St. Andrew Catholic Church

Pope Leo XIV prays at St. Mary Major, May 25, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/EWTN News/Vatican Pool

ACI Prensa Staff, May 25, 2025 / 14:19 pm (CNA).

Following the Mass where he took possession of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV proceeded to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where the Virgin Mary is venerated under the title “Salus Populi Romani” (“Health of the Roman People”).

The Holy Father arrived at the basilica shortly after 7 p.m. local time. Upon entering, he blessed the faithful gathered inside with a brief sprinkling of holy water.

He then entered the chapel that houses the Marian icon, traditionally attributed to St. John the Evangelist, and, kneeling, prayed for a few minutes before placing a bouquet of flowers at the feet of the Blessed Mother’s image.

After the singing of the “Magnificat” — the Gospel canticle spoken by the Virgin Mary after the announcement of the archangel Gabriel — Pope Leo XIV offered a prayer to the Mother of God, recalling that she is “all pure, all venerable, the finest offering humanity can present to God.”

“You guide the Church’s boat to a harbor of peace, steering away from dangers and overcoming storms,” he prayed, asking Mary to watch over “this city, comfort those who come to it without shelter or protection, and extend your care over the whole world.”

“Source of joy for all, make me worthy of rejoicing with you,” he added.

Afterward, he visited the tomb of Pope Francis and paused there to pray.

From the basilica’s balcony, the pope thanked the faithful gathered outside: “Thank you for being here, thank you for standing in front of this basilica this evening, as we celebrate, united as members of the Diocese of Rome, the presence of its new bishop.”

“I’m very happy to meet you here and I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

This, he noted, “is a beautiful opportunity to renew our devotion to Mary, ‘Salus Populi Romani,’ who has accompanied the people of Rome so many times in their need.”

“Let us ask God through the intercession of his mother to bless all of you, your families, your loved ones, and to help us all walk together in the Church,” he said.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Pope Leo XIV sits in the cathedral of Rome, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, a symbol of his authority as bishop of Rome, on May 25, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News/Vatican Pool

Rome, Italy, May 25, 2025 / 13:17 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first homily as bishop of Rome at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, where he took possession of his cathedra (throne) on Sunday.

The pontiff said ecclesial communion is built “on our knees, through prayer and constant commitment to conversion” as he invoked the example of the first Christians, who faced the challenges of proclaiming the Gospel to a pagan world.

Reflecting on the episode from the Acts of the Apostles, where the early Christians debated about whether Gentile converts had to follow the law of Moses, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that “this was no easy matter; it called for much patience and mutual listening.”

He referenced the Council of Jerusalem, the first great council of the early Church, in which “a dialogue was opened” that led to a fitting decision: “Recognizing the difficulties of the new converts, they agreed not to impose excessive burdens on them but rather to insist only on what was essential.”

“In this way,” he added, “what might have seemed a problem became for everyone an opportunity for reflection and growth.” 

“The most important part of the entire event,” he emphasized, “was listening to God’s voice, which made everything else possible.” This, he said, is how communion is truly built. 

“For only in this way can each of us hear within the voice of the Spirit crying out ‘Abba! Father!’ and then, as a result, listen to and understand others as our brothers and sisters,” he continued. 

The day’s Gospel reading reinforced this point. “It assures us that we are not alone in making our decisions in life. The Spirit sustains us and shows us the way to follow, ‘teaching’ us and ‘reminding’ us of all that Jesus said,” the pope affirmed. 

“The more we let ourselves be convinced and transformed by the Gospel — allowing the power of the Spirit to purify our heart, to make our words straightforward, our desires honest and clear, and our actions generous — the more capable we are of proclaiming its message,” he added. 

For this reason, he stressed that, throughout the process — as in the Council of Jerusalem — “the most important listening” is that of listening to God’s voice. 

