Catholic News

Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila, Philippines, exhorted Catholics to go beyond social media criticism of society and be more active in bringing about change in real life.

"It is very easy to complain and criticize. It is very easy to be a keyboard warrior on social media. It is very easy to say that there are many things wrong in society, in the family, in the Church, or in the world," the cardinal said during a homily at Quiapo Church on June 24, according to local reports. "But only a few are willing to initiate change."

New papal nuncio welcomed in Syria

At a Mass in Damascus, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi welcomed Syria's new papal nuncio Archbishop Luigi Roberto Cona, with the leader describing papal diplomats as "messengers of justice, reconciliation, human dignity, hope, and care for the vulnerable," ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported June 22.

In his own remarks, Cona emphasized Pope Leo XIV's call for peace rooted in justice, love, dialogue, diplomacy, and forgiveness, warning that the desire for justice must not turn into revenge.

The nuncio went on to say that the country's wounds must be healed "through mercy, forgiveness, and a renewed spirit of unity" and stressed that Syrians themselves hold the future of their nation in their hands.

Cona called on them to "see one another not as enemies but as partners and brothers." He said the Holy See is ready to contribute to every effort that helps bring about "the birth of a new Syria, built on truth, practical solutions, equal dignity, and shared citizenship."

Scottish diocese warns monks against consecrating their own bishop

The Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen in Scotland has spoken out against plans by the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer to consecrate their superior general, Father Michael Mary, FSsR, without Pope Leo XIV's approval.

"This ordination would be celebrated without a papal mandate, by a group of bishops who deny that Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV is actually the pope," Aberdeen Bishop Hugh Gilbert, OSB, said in a June 18 statement.

"Since this consecration is due to take place within the geographical boundaries of the Diocese of Aberdeen, I am obliged to make clear to the faithful of the diocese that any such episcopal ordination would be unlawful and a grave act of disobedience, separating those taking part from communion with the Catholic Church," he said.

"No member of the faithful should attend. This action is not 'for the good of the Catholic Church' as is falsely claimed."

Iraqi Christians pray novena for beatification of martyred priests

The Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Mosul concluded its novena for the beatification of Father Yousif Zakaria and Father Behnam Mikho, who were martyred in 1915, on June 28.

Bishop Benedictos Younan Hanno of Mosul invited the faithful on June 19 to join in praying the novena. The nine days of prayer began during a solemn ceremony in Qaraqosh, Iraq's largest Christian town, in which the bishop transferred the priests' remains from the Dominican Sisters' convent to the Great Tahira Cathedral, ACI MENA reported.

Preaching at the service, Hanno urged the faithful to "take an active part in these prayers," renewing their fidelity to the faith, their attachment to the Church, and their gratitude for the witness of the two priests, who served the archdiocese with sincerity and remained steadfast in their Christian faith until martyrdom.

Myanmar religious sister sentenced to 8 months in jail

A military tribunal in Myanmar has sentenced a religious sister to eight months in jail after being detained while obtaining medicines for poor patients.

Sister Benedetta Nya Moe, a member of the Institute of Sisters of Reparation, was sentenced under Section 505(a) of the country's penal code, according to a UCA News report on Friday.

Nya Moe has been transferred to Loikaw Prison, a large prison facility in the capital of Karenni state that is notorious for malnutrition among its detainees.

"From what we have learned, she crossed paths with a military column and was arrested while transporting a displaced patient to a hospital in Loikaw," a local religious sister told UCA News.

Nya Moe was detained June 10 after soldiers searched her phones and found records of donations and news about the ongoing conflict, according to the report.

Quebec abuse victims reach $31 million settlement with archdiocese

The Archdiocese of Quebec in Canada, two seminaries, and an insurance agency will jointly pay victims of clergy sexual abuse $31 million.

The archdiocese, along with the Seminary of Quebec, the Collège François-de-Laval, and the Mutual Insurance of Quebec Factories, reached the agreement with representatives of 150 victims on June 18, according to a Catholic Register report on Tuesday.

Once the agreement gains final approval from the Superior Court on July 30, the archdiocese and its cosigners will have 45 days to send the full amount to the firm that represents the victims. Those who receive compensation will receive an apology letter by Auxiliary Bishop Jean Tailleur, who signed the agreement on behalf of the archdiocese.

Irish lawmakers vote to remove 3-day wait for abortion

Politicians in Ireland have voted in favor of removing the three-day mandatory wait for an abortion.

