Edition of Saturday, September 26

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided over the beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on September 24, 2026, at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Acting as the papal envoy, Tagle led the liturgy for the American archbishop, who was recognized for his missionary work through radio and television.

During his homily, Tagle stated that Sheen’s blessedness came from a Christ-centered mission defined by humility and care for the poor rather than his widespread fame. Tagle recalled Sheen describing himself as a porter who helped lead people to the door of God’s house. The ceremony was attended by approximately 50,000 worshippers from 49 states and 10 countries, including 89 bishops, 1,000 priests, 250 deacons, and 850 seminarians.

In an apostolic letter, Pope Leo XIV described Sheen as an untiring preacher of the Gospel through modern communication and a dedicated pastor. Sheen, who served as the bishop of Rochester starting in 1966, became a well-known figure through his television program "Life Is Worth Living" between 1952 and 1957. He received an Emmy Award for his television work in 1953.

Pope Leo XIV prayed for the sick, the suffering, and the people of France during his visit to the Grotto of the Apparitions in Lourdes on September 26, 2026. During the visit, which marked his first trip to the shrine during his pontificate, the pope knelt before an image of Our Lady of Lourdes and presented the Virgin Mary with a golden rose as a symbol of devotion.

While at the grotto, the pope touched the rock wall, lit a candle, and drank water from the site's spring, which was offered to him by the rector, Father Michel Daubanes. In his prayers, the pope asked the Virgin Mary to watch over France to promote harmony and unity, and he prayed for government leaders, the defense of human rights, and the right to life. He also requested that Christian families experience renewed faith and openness to life, specifically asking for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

The pilgrimage took place at a shrine that has recorded more than 7,000 healings since 1858, with 72 officially recognized as miracles by the International Medical Committee of Lourdes. The visit concluded with the crowd praying the Our Father together in Latin.

French President Emmanuel Macron will not attend any of the three major public Masses celebrated by Pope Leo XIV during the pontiff's visit to France from September 25 to 28, according to the Elysée Palace.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and the president's wife, Brigitte Macron, will represent the president at the Saturday Mass at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. The Pope is scheduled to celebrate additional Masses at the sanctuary in Lourdes on Sunday and at the cathedral in Metz on Monday.

While Macron is skipping the liturgical celebrations, he will participate in official state functions. He is scheduled to receive the Pope at Orly airport on Friday and will host him at the Elysée Palace, where the Pope will deliver a speech to government officials, the diplomatic corps, and civil society representatives. Macron is also expected to participate in the visit's stage in Metz on Monday.

The Elysée Palace has denied media reports suggesting tensions or disagreements between the Holy See and the presidency regarding the visit's itinerary.

Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda SAC, chairman of the Polish Episcopal Conference, is praying for those affected by an attack at the Abbey in Jarosław on September 24.

According to the Polish Episcopal Conference and Opoka, a man from Ukraine killed a priest and injured others during the incident. Archbishop Wojda expressed his sorrow and asked for prayers so that God might help those suffering through the painful experience. He also requested prayers to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.

Pope Leo XIV met with members of the Provincial Synodal Assembly, catechumens, and newly baptized Christians at the Catholic Institute of Paris on September 26, 2026. During the meeting, the Pope received the Instrumentum Laboris, a document representing the collective work and listening of the People of God within the assembly.

The assembly is currently reflecting on the life of the Church and pastoral methods for welcoming those entering the faith. Vatican News reported that the Pope emphasized the importance of supporting adults who are discovering or returning to the Christian faith, noting that the increasing number of people seeking baptism presents a renewed opportunity and pastoral responsibility for the Church.

The meeting took place at the Catholic Institute of Paris, an institution the Pope greeted alongside its faculty, students, and staff. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris hosted the gathering, noting the historical and spiritual significance of the location.