Catholic News

MANAOAG, Pangasinan — For Salvacion Peralta, devotion to the Blessed Mother has been a constant companion beginning in her childhood in San Carlos City in the Philippines to her new life thousands of miles away in San Diego, California.

A native of Pangasinan, Peralta grew up with a deep love for Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, affectionately called by devotees "Apo Baket," a local term that literally means "Old Lady" but conveys deep reverence for the Blessed Mother as a venerable matriarch.

After marrying her husband, a serviceman in the United States Navy, Peralta relocated to California, where they began raising their family. Despite the distance from her homeland, Peralta said her Marian devotion remained central to her life, especially during moments of suffering.

Her faith was put to the test when doctors diagnosed her with malignant tumors in her thyroid. During that difficult period, she turned constantly to prayer before a replica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag enshrined at her parish church in San Diego.

"There was no single day that I didn't pray to Our Lady of Manaoag and to Our Lord Jesus, who is really our healer," Peralta recalled.

After undergoing a series of medical tests, she said her physician was surprised when a subsequent biopsy showed no trace of cancer.

According to Peralta, she initially kept both her diagnosis and her healing private. But her story eventually came to light when a fellow Filipino-American parishioner approached her one day after Mass saying she had dreamt of the Blessed Mother inviting her to visit her shrine in Manaoag.

The parishioner shared that she had purchased a plane ticket to the Philippines for the visit. Peralta, who had also quietly arranged a trip with her husband to give thanks for her healing, was struck by the unexpected confirmation.

News of her recovery quickly spread within the close-knit Filipino Catholic community in San Diego, and she soon found herself sharing her testimony with fellow Marian devotees.

On April 22, Peralta and her husband will be among the millions of pilgrims in Pangasinan marking the centenary of the canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, enshrined at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag.

A canonical coronation is a formal act of the pope typically expressed through a papal decree or bull that bestows the pontifical right to "crown" a specific, highly venerated image of Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or St. Joseph.

A devotion rooted in centuries of faith

The devotion to the Lady of Manaoag traces its origins to a reported apparition in 1605 when a farmer is said to have seen the Blessed Mother holding the Child Jesus atop a tree located on the present-day site of the basilica.

According to long-standing tradition, the farmer heard a voice calling him by name. Following the sound, he saw a radiant cloud resting on a leafy tree. From there, the Blessed Mother identified herself as the Lady of the Rosary and asked that a shrine be built in that place so that the faithful could come to seek her maternal protection.

Word of the apparition spread quickly among neighboring communities, drawing pilgrims to the site. Over time, the area came to be known as "Manaoag," a term derived from the local expression "Dimad Virgen ya Mantataoag," meaning "to the place where the Virgin calls."

Missionary activity in the region was first undertaken by Augustinian missionaries who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan's expedition. Later, administration of the mission was entrusted to the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), whose members eventually built the church dedicated to the Blessed Mother.

The centuries-old ivory image of the Virgin Mary housed in the basilica has since become one of the most beloved Marian images in the Philippines. Devotees widely attribute to her powerful intercession countless testimonies of healing, protection, and answered prayers.

The image was solemnly crowned in April 1926 by Archbishop Guglielmo Piani, then the apostolic delegate of Pope Pius XI to the Philippines, in recognition of the deep and enduring devotion of the faithful.

Centennial celebration of faith

The centenary celebration marks a historic milestone for Filipino Catholics and Marian devotees worldwide.

Father Felix Legaspi III, OP, basilica rector, said in a statement that the celebration commemorates a century of faith and grace experienced by pilgrims who continue to entrust their lives to the Blessed Mother.

"This historic celebration marks 100 years of faith, devotion, and grace for countless pilgrims and devotees who frequent the shrine of the Blessed Mother, asking for her unwavering help and intercession," he said.

A series of novena Masses is being held in preparation for the April 22 commemorative liturgy marking 100 years since the 1926 canonical coronation.

The solemn pontifical Mass will be presided over by Archbishop Charles John Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, and concelebrated with Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas. Cardinal Jose Advincula, archbishop of Manila, will be the homilist. National and local dignitaries are also expected to attend the celebration.

A devotion shared across oceans

Devotion to the Lady of Manaoag continues to flourish not only in the Philippines but also among Filipino communities abroad.

Peralta is one of many Filipino-American devotees who helped establish associations in the U.S. dedicated to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, including the Devotees of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag-San Diego.

The group gathers annually to celebrate the Blessed Mother's feast in May at San Rafael Parish in San Diego as well as during October, the month traditionally dedicated to the holy rosary.

This year, many Filipino-American pilgrims have traveled to Manaoag to join people from across the Philippines and around the world to honor "the lady who calls."

