates Servus Dei of evangelization online traditional. Unlike the Catholic pages of Instagram o Facebook, Servus Dei is deeply interactive, with real-time conversations, prayer circles and an internal culture based on both mutual support and catechesis.

Protecting Catholic truths on the Internet

Like any other space on the Internet, Servus Dei has its share of lively debates and late-night philosophical detours. "Of course, every now and then there is the occasional rowdy group."admits Regularguy0708, another veteran member. "But no matter what happens, deep down the server remains true to its mission: to help people find real answers and a deeper conversion of heart.".

Moderators say that such commotion is typical of real-time chat platforms, where conversations are fast-paced and passions can run high. "Sometimes we have had trolls that have attacked the server".says CathMeme, founder of the server. "Sedevacantists who claim that the Roman Catholic Church has fallen have joined in, and on some occasions Satanists have even crept in.".

But while the door is open to all, that welcome comes with limits. "We enforce our rules, we do not allow people to insult or undermine the Church or influence others against it. This has never been a debating server; it is an educational server.".

At the heart of this mission is fidelity to the Church. "We take obedience to the Magisterium very seriously."adds CathMeme, referring to 1 Samuel 15:22: "Obedience is worth more than sacrifice.". "We are open to everyone, but, understandably, we have standards. We expect charity.".

Digital spaces, real impact

In that delicate balance between openness and orthodoxy, between informal chat and catechesis, Servus Dei navigates the noise of the Internet with surprising grace. For many members, that balance has created a space that feels less like a chat room and more like a spiritual refuge.

"Servus Dei is a very friendly and welcoming Catholic educational servant".said Serenity, a former moderator. "It has a multitude of resources covering all topics related to the Catholic faith, remains faithful to the Magisterium of the Church, and does not allow the expression of responses without direct sources from the Tradition of the Church and Scripture.". Such fidelity is not just theoretical, he stressed, "all encourage one another to put their faith into practice in their lives by deeds and not just words, following the precept given to us in the Epistle of James: 'Put the word into practice, and do not be content merely to hear it'" (James 1:22).

That lived faith makes all the difference for people like Wurli, a recent convert to Catholicism who has no peers in his local community who share his faith. "Servus Dei has been a home for me".he says. "There I feel comfortable, I find community and I learn more about my faith. I hope to be able to contribute something to the community, however small, with my presence.".

"It is a welcoming space for those who are developing their faith."said Realpeacezone, a servant member and patron. "The atmosphere is informal but faith-centered, which is very appealing to the younger crowd.". That mission has also shaped lives far beyond the server's glowing chat windows. Several former moderators have entered religious life, becoming priests, nuns and even lay celibates.

The server also strongly encourages its members to participate in their local parishes, attend daily Mass, receive regular spiritual direction and engage in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

The new frontier of faith

Perhaps it is a sign that the Church is also growing, not just in bricks and pews, but in pixels and text. There is an environment where a curious person can stumble into a voice chat, ask a question about suffering and find a community willing to respond not only with doctrine, but with patience, humor and prayer.

At a time when digital spaces can often fragment and polarize, Servus Dei offers a different script, one that might have a touch of the divine in the discord.

The authorBryan Lawrence Gonsalves

Founder of "Catholicism Coffee".

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Luther, Kant and St. John Henry Newman

TribuneCarlos Espaliú Berdud

John Henry Newman: Kindly Light in the Darkness

On July 31, 2025, it was announced that Pope Leo XIV was to appoint St. John Henry Newman as Doctor of the Church, recognizing in the 19th century English cardinal a key figure for the dialogue between faith and reason, the formation of conscience and the spiritual renewal of Christian life.

September 10, 2025-Reading time: 3 minutes

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Although Newman had already ascended to the altars, his appointment as Doctor of the Church reinforces the guarantee of his doctrine as catholic, an enriching reference for all those who look at his writings. In short, it constitutes him even more as a lighthouse, whose kindly light can guide us in the darkness of the night, paraphrasing his immortal poem Lead Kindly Light.

That light that he projects for eternity is, of course, borrowed from his Lord, whom he sought as a child, found as the years went by and ended up loving immeasurably.

In recalling his life and work in these last days, I must admit that the trait that has come to my mind the most is his constant willingness to renounce worldly goods in order to follow Jesus Christ.

For example, when he was only a teenager he decided to become a clergyman in the Anglican church and, without this being necessary or customary in his time, he self-imposed apostolic celibacy, voluntarily denying himself the possibility of finding a love on earth to accompany him in life's journey.

However, there is an even more impressive moment of renunciation of the goods of the earth, already in his maturity. Indeed, Newmanwith his vital rectitude and his tireless search for the true and the beautiful, had been realizing, in the framework of what has been called the "Oxford movement", that the truth resided in the Roman Catholic Church, and he considered knocking on the doors of Rome. However, for him, who was a leading figure in the Anglican Church (Fellow of Oriel, one of the Colleges Oxford's most important and vicar of St. Mary's, the university's church) to become a Catholic meant leaving that whole world behind. It is difficult for people of other times and environments to gauge what that step entailed, but I think the image of a member of the gentry becoming an outcast can illustrate the significance of that decision.

Thus, when on October 3, 1845, a few days before being received into the Catholic Church by Dominic Barberi on October 9, 1845 at Littlemore, he wrote to the Oriel authorities to inform them that he was leaving his post as an academic, Newman was aware that he was leaving everything behind. He was abandoning all his previous dreams to be a rank-and-file Catholic, a layman in a still persecuted and minority Catholic Church in England. He would become, overnight, an immigrant in his own country.

And the most surprising thing is that, judging by the content of the letters he wrote to his family and closest friends in those days, he confessed that abandoning such a privileged social position did not cost him anything. For Newman, on the contrary, belonging to the one flock of Christ was everything. He added that it simply hurt, and a lot, to lose so many friends in the Anglican church and in Oxford, where he knew he had to leave.

