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"Leo from Chicago," Vatican media’s documentary on Pope Leo XIV's United States roots

"Leo from Chicago," a documentary coming soon on Vatican media’s channels, will offer viewers an intimate portrait of Pope Leo XIV’s early life throughout the United States, beginning with the testimonies of his brothers Louis and John, along with numerous voices, images, and stories told by those closest to the man who, since May 8, 2025, has led the universal Catholic Church.

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Migrants are not enemies, just brothers and sisters in need, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- At a time when people feel powerless to help migrants and refugees, Christians must continue to insist that "there is no justice without compassion, no legitimacy without listening to the pain of others," Pope Leo XIV said.

In a video message Sept. 12, the pope gave his full support to a bid by the people of the Italian island of Lampedusa to win UNESCO recognition for their "gestures of hospitality" to migrants as an example of an "intangible cultural heritage" that should be protected. 

Flowers float in the Mediterranean in remembrance of migrants who drowned
A wreath of flowers thrown by Pope Francis floats in the Mediterranean Sea in the waters off the Italian island of Lampedusa in this July 8, 2013, file photo. The pope threw the wreath to honor the memory of immigrants who have died trying to cross from Africa to reach a new life in Europe. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

For decades the small island, which lies between Sicily and the northern African nations of Tunisia and Libya, has been a major arrival point for migrants from Africa, the Middle East and Asia seeking a new life in Europe. However, many migrants make the journey in unsafe vessels or without needed provisions. Shipwrecked boats and dead bodies have washed up on the island's shores.

Pope Leo paid tribute to "the volunteers, the mayors and local administrations that have succeeded one another over the years," to "the priests, doctors, security forces, and to all those who, often invisibly, have shown and continue to show the smile and attention of a human face to those who have survived their desperate journey of hope."

But the pope also noted the political divisions and backlash that have accompanied the continued arrival of migrants and refugees on Lampedusa's shores and to other nations.

"It is true that over the years fatigue can set in. Like in a race, we can run out of breath," he said. "Hardships tend to cast doubt on what has been done and, at times, even divide us. We must respond together, staying united and opening ourselves once again to the breath of God."

"All the good you have done may seem like drops in the sea," Pope Leo told the island's people. "But it's not so -- it is much more than that!" 

Migrants in Lampedusa in 2013
An Italian police officer watches as immigrants board a van after they disembarked from an Italian coast guard boat at the port in Lampedusa, Italy, in this file photo from July 9, 2013. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Many of the migrants, including mothers and children, never made it to shore and from the depths of the sea "cry out not only to heaven, but to our hearts," he said. Others died and are buried on Lampedusa "like seeds from which a new world longs to sprout."

But, he said, "thank God, there are thousands of faces and names of people who today are living a better life and will never forget your charity. Many of them have themselves become workers for justice and peace, because goodness is contagious."

Pope Leo said his thanks is the thanks "of the whole church for your witness," and is meant to renew the thanks of the late Pope Francis, who made a trip to Lampedusa the first official trip of his papacy. He said he hoped he, too, would be able to visit the island soon.

The islanders' hospitality and welcome, he said, are "a bulwark of humanity, which loud arguments, ancient fears and unjust policies try to erode."

"The 'globalization of indifference,' which Pope Francis denounced beginning from Lampedusa, today seems to have turned into a globalization of powerlessness," Pope Leo said.

Thanks to the media, people are more aware of "injustice and innocent suffering," he said, but increasingly "we risk standing still, silent and saddened, overcome by the feeling that nothing can be done."

People ask themselves, "What can I do in the face of such great evils?" he said.

"The globalization of powerlessness is the child of a lie: that history has always been this way, that history is written by the victors, which makes it seem that we can do nothing," the pope said. "But that is not true: history is ravaged by the powerful, but it is saved by the humble, the just, the martyrs, in whom goodness shines and true humanity endures and is renewed."

The antidote, Pope Leo said, is to work to create "a culture of reconciliation." 

Pope Francis praying for migrants in Lampedusa in 2013
Pope Francis blesses a wreath before tossing it into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Lampedusa, Italy, July 8, 2013. During his visit to the island, the pope memorialized an estimated 20,000 African immigrants who have died over the previous 25 years trying to reach a new life in Europe. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

"Reconciliation is a special kind of encounter. Today we must meet one another, healing our wounds, forgiving each other for the wrong we have done -- and even for the wrong we have not done but which we still bear the consequences of," the pope said. "So much fear, so many prejudices, so many walls -- even invisible ones -- exist between us and between our peoples, as consequences of a wounded history."

While fear and evil can be passed from one generation to the next, he said, so can goodness.

"We must repair what has been broken, delicately treat bleeding memories, draw close to one another with patience, put ourselves in the place of others' stories and suffering, and recognize that we share the same dreams and the same hopes," Pope Leo said. "There are no enemies -- only brothers and sisters. This is the culture of reconciliation."
 

UN: Relentless Israeli strikes drive mass displacement in Gaza

The UN reports that continuous bombardment in northern Gaza has forced nearly 11,000 Palestinians to flee south in just 24 hours.

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Pope Leo meets with Jubilee pilgrims from Umbria

Pope Leo XIV meets with participants of the Jubilee Pilgrimage from the dioceses of Umbria, a region in Central Italy rich in mystics, poets, men and women of faith, and renowned for its artistic and natural heritage. The Pope calls on the faithful to become "missionaries of love and peace."

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Lord’s Day Reflection: Where suffering and love meet

As the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Jenny Kraska reflects on the theme, “Where suffering and love meet”.

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Pope promotes employment of persons with disabilities in the Vatican

With a Rescript, Pope Leo XIV approves decisions of the Labour Office of the Apostolic See (ULSA), concerning the inclusion of persons with disabilities within the Holy See's workforce.

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Pope Leo meets with new US Ambassador to the Holy See

On Saturday morning, Pope Leo XIV welcomed the ambassador of the United States of America, Brian Francis Burch, on the occasion of the presentation of his letters of credence.

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St. John Chrysostom: Saint of the Day for Saturday, September 13, 2025

St. John, named Chrysostom (golden-mouthed) on account of his eloquence, came into the world of Christian parents, about the year 344, in the city of Antioch. His mother, at the age of 20, was a model of virtue. He studied rhetoric under Libanius, a pagan, the most famous orator of the age. In 374, he began to lead the life of an anchorite in the mountains near Antioch, but in 386 the poor state of his health forced him to return to Antioch, where he was ordained a priest. In 398, he ...

Pope gives thanks for canonization of Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne

Pope Leo XIV expresses his participation to the faithful gathered in Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, for the Mass of Thanksgiving following the canonisation of the 16 Carmelite Sisters of Compiègne.

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Holy See announces progress in bilateral relations with Viet Nam

A Holy See Press Office statement says a meeting of the Viet Nam - Holy See Joint Working Group in the Vatican to promote bilateral relations took place on Friday in an atmosphere of friendship, trust and mutual respect.

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