For Peralta, returning to the shrine is more than a pilgrimage — it is an act of gratitude.

Her story, like those of countless others, reflects a faith rooted in trust and sustained by prayer — a devotion that continues to draw generations of believers to the shrine where, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary once called her people to come.

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Equatorial Guinea is the only country on Pope Leo XIV's current African itinerary where he will be able to speak Spanish, due to that country's historical ties to Spain.

Until 1778, Equatorial Guinea was part of Portugal. However, following the Treaties of San Ildefonso and El Pardo, it became part of Spain within the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata, which had been split off from the former Viceroyalty of Peru in 1776.

The Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata encompassed the African continental territories of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea along with their islands of Bioko (known to the Spanish as Fernando Poo) and Annobón, as well as the territories of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia, and certain areas that today belong to Brazil, Chile, and Peru.

Viceroyalty control began to break down in 1810 amid the process toward independence in Spain's overseas territories. Between 1827 and 1843, the British had a significant presence in the territory of Equatorial Guinea. From that point onward, the Spanish became more actively involved in the Spanish territories of the Gulf of Guinea.

The turbulent political processes throughout the 19th century in the Spanish metropolis hindered the territory's further development, despite the existence of a major cocoa industry.

In 1959, Spanish Guinea was recognized as a Spanish territory comprising two provinces. In 1963, it was granted autonomous status, and five years later, its independence was proclaimed.

Alberto Fernández, a contributor to EWTN News and former U.S. ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, explained to "EWTN Noticias," the Spanish-language broadcast edition of EWTN News, how Spain's legacy in the country endures to this day, including the role of Spanish as an official language, along with the Catholic faith.

"It's an overwhelmingly Catholic country. The vast majority of people in Guinea are Catholic," he said, unlike other countries visited by the pontiff during his African trip, where there is greater diversity of creeds.

Furthermore, in Equatorial Guinea, "one buys Spanish wine, chorizo ??imported from Spain, and nougat from Spain. There is a strong cultural presence, as well as an Equatorial Guinean enclave in Spain that persists to this day," the former ambassador noted.

A country rich in oil, with vast social disparities

Fernández described Equatorial Guinea as "one of the smallest countries in Africa, with a population of between 1 and 2 million people, and rich in natural resources, primarily oil and natural gas."

This energy wealth allows for "major highways, modern airports, and investment in infrastructure," yet the country is no stranger to "the problem of poverty — the disparity between the rich and the poor" much like other oil-producing nations, such as Venezuela.

"It's a Spanish-speaking country, very Catholic, very African, but with certain touches of old Spain," Fernández noted.

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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ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Leo XIV arrived in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, opening the final leg of his trip to Africa after a flight of about 2.5 hours from Luanda, Angola.

Speaking in Italian to reporters aboard the papal flight, Leo marked the first anniversary of Pope Francis' death with an extended remembrance of his predecessor, highlighting his witness, his closeness to the poor and suffering, and his appeals to mercy and fraternity.

"I would like to remember, on this first anniversary of his death, Pope Francis, who gave and offered so much to the Church through his life, his witness, his words, and his actions," Leo said.

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The pope said Francis gave much to the Church by living "closeness to the poorest, the smallest, the sick, children, and the elderly," and by the example of his life and preaching.

Leo also pointed to Francis' emphasis on universal fraternity, saying he sought to promote authentic respect for every man and woman and to foster a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood rooted in the Gospel.

He further recalled Francis' message of mercy, from his first Angelus to a March 17, 2013, Mass before the formal inauguration of his pontificate, when he preached on the woman caught in adultery and spoke "from the heart" about the mercy of God.

Leo said Francis shared with the whole Church the message of God's love, forgiveness, and mercy, and pointed in particular to the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy as part of that legacy.

"Let us pray that he is already enjoying the mercy of the Lord, and let us give thanks to the Lord for the great gift of Francis' life to the whole Church and to the entire world," Leo said.

Leo then took questions from journalists about the Church in Angola, where he had just completed a visit.

Asked about cooperation between Church and state, the pope said the two can work together for the good of the people while maintaining distinct roles. He said he had discussed health care and education with Angola's president, including ways to improve public services and expand hospitals and other institutions.

He added that the Church also has a duty to defend the rights of all people through its witness and preaching.

Asked whether Angola could one day receive a cardinal, Leo said no decision had been made on the creation of new cardinals and that the issue would have to be considered in a broader global context. Still, he said such a possibility could be considered in the future.

On whether new dioceses might be established in Angola, Leo said the Church's growth there was encouraging and underscored the need for continued evangelization. He said local bishops, working with the apostolic nuncio, could help determine where new dioceses might be needed so pastors can be closer to the faithful.

Equatorial Guinea is the last stop on Leo's Africa tour, which has also included Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola.

His first scheduled event in the country was an address to the president and civil authorities at the Presidential Palace. He is also set to visit the university campus named for him, where he will address representatives of the cultural world, as well as the Jean Pierre Olie psychiatric hospital and the country's bishops.

On April 22, Leo is scheduled to travel to Mongomo to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and visit the Pope Francis Technological School, named for his predecessor. He will later travel to Bata, the country's political capital.

In Bata, Leo is expected to visit a prison, pray at a memorial for the victims of a March 7, 2021, arms depot explosion that killed 20 people and injured about 500 others, and meet with young people and families.

The pope is scheduled to conclude the trip on April 23 with a final Mass before returning to Rome.

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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The life and conversion of Mayra Rodríguez, from running an abortion clinic to becoming a pro-life leader, as well as her legal battle against Planned Parenthood, form the central theme of a new book being released this month titled "Mayra Rodríguez vs. Planned Parenthood."

"God's timing is perfect," Rodríguez shared in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. Following various setbacks, she will embark on a promotional book tour April 23–26, visiting four Mexican cities: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puebla, and Xalapa.

On April 25, she will also participate in the March for Life organized by the "Pasos por la Vida" (Steps for Life) platform in Mexico City, drawing tens of thousands to the streets of the Mexican capital.

"The book is about my story. I speak briefly about my childhood in Mexico and how I arrived in the United States," she said, adding that the book also discusses "the mindset of a Catholic within the reproductive rights movement," saying it is something "that is profoundly impacting our Hispanic culture."

Rodríguez clarified: "How many people do we know who call themselves Catholic yet support contraception, abortion, and things like that?"

Rodríguez, who worked for the abortion provider for over 15 years, sued Planned Parenthood Arizona in 2017 for "retaliatory employment termination" after she was fired for reporting to her superiors a series of practices at the facilities that were dangerous to women.

In 2019, a jury ruled in Rodríguez's favor and awarded her $3 million in damages.

"Throughout the entire trial, we didn't ask for a single cent," she emphasized; "we left everything to the jury," which "decided everything and delivered its verdict. Our sole focus was on proving that I was telling the truth."

She initially hesitated over the book's title but ultimately settled on "Mayra Rodríguez vs. Planned Parenthood." She feared it might face a legal challenge, but after consulting with her attorney, they concluded that "that's the name of the case," a case that "is a matter of public record; anyone can look it up online. Thanks to that, I am the only person who can afford the luxury of using that name ... because they are the defendants."

Her intention, she emphasized, is to show "who Planned Parenthood is," because many Mexicans and Hispanics, even within the pro-life movement, are unaware of its impact on politics. She wants people to "see the name and recognize it, and understand that it is synonymous with abortion, synonymous with puberty blockers, synonymous with this entire LGBT movement."

Welcoming 'with compassion' ex-abortion workers

Rodríguez also called upon pro-life advocates not to view those working in the abortion industry "as enemies," encouraging them instead "to view them with love and compassion, understanding that only in this way will we be able to show them the dignity of the human being."

She highlighted the abundance of cases involving abortion clinic workers who have become pro-life leaders such as Abby Johnson, Patricia Sandoval, Ramona Treviño, and Dr. Anthony Levatino, among many others.

Within the organization And Then There Were None founded by Johnson to assist those wishing to leave the abortion industry, and of which Rodríguez is a member, "we have over 750 employees who have left the abortion industry, and more continue to join."

"Our true struggle," she said, "is to focus on changing hearts. And that is done only by getting the word out, by speaking the truth, by talking to people, and by hoping that they listen and that this succeeds in ensuring that even if abortion remains legal, people come to view it as unthinkable," she explained.

'This is just the beginning'

"This is just the beginning. I hope people receive the book well, and ... I hope that many people who believe in abortion manage to open their eyes, or at least that that little seed is planted" that leads to their conversion.

"Mayra Rodríguez vs. Planned Parenthood" is published in Mexico by the publishing house Cristo Misionero. The book will be available for purchase during the tour and at the March for Life in Mexico City on April 25.

Rodríguez is also working on translating the book into English.

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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MALABO, Equatorial Guinea — Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday warned against invoking God to justify oppression and violence, telling civil authorities and diplomats in Equatorial Guinea that "his holy name must not be profaned by the will to dominate, by arrogance, or by discrimination; above all, it must never be invoked to justify choices and actions of death."