I believe that this gesture of Newman to abandon everything to focus on following God is a great example for the men and women of our time who, as Pius XI said, possess the disease of lack of reflection, of the continuous and feverish pursuit of external things, the immoderate desire for riches and pleasures that gradually cause us to lose sight of noble ideals, which sinks us in the sea of earthly and perishable goods, preventing us from contemplating the things above, eternal, God himself (cfr. Pius XI, Mens Nostra, 5).

In the same way, Newman's appointment as a Doctor of the Church gives us the great joy of appreciating how God, who never lets himself be outdone in generosity, gave back to Newman in his lifetime all that he had been deprived of. He regained his friends as time went by. Soon after his conversion, he was granted the priesthood in the Catholic Church; the cardinalate at the end of his earthly days; and, more recently, the recognition of sainthood after a life of great tribulations. And, finally, he now attains the doctorate of the Church from the hands of Pope Leo XIV.

This new recognition of the Church with Newman also allowed me to savor the goodness of God with Dominic Barberi. This Italian religious who in his youth had seen the call to convert England, although he could not go there until he was almost fifty, and who, on occasion, had been received with stones in some English villages when he began to establish the Passionist missions there. To this humble religious, who spoke bad English, who had also suffered the unspeakable, after arriving at Littlemore on the night of October 8, 1845, shod to the bone, God granted him the grace of seeing how, while drying himself before a fireplace, one of the great figures of his time knelt before him and begged him to hear his general confession and receive him into the Catholic Church.

Thank you, St. John Henry Newman, thank you for being that kindly light that guides us in the darkness.

The authorCarlos Espaliú Berdud

Professor of International Law and International Relations, CEU Fernando III University. Research Fellow, Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University.

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The World

New massacre in D.R. Congo: more than 70 killed in a jihadist attack

A jihadist militia, linked to the Islamic State, murdered a group of Christians celebrating a funeral.

Javier García Herrería-September 9, 2025-Reading time: < 1 minute

More than 70 people were killed on Monday night, September 8, during a funeral in the town of Ntoyo, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Some local sources put the number of victims at more than a hundred.

The attack was perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a jihadist militia linked to the Islamic State in Central Africa. According to a Catholic priest from the Manguredjipa parish told the portal ActualitéWhat I have seen is horrible. They killed almost all the participants in a funeral". The head of the Babika group, Eugène Viringa, warned that the death toll could rise in the coming hours.

ADF terrorism

The ADF emerged in Uganda in the 1990s, but since 2019 they have operated under the banner of Islamic State, following their leader's oath of allegiance. Since then, they have intensified massacres against defenseless villages in eastern DRC, where thousands of civilians have lost their lives.

Christian funerals and temples have become regular targets of these attacks, with the aim of intimidating and displacing Catholic and Protestant communities. In regions such as North Kivu and Ituri, the civilian population lives in permanent insecurity. Last month July an attack that left 35 people dead, and in August more than 50 people were killed in another attack.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country with a Christian majority, more than 50 % are Catholics and another 40 % are Protestants. The massacre in Ntoyo, according to local observers, is part of a systematic strategy of violence aimed at weakening the presence of Christian communities in Central Africa.

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A completely unknown Catholic best seller

Since 1979 the Popes have also been the great promoters of this small book which, in most cases, is distributed among Christian communities in countries where there is persecution or lack of economic resources.

Javier García Herrería-September 9, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

Let's take a look at the figures: Cervantes' "Don Quixote" has sold approximately 500 million copies, "The Lord of the Rings" 150 million and "The Little Prince" 140 million. However, "God Speaks to His Children," with more than 52 million copies published in 194 languages and 140 countries since its launch in 1979, has established itself as a global phenomenon in religious children's literature.

The work is an adaptation of the Bible in which the main stories are collected with simple language and illustrations. In recent editions, the title has been changed to "God speaks to his children".

Catechetical material to change lives

Millions of people around the world still lack access to the Word of God. In contexts marked by war and violence, reconciliation and forgiveness become the only way to inner peace. In many schools in needy countries, such as Eritrea, the Children's Bible is sometimes the only reading book for the youngest children.

The Child's Bible was presented by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) at the Latin American Bishops' Conference held in Puebla, Mexico, at the end of January 1979, in the presence of Pope John Paul II during his first trip outside Italy. The success was immediate: the bishops directly ordered 1.2 million copies in Spanish. This initial impact prompted translation into other languages and today there are versions in 189 languages, from Afar, spoken by half a million people in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti, to Zulu in southern Africa.

Raquel Lázaro, ACN's communications manager in Spain, explains that "the Children's Bible is one of ACN's most 'emblematic' instruments since its foundation. When project leaders visit local Christian communities, it is precious for us to see how this little book reaches the most remote places on the planet. That is the goal: that the Word of God, full of hope and mercy, reaches the smallest and neediest in every corner of the world."

Distribution and educational outreach

Since its inception, ACN has been distributing the Children's Bible free of charge in needy countries, while in those with greater purchasing power, the price covers production costs. Among the most widely distributed editions are the Spanish (14 million), Portuguese (10.3 million), English (2.5 million), French (1.2 million) and Swahili (950,000) versions. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a Christian radio station released the children's Bible in Russian, generating half a million additional orders.

The work has also received the recognition of several Popes. Benedict XVI distributed during his pastoral trip to Brazil in May 2007, in Fazenda da Esperança, the 10 millionth copy of the Child's Bible, underlining its educational and spiritual value in the formation of young people around the world.

With more than four decades of history, the Children's Bible continues to transform lives, teaching literacy and spreading the faith among the youngest children, consolidating itself as a catechetical material of international reference.