Addressing the cardinals of the Roman Curia, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and laity of the Diocese of Rome, the pope continued: “I would like to express my firm desire to contribute to this great ongoing process by listening to everyone as much as possible, in order to learn, understand, and decide things together, as St. Augustine would say, ‘as a Christian with you and a bishop for you.’” 

“I would also ask you to support me in prayer and charity,” he said, “mindful of the words of St. Leo the Great: ‘All the good we do in the exercise of our ministry is the work of Christ and not our own, for we can do nothing without him. Yet we glory in him, from whom all the effectiveness of our work is derived.’” 

He recalled Blessed John Paul I, who, “with the joyful and serene face that had already earned him the nickname of ‘the Smiling Pope,’” took possession of the chair of the bishop of Rome in September 1978. 

“I too express my affection for you and my desire to share with you, on our journey together, our joys and sorrows, our struggles and hopes. I too offer you ‘the little I have and am,’ entrusting it to the intercession of Sts. Peter and Paul and of all those other brothers and sisters of ours whose holiness has illuminated the history of this Church and the streets of this city,” he said. 

The pope also affirmed the legacy of the Church of Rome as “heir to a great history, grounded in the witness of Peter, Paul, and countless martyrs,” and emphasized her unique mission: “to be ‘Omnium Ecclesiarum Mater,’ mother of all the Churches.” 

The Basilica of St. John Lateran bears the honorary title of “mother and head of all the Churches in the city of Rome and the whole world.” Taking this as a metaphor, the pope recalled that his predecessor Pope Francis invited the faithful to reflect on the “maternal dimension” of the Church and on its defining characteristics. 

Among these are “tenderness, self-sacrifice, and the capacity to listen,” traits that, the pope said, “enable her not only to assist others but often to anticipate their needs and expectations before they are even expressed.” 

“We hope that those qualities will be increasingly present in the people of God everywhere, including here, in our great diocesan family: in the faithful, in pastors, and, first of all, in myself,” he added. 

He praised the “challenging process of listening that the Diocese of Rome has undertaken in these years,” structured around various levels of listening — “to the world around us to respond to its challenges and listening within our communities to understand needs and to propose sage and prophetic initiatives of evangelization and charity.” 

Although he acknowledged that this is “a challenging, ongoing journey meant to embrace a very rich and complex reality,” he said it is worthy of the Church’s history — one that has often shown its ability to “think big,” giving itself fully to courageous projects and even taking risks in the face of new and complex scenarios. 

He specifically highlighted the extensive work being done by the entire Diocese of Rome for the jubilee year, welcoming and caring for pilgrims and launching many other initiatives. 

“These have made the city of Rome appear to visitors, some of whom have traveled from far away, as a wide, open and welcoming home, and above all as a place of deep faith,” he concluded. 

A gesture of communion

During the liturgy, the Holy Father received the pledge of fidelity from a representative group of the people of God in Rome in the Rite of Obedience. This symbolic expression of communion was not led by cardinals or members of the Curia but by people from the diocese: an auxiliary bishop, a canon, a parish priest, a parochial vicar, a deacon, religious men and women, a family, an educator, a catechist, and two young people. 

Among the participants were Cardinal Vicar Baldassare Reina, Auxiliary Bishop Renato Tarantelli, and other clergy and laypeople, including Brother Luis Martín Rodríguez, Sister Rebecca Nazzaro, and two young people, Mirko Venditti and Teresa Martellotta. Each of them represented a vital dimension of the Roman Church now recognizing its new bishop as their shepherd. 

Before arriving at the basilica — the first great Christian building erected in Rome after Emperor Constantine legalized religious freedom in A.D. 313 — the pope met with the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri. At the foot of the staircase of the Capitoline Hill, where the main entrance to the historic Palazzo Senatorio (city hall) stands, the mayor paid homage to him as the new bishop of Rome.

Pope Leo XIV greets the mayor of Rome at the foot of the Capitoline Steps before taking possession of St. John Lateran as bishop of Rome, May 25, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Rome, Italy, May 25, 2025 / 12:21 pm (CNA).

