St. Andrew Catholic Church

The first photo of Pope Francis since he entered Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025. / Credit: Holy See Press Office

Vatican City, Mar 16, 2025 / 15:31 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday, Feb. 14, to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis.

Follow here for the latest news on his health and hospitalization:

First photo of Pope Francis since entering hospital

The Vatican has shared the first photo of Pope Francis since he entered the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14.

“This morning, Pope Francis concelebrated Holy Mass in the chapel of the tenth-floor apartment at the Gemelli Polyclinic,” according to a statement from the Vatican Press Office.

In the photo, the Holy Father can be seen seated before the altar of the chapel where he concelebrated the Eucharist. The Vatican also reported that "the Pope's condition remains stable" and after concelebrating Sunday Mass, "he is continuing with the prescribed therapies”, including respiratory and physical therapy.

Pope Francis did not receive any visitors Sunday, instead dedicating the day to "prayer, rest, and some work."

The first photo of Pope Francis since he entered Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025. / Credit: Holy See Press Office

Lima Newsroom, Mar 16, 2025 / 15:21 pm (CNA).

The Vatican has released the first photo of Pope Francis since he entered the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14.

“This morning, Pope Francis concelebrated Holy Mass in the chapel of the tenth-floor apartment at the Gemelli Polyclinic,” according to a statement from the Vatican Press Office.

In the photo, the Holy Father can be seen seated before the altar of the chapel where he concelebrated the Eucharist, in what is the first image of the Pontiff since he was admitted to the hospital, first suffering from bronchitis and then pneumonia.

The Vatican also reported that "the Pope's condition remains stable" and after concelebrating Sunday Mass, "he is continuing with the prescribed therapies” including respiratory and physical therapy.

Pope Francis did not receive any visitors Sunday, instead dedicating the day to "prayer, rest, and some work."

The Vatican Press Office further indicated that tomorrow, Monday, "there will also be no medical bulletin. The Press Office will provide some general information to journalists in the afternoon."

The head of Kočani Hospital, pictured above, said most of the fire victims being treated are aged between 14 to 25 years old, many of whom suffered burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. / Credit: Dandarmkd, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Vatican City, Mar 16, 2025 / 14:04 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis prays for victims of a nightclub fire which has left at least 59 people dead and an additional 155 people injured in the town of Kočani in North Macedonia. 

The Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin shared the Holy Father’s condolences for fire victims and their families through a telegram addressed to the country’s Bishop Kiro Stojanov of Skopje.  

“His Holiness assures remembrance in prayer for those who lost their lives, while invoking heavenly comfort for those who suffer the consequences of such a harsh trial,” states the March 15 telegram. 

The Holy Father wanted the bishop of Skopje “to convey to the families of the dead, mostly young people, the expression of his deep condolence” along with “spiritual closeness to the wounded.”  

The deadly blaze broke out early Sunday morning when indoor fireworks were lit during a concert by DNK, a local hip hop duo, at Pulse nightclub, according to Al Jazeera. 

North Macedonia’s Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski told journalists more than 1,000 young people were at the music establishment when the ceiling caught on fire and “rapidly spread across the whole discotheque, creating thick smoke.” 

Kristina Serafimovska, head of Kočani Hospital, said most fire victims being treated are aged between 14 to 25 years old, many of whom suffered burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. 

On X, North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Timco Mucunski said the country is coordinating with institutions and “neighbors to ensure additional medical support if needed” for the fire’s victims. 

Pope Francis is the first pontiff to visit the majority Eastern Orthodox nation in 2019. His historic visit to Skopje — the birthplace of St. Teresa of Calcutta — included a meeting with Catholic communities as well as an ecumenical and interreligious meeting with young people.

In his message on March 16, 2025, the Holy Father particularly thanked his medical team and all people who, through their dedicated work, shine the light of God’s infinite life in hospitals and places of care. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Vatican City, Mar 16, 2025 / 09:43 am (CNA).

Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his gratitude for those who bring God’s love into the world through their dedicated service to those who are sick.

“I would like to invite you, today, to join me in praising the Lord, who never abandons us and who, in times of sorrow, places people beside us who reflect a ray of his love,” the Holy Father shared in his prepared Sunday Angelus message.

In his message, the Holy Father particularly thanked his medical team and all people who, through their dedicated work, shine the light of God’s infinite life in hospitals and places of care.

“How much loving care illuminates the rooms, the corridors, the clinics, the places where the humblest services are performed!” he said in his March 16 message.

While “showing further, gradual improvements,” the Holy Father still requires hospital care, stated the latest Vatican health update. He was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14.

Conveying his special closeness with those who are sick and fragile, the 88-year-old pontiff said they, too, can be witnesses of God’s love for others. 

“I am sharing these thoughts with you while I am facing a period of trial,” the Holy Father said. “Our bodies are weak but, even like this, nothing can prevent us from loving, praying, giving ourselves, being for each other, in faith, shining signs of hope.”

The pope also shared his gratitude to the many children who are praying for him and his health: “Thank you, dearest children! The pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you.”

At the conclusion of his Angelus message, the Holy Father asked Catholics to pray for peace for countries “wounded by war,” including Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“May the Virgin Mary keep you and help you to be, like her, bearers of Christ’s light and peace,” he said.

The pope also asked people to pray for the synodality assembly to take place in October 2028, which will mark the close of the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality.  

“Let us also pray for the Church, required to translate into concrete choices the discernment made in the recent synodal assembly,” the pope said. 

“I thank the general secretariat of the synod, which over the coming three years will accompany the local Churches in this undertaking,” he added.

From left to right: Abe Bueno-Jallad (Big James), Noah James (Andrew), Elizabeth Tabish (Mary Magdalene), Shahar Isaac (Simon Peter), Luke Dimyan (Judas), and Paras Patel (Matthew) of “The Chosen.” / Credit: EWTN Screenshot/Francesca Fenton/CNA

CNA Staff, Mar 16, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

Season 5 of the hit series “The Chosen” is set to be released in theaters on March 28. “The Chosen: Last Supper” focuses on the events of Holy Week — including Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the Temple, Judas’ betrayal, and the Last Supper.

“The Chosen: Last Supper” will be released in theaters in three parts — Part 1 on March 28, Part 2 on April 4, and Part 3 on April 11.

While the season was being filmed, CNA visited the set in Midlothian, Texas, and spoke to several of the cast members including actors Paras Patel, Elizabeth Tabish, Shahar Isaac, Luke Dimyan, Noah James, and Abe-Bueno Jallad. Each gave us a look at what we can expect from their characters in Season 5.

Simon Peter and Big James

One of the characters who underwent the greatest change in Season 4 was Simon Peter, who was given a new name by Jesus — Peter. Shahar Isaac, who portrays Simon Peter, spoke with CNA about the changes his character experienced and how he finds himself in a new leadership role among the disciples in Season 5.

“Last season it was ‘OK, I take the mantle and I take this leadership role, but I’m still not certain,’” Isaac told CNA. “With this season, it’s interesting, the person that gave me the mantle is now unraveling a little.” 

He added that Peter finds himself “a little shocked” about what is happening and feels that he “may need to take care of things here. I may not be able to trust 100% of what’s going on. I don’t know the end, I’m still with it, so I don’t know what’s happening.” 

“I’m feeling like the ground is shaking and I feel like whoever needs to guide us right now is shaking the ground rather than leading us. So at this point you’re catching me in the confusion and the realization that I may have to step up. I may have to take charge,” Isaac shared.

Abe Bueno-Jallad, the actor who plays Big James, biblically known as James the Greater, discussed the growth his character is experiencing in the newest season after attempting to gain a leadership role among the disciples last season. Encouraged by their mother, brothers James and John ask Jesus to sit at his right and left in his kingdom. Jesus’ response is not exactly what the brothers were expecting.  

“I think you’re seeing a more careful trajectory of James and instead of wanting the title, he just starts to take the action that he believes is good for the group,” he said. 

Judas and Andrew

A character that will be seen a lot in Season 5 is Judas. In Season 4, viewers began to witness his shift in character, teasing his betrayal, which will be seen in the upcoming season. 

Luke Dimyan, the actor who portrays Judas, described his character as one with “a lot of fear, anxiety, ambition, and want that he is very desperate to have from Jesus’ presence.”

“He wants him [Jesus] to not only save himself, Judas, but his entire people, a people that’s been oppressed for years under a very harsh Roman rule,” he explained. “So, he wants so much more from Jesus than Jesus is willing to give him, in his mind. And so you can see where his dark thoughts and his paths start to lead.”