Speaking at the presidential palace in Malabo on April 21, the pope framed his address around the Church's social doctrine, calling it a guide for addressing the "new things" destabilizing human coexistence, including widening inequality, the exploitation of natural resources, and the misuse of technology.

Leo said the world is facing developments that "shake the very foundations of the human experience" and reiterated that it is "the imperative duty of civil authorities and of sound politics to dismantle the obstacles to integral human development — a mission grounded in the fundamental principles of solidarity and the universal destination of goods."

The pope pointed to rapid technological development as one factor worsening global imbalances.

"It cannot be ignored, for example, that the rapid technological evolution we are witnessing has accelerated speculation regarding raw materials," he said. "This shift seemingly overshadows fundamental imperatives such as the safeguarding of creation, the rights of local communities, the dignity of labor, and the protection of public health."

Recalling Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his death, Leo repeated his predecessor's condemnation of unjust economic systems, saying: "Today we also have to say 'thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills."

He added that armed conflicts are increasingly tied to the exploitation of oil and mineral reserves.

"In fact, it is even more evident today than in years past that the proliferation of armed conflicts is often driven by the exploitation of oil and mineral deposits, occurring with no regard for international law or the self-determination of peoples," he said.

Leo also warned that new technologies are often developed and deployed chiefly for military purposes rather than for the common good.

"On the contrary, the destiny of humanity risks being tragically compromised without a change of direction in the assumption of political responsibility and without respect for institutions and international agreements," he said.

The pope arrived in Malabo to a festive welcome from crowds lining the streets of the capital. He later held a private meeting of about 30 minutes with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has led the country since 1979 and also received St. John Paul II during his 1982 visit.

In his address, Leo recalled that John Paul II had described the president as "the symbolic center to which the living aspirations of a people converge" for liberty, justice, and respect for rights — words Leo said "remain timely and that challenge anyone entrusted with public responsibility."

The pope also reflected on St. Augustine's image of the "city of God" and the "earthly city," noting that every person shows by daily decisions to which city he or she belongs.

Referencing Equatorial Guinea's planned new capital, Ciudad de la Paz, Leo said its name "seems to echo the biblical city of Jerusalem" and should prompt each person to ask "which city they wish to serve."

He said Christians are called to live in the earthly city while keeping their hearts fixed on their true homeland, the heavenly city, and urged freedom from "the pursuit of unjust wealth and the illusion of dominion."

Leo presented the Church's social doctrine as a resource not only for Catholics but also for all seeking to respond to modern upheavals while putting "the kingdom of God and his justice" first.

"This is a fundamental dimension of the Church's mission: to contribute to the formation of consciences through the proclamation of the Gospel, the provision of moral criteria, and authentic ethical principles — all while respecting individual freedom and the autonomy of nations and their governments," he said.

Calling Equatorial Guinea "a young country," Leo said the Church stands ready to help form "free and responsible consciences" to build a just future.

"In a world wounded by arrogance, people hunger and thirst for justice," he said. "It is necessary to encourage those who believe in peace and to dare to engage in 'countercurrent' politics — those which place the common good at their very center."

He concluded with an appeal for youth formation and moral courage: "What is urgently needed is the courage of new visions and an educational pact that gives young people space and trust."

"Let us walk together, with wisdom and hope, towards the city of God, which is the city of peace," the pope said.

In remarks welcoming the pope, Obiang noted that the visit comes during the 170th anniversary of evangelization in Equatorial Guinea, where he said about 90% of the population is Catholic, making it "a favorable enclave for Christianity in central Africa."

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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On April 21, the Catholic Church honors St. Anselm, the 11th- and 12th-century Benedictine monk and archbishop best known for his writings on the existence of God and Christ's atonement.

When remembering St. Anselm in a general audience on Sept. 23, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI said he was "a monk with an intense spiritual life, an excellent teacher of the young, a theologian with an extraordinary capacity for speculation, a wise man of governance and an intransigent defender of the Church's freedom."

St. Anselm, Benedict said, stands out as "one of the eminent figures of the Middle Ages who was able to harmonize all these qualities, thanks to the profound mystical experience that always guided his thought and his action."

Anselm was born in Aosta, part of the Piedmont region of present-day Italy, around 1033. While his father provided little in the way of moral or religious influence, his mother was a notably devout woman and chose to send Anselm to a school run by the Benedictine order where he received a classical education and reportedly became a great Latinist of his time. 

The boy felt a profound religious calling during these years, spurred in part by a dream in which he met and conversed with God. At 15, he wanted to be a monk, but his father forbade it, wishing his son to have a political career. This disappointment was followed by a period of severe illness for Anselm as well as his mother's early death.