“Today I can say that through you and with you, I am Roman.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV addressed the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, who greeted him just minutes before he made his way to the Basilica of St. John Lateran to take possession of the chair of the bishop of Rome. 

The armored Volkswagen SUV transporting the pope departed from the Vatican around 4 p.m. local time and headed for the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome, where he was scheduled to be installed as Bishop of Rome after celebrating Mass at 5 p.m. 

Before arriving at the basilica — the first major Christian house of worship built in Rome after Emperor Constantine legalized religious freedom in A.D. 313 — the official vehicle stopped at Piazza dell’Aracoeli at the foot of the Capitoline Hill steps, where the main entrance to the Palazzo Senatorio, the seat of Rome’s municipal government, is located. There, Gualtieri welcomed the pope.

“Shortly after the election,” Leo XIV recalled, “I told the brothers and sisters gathered in St. Peter’s Square that I am with them, a Christian and for them, a bishop; today, in a special way, I can say that through you and with you, I am Roman,” he said, drawing a great ovation from those present. 

Before various civil and military officials, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the spiritual and social dimensions of his episcopal mission: “As I officially begin my ministry as shepherd of this diocese, I feel the serious yet passionate responsibility to serve all its members, with the faith of the people of God and the common good of society foremost in my heart.” 

He also stressed his commitment to collaboration with local administrative institutions: “We are collaborators, each within our own institutional sphere.” 

Pope Leo XIV spoke of the historic mission of the Catholic Church in the Italian capital and highlighted how, for two millennia, the Church has lived out its apostolic mission in Rome “by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and committing itself to charity.” 

“Educating the young, helping those who suffer, caring for the marginalized, and nurturing the arts are expressions of our commitment to human dignity — one we must uphold at all times, especially toward the little ones, the weak, and the poor,” he added. 

Speaking about the Jubilee of Hope inaugurated by his predecessor Pope Francis, Pope Leo voiced his gratitude for “the commitment of the city administration, for which I express my heartfelt thanks.” 

Finally, before giving the apostolic blessing to those present, Pope Leo XIV shared his hope that Rome — “unparalleled in the richness of its historical and artistic heritage” — may always also be distinguished by “those values of humanity and civilization that draw their life force from the Gospel.” 

Walking together toward a more just, sustainable city

Before Pope Leo spoke, the mayor thanked him for renewing the tradition of the meeting at Piazza dell’Aracoeli, saying the gesture was yet another sign of the Holy Father’s “affection” for the Italian capital. Gualtieri described it as “a reaffirmation of the deep bond between Rome and the universal dimension of the Church.” 

The last pope to take part in this greeting was Paul VI, who met with the then-Mayor Glauco Della Porta. In 1978, the gesture was meant to be repeated, but John Paul I died a month after his election and never made the official visit to Rome’s city hall. 

Gualtieri emphasized that this bond has nourished the city for centuries with “culture, ethical values, and shared responsibility, especially in building peace — the highest calling of Rome.” He expressed gratitude for Pope Leo XIV’s first words calling for an end to war across the world. 

Gualtieri also highlighted the Jubilee of Hope as an opportunity to transform the city and said Rome was especially preparing to welcome thousands of young people for the upcoming Youth Jubilee. Rome, he said, is committed to “being a more just, sustainable, and inclusive city, with special attention to the peripheries and the most vulnerable.” 

Acknowledging “the value of collaboration with the Church,” particularly with local parish projects aimed at dignifying the lives of all citizens, including migrants and the poor, the mayor expressed his hope for the city and the pope to work together for “a new politics, new relationships between peoples, and a more humane social model.” 

Finally, Gualtieri declared: “We are happy that Rome is now your city” and assured the pope that the capital will be “a loyal ally in your pastoral mission.” 

Pope Leo XIV smiles during his first general audience in St. Peter’s Square on May 21, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

CNA Newsroom, May 25, 2025 / 11:37 am (CNA).