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Pope Leo to honor nearly 1,700 modern martyrs, symbols of hope

In this Jubilee year, Pope Leo XIV and Christian leaders of other churches will commemorate nearly 1,700 "new martyrs and witnesses to the faith" of the 21st century. They are people who died in the firm hope of being welcomed into God's presence, the secretary of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints said.

CNS / Omnes-September 9, 2025-Reading time: 4 minutes

- Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service, Vatican City,

In a jubilee year dedicated to hope, Pope Leo XIV and Christian leaders will commemorate nearly 1,700 "new martyrs and witnesses to the faith" on Sunday, September 14. It is also the birthday of the Pope, who will be 70 years old.

Archbishop Fabio Fabene, secretary of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, explained the Pontiff's thinking to journalists yesterday. "Pope Leo hopes that the blood of these martyrs will be a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity and love."

As St. John Paul II did during the Holy Year 2000, Pope Leo will preside at an ecumenical prayer service for the Jubilee 2025. It will be in commemoration of the Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and Protestants who died for their faith between 2000 and 2025.

Pope Francis had created a commission in 2023. The aim was to compile "a catalog of all those who shed their blood to confess Christ and bear witness to his Gospel" in the 25 years since the last Holy Year.

Ecumenical prayer

These martyrs - Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant - will be remembered on September 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. The liturgy will be a prayer service in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, a frequent site for ecumenical prayer.

At a press conference on Sept. 8, Andrea Riccardi, historian and vice president of the commission, said the catalog includes 1,624 Christians. The names were submitted by bishops' conferences, religious orders and nunciatures from around the world.

Still from the animated film 'The 21', which pays tribute to the Coptic Christians who were beheaded in Libya by ISIS in 2015, refusing to renounce their faith in Jesus. Jonathan Roumie, who brings Jesus to life in 'The Chosen,' co-produces the film.

Africa, leader in martyrs

Riccardi, who is also founder of the lay community of Sant'Egidio, provided a continent-by-continent breakdown of the deceased. 643 people in Africa. 357 in Asia and Oceania. 304 in North and South America. 277 in the Middle East and North Africa. And 43 in Europe, although 110 of the total number of those who died in other continents were missionaries from Europe.

Archbishop Fabene said the Vatican was still studying how, when and whether to publish the names in the catalog. They are mindful of the possibility that doing so could endanger other Christians living and ministering in the same geographical areas.

"They put the anchor of their hope in God, not in the world," the archbishop said; "they hoped in the Lord and their reward will be eternal life."

In addition, said Monsignor Marco Gnavi, secretary of the commission, "the hope that was the motive of their lives before their death brought hope." And the context was that their brothers and sisters were often victims of ethnic conflict, religious persecution, organized crime or the deadly denial of their rights.

For example, according to commission members, the list includes Sister Dorothy Stang, a U.S. member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She was shot and killed in the Brazilian Amazon in 2005 for defending the land rights of indigenous people and poor farmers.

Some have canonization in progress

Father Angelo Romano, a member of the commission and an official of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, told Catholic News Service that the catalog is not part of the official Catholic process for recognizing the martyrdom of a potential saint. However, some of the people included already have a cause for canonization underway, and other causes could begin in the future.

The ecumenical commemoration presided over by St. John Paul II in 2000 was held in Rome's Colosseum, a symbol of the persecution and martyrdom of Christians. Father Romano said the Vatican "would have loved" to hold the 2025 prayer service there. But Rome has new archaeological excavations just outside the Colosseum, which severely limits the space available for participants.

Knowing that, as Pope Francis used to say, the number of Christians martyred today is greater than in the first centuries of Christianity, Catholics should not feel attacked, but motivated to solidarity, Father Romano said.

Differentiating aggression from persecution

"A society that can even be aggressive toward the Christian faith is one thing; being persecuted is another," he said. "Persecution means that going to Mass is a risk, that praying is a risk, that being a Christian is a risk, that practicing charity in the name of faith is a serious risk."

"Another mistake that I think we must avoid when we talk about martyrdom - a mistake in the strictly theological sense - is to try to understand martyrdom only in quantitative terms: how many there are," the priest said.

A single martyr is cause for reflection for the whole Church

The numbers help people understand the magnitude of the phenomenon, he said. "But theologically we must be careful not to focus too much on quantity, because even a single martyr is immense, enormous, a cause for reflection for the whole Church."

"In a world where there is so much to worry about, including the rise of violence at all levels, the martyr is a witness to nonviolent hope," Father Romano said. "A martyr chooses not to respond to evil with evil, not to respond to hatred with hatred, but with love."

Several of the groups of new martyrs mentioned at the press conference were Christians killed in churches during terrorist attacks.

Cases submitted by dioceses or other ecclesial realities will be examined.

Archbishop Fabene was asked whether Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, who were shot and killed during a school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on Aug. 27, could be considered martyrs.

"If a diocese or other local ecclesial realities present these figures to us as witnesses to the faith, we will examine them and see if they can be included in the list," he replied.

——————

This information was originally published in OSV News. You can consult it here.

—————–

The authorCNS / Omnes

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Evangelization

Santa Maria de la Cabeza and St. Peter Claver

The veneration of Saint María de la Cabeza, wife of Saint Isidro Labrador, whom the liturgy celebrates on September 9, has been reflected for centuries in various places in the geography of Madrid: streets, traffic circles, hermitages... San Pedro Claver is patron of Catholic missions among Africans, for his work with slaves in Colombia.

Francisco Otamendi-September 9, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

Most of the stories about St. Mary of the Head are included in the sources relating to the life of her husband St. Isidore. In them, the holy spouses are presented as a model of holiness and example of virtues. St. Peter Claver is the patron saint of missions with Africans, for his dedication to the slaves.

Santa Maria de la Cabeza (XII century), married Saint Isidore, with whom she had a son. He shared with her husband a life of work, piety and charity. It seems that her name was Toribia, and she became Mary because of the hermitage where she was buried until her transfer to Torrelaguna in 1615. The appellative "de la Cabeza" seems to come from the cult given separately to her head as a sacred relic.

