Franciscan Capuchin martyr. He was born Mark Rey is Sigmaringen, Germany, in 1577. A practicing lawyer, he traveled across Europe as a tutor to aristocrats but then started defending the poor. In 1612, he became a Franciscan Capuchin monk, taking the name of Fidelis. A missionary to Grisons, Switzerland, Fidelis was so successful that local Protestants claimed that he was a spy for the Austrian Emperor. Fidelis was stabbed to death in a church id Seewis. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIV. ...

Gathered in Matola (Southern Mozambique) for their Plenary Assembly, the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM) discussed a wide range of topics concerning the pastoral life of the Mozambican Church.

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At the conclusion of Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Visit to four African countries, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of SECAM, expressed pride, hope, and optimism about the outcome of the Pope’s visit, suggesting the Pope Leo's message was prophetic and served as a call to the conscience of those in power on the continent to consider the future of young people.

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The programmes for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Naples and Pompeii on May 8, 2026, the first anniversary of his election, have been released. He is scheduled to preside over Mass in Piazza Bartolo Longo in Pompei, participate in the traditional noon supplication to the Virgin of Pompeii, and venerate the relics of San Gennaro in Naples.

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At the Basilica of Saint Bartholomew on the Tiber Island, Cardinal Kurt Koch recalls the Armenian martyrs and today’s persecuted Christians. Their shared witness, he says, strengthens hope for unity through an “ecumenism of blood.”

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On the return flight to Rome, Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists about his mission to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples, recalls child victims of the wars in Iran and Lebanon, condemns the death penalty, and insists on respect for international law.

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As Pope Leo XIV wraps up his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, Cardinal George Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue reflects on the Pope’s proposal for religions to build justice, social stability, and peaceful coexistence among peoples.

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It is uncertain when Saint George was born and historians continue to debate to this day. However, his death date is estimated to be April 23, 303 A.D. The first piece of evidence of George's existance appeared within the works of the Bollandists Daniel Papebroch, Jean Bolland, and Godfrey Henschen's Bibliotheca Hagiographica Graeca. George was one of several names listed in the historical text, and Pope Gelasius claimed George was one of the saints "whose names are justly reverenced among ...

Pope Leo XIV leaves Equatorial Guinea, bringing his third Apostolic Journey abroad to an end.

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Pope Leo XIV bids farewell to Equatorial Guinea and, with it, all of Africa, as he celebrates Mass in Malabo Stadium, the final event of his 11-day Apostolic Journey to four African nations.

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