For Noah James, the actor who portrays Andrew, Season 4 was a time of “growing up” for his character and now his faith will be put to the test in Season 5. 

After John the Baptist is beheaded, Andrew, a former follower of John, experiences “this bittersweet nature of ‘I can’t fall apart at this news, even though I may want to, but I have to be strong and follow John the Baptist’s, and Jesus’, words of ‘Follow Jesus. You have a new rabbi now,’” James shared with CNA.

“So, I think Andrew is really just trying to be the best disciple of Jesus that he possibly can be and give of himself whatever he can,” he said.

He added: “And as we enter Season 5, the week of Holy Week, a lot comes to a head in this week, obviously, and so I think we see the biggest challenge yet to Andrew’s faith and understanding of ‘Can Jesus really mean what he says when he says some of the things that are to come?’ It seems unimaginable to Andrew.”

Mary Magdalene and Matthew 

Elizabeth Tabish, the actress who portrays Mary Magdalene, teased that the new season will be a big one for her character as she is one of the only followers of Jesus who understands what he is telling everyone.

“At the beginning of Season 5, Jesus announces publicly that he will die and I think a lot of the followers don’t want to believe that, or hope that it’s symbolic in some way, but I think because Mary has been paying attention she knows that it’s going to happen,” Tabish said. “There’s no actual confirmation, but she senses it and she sees the signs and so at a certain point during this season she wants to try to help.” 

Tabish added that while no one knows that Jesus’ death is “inevitable and must happen,” Mary Magdalene is “on a mission this season to keep it from happening.”

“I think there’s this realization that the Pharisees don’t understand him and are getting so upset and are taking things so personally, because of what he’s saying, and so I think there’s this hope that maybe if they do understand him that maybe they won’t call for his death,” she explained. “So there’s a lot at play and she’s kind of putting herself more into the political and cultural dynamics in Jerusalem, which is a little frightening, but she’s also doing it out of faith.”

Paras Patel, the actor who plays Matthew, added: “Mary has this touch where she can see things because when we’re walking into the triumphant entry, into Jerusalem, you [Mary] have that moment where you get it and all of us disciples are trying to figure out what to take from that.”

“With Matthew you see that he is very factual, so he’s trying to look for facts and evidence, so he’s not processing it completely, but he’s seeing his friends have this reaction,” Patel said. “So, he’s trying to pick up on something. And you see that this season in Season 5 because there’s a lot of chaos, turmoil, spiraling amongst the disciples and followers of what’s happening with Jesus’ message.”

Carolyn Woo, the former president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, speaks with “EWTN News in Depth” on Friday, March 14, 2025. / Credit: “EWTN News in Depth”

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 15, 2025 / 11:30 am (CNA).

Former president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Carolyn Woo is speaking out in defense of the aid organization amid Trump administration funding cuts to its services internationally. 

“International aid was started at first for the benefit of the U.S. even though the aid goes overseas,” Woo said during an appearance on “EWTN News In Depth” Friday evening, arguing that international aid to organizations like CRS is important “for two major reasons”: security and prosperity. 

Woo led CRS from 2012 to 2016. The organization’s current president and CEO is Sean Callahan. 

“Security is achieved when countries are working well,” she said. “There are not as many incidences of conflicts or terrorism. In addition to that, it also allows us to have understanding and intelligence from that area.”

In terms of prosperity, Woo argued that most economic and population growth occurs in developing countries, which she predicted “will become very important markets for the United States,” for exports, precious minerals, food, and other goods. “When we invest in these other countries, we’re actually investing in the base that allows all of us to grow,” she said. 

Addressing President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Woo argued for the restoration of federal aid to CRS, stating: “It’s the best investment you could make in the United States in terms of security, in terms of prosperity, but most important in terms of trust. And trust is a very important capital that we don’t have.” 

Woo’s statements come after the U.S. bishops issued a “very urgent” appeal earlier this week for Catholics to contribute to this year’s annual CRS collection. 

“Each year the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) comforts and assists people worldwide who suffer from war, natural disasters, violent persecution, or extreme poverty,” the bishops said in a Monday statement.

“That work is possible because of contributions to the Catholic Relief Services Collection,” they said. 

CRS has been scrambling for funding since the Trump administration in January ordered major cuts to foreign aid and refugee programs. The USCCB previously urged Catholics to take action by asking members of Congress to halt the cuts.

U.S. Supreme Court. / Credit: PT Hamilton/Shutterstock

CNA Staff, Mar 15, 2025 / 11:00 am (CNA).

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is backing an Oklahoma Catholic school’s bid before the U.S. Supreme Court to become the first religious charter school in the country. 

St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School has been battling since 2023 to receive official status as a charter school in Oklahoma.

A charter school is a free, privately managed institution that receives public funding like standard public schools. The school’s opponents, led by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, have argued that the state’s funding of a religious school would violate both Oklahoma statutory and constitutional law regarding the separation of church and state.

The school last year was dealt a blow when the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against its establishment, claiming the school constituted “a governmental entity and a state actor.” The institution, a joint project between the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case. 

In an amicus brief this week, the USCCB argued that private schools “have long performed the function of educating students” in the United States and that St. Isidore’s participation in the state charter program would “not make it a state actor.”

The bishops argued that charter schools “are not operating state-run schools” and are thus excluded from the state Supreme Court’s “narrowly defined” concept of what constitutes a state actor.

The bishops further pointed to the Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, which ruled against a Montana constitutional provision that barred public funding of religious institutions. That rule “plainly exclude[d] schools from government aid solely because of religious status,” Chief Justice John Roberts said at the time.

A state “cannot disqualify some private schools” from being subsidized “solely because they are religious,” the U.S. bishops wrote, citing the Espinoza ruling. 

“This case presents the question whether states may constitutionally exclude religious schools from charter-school programs open to secular private schools,” the bishops wrote. “The answer to that question is ‘no.’”

Notre Dame Law School’s Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic said this week that fully two dozen amicus briefs were filed at the Supreme Court in support of the Catholic charter school, including from the U.S. Solicitor General’s Office and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.

Also backing the school were a dozen states including Ohio, Texas, South Carolina, and Kansas, who argued in a brief that they have “a compelling interest in expanding educational opportunities for their citizens.”

Oral arguments over the case will be heard at the Supreme Court on April 30.

Pope Francis addresses bishops gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican for the Synod on Synodality closing Mass on Oct. 27, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

CNA Newsroom, Mar 15, 2025 / 10:15 am (CNA).

The Vatican announced Tuesday that Pope Francis has approved a special ecclesial assembly for October 2028 to evaluate how Catholic communities worldwide have implemented the recently concluded Synod on Synodality recommendations.

Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the synod, detailed the plans in a letter to bishops worldwide, emphasizing that this gathering will not constitute a new synod but rather serve as the culmination of a structured three-year implementation process.

“The goal is not to add work upon work but to help Churches walk in a synodal style,” Grech wrote.

The cardinal further said that local Churches would actively receive and apply the synod’s final document, which Pope Francis directly approved following the conclusion of the synod in October 2024.

The new implementation timeline begins in May with the publication of detailed guidelines, followed by a “Jubilee of Synodal Teams” in October.

Throughout 2027, evaluation assemblies will take place at diocesan, national, and international levels, with continental gatherings scheduled for early 2028.

Grech highlighted the essential role of local “synodal teams” composed of “priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and laypeople” working alongside their bishops. These teams, he noted, should be “valued” and, where necessary, “renewed, reactivated, and appropriately integrated.”

“This process does not diminish the role of each Church in receiving and applying the fruits of the synod in its own unique way,” the cardinal wrote. “Rather, it encourages a great co-responsibility that values local Churches while associating the episcopal college with the pope’s ministry.”

Grech concluded his letter with an invitation for prayers for Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since Feb. 14.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks about a toll highway relief program during a press conference held at the Greater Miami Expressway Agency on April 1, 2024, in Miami. / Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

CNA Staff, Mar 15, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA).

The Catholic bishops of Florida are urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to commute the death sentence of Edward James, who is scheduled to be executed by the state next week for a 1993 double homicide. 

James pleaded guilty in 1995 to the killings of Betty Dick and her 8-year-old granddaughter Toni Neuner in Casselberry, Florida. He had strangled and raped Toni prior to her death before stabbing Betty Dick. He was ultimately apprehended in California. 

In a Friday press release, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) said it had “implored Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Edward James and commute his sentence to life without parole.”

FCCB Executive Director Michael Sheedy in a letter to DeSantis noted that the murders were “heinous” and “tragic.” 

