On Oct. 6, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a rehearing of the case filed by Apache Stronghold, a coalition of Native Americans and their supporters, that would have prevented the sale of a Native American sacred site to a mining company. / Credit: Photo courtesy of BecketCNA Staff, Oct 8, 2025 / 12:00 pm (CNA).A Native American group working to stop the destruction of a centuries-old religious ritual site has lost a last-ditch appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the transfer and obliteration of the Arizona parcel.The Supreme Court in an unsigned order on Oct. 6 said Apache Stronghold's petition for a rehearing had been denied. The court did not give a reason for the denial.Justice Neil Gorsuch would have granted the request, the order noted. Justice Samuel Alito, meanwhile, "took no part in the consideration or decision" of the order. The denial likely deals a death blow to the Apache group's attempts to halt the destruction of Oak Flat, which has been viewed as a...
On Oct. 6, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a rehearing of the case filed by Apache Stronghold, a coalition of Native Americans and their supporters, that would have prevented the sale of a Native American sacred site to a mining company. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Becket
CNA Staff, Oct 8, 2025 / 12:00 pm (CNA).
A Native American group working to stop the destruction of a centuries-old religious ritual site has lost a last-ditch appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the transfer and obliteration of the Arizona parcel.
The Supreme Court in an unsigned order on Oct. 6 said Apache Stronghold's petition for a rehearing had been denied. The court did not give a reason for the denial.
Justice Neil Gorsuch would have granted the request, the order noted. Justice Samuel Alito, meanwhile, "took no part in the consideration or decision" of the order.
The denial likely deals a death blow to the Apache group's attempts to halt the destruction of Oak Flat, which has been viewed as a sacred site by Apaches and other Native American groups for hundreds of years and has been used extensively for religious rituals.
The federal government is selling the land to the multinational Resolution Copper company, which plans to destroy the site as part of a copper mining operation.
The coalition had brought the lawsuit to the Supreme Court earlier this year under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, arguing that the sale of the site would violate the decades-old federal statute restricting the government's ability to encroach on religious liberty.
The high court in May refused to hear the case. Gorsuch dissented from that decision as well, arguing that the court "should at least have troubled itself to hear [the] case" before "allowing the government to destroy the Apaches' sacred site."
Justice Clarence Thomas dissented from the May ruling as well, though he did not add his dissent to the Oct. 6 denial of the appeal.
In a statement, Apache Stronghold said that while the decision was "deeply disappointing, the fight to protect Oak Flat is far from over."
The group vowed to "continue pressing our cases in the lower courts."
"Oak Flat deserves the same respect and protection this country has long given to other places of worship," the group said.
The coalition has garnered support from major Catholic backers in its religious liberty bid. Last year the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops joined an amicus brief arguing that lower court decisions allowing the sale of Oak Flat represent "a grave misunderstanding" of religious freedom law.
The Knights of Columbus similarly filed a brief in support of the Apaches, arguing that the decision to allow the property to be mined applies an "atextual constraint" to the federal religious freedom law with "no grounding in the statute itself."
Though Apache Stronghold appears to have exhausted its legal options, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit said on Aug. 18 that the Oak Flat site would not be transferred to Resolution Copper amid emergency petitions from the San Carlos Apache Tribe as well as the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition. That dispute is still playing out at federal court.
null / Credit: Stephen Kiers/ShutterstockCNA Staff, Oct 8, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).A New Jersey teacher's dismissal from her Catholic school classroom over her role as a surrogate mother has raised the question of just when Catholic employers can dismiss workers for not adhering to the faith. The teacher, Jadira Bonilla, was put on paid administrative leave after school officials discovered that she had agreed to serve as a surrogate for another couple. She told a Philadelphia news station that she had previously served as a surrogate for the same couple without incident while working at another Catholic school.Administrators at St. Mary Catholic School in Vineland "said I was possibly in violation of my contract and that I would be suspended or placed on administrative leave," the teacher told the news outlet. Bonilla "is a valued teacher and one we hope will one day again teach in our school with the full knowledge of our faith, which guides our educational principles...
null / Credit: Stephen Kiers/Shutterstock
CNA Staff, Oct 8, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
A New Jersey teacher's dismissal from her Catholic school classroom over her role as a surrogate mother has raised the question of just when Catholic employers can dismiss workers for not adhering to the faith.
The teacher, Jadira Bonilla, was put on paid administrative leave after school officials discovered that she had agreed to serve as a surrogate for another couple. She told a Philadelphia news station that she had previously served as a surrogate for the same couple without incident while working at another Catholic school.
Administrators at St. Mary Catholic School in Vineland "said I was possibly in violation of my contract and that I would be suspended or placed on administrative leave," the teacher told the news outlet.
Bonilla "is a valued teacher and one we hope will one day again teach in our school with the full knowledge of our faith, which guides our educational principles," the school told the media in a statement.