Follow our live coverage as Pope Leo XIV, first U.S.-born pope in history, begins his pontificate: Experience history in the making with former Cardinal Robert Prevost.

Pope Leo XIV prays the Regina Caeli from the window of the Apostolic Palace for the first time on May 25, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, May 25, 2025 / 09:10 am (CNA).

In his first Regina Caeli from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo XIV thanked the faithful for the affection they have shown him while also asking them — as his predecessor Francis often did — to pray for him. 

“Just a few days ago, I began my ministry among you, and above all, I wish to thank you for the affection you are showing me; at the same time, I ask you to sustain me with your prayer and closeness,” exclaimed the pontiff, who until this Sunday had prayed the Marian prayer from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. 

Thousands had gathered in St. Peter’s Square, waving flags from various countries and holding signs that read “Long live Pope Leo XIV!” 

In his address, the pope acknowledged that “in everything the Lord calls us to — in life and in faith — we sometimes feel inadequate.” 

However, in light of this Sunday’s Gospel, he insisted that we must not focus on our own strength “but rather on the mercy of the Lord who has chosen us, confident that the Holy Spirit guides us and teaches us everything.”

He added: “It is beautiful that, when we consider our calling, the responsibilities and people entrusted to us, the commitments we take on, and our service in the Church, each one of us can confidently say: Although I am fragile, the Lord is not ashamed of my humanity; on the contrary, he comes to dwell within me.” 

God reveals himself especially in the small

Pope Leo XIV also reflected on the apostles’ fear on the eve of the Master’s death: “They were troubled and anxious, wondering how they could be successors and witnesses of the kingdom of God.” But when Jesus appeared to them, he promised the gift of the Holy Spirit with these marvelous words: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him; we will come to him and make our home with him,” he noted. 

“In this way, Jesus frees the disciples from all anxiety and fear and can say to them: Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid,” he said. 

He went on to explain: “If we remain in his love, he himself dwells in us — our lives become a temple of God. His love enlightens us, it begins to shape how we think and make decisions, and it reaches others, illuminating every area of our lives.” 

He emphasized that God “reveals himself especially in the small, the poor, and those who suffer, asking us to be attentive and compassionate Christians.” 

He also urged the faithful to carry God’s love “everywhere,” entrusting this mission to the intercession of the Virgin Mary. “He accompanies me with his Spirit, enlightens me, and makes me an instrument of his love — for others, for society, and for the world. Dear friends, on the foundation of this promise, let us walk in the joy of faith, to be a holy temple of the Lord,” he said. 

As has become his custom, rather than recite the Regina Caeli — the prayer that replaces the Angelus during Eastertide — Pope Leo XIV chose to sing it. 

Father Streich’s ministry ‘enraged followers of communist ideology’

After praying the Regina Caeli, Pope Leo XIV remembered with emotion the Polish priest Stanisław Streich, who was beatified Saturday in Poznań, Poland, in a ceremony led by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. 

On Feb. 27, 1938, during a Sunday Mass for children, Streich was shot and killed by a communist activist during the consecration of the Eucharist. Witnesses say the assailant fired several times and then shouted from the pulpit: “Long live communism!” The Vatican recognized the act as martyrdom “in hatred of the faith” (“in odium fidei”), paving the way for his beatification. 

The pope emphasized that “his work on behalf of the poor and workers enraged followers of communist ideology.” Inspired by his witness, the pontiff called on priests in particular to give themselves generously for the Gospel and their brothers and sisters. 

Pope Leo XIV also noted the Day of Prayer for the Church in China, observed every May 24, which coincides with the liturgical memorial of Mary Help of Christians, especially venerated at the Shrine of Sheshan near Shanghai. 

Instituted by Benedict XVI, the day sees “prayers rise to God in churches and shrines across China and the world, as a sign of affection for Chinese Catholics and of their communion with the universal Church,” the pope said. He prayed that the Virgin Mary “may obtain for them and for us the grace to be strong and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in trials, always promoting peace and harmony.”

