Even higher numbers were “interested in exploring a deeper spirituality / relationship with God” (84%), “wanted to grow in goodness and virtue” (77%), and “desired a deeper understanding of truth” (76%).

54% of survey participants were women, 55% had earned at least a bachelor’s degree, and 28% had no prior religious affiliation. 34% were from Gen Z, 35% were millennials, 20% from Gen X, and 10% were Boomers. 64% were white, 29% Hispanic, and 3% black.

The survey participants were almost equally divided into non-baptized catechumens, baptized non-Catholic Christians preparing for reception into the Church, and baptized Catholic “reverts” preparing for Confirmation and/or First Communion.

Tornielli wrote that Cardinal Ruini distanced the conference from its emphasis on support for the Christian Democratic Party, instead expressing support for policies—“the defense of marriage, pro-family policies, and freedom of education”—that could be embraced by politicians of various parties.

“It would be truly reductive to view the Cardinal’s work solely or primarily through a political lens,” Tornielli cautioned. “Ruini revitalized the missionary role of parishes and strove to ensure that new Catholic movements and lay associations—despite their differences and distinctive characteristics—all felt part of this renewed drive to proclaim the Gospel.”

Tornielli also recalled that the cardinal undertook a “substantial and meticulous” examination of Medjugorje and, in retirement, “did not hesitate to distance himself respectfully from certain aspects of Francis’s pontificate, while also highlighting areas of agreement.” Cardinal Ruini, added Tornielli, was “uninterested in the resurgence of traditionalism.”

The protests “have caused shortages, economic losses and pain for thousands of families throughout the country,” the bishops noted. “The Church invites the faithful and the entire population to accompany this process with prayer, asking God for the gift of wisdom and concord for those who will participate” in the discussions.

The committee—chaired by Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople—discussed a “revised draft text dealing with the topic of infallibility, considered from both theological and historical perspectives,” according to a statement issued by the dicastery.

The committee will continue discussion of the draft at a meeting planned for June 2027, before submitting it to all the members of the joint international commission.

President José María Balcázar of Peru met with Pope Leo XIV for two hours on June 18 and announced afterwards that the Pontiff will visit the nation for eight to ten days in November.

“The expansion of detention, the limitations on effective remedies and appeals, and the increasing externalization of responsibilities to third countries raise serious ethical and humanitarian questions,” said COMECE’s president, Bishop Mariano Crociata of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno, Italy.

“The European Union was founded on the conviction that human dignity is inviolable and that solidarity among peoples is not an optional ideal but a fundamental responsibility,” he added. “Europe cannot claim to uphold these values while becoming accustomed to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic serving as silent cemeteries for those seeking safety and a future for their families.”

During a June 18 meeting with the prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Pope Leo XIV approved decrees that advanced six beatification causes.

At the funeral Mass of Cardinal Camillo Ruini, celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica on June 18 (video), Pope Leo XIV quoted from the late prelate’s spiritual testament, published online the same day in Italian and English.

Juhana Pohjola, a bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, and Päivi Räsänen, a member of Parliament since 1995 and the nation’s former interior minister (2011-2015), were convicted by the nation’s Supreme Court in a 3-2 decision.

Discussions “focused on victims’ rights, institutional responsibility, justice, and mandatory safeguarding principles grounded in lived experience,” according to the pontifical commission.

According to the pontifical commission, Ending Clergy Abuse called for the “adoption of a universal zero-tolerance canon law on clergy abuse, modelled on existing Vatican-approved norms in the United States.” The pontifical commission, in turn, agreed to continue dialogue on the proposal.

The revised Book VI of the Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope Francis in 2021, provides for a range of penalties for clerics who sexually abuse minors, from deprivation of office to dismissal from the clerical state (Canon 1398). Book VI, however, does not permanently bar all clerics who sexually abuse minors from active ministry, as has been the case in the United States since 2002.