It may be recalled that her husband, St. Isidore Labrador, is celebrated on May 15, was canonized in 1622, together with St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. Philip Neri and St. Teresa of Jesus. The only layman and father of a family in a group of distinguished religious.

Patron saint of Catholic missions among Africans

Pedro Claver, S.J., born in 1581, from Lleida, had not yet finished his theological studies when he was assigned to the mission in New Granada, the former name of Colombia. The young man landed in Cartagena in 1610, and was ordained a priest in 1616 at the mission where, for 44 years, he worked among the African-American slaves. It was a period of booming human trafficking.

Peter vowed to always serve African slaves. The coasts where thousands of people were disembarked became the field of the young Jesuit's apostolate. Every month, Peter Claver went out to meet them with his boat to bring them food, relief and comfort.

It awakened the sense of human dignity and carried the faith to the unbaptized. In 1650 St. Peter Claver fell ill with the plague and died in 1654. He was canonized in 1888 by Leo XIII. In 1896 he was proclaimed patron of Catholic missions among Africans.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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Spain

The bishop of Barbastro - Monzón reopens the debate on Torreciudad

Within the framework of the local festivities of the Nativity of the Virgin, the bishop of Barbastro-Monzón, Ángel Pérez, dedicated his homily entirely to the situation of Torreciudad.

María José Atienza / Javier García Herrería-September 8, 2025-Reading time: 4 minutes

The new church of Torreciudad, which has celebrated its half-century in the past few weeks, is located in the center of the town of Torreciudad, from July 2023 in a complicated process due to the demand of the bishop of the diocese of Barbastrina, who asks for the return of the Virgin to the old hermitage, located a few meters from the new temple.

From that moment on, the Prelature and the bishopric have maintained discrepancies with respect to the validity of the contract that granted Opus Dei the cession (but not the ownership) in perpetuity of the image of Our Lady of the Angels. The Work defends the validity of this contract and, therefore, the public veneration of the image in the new church, as well as the management of the church and its dependencies and the right to present a list of three priests for the appointment of the rector.

A process with ups and downs

The process of negotiations between the Diocese of Barbastro Monzón and Opus Dei has had various stages.

In October 2024, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Alejandro Arellano Cedillo, as Pontifical Commissioner Plenipotentiary for Torreciudad with the objective that this canonist would be the one who, once all the parties had been heard, would decide the future of Torreciudad. At that time, both the Prelature of Opus Dei and Bishop Pérez Pueyo were in favor of abiding by the resolution dictated by the person appointed by the Pope for this purpose.

Since then, the Commissioner has been able to meet with representatives of the diocese and the Prelature as well as with Pope Francis and, later, Pope Leo XIV without the tenor of any of these conversations being made public.

The last time the process had news was just over two months ago, by early July 2025The bishopric published a note in which it varied to a certain extent its initial demand, proposing that Torreciudad "be recognized and canonically erected as an International Shrine, under the direct dependence of the Holy See," and taking the image of our Lady to the wayside shrine. He also asked that the baptismal font in which St. Josemaría received this sacrament be returned to the cathedral. The font was replaced at the initiative of the Cathedral Chapter in the 1940s, due to its poor condition. The remains were left in the bed of the Vero River and in 1959, these few remains were offered to Opus Dei and transferred to Rome.

Pope Francis' performance

Now, the diocesan bishop of Barbastro Monzón has once again put the spotlight on this delicate issue, whose final decision is in the hands of the Holy See. According to the bishop of Barbastro, Pope Francis supported his demands -in writing and by word of mouth- on at least four occasions, although until now the bishop had not spoken about any of them publicly:

The first time during the visit ad Limina of the Spanish bishops in December 2021. Already then the Argentine Pontiff expressed his desire that the Virgin of Torreciudad should be in the hermitage and not in the central nave of the new temple.

He also mentioned a personal letter handwritten in 2023, in which Francis wrote to him: "Angel, don't give up", referring to the fact that he would not give up in his determination to take the carving back to its original hermitage.

Thirdly, Perez Pueyo assured that, during a brief protocol greeting on September 18, 2024, during an audience in St. Peter's Square, Francis asked him: "Angel, did they bring Our Lady down yet".

Finally, a month later, in a handwritten letter dated October 13, 2024,the prelate states that Francis wrote to him again warning him "to beware of the 'mafia intrigues that are ongoing' around this matter."

The letters have not been published, but Bishop Pérez Pueyo says he is willing to make them public, if necessary.

Willing to "give his life as Eleazar".

Taking as a reference the biblical figure of Eleazar, who gave his life for refusing to eat meat forbidden by the Jewish Law, the bishop of the Aragonese diocese has emphasized that "if I were forced, as a pastor I would repeat the same words of the old man Eleazar, in the face of the pressures to accept what I cannot accept: That I cannot do so 'without attracting stain and dishonor to my old age' that could serve as a bad example to my parishioners", referring to a possible decision of the Holy See that would not contemplate the main demands of the bishop.

The agreement regarding Torreciudad has not been made known at the time of going to press, while the Prelature of Opus Dei has always pointed to the need to await the decision of the Plenipotentiary Commissioner.

Key dates

July 17, 2023: The bishop of Barbastro-Monzón unilaterally appoints the parish priest of Bolturina-Ubiergo, José Mairal, as rector of the Torreciudad Sanctuary and maintains that the canonical situation of Torreciudad is irregular, so that the contract of cession of the Virgan and the hermitage are not valid.

March 1, 2024. Opus Dei publishes the documentation on the agreements and contracts between the bishopric of Barbastro-Monzon and the prelature, which explains in detail the agreement of cession of the image and the hermitage, the construction of the new temple.

October 9, 2024. Pope Francis appoints Bishop Alejandro Arellano as Pontifical Commissioner to resolve the issues in dispute over Torreciudad.

July 1, 2025. The diocese of Barbastro-Monzon asks for the return of the Virgin of Torreciudad to the hermitage and claims the baptismal font of the cathedral of Barbastro, which is located in the headquarters of the prelature. It also asks that Torreciudad be erected as an International Shrine and that Opus Dei designate the rector of the shrine.

Since there had been much speculation over the last two years as to whether the prelature should pay a heavy economic fee to the diocese for the use of the image, the diocese requests that Torreciudad be financially independent.

September 8, 2025. The bishop of Barbastro Monzón denounces in a homily the pressures and difficulties he is having for the image of Torreciudad to return to the original hermitage.

The authorMaría José Atienza / Javier García Herrería

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Evangelization

Carlo and the call to evangelize in the digital age

Even the most devout Catholic may miss daily Mass, but almost everyone is connected to social networks every day. Whether out of habit or addiction, scrolling through networks is one of the most common human behaviors of our time. And we have the opportunity - and the responsibility - to place Jesus in those moments.

OSV / Omnes-September 8, 2025-Reading time: 3 minutes

- Courtney Roach (OSV).

I had the privilege of visiting Assisi, Italy, in June 2025, where I found the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, and I was not prepared for the immediate and profound impact it would have on my prayer life. Carlo reminds us that holiness is found in using the tools of our time, the digital ones, to lead others to heaven.

As I entered the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Carlo's body currently rests, I remember thinking, "I can't wait to see his iconic Nike sneakers!". As I waited in line to venerate his body, I admit I was distracted by the summer heat and the religious brother repeating over and over, "No photos!" But then I saw him.

Carlo's testimony

Right there, in the city I loved so much as a child, I met a young man who gave everything for God. And I began to cry.

Carlo died young. He is on his way to becoming a saint (he already is), not because he did something great, but because he simply did what he loved and did it with authenticity. He thought it would be great to share the truth of the Eucharistic miracles on the Internet, and so he did. And because he said yes to something that fascinated him as a child of God, the Church - and the world - have been transformed by his witness.

That day, I felt as if Carlo had gently grabbed me by the shoulders. I felt that he was seeking a heavenly friendship with me. And he was offering me his intercession not only for my heart, but also for the work I do in digital evangelization.

I work as the digital marketing director for FOCUS, alongside my amazing teammates. Together, we orchestrate the social media strategy behind one mission: to process Jesus through the algorithm.

Social networks in our lives

I often say that even the most devout Catholic can miss daily Mass, but almost everyone connects to social networks every day. Whether out of habit or addiction, scrolling through networks has become one of the most common human behaviors of our time. And so, we have the opportunity - and the responsibility - to place Jesus directly in those moments of distraction, curiosity and searching.

What strikes me most is how social networks have evolved. They are no longer just a place to keep in touch with friends. They are the place where decisions are made. We buy what we see on TikTok. We wear clothes inspired by Instagram influencers. We furnish our homes with things we discover on Facebook. We learn from strangers on YouTube. These are not just fleeting interactions; they are formative. They shape who we are becoming.

We can show people the beauty, the truth, the Jesus.

And as Catholics, we have a choice.

We can become a light, like Carlo, and offer something bigger than the trend of the week. We can show people beauty. We can show people the truth. We can show people Jesus.

Carlo Acutis reminds us that holiness is not beyond our reach. It is found in doing ordinary things with extraordinary love and in using the tools of our time to lead others to heaven. May we follow his example and may our "yes" echo his.

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Courtney Roach is director of digital marketing for FOCUS. University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This article was originally published in OSV News, two days before his canonization on Sunday the 7th. You can consult it here.

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The authorOSV / Omnes

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Initiatives

On Our Lady's birthday, Mary's Meals announces new record number of children fed

Mary's Meals NGO surpasses 3 million children fed in schools, an achievement it celebrates on the birthday of the Virgin Mary

Teresa Aguado Peña-September 8, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow: "The starting point of what I do is to live Our Lady's messages". Related News

The Nativity of the Virgin Mary Related News

More than three million children around the world now receive a daily meal at a school thanks to Mary's Meals. The charity, founded by Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow in 2002, has reached this historic milestone after expanding its feeding programs in nine countries over the past 18 months, including Malawi, Haiti, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

The achievement coincides with the back-to-school season in the northern hemisphere and reflects the NGO's core belief: the link between education and nutrition is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Mary's Meals demonstrates, once again, that a simple gesture, such as a daily meal, transforms entire communities.

According to the organization's data, 71 million school-age children do not attend school in the world. However, school meals have been shown to act as a powerful incentive to reverse school dropout.

This is corroborated by Luciano Ngikiri, headmaster of Namingwere Primary School in Malawi: "Because of hunger, many children are sent on errands and other jobs to contribute to the family. We have very low enrollment rates because of hunger and poverty. Those who come hungry do not participate in class. But now, with Mary's Meals, those children who stayed home will attend school in large numbers, and they will be able to be active in class. I feel like I'm floating with joy.

Unprecedented expansion

Growth has been especially significant in countries marked by conflict and climate emergencies. In Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region, Mary's Meals has increased its outreach sevenfold, from 30,000 (at the beginning of 2024) to more than 245,000 children served today.

In Malawi and Zambia, where the organization has been working for two decades, beneficiaries now exceed one million and 600,000, respectively, despite the droughts and floods affecting these communities.

Even in extremely unstable contexts, such as Haiti, Mary's Meals has managed to sustain and expand its work: more than 196,000 children now receive a daily school meal there.

A faith-driven project

For MacFarlane-Barrow, the growth of Mary's Meals is the fruit of providence and the protection of the Virgin Mary, to whom the work is dedicated: "We have chosen September 8 to celebrate the fact that we feed more than 3 million children every school day, as it is the day on which we celebrate Our Lady's birthday. So, on this day, we give all this work back to her. Mary's Meals is hers! This is our humble birthday gift."