The 86-70 vote in the Dáil (Irish Parliament) on the bill from the opposition party Sinn Féin was carried having received the support of the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) and Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister), who both voted in favor of the measure.

A similar bill in May proposed by the Social Democrats was defeated by 85 votes to 30, with 36 abstentions. These bills are a free vote as abortion is considered a conscience issue.

The bill is now expected to go before the health committee for further scrutiny.

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During the Mass on June 29 at St. Peter's Basilica for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Leo XIV conferred the pallium on the 35 metropolitan archbishops who had been appointed the previous year.

Of these archbishops, four hail from the United States: Archbishops Ronald Hicks of New York, James Golka of Denver, James Checchio of New Orleans, and Mark Rivituso of Mobile, Alabama.

Hundreds of pilgrims were part of delegations accompanying the new archbishops. The pilgrims described the experience as historic, witnessing the first American pope, Leo XIV, bestow the pallium, and expressed their hope that their new shepherds would bring youthful energy to the faithful they now serve.

A 'surreal' experience full of emotion

After the pallium Mass, the new archbishops attended a reception at the Pontifical North American College (PNAC), which has trained American seminarians for the priesthood since 1859.

Golka, appointed to Denver in February, described receiving the pallium as a profoundly emotional experience.

"To hear him [Pope Leo] say, 'Peace be with you' in English. And then I greeted him back, 'And with your spirit.' And then I said, 'I pray for you every day.' And he said, 'Thank you.' And then I was crying on the way back to my chair," Golka told EWTN News.

Scott Elmer, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Denver, added: "It's definitely breathtaking to see so many bishops, priests, laity, and cardinals from all over the world gathering together. Hearing so many languages being spoken, yet all being one in our Catholic faith and worshipping the Lord as one in the holy Mass was really a treat."

Hicks also described his experience at the Mass and its significance for his archdiocese, following Cardinal Timothy Dolan's leadership from 2009 to 2025.

"I thought the experience was beautiful, powerful, holy, sacred, and even a bit surreal. I'm still pinching myself," Hicks told EWTN News.

"I've met him before, and when I introduced myself afterward, I just said, 'Hi, I'm Ron Hicks from New York.' He said, 'Of course I know.' [Pope Leo] wants us to be a Church on mission. He wants us to make sure that what Christ himself has asked us to do is done in the spirit of love and in the spirit of charity."

Laura Moore Brown, an attorney and parishioner at Ascension Parish in Manhattan, added: "I think what's really exciting is that there is such a new surge of youth, meaning people in their 20s and 30s coming back to Mass, getting involved. I think the youthfulness of Archbishop Hicks will be a draw, and his relatability to that age group will increase enthusiasm and participation in the Church."

Receiving the pallium from an American pope

Pilgrims also reflected on the historic nature of the pallium Mass, presided over by Leo XIV, the first American pope.

Checchio, who served as rector of the PNAC from 2005 to 2016, organized receptions for new U.S. archbishops during his tenure. To be on the receiving end, he said, was surreal.

"I had been, as you know, rector here for 12 and a half years, so I have attended many pallium services and hosted many archbishops from across our country for receptions here afterward," Checchio told EWTN News. "But coming to receive it myself was a bit surreal. Receiving it from Pope Leo — an American pope — was even more so."

Checchio also commented on the difference in approach between Leo and his predecessor, Pope Francis, regarding the bestowal of the pallium. During the later part of Francis' papacy, he did not place the pallium on the shoulders of the new archbishops, opting instead to bless the pallium and have the apostolic nuncios place it on them.

Checchio said he was grateful for the change.

"I am grateful for it. It's a beautiful opportunity to make an oath of fidelity to him in his presence, as we shepherd our people in his name."

Raechelle Munna, a parishioner at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in New Orleans, shared about the pilgrimage: "I knew that when I was invited to go on this pilgrimage, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I needed to be part of. We are still hoping for Pope Leo to visit us in New Orleans!"

Hopes for the future

A few of the pilgrims expressed their hopes for the new archbishops, none of whom have yet served a full year in their new dioceses.

Shannon Roh, the executive director of stewardship and development for the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama, characterized the new archbishop, Rivituso, as a servant leader.

"I would say that, as a leader, he really comes across as a servant leader from the very beginning," Roh told EWTN News. "He leads by example and gets right in there to help and be part of the solution. Whether it's packing bags at a school or whatever, he wants to be part of it. He's definitely a servant leader, kind, compassionate, with a big heart."

