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Former Russian Orthodox ‘foreign minister’ freed after Czech drug probe

Metropolitan Hilarion, once tipped as successor to Patriarch Kirill, was released without charges after Czech police found an unidentified substance in his vehicle.

Leo XIV: Don’t water down Christianity

The pontiff said the Church must respond to religious indifference not by softening the Gospel’s demands but by offering credible witness to Christ.

5 killed, several abducted in fresh attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria

The latest attack occurred on May 21 in the outstation of Kurmin Bongo, in the Dangana District of Kaduna State.

Antoni Gaudí: A model of holiness and dialogue for Spain

Before Pope Leo’s visit to Barcelona, an architect and a priest discuss Antoni Gaudí's holiness and skill, which enabled him to envision Sagrada Família Basilica and transcend deep divisions in Spain.

“Offering Refuge to the Vulnerable and Persecuted Is a Founding Principle of Our Country,” Says Bishop Cahill

WASHINGTON - On May 27, an Emergency Presidential Determination (PD) on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 was published in the Federal Register, based on the President’s finding of “an unforeseen emergency refugee situation.” This new rule will allow 10,000 individuals, exclusively Afrikaners from South Africa, to be admitted to the United States as refugees. 

Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, issued the following statement:  

“Offering refuge to the world’s vulnerable and persecuted is a founding principle of our country and it is uniquely what makes this country great. For decades, the United States was known for offering this opportunity, not favoring one particular group, but granting relief in accordance with our laws, our shared values, and the national interest. Today, however, that is sadly not the case. We appreciate the Administration’s acknowledgement that our country can continue to resettle refugees, and we renew our call for resettlement to be extended further to others in need, including those persecuted on the basis of their faith, the likes of whom have no access to refuge in our country at this time.” 

Last October, Bishop Cahill’s predecessor also addressed the disparate treatment of refugees taking place. In January 2025, the president placed an indefinite suspension to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and set the PD for FY 2026 at 7,500 refugees. Virtually all the refugees resettled were Afrikaners granted individualized exceptions to the suspension. At the time the refugee admissions program was suspended, over 100,000 people from a range of countries had been conditionally approved for refugee status in the United States and were awaiting resettlement through the program, some after being in the process for several years.

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Pope to lead worldwide Rosary for peace in Vatican Gardens

Accompanying his repeated calls for an end to war, Pope Leo XIV will preside over the recitation of the Holy Rosary on May 30 in the Vatican Gardens, with each decade dedicated to people impacted by war—from families torn apart to medical personnel and volunteers.

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Salesian sisters go viral after attending San Antonio Spurs playoff game

Salesian Sisters say their viral appearance at the San Antonio Spurs game has drawn an interest in Catholicism.

Holy See and Italy renewable energy agreement enters into force

After the initial signing in July 2025, the agreement between the Holy See and Italy to build an agrivoltaic plant in the Vatican’s Santa Maria di Galeria area enters into force. The project aims to provide the Vatican City State with renewable energy.

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Attacks in Lebanon intensify causing more death and displacement

As the conflict between the U.S. and Iran enters its fourth month, the Israeli military launches more strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, killing scores of people and deepening the humanitarian crisis.

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Pope to bishops: Church's fruitfulness should not be based on numbers

In an audience with members of the Italian Episcopal Conference at the conclusion of their 82nd General Assembly, Pope Leo urges a “focus on the essential” and keeping the priority on the Gospel, which “awakens us” in today’s world “marked by complexity.”

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