All articles tagged with #pope leo xiv
During the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV urged the international community to mobilize aid and involve local communities to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has claimed more than 2,500 lives out of about 5,300 cases amid conflict; he also prayed for the victims of a mining collapse in the Central African Republic.
Pope Leo XIV urged Christians to embrace mercy, encounter and dialogue to counter war and polarization, delivering his message during Rimini’s major Catholic gathering and a San Marino visit. He warned against militarized cultures, stressed human dignity from conception to natural death, and called on young Catholics to engage with society, framing youth as a beacon of hope for the future.
Pope Leo XIV issued a letter to Cardinal Roche urging priests and the faithful to respect liturgical rites promulgated by Paul VI and John Paul II, emphasize ongoing liturgical formation, and cultivate humility and ecclesial unity. He cites Pope Francis’ Desiderio Desideravi and calls for concrete formation paths at all levels, including forming Sunday Mass as a central, formative celebration, with a reminder that in-person worship remains essential despite modern trends. The letter coincides with a liturgical-formation conference in Oregon led by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship.
Pope Leo XIV told attendees at a Vatican-organized gathering in Oregon that Sunday Mass should form Catholics through reverent worship, emphasizing fidelity to liturgical norms and the need for ongoing liturgical formation of priests and laypeople in light of Desiderio Desideravi.
At Rate Field, the White Sox hosted a pope-themed night, giving away 40,000 pope hats in honor of Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost), the first American pope. The event featured Catholic traditions including a fifth-inning Sign of Peace led by Rev. Tom Hurley of Most Holy Redeemer Church, a first pitch by Sister Mary Jo Sobieck, and a $14,000 donation to the Midwest Augustinians. Prevost, born in Bronzeville and raised on the South Side, has Chicago connections including a mural at the ballpark. The Sox fell to the Reds 5-4.
The Chicago White Sox will give every fan a Pope hat and stage a Pope Leo XIV–themed night at Rate Field when they host the Cincinnati Reds, featuring on-field recognition by Catholic groups, performances by the ChiTown Popes, organist Nancy Faust, and a ceremonial first pitch by Sister Mary Jo Sobieck.
The Chicago White Sox announced a Tuesday Pope Hat giveaway night at Rate Field, expected to hand out about 40,000 Pope Hats, plus a pregame program honoring the Augustinian order and Pope Leo XIV (including a $14,000 donation by Chicago White Sox Charities), a ceremonial first pitch by Sister Mary Jo Sobieck, and other pope-themed festivities and in-game tributes; tickets and commemorative options are available at whitesox.com.
At Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV hosted a lunch for about 200 poor people and urged the Church to open its doors and actively eliminate the causes of poverty and injustices, calling for a bridge-building approach and a Church of justice, peace, and authentic charity; Cardinal Fabio Baggio added that no one is superfluous, noting this is the pope's second such gathering since his pontificate began.
Pope Leo XIV visited Lampedusa, thanking islanders and migrants for their solidarity amid Europe’s migration challenges, urged everyone to persevere beyond divisions, and highlighted the island’s role as a beacon of fraternity at the Mediterranean frontier.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams sent a signed Chicago Bears jersey to Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and Bears fan; the white jersey with orange numbers is described as a sneak preview of Nike’s Rivalries uniforms, prompting talk of a possible leak.
Pope Leo XIV will spend July resting at Castel Gandolfo’s Apostolic Palace from July 5 to July 27, with all general, private, and special audiences suspended; Angelus prayers will be recited from Castel Gandolfo on Sundays, continuing a summer routine that includes light public engagements during rest periods.
On July 4, Pope Leo XIV visited Lampedusa and urged the United States to welcome and protect immigrants, stressing human dignity and noting that generations of migrants helped shape America. He criticized harsh migration policies in the U.S. and Europe and called for more compassionate, integrated approaches, using Lampedusa’s role as a gateway to Europe to underscore the need for humane migration solutions amid rising anti-migrant sentiment.
In a letter released to mark America’s 250th birthday, the first U.S.-born pope praises the nation’s founding ideals but stresses that defending human life includes welcoming immigrants, signaling a clash with Trump’s immigration crackdown and highlighting Vatican concerns about migrants and humanitarian needs.
At the Aspen Ideas Festival, Peter Thiel warned of a Western AI race with China, accused Pope Leo XIV of unintentionally aiding Chinese interests by calling for global AI oversight, and predicted a democratic-socialist takeover of the Democratic Party. He defended Palantir’s independence from the US deep state and contrasted Western institutions with Europe’s bureaucracy as he discussed the future of AI and democracy.
The Vatican declared the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) in schism and excommunicated four bishops who ordained new bishops without papal approval, along with the two bishops who participated. The decree also says priests and lay members who formally adhere to the SSPX are excommunicated, and any marriages or confessions performed by the group will be considered invalid. Pope Leo XIV had warned the ordinations would be a “schismatic” act, and Cardinal Parolin expressed sorrow, emphasizing the church’s intent to preserve unity while welcoming those who seek full communion in the future.