Glynn Stevens, minister for hospitality at the Cathedral of St. Louis in New Orleans, expressed hope that Checchio would successfully lead his new diocese through a challenging financial period.

"We're looking forward to his leadership, his skills. He comes with open arms. We have a lot of healing to do throughout our country, and he is definitely the man who I think can bring it to the city of New Orleans."

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As France looks ahead to its 2027 presidential election, former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has thrust surrogacy back into the center of the country's political debate.

Attal, who announced his presidential bid in May and now leads President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, has called for a national debate on legalizing surrogacy, which remains prohibited under French law. He has openly linked the issue to his personal desire to have children with his partner, European Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné, a former French foreign minister, through surrogacy.

The proposal places Attal at odds with Macron, who has repeatedly described the legalization of surrogacy as a "red line."

With Macron constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term, Attal's position has emerged as one of the clearest bioethical dividing lines in the race to succeed him.

Cross-party opposition

Attal's promotion of surrogacy was met with widespread criticism from both sides of the French political aisle. Elected officials, including former French justice and health ministers, published a cross-party op-ed in which they expressed their opposition to "making women's bodies available to satisfy the desires of others."

This initiative was started by Aurore Bergé, minister for gender equality and a member of Attal's own party.

They also reject the notion that surrogacy offers a solution to declining birth rates, instead arguing that demographic challenges should be addressed through family support policies and adoption reform rather than what they describe as the commercialization of reproduction.

Matthieu Le Tourneur, a French jurist with Juristes pour l'Enfance, told EWTN News that such a public intervention from high-profile politicians would have been far less likely only a few years ago.

He sees this as evidence of a changing sociopolitical climate. While some polling suggests a narrow majority of French citizens support legalizing surrogacy, Le Tourneur noted that support becomes weaker when the issue involves same-sex couples. He also argued that public opinion has ceased moving in favor of surrogacy and may be shifting in the opposite direction, referencing growing activism from anti-surrogacy organizations.

Political hurdles and European implications

Le Tourneur said Attal's proposal should be viewed within a broader French political pattern in which successive presidents have pursued major societal reforms, pointing to the legalization of same-sex "marriage" under François Hollande, the expansion of IVF, and the proposed euthanasia bill under Macron. In his view, a future Attal presidency "would make the legalization of surrogacy the societal goal of his five-year term."

However, he noted that legalization would face significant political obstacles. "Opposition to surrogacy comes from both the left and the right," drawing criticism from feminists, anti-capitalists, and conservatives, he said. As a result, Attal would likely need support from extreme-left LGBTQIA+ factions, liberal centrists, and individual lawmakers willing to break with their parties.

Observers have noted that France's influence extends well beyond its borders, particularly on questions of culture and bioethics. In this context, Le Tourneur believes that any French move to legalize surrogacy would likely reverberate across Europe. He noted that legalization in France would almost certainly apply not only to heterosexual couples but also to same-sex couples and single individuals, potentially providing momentum to pro-surrogacy campaigners seeking similar reforms in other countries.

Organized resistance to surrogacy

Ludovine de La Rochère, president of Le Syndicat de la Famille, one of France's leading pro-family organizations, said Attal's endorsement of "ethical" surrogacy is partly an effort to distinguish himself in the 2027 presidential race.

Speaking to EWTN News, she explained that "it would be a humanitarian, social, and ethical disaster if France were to legalize" surrogacy. She noted that the practice is often "championed by LGBT organizations" and that supporters seek to normalize the matter culturally through "personal accounts in books, films, TV programs, and so on," gradually shaping public opinion outside the political arena.

According to de La Rochère, pro-surrogacy campaigners are shifting their efforts from legislative reform to international legal proceedings aimed at securing recognition of children born through surrogacy.

Looking across the continent, she noted that "Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovakia, and Poland" are strongly opposed to surrogacy while "Germany remains a country that could change its stance on this issue."

Despite this, de La Rochère said her organization is working with other nongovernmental organizations to push the European Union toward "an explicit condemnation of all forms of surrogacy." If Attal ultimately includes surrogacy in his presidential platform, she said large-scale public mobilization remains a possibility, although any response would depend on what strategy is judged most effective at the time.

Growing pressure

Attal's proposal comes amid growing international opposition to surrogacy. In her 2026 report, U.N. Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls Reem Alsalem argued that surrogacy can expose women to exploitation, coercion, health risks, and psychological harm, while raising broader concerns about human dignity and the rights of women and children.