Mary's Meals has maintained a strong Christian inspiration from its beginnings, but its work is universal: "We feel called to be present in those parts of the world where people have no voice".

A mission within everyone's reach

The Mary's Meals model is based on simplicity and the commitment of volunteers from the communities themselves. The cost is minimal: 12 euro cents per meal, about 22 euros to feed a child for an entire school year.

MacFarlane-Barrow recalls that although they produce enough food for everyone, thousands of children are still starving. Mary's Meals invites you to participate in their mission: that every child receives a daily meal at his or her place of education.

The authorTeresa Aguado Peña

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow: "The starting point of what I do is to live Our Lady's messages". Related News

The Nativity of the Virgin Mary Related News

Fidele PodgaEnd hunger is not a "utopia" : "Putting an end to hunger is not a "utopia".

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The World

France's new sex education program denounced to the United Nations

The European Center for Law and Justice considers that the content violates the rights of parents.

Javier García Herrería-September 8, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

The start of the school year in France is marked by the implementation of the sex education program known as EVARS ("Educating in affective and relational life and sexuality"), mandatory in all public and private schools, from preschool to high school. According to the European Center for Law and Justice (ECLJ), this initiative violates the fundamental rights of parents as those primarily responsible for the education of their children.

The ECLJ has announced that it will bring the case before the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which monitors compliance with the international covenant that obliges states to respect "the freedom of parents [...] to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions."

Program contents

The EVARS program, as denounced by associations such as Juristes pour l'Enfanceis not limited to an introduction to emotional and relational life, but "promotes early sexuality, encourages children to question their gender identity and makes consent and desire the only moral principles of reference". In addition, they stress that there is no possibility of exemption for families and no obligation to inform parents in advance about the content or materials used in the classes.

The new program "forces boys to talk about their intimacy, address issues of puberty and sexuality long before they are confronted with them, and teaches them all the pro-abortion feminist stereotypes against men, marriage, pregnancy, etc."

The content requires "the acquisition of concepts and is subject to evaluation. However, assessment implies right or wrong answers. Therefore, the normative character of this program is undeniable: it seeks to normalize early sexual relations in all its forms".

What is the ECLJ

The European Center for Law and Justice (ECLJ), an international non-governmental organization in special consultative status with the UN since 2007, is dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights. Of Christian inspiration, it bases its work on "the spiritual and moral values which constitute the common heritage of the European peoples and the true source of individual liberty, political freedom and the rule of law". Its activity combines legal defense, education and litigation, with particular emphasis on the protection of religious freedom and human dignity before international courts and bodies such as the European Court of Human Rights, the Council of Europe and the European Parliament.

The French Council of State has already rejected the request to annul this program in the past, so the ECLJ and other associations consider that the international route is now the most effective. The organization plans to submit its request to the UN within a month, with the aim of getting the French education system to review its policies in this area.

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Photo Gallery

Canonization of Carlo Acutis

Leo XIV receives the offerings of Antonia Salzano, mother of St. Charles Acutis, and her family during the Mass of canonization.

Editorial Staff Omnes-September 8, 2025-Reading time: < 1 minute

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Evangelization

The Nativity of the Virgin Mary

September is also a very Marian month. On September 8, the Church celebrates the birthday of the Virgin Mary, her Nativity, one of the oldest Marian feasts. Others will follow, such as the Holy Name of Mary (12th), or Our Lady of Sorrows (15th).

Francisco Otamendi-September 8, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes

It is believed that the origin of the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is linked to the dedication, in the fourth century, of an ancient Marian basilica in Jerusalem. On its ruins was built in the twelfth century the present church of St. Anne. Tradition has it that in this place, explains Vatican NewsThe house of Mary's parents, St. Joachim and St. Anne, was the birthplace of the Virgin, who would become the Mother of Jesus, Mother of God.

This feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary takes place nine months after the date of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, and seems to have begun to be celebrated in the Eastern Church of Byzantium (ancient Constantinople, now Istanbul).

The feast of Our Lady began to be celebrated in the eighth century in Rome, with Pope Sergius I although it has its origin in Jerusalem. It is the third feast of the "nativity" in the Roman calendar, which commemorates the Nativity of Jesus, the Son of God (December 25, Christmas). The feast of St. John the Baptist (June 24), and that of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on September 8.

Perspective on the mysteries of salvation

The liturgy links the anniversary of the Virgin's birth with the perspective of the beginning of the mysteries of salvation, writes the franciscan directory. "The Marian celebration is the first fruits of the good things that her Son will bring us". On this same date, in immediate and following days, the Virgin is celebrated under multiple names and invocations.

On August 15, on the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, Pope Leo XIV said in the homily of the MassThe event was celebrated in the parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo. "On the cross, trust won; love, which is capable of seeing what has not yet arrived, won; forgiveness won". And Mary was there; she was there, united to her Son. Today we can sense that Mary is us when we do not flee, we are us when we respond with our 'yes' to her 'yes'".

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

The Nativity of the Virgin Mary

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Books

In search of lost beauty

Pablo Alzola, in The adventure of beautyshows through philosophy, literature and cinema, how beauty continues to be a path of transcendence and salvation.

Juan José Muñoz García-September 8, 2025-Reading time: 4 minutes

Why are we so attracted to beauty? When one sees a work of art or a film of great beauty, one has the sensation, even if one cannot explain it, of witnessing a transfigured world, a redeemed world. There is something that catches us. However, nowadays we are suspicious of beauty, we think it has been overcome.

Years ago I was teaching film criticism at a university in Madrid, and explaining the aesthetic foundations of film analysis I talked about beauty and automatically several students replied saying that art had nothing to do with beauty. I was perplexed. In the classical training I have acquired, beauty, truth and goodness go hand in hand, they are properties of the real. Why didn't some of my students think so?

