In his message for Lent 2025, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of living one’s life as a constant journey of conversion, choosing to walk in peace and hope aside one’s fellow humans. “May the hope that does not disappoint, the central message of the jubilee, be the focus of our Lenten journey toward the victory of Easter,” the pope said in the message, released Tuesday.  He also quoted St. Paul’s exclamation in the first letter to the Corinthians: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? W...

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Father Emil Kapaun celebrates Mass using the hood of a Jeep as his altar on Oct. 7, 1950. | Credit: Public domain Renowned Korean War military chaplain and Kansas native Emil Joseph Kapaun was declared “venerable” by Pope Francis on Tuesday. The Holy Father on Monday met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, substitute for general affairs of the Secretariat of State, at Gemelli Hospital where the pope is currently undergoing medical treatment to approve decrees from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints f...

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Top row from left to right: Niña Ruiz Abad, Marcelo Henrique Câmara, Sister Cecilia María de la Santa Faz. Bottom row from left to right: Víctor Manuel Schiavoni, Chiara Badano, Rebeca Rocamora. Bottom center: Carlos Rodolfo Yaryez | Credit: Courtesy of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Archdiocese of Florianópolis (Brazil), Archdiocese of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, Custodian Movies, Fondazione Chiara Badano and the Archdiocese of Paraná In addition to some young millennials who are now on their way to sainthood, there are also seven members of Gene...

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María Dolores Rosique, known as “Lola” by her family members and friends, is pictured here when she was hospitalized. A second-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis accompanied her at her bedside. | Credit: Courtesy of Lola Rosique With a radiant smile, pediatric physician María Dolores Rosique, who goes by “Lola” among family and friends, recounted with renewed faith her testimony of healing after overcoming aggressive abdominal cancer. She testifies that her recovery began after visiting the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in Assisi, Italy, and placi...

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Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized since Feb. 14, was diagnosed with what is commonly called double pneumonia. His doctors said they have again adjusted the drug regime they are using to treat him. VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After undergoing a CT scan Feb. 18, Pope Francis was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, the Vatican said. "The follow-up chest CT scan which the Holy Father underwent this afternoon," the Vatican bulletin said, "demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia, which required additional drug therapy." "Laboratory tests, c...

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DIOCESE OF NORWICH AND CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS REACH AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FUND FOR SURVIVORS AS DIOCESE SEEKS TO EXIT CHAPTER 11 Joint Statement from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich, Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, the Association of Parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich, and Catholic Mutual Relief Society of America Norwich, CT, February 14, 2025– The Diocese of Norwich, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, the Association of Parishes, and Catholic Mutual Relief Society of America are pleased to announ...

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Pope Francis Names New Bishop for the Diocese of Norwich Reverend Monsignor Richard F. Reidy Appointed as Sixth Bishop   NORWICH, CT – The Diocese of Norwich joyfully welcomes the appointment of Bishop-elect Richard F. Reidy as its sixth bishop. Pope Francis made the official announcement today at noon in Rome (6:00 a.m. Eastern Time). Bishop-elect Reidy comes to Norwich from the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, where he has served faithfully in various pastoral and administrative roles, most recently as Vicar General. His extensive experience in ...

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In his first public appearance as the newly appointed Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Norwich, Monsignor Richard F. Reidy spoke candidly about his unexpected appointment, the challenges facing the diocese, and his commitment to its people. Addressing members of the media at the chancery on Wednesday morning, February 12, Bishop-elect Reidy recounted the moment he received the phone call from Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States. “He told me the Holy Father would like to appoint me to Norwich,” Bishop-elect Reidy said. “I was...

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On February 12, 2025, following a press conference at the Chancery, Bishop-Elect Richard F. Reidy celebrated his first Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. Concelebrating the Mass with him were Monsignor Les Janik, Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte, Father Ted Tumicki, Father Peter Langevin, and Father Brian Romanowski. In his opening remarks, Bishop-Elect Reidy expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and his eagerness to serve the people of Norwich after three decades of priestly ministry in Worcester. During his homily, Bishop-Elect Reidy reflected on the ...

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The Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of the Sick on the Feb. 11 feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.   VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While the Holy Year 2025 refrain, "Hope does not disappoint," can be difficult for those suffering from illness to embrace, Christians are called to recognize God's closeness even in moments of weakness or despair, Pope Francis said. Sickness "becomes an occasion for a transformative encounter" when one is open to God, he wrote in his message for the 33rd World Day of the Sick, observed by the church Feb. 11...

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