Court rulings protect Catholic employers
L. Martin Nussbaum, an attorney who specializes in First Amendment and religious freedom protections and who serves as counsel for the Catholic Benefits Association, said there are "many protections for Catholic employers" in the United States.
The Catholic Benefits Association says on its website that it "advocates for and litigates in defense of our members' First Amendment rights to provide employee benefits and a work environment that is consistent with the Catholic faith."
The organization notes that "new regulations, laws, legal outcomes, and legislation" can affect how Catholic employers can do business, though Nussbaum said there are "a number of very powerful protections" for Catholic businesses in the U.S.
It is unclear if Bonilla, the New Jersey teacher, has filed a lawsuit against the school over its policies, but Nussbaum said if she did, "she would probably file it under a discrimination lawsuit, under the basis of pregnancy, which is a protected class under some laws."
Yet the school and other Catholic employers can cite multiple Supreme Court rulings in their defense, Nussbaum said. Among them is the landmark 2012 Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
In that decision the high court ruled unanimously that the First Amendment allows religious organizations to hire and fire ministers without regard to federal discrimination laws. A ruling in 2020's Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru further strengthened that principle.
The rule applies to teachers as well, "especially if they're involved in helping inculcate the faith," Nussbaum said.
"[That's] the only reason Catholic schools exist," he noted. "You can hire a secular atheist to teach a child to read. But parents make tremendous sacrifices to put their children in Catholic schools, not only to read and write, but to transmit the faith."
More broadly, for decades U.S. case law has recognized the right to "freedom of association."
In the Supreme Court's landmark 2000 ruling in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, the court held that the government is not allowed to "compel [an] organization to accept members where such acceptance would derogate from the organization's expressive message." In that ruling, the court denied efforts by a gay man to force the Boy Scouts of America to allow him to be a scoutmaster.
Nussbaum said that state laws can offer protection in addition to federal shields. In 2023, for instance, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that a "religious tenets" exception to a state nondiscrimination law allowed a Catholic school to fire a teacher who became pregnant out of wedlock.
Nussbaum said there is "some variation around the edges" regarding state laws but that the federal rulings make religious protections "really quite strong across all the states."
He said Catholic employers can take care to ensure they are within the law in hiring and firing decisions in part by outlining the religious dimensions and roles of jobs. "That should be articulated," he said.
The attorney said disputes over transgender identity and ideology have opened up new avenues for plaintiffs to potentially sue Catholic employers over religious employment decisions.
But "the law is quite strong for vindicating the freedom of religious institutions to insist that those who are advancing the religious mission are in line with that mission," he said.
Virginia State House. / Credit: Sean Pavone/ShutterstockRichmond, Virginia, Oct 8, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).Virginia's two Catholic bishops are urging voters to "form [their] consciences and vote" in the state's upcoming gubernatorial election that could also see the state poised to pass a far-reaching pro-abortion constitutional amendment.The Virginia Catholic Conference at its "Election 2025 Resource Hub" tells voters that every seat in the state House of Delegates is up for vote, while the state's top-ranking executive positions of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general are also in play. "While every year in Virginia is an election year, this November's elections are poised to have an outsized impact on our Commonwealth," the bishops said. They pointed to the state government's ongoing consideration of an "extreme constitutional amendment" that would establish a so-called "right" to abortion. A letter from Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge and Richmo...
Virginia State House. / Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Richmond, Virginia, Oct 8, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).
Virginia's two Catholic bishops are urging voters to "form [their] consciences and vote" in the state's upcoming gubernatorial election that could also see the state poised to pass a far-reaching pro-abortion constitutional amendment.
The Virginia Catholic Conference at its "Election 2025 Resource Hub" tells voters that every seat in the state House of Delegates is up for vote, while the state's top-ranking executive positions of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general are also in play.
"While every year in Virginia is an election year, this November's elections are poised to have an outsized impact on our Commonwealth," the bishops said.
They pointed to the state government's ongoing consideration of an "extreme constitutional amendment" that would establish a so-called "right" to abortion.
A letter from Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge and Richmond Bishop Barry Knestout said the amendment would "allow virtually unlimited abortion at any stage of pregnancy."
The text of the proposal would establish a "fundamental right to reproductive freedom" and would only allow regulating abortion in the final three months of pregnancy.
The state, however, would be forbidden from restricting an abortion if a doctor determined it would negatively affect the "physical and mental health" of the mother, a provision that pro-life advocates have argued essentially preempts any regulation of abortion whatsoever.
In a voting guide the state Catholic conference noted that the "extreme, radical, and deadly" amendment includes no age restrictions or safety standards and also "jeopardizes" the state's parental consent laws and conscience protections for health care workers.
Other proposed amendments include one that would remove a "one man and one woman" definition of marriage from the state constitution as well as a proposal backed by the state bishops that would restore voting rights to criminals who have completed their prison sentences.