Finally, Pope Leo remembered “all peoples suffering because of war” and praised the “courage and perseverance” of those committed to “dialogue and the sincere search for peace.”

Laudato Si’ at 10 years 

Marking the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the encyclical signed by Pope Francis on May 24, 2015, Pope Leo XIV recalled its global impact: “It has spread widely, inspiring countless initiatives and teaching us all to hear the dual cry of the earth and the poor.” 

He expressed gratitude to those who continue to carry its legacy forward, including the Laudato Si’ Movement. 

The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral on Nov. 29, 2024. / Credit: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Paris, France, May 25, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

The 16th annual Vigil for Life was held in the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on the evening of May 21 as the French Parliament continues to debate legislation that would legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Organized by the bishops of the Île-de-France region, the vigil has taken place annually since 2009. The 2025 edition, which gathered approximately 2,000 faithful, centered on the theme “Builders of Love, Let Us Live in Hope!”

The 2024 edition, also marked by the national conversation on end-of-life issues, carried the theme “When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong” (2 Cor 12:10).

This year’s gathering featured a series of testimonies from individuals with diverse personal and professional backgrounds, offering reflections on the ethical and human dimensions of end-of-life care and the responsibilities society bears toward the most vulnerable. 

The French Church hierarchy has expressed deep concern over the legislative developments, describing them as a potential “anthropological rupture” that threatens the inherent dignity of human life, from conception to natural death.

The bill on end-of-life, currently under parliamentary review, introduces the concept of “assistance in dying,” a term meant to encompass both euthanasia — where a third party directly administers the lethal substance — and assisted suicide, in which the patient takes the final act.  

Adults suffering from a serious, incurable condition causing physical or psychological suffering deemed unbearable would be eligible, subject to medical evaluation. A formal vote on the bill is scheduled for May 27.

Meanwhile, members of Parliament also approved on May 24 the creation of a new offense for hindering access to assisted dying. Such an offense would criminalize any attempt to prevent either the act itself or access to information about it. The provision was modeled on the existing offense of obstructing access to abortion in the country.

Critics of the bill, including Catholic leaders and bioethicists, argue that the vague terminology — particularly surrounding the assessment of “unbearable suffering” — poses serious risks to the value placed on life. They warn that the law could pave the way toward the normalization of assisted death as a standard response to illness or vulnerability.

“If adopted on May 27, this text, among the most permissive in the world, would threaten the most fragile and call into question the respect due to all human life,” the French Bishops’ Conference warned in a statement published last week.

Archbishop Vincent Jordy of Tours, the vice president of the bishops’ conference, described the proposal as a “distortion of fraternity” and called for support for palliative care as the ethical and humane alternative.

During the vigil in Notre-Dame, Auxiliary Bishop Emmanuel Tois of Paris also urged Catholics not only to pray but also to take concrete action: “There are many ways and places where Christians can become more engaged,” he said, encouraging the faithful to write to their lawmakers and engage in dialogue with those around them. 

In his homily, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris denounced the “illusion” of a “soft, chosen death.” 

“It is by twisting the meaning of words that we want people to accept this perspective,” he continued. “To call natural death that which results from the voluntary act that provokes it.” 

“Calling the gesture that kills or the word that leads to it fraternal help. Invoke a right to die when death is an inescapable fact. … To add an offense of obstruction to this right to die; while for decades and still today we have been multiplying driving regulations to avoid fatal accidents on the road, or to protect our brothers and sisters from desperate and suicidal gestures.” 

During the celebration, prayer intentions were placed before the altar, and the liturgy included readings and hymns reflecting the Church’s commitment to defending life. The Eucharistic Prayer for Special Circumstances provided a spiritual focus.  

“Open our eyes to all distress, inspire us with the right word and deed to support our neighbor in sorrow or trial; grant us to serve him with a sincere heart according to the example and words of Christ himself,” the prayer says. 

“Make your Church a place of truth and freedom, of justice and peace, so that all humanity may be reborn to hope.

