Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish

Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament. / Credit: Comunidade Javé Nissi via Pexels

Manila, Philippines, May 27, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

As the National Eucharistic Revival comes to an end in the United States this year, many believe there is a need for a global Eucharistic revival in other parts of the world — including the Philippines.

Empty adoration chapels in the majority-Catholic country and lack of belief in the Real Presence are leading more parishes to implement a simple initiative called the “Holy Hour Pledge” and call for more catechesis.

Filipino-American priest Father James Cervantes of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception (MIC) lamented the phenomenon throughout different parishes across the Philippines, despite its renown as the largest Catholic nation in Asia and the third largest in the world.

“I came here to Manila just a year and a half ago. I noticed there are a lot of adoration chapels where Jesus is exposed, but they’re empty and abandoned. I was puzzled. I thought, ‘OK, maybe this is just one.’ But then I visited another church and another, across different cities — and again, Jesus was exposed, but they were all empty. In the U.S. and in Poland, this wouldn’t even be allowed. All I could think was, ‘Oh Lord, no one is in here, I’m so sorry Lord.’”

Cervantes recounted a tragic situation in one of the Manila parishes whereby the monstrance — with the consecrated host — was stolen by thieves inside an empty adoration chapel.

How can a deeply devout nation like the Philippines be devoid of adorers? Cervantes said it is only a symptom of a deeper problem. 

“Empty adoration chapels are symptomatic of a deeper problem. People here are hungry for the faith; they actually want to know what the Church teaches, but there is a lack of catechesis and faith formation,” the priest told CNA.

For many Filipino Catholics, the faith is merely practiced in external rituals — but a deep relationship with Jesus, and a strong catechesis, is lacking.

This is not only a Philippine problem but also a universal one. Even in Catholic-majority countries like Brazil and Mexico there has been a reported upsurge in Catholics leaving the faith for Protestant denominations due to a lack of faith formation and personal relationship with Christ. 

Both the Pew Research Center in “Religion in Latin America” (2014) and Premier Christian News in “Evangelicals Poised to Outnumber Catholics in Brazil” (2025) have reported on the decline in Catholicism and growth in Protestantism in Latin America, mainly due to “a lack of personal encounter with Christ” leaving them spiritually hungry and vulnerable to conversion. By contrast, evangelical churches often emphasize personal conversion, relationship with Jesus, and Bible study, filling the void left by poor catechesis in Catholic communities.

A Catholic who came back to the faith in the Philippines who preferred to remain anonymous shared with CNA that he felt he wasn’t being “fed” in the Catholic Church and hence had sought what he was hungering for elsewhere.

“In evangelical churches, we have Sunday school and Bible studies and discipleship groups keeping us in touch with our faith,” he shared. “I was hungry for Jesus. I wanted to grow more in my faith, but there are not many opportunities for ongoing formation in the Catholic Church, so I sought for that in evangelical circles.”

What brought him back? The Eucharist.

“Despite all the charismatic preaching and music and evangelism, something felt void and lacking. We didn’t have the Eucharist,” he said. “It was the Eucharist that brought me back to the Catholic faith, and it’s the Eucharist that makes me stay.”

“When I truly understood the meaning of the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, there was just no going back. If I hunger to be ‘fed,’ it makes sense that none other than Jesus in the Eucharist can do that for me. Without the Eucharist, something just felt deeply missing.”

Cervantes agreed. “The Mass is the most powerful act of worship you can participate in on the face of the Earth. There are parishes which are vibrant, full of life, full of spirit … They’re so alive. You can just tell there’s a difference. We need to go back to the basics — more reverent Masses and good preaching.”

“People are coming to Sunday Masses anyway, so we as priests need to make use of that opportunity to give them basic catechesis right then and there. There is a real need for priests to emphasize the doctrine of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. There needs to be a re-catechesis of the most basic foundations of the Catholic faith,” Cervantes added.

A simple solution: the Holy Hour Pledge 

In response to the crisis in Eucharistic belief and catechesis, various parishes across the Philippines implemented a simple but concrete solution: a “Holy Hour Pledge” initiative, which has seen remarkable success.

One such parish is the St. John Bosco Parish and Center for Young Workers in Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines. Outside its perpetual adoration chapel are pledge cards in which anyone can sign up and pledge one hour a week to accompany Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. 