"The legislators we elect this November will decide whether the proposed amendments are advanced or stopped," the state conference said.
Earle-Sears, meanwhile, has expressed support for legal conscience protections for health care professionals and other religious objectors, while Spanberger has explicitly said she opposes allowing religious institutions to opt out of medical procedures with which they disagree.
In a separate handout, the state Catholic conference emphasized the "four principles of Catholic social teaching" articulated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, including "the dignity of the human person" and "the common good."
Protecting human dignity, the bishops said, includes opposing abortion, euthanasia, and human cloning as well as "overcoming poverty, ending use of the death penalty, and opposing racism, torture, unjust war," and other injustices.
"With so much at stake, we must prepare to engage in this year's critical voting decisions — through conscience formation, prayer, and fasting," Burbidge and Knestout wrote.
"United in the Eucharist, let us pray for one another and join together as active participants in promoting the common good."
Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly during an audience with Knights of Columbus leadership at the Vatican on Oct. 6, 2025. / Credit: Vatican MediaVatican City, Oct 6, 2025 / 12:24 pm (CNA).Pope Leo XIV on Monday met with leaders of the Knights of Columbus, whom he thanked for their generosity to the Vatican and their dedicated service to local communities in the United States. He also expressed his "profound gratitude" for the Knights' funding of the restorations of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's baldacchino and monument of the Chair of St. Peter in St. Peter's Basilica, completed last year. Such contributions are "a visible sign of your continued devotion to the vicar of Christ," the pontiff said, addressing members of the board of directors and their families in the Apostolic Palace's Hall of the Consistory. "Throughout its history, the order has supported the charitable work of the Roman pontiff in a variety of ways, includi...
Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly during an audience with Knights of Columbus leadership at the Vatican on Oct. 6, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media
Vatican City, Oct 6, 2025 / 12:24 pm (CNA).
Pope Leo XIV on Monday met with leaders of the Knights of Columbus, whom he thanked for their generosity to the Vatican and their dedicated service to local communities in the United States.
He also expressed his "profound gratitude" for the Knights' funding of the restorations of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's baldacchino and monument of the Chair of St. Peter in St. Peter's Basilica, completed last year.
Such contributions are "a visible sign of your continued devotion to the vicar of Christ," the pontiff said, addressing members of the board of directors and their families in the Apostolic Palace's Hall of the Consistory.
"Throughout its history, the order has supported the charitable work of the Roman pontiff in a variety of ways, including through the 'Vicarius Christi' Fund, which allows him to express solidarity with the poor and most vulnerable throughout the world," Leo continued.
The pope noted that local Knights councils "seek to bring the compassion and love of the Lord into your local communities, including through your efforts to uphold the sanctity of human life in all of its stages, to assist victims of war and natural disasters, andalso to support priestly vocations."
The Knights of Columbus is a lay Catholic men's organization with more than 2.1 million members worldwide. It was founded by Blessed Michael McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882.
The pope also sent a video greeting to the Knights of Columbus during their 143rd Supreme Convention in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 5. On July 4, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore met Pope Leo for the first time in a private audience at the Vatican.
Faithful take part in the "Walking Towards You" procession in Lebanon to honor Father Bechara Abou Mrad in Joun on Oct. 4, 2025. / Credit: Noelle El Hajj/ACI MENAACI MENA, Oct 6, 2025 / 12:54 pm (CNA).In Lebanon, thousands of Christians filled the streets on Saturday, Oct. 4, in a solemn procession honoring Father Bechara Abou Mrad, a Melkite priest whose cause for sainthood is underway. In a country often marked by hardship and unrest, the glow of candles and sound of hymns offered a moment of peace as the faithful carried icons and flags in tribute to a man remembered for his quiet life of prayer, humility, and service.Born Salim Abou Mrad in Zahle in 1853, the young man entered the Basilian Order of the Most Holy Savior at age 21, taking the religious name "Bechara," which means "Annunciation" in Arabic. Known for his humility and dedication, he spent his life in prayer and service until his death in 1930. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI recognized his heroic virtue, declari...
Faithful take part in the "Walking Towards You" procession in Lebanon to honor Father Bechara Abou Mrad in Joun on Oct. 4, 2025. / Credit: Noelle El Hajj/ACI MENA
ACI MENA, Oct 6, 2025 / 12:54 pm (CNA).
In Lebanon, thousands of Christians filled the streets on Saturday, Oct. 4, in a solemn procession honoring Father Bechara Abou Mrad, a Melkite priest whose cause for sainthood is underway.
In a country often marked by hardship and unrest, the glow of candles and sound of hymns offered a moment of peace as the faithful carried icons and flags in tribute to a man remembered for his quiet life of prayer, humility, and service.