The issue has also gained momentum at the diplomatic level. On June 22, Italy, the Holy See, Chile, and Cameroon convened a side event at the U.N. Human Rights Council calling for an international moratorium on surrogacy as a first step toward its eventual abolition. The initiative followed separate condemnations of the practice by Pope Leo XIV and the Holy See earlier this year.

On June 29, Le Syndicat de la Famille, Juristes pour l'Enfance, and other anti-surrogacy advocates gathered in Geneva to argue that surrogacy constitutes a modern form of human trafficking and to advocate for a coordinated international response.

Taken together, these developments suggest that any effort to legalize surrogacy in France would likely face opposition not only from domestic political critics, including figures within Attal's own political camp, but also from an increasingly organized international coalition of governments, U.N. human rights experts, and civil society organizations.

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Pope Leo XIV has called on Christians to emulate the example of Sts. Peter and Paul in working toward the unity of the Church and of all Christians.

The pontiff's words were delivered during a Mass on June 29 at St. Peter's Basilica for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome. During the Mass, Leo also bestowed the pallium — a circular band of lamb's wool worn on the shoulders — on the 35 metropolitan archbishops appointed by the pope the previous year.

Having just concluded a two-day extraordinary consistory of cardinals, which ended on June 27, Leo explained that the example of Peter is an invitation for every Christian to work toward Church unity.

"Moreover, Peter's example is an invitation to every Christian to become a builder of unity," Leo said, "placing God at the center of one's life and drawing close to one's brothers and sisters, attentive to their circumstances and needs. In this way, we learn to live with one another in charity, so that the message might be fully proclaimed."

Referring to the conversion of St. Paul, the pope explained that Paul can teach Christians to choose peace over violence. Quoting a homily by St. Augustine for the feast, he emphasized that God took a "persecutor of the Church and made him a messenger of peace."

"The Apostle to the Gentiles allowed himself to be transformed by the power of God's word, which rescued him from the way of violence and led him onto the path of love."

Addressing the new archbishops present at the ceremony and a delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Leo explained the pallium's significance as an expression of the mission of every Christian.

"These bands of white wool adorned with crosses indeed express the commitment of every shepherd — and also of every Christian — to take upon their shoulders the brothers and sisters entrusted to them, like so many lambs of the Lord's flock, and to sacrifice their energy, time, effort, and even their lives for them," Leo said.

In his Angelus address following the Mass, the pope urged the faithful to support his mission by generously donating to the Peter's Pence collection. Peter's Pence is a global initiative that helps fund the pope's activities and the Holy See's charitable works worldwide.

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Catholic Church leaders in India's capital are expanding an educational mentoring program to help young people compete for government jobs and university admissions.

The Archdiocese of Delhi has broadened its youth coaching initiative to prepare students for India's most competitive examinations, including the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exam for government posts, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for university admissions, and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination for elite civil service tracks such as the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Foreign Service.

The program grew out of career-orientation and awareness sessions that the archdiocese's Commission for the Laity has run for young people since May 2022 at Yusuf Sadan, covering fields such as government service, the civil services, law and the judiciary, the private and creative sectors, the armed forces, and information technology.

In September 2024, as part of preparations for the 2025 Jubilee Year, the commission launched 'Pehal – Ek Prayaas' ('Initiative – A New Effort'), a weekly coaching program for civil service aspirants; 15 students enrolled after an initial orientation.

In a circular signed June 10, Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto of Delhi said the program would guide and mentor candidates through a team of experts providing regular classes, supervision, doubt-clearing sessions, and assessments.

"The aspirants are welcome and encouraged to use the Diocesan Community Centre library for their regular study," the archbishop wrote. "A space at Chetanalaya basement is also being created and prepared for classes and study purpose equipped with reference book."

According to the circular, enrollment will be confirmed after an interview with each student, and candidates will pay a token fee of 1,000 rupees (about $11), covering "coaching and mentoring through classes reference books, study materials, regular assessment etc."

Daisy Panna, secretary of the archdiocese's Commission for the Laity, told EWTN News that four students sat for this year's preliminary examination, with others expected to appear next year.

"This year the Laity commission together with Justice & Peace Commission and Chetanalaya have decided to extend the support to youth preparing for SSC-CGL and CUET examinations also," Panna said.

"In this regard an orientation has been planned on 14th of June 2026 at Yusuf Sadan for UPSC and SSC, and for CUET an orientation was undertaken on June 21, in the basement of the Church of Immaculate Conception."

