The Catholic Sun

ROME (CNS) -- In carrying Jesus through the city streets in a Corpus Christi procession, Christians are called to be witnesses of his love, sharing both their material and spiritual gifts, Pope Leo XIV said. A procession with the Eucharist is a way to present Jesus "to the hearts of those who believe, so that they may believe more firmly" and "to the hearts of those who do not believe, so that they may reflect on the hunger present within them and the bread that alone can satisfy it," the pope said in his homily June 22.

ROME (CNS) -- People must work together to find solutions to today's conflicts, Pope Leo XIV said. Renewing an appeal for peace, he underlined the importance of trying "at all costs to avoid the use of weapons and seek dialogue through diplomatic means" during a brief interview with the Italian state television station, RAI Uno. "We can come together to look for solutions. So many innocent people are dying, and we need to always promote peace," he said June 19, responding to a journalist's question about current world crises.

More than 30 people gathered in the Virginia G. Piper Chapel at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in downtown Phoenix on Thursday, with more than...

Read the pastoral letter from Bishop John Dolan, Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares and Bishop Emeritus Thomas J. Olmsted addressing the pressing issue of immigration...

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Scientific discovery and knowledge are meant to benefit all of humanity, Pope Leo XIV told young astronomers. "Be generous in sharing what you learn and what you experience, as best you can and however you can," he told them during an audience at the Vatican June 16. The pope spoke to dozens of young astronomy students and scholars who were taking part in a monthlong summer school sponsored by the Vatican Observatory and held at the observatory's headquarters in Castel Gandolfo, outside of Rome.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As conflict in the Middle East escalated with Israeli airstrikes on nuclear sites in Iran and retaliatory drone attacks on Israel, Pope Leo XIV appealed for restraint and renewed the church's calls for nuclear disarmament and peaceful dialogue. Speaking to pilgrims at the end of a special Jubilee audience June 14, the pope expressed deep concern over the "seriously deteriorating" situation in the Middle East, warning of the consequences of further escalation. "I want to strongly renew an appeal to responsibility and reason," he said.

This week, something historic is unfolding for the Diocese of Phoenix.   Eight young adults and four mentors have embarked on a two-week trip to Nairobi, Kenya, as the inaugural participants of Engage Your Equal (E.Y.E.), a new diocesan initiative created by Bishop John Dolan to foster global solidarity, faith-based leadership and cross-cultural dialogue — all along equipping young adults to embody the universality of the Catholic Church.   Catch up on part one of the coverage here.  

Mother Teresa was one of the most well-known figures in the world.  At just under five feet, her small stature and blue-striped sari were recognized across cultures, oceans and belief systems. She's especially known for spending much of her life serving the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta, India. It was in these overcrowded, unsanitary and severely underserved neighborhoods that she spent her days accompanying the dying, tending to the wounded and feeding the hungry. 

In this Jubilee Year, one of Pope Francis’ 10 hopes is for youth and young adults to experience the joy and beauty of living the Gospel. Four young adults share the stories of their unique journeys to finding hope and fulfillment in God. 

The Diocese of Phoenix, continuing as one of the nation’s fastest-growing in the U.S., welcomed two new men to the priesthood Saturday.  Deacons Jacob Chavez and Connor Companik were ordained by Bishop John Dolan before an estimated 1,500 worshippers at All Saints Church in Mesa, Ariz., in a ceremony marked by Church tradition and an air of joy.  Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares and Bishop Emeritus Thomas Olmsted concelebrated.