St. Lawrence, it appears, was born about the year 1125. When only ten years old, his father delivered him up as a hostage to Dermod Mac Murehad, King of Leinster, who treated the child with great inhumanity, until his father obliged the tyrant to put him in the hands of the Bishop of Glendalough, in the county of Wicklow. The holy youth, by his fidelity in corresponding with the divine grace, grew to be a model of virtues. On the death of the bishop, who was also abbot of the monastery, St. ...

As their weeklong Plenary concludes, the Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan express being overwhelmed by the escalating violence and the appalling human conditions resulting from ongoing conflicts in both countries.

Read all

 

In this week’s news from the Eastern Churches, produced in collaboration with L'Œuvre d'Orient: Romanian Greek Catholics get a new Major Archbishop, a Turkish Christian village regains its Aramaic name, and Christians return to al-Ghassaniyah, Syria.

Read all

 

With a new chirograph, Pope Leo decrees that the Apostleship of the Sea will be responsible for promoting the pastoral care of the “people of the sea".

Read all

 

BALTIMORE - The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, November 11-13. Throughout the meeting, the bishops had opportunities to spend time in prayer and fraternal dialogue together. 

As the public session of the plenary began, the bishops sent a message to the Holy Father. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the USCCB, delivered his final address to the bishops as USCCB president. He was followed by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the United States, who offered remarks.

As one of the first items of business on the plenary agenda, the bishops elected Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City as president, and Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville as vice president to lead the Conference. Their terms began immediately at the adjournment of the plenary today and run through November 2028. Additionally, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend was elected as USCCB secretary to complete the vacancy created when Archbishop Coakley was elected Conference president.

During their gathering, the body of bishops also elected new chairmen of six standing committees. Executive sessions (limited to bishops) were not livestreamed but included fraternal dialogues and informational sessions on a variety of topics: the ongoing implementation of the synod; best practices to continue the instruction of Laudato si’; the importance of post-abortion healing ministry; Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (the bishops’ teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics); and the apostolate of the laity. 

In their message to the Holy Father, the bishops assured the pope of their prayers and communion with him. They acknowledged facing a growing worldview that is often at odds with the Gospel mandate to love thy neighbor, but stated: “Holy Father, please know that the bishops of the United States, united in our concern, will continue to stand with migrants and defend everyone’s right to worship free from intimidation.” The topic of immigration and the U.S. government’s recent surge in enforcement actions that have been prompting anxiety and fear in the communities across the country was a key point of discussion among the bishops throughout the meeting. Out of their pastoral concern for immigrants and in unison with Pope Leo XIV, the bishops issued a Special Message. In their vote, the body of bishops overwhelmingly approved the Special Message, with sustained applause of the body following the vote. (Read the bishops' full message: English | Spanish)

The United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence next year. To mark the American Semiquincentennial, the U.S. bishops voted to consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June 2026, with 215 votes in favor, 8 votes against, and 7 abstentions to pass this measure.

The bishops discussed and voted on a revision of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. The revisions address the statement issued by the USCCB’s Committee on Doctrine in 2023 (“doctrinal note”) that underscored the role that those involved in the ministry of Catholic health care services have in providing the best medical care, as well as Christ’s compassionate accompaniment to all patients, no matter who they may be, or from what condition they may be suffering. The bishops voted 206 in favor, 8 votes against, and 7 abstentions to pass the action item. Read more here.

Other business items on their agenda included: an update from the Subcommittee on the Catechism on the Catechetical Accompaniment Process; a report from The Catholic University of America, and from The Pontifical Mission Societies USA. The USCCB’s 2026 budget was approved 220 in favor, 7 votes against, and 2 abstentions. The bishops also held a consultation on advancing the cause for beatification and canonization for Reverend Richard M. Thomas, a priest of the Society of Jesus. With 206 votes in favor, 4 votes against, and 1 abstention, the bishops affirmed the advancement of the case at the diocesan level.

The bishops also received an update on the recently concluded National Eucharistic Revival and were given a report on the impact of the three-year initiative. The report was followed by a vote to approve the Summer of 2029 for the next National Eucharistic Congress with 192 votes in favor, 19 votes against, and 7 abstentions.

In a presentation during the public session of the plenary that underscored the importance that the Catholic Church places on understanding artificial intelligence and the ethical implications of AI, especially in the context of the life of the Church. The bishops were briefed on the topic by Dr. Paul Scherz of the University of Notre Dame. 

The bishops discussed and voted on two action items pertaining to liturgical texts from the Committee on Divine Worship:

• The bishops voted 205 in favor, 2 votes against, and 2 abstentions to approve the Appendices of The Roman Pontifical. The approval of this requires a two-thirds vote of the Latin Church members, with subsequent recognitio from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
• The bishops voted 202 votes in favor, 4 votes against, and 2 abstentions to approve Nuevos santos en el Calendario Romano general. The approval of this requires a two-thirds vote of the Latin Church members, with subsequent confirmatio from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

News updates, texts of addresses and presentations, and other materials from the 2025 fall plenary assembly are posted to: www.usccb.org/meetings.

###

BALTIMORE – At the plenary assembly in Baltimore on Wednesday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) elected Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend as Conference Secretary. They also elected chairmen of six standing Conference committees. Bishop Rhoades will assume the office of secretary immediately upon conclusion of the plenary today, as he is filling the vacancy that results from Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, who had been serving as USCCB secretary, being elected as USCCB president.

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne South Bend was elected as USCCB secretary and chairman of the Committee on Priorities and Plans in a 126-95 vote over Archbishop James F. Checchio, coadjutor of New Orleans. Bishop Rhoades fills the vacancy created with the election of Archbishop Coakley as Conference president. Bishop Rhoades assumed his new position at the conclusion of this year’s plenary assembly and will serve as secretary through November 2027, at which time he will be eligible for re-election.

Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, as chairman-elect of the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance in a 113-108 vote over Bishop Edward M. Lohse of the Diocese of Kalamazoo.

Bishop Peter L. Smith, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, as chairman-elect of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs in a 139-83 vote over Bishop Daniel J. Felton of the Diocese of Duluth.

Bishop William A. Wack, CSC, of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, as chairman-elect of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis in a 116-106 vote over Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of the Diocese of Columbus.

Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, as chairman-elect of the Committee on International Justice and Peace in a 154-68 vote over Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger of the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Bishop Mark O’Connell, bishop-designate of the Diocese of Albany, as chairman-elect of the Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People in a 116-106 vote over Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix.

Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon and Bishop Michael J. Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo tied for a vote with 111-111 for chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty. Bishop Sis withdrew his name and Archbishop Sample was named the chairman. Bishop Rhoades had been serving as chairman of the religious liberty committee, but was elected as Conference secretary, creating a vacancy in the committee chairmanship. Therefore, Archbishop Sample assumes the chairmanship on Thursday, and his term runs through November 2029. 

###

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence online and in schools demands stronger government-enforced safeguards, education in the critical use of media and more consistent monitoring by parents and teachers, Pope Leo XIV said.

"Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to manipulation through AI algorithms that can influence their decisions and preferences," the pope told academics, AI experts and professionals involved in child protection programs Nov. 13.

The group was participating in a conference, "The Dignity of Children and Adolescents in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," which was sponsored by Telefono Azzurro, an Italian hotline for children, and its foundation for research on the mental and physical health of children and teens.

Pope Leo told the group that as AI grows so must the tools needed "to monitor and guide young people's interactions with technology."

But that monitoring, he said, will not accomplish much if parents and teachers are not educated about the potential dangers of AI for young people. 

And, the pope said, "governments and international organizations have a responsibility to design and implement policies that protect the dignity of minors in the AI era," including by "updating existing data protection laws to address new challenges posed by emerging technologies and promoting ethical standards for the development and use of AI."

Guidelines and restrictions will not work, however, without "daily, ongoing educational efforts carried out by adults who themselves are trained and supported by networks of collaboration," the pope said.

The adults' role, he said, includes understanding the risks that "premature, unlimited and unsupervised digital access may pose to the relationships and development of young people."

"Only by taking part in the discovery of such risks and the effects on their personal and social life, can minors be supported in approaching the digital world as a means of strengthening their ability to make responsible choices for themselves and for others," Pope Leo said.

The church is not opposed to the use of technology, including artificial intelligence, he said, but people must ensure that it "serves as an ally, not a threat, in the growth and development of children and adolescents."

 

A new book by Pope Leo XIV, “La forza del Vangelo: la fede cristiana in 10 parole,” includes a previously unpublished text by the Holy Father. Published by Libreria Editrice Vaticana and set to be released November 20, “La forza del Vangelo,” is an anthology of interventions and speeches by Pope Leo organized around key Christian themes.

Read all

 

In continued response to the late Pope Francis’s call for a Church that “journeys together,” the Uganda Martyrs’ National Major Seminary, Alokolum, in partnership with the African Synodality Initiative (ASI), recently hosted a two-day formation workshop on Synodality and Synodal Pastoral Leadership.

Read all

 

Here’s a first look at the Vatican’s newly released documentary Leo from Chicago, which explores the roots of Pope Leo XIV and offers never-before-seen footage of Robert Francis Prevost in his native United States. The film features in-depth interviews with his brothers, Louis and John Prevost, and reveals new personal details — including what he looks forward to most on Thanksgiving, and how even as a boy he was able to turn 'an unruly little mob into friends.'

Read all