Coaching for the UPSC examination is set to begin July 1, while registration and classes for the SSC and CUET examinations will start in October and run for eight months and three months, respectively, the archdiocese said.

Among those enrolled is Simran A. Beck, 26, a biotechnology graduate who said she had long wanted to serve society, which drew her toward public service.

"I joined the coaching as preparing for such exams can be very challenging, overwhelming," Beck told EWTN News. "A proper guidance was needed, which was provided by Dr. Daisy Panna; she took the initiative of providing mentorship, mock test and feedback."

"Since there are other students as well who are preparing for the same exam as I am, group discussions and guidance from other peers also came into effective use."

A student fresh out of school or college can feel lost when confronting the scale of the competition and the size of the syllabus, Beck said, which is why mentorship and feedback matter in helping aspirants build a road map to follow.

Preparing for the exams, she added, is on a different scale from school or college tests, with different patterns and answer-writing formats.

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Pope Leo XIV will deliver a special video message to Catholics across the United States at the conclusion of the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, marking a historic moment as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding.

The Holy Father's message will be shown Sunday, July 5, at the opening of the closing Mass and Eucharistic procession in Philadelphia, where thousands of pilgrims are expected to gather after a six-week journey across the eastern United States.

According to organizers, Pope Leo XIV's address will reflect on the legacy of Catholicism in the United States while encouraging the faithful to seek renewed unity, peace, and hope through Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage's closings events in Philadelphia during  Independence Day weekend will also draw pilgrims to two shrines that bear witness to the legacy of Catholicism in the United States: the tomb of St. Katharine Drexel and the shrine of St. John Neumann.  Drexel was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized, while St. John Neumann was the first canonized American bishop.

"This message from Pope Leo XIV will be a profound gift to the Church in the United States and to all who seek peace, unity, and hope," said Archbishop Nelson Pérez of Philadelphia.

"We are deeply grateful that the Holy Father will speak to the faithful gathered here, in the City of Saints, and to those joining around the world, reminding us that Christ in the Eucharist is the source of our unity and the heart of the Church's mission," Pérez added.

"The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is a public invitation to encounter Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and to carry His presence into the life of our nation," said Jason Shanks, president of the National Eucharistic Congress. "To receive a message from Pope Leo XIV at the culmination of this journey, as the United States marks its 250th anniversary, is more than a landmark moment - it is a call to renewal for the Church in our country," Shanks noted.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in partnership with Vatican Media, will serve as the global distribution partner for the papal message.

"EWTN is honored to serve as the global distribution partner for the Holy Father's message and for the closing events of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Philadelphia," said EWTN Chairman of the Board and CEO Michael Warsaw.

"This historic moment will allow viewers around the world to join in prayer, witness, and thanksgiving as the Church in the United States celebrates the enduring gift of the Eucharist during this milestone in the country's history."

The closing Mass of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the papal video message will be livestreamed on EWTN's YouTube channel, on the EWTN streaming apps (EWTN +), and on linear broadcast, and made available on the National Eucharistic Congress's Manna App. 

2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

The 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage began May 24 and has carried the Blessed Sacrament through much of the original 13 colonies, reaching as far north as New Hampshire and Maine.

Nine perpetual pilgrims are traveling with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage for the entire journey, which began in St. Augustine, Florida, and will conclude on the Fourth of July weekend.

The pilgrimage is being held under the patronage of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen to be canonized.

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Pope Leo XIV has decreed the dismissal from the clerical state of Francisco José Vegara Cerezo, who served as a priest of the Spanish Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante, following a canonical process that was initiated due to his repeated public rejection of the authority of Pope Francis and, subsequently, of Leo XIV himself.

The case dates back to 2023, when a dialogue with Vegara Cerezo began following the publication of a 20-page manifesto in which he labeled Pope Francis a "heretic" and questioned the validity of his election.

The now laicized priest also criticized texts such as the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, by the late Argentine pontiff, and the declaration Fiducia Supplicans, from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

In 2024, Vegara Cerezo's obstinacy led his bishop, José Ignacio Munilla, to remove him from any office or position within the diocese.

Munilla admonished Vegara Cerezo in February 2024 and April 2025, urging him to alter the "stance expressed publicly and notoriously through various media outlets," according to a statement issued by the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante on June 25, 2026.

