Read & Reflect

The Most Unlikely Disciple and the Importance of Invitation

[Jesus] saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. (Lk. 5:27) Levi the tax collector, also known as Matthew, has one of the greatest conversion stories of all the disciples. Why? Because of all Twelve, Matthew not only lived a sinful life before meeting Jesus—as did most of the rest...

Less Can Be More: When Subtracting Adds to Your Prayer

When a soul falls in love with God there is a strong desire to do everything possible for His greater glory. A Latin motto of the Society of Jesus is Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam which means, “for the greater glory of God.” The soul in love longs for his life to bring God glory, to attract people to His t...

Pope Leo XIV appoints Texas bishop to lead Diocese of Joliet, Illinois

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Brendan Cahill of the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, as the seventh bishop of Joliet, Illinois.Cahill’s appointment, announced by the Vatican on Sept. 17, makes him the successor to then-bishop Ronald Hicks, who led the diocese from 2020 to 2026. The pontiff appointed...

Cardinal Parolin says nations should work together to face the threats of AI

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said nations should work together to face the challenges of artificial intelligence (AI).Parolin expressed his concerns about AI on the sidelines of the conference “Faith and Reason in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” held Sept. 16 in Rome...

St. Peter’s Basilica completes mosaic restoration of ornate chapel dome

St. Peter’s Basilica, which is marking 400 years since its consecration, has completed a mosaic restoration in the dome of one of its most ornate chapels.The Fabbrica di San Pietro — the Vatican institution responsible for maintaining St. Peter’s — announced the project’s completion on Sept. 17. The...

Vatican tells UN: Hate speech is poison that leads to violence and persecution

The Vatican has condemned hate speech to the United Nations (U.N.) as a threat to human dignity and a dangerous source of violence and division among peoples.Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis, the new permanent observer of the Holy See to the U.N., made these remarks on Sept. 17, delivering his...

Pope Leo XIV praises Catholics who led Church in ‘new directions’

Pope Leo XIV on Friday highlighted the contributions of laypeople and religious who helped shape Catholic social teaching and embodied “a Church forging ahead in new directions.”During a Sept. 18 audience with approximately 50 members of the Leo XIV International Study Center, the pope described Chr...

Father Gabriele Amorth remembered as exorcist, spiritual guide, and communicator

ROME — A conference marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Father Gabriele Amorth offered a lesser-known portrait of the celebrated exorcist, highlighting his humanity, spirituality, and gift for communicating the faith.A large audience gathered Sept. 16 at the Basilica of St. Mary Queen of Ap...

The 23 Eastern Catholic Churches: Ancient traditions in communion with Rome

When the Catholic Church is mentioned, many think exclusively of the Latin Church, to which the vast majority of the worldʼs Catholics belong. However, the Catholic Church is actually composed of 24 “sui iuris” or autonomous Churches: the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, which are heir...

Pope Leo XIV appeals for international aid as Somalia crisis deepens

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday appealed for greater international assistance to Somalia, where violence and extreme weather are worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis, particularly for women and children.After reciting the Angelus on Sept. 20, the pope said: “With great concern, I am following the...

[Daily Rosary Meditations] Don't Drink The Poison