Born Salim Abou Mrad in Zahle in 1853, the young man entered the Basilian Order of the Most Holy Savior at age 21, taking the religious name "Bechara," which means "Annunciation" in Arabic. Known for his humility and dedication, he spent his life in prayer and service until his death in 1930. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI recognized his heroic virtue, declaring him venerable.
Mrad was known as "the apostolic hermit," a title reflecting his unique balance of deep solitude and active charity. His life joined rigorous asceticism and constant prayer with an untiring devotion to the salvation of souls, lived out through the sacraments of the Church and humble works of Christian love.
The Catholic faithful take part in the "Walking Towards You" procession in Lebanon honoring Father Bechara Abou Mrad in Joun on Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Noelle El Hajj/ACI MENA
This year's procession, titled "Walking Towards You," began at the monastery and school of the Salvatorian Sisters and continued for just over a mile to Deir el-Moukhalles, the Greek Catholic Monastery of the Savior, where Mrad lived and where his tomb is. The procession concluded with a Mass celebrated by Archimandrite Antoine Rizk.
The event took place in Joun, a village whose name means "corner" in Aramaic. It lies between Mount Lebanon and South Lebanon, forming a natural corner that inspired its name. However, participation extended beyond the region, with many Catholics from across the country joining the locals from nearby southern villages.
In an interview with ACI MENA, CNA's Arabic-language news partner, Father Youssef Mezher, parish priest of al-Mharebiyya in South Lebanon, explained the significance of the procession.
"After periods of displacement, we often feel a kind of discouragement," he said. "But during this procession we felt as though Father Bechara himself was illuminating the area with his presence. We are deeply rooted in this region. The procession renewed our Salvatorian spirituality and gave new strength to our families and youth."
Mezher also described the procession as a message of steadfastness and perseverance in a 'Holy Land' — the land once visited by Christ and the Virgin Mary, which, he said, "must continue to shine with light among us." He added that the community remains determined to stay in the region despite the challenges and hardships they face.
Father Youssef Mezher, parish priest of al-Mharebiyya in South Lebanon, participates in a procession called "Walking Towards You" in honor of Father Bechara Abou Mrad, a Melkite priest whose cause for sainthood is underway, on Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Noelle El Hajj/ACI MENA
For many who walked, the procession was deeply personal. From the nearby village of Anan, Gloria Haddad expressed her hope that the event would help the world learn more about Mrad, describing it as "more than a religious gathering, it is a message that reveals the depth of our community's faith, resilience, and rootedness."
She added that "the world needs to learn from Father Bechara's genuine humility, simplicity, and purity of service."
Haddad also called for greater media attention on his story, emphasizing the need for international coverage: "His story can touch hearts and transform lives around the world." She encouraged people everywhere to discover his life and miracles.
"I recommend everyone, no matter which country they come from, to read about him or watch the film 'Siraj al-Wadi,' which tells his story and miracles." She noted that while thousands already take part in this annual procession, she believes that when his canonization is announced, the numbers will multiply; a moment she and her community eagerly await.
Maya Abboud Maamary, one of the founding members of the Family of Father Bechara Abou Mrad, established 17 years ago, spoke of her deep spiritual bond with him.
"Father Bechara is with me every day, in every moment. Whoever truly wants to know him must strive to resemble him, to be humble, to love serving others, and to work in silence," she said.
For the Melkite community in Lebanon, this yearly procession is more than a tradition. It is a testimony that the memory of one humble monk continues to inspire faith and unity. While the official cause for sainthood moves forward, Mrad's legacy is already alive in the devotion of the people who walk in his footsteps.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, CNA's Arabic-language news partner, and has been translated for and adapted by CNA.
Young girls hold posters that translate to "Every Life is Important and Precious" at the March for Life in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 4, 2025. / Credit: Erlendas BartVilnius, Lithuania, Oct 6, 2025 / 13:32 pm (CNA).The heart of Lithuania's capital came alive with music, speeches, and powerful personal stories as thousands gathered on Saturday for the "Žygis už gyvybe" ("March for Life"), an event dedicated to celebrating the sanctity of life and raising awareness about the necessity of its protection.The march drew participants from across Lithuania as well as from neighboring countries including Latvia, Estonia, and Poland.Participants march along Gediminas Avenue toward Vilnius Cathedral Square at the March for Life in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Erlendas BartThe event on Oct. 4 began in the early afternoon near the Martynas Mažvydas National Library, drawing a diverse crowd of families, students, activists, artists, and clergy. Promoted by a range of c...
Young girls hold posters that translate to "Every Life is Important and Precious" at the March for Life in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 4, 2025. / Credit: Erlendas Bart
Vilnius, Lithuania, Oct 6, 2025 / 13:32 pm (CNA).
The heart of Lithuania's capital came alive with music, speeches, and powerful personal stories as thousands gathered on Saturday for the "Žygis už gyvybe" ("March for Life"), an event dedicated to celebrating the sanctity of life and raising awareness about the necessity of its protection.