Parishioners sign two wallet-sized pledge cards that read: “I love you, Lord. Out of my deep love for you, O my dear Lord, I am offering a Holy Hour each week to console you and to make reparation for my sins, those of my loved ones, and those of the whole world.” At the bottom of the card, one commits his or her chosen day and time each week for the Holy Hour.

One card is dropped into a dropbox outside the adoration chapel while the other is kept in the person’s wallet or on the refrigerator door as a reminder of his or her weekly pledge. Since the initiative began, the parish reported a significant rise in the number of visitors. 

“It works because they are pledging not to any staff or person but to the Lord himself,” said Johanna Adaza, head of staff at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy in El Salvador, Philippines, which has also implemented its own Holy Hour initiative. “What we noticed is that most people adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament are old people.” 

“There is a lack of formation in the younger generations, and so we need to re-catechize the youth,” she said.

A youth from a Manila parish shared: “We want to grow in faith. We long to understand the beauty of the Mass and the holiness of the Eucharist. But some Masses feel more like shows than sacred moments. Reverence is replaced with entertainment or jokes. We go to Mass because we’re looking for something deeper. We’re hungry for the Word, for meaning, for reverence … I hope priests will really prepare their homilies. It may be as short as five minutes but substantial. The homily is the catechism for some and the only time to know about the faith. Some homilies bring us to ‘aha’ moments.”

Kent, a 25-year-old adorer at St. John Bosco Parish, told CNA: “I used to feel depressed and so senseless. A friend suggested to me to visit the Blessed Sacrament for even just 15 minutes a day. I thought it was an absurd proposition, but I decided to take him up on it. After a while, I started to notice the difference. I couldn’t live without it. I committed to one hour a week on my pledge card, but I started going every day. I wanted to be face to face with Jesus as much as I could. As St. John Bosco, our parish’s patron, would always say: ‘Frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament will turn ordinary men into saints!’”

Mildred, the Peruvian goddaughter of Pope Leo XIV, with then-Father Robert Prevost. / Credit: Courtesy of Mildred Camacho

ACI Prensa Staff, May 26, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

“Godfather, we love you! Long live the pope!” Mildred exclaimed as she shared her moving testimony about Father Robert Prevost, who was a young Augustinian priest in Chulucanas, Peru, when she was born and who today leads the Church as Pope Leo XIV.

Mildred, a 29-year-old Peruvian mother of two daughters and a devotee of St. John Paul II, is justifiably proud of her godfather: “I would love to tell him that I have admired him since I was little, that it’s not just a recent thing,” she said in an interview with EWTN Noticias, the Spanish-language broadcast edition of EWTN News.

The connection between the two began decades ago, when her father, Héctor Camacho, was a teenager serving as an altar boy at the cathedral in Chulucanas in the Piura district of the country. At that time, then-Father Prevost had just arrived in Peru as an Augustinian missionary, where he worked from 1985 to 1986.

“He always instilled in us the importance of believing in God, having faith, being respectful, polite, and trying to excel in life,” Camacho told EWTN News.

Some time later, Camacho moved to Trujillo to study, where he met Prevost again. The priest gave him spiritual guidance and encouraged him to do charitable work. When Prevost had to travel to the United States due to the death of his mother, Camacho asked his permission to name his daughter Mildred after her. Later, he also asked him to be her godfather.

The baptism took place at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Chulucanas, and it forever marked Mildred’s life. Although she doesn’t have that many memories because they didn’t see each other much, her godfather’s teachings and example were always present.

She treasures the messages that then-Father Prevost sent her by email. She also remembers that whenever she attended a Mass or event where he was present, her godfather always made time to greet her family.

The last time she saw him was on her birthday, Aug. 10, 2024, when as Cardinal Prevost he returned to Chulucanas to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the diocese. On that occasion, he let her know that it might be many years before they would be able to communicate. 

“What he always told me was: ‘Live with joy, live happily.’ And I always remember him saying: ‘Keep me in your prayers, as I keep you in mine,’” Mildred recalled.

About her godfather, she said: “He always told us that faith isn’t just about going to Mass but about living with charity, loving one’s neighbor, and being a light for others. He always inspired me to have hope and not give up in the face of difficulties.”

Mildred dreams of seeing her godfather again. If Pope Leo XIV comes to Peru, she is willing to camp on the street where he passes by just to be able to see him up close, hug him, and say: “Godfather, we love you!”

Where the young missionary lived

In Chulucanas, Prevost lived at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, where he slept in a small, humble room. A servant of God, Father Juan Magnif, an Augustinian who lived to the age of 85 and won the affection of the people for his charity, also lived at this same parish.

According to the Andina news agency, Magnif was the only American Augustinian Fidel Castro allowed to remain in Cuba after the revolution. Now, a mausoleum is being built next to the parish where his remains will rest, which will be transported from the United States.

Pope Leo XIV could be the one to declare him blessed.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Casamari Abbey in Italy. / Credit: D. Ermacora

Rome, Italy, May 26, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

Casamari Abbey in Italy is a gem of Cistercian-Gothic art, whose stones have been imbued with the prayers of monks over the centuries. Here, the monks have dedicated their lives to the vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity, and also developed and preserved a special tradition: therapeutic remedies, both in the form of medicines and liquors.

The Casamari pharmacy, still in operation after two centuries, remains a powerful symbol of the connection between monastic life and the science of plants, all for the greater glory of God.

The monastery of Casamari was built in the 11th century on the foundations of a temple dedicated to Ceres, the Greek goddess of the earth, fertility, and harvests — in other words, of life itself. Over a thousand years of Christian witness have filled the stones of this temple, and even today, the atmosphere within its walls inspires a deep sense of serenity and contemplation.

The monastic complex is located in the territory of Veroli along the provincial road that connects the city of Frosinone to Sora in the Lazio region south of Rome. When construction began in 1035, the area was surrounded by untouched forests — an ideal setting for praise to God to rise in the “love of silence,” as prescribed by the Rule of St. Benedict.

It was, in fact, a small group of Benedictine monks who laid the first stones of what would, over the centuries, become the majestic religious monument standing today. Just over a century later, around 1140, Cistercian monks settled there. They belonged to the monastic order founded by Robert of Molesme in 1098, with the aim of returning to a stricter observance of the Benedictine Rule.

The observance of silence was thus joined by the need to embody a culture of sobriety, even in architectural and decorative expression. Within the abbey, the spaces are deliberately bare — devoid of ornaments, frescoes, or furnishings — so as not to be distracted by ephemeral beauty but rather to foster divine contemplation. 

“One seems to clearly perceive the aura of silence that has marked this place for centuries,” a visitor in the cloister remarked. 

Lines of worshippers and tourists pass through the abbey throughout the day, maintaining a certain spirit of reverence. A well-known center and place of pilgrimage, the Casamari complex attracts between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors annually and has a wide influence, notably through its college and high school. 

Casamari still holds one of the oldest examples of Cistercian-Gothic art in Italy.

A unique monastery pharmacy 

Within the complex, still managed today by Cistercian monks, there is another unique feature: a pharmacy that has been open for 200 years, furnished with vintage pieces dating back to the mid-20th century. 

The shop, marked by a sign depicting two intertwined serpents — the symbol of pharmacists in Italy — is a legacy of the centuries-old monastic tradition of preparing herbal remedies and therapeutic potions.

“In the past, it was normal for abbeys to have a pharmacy,” noted Cistercian monk Alberto Coratti in an interview with CNA. “Throughout the history of monastic life, there have been scientific geniuses — in herbal medicine, in astronomy… many tools and scientific discoveries were born in monasteries.”

The Casamari pharmacy has remained the last functioning pharmacy within a monastery in Italy. Originally, it was managed by the monks, dedicated to preparing remedies using medicinal herbs. Today, the activity carried out is the typical dispensing of medicines upon medical prescription, just like any other pharmacy.

But Coratti does not make the pharmacy the defining feature of the place: “Our primary specialty is prayer,” he repeated tirelessly. In the community of about 20 monks, the septuagenarian serves as the “Cellerario,” who, according to the Rule of St. Benedict, is responsible for the cells and the house — equivalent to a steward. 

In addition to the pharmacy, Casamari has maintained its long-standing tradition of liqueurs. Studying the properties of the many medicinal herbs offered by the region, the community developed a workshop for producing liqueurs, creams, soaps, and various other products like honey and jams. 

The famous “Tintura Imperiale” is the highlight of the monks’ production. This 90-proof liqueur made from anise and other herbs has been appreciated for more than two centuries for its therapeutic properties and distinctive flavor. Some use it as a digestive, others as a toothache anesthetic. In any case, the recipe remains a secret.

From his office, piled high with files, Coratti manages, among other things, the monastery’s agricultural enterprise, producing olive oil, wine, and cereals. 