Unable to join the monks, and tired of mistreatment by his father, Anselm left home and wandered throughout parts of France and Italy for three years. His life regained its direction in Normandy, where he met the Benedictine prior Lanfranc of Pavia and became his disciple.

Lanfranc recognized his pupil's intellectual gifts and encouraged his vocation to religious life. Accepted into the order and ordained a priest at age 27, Anselm succeeded his teacher as prior in 1063 when Lanfranc was called to become abbot of another monastery. Anselm became abbot of his own monastery, Bec, in 1079.

Just prior to that, in 1077, Anselm wrote the "Monologian" ("Monologue"), which was both an apologetic and religious treatise attempting to demonstrate the existence of God using reason alone.

With Anselm at the helm, Bec became a center of monastic learning.

By this time, the Normans had conquered England and sought to bring monks from Normandy to influence the Church there. Lanfranc became archbishop of Canterbury and asked Anselm to come and assist him.

The period after Lanfranc's death, however, in the late 1080s, was a difficult time for the English Church. King William Rufus, the son of William the Conqueror, refused to allow the appointment of a new archbishop. Anselm went back to his monastery and did not want to return to England, but in 1092, he was persuaded to do so.

The following year, the king changed his mind and allowed Anselm to become archbishop of Canterbury, but the monk was extremely reluctant to accept the charge, which would involve him in further struggles with the English crown in subsequent years.

For a three-year period in the early 12th century, Anselm's insistence on the self-government of the Church — against the claims of the state to its administration and property — caused him to be exiled from England. But he was successful in his struggle and returned to his archdiocese in 1106.

Anselm continued to develop theological ideas and teaching. His doctrine of the atonement eventually became part of the theology of the Latin Church, forming the basis of both the Catholic and Protestant understanding of the work of Christ.

In his last years, Anselm worked to reform the Church and continued his theological investigations — following the motto of "faith seeking understanding." After his death in 1109, his influence on the subsequent course of theology led Pope Clement XI to name him a doctor of the Church in 1720.

This story was first published on April 15, 2012, and has been updated.

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On April 21, 2025, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica tolled for Pope Francis, marking the end of his life and his 12-year papacy. As the 265th successor of St. Peter, the Argentinian pontiff left a lasting impact on the Catholic Church.

Here are nine significant moments that have become part of Pope Francis' legacy:

1. Election of the first Latin American pope

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to hold the office — two "firsts" that signaled a shift away from a historically Eurocentric Church. His choice of the name Francis, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, hinted at priorities rooted in humility, poverty, and care for creation.

Even his first appearance broke with convention: no traditional vestments, no grand proclamations — just a quiet "buona sera" and a request that the crowd pray for him before he blessed them.

2. The publication of Laudato Si'

With the release of his encyclical Laudato Si' in 2015, the Holy Father positioned the Catholic Church as a major moral voice in the global climate conversation. The document framed environmental destruction not just as a scientific or political issue but as a spiritual and ethical crisis tied to inequality and human dignity. He spoke of the Earth as "our common home," urging collective responsibility across nations and religions. The encyclical resonated far beyond Catholic circles, earning praise from environmental advocates worldwide.

3. Visit to the United States and address to Congress

In September 2015, Pope Francis made his one and only visit to the U.S. and became the first pope to address Congress. He used the platform to speak about immigration, economic inequality, and the moral responsibilities of political leadership. Referencing figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Dorothy Day, he framed his message in terms of justice and human dignity and encouraged lawmakers to work toward promoting the common good.

4. Launch of World Day of the Poor

In November 2017, Pope Francis held the first-ever World Day of the Poor and sat down to eat lunch with 4,000 poor and in need people from Rome. Celebrated on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Pope Francis established the World Day of the Poor in his apostolic letter Misericordia et Misera, presented Nov. 20, 2016, at the end of the Church's Jubilee Year of Mercy. The purpose of the event is to encourage Catholics to reflect on how poverty is an important aspect of the Gospel and to encounter the poor.

5. Confronting the clergy abuse crisis

Confronting the clergy sexual abuse crisis became one of the most defining and difficult aspects of Francis' papacy. In 2014, he established the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which works to protect the dignity of minors and vulnerable adults, such as the victims of sexual abuse.

His most significant legal reform came with Vos Estis Lux Mundi (2019), which created a global system for reporting abuse, required dioceses worldwide to set up accessible reporting mechanisms, and introduced procedures to investigate bishops accused of misconduct or cover-ups. That same year, he abolished the "pontifical secret" — a rule of confidentiality protecting sensitive information regarding the governance of the universal Church — in abuse cases.