The march drew participants from across Lithuania as well as from neighboring countries including Latvia, Estonia, and Poland.
Participants march along Gediminas Avenue toward Vilnius Cathedral Square at the March for Life in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Erlendas Bart
The event on Oct. 4 began in the early afternoon near the Martynas Mažvydas National Library, drawing a diverse crowd of families, students, activists, artists, and clergy. Promoted by a range of civil and religious organizations, the march focused on affirming the value of every human life.
Religious figures outside of Lithuania vocalized support of the initiative, including Latvian Catholic Archbishop Zbignevs Stankevics of Riga and Latvian Lutheran Bishop Rinalds Grants, both of whom expressed solidarity with the march's aims. Auxiliary Bishop Saulius Bužauskas of Kaunas, Lithuania, participated in the march in person.
Attendees gathered near the Lithuanian National Library for the event's opening ceremony, where speakers shared insights from personal, medical, social, and philosophical perspectives. Among them was Dr. Lina Šulciene, who highlighted the moral and spiritual need for a more compassionate society.
"The depths of our conscience cry out for a path other than the culture of death," she said. "Our inner humanity calls for a culture of life, one marked by solidarity, genuine compassion, and sensitivity to human beings, respecting their lives."
Agnieszka Gracz, coordinator of pro-life marches for Poland's Centrum Zycia i Rodziny ?(Centre for Life and Family), also addressed the crowd. The Warsaw-based organization has been active for over two decades, advocating for the protection of life, family, and parenthood.
Gracz noted that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the center helped organize an average of 150 marches annually across Polish cities. She spoke about how these public demonstrations have played a key role in promoting the protection of unborn children, particularly those with disabilities. She highlighted that the marches have helped build public support leading up to Poland's 2020 Constitutional Court ruling, which strengthened legal protections for children diagnosed with disabilities before birth.
After the opening event, the crowd set off in a peaceful procession from the National Library to Vilnius Cathedral Square via Gediminas Avenue, carrying banners and flags with messages of hope and support for families. A commemorative concert and a series of personal testimonies followed.
Among the highlights of the event was a national drawing contest for schoolchildren titled"Aš esu dovana" ("I Am a Gift"). More than 300 submissions were received from across the country. The winning artists were presented awards onstage for their creative reflections on the value of life.
The musical program included performances by well-known artists such as Voldemars Peterson, Dalia and Julius Vaicenaviciai, and popular singer Sasha Song. Performances were accompanied by the personal testimonies of individuals whose lives have been shaped by issues surrounding life and family. International speakers from Latvia and Estonia also addressed the crowd, offering cultural and moral perspectives from across the Baltic region.
Singer Sasha Song performs onstage at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, Lithuania, with various pro-life nongovernmental organization tents visible in the background, at the March for Life, Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Erlendas Bart
Among the speakers at Cathedral Square was lawyer and social activist Dr. Salomeja Fernandez Montojo, who addressed prevailing societal attitudes toward parenthood, stating: "Today, I see how deeply rooted is the idea that having children means losing — losing money, time, career, opportunities, and a good figure. I disagree. Having children is not losing but giving meaning to money, time, energy, opportunities, and beauty."
Markus Järvi, editor-in-chief of Estonia's Objektiiv and one of the speakers, expressed his appreciation for the Vilnius march and the hope that it would inspire similar initiatives throughout the Baltic states.
Speaking afterward in an interview, he described the limited public discourse on abortion in Estonia as a lingering consequence of the Soviet era, during which abortion was legal and widely practiced. Over time the prevalence of the procedure contributed to its emergence as a social taboo.
"Despite this, many Estonians value marriage and family life," he said. "We need to break the societal silence on this matter in order to have honest conversations about life."
He added that both civil society and religious institutions have a role to play in fostering more open and thoughtful dialogue on the issue. In a message directed at young people, he noted that "the sanctity of life and its reverence must be recognized as truth. Search, and you will find it."
Professor Benas Ulevicius, dean of the faculty of Catholic theology at Vytautas Magnus University, spoke at the event and later in a brief backstage interview reflected on shifting societal values in post-Soviet Lithuania.
"Lithuania during the Soviet occupation was quite isolated," he said. "After winning independence, the nation went through gradual changes, with more foreign products available, higher salaries, and greater comfort."
While acknowledging the benefits of economic growth, he noted that it led to people prioritizing careers and wealth over family life and suggested that this shift left some with a sense of emptiness. He encouraged young adults to seek deeper fulfillment through family, which offers a unique kind of joy and happiness that material success alone cannot provide.
Alongside the main stage program, Cathedral Square hosted a family-friendly educational and creative zone where visitors were invited to explore nongovernmental organization booths, sign petitions, take part in children's activities, and learn about family support services offered by various participating organizations such as Nacionaline šeimu ir tevu asociacija (National Association of Families and Parents), ProLife Vilnius, and more.
