Pope asks Michael Bublé and other artists to give their best for the poor
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV asked Canadian singer Michael Bublé and other artists to do their very best when performing a Christmas concert for the poor. The annual concert at the Vatican “is not merely a performance by talented artists or simply a musical event, beautiful as it may be, nor even a moment of solidarity to ease our conscience in the face of society’s injustices,” the pope told Bublé and the other artists Dec. 5.
Generating life requires having hope in life’s meaning, pope said
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A “sickness” that is widespread in the world is not believing in the meaning and beauty of life, and, consequently, lacking the courage to live and to generate life, Pope Leo XIV said. To generate life “means to trust in the God of life and to promote humanity in all its expressions: first and foremost, in the wonderful adventure of motherhood and fatherhood,” the pope said Nov. 26 at his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square. And to generate life is also “to be committed to an economy based on solidarity, striving for a common good equally enjoyed by all, respecting and caring for creation, offering comfort through listening, presence and concrete and selfless help,” he said in his main catechesis.
Mysticism is a spiritual gift that always bears good fruit, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Catholic who reported having had some sort of mystical experience is not automatically a candidate for sainthood, Pope Leo XIV said, but such a report is not a reason to dismiss a candidate either. Mysticism is “an experience that surpasses mere rational knowledge –not because of the merit of the one who lives it, but through a spiritual gift that may manifest itself in different, even apparently opposite, ways, such as radiant visions or deep darkness, afflictions or ecstasies,” the pope said.
Seeing everyone as a brother or sister is part of Christianity, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Being a Christian means recognizing every person as a brother or sister and always being ready to lend a helping hand, Pope Leo XIV said .”Brothers and sisters support each other in hardship, they do not turn their back on those who are in need, and they weep and rejoice together in the active pursuit of unity, trust and mutual reliance,” the pope said Nov. 12 at his weekly general audience. Continuing his series of audience talks on “Jesus our hope,” the pope said he wanted to look specifically at Jesus’ command to his followers that they love one another.
Bishop Dolan speaks on mental health in Rome
Bishop John Dolan visited with Pope Leo XIV this morning after his weekly General Audience before St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Tonight, and tomorrow, Bishop Dolan will be one of the keynote speakers at an international conference in Rome on mental health. The three-day conference is organized by the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (ACMHM) under the patronage of the Pontifical Academy for Life. People from all over the world involved in the pastoral care of mental health have gathered for the conference in Pius X Hall, located on via dell’Ospedale. Today’s talk from Bishop Dolan will be on his personal reflection on Our Holy Father’s November Prayer Intention and tomorrow he will share practical approaches on mental health, specifically tied to the historic Office of Mental Health Ministry in the Diocese of Phoenix, which opened in December of 2022.
Diocese of Phoenix & Bishop Dolan collaborate with Pope Leo XIV & Vatican on Mental Health
In an ongoing effort to accompany those with mental health challenges, the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix is collaborating with the Vatican and Pope Leo XIV on two major global initiatives this week; producing a video that will be distributed globally, and Phoenix Bishop John Dolan will be a featured speaker in Rome around mental health discussions at a three-day conference.
Faith thrives in community, not isolation, pope tells young adults
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV encouraged an international group of young adults to reach out to their peers and invite them to be active members of a parish community rather than trying to live their faith alone. The pope met Oct. 31 with members of the International Youth Advisory Body, a group of 20 young adults from around the world who serve three-year terms as advisers to the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. The North American members are Sally Yasmine from the Archdiocese of Montreal and Wyatt Olivas from the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Gen-Z should be known as Gen+ for what they can add to the world, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Young people must take control of technology and “humanize” online spaces to be friendly, creative places — not isolated echo chambers, forms of addiction or ways to escape, Pope Leo XIV said. “Instead of being tourists on the web, be prophets in the digital world!” he told thousands of students gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall Oct. 30. “How wonderful it would be if one day your generation were remembered as the ‘generation plus,'” he told the mostly Gen-Z crowd to applause, “remembered for the extra drive you brought to the church and the world.”
Hope doesn’t mean having all the answers, but having trust, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Living in hope means accepting that one does not have answers to all questions and staying calm amid conflicts and tensions, Pope Leo XIV said. “We do not have the answers to all the questions already. But we have Jesus. We follow Jesus. And so, we hope for what we do not yet see,” the pope told pilgrims at a special Jubilee general audience Oct. 25. In the pope’s brief remarks, he offered pilgrims the example of Nicholas of Cusa, a German cardinal and papal diplomat in the 1400s, which the pope described as “an equally troubled age” of wars between nations and divisions among Christians.
Pope to issue document on Catholic education, name St. Newman co-patron
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV will issue a document on Catholic education Oct. 28, marking the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on education, a top Vatican official said. Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, also told reporters Oct. 22 that in the document Pope Leo will name St. John Henry Newman “co-patron” of Catholic education.