Former Archdiocese of Vancouver communications director Makani Marquis and Archbishop J. Michael Miller talk during their final interview together before Miller retires. / Credit: Archdiocese of Vancouver

Vancouver, Canada, May 25, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

In his last months leading the Catholic Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Archbishop J. Michael Miller sat down for a series of interviews offering encouragement, reflection, and insight as he prepares to step down after 18 years of ministry.

Miller reached the age of 75 in 2021 and submitted his resignation to the pope as required by canon law. Pope Francis accepted his resignation and in February appointed Archbishop Richard W. Smith of Edmonton, Alberta, as his successor in Vancouver.

Across three conversations — two podcast appearances and a final farewell interview with the archdiocese’s former communications director — he spoke candidly about his hopes for the Church, his years in Vancouver, and the path that lies ahead.

‘Don’t be a couch potato Christian’

In a conversation with the archdiocese’s communications team, Miller urged Catholics to live the Jubilee Year of Hope through acts of discipleship, charity, and pilgrimage, reminding listeners that hope is found in a faith that is lived, not simply believed.

“Pilgrimages have been an ancient practice since the first jubilee in 1300,” he said, highlighting the three local sites designated as pilgrimage locations during the jubilee: Holy Rosary Cathedral in downtown Vancouver, St. Jude’s Parish in East Vancouver, and the Shrine of the Santo Niño of Cebu in Agassiz.

Speaking on the challenges facing many today, especially young people, the archbishop pointed to social and economic pressures that have left many feeling directionless. “It does appear from studies that a lot of people, especially young people, feel a little hopeless,” he said.

To this, he offered a practical and spiritual antidote: movement. “Don’t be a couch potato Christian,” he said, echoing Pope Francis’ challenge to “make a mess” by going out into the world with missionary zeal. “We are agents of hope, and we have a mission to go and make disciples.”

He also warned against the “culture of complaint” that fosters cynicism. “We must remember: God is good, he is with us, and he calls us to share his hope with the world,” he said.

‘Set the table for encounter’

In a separate appearance on a podcast called “Proclaim,” the archbishop turned his focus to evangelization, encouraging Catholics to adopt an apostolic mindset rooted in confidence, joy, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

“To take the commission of the Lord seriously, we have to have a certain mindset,” he said. “We call it apostolic because we hope it mirrors the enthusiasm of the apostles at Pentecost.”

He cautioned against reducing evangelization to programs or checklists. “We must remind ourselves that conversion of heart and mind is the real goal,” he said. “A parish could run many programs without internalizing a focus on conversion.”

In a culture shaped by relativism, he called for clarity and courage in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. “The Gospel doesn’t just exhort or edify; it proposes real truth. It tells us about the world as it truly is.”

Above all, he emphasized that evangelization is not something we do alone. “We don’t deliver the Holy Spirit — the Holy Spirit delivers himself,” he said. “Our role is to set the table for that encounter.”

A final farewell

In a wide-ranging conversation with former Vancouver communications director Makani Marquis just before the election of Pope Leo XIV, Miller reflected on his 18 years of ministry in Vancouver and the legacy of a local Church that has grown in faith and mission.

He named the reinstitution of the permanent diaconate, the establishment of Redemptoris Mater Seminary, and the building of the archdiocese’s new pastoral center among key milestones. He also pointed to a reawakening of evangelization and community life — particularly seen in the growing number of converts, small-group initiatives, and renewal efforts across parishes.

“I think people have become more aware of their co-responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel,” he said. “That was clear this past Easter — around 700 people came into the Church, most of them baptized.”

He also expressed deep gratitude for the communities of consecrated women who have come to the archdiocese. “We’ve had nine new communities of consecrated women come to the archdiocese — by invitation — and I think that’ll leave a lasting impact.”

Looking ahead, Miller said he will be returning to the University of St. Thomas in Houston, where he spent two decades earlier in his priesthood. 