“It is indeed a duty of the state to protect the lives and safety of its citizens and to impose appropriate punishment for crimes, and we recognize your responsibility in ensuring this duty is carried out,” Sheedy said. 

But, he wrote, the “intrinsic dignity and unalienable rights of every human being are not annihilated by even gravely evil acts.” 

“It is better for the people of Florida to punish severely without themselves acting to kill a human being,” Sheedy wrote, arguing that a life sentence without the possibility of parole “is still a severe punishment which also serves to protect society from further danger.” 

The Church “teaches that all human life is sacred,” the FCCB said on Friday, writing: “Even people who have committed terrible acts and caused great harm possess a human dignity instilled by God, our Creator.”

The modern penal system has rendered executions “unnecessary,” the bishops said. 

James is scheduled to be executed on Thursday. The Florida Supreme Court this week refused to block his execution, as did a federal appeals court. 

The bishops’ conference said next week that prior to James’ execution Floridians “will gather across the state to pray for him and his victims, for DeSantis as he considers the request to stay the execution, and for an end to the death penalty and the cycle of violence in society.”

Hallow’s Lent Pray40 Challenge: “The Way.” / Credit: Hallow

CNA Staff, Mar 15, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA).

This Lent, sales of “The Way” by St. Josemaría Escrivá have skyrocketed thanks to Hallow’s Lent Pray40 Challenge, with listeners diving deeper into the writings of the Spanish-born saint in his most well-known book.

“The Way” reached the No. 1 spot on Amazon’s “Christian Inspirational” and “Christian Devotionals” lists as well as the “Inspirational Spirituality” list. It was also No. 5 on Amazon’s “Religion and Spirituality” list and No. 33 on the general books list.

Hallow is using Escrivá’s “The Way” as a companion to its Lenten prayer challenge this year. The book consists of 999 points that aim to help the faithful pray and encourage them to love God, live for him, and converse with him. 

Escrivá founded the personal prelature Opus Dei in 1928. John Coverdale, author of several books on the history of Opus Dei, spoke to CNA about Escrivá’s book and why he believes it resonates with so many readers.

“[Escrivá] kept a sort of journal or diary in the early years of the work and wrote down both encounters he had with people and striking things people said to him and also things from his own prayer,” Coverdale explained. “So the book, I think, very much reflects his own spiritual life.”

He also pointed out the “immediacy” of the book in that it invites readers to grow their life of prayer in a personal way throughout their daily lives — not through complex theology — so that, in turn, they can grow their relationship with God.

Coverdale quoted his favorite point from “The Way”: “‘To pray is to talk with God. But about what? About him, about yourself: joys, sorrows, successes and failures, noble ambitions, daily worries, weaknesses! And acts of thanksgiving and petitions: and love and reparation. In a word: to get to know him and to get to know yourself: to get acquainted!’”

“Certainly at least to me, it is a very appealing message and I think to many people when they read that sort of thing say, ‘Well, prayer doesn’t have to be some complicated exercise, and all these steps and so on, it’s to talk with God,’” Coverdale said.

Opus Dei continues to spread this message, “that we are all called to holiness, to sanctity, to actually loving God with our whole heart, and mind, and soul, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves, and that is something that we’re called to do in our daily life, an ordinary life,” Coverdale explained. 

Coverdale lived in Rome for eight years where he worked very closely with Escrivá, who died in 1975. Describing the now-saint, he said: “When he talked about God or Mary or the angels, he wasn’t talking about somebody he read about in a book, he was talking about somebody he knew. And I think that comes across even in the book.”

“These aren’t just pious reflections, they’re something more than that,” he added.

Reflecting on his time spent with Escrivá, Coverdale called the saint a “quite remarkable human being” who was “a lot of fun to be with.”

“He was also somebody who was exceptionally close to God and that came across,” he shared.

In get-togethers with Escrivá, Coverdale recalled his ability to “seamlessly” go from discussing news events to discussing Jesus or the Blessed Mother.

“I think this was because they were equally real to him. It wasn’t two different worlds. It was the world he lived in — both the everyday, the funny, Our Lady, St. Joseph, Jesus, God the Father,” he said.   

Coverdale said he hopes new readers of “The Way” take away the message that “God is a father who’s looking for them to respond to his love in their ordinary, everyday life.”