In September 2025, Bishop Munilla issued a new decree prohibiting Vegara Cerezo from making public statements in the media — a measure Vegara decided to appeal to the Vatican's Dicastery for the Clergy.

Following this, and after another article by Vegara Cerezo, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith asked him to retract from his offense of schism. Upon his failure to provide a satisfactory response, on April 30 Pope Leo decreed that he be dismissed from the clerical state — a decision that was communicated to him on June 20.

In his statement on the matter, Bishop Munilla asked for prayers for Francisco José Vegara Cerezo and recalled the words spoken by Pope Leo XIV on June 11 in the Canary Islands, during a meeting with Spanish bishops, priests, religious, and seminarians: "When you encounter difficulties, lift your gaze and ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to live united in faith, hope, and charity."

What is schism?

Canon 751 of the Code of Canon Law defines schism as "the refusal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him." The penalty for this canonical offense is usually excommunication, although in this instance the penalty was less severe: dismissal from the clerical state.

What does it mean for a priest to be dismissed from the clerical state?

A priest remains a priest forever; however, if he is sanctioned with dismissal or expulsion from the clerical state, he loses all the rights associated with that state. Consequently, he is no longer bound by celibacy and is prohibited from celebrating Mass, administering sacraments, or presenting himself as a priest.

There is only one exception: if a person is in danger of death and the priest who has been dismissed from the clerical state is present, Canon 976 establishes that he may validly administer the sacraments, as the salvation of souls takes precedence over the grave penalty imposed upon the priest.

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

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VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday expressed his closeness to the people of Venezuela after recent earthquakes, offering prayers for the victims and encouragement to rescue workers.

"I wish to express my solidarity with our Venezuelan brothers and sisters affected by the recent earthquakes, which have caused numerous deaths and injuries, as well as extensive damage to property," the pope said after praying the Angelus on June 28 in St. Peter's Square.

"Praying to the Lord for the eternal rest of the deceased, I renew my spiritual solidarity with their families, the injured, and all who have been shaken by this tragedy," he continued. "I also wish to express my gratitude and encouragement to those generously working on search and rescue efforts and providing assistance."

Before the Angelus, Pope Leo reflected on the day's Gospel reading from Matthew 10:37–42, saying that Jesus' call to discipleship is rooted in a love that requires "detachment, loss and hospitality."

"In today's Gospel reading, we hear some of Jesus' exhortations on how to follow him and be witnesses to his kingdom," the pope said. "This is not just a matter of outward acts, but of committing ourselves entirely to a loving relationship with him."

The first requirement, he said, is detachment. Citing Jesus' words — "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" — Pope Leo said the Lord wanted the apostles to be free for mission.

"When the Lord begins to send his apostles on mission, he wants them to be free from any ties," he said. "However, this applies to everyone, as even the most significant relationships find their fullness through the love that Christ gives us."

The pope pointed to married life as an example, saying it "can only be lived fully by 'leaving' one's parents' home in order to commit to the life of marriage." He also spoke of raising children, saying parents help them "to fulfill themselves and be happy by teaching them to 'stand on their own two feet' and make their own choices."

Quoting St. Augustine, Pope Leo said: "It is painful to part from what you love. Yet even the farmer temporarily loses what he sows."

"Only by 'losing' that seed sown in the ground, can we see it blossom," the pope added.

Pope Leo said Christians often struggle to understand that "love is also loss," especially "in a world where losing is seen as weakness and we are obsessed with having and possessing."

"However, love only bears fruit in self-giving: when we are willing to lose a little of ourselves to make room for another; to lose a little time to listen to a friend; to lose a little comfort to share in a time of hardship," he said.

He added that "according to the Gospel, those who hold on to their lives merely for themselves actually lose them, for they do not open themselves to the joy of love and thus become barren."

"This is why Jesus invites us to embrace the cross," the pope said. "He offered himself, lost himself, and in this very way we were enabled to receive his life in abundance. In the same way, if we live by the logic of the gift of self, we too will be capable of bringing forth new life in our relationships."

Finally, Pope Leo turned to hospitality, saying love must take shape in concrete acts.

"Love is expressed through concrete choices and actions; by a commitment made up of small daily gestures, such as offering a glass of water to someone who is thirsty," he said.

Jesus, he said, sent his disciples without provisions "so that, by being dependent on the help of others, they would inspire hospitality in those they met."

"By welcoming those who come in Jesus' name, we welcome him and the heavenly Father who sent him," the pope said. "Indeed, love for the Lord always involves welcoming our brothers and sisters."