“We have a residence on campus,” he said. “There are about seven or eight Basilians that I’ll be living with in the residence right across from the library.” 

He expects to serve as an adviser to the university’s new president and to remain involved in the life of the local Church. “I’m sure I’ll be called upon to give talks and little retreats around the archdiocese — which is quite huge now.”

Though retirement will offer more quiet, it won’t be idle. “I like activity,” he said. He may spend some time exploring his family history — particularly his father’s Belgian and English roots — and shared plans to organize his “stacks” of homilies and other documents “that could probably be put into some order.”

Miller also expressed confidence in the future leadership of the Vancouver Archdiocese. “I’m so delighted that Archbishop Richard Smith is my successor,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier about the selection that the Holy Father made. I know that he will do a bang-up job.”

Asked what he will miss most, Miller didn’t hesitate: the people. “I’ve been extraordinarily blessed to work with really wonderful people who are competent, good, even holy,” he said. “That’s what I’ll miss.”

This story was first published by The B.C. Catholic and has been reprinted with permission and adapted by CNA.

A priest celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass at the Church of St. Pancratius in Rome. / Credit: Thoom/Shutterstock

CNA Staff, May 24, 2025 / 12:30 pm (CNA).

The Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, will significantly restrict the practice of the Traditional Latin Mass, limiting it to a single chapel in what Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv, said is a bid to “promote the concord and unity of the Church.”

Martin issued a statement on Friday announcing the new policy, directing that the ancient liturgy would henceforth be celebrated in an as-yet-unnamed chapel in the town of Mooresville.

Martin in his statement said the measure was meant to bring the Charlotte Diocese in line with Pope Francis’ 2021 motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, which greatly restricted the Latin Mass “in defense of the unity of the body of Christ.”

The pope said at the time that he was saddened that the celebration of the extraordinary form was characterized by a rejection of the Second Vatican Council and its liturgical reforms. To doubt the council, he said, is “to doubt the Holy Spirit himself who guides the Church.”

Martin on Friday noted that his predecessor, Bishop Peter Jugis, requested an extension on the directive in order to prepare for the transition. The extension expires this year, Martin noted, and he is “now ready to finish the diocese’s implementation of the norms established.”

Starting on July 8, no parish churches will be permitted to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass in the diocese, Martin said. In accordance with Traditionis Custodes, the bishop said he was “designating a chapel in the diocese” that will be permitted to use the Roman Missal of 1962 and where “faithful adherents may gather for the celebration of the Eucharist” only on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

“A priest of the diocese will be appointed as chaplain, to be responsible for celebrating two Sunday Masses and holy day Masses using the 1962 Roman Missal at this site,” the bishop said.

“Those who are interested in participating in the Eucharistic celebration in this form will remain active members of their current parishes, where they may continue receiving the sacraments,” he added.

Citing the Gospel of John, Martin expressed hope that the new rule “will further ‘promote the concord and unity of the Church’ among the people of God in the Diocese of Charlotte so that, as Jesus prayed to his Father, we ‘may all be one.’”

null / Credit: Alexander Gold/Shutterstock

CNA Staff, May 24, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA).

About 1 in 3 Americans are turning to New Age practices like tarot cards, astrology, and fortune tellers at least once a year, a recent study found — but most say it’s “just for fun.” 

A study published by Pew Research on Wednesday found that 30% of Americans consult at least one of these New Age practices at least once a year. Astrology was the most popular (28%) followed by tarot cards (11% ) and fortune tellers (6%). 

Most Americans who engage in these practices say they do them for fun, not for insight or guidance. But Catholic Answers apologist Tom Nash told CNA these activities are “spiritually dangerous.” 

“Tarot cards, Ouija boards, seances, and other similar activities are all dangerous forms of divination,” Nash said.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explicitly rejects “all forms of divination,” saying they “contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (No. 2116).

Engaging in divination means “we’re likely to get drawn deeper into a life of vice and related problems,” Nash added.

Both religious and nonreligious Americans are just as likely to believe in astrology, according to Pew.

