Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas said in an interview that “when we have this huge, terrible aggression from the Russian side, as Jesus stresses, this aggression is unable to kill our spiritual life, our eternal life. But there is always a challenge that this military aggression could provoke a reaction in our hearts: disbelief, lost hope, anger towards God and our brothers and sisters.”

Archbishop Kulbokas added:

And what do we pray for? We pray for peace. We pray also for the conversion of Russia. At Fatima, Our Lady insisted on that. The conversion of Russia would be a gift from God—conversion to God, to peace, to respecting human beings.

The court ruled that the saints are “closely affiliated with a particular religion” and that the statues “may convey to observing members of the public implicit government support for that religion and, as a result, subordination of other religions.”

“Quincy’s firefighters and police put their lives on the line for this city every day, and these statues were chosen to honor their bravery, service, and sacrifice,” said Tom Koch, the mayor of the city of 100,000. “This decision is disappointing, but it is preliminary, and we will continue to fight for the ability to commemorate our first responders as the law permits.”

Pope Leo sees the Games as an opportunity to “build bridges between cultures and peoples, promoting hospitality, solidarity, and peace,” Cardinal Parolin wrote.

During his August 16 Angelus, the Pontiff also expressed hope that the event “will be a sign of peace and friendship among the peoples of this region and the entire world.”

“Today, tomorrow, in the time to come, we will undoubtedly have to make courageous choices, perhaps against the tide, starting with those we will make for ourselves,” said Archbishop Laurent Ulrich. “It is thus up to us, first of all, to choose not to ask to benefit from this new ‘right.’”

“Following the decree of schism and excommunication published by the Holy See, I cannot authorize the celebration of the Mass or the other sacraments, not even the public prayers of the Society of St. Pius X within the shrine,” Bishop Micas said in an August 13 statement.

“On the other hand, it is obviously possible that whoever so desires can freely come to the grotto or other places at the shrine to pray privately,” he added. “We are deeply pained by the tearing of Christ’s tunic caused by our divisions.”

The man reportedly used forged documents and simulated the celebration of Mass in three churches, including the cathedral, before he was apprehended.

Sister Aicha Settimia Canté’s profession of temporary vows “attracted offensive comments, personal attacks and hate speech on social media, particularly because of her father’s identity as an imam and her decision to embrace Catholic Religious life,” ACI Africa reported.

The National Confederation of Islamic Youth came to Sister Canté’s defense: the organization stated that there is “no compulsion in religion” and expressed “deep concern over the wave of offensive comments, personal attacks and hate speech.”

Guinea-Bissau, a nation of 2.2 million (map), is 46% Muslim, 40% ethnic religionist, and 13% Christian (9% Catholic).

The resource includes the regular Sunday Scripture readings, suggested petitions for the prayer of the faithful, a prayer of blessing for those struggling with mental health issues, and a prayer of blessing for caretakers and mental health ministers.

President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon called on Pope Leo XIV to press Israel to abide by a June agreement to withdraw its forces from Lebanon. The Vatican responded by stating that the Holy See has “serious concerns about the difficulties that are being encountered in implementing” the agreement and that it “assured the President of its support for efforts in this regard.”

“The SSPX is not the solution, and we should not drive the faithful who are dissatisfied with the liturgical reform or with what they often see in parishes into its arms,” Bishop Marian Eleganti, O.S.B., said in an interview. “The SSPX is schismatic and will remain just another Christian denomination.”

Bishop Eleganti also spoke about the Petrine ministry:

I have the impression that popes have too little time for prayer, reflection, study and leadership. They are constrained by a schedule of audiences, greetings, liturgical celebrations and trips. John Paul II was almost always travelling. But the Curia needs the presence and leadership of the Pope. Others have filled that gap.

I now have the impression that, because of the high bar set by John Paul II, there has been almost a compulsion to travel—or at least the impression that a pope must show himself everywhere. For me, it is enough if he teaches the faith and is a rock in doing so.