Read & Reflect
Articles, reflections, news, and homilies — thoughtful Catholic content for the faithful, published regularly.
Vatican News
Vatican News
Pope Leo: Child migrants are too easily ignored by society
Pope Leo XIV has appealed to all people to recognize the suffering of child migrants, noting that they are often the most vulnerable during mass migration.In a message published by the Vatican on Aug. 14, the pope reflected on the theme for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, “Even Just On...
Vatican News
Marian dogmas: What every Catholic should know
The solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Aug. 15 is an opportune time to deepen our love for the Mother of God by understanding the “place” God has assigned her for our spiritual benefit and eternal salvation.Mary’s assumption into heaven is a dogma of faith for Catholics. Churc...
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV: Mary shows that ‘true beauty’ is found in ‘the light of the Risen Lord’
Pope Leo XIV on Aug. 15 called on Catholics to look to Mary, the Mother of God as an example of “true beauty,” with the Holy Father pointing to her youthful appearance in sacred art as a sign of “love that never ends.” The Holy Father delivered the homily during Mass at the Pontifical Parish of Sain...
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV sends 100,000 euros to Church in Colombia to aid earthquake victims
Pope Leo XIV has directed the Office of Papal Charities to send 100,000 euros ($115,345) to the Catholic Church in Colombia to aid those affected by the Aug. 10 earthquake, which struck several cities in the western part of the country.As reported by Vatican News, the donation was confirmed on the w...
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV: Attendance at Sunday Mass cannot be replaced by virtual participation
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has urged Catholics to prioritize attending Sunday Mass, warning that active participation in the Eucharist cannot be replaced by virtual gatherings.“I urge everyone to seek the best possible conditions so that even those who are unable to take time off work on Sundays ma...
Vatican News
EWTN News explains: Canon law and how it applies to Catholics
Pope Leo XIV is a pope of several firsts: the first American pope, the first to be an Augustinian, and the first in modern times to have done overseas missionary work.He is also the first pontiff in nearly 50 years to have studied and worked as a canon lawyer, holding a doctorate in canon law from t...
Vatican News
7 things to know about St. Clare of Assisi, the patron saint of television
On Aug. 11, the Catholic Church celebrates St. Clare of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints of the Middle Ages. Best known as the founder of the Poor Clares and a close friend of St. Francis of Assisi, Clareʼs life was marked by radical trust in God, profound Eucharistic devotion, and remarkable...
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV appoints new members to Vatican’s Council for the Economy
Pope Leo XIV on Aug. 11 named eight new members, including four laypeople, to the Council for the Economy, the body that oversees the administrative and financial structures and activities of the Roman Curia and institutions connected to the Holy See.The council also approves the annual budget and t...
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV expresses sorrow for the victims of earthquake in Colombia
Amid the devastation of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Aug. 10, Pope Leo XIV has sent his condolences to all victims of the disaster and assured them of his closeness.In a telegram dated Aug. 11 and signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope expressed...
Vatican News
Pope chooses theme on AI and war for World Day of Peace 2027
Pope Leo XIV has chosen “Disarming Technology, Serving Peace. Politics as Preventive Responsibility” as the theme of the 2027 World Day of Peace. The theme will be part of the celebrations for the 60th World Day of Peace, observed on Jan. 1, 2027, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human...
Vatican News
EWTN News explains: What does it mean that the pope is both head of state and head of the Church?
Unique among world leaders, the pope serves simultaneously as the universal spiritual head of the Catholic Church and as the head of the Holy See, a distinct sovereign entity under international law that serves as the central government of the Catholic Church.So what do these multiple roles mean in...
Vatican News
Why the feast of St. Dominic is not actually the Dominicans’ biggest feast day
Aug. 8 marks the feast day of St. Dominic, the 13th-century priest known for founding the Order of Preachers, commonly called the Dominicans, and for spreading devotion to the rosary.Surprisingly, though, the Dominicans don’t usually do much to celebrate the saint’s Aug. 8 feast day.While the August...