The event culminated in a special Mass in Vilnius Cathedral celebrated by Father Deividas Stankevicius.
Organizers and participants expressed optimism that the March for Life in Vilnius will continue to grow in both size and impact. With increasing collaboration between civil, religious, and cultural voices, many said they see this year's march as a turning point, one that may inspire broader conversations about life, family, and the future of society in Lithuania and across the Baltics.
Cathedral of St. Matthew, Washington, D.C. / Credit: Ron Cogswell via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 6, 2025 / 14:06 pm (CNA).A New Jersey man was arrested on Sunday outside of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., on charges of unlawful entry, threats to kidnap or injure a person, and possession of a molotov cocktail, according to authorities.The cathedral held its Red Mass on Sunday, Oct. 5, "to invoke God's blessings on those responsible for the administration of justice as well as on all public officials," St. Matthew's reported. Supreme Court justices and lawmakers usually attend the annual Mass.The Mass is traditionally held on the Sunday before the first Monday in October, which marks the opening of the Supreme Court's annual term. Due to the expected high-profile attendees, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were surveilling the area ahead of the 9 a.m. Mass.Shortly before 6 a.m., officers noticed an individual who se...
Cathedral of St. Matthew, Washington, D.C. / Credit: Ron Cogswell via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 6, 2025 / 14:06 pm (CNA).
A New Jersey man was arrested on Sunday outside of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., on charges of unlawful entry, threats to kidnap or injure a person, and possession of a molotov cocktail, according to authorities.
The cathedral held its Red Mass on Sunday, Oct. 5, "to invoke God's blessings on those responsible for the administration of justice as well as on all public officials," St. Matthew's reported. Supreme Court justices and lawmakers usually attend the annual Mass.
The Mass is traditionally held on the Sunday before the first Monday in October, which marks the opening of the Supreme Court's annual term. Due to the expected high-profile attendees, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were surveilling the area ahead of the 9 a.m. Mass.
Shortly before 6 a.m., officers noticed an individual who set up a tent on the steps of the cathedral, MPD said. The suspect charged with possessing a molotov cocktail, a hand-thrown incendiary weapon, was identified as 41-year-old Louis Geri from Vineland, New Jersey, according to an MPD statement.
Officers said they learned that Geri had been banned from the cathedral, but the department did not specify the reason. After Geri refused to leave, he was placed under arrest without incident.
Officers said they found vials of liquid and possible fireworks inside of his tent. Members of MPD's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and the Arson Task Force responded to the situation to search and secure the belongings.
The scene was quickly secured but due to the situation, none of the Supreme Court Justices attended the Mass, according to the Catholic Standard.
Power to 'bring hope'
In his homily, Cardinal Robert McElroy addressed the "men and women of the law" in attendance and said they have the power to "bring hope" amid political violence.
The arrest outside the cathedral follows a number of recent acts of political violence and the Minnesota and Michigan attacks on houses of worship.
"It is certainly true that political violence has been a part of our history as a nation and that political dialogue has often been confrontational," McElroy said in his homily. "But we live at a moment in which politics is tribal, not dialogical, and where party label has become a shorthand for worldview on the most volatile topics in our national life. The result is explosive, within politics, family life, and friendships."
"As students of the law, as leaders in the law, whether as judges or legislators or public advocates or as counsel, you are by that commitment privileged and obligated to raise the plane of our political and social discussion," McElroy said. "No group in our society has a greater capacity to remold our political discourse. No group has a deeper calling to bring hope."
The investigation into the situation at the cathedral is ongoing in coordination with the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, authorities said.
Sister Norman Pimentel, "the immigrants' nun," participated in an Oct. 2, 2025, meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. / Credit: Victoria Cardiel/EWTN NewsVatican City, Oct 5, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).Sister Norma Pimentel is known as "the immigrants' nun." For over a decade, she has directed the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV) Humanitarian Respite Center, a humanitarian aid center located in McAllen, Texas, on the border with Mexico. From there, she has provided assistance to people who arrive in the United States seeking asylum.According to Pimentel, the increase in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expel immigrants who lack legal status in the country has unleashed a climate of fear in communities.'Raids are taking place everywhere'"People are extremely afraid ... they know that nowhere is safe, they pick you up anywhere, and you can't even go to the supermarket because raids are taking place everywhere," the religious explained...
Sister Norman Pimentel, "the immigrants' nun," participated in an Oct. 2, 2025, meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. / Credit: Victoria Cardiel/EWTN News
Vatican City, Oct 5, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).
Sister Norma Pimentel is known as "the immigrants' nun." For over a decade, she has directed the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV) Humanitarian Respite Center, a humanitarian aid center located in McAllen, Texas, on the border with Mexico. From there, she has provided assistance to people who arrive in the United States seeking asylum.
According to Pimentel, the increase in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expel immigrants who lack legal status in the country has unleashed a climate of fear in communities.
'Raids are taking place everywhere'
"People are extremely afraid ... they know that nowhere is safe, they pick you up anywhere, and you can't even go to the supermarket because raids are taking place everywhere," the religious explained.
Last year, the center received a legal request from the Texas attorney general's office to compel a CCRGV representative to sit for a deposition regarding its immigrant assistance efforts, although the case was subsequently dismissed by a judge.
Pimentel said the sense of widespread fear has also spread to other residents of the Rio Grande Valley. Many now think: "If I help him, maybe something will happen to me too," she told ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, shortly after participating in the Oct. 2 "Refugees and Migrants in Our Common Home" conference with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
Sister Norma Pimentel speaks with the Holy Father at an Oct. 2, 2025, meeting at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
The initiative, part of the Jubilee of Migrants, is the first global meeting promoted by the Vatican to bring together religious institutions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and experts dedicated to addressing the challenges of migratory flows.
At the meeting, the pontiff asked all of the participants to promote a culture of "reconciliation and hope" to address the "urgent challenges" of migration.
'You can't say you're pro-life if you don't defend immigrants'
"The Holy Father strongly affirms that immigrants are human beings who must be recognized and treated with dignity. Therefore, you can't say you're pro-life if you don't defend the lives of human beings and immigrants," Pimentel pointed out.
Every so often, dozens of exhausted people knock on her door, their bodies reflecting the consequences of a hellish journey. Most travel hundreds of miles on foot to reach the U.S.-Mexico border.
Pimentel, a sister of the Missionaries of Jesus, who works side by side with the bishop of Brownsville, Daniel Flores, always greets them with a warm welcome: "We are right on the border, there with the immigrants, with the migrant families, who are truly part of our Church."
"We are very versed in how to be present, how to speak and encourage people to be good neighbors, to help each other, to not feel afraid that the government won't allow us to live our religion, our faith, and to be present to help people when they need it," she explained.
The most important thing is "that they don't feel abandoned and alone" and that they realize that, despite the growing hostility, "they do matter in this life."
This total commitment is born from the conviction that every person who suffers bears the face of Christ. In any case, Pimentel doesn't hide the fact that she sometimes feels overwhelmed. "We don't have enough resources," she lamented.
She's also convinced that giving these migrants a face and sharing the horror stories they endure is the best antidote to society being fed up with immigrants: "When I see a crying child who comes up to me and says, 'Help me,' with tears streaming down his face, [I want] to be able to share that with other people. That way, people can feel that pain, the cries of that child or that mother who is scared and afraid of how to protect her children."
That's why she never misses an opportunity to make known the pain of these people because "when you get close to a human being who is suffering, your heart connects and you change."
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on October 5, 2025. / Daniel IbañezVatican City, Oct 5, 2025 / 07:50 am (CNA).Pope Leo XIV on Sunday condemned the resurgence of antisemitic hatred and appealed for renewed commitment to peace in the Middle East, while also assuring prayers for victims of a devastating earthquake in the Philippines."I express my concern about the rise of antisemitic hatred in the world, as unfortunately we saw with the terrorist attack in Manchester a few days ago," the pope said from St. Peter's Square, before leading the Angelus prayer. He added that he "continue[s] to be saddened by the immense suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza."The pope said that "in the dramatic situation in the Middle East, some significant steps forward have been taken in peace negotiations," and urged all leaders "to commit themselves to this path, to bring about a ceasefire and to release the hostages." He also invited the faithful "to rem...
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on October 5, 2025. / Daniel Ibañez
Vatican City, Oct 5, 2025 / 07:50 am (CNA).
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday condemned the resurgence of antisemitic hatred and appealed for renewed commitment to peace in the Middle East, while also assuring prayers for victims of a devastating earthquake in the Philippines.
"I express my concern about the rise of antisemitic hatred in the world, as unfortunately we saw with the terrorist attack in Manchester a few days ago," the pope said from St. Peter's Square, before leading the Angelus prayer. He added that he "continue[s] to be saddened by the immense suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza."
The pope said that "in the dramatic situation in the Middle East, some significant steps forward have been taken in peace negotiations," and urged all leaders "to commit themselves to this path, to bring about a ceasefire and to release the hostages." He also invited the faithful "to remain united in prayer, so that the ongoing efforts may put an end to the war and lead us towards a just and lasting peace."
Turning to the Philippines, where a strong earthquake struck the central region on Sept. 30, Pope Leo expressed closeness "to the dear Filipino people," and said he prays "for those who are most severely affected by the consequences of the earthquake." "Faced with any danger," he added, "let us remain united and supportive in our trust in God and in the intercession of our Blessed Mother."
Call to pray for peace
The pope invited Catholics to join spiritually with those gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii, for the traditional Supplication held each October. "In this month of October, as we contemplate with Mary the mysteries of Christ our Savior, let us deepen our prayer for peace: a prayer that becomes concrete solidarity with those people tormented by war," he said. "Thank you to the many children around the world who have committed themselves to praying the Rosary for this intention. You have our heartfelt thanks!"
Pope Leo also greeted participants in the Jubilee for missionaries and migrants, thanking them for their witness. "The Church is entirely missionary and is one great people journeying towards the Kingdom of God," he said. "But no one should be forced to flee, nor exploited or mistreated because of their situation as foreigners or people in need! Human dignity must always come first."
'A new missionary age opens in the Church'
Earlier that morning, the pope celebrated Mass for the Jubilee of the Missionary World and the Jubilee of Migrants in St. Peter's Square, inviting Catholics to renew their missionary vocation through compassion and welcome.
"Today we celebrate the Jubilee of the Missions and of Migrants," he began. "This is a wonderful opportunity to rekindle in ourselves the awareness of our missionary vocation, which arises from the desire to bring the joy and consolation of the Gospel to everyone, especially those who are experiencing difficult and painful situations."
Recalling the prophet Habakkuk's lament — "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?" — the pope said that faith transforms lives and "makes of them an instrument of the salvation that even today God wishes to bring about in the world." True faith, he said, "does not impose itself by means of power and in extraordinary ways," but "carries within it the strength of God's love that opens the way to salvation."
Pope Leo said the missionary calling today means responding to suffering close at hand as well as far away. "If for a long time we have associated with mission the word 'depart' … today the frontiers of the missions are no longer geographical, because poverty, suffering and the desire for a greater hope have made their way to us," he said.
"Those boats which hope to catch sight of a safe port, and those eyes filled with anguish and hope seeking to reach the shore, cannot and must not find the coldness of indifference or the stigma of discrimination!" he warned. "Mission is not so much about 'departing', but instead 'remaining' in order to proclaim Christ through hospitality and welcome, compassion and solidarity."
The pope encouraged renewed cooperation among Churches, noting that migration from the Global South can "renew the face of the Church and sustain a Christianity that is more open, more alive and more dynamic." He also called for "new missionary effort by laity, religious and priests who will offer their service in missionary lands," especially in Europe.
Concluding, Pope Leo offered his blessing "to the local clergy of the particular Churches, to missionaries and those discerning a vocation," and told migrants, "know that you are always welcome!"
Throughout his homily and his Angelus address, Pope Leo returned to a single message: faith expressed in prayer, compassion, and hospitality remains the seed of peace — whether in war-torn regions, along migration routes, or in the hearts of those who choose to welcome others.
Pope Leo XIV greets a member of the Swiss Guard during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 / Credit: Vatican MediaCNA Staff, Oct 4, 2025 / 13:05 pm (CNA).Pope Leo XIV on Saturday attended the swearing-in of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican, the first time a pope has attended the pomp-filled ceremony since the pontificate of Pope Paul VI in 1968.The event took place in the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard. The Holy Father was joined by a crowd of spectators watching as the 27 new members were sworn into the ranks of the papal guard. The swearing-in ceremony, when the new guards promise to protect the pope, if necessary with their lives, was postponed from the traditional date of May 6 due to the conclave that saw Leo elected. Pope Leo XIV observes the Swiss Guard during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo XIV observes the Swiss Guard during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025...
Pope Leo XIV greets a member of the Swiss Guard during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 / Credit: Vatican Media
CNA Staff, Oct 4, 2025 / 13:05 pm (CNA).
Pope Leo XIV on Saturday attended the swearing-in of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican, the first time a pope has attended the pomp-filled ceremony since the pontificate of Pope Paul VI in 1968.
The event took place in the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard. The Holy Father was joined by a crowd of spectators watching as the 27 new members were sworn into the ranks of the papal guard.
The swearing-in ceremony, when the new guards promise to protect the pope, if necessary with their lives, was postponed from the traditional date of May 6 due to the conclave that saw Leo elected.
Pope Leo XIV observes the Swiss Guard during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo XIV observes the Swiss Guard during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo XIV observes the Swiss Guard during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAA Swiss Guard takes the swearing-in oath during a ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA
"From the first steps of my pontificate, dear Swiss Guards, I have been able to count on your faithful service," the pope said on Oct. 3.
Swiss Guards stand at attention during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA
"The successor of Peter can fulfill his mission in service to the Church and the world in the certainty that you are watching over his safety," he added.
He encouraged the new guards to draw inspiration from the stories of the first Christian martyrs in Rome to deepen their relationships with Jesus and to cultivate their interior lives "amid the frenzy of our society."
On Oct. 6, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a rehearing of the case filed by Apache Stronghold, a coalition of Native Americans and their supporters, that would have prevented the sale of a Native American sacred site to a mining company. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Becket