“A businessman would start his day at 8 a.m., but I start mine at 5 a.m. to have time to pray,” he replied, acknowledging the risk “that too many commitments and worries can divert one from prayer.” But he says around 6:30 p.m., “I shut everything down and we talk about it again tomorrow morning.” 

After more than 50 years of religious life, Coratti, who took his vows at the age of 24, still cherishes this motto, which he printed on the cards for his 25th anniversary of priesthood: “I asked the Lord for one thing, the only thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life” (Ps 26:4).

Pope Leo XIV smiles during his first general audience in St. Peter’s Square on May 21, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

CNA Newsroom, May 26, 2025 / 05:07 am (CNA).

Follow our live coverage as Pope Leo XIV, first U.S.-born pope in history, begins his pontificate: Experience history in the making with former Cardinal Robert Prevost.

null / Credit: Orhan Cam/Shutterstock

National Catholic Register, May 26, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA).

Memorial Day marks the cultural beginning of summer in the United States, and in the midst of all the fun of the three-day weekend, it’s easy for kids to think of this holiday as representing nothing more than the end of school and the beginning of barbecue and pool party season. Here are some ideas that gently introduce children to the deeper meaning of Memorial Day.

1. Create a memorial flower boat.

This is an easy but beautiful craft that uses materials that you probably have lying around the house. Though it is based on the Navy’s tradition of floating flowers out into the ocean to recall sailors whose lives were lost at sea, it could be used to honor fallen soldiers from any branch of the military.

2. Write a letter to a soldier.

Talk to your children about what our men and women in uniform do for our country, then have them write a letter or draw a picture to send to someone who is currently in the military.

3. Take flowers to a veterans cemetery.

Check online to see if there’s a veteran’s cemetery near you. If there is, consider stopping by with a bouquet of flowers on your way to your Memorial Day plans.

4. Make a pin for a veteran you know.

If you have a friend or family member who is a veteran, have the kids make one of these pretty pins to honor the service he or she provided to our country. This is a good opportunity to talk about where this person served, why he or she was there, and to mention the fact that some of this person’s fellow soldiers were not so fortunate as to make it back home to their families.

5. Make an American flag cake.

You won’t have any problem convincing your kids to help make this Memorial Day cake that is as delicious as it is easy to put together. Working together in the kitchen is always a great opportunity for family bonding moments, and in the process of icing the cake and laying out the flag pattern, chat with your kids about what the American flag represents and all the people who have given their lives to defend it.

6. Say a prayer for the souls of departed soldiers.

The easiest suggestion of all: Simply take a few moments today and have your family pause to say a prayer for the repose of the souls of all the men and women who gave their lives in the service of our country.

This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, CNA’s sister news partner, on May 30, 2011, and has been updated and adapted by CNA.

Pope Leo XIV prays at St. Mary Major, May 25, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/EWTN News/Vatican Pool

ACI Prensa Staff, May 25, 2025 / 14:19 pm (CNA).

Following the Mass where he took possession of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV proceeded to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where the Virgin Mary is venerated under the title “Salus Populi Romani” (“Health of the Roman People”).

The Holy Father arrived at the basilica shortly after 7 p.m. local time. Upon entering, he blessed the faithful gathered inside with a brief sprinkling of holy water.

He then entered the chapel that houses the Marian icon, traditionally attributed to St. John the Evangelist, and, kneeling, prayed for a few minutes before placing a bouquet of flowers at the feet of the Blessed Mother’s image.

After the singing of the “Magnificat” — the Gospel canticle spoken by the Virgin Mary after the announcement of the archangel Gabriel — Pope Leo XIV offered a prayer to the Mother of God, recalling that she is “all pure, all venerable, the finest offering humanity can present to God.”

“You guide the Church’s boat to a harbor of peace, steering away from dangers and overcoming storms,” he prayed, asking Mary to watch over “this city, comfort those who come to it without shelter or protection, and extend your care over the whole world.”

“Source of joy for all, make me worthy of rejoicing with you,” he added.

Afterward, he visited the tomb of Pope Francis and paused there to pray.

From the basilica’s balcony, the pope thanked the faithful gathered outside: “Thank you for being here, thank you for standing in front of this basilica this evening, as we celebrate, united as members of the Diocese of Rome, the presence of its new bishop.”

“I’m very happy to meet you here and I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

This, he noted, “is a beautiful opportunity to renew our devotion to Mary, ‘Salus Populi Romani,’ who has accompanied the people of Rome so many times in their need.”