American adults most likely to say they believe that consulting a fortune teller, tarot cards, or astrology provides insights are Hispanic Catholics, Black Protestants, and adults whose religion is “nothing in particular.” In contrast, atheists and white evangelicals are most likely to say they never engage in these practices. 

When compared with Pew’s last survey in 2017, the percentage of people engaging in New Age practices remains steady. The percentage of adults who say they believe in astrology is similar to the percentage recorded in 2017 (going from about 29% in 2017 to 27% in 2024). Gallup polls from the 1990s to early 2000s ranged from between 23% to 28%.  

Notably, younger adults — especially young women — are more likely to believe in astrology and consult horoscopes, the study found. Of women ages 18 to 49, 43% say they believe in astrology.

In addition, Americans who identify as LGBT are also more likely to engage in New Age practices. About half of LGBT Americans consult astrology at least yearly, and LGBT adults are three times as likely as non-LGBT adults to consult tarot cards. 

Nash tied the tendency to turn to New Age practices with the rise of the “nones” in American culture, i.e., the increasing numbers of people who are explicitly turning away from organized religion.

Nash noted that in spite of their abandonment of organized religion, many people continue to “yearn for greater meaning and understanding.”  

“And yet, human beings remain human — made in the image and likeness of God as body-soul composites,” he said, referencing Genesis 1:26-27. 

Nash added that in “our very being, we realize that there’s more to life than just our temporal, material world.”

Without Christ to fill that spiritual “vacuum,” Nash reflected, “we’ll tend to seek out other outlets.” 

“Thus, in the absence of true religion, the fullness of which is only found in Our Lord Jesus Christ and his Catholic Church, we will tend to seek out alternatives,” Nash said.

Cardinal Daniel Sturla is Archbishop of Montevideo, Uruguay. / Credit: EWTN Noticias

Lima Newsroom, May 24, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA).

Uruguayan Cardinal Daniel Sturla anticipates that Pope Leo XIV’s first visit to Latin America “will include Argentina, Uruguay, and possibly Peru” on his itinerary.

In a May 21 interview with Uruguay’s “Radio Carve,” when asked about a possible visit by the Holy Father to that country, the archbishop of Montevideo said the likelihood is “very high” because Pope Leo “is very much aware that Argentina and Uruguay weren’t on Francis’ calendar — not because Francis wanted it that way — but because that’s the way things turned out.”

The Uruguayan cardinal, who participated in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV earlier this month, indicated that for “the first visit to Latin America, it seems to me — I am not the one who keeps his schedule — he will have Argentina, Uruguay, and possibly Peru on his itinerary” given that the pontiff was bishop of Chiclayo and later as apostolic administrator of Callao.

Pope Leo XIV ‘seeks the unity of the Church’

“I was very pleased with the pope’s election. I think he is a figure who seeks the unity of the Church, and this is very important today. He will continue the main lines that were innovative and positive, so to speak, of Francis, but with a very different style,” Sturla said.

After mentioning that he had had contact with the Holy Father at the Synod of Synodality and during a meeting of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, the Uruguayan archbishop emphasized that Leo XIV “is a man who listens a lot, speaks little, and who speaks, let’s say, slowly, thinking a lot about what he says; that is to say, he has a very different character from that of Francis, and I think that is good at this moment in the Church.”

The Salesian cardinal also recounted that “I had often thought in my life as a Christian, as a religious, and as a priest … about being in St. Peter’s Square when a new pope is elected” because “it’s a fantastic thing.”

“I had never imagined being on the other side, let’s say, being on the inside, so it was a very powerful thing,” since “I felt the weight of responsibility for what I was about to do, because it is a historical event that links the life of the Church with what Jesus did with Simon Peter 2,000 years ago, [which is] narrated in the Gospels. When Cardinal [Robert] Prevost says, ‘I accept,’ in that moment he is transformed into the successor of Peter,” the cardinal said, sharing his reflection on his first conclave.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.