WASHINGTON - On May 27, an Emergency Presidential Determination (PD) on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 was published in the Federal Register, based on the President’s finding of “an unforeseen emergency refugee situation.” This new rule will allow 10,000 individuals, exclusively Afrikaners from South Africa, to be admitted to the United States as refugees. 

Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, issued the following statement:  

“Offering refuge to the world’s vulnerable and persecuted is a founding principle of our country and it is uniquely what makes this country great. For decades, the United States was known for offering this opportunity, not favoring one particular group, but granting relief in accordance with our laws, our shared values, and the national interest. Today, however, that is sadly not the case. We appreciate the Administration’s acknowledgement that our country can continue to resettle refugees, and we renew our call for resettlement to be extended further to others in need, including those persecuted on the basis of their faith, the likes of whom have no access to refuge in our country at this time.” 

Last October, Bishop Cahill’s predecessor also addressed the disparate treatment of refugees taking place. In January 2025, the president placed an indefinite suspension to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and set the PD for FY 2026 at 7,500 refugees. Virtually all the refugees resettled were Afrikaners granted individualized exceptions to the suspension. At the time the refugee admissions program was suspended, over 100,000 people from a range of countries had been conditionally approved for refugee status in the United States and were awaiting resettlement through the program, some after being in the process for several years.

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Accompanying his repeated calls for an end to war, Pope Leo XIV will preside over the recitation of the Holy Rosary on May 30 in the Vatican Gardens, with each decade dedicated to people impacted by war—from families torn apart to medical personnel and volunteers.

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As the conflict between the U.S. and Iran enters its fourth month, the Israeli military launches more strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, killing scores of people and deepening the humanitarian crisis.

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Martyr of England. She was born Margaret Plantagenet, the niece of Edward IV and Rich�­ard III. She married Sir Reginald Pole about 1491 and bore five sons, including Reginald Cardinal Pole. Margaret was widowed, named countess of Salisbury, and appointed governess to Princess Mary, daughter of Hemy VIII and Queen Catherine of Aragon, Spain. She opposed Henryâ��s mar�­riage to Anne Boleyn, and the king exiled her from court, although he called her â��the holiest woman in England.â�� When her ...

Before travelling to the northern Italian city of Rimini on August 22, Pope Leo XIV will also visit the Republic of San Marino.

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Father Franco Semeraro tells Vatican News how Pope Leo XIV came to the aid of his brother, Fr Diego, after he felt faint on May 27 at the end of the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square.

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Pope Leo XIV encourages the Dicastery for Evangelization to assist Catholic communities throughout the world in their efforts to respond to the crisis of spiritual poverty among young people.

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