“Let us ask God through the intercession of his mother to bless all of you, your families, your loved ones, and to help us all walk together in the Church,” he said.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Pope Leo XIV sits in the cathedral of Rome, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, a symbol of his authority as bishop of Rome, on May 25, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News/Vatican Pool

Rome, Italy, May 25, 2025 / 13:17 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first homily as bishop of Rome at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, where he took possession of his cathedra (throne) on Sunday.

The pontiff said ecclesial communion is built “on our knees, through prayer and constant commitment to conversion” as he invoked the example of the first Christians, who faced the challenges of proclaiming the Gospel to a pagan world.

Reflecting on the episode from the Acts of the Apostles, where the early Christians debated about whether Gentile converts had to follow the law of Moses, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that “this was no easy matter; it called for much patience and mutual listening.”

He referenced the Council of Jerusalem, the first great council of the early Church, in which “a dialogue was opened” that led to a fitting decision: “Recognizing the difficulties of the new converts, they agreed not to impose excessive burdens on them but rather to insist only on what was essential.”

“In this way,” he added, “what might have seemed a problem became for everyone an opportunity for reflection and growth.” 

“The most important part of the entire event,” he emphasized, “was listening to God’s voice, which made everything else possible.” This, he said, is how communion is truly built. 

“For only in this way can each of us hear within the voice of the Spirit crying out ‘Abba! Father!’ and then, as a result, listen to and understand others as our brothers and sisters,” he continued. 

The day’s Gospel reading reinforced this point. “It assures us that we are not alone in making our decisions in life. The Spirit sustains us and shows us the way to follow, ‘teaching’ us and ‘reminding’ us of all that Jesus said,” the pope affirmed. 

“The more we let ourselves be convinced and transformed by the Gospel — allowing the power of the Spirit to purify our heart, to make our words straightforward, our desires honest and clear, and our actions generous — the more capable we are of proclaiming its message,” he added. 

For this reason, he stressed that, throughout the process — as in the Council of Jerusalem — “the most important listening” is that of listening to God’s voice. 

Addressing the cardinals of the Roman Curia, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and laity of the Diocese of Rome, the pope continued: “I would like to express my firm desire to contribute to this great ongoing process by listening to everyone as much as possible, in order to learn, understand, and decide things together, as St. Augustine would say, ‘as a Christian with you and a bishop for you.’” 

“I would also ask you to support me in prayer and charity,” he said, “mindful of the words of St. Leo the Great: ‘All the good we do in the exercise of our ministry is the work of Christ and not our own, for we can do nothing without him. Yet we glory in him, from whom all the effectiveness of our work is derived.’” 

He recalled Blessed John Paul I, who, “with the joyful and serene face that had already earned him the nickname of ‘the Smiling Pope,’” took possession of the chair of the bishop of Rome in September 1978. 

“I too express my affection for you and my desire to share with you, on our journey together, our joys and sorrows, our struggles and hopes. I too offer you ‘the little I have and am,’ entrusting it to the intercession of Sts. Peter and Paul and of all those other brothers and sisters of ours whose holiness has illuminated the history of this Church and the streets of this city,” he said. 

The pope also affirmed the legacy of the Church of Rome as “heir to a great history, grounded in the witness of Peter, Paul, and countless martyrs,” and emphasized her unique mission: “to be ‘Omnium Ecclesiarum Mater,’ mother of all the Churches.” 

The Basilica of St. John Lateran bears the honorary title of “mother and head of all the Churches in the city of Rome and the whole world.” Taking this as a metaphor, the pope recalled that his predecessor Pope Francis invited the faithful to reflect on the “maternal dimension” of the Church and on its defining characteristics. 

Among these are “tenderness, self-sacrifice, and the capacity to listen,” traits that, the pope said, “enable her not only to assist others but often to anticipate their needs and expectations before they are even expressed.” 

“We hope that those qualities will be increasingly present in the people of God everywhere, including here, in our great diocesan family: in the faithful, in pastors, and, first of all, in myself,” he added. 

He praised the “challenging process of listening that the Diocese of Rome has undertaken in these years,” structured around various levels of listening — “to the world around us to respond to its challenges and listening within our communities to understand needs and to propose sage and prophetic initiatives of evangelization and charity.” 

Although he acknowledged that this is “a challenging, ongoing journey meant to embrace a very rich and complex reality,” he said it is worthy of the Church’s history — one that has often shown its ability to “think big,” giving itself fully to courageous projects and even taking risks in the face of new and complex scenarios. 

