Pope Leo Begins Lenten Retreat Led by Bishop Erik Varden
Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian from Trondheim, Norway, is leading the Lenten spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia, which are taking place Feb. 22–27 at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV began a Lenten retreat with the Roman Curia at the Vatican on Sunday. Cistercian Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway, is leading the spiritual exercises […]
Pope Leo: Don’t Use AI to Write Homilies, Use Your Brain
Here’s what Leo said in a private Q-and-A with priests this week. In a private exchange with priests of the Diocese of Rome on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV responded to four questions, advising them on prayer, study, and priestly fraternity. The off-camera moment took place after Leo gave a public speech to the priests, inviting […]
Assisi: Thousands Venerate St. Francis’ Relics in Historic Viewing
Nearly 400,000 people are expected to venerate the saint’s relics while on public display through March 22. Hundreds of pilgrims lined up before dawn on Sunday to be among the first to pray before the exposed relics of St. Francis in his basilica in Assisi, Italy. The saint’s bones will lie in a glass box […]
Pope Leo XIV: Freedom Is Saying Yes to God
During a Lenten pastoral stop near Rome’s Termini station, the pope joked that he once considered joining the Salesians: “They came in second place, sorry!” Pope Leo XIV on Sunday visited Rome’s Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in the central Castro Pretorio neighborhood, steps from Termini station, telling parishioners that true freedom “is fulfilled by […]
Vatican to Use AI to Translate St. Peter’s Masses Live
Mass attendees at St. Peter’s Basilica will be able to understand the readings, chants, and prayers live and in their own languages with a new AI-assisted translation system. This spring, the Vatican will debut a simultaneous translation system assisted by artificial intelligence, allowing people to follow liturgical celebrations in St. Peter’s Basilica in real time […]
The Popes Theologian
When Lent begins in the Vatican, the rhythm of life within the Apostolic Palace changes. The Holy Father withdraws for the annual Spiritual Exercises, praying alongside cardinals, bishops, and members of the Roman Curia. Among them is a quiet but crucial figure: the Theologian of the Papal Household. Considered part of the so-called “papal family,” […]
Windows of Life in Rome: Baby Boxes
Today, the Tiber River offers one of Rome’s most picturesque views. Tourists stroll along its banks, and locals pass by without a second thought. But in the Middle Ages, its waters carried a darker story. At the end of the 12th century, Pope Innocent III learned that newborn babies—especially those born into poverty or to […]
A Scouts Gift for Pope Leo XIV
During Pope Leo XIV’s pastoral visit to the parish of Ostia, three young scouts approached the Holy Father with a simple but meaningful gift: a scout neckerchief, the symbol they treasure most as part of their uniform. Pope Leo responded by pointing to the spiritual heart of what scouting can represent—young people gathered together in […]
Lent’s Quiet Shift Inside the Vatican
Purple vestments, stripped altars, and the scent of incense mark the Church’s entrance into Lent. Inside the Vatican, the season brings a noticeable change in rhythm: the pace slows, public activity eases, and attention turns inward. Pope Leo’s Lent in the Vatican As Fr. Wojciech Giertych, Theologian of the Papal Household, explains, Lent is reflected […]
SSPX to Consecrate Bishops Without Vatican Approval
The SSPX refused to postpone the July 1 consecrations as a condition of doctrinal talks. Canon law foresees automatic excommunication for bishops involved in unauthorized episcopal consecrations. The Priestly Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) says it will proceed with plans to consecrate new bishops on July 1 without a pontifical mandate, despite a Vatican […]