Beauty is the face of truth and goodness

Why do we choose the ugly and vulgar as authentic? Why does the consumption of pornography abound, which strips the human body of its beauty, meaning and soul? The book The adventure of beauty aims to answer these questions. Alzola says that beauty makes us more human by elevating us above ourselves. And works of art are the expression of something that transcends us. Beauty is not so much fullness as promise and, to this extent, it is synonymous with hope.

For all these reasons, beauty is by no means synonymous with naivety. Great works of art and even good films that show pain and suffering, but which are open to mystery, also leave us with the feeling of being before a promise: because in everyday life we have the impression that suffering and death have the last word, but authentic beauty speaks to us of a reality that will be transfigured, saved. That is why it has been said that beauty will save the world, that beauty which is hidden in the most beautiful of men, Jesus Christ, in his passion full of suffering and before whom our gaze turns away.

Pablo Alzola, professor of Aesthetics and Theory of the Arts at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, encourages us in this essay to go through the history of thought from classical antiquity to the postmodern era, and to understand how beauty has gone from being a promise of fulfillment to become a strategy suspected of covering up dark manipulations or spurious interests.

Cinema, philosophy and aesthetics

Alzola invites us to begin this adventure by looking at the unbounded, mysterious aspect that beauty reflects: like that unforgettable sequence at the start of Desert Centaurswhen the door of a Texas house opens and the characters step out onto the porch to look out over the vast desert, where an enigmatic John Wayne appears on horseback. All this western speaks of search (The Searchers is its original title) and rescue. In the same way, our subjective gaze has to be open to the whole of reality, that unfathomable reality that beauty reflects.

Alzola gives an essential importance to cinema in this essay, and it is logical that this is so: cinema is the seventh art, although it took a long time for intellectuals to give it this recognition. Cinema is not only a useful anecdote to complement an idea or simply an example to embellish our thoughts, but it is philosophy in itself and therefore beauty in itself. Film art reflects that mystery of reality that amazes us so much.

That's why they parade through The adventure of beauty authors such as Plato, Homer, Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, Shakespeare, Hume, Kant, Nietzsche, Dostoevsky, Rilke, Waugh, Tolkien or Heidegger. Films such as On the way home, Apocalypse now, Lullaby, Amadeus, The tree of life, Babette's Feast, Vertigo, Quince sun, Better than that o 2001: A Space Odyssey. With all of them we dialogue and discuss, creating a peculiar symposium of philosophy, cinema and literature.

Chapters of an adventure

In this journey to rescue beauty, the author has structured the chapters of his essay chronologically, covering the history of Western philosophy from classical Greece to the present day, all encompassed with key words that synthesize the essence of each period:

-Unity" for Greek philosophy: unity of beauty with the good and with the divine origin of everything, which requires purifying the gaze and transcending sensible appearances in order to contemplate full beauty, the source of happiness. This purification or catharsis reminds us that happiness is possible, despite the vagaries of life, if the subject has the virtues that perfect knowledge and will.

-Relationship" for medieval philosophy, for Christian philosophy holds that we can see beauty as a relationship between creatures and their Creator, who is a personal being. And the act of being received in the divine creation from nothing, together with the form of each thing, makes beauty something concrete and not vaporous.

-Experience" for modern philosophy. Modernity does not admit a confident relationship with the world. Beauty ceases to be a quality of the real, because beauty is not in things but in the feeling they generate in us. The objective criteria for evaluating beauty are lost, creating a vicious circle in which beauty is where a reliable critic says it is, and the reliable critic is the one who says where beauty is. And also the unity of aesthetics and ethics begins to dislocate, and some, like Nietzsche for example, think that beauty is a mask that covers up the terrifying truth of existence, its depths of suffering and despair. The work of art becomes a question mark, Alzola concludes.

-Work" for contemporary philosophy. Some, like Heidegger, admit that art opens us to the truth of things and of the world. Cinema reflects this very well. Beauty would be another way of calling the truth that happens as unveiling. At the same time, this work of art has lost mystery and authenticity: in the age of the selfie, it has lost its authenticity. and works of art accessed exclusively by cell phones, artistic creation loses its unique, perhaps sacred character. The old art awakens attitudes of contemplation and recollection, says Walter Benjamin. The new art seeks to distract us, to provoke us, to shock us, it is art as a shock or projectile. This phenomenon can be seen in the proliferation of violence and ugliness in certain types of cinema from the late 1960s onwards.

Beauty and transcendence

Postmodernity has disfigured the face of truth and goodness, defaming beauty and creating a disenchanted world, full of helplessness and precariousness. But beauty resists all conspiracies, for it makes us more human by raising us above ourselves. And in this way it prepares the advent of something, of Someone, concludes Alzola.

The adventure of beauty. Philosophers, scenes and aesthetic ideas.

AuthorPablo Alzola

Editorial: Asymmetric Editions

Year: 2025

Number of pages: 237

The authorJuan José Muñoz García

Beauty

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The Vatican

Pope invites not to waste life and "be saints" like Frassati and Acutis

The greatest risk in life is to waste it by not seeking to follow God's plan, Pope Leo XIV said Sunday as he proclaimed two new saints: two young lay people of the 20th and 21st centuries, Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis. The Pontiff noted, "all of you, all of us, are also called to be saints."

OSV / Omnes-September 7, 2025-Reading time: 6 minutes

Carol Glatz (Vatican City, CNS). The greatest risk in life is to waste it by not seeking to follow God's plan, Pope Leo XIV said Sunday as he proclaimed two new saints. They are two young lay people of the 20th and 21st centuries.

"Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an invitation to all of us, especially the young, not to waste our lives, but to direct them upwards. And to turn them into masterpieces."