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

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More than 100 years after its founding, Boys Town continues to advance Venerable Father Edward J. Flanagan's mission of caring for the vulnerable and underserved, reaching more than 2 million children and families every year.

The Irish-born priest is revered for his revolutionary approach to caring for homeless children in the 20th century, leading him to be declared "Venerable" by Pope Leo XIV in March, 2026.

Following the advancement of Flanagan's canonization cause, Thomas Lynch, who serves as the historian and director of community programs for Boys Town, told EWTN News that the priest's life serves as an example of "how children can be treated and how to treat your fellow man too."

"Venerable Father Flanagan was born and raised in Ireland in a very devout Catholic family, and he had a great devotion to helping people from the examples of his mother and father," Lynch said.

He was born in County Galway in 1886, and moved to America in 1904. His journey through seminary was put on hold due to poor health, but he was eventually ordained in 1912.

While the priest is known for rescuing homeless children and housing them at Father Flanagan's Boys Home, his work went beyond aiding children at the village now known as Boys Town.

Flanagan had "special ideas and concepts in child care…that were so radical," but it came "from his concepts of being a Catholic priest of love and dignity for the individual," Lynch said. "It changed the way children were treated around the world."

Flanagan was "a great champion for civil rights," Lynch said. "He traveled across America advocating equality regardless of a person's race or religion. He felt that [was] one of the greatest stains in America — any type of religious or racial discrimination."

"Many people don't realize he went out of his way to help Japanese Americans during World War II. During the internment, he helped around 200 to 300 of them leave the camps and begin new lives, and he brought a number of them to live in the village of Boys Town."

Creating Boys Town 'with love'

"When Father Flanagan created Boys Town in 1917, unfortunately, in America, there were no child care programs existing that were standard across the country," Lynch said. "There were reform schools," but they were "terrible places."

In the schools, "children would commit suicide because the guards would be so violent," he said. Many of the children were also in orphanages, but "when you became a teenager, you were expelled."

To combat the issue, Flanagan "came forward and said: 'They're going to live with me. They're going to have love, education, a spiritual life, and be taught a trade. It'll be done. No corporal punishment. No verbal abuse. They'll live as a family.'"

To start Boys Town, Flanagan used "the borrowed $90 he had," Lynch said. "He had no money and no one really believed in him except for a few people in the city of Omaha."

"But he always said: 'God would provide.'"

At Boys Town, "he created one of the first intentionally integrated communities in America…and he did it all with love," he said. "He referenced love almost every day, in every sermon, and in every prayer."

Flanagan's success caught the attention of people across the globe, leading his life and legacy to be immortalized in the 1938 movie "Boys Town," starring Spencer Tracy, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of the priest.

Flanagan's work was also esteemed by multiple presidents and leaders.

"President Franklin Roosevelt said America needed 49 more Father Flanagan's, one for every state and territory, because his ideas were so far forward and proving successful," Lynch said.

In 1947, Flanagan was even invited by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who was leading the allied occupation of Japan, to review the child welfare conditions in Japan and Korea.

After the trip, Flanagan culminated a report, "Children of Defeat," which included findings on the devastating conditions of children left homeless and abandoned by World War II across Asia. He presented it to President Harry Truman at the White House on July 11, 1947.

Flanagan was also invited to do a similar assessment in Austria and Germany the following year, but while in Germany Flanagan suffered a heart attack and died on May 15, 1948.

Following his death, Flanagan's successors continued many of the same principles and practices of his celebrated work.

Flanagan's principles still present today

Flanagan often said, "'I do not have all the answers on child care,' but he learned from every child that came to him, and he did extensive research with children and families," Lynch said.

Boys Town now operates nine sites including its home campus in Nebraska and locations in Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Nevada, and New England.

"It's the largest residential care facility in America" with "300 boys and girls living with us," Lynch said.

The "programs we serve touch the lives of around 2 million children and families every year across the United States, through our medical programs, our counseling programs, [and] our psychiatric programs."

"We do strategic planning, and we review our programs about every five years and determine what's the next area we should move into based on what's going on in society," he said.

Boys Town offers in-home family services, "where we actually go into a home and work with a family that are having issues," he said. It provides "foster care programming," which "trains foster parents across America in the basic theories and concepts of Father Flanagan."

To help students, Boys Town operates its Well-Managed Schools. Lynch said: "We teach schools and students the concepts of Father Flanagan — of respecting each other and how to get along in the classroom."