He specifically highlighted the extensive work being done by the entire Diocese of Rome for the jubilee year, welcoming and caring for pilgrims and launching many other initiatives. 

“These have made the city of Rome appear to visitors, some of whom have traveled from far away, as a wide, open and welcoming home, and above all as a place of deep faith,” he concluded. 

A gesture of communion

During the liturgy, the Holy Father received the pledge of fidelity from a representative group of the people of God in Rome in the Rite of Obedience. This symbolic expression of communion was not led by cardinals or members of the Curia but by people from the diocese: an auxiliary bishop, a canon, a parish priest, a parochial vicar, a deacon, religious men and women, a family, an educator, a catechist, and two young people. 

Among the participants were Cardinal Vicar Baldassare Reina, Auxiliary Bishop Renato Tarantelli, and other clergy and laypeople, including Brother Luis Martín Rodríguez, Sister Rebecca Nazzaro, and two young people, Mirko Venditti and Teresa Martellotta. Each of them represented a vital dimension of the Roman Church now recognizing its new bishop as their shepherd. 

Before arriving at the basilica — the first great Christian building erected in Rome after Emperor Constantine legalized religious freedom in A.D. 313 — the pope met with the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri. At the foot of the staircase of the Capitoline Hill, where the main entrance to the historic Palazzo Senatorio (city hall) stands, the mayor paid homage to him as the new bishop of Rome.

Pope Leo XIV greets the mayor of Rome at the foot of the Capitoline Steps before taking possession of St. John Lateran as bishop of Rome, May 25, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Rome, Italy, May 25, 2025 / 12:21 pm (CNA).

“Today I can say that through you and with you, I am Roman.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV addressed the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, who greeted him just minutes before he made his way to the Basilica of St. John Lateran to take possession of the chair of the bishop of Rome. 

The armored Volkswagen SUV transporting the pope departed from the Vatican around 4 p.m. local time and headed for the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome, where he was scheduled to be installed as Bishop of Rome after celebrating Mass at 5 p.m. 

Before arriving at the basilica — the first major Christian house of worship built in Rome after Emperor Constantine legalized religious freedom in A.D. 313 — the official vehicle stopped at Piazza dell’Aracoeli at the foot of the Capitoline Hill steps, where the main entrance to the Palazzo Senatorio, the seat of Rome’s municipal government, is located. There, Gualtieri welcomed the pope.

“Shortly after the election,” Leo XIV recalled, “I told the brothers and sisters gathered in St. Peter’s Square that I am with them, a Christian and for them, a bishop; today, in a special way, I can say that through you and with you, I am Roman,” he said, drawing a great ovation from those present. 

Before various civil and military officials, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the spiritual and social dimensions of his episcopal mission: “As I officially begin my ministry as shepherd of this diocese, I feel the serious yet passionate responsibility to serve all its members, with the faith of the people of God and the common good of society foremost in my heart.” 

He also stressed his commitment to collaboration with local administrative institutions: “We are collaborators, each within our own institutional sphere.” 

Pope Leo XIV spoke of the historic mission of the Catholic Church in the Italian capital and highlighted how, for two millennia, the Church has lived out its apostolic mission in Rome “by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and committing itself to charity.” 

“Educating the young, helping those who suffer, caring for the marginalized, and nurturing the arts are expressions of our commitment to human dignity — one we must uphold at all times, especially toward the little ones, the weak, and the poor,” he added. 

Speaking about the Jubilee of Hope inaugurated by his predecessor Pope Francis, Pope Leo voiced his gratitude for “the commitment of the city administration, for which I express my heartfelt thanks.” 

Finally, before giving the apostolic blessing to those present, Pope Leo XIV shared his hope that Rome — “unparalleled in the richness of its historical and artistic heritage” — may always also be distinguished by “those values of humanity and civilization that draw their life force from the Gospel.” 

Walking together toward a more just, sustainable city

Before Pope Leo spoke, the mayor thanked him for renewing the tradition of the meeting at Piazza dell’Aracoeli, saying the gesture was yet another sign of the Holy Father’s “affection” for the Italian capital. Gualtieri described it as “a reaffirmation of the deep bond between Rome and the universal dimension of the Church.” 

The last pope to take part in this greeting was Paul VI, who met with the then-Mayor Glauco Della Porta. In 1978, the gesture was meant to be repeated, but John Paul I died a month after his election and never made the official visit to Rome’s city hall. 

Gualtieri emphasized that this bond has nourished the city for centuries with “culture, ethical values, and shared responsibility, especially in building peace — the highest calling of Rome.” He expressed gratitude for Pope Leo XIV’s first words calling for an end to war across the world. 

Gualtieri also highlighted the Jubilee of Hope as an opportunity to transform the city and said Rome was especially preparing to welcome thousands of young people for the upcoming Youth Jubilee. Rome, he said, is committed to “being a more just, sustainable, and inclusive city, with special attention to the peripheries and the most vulnerable.” 

Acknowledging “the value of collaboration with the Church,” particularly with local parish projects aimed at dignifying the lives of all citizens, including migrants and the poor, the mayor expressed his hope for the city and the pope to work together for “a new politics, new relationships between peoples, and a more humane social model.” 

Finally, Gualtieri declared: “We are happy that Rome is now your city” and assured the pope that the capital will be “a loyal ally in your pastoral mission.” 

Pope Leo XIV prays the Regina Caeli from the window of the Apostolic Palace for the first time on May 25, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, May 25, 2025 / 09:10 am (CNA).

In his first Regina Caeli from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo XIV thanked the faithful for the affection they have shown him while also asking them — as his predecessor Francis often did — to pray for him. 

“Just a few days ago, I began my ministry among you, and above all, I wish to thank you for the affection you are showing me; at the same time, I ask you to sustain me with your prayer and closeness,” exclaimed the pontiff, who until this Sunday had prayed the Marian prayer from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. 

Thousands had gathered in St. Peter’s Square, waving flags from various countries and holding signs that read “Long live Pope Leo XIV!” 

In his address, the pope acknowledged that “in everything the Lord calls us to — in life and in faith — we sometimes feel inadequate.” 

However, in light of this Sunday’s Gospel, he insisted that we must not focus on our own strength “but rather on the mercy of the Lord who has chosen us, confident that the Holy Spirit guides us and teaches us everything.”

He added: “It is beautiful that, when we consider our calling, the responsibilities and people entrusted to us, the commitments we take on, and our service in the Church, each one of us can confidently say: Although I am fragile, the Lord is not ashamed of my humanity; on the contrary, he comes to dwell within me.” 

God reveals himself especially in the small

Pope Leo XIV also reflected on the apostles’ fear on the eve of the Master’s death: “They were troubled and anxious, wondering how they could be successors and witnesses of the kingdom of God.” But when Jesus appeared to them, he promised the gift of the Holy Spirit with these marvelous words: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him; we will come to him and make our home with him,” he noted. 

“In this way, Jesus frees the disciples from all anxiety and fear and can say to them: Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid,” he said. 

He went on to explain: “If we remain in his love, he himself dwells in us — our lives become a temple of God. His love enlightens us, it begins to shape how we think and make decisions, and it reaches others, illuminating every area of our lives.” 

He emphasized that God “reveals himself especially in the small, the poor, and those who suffer, asking us to be attentive and compassionate Christians.” 

He also urged the faithful to carry God’s love “everywhere,” entrusting this mission to the intercession of the Virgin Mary. “He accompanies me with his Spirit, enlightens me, and makes me an instrument of his love — for others, for society, and for the world. Dear friends, on the foundation of this promise, let us walk in the joy of faith, to be a holy temple of the Lord,” he said. 

As has become his custom, rather than recite the Regina Caeli — the prayer that replaces the Angelus during Eastertide — Pope Leo XIV chose to sing it. 

Father Streich’s ministry ‘enraged followers of communist ideology’

After praying the Regina Caeli, Pope Leo XIV remembered with emotion the Polish priest Stanisław Streich, who was beatified Saturday in Poznań, Poland, in a ceremony led by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. 

On Feb. 27, 1938, during a Sunday Mass for children, Streich was shot and killed by a communist activist during the consecration of the Eucharist. Witnesses say the assailant fired several times and then shouted from the pulpit: “Long live communism!” The Vatican recognized the act as martyrdom “in hatred of the faith” (“in odium fidei”), paving the way for his beatification. 

The pope emphasized that “his work on behalf of the poor and workers enraged followers of communist ideology.” Inspired by his witness, the pontiff called on priests in particular to give themselves generously for the Gospel and their brothers and sisters. 