"The simple but winning formula of their holiness," he said, is accessible to everyone at any time. "They encourage us with their words, "Not I, but God," as Carlo used to say. Pier Giorgio used to say, 'If you have God at the center of all your actions, then you will reach the end."'"

Before canonizing the first saints of his pontificate, Pope Leo greeted the more than 80,000 faithful who had gathered early in St. Peter's Square. He wanted to share his joy with them before the start of the solemn ceremony.

"It is a day of great joy," Pope Leo XIV's opening greeting.

"Brothers and sisters, today is a wonderful celebration for all of Italy, for the whole Church, for the whole world," he said before the Mass.

"Although the celebration is very solemn, it is also a day of great joy, and I especially wanted to greet the many young people who have come to this holy Mass," he said. To the families of the future saints, and to the associations and communities to which the young people had belonged.

Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, canonized by Pope Leo XIV (Wikimedia Commons and OSV News).

Pope Leo asked everyone to "feel in their hearts what Pier Giorgio and Carlo experienced. This love for Jesus Christ, especially in the Eucharist, but also in the poor, in our brothers and sisters."

"All of you, all of us, are also called to be saints." He said this before retiring to prepare for Mass and pay homage to a statue of Mary with the Child Jesus. Also to the reliquaries containing the relics of the two young men.

"Abandon ourselves to the adventure He offers us."

In his homily, the Pope underlined the call of Jesus in the Gospel of the day "to abandon ourselves without hesitation to the adventure that he offers us, with the intelligence and strength that his Spirit gives us.

That we can receive to the extent that we empty ourselves of the things and ideas to which we are attached, in order to listen to his word".

That is what the two new saints did and what every disciple of Christ is called to do, he said.

Many people, especially when they are young, he said, face a kind of "crossroads" in life as they ponder what to do with it.

The saints of the Church are often portrayed as "great figures". And it is forgotten that for them everything began when, while still young, they said 'yes' to God and gave themselves to him completely, reserving nothing for themselves," the Pope said.

Frassati and Acutis: "in love with Jesus".

"Today we look at St. Pier Giorgio. Frassati and St. Carlo AcutisHe said: a young man at the beginning of the 20th century and a teenager of our times, both in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him," he said.

Pope Leo devoted much of his homily to sharing quotes from both of them and details of their lives, something Pope Francis had moved away from, preferring to focus more on the readings of the day.

Pier Giorgio: "a beacon for lay spirituality".

"The life of Pier Giorgio is a beacon for lay spirituality," Pope Leo said.

"For him, faith was not a private devotion, but was driven by the power of the Gospel and his membership in church associations," he said.

"He was also generously committed to society, contributed to political life and devoted himself ardently to the service of the poor."

Pope Leo XIV at the Mass in which he declared Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati saints, celebrated in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on September 7, 2025. (CNS Photo/Lola Gomez).

Acutis "found Jesus in his family".

"Carlo, for his part, found Jesus in his family, thanks to his parents, Andrea and Antonia, who are here today with his two siblings, Francesca and Michele," he said. Meanwhile, the crowd applauded and Antonia smiled shyly at the camera.

St. Acutis also found Jesus in the Jesuit school he attended and "especially in the sacraments celebrated in the parish community," he said. "He grew up naturally integrating prayer, sports, study and charity into his days as a child and young man."

The Pope noted that the new saints "cultivated their love for God and for their brothers and sisters through simple acts, within everyone's reach. Such as daily Mass, prayer and, especially, Eucharistic adoration."

Frassati was born on April 6, 1901 in Turin and died there on July 4, 1925, at the age of 24, of polio. Acutis was born to Italian parents on May 3, 1991 in London and died in Monza, Italy, on October 12, 2006, at the age of 15, of leukemia.

The disease did not prevent them from loving

The Pope added that "even when illness struck them and shortened their young lives, even this did not stop them or prevent them from loving, offering themselves to God, blessing him and praying to him for themselves and for everyone."

Several family members and people close to the new saints attended the Mass, along with dignitaries, such as Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

Pope Leo XIV receives the offerings of Antonia Salzano, mother of St. Carlo Acutis, and her family during the canonization Mass. In the photo, Francesca Acutis, Antonia Salzano, Andrea Acutis and Michele Acutis (Photo CNS/Vatican Media).

Acutis' family and the miracle of the young Costa Rican girl

St. Acutis' parents, Andrea and Antoniaand his twin siblings, Michele and Francesca, who were born four years after their brother's death, were present. Together they brought the offerings to the Pope. Michele also read the first reading of the Mass in English.

Valeria Valverde, who read the first prayer of the faithful, is a young Costa Rican woman who suffered a serious head injury while living in Italy. It was her inexplicable healing that provided the second miracle necessary for the canonization of St. Acutis.

Frassati, in lay movements

St. Frassati was active in Catholic Action, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Italian Federation of Catholic Universities and the Dominican Third Order.

Lorenzo Zardi, vice-president of the Italian Catholic Action youth group, read the second reading at Mass. Michele Tridente, secretary general of the lay movement, also presented the offertory gifts to the Pope.

Before praying the Angelus, the Pope again thanked everyone for coming to celebrate the two new saints of the Church.

A nun holds a photo of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis on the day Pope Leo XIV presides at the Mass for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis (Photo by OSV News/Matteo Minnella, Reuters).

Prayer for the Holy Land and Ukraine: "God wants peace!"

However, he also asked the faithful for "unceasing prayer for peace, especially in the Holy Land, in Ukraine and in all other lands bloodied by war."

"To the rulers I repeat: listen to the voice of conscience," he said.

"Apparent victories won with weapons, sowing death and destruction, are in reality defeats and will never bring peace and security," he stated.

"God does not want war, God wants peace!" he exclaimed to applause. God gives strength to those who work to leave behind the cycle of hatred and follow the path of dialogue.

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This information was originally published in OSV News. You can consult it here.

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The authorOSV / Omnes

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