Catholic news today

Anthony Esolen argues that Western culture is facing demographic and spiritual decline by choosing materialism over traditional family life.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services celebrated Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Roberto de Mattei wrote an article for Rorate Caeli discussing assisted suicide and the despair of the current era.

Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo urged Christians to strengthen their spiritual lives to resist the pressures of social media and artificial intelligence. Speaking during a homily at the 2026 Second Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria in the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo on September 12, he advised believers to build an inner castle to remain firm when technology attempts to shake their faith.

Bishop Badejo warned that while technology changes the world, it can leave human beings stranded if it weakens their relationship with God. He connected the biblical warning against idolatry to the excessive or inappropriate use of digital tools, noting that technology can become an idol when it takes the place of God or harms connections with others. He described idolatry as the abuse, misuse, overuse, or underuse of any resource.

The bishop's remarks followed discussions among Nigerian Catholic priests regarding the responsible use of social media. He reminded the faithful that they belong to Christ and are called to live according to his teachings while remaining united as one body.

Archbishop Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, has called on Catholic priests to use social media with prudence, charity, and responsibility. Speaking at a meeting in Ede on September 11, the Archbishop of Kaduna said a priest's public presence should strengthen the Church's witness instead of promoting themselves or causing division.

The remarks came during a biennial meeting between the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association and the Catholic bishops of Nigeria. The gathering, held at the Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, focused on the theme of priests acting as non-partisan mobilizers for credible elections ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections.

Archbishop Ndagoso told priests they should help the faithful make responsible civic choices without acting as political brokers or campaign agents. He stated that priests should mobilize Catholics by promoting principles rather than political parties, helping people reject violence, corruption, and vote-buying. He described the role of a priest as a minister of Christ called to form consciences and speak moral truth.

Bishop Alexis Youlo Touabli urged young Catholics in West Africa to use their faith and talents to build a united and responsible continent during the closing Mass of the first West African Youth Day. Speaking at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Accra on September 11, the President of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA) told the participants that they carry the light of a new Africa.

The weeklong event, which ran from September 7 to 11, brought together approximately 3,071 young people from 16 different countries. Bishop Touabli described the gathering as a sign of brotherhood that crosses national, cultural, and linguistic borders. He stated that the assembly provided an opportunity for the youth to encounter Jesus Christ, the Church, and each other.

During the celebration, the bishop noted that participants were strengthened by the Word of God, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He encouraged the youth to activate their potential to ensure Africa earns respect from other continents.

Catholic youth from across West Africa gathered in Accra, Ghana, for the first West African Youth Day, which concluded on September 11. During the closing Mass at the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the Accra Archdiocese, Archbishop Julien Kaboré, the Apostolic Nuncio in Ghana, urged young people to reject violence, hatred, and manipulation.

Archbishop Kaboré told the participants to act as builders of peace and agents of hope. He noted that the gathering brought together young people from different dioceses, cultures, and languages who share a common identity as West Africans. He stated that the future of the 16 countries in the region depends on how young people use their energy and talents for the common good.

The event, held from September 7 to 11, centered on the theme of encouraging Catholic youth to take courage despite the fears and uncertainties facing their generation. Archbishop Kaboré reminded the attendees that Christ is with them and encouraged them to embrace their responsibility to the region.

Sister Renée Mirkes suggests that the 2026 Netflix reboot of Little House on the Prairie offers a timely teaching moment for addressing modern debates over femininity, domestic life, and the meaning of home.

A federal judge temporarily blocked Illinois from enforcing its physician assisted suicide law against Catholic health providers that challenged the measure in court on Sept. 11. The law allows doctors to help terminally ill adults end their lives.

The film The Uprising, directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Andrew Garfield, Thomasin McKenzie, and Jamie Bell, depicts the Catholic influences within a 14th-century peasant revolt.

Brother Maciej from the Taizé community has asked residents of Łódź to open their homes to thousands of young pilgrims attending the 49th European Youth Meeting at the end of the year. Eighteen international volunteers have already arrived in the city to begin preparations.

More than 200 scholarship recipients from the Dzieło Nowego Tysiąclecia Foundation gathered in Myczkowce for a camp held from September 3 to 11. The group, consisting of high school graduates, participated in the event under the theme "Life – an unfinished project."

The camp included prayer, formation, mountain hiking, discussions, and games to help participants build relationships. For some students, this was their first trip with the foundation, while others had visited the location previously.

Pope Leo XIV will visit Metz on Sept. 28 during a trip to France from Sept. 25 to 28 to highlight European peace, according to the postulator of the Schuman cause.

Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba of the Catholic Archdiocese of Saurimo will preside over the International Anniversary Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. The pilgrimage is scheduled for September 12 and 13 and is expected to gather people from around the world at the Fatima shrine.

In an audio message released Friday, September 11, the President of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe described the invitation as an honor and a chance to serve the universal Church. He noted that the international gathering provides a unique moment for both the Church in Portugal and the global Church.

Archbishop Imbamba said the event offers pilgrims an opportunity to live and renew their faith through the message of Fatima. He noted that the pilgrimage comes during a time when the world faces increasing violence.

Pope Leo XIV urged Catholic youths from 16 West African countries not to lose hope during the first West African Youth Days in Accra, Ghana.

Bishop Estêvão Binga of the Diocese of Ganda urged nine novices of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena to stay faithful to their religious vocation during a ceremony on September 11. The event, held at St. Francis of Assisi Luongo Parish in the Diocese of Benguela, marked the moment the women made their temporary vows.

During his homily, Bishop Binga told the women they should not abandon their commitments when facing difficulties in parish service, pastoral ministry, or community life. He stated that their religious response must be proven through their daily actions.

The bishop described temporary profession as a new stage of formation rather than a conclusion. He noted that as the women move from the novitiate into different communities and apostolic service, their fidelity will be tested by real circumstances. He encouraged the nine women to continue progressing in their vocation after completing their novitiate.

Pope Leo XIV will attend World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea, from August 3 to 8, 2027. This will be the first World Youth Day for the Pope as the successor of Peter.

Young musicians from the Mozarteum's Bella Musica orchestra performed a concert in the Vatican featuring the works of Mozart. The performance included the use of two violins that once belonged to the composer.

Vatican Radio broadcast the concert on September 12 as part of its musical segment, Scrigno musicale. The program traced the creative development of the composer, moving from his early virtuoso works to his more mature compositions.

Archbishop Ronald Hicks joined other faith leaders at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in New York to honor victims of the September 11 attacks. The memorial service focused on resilience and unity at the site of the only house of worship destroyed during the attacks.

Pope Leo XIV addressed more than 100 participants of the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum symposium during an audience in the Clementine Hall on Saturday, September 12.

The Pope described the efforts of the group to remain deeply rooted in Christ and to act as living, praying witnesses throughout the world as a prophetic gift. He spoke to the attendees during a time characterized by a thirst for authentic life and peace.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Cardinal Mario Grech as a special envoy to Slovakia to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the canonical establishment of the Diocese of Spiš.

The celebration is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, at St. Martin's Cathedral in Spišská Kapitula. Cardinal Grech serves as the general secretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod.

The Deputazione Permanente met in Tarnow, Poland, from September 10 to 15, 2026. Father Michele Nicolis, the Procurator General, stated the meeting included prayer for one another.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Jean Pelletier as the new bishop of Mende.

Pelletier is the second diocesan bishop named by Leo XIV. He will lead the diocese in Lozère, a department located south of the Massif Central. The area has a population of just over 75,000 people, making it the least populated department in France. The Catholic population in the diocese is estimated at approximately 50,000 faithful.