Pope Leo XIV also noted the Day of Prayer for the Church in China, observed every May 24, which coincides with the liturgical memorial of Mary Help of Christians, especially venerated at the Shrine of Sheshan near Shanghai. 

Instituted by Benedict XVI, the day sees “prayers rise to God in churches and shrines across China and the world, as a sign of affection for Chinese Catholics and of their communion with the universal Church,” the pope said. He prayed that the Virgin Mary “may obtain for them and for us the grace to be strong and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in trials, always promoting peace and harmony.”

Finally, Pope Leo remembered “all peoples suffering because of war” and praised the “courage and perseverance” of those committed to “dialogue and the sincere search for peace.”

Laudato Si’ at 10 years 

Marking the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the encyclical signed by Pope Francis on May 24, 2015, Pope Leo XIV recalled its global impact: “It has spread widely, inspiring countless initiatives and teaching us all to hear the dual cry of the earth and the poor.” 

He expressed gratitude to those who continue to carry its legacy forward, including the Laudato Si’ Movement. 

The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral on Nov. 29, 2024. / Credit: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Paris, France, May 25, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

The 16th annual Vigil for Life was held in the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on the evening of May 21 as the French Parliament continues to debate legislation that would legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Organized by the bishops of the Île-de-France region, the vigil has taken place annually since 2009. The 2025 edition, which gathered approximately 2,000 faithful, centered on the theme “Builders of Love, Let Us Live in Hope!”

The 2024 edition, also marked by the national conversation on end-of-life issues, carried the theme “When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong” (2 Cor 12:10).

This year’s gathering featured a series of testimonies from individuals with diverse personal and professional backgrounds, offering reflections on the ethical and human dimensions of end-of-life care and the responsibilities society bears toward the most vulnerable. 

The French Church hierarchy has expressed deep concern over the legislative developments, describing them as a potential “anthropological rupture” that threatens the inherent dignity of human life, from conception to natural death.

The bill on end-of-life, currently under parliamentary review, introduces the concept of “assistance in dying,” a term meant to encompass both euthanasia — where a third party directly administers the lethal substance — and assisted suicide, in which the patient takes the final act.  

Adults suffering from a serious, incurable condition causing physical or psychological suffering deemed unbearable would be eligible, subject to medical evaluation. A formal vote on the bill is scheduled for May 27.

Meanwhile, members of Parliament also approved on May 24 the creation of a new offense for hindering access to assisted dying. Such an offense would criminalize any attempt to prevent either the act itself or access to information about it. The provision was modeled on the existing offense of obstructing access to abortion in the country.

Critics of the bill, including Catholic leaders and bioethicists, argue that the vague terminology — particularly surrounding the assessment of “unbearable suffering” — poses serious risks to the value placed on life. They warn that the law could pave the way toward the normalization of assisted death as a standard response to illness or vulnerability.

“If adopted on May 27, this text, among the most permissive in the world, would threaten the most fragile and call into question the respect due to all human life,” the French Bishops’ Conference warned in a statement published last week.

Archbishop Vincent Jordy of Tours, the vice president of the bishops’ conference, described the proposal as a “distortion of fraternity” and called for support for palliative care as the ethical and humane alternative.

During the vigil in Notre-Dame, Auxiliary Bishop Emmanuel Tois of Paris also urged Catholics not only to pray but also to take concrete action: “There are many ways and places where Christians can become more engaged,” he said, encouraging the faithful to write to their lawmakers and engage in dialogue with those around them. 

In his homily, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris denounced the “illusion” of a “soft, chosen death.” 

“It is by twisting the meaning of words that we want people to accept this perspective,” he continued. “To call natural death that which results from the voluntary act that provokes it.” 

“Calling the gesture that kills or the word that leads to it fraternal help. Invoke a right to die when death is an inescapable fact. … To add an offense of obstruction to this right to die; while for decades and still today we have been multiplying driving regulations to avoid fatal accidents on the road, or to protect our brothers and sisters from desperate and suicidal gestures.” 

During the celebration, prayer intentions were placed before the altar, and the liturgy included readings and hymns reflecting the Church’s commitment to defending life. The Eucharistic Prayer for Special Circumstances provided a spiritual focus.  

“Open our eyes to all distress, inspire us with the right word and deed to support our neighbor in sorrow or trial; grant us to serve him with a sincere heart according to the example and words of Christ himself,” the prayer says. 

“Make your Church a place of truth and freedom, of justice and peace, so that all humanity may be reborn to hope.