6. A shepherd praying for the world during a global pandemic

The early days of the COVID-19 pandemic produced one of the most enduring images of Francis' papacy: the pope standing alone in a rain-soaked St. Peter's Square, offering an extraordinary "urbi et orbi" blessing for a world in crisis. It was a moment of stark symbolism — emptiness, vulnerability, and quiet solidarity. Throughout the pandemic, he called for global cooperation, urged respect for scientific guidance, and advocated for equitable vaccine distribution.

7. Historic visit to Iraq

Among the most striking journeys of Pope Francis' papacy was his 2021 trip to Iraq, the first ever by a pope, undertaken despite security risks and the lingering devastation left by years of war and the rise of ISIS. Visiting cities like Mosul and Qaraqosh — places scarred by violence and the persecution of Christians — the Holy Father delivered a message of resilience, coexistence, and hope.

His historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf marked a powerful moment of interfaith dialogue, underscoring his commitment to building bridges between religions. Praying amid the ruins of churches and addressing displaced communities, the pope sought to amplify the voices of those who had endured conflict and displacement, reinforcing a central theme of his papacy.

8. The Synod on Synodality

Another defining initiative of Francis' papacy was the Synod on Synodality — an ambitious multiyear process aimed at reshaping how the Catholic Church listens, discerns, and makes decisions.

Launched in 2021 and culminating in global assemblies in Rome in October 2024, the synod invited unprecedented participation from laypeople, women, and marginalized groups, signaling Francis' desire for a more inclusive and consultative Church.

Rather than focusing on a single issue, it centered on the idea of "synodality" itself: shared responsibility and dialogue across all levels of the Church. Some topics of discussion included the role of women and laity, clerical accountability, outreach to marginalized groups, and ecumenism.

9. His final, international papal trip

Only seven months before he passed away, Pope Francis embarked on a 12-day trip of more than 20,000 miles over seven flights through Asia and Oceania. The trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore was his most ambitious international trip and the longest of his 12-year pontificate.

Traveling to regions where Catholics are a minority, he emphasized interreligious dialogue in Muslim-majority Indonesia, emphasized care for the environment and supporting Indigenous communities in Papua New Guinea, encouraged the youth to embrace hope, fraternity, and the faith in East Timor, and stressed the importance of social cohesion and protecting the vulnerable in a wealthy society in Singapore.

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Pope Leo XIV begins his visit to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the fourth and final stop of his first pastoral journey to Africa as pontiff. His visit has generated anticipation in a nation where Catholicism is deeply woven into culture, language, and public life.

As the pope lands in the central African nation — comprised of the Rio Muni mainland and five volcanic offshore islands — his visit is to be viewed as both a moment of spiritual renewal and an affirmation of the local Church's growing maturity, according to ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa.

Here are seven things to know about the Catholic Church in Equatorial Guinea:

1. Equatorial Guinea is Africa's only Spanish-speaking country and has a distinct Catholic identity.

Equatorial Guinea is unique in Africa as the only country where Spanish is the primary official language, a legacy of nearly two centuries of Spanish colonial rule that ended in 1968. This history significantly shaped the Catholic Church in the country.

Evangelization was largely carried out by Spanish missionaries — especially members of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CMF/Claretians) — whose pastoral methods, Marian devotion, and catechetical structures continue to influence parish life. Spanish remains the dominant language of Catholic liturgy, Church administration, and theological formation.

At the same time, Equatorial Guinea is officially multilingual. French and Portuguese were later adopted to facilitate regional and diplomatic integration, while Indigenous languages such as Fang, Bubi, Ndowe, and Annobonese remain central to everyday life and are increasingly used in local pastoral contexts.

This blend of Hispanic Catholic heritage and African cultural expression makes the central African nation unique within sub-Saharan Africa.

2. Catholics in Equatorial Guinea form one of the largest majorities on the continent.

Equatorial Guinea remains one of the most Catholic countries in sub-Saharan Africa — not only in cultural identity but also in measurable ecclesial terms.

According to Vatican Church statistics, as summarized by the Catholics and Cultures initiative drawing on the Holy See's Statistical Yearbook of the Church, approximately 74.8% of Equatorial Guinea's population is Catholic.

While this figure refers specifically to baptized Catholics — a standard metric used by the Vatican's Central Office for Church Statistics — it underscores the depth of Catholic presence in a country of just over 1.6 million people. In practical terms, this translates into a Church that permeates national life, with parishes serving not only as places of worship but also as centers of education, health care, and social organization.

Church-run schools and health facilities continue to play a critical role, particularly in rural and island communities where public services are unevenly distributed. The Catholic Church remains one of the most visible and trusted institutions in Equatorial Guinean society.

3. The country has a young but structurally expanding local Church.

Although Catholicism has deep historical roots in Equatorial Guinea, the local Church hierarchy is relatively young and continues to evolve.

The country currently has one metropolitan see, the Archdiocese of Malabo, with four suffragan dioceses: Bata, Ebebiyin, Mongomo, and Evinayong. The latter two dioceses were erected in April 2017.

Church leadership is now largely Indigenous, marking a shift from missionary administration to local ecclesial responsibility. This maturation is a key backdrop to Pope Leo XIV's visit, which can be interpreted as recognition of a Church that has come into its own.

4. A strong missionary legacy still shapes Catholic life in Equatorial Guinea.

Members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) continue to play a defining role in Equatorial Guinea's Catholic life. The Claretians in particular remain influential in parish ministry, education, and the formation of the clergy, alongside other ICLSAL.

According to a June 2024 report by Agenzia Fides, the Church in Equatorial Guinea has drawn strength from its missionary past, even after periods of hardship. Reflecting on this history, the president of CEGE, Bishop Juan Domingo-Beka Esono Ayang of the Mongono Diocese noted that the Church has entered "a period of new dynamics" following earlier challenges.

This enduring missionary presence has helped sustain vocations, catechesis, and social outreach, especially in rural and island communities of the central African nation.

5. More than four decades have passed since the last papal visit.

Pope Leo XIV's trip will be only the second papal visit in the country's history. The first took place on Feb. 18, 1982, when Pope John Paul II visited Equatorial Guinea. During that visit, the late pontiff presided over Mass in Bata and encouraged Catholics to live "in loyalty to Christ and the Church."

For many Equatoguineans, particularly those born after 1982, the upcoming papal visit will mark their first encounter with a reigning pope.

6. Church-state relations are close but contextual in the country.

Relations between Equatorial Guinea and the Holy See have remained consistently cordial. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has met successive popes and has repeatedly expressed the government's desire to host a papal visit.

According to a June 28 Vatican News report, Teodoro, accompanied by his wife and government officials, met with Pope Leo XIV in what was the Holy Father's first formal audience with an African president following his election.

Meeting at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV and Teodoro discussed, among other topics, "the contribution of the Catholic Church in the fields of education and health care, and for the human, social, and cultural development of the population."

The Equatoguinean president also held a meeting with the Vatican secretary for relations with states and international organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, during which the two leaders noted "the good relations between the Holy See and Equatorial Guinea."

At the same time, the Church in Equatorial Guinea operates within a broader social context marked by political longevity, oil-driven wealth, and persistent inequality — realities that frame local expectations of the papal message when he visits the country.

7. The pope's stop in Equatorial Guinea is part of a linguistically and culturally symbolic African itinerary.

Equatorial Guinea's confirmation of the papal pastoral visit followed Angola's announcement, positioning Hispanic and Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) Africa at the forefront of Pope Leo XIV's first African journey as pontiff.

In December 2025, Pope Leo XIV indicated that he would visit Africa in 2026, naming Algeria as a possible initial destination. Apart from Angola and Equatorial Guinea being confirmed, Cameroon was also mentioned and later confirmed as a potential stop.

Together these destinations reflect the pope's emphasis on the Church's universality across languages and cultures: Spanish, Portuguese, and potentially French, English, and Arabic in possible future African papal visits.

Pope Leo XIV is the first pontiff in modern history with firsthand knowledge of Africa. Unlike his predecessors, he had already been to eastern, western, southern, northern, and central Africa in person before his May 8, 2025, election.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, and later by EWTN News. It has since been adapted and updated by EWTN News.

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"For the Lord, age is no barrier," said Father Juan Daza Jara, who at the age of 64 and after 40 years of serving as a coadjutor brother of the Little Work of Divine Providence, was ordained a priest. He now shares the story of a "yes" that matured in the light of service.

Born in Laja, a small rural community on the banks of the Bío Bío River 28 miles from Los Ángeles, Chile, Daza still fondly remembers his grandmother Trinidad, who taught him how to pray "and to trust in God with a simple faith."

These days, he also turns his thoughts with gratitude toward Father Félix Eicher, the first parish priest of his hometown, a Belgian priest who remained there for 50 years and whom he still remembers today as "a great man who helped me, guided me, and accompanied me" during his vocational discernment, he recounted in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.

During this period of accompaniment, Eicher recommended St. Luigi Orione to him as a model whose example sparked in him the desire "to become a brother so that I could serve the most needy in a more direct way."

As part of his discernment, in 1985 he spent a year in Argentina, completing his novitiate with the Little Work of Divine Providence. Currently, he directs a "Cottolengo" care facility housing 107 elderly residents.

A new calling

To be a coadjutor brother, he explained, means fulfilling the four vows: "Poverty, obedience, chastity, and fidelity to the pope," which is the fourth vow of the Congregation of Don Orione. "I abide by all the regulations, and I have all the rights and duties of the congregation," he said, adding that he has always felt "very content and very happy" with his consecration to religious life.

However, after several decades of service, he began to hear from colleagues and friends telling him: "The congregation needs priests; you've got to become a priest."

At first, the religious offered some resistance: "I would say: 'No! I feel content, fulfilled by what I do — happy,'" he recalled. But more recently, he began hearing this urging more frequently from acquaintances, as well as from priests within the diocese and the congregation, prompting him to consider more seriously this inner stirring. "Perhaps this had been within me all along, only I hadn't wanted to bring it to the surface," he began to think.

"I prayed about it extensively, discussed it with people of greater experience, and let them help me to be sure about this step. And after 40 years as a coadjutor brother and seven years as a permanent deacon, this restlessness arose in me about giving the Lord a more serious response regarding the path toward the priesthood," he explained. Consequently, during a visit from one of the superiors of the congregation who had arrived from Rome, Daza presented his situation to him.

Understanding each step as God's will

Following that conversation, he sent a letter to Rome as required by the formal process and also spoke with the bishop of Los Ángeles, Cristián Castro Toovey. "But I never thought this would happen so quickly," he acknowledged with surprise.

So it was that on March 21, accompanied by his mother, María Jara, and in the presence of brothers in his congregation and communities hailing from various parts of Chile and even his novitiate classmate, Father Sergio Jiménez (who had traveled from Argentina), Daza was ordained a priest at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Los Ángeles by the local bishop.

Reflecting on this new path that God has set before him, he said: "One must understand it as the will of God and the ways of God in the life of a human being."

"Since making my first vows, I have felt fulfilled and happy in the congregation. Today, more than ever, for this step is a huge step, a greater responsibility," he shared.

As he relived the moment of his ordination, Daza recalled it as "a great mystery," a moment in which he experienced "many conflicting emotions."

"I don't know how to explain it, because there are moments when you feel as if you are 'up there,'" he said. And he especially cherishes the presence of his fellow brothers: "It was something of immense importance."

Regarding his first Mass, he said: "As I walked behind the priests in the middle of the church, I felt something truly immense; it's very difficult to explain, like a feeling of joy, of weeping for joy. It was a very powerful experience."

A greater commitment to the people

Currently, Daza remains very active. "Don Orione always went all in," he noted as he enumerated the works of the congregation currently active in Chile: the Home for the Elderly, the ministry to young offenders, and the farm that helps generate resources for the home, tasks that demand both his time and energy. Now, in addition, pastoral care has been added to his responsibilities.

The priest said he believes that, in these times, "there must be a greater commitment to the people. People need to be heard; they need someone to dedicate time to them."

"I'm a bit hyperactive, so that's an exercise I'm going to have to undertake," he joked.

"I am deeply grateful to God and to the congregation, because my daily routine revolves around being able to help people spiritually. Many already know me, they know I can be a bit quirky," he quipped, "but it seems I inspire a certain amount of trust. I am content and happy; the fact that people feel heard, loved, and respected, that's already a big step," he emphasized.

Be courageous and let others help you

Finally, the priest addressed young people, encouraging them "to be courageous in giving a response, in placing themselves at the Lord's disposal, and in letting the Lord carry out his will."

In this regard, he recalled the motto of his ordination — "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want," and assured them: "If you give yourselves over to him, you will lack nothing in your life. We have more than we sometimes imagine," he shared.

To those considering the possibility of the priesthood, he advised: "Pray often, allow yourself to be helped a great deal, be open with the people the Lord puts on your path, take heart, and I say it again: Don't be afraid; take the step, and the Lord will help you afterwards."

"In my case, it has been 40 years and today I can say with complete peace of mind that I have never once felt any doubt about my vocation, if this was truly my path or not because I have always felt secure, supported, and so loved by everyone; and that is what has kept me happy all along."

"For the Lord, age is of no consequence; what matters is simply having the desire to help," he said.

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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Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 20 in Angola, flying to Saurimo, where he visited a home for the elderly and celebrated Mass for more than 60,000 faithful.

"There are erroneous motives for seeking Christ, particularly when he is considered to be a guru or a good luck charm," the pope said on April 20, referring to how the crowds in the Gospel reading reacted after Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and the fishes.

He concluded his day with a meeting with bishops, priests, consecrated men and women, catechists, and other pastoral workers at the Parish of Our Lady of Fátima in Luanda.

Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leo's activities on Monday:

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