Boys Town's National Research Hospital offers aid and specialized care. It is  conducting "advanced work on autism and Parkinson's disease," and "working with special MRI machines," Lynch said.

The organizaiton also started a residential treatment center to help families struggling with a troubled child who is experiencing behavior problems.

It's for "boys and girls that can't live at home because…maybe they're violent or have severe mental issues," Lynch said.

Cause for canonization

"The cause for father began many years ago, some of our alumni felt that Father Flanagan should be a saint in the Catholic Church."

"When he created Boys Town, he created it on his Catholic theology, his training in his life," Lynch said. "It is an example to the world of what Catholic teaching and theology can do to help the lives of not just children, but society."

"He took the Catholic tenets of love, inclusion, and acceptance, and he brought that to the care of children in America, when really no one had even thought of it before," Lynch said.

In "2012, a Mass was held at Boys Town on Saint Patrick's Day, and that's when the Archdiocese of Omaha officially opened Father Flanagan's cause."

Pope Leo XIV declared the "heroic virtue" of Flanagan alongside four other holy men and women on March 23, 2026.

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Every fourth of July, thousands of rubber ducks make their way down an oversized water slide as part of the annual Wabash Valley Rubber Duck Regatta hosted by Catholic Charities of Terre Haute in Indiana. The event has become a popular tradition and a successful way to raise money for people in need. 

The regatta started in 2018 when the advisory council for Catholic Charities Terre Haute was looking for a new way to engage with the local community, specifically through a fundraising event. One of the council members was familiar with the Cincinnati Freestore Foodbank Duck Regatta and suggested they reach out to find out how the event is done.

Realizing they could take advantage of the town's natural resource, the Wabash River, the council members decided to move forward. The duck regatta is now held every fourth of July alongside the town's Independence Day celebrations, which include a concert, fireworks, and now, the duck regatta.

"The first couple of years I was so surprised because I thought 'Well, maybe because people are coming to the concert we might get a few people spill over and come and watch the race,' but no, we had a lot of people that actually came to watch the race that I think then fed into staying for the concert. So I think it's been a little bit of give and take for both," Jennifer Tames, assistant agency director for Catholic Charities of Terre Haute, told EWTN News in an interview.

Tames explained that "duck season" began on May 21 — the day when people can start "adopting" rubber ducks for the race. The ducks are available for $5 and can be found at 20 different locations in the area. Then one lucky duck is chosen at the end of the race and whoever that duck belongs to wins $10,000.

While the race used to be held in the Wabash River, it is now done in a man-made, large waterslide due to safety concerns from the unpredictability in water levels. Despite this change, the community continues to show strong support for the event.

"The community has really gotten behind the event and they enjoy it. The kids love coming to watch the race itself even though we're no longer on the river," Tames said.

She shared that roughly $45,000 is raised from the regatta each year and all proceeds go directly to the work Catholic Charities does in the area.

Catholic Charities Terre Haute has four "service lines": nourishing the body, providing safe shelter, offering quality youth programs, and providing the spirit of Christmas — all supporting children, adults, families, and seniors.

Through the Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank, the equivalent of 3.8 million meals are provided throughout the year to seven counties in West Central Indiana.

The Ryves Youth Center runs year round and provides tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and recreational activities such as field trips and a summer camp. Additionally, there is a full-time preschool program that runs year-round and all children who participate in any of the programs at the youth center are provided with meals.

The Bethany House Emergency Shelter houses single women, married couples, and families. The staff works as case managers to help understand what led the individual or the family to homelessness and help them to set goals to be able to work to become self-sufficient again.

Lastly, the Christmas Store in Terre Haute provides hygiene products, clothing, toys and household items to those needing help with their Christmas. Thanks to retail partners, local community groups, and individual donations the shelves of the Christmas Store remain filled with new gifts year round.

"I don't think anybody gets into nonprofit work for the wealth," Tames said. "We all get in it because we believe in what we do and we believe in the change that we can make in our community and the change that we can make in a single life."

She added, "Even though in my role I'm not necessarily working with each of our neighbors every day, I can go home and know that the work that I do in raising funds for Catholic Charities, in raising awareness about Catholic Charities and the programs that we operate, is making a meaningful difference in somebody else's life. You don't get that everywhere."

Tames shared that when it comes to the duck regatta, their hope "would be to increase the number of ducks…so that we can put more of those funds into the resources that we provide every year."

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