Catholic News

Since the fourth century, Christians have revered St. Monica, the mother of Church Father St. Augustine, as a woman of unwavering faith in God.

In an interview with EWTN News reporter Valentina Di Donato, two Augustinian priests living in Rome explained why the woman they refer to as their "grandmother" continues to be a source of hope and inspiration, especially for Catholic wives and mothers.

Augustinian Father Angelo Di Berardino, who has worked and lived at the Augustinian International College of Santa Monica in Rome for 50 years, said St. Monica had a great interior strength that influenced all members of her family.

"Respecting her husband, she was able to convert him," Di Berardino told EWTN News. "Then, she was a strong woman to educate her three children, especially Augustine."

"I think she was so strong in her life, in her prayer, that she had a great influence on the great theologian Augustine," he added.

According to Augustinian Father Edward Daleng Daniang, vice regent of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household and former general counsellor and procurator general of the Order of St. Augustine, St. Monica is the saint to turn to for spouses who feel alone in their desire to create a Christian family home.

"St. Monica did not have it easy with her husband Patrick," he said. "She tried to win him with her love, with her patience and endurance and tolerance and, above all, bringing her husband to God through prayer."

Describing the ancient saint as a "living example" of a mother who does not give up on her children, Daniang said those struggling with their children can have hope that their prayers, and tears, are never wasted.

"St. Monica was struggling with her son St. Augustine who wandered away from home," he said. "He left Monica, his mother, to come to Italy in those days and Monica did not give up."

"He left the faith which she tried to transmit to him but she did not give up," he emphasized.

Following her son to Italy, Daniang said her main intention of leaving Africa was not to bring her son back home but to lead her son to Jesus Christ for the salvation of his soul.

"St. Monica stands as someone who led her husband to God, to Christ, and also brought her son St. Augustine to Christ," he said.

"That's bringing the unity of family together," he added.

This story was first published on Aug. 27, 2025, and has been updated.

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When a deadly shooting devastated Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Aug. 27, 2025, a neighboring Catholic parish quietly provided support to the school, opening its doors for the parish school's needs.

Now, Our Lady of Grace is memorializing that connection in a fresco by Minnesota-based artist Mark Balma.

Balma is in the process of painting two large frescoes at the altar of Our Lady of Grace. On the right, already finished, is an image of Mary and the angel at the Annunciation. Green and blue ribbons painted in the bottom-right corner pay tribute to the school and the community.

"In the centuries-old tradition of Catholic sacred art, images have always carried more than beauty — they carry the prayers, memories, and stories of the communities who create and encounter them," Rámond Mitchell, director of liturgy for Our Lady of Grace, told EWTN News.

"Sacred art has a unique ability to hold memory, communicate faith, and invite people into prayer," Mitchell continued.

"Because our two communities had walked so closely with one another through such a difficult time, we wanted to create a lasting remembrance within our own sacred space as a reminder of the people we accompanied, the lives that were forever changed, and the hope and faith that sustained us," Mitchell said.

Meaning of the ribbons

Balma painted blue-and-green ribbons onto a vase within his Annunciation fresco as a tribute to the community of Annunciation Church and School.

Mitchell explained how blue-and-green ribbons were an important symbol to the community after the shooting.

"Following the shooting, people throughout the surrounding community tied blue-and-green ribbons to doors, trees, lampposts, fences, and other places as a visible sign of solidarity and remembrance," Mitchell said.

"In the fresco, the ribbons are tied around a water jug beside Mary. We wanted the ribbons to feel integrated into the scene rather than separate from it," Mitchell continued. "The water jug is an ordinary object, much like the ordinary details of daily life that surrounded Mary when the angel appeared to her."

"In that way, the ribbons become part of an ordinary moment that has been transformed by the presence of God and a reminder of the Annunciation community and of the sacredness of their lives and stories," Mitchell continued.

Balma, who was in the Twin Cities at the time of the shooting, was asked to "find a way to honor the Annunciation community."

"This tragedy really touched me and I prayed for guidance at how to best honor the children and families," Balma told EWTN News.

"As a painter I try to find within Scriptures a word or concept that might help me unlock a vision to reveal a fresh way to transform the words into images," Balma said. "For instance in the Annunciation fresco, the line 'I am the handmaid of the Lord' became the focal point of the imagery."

"My concept for the Annunciation fresco is different than most historical depictions. They usually place an older-looking Mary in a room or cloister visited by Gabriel and the Holy Spirit," Balma said. "As I studied the Scriptures, I found no reference to her being in a room."

Balma pointed out that at the time of the Annunciation, Mary "was not that much older than the children" of Annunciation School.

"I imagined the 14-year-old Mary as carrying on her daily chores like going to the well for water," Balma said. "So full of beautiful symbolism, the water vase then became the place I could attach the ribbons that were placed in the community in remembrance of the children."

"Water is healing, and tying the ribbons around the vase seemed to be the heartfelt way to honor the children," Balma said.

Sister communities

The community at Our Lady of Grace stepped up after the shooting; it was a tragedy that struck them deeply.

"Annunciation is not far from Our Lady of Grace, and there have long been many connections between our two communities," Mitchell said. "Some of our parishioners attended Annunciation themselves, while others have children or grandchildren who attended the school. Our teachers knew teachers there, and some members of our parish community were neighbors or friends of students, staff, and families affected by the shooting."

"Because of those relationships, the tragedy was felt very deeply at Our Lady of Grace," Mitchell said. "In the aftermath, our parish and school community was able to offer a place of safety, hospitality, prayer, and support. Our campus became a place where members of the Annunciation community could simply be together when so much of their world had been disrupted."

The principal of Annunciation was present at the live painting session when Balma painted the ribbons into the fresco, which was a particularly significant moment, Mitchell said.

"Having members of the Annunciation community participate in and witness the creation of the work has made the memorial even more meaningful," Mitchell said.

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An alleged "Eucharistic manifestation" has drawn the attention of the faithful in Guatemala, where a consecrated host reportedly remained intact inside a glass of water, bearing apparent stains of what "could be blood."

While the event has captured the attention of the Catholic community in the country, the Church has urged the faithful to exercise "prudence and restraint."

A consecrated host that reportedly failed to dissolve

The Niño Dios (Child God) Cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Lima announced in a statement that the occurrence took place on July 30 during a Mass for Eucharistic Missionary Week held at a private school in Cuilapa, a city located approximately 40 miles southeast of Guatemala City.

According to the statement, during Communion, the priest celebrating the Mass noticed that one of the young people who had received the Eucharist "was taking the sacred host out of his mouth; he quickly approached him and was able to prevent him from discarding it on the floor."

"Following the guidelines for such cases, the priest placed the sacred host in a glass vessel containing water in the rectory chapel," the statement explained.

The intention was for the host to dissolve naturally. However, according to the statement, "the following Thursday [Aug. 13], while cleaning the chapel, a parish volunteer noticed that the host had not dissolved and bore red stains that could be blood."

The discovery was reported to the parish priest, who questioned and took a statement from the volunteer who had noticed the situation. Subsequently, the matter was reported to Bishop José Cayetano Parra Novo of the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Lima.

'Prudence and restraint'

The cathedral explicitly urged the faithful to exercise "prudence and restraint."

"Throughout history, the Church has received testimony regarding the real and substantial presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, under this unique form of manifestation," the cathedral noted in its statement, cautioning that such cases "have been neither common nor easy to discern; therefore, they cannot be called miracles until a full investigation, which must be carried out and will take time, is concluded."

The cathedral also announced that the host is being reserved "in a special place and will not be on public display," while Parra Novo is providing "guidelines for the necessary discernment and to enable a study of this possible Eucharistic manifestation" of the Real Presence.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Comments by Israel's ambassador to the Holy See, Yaron Sideman, about the West Bank town of Taybeh have drawn attention among local Church leaders after he condemned the violence there but disputed accounts of its seriousness.

Speaking at the Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples in Rimini, Italy, Sideman said that "any act of violence against anyone is unacceptable" and that those responsible should be dealt with according to the law. However, he added that the situation in Taybeh had been "described in far more serious terms than it actually is."

Sideman maintained that Israel is governed by the rule of law and guarantees religious freedom. He also assured pilgrims that visiting the holy sites is safe and encouraged them to return to the Holy Land.

The Observatory for the Christian Presence in the Holy Land said the ambassador's characterization was inconsistent with the documented pattern of attacks and incursions affecting Taybeh — the last town in the West Bank with an entirely Christian population.

The incidents have been documented by the local Church and town institutions and followed by diplomatic missions, international media, and human rights organizations.

In July 2025, patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem visited Taybeh alongside diplomats and representatives from more than 20 countries following an escalation of attacks against the town and its religious sites.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, warned at the time that the violence was leading some Christians to consider leaving the West Bank.

The World Council of Churches reported in August 2026 that Taybeh had received more than 50 diplomatic visits over the previous year, in addition to continued media attention. The organization highlighted residents' concerns about attacks, incursions, and the effects of the violence on their daily lives.

Father Bashar Fawadleh, the Latin Patriarchate's parish priest in Taybeh and head of the Observatory for the Christian Presence in the Holy Land, said the issue was not a series of isolated incidents but an accumulating reality affecting residents' security, access to their land and livelihoods, and ability to remain in the town. He stressed that condemnations of the attacks must be followed by protection, accountability, and concrete measures to prevent their recurrence.

On Aug. 9, Israeli military authorities declared Taybeh closed to Israeli nonresidents. The military said the measure followed what it described as "violent attacks by Israelis" in the area and was intended to protect residents and maintain public order.

For local Christians, the official measure underscored the gap between the level of danger recognized by authorities on the ground and the ambassador's assessment of the situation.

Christians in Taybeh are therefore repeating their invitation: "Come and see." They are calling on visitors to meet the town's families, farmers, and young people, listen to their testimonies, and witness firsthand the conditions affecting the Christian community, its land, and its property.

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During his visit to Russia, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican secretary for relations with states and international organizations, reaffirmed the Holy See's position that the conflict with Ukraine "cannot be resolved by military means."

The archbishop made the remarks during a press conference following his Aug. 25 meeting in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

As the Vatican Secretariat of State reported Tuesday on X, the men discussed "topics of mutual interest and current international issues, with particular attention to the war in Ukraine and prospects for peace."

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During the event, Gallagher stated that "the Holy See's position is clear: The conflict cannot be resolved by military means," adding that "it is essential to create the conditions for a political and diplomatic process."

"To be clear: This war must end," he said, noting that "it is urgent and necessary to end the hostilities and plan future relations so as not to remain prisoners of the wrongs of the past."

He stated that "any concrete result in the humanitarian sphere will contribute to alleviating suffering and help restore a minimum level of trust between the parties to the conflict."

Lavrov expressed appreciation for the Holy See's openness to dialogue with Russia and its commitment to peace, Vatican media reported. He also agreed with his Vatican counterpart on the need to step up cooperation on humanitarian issues.

On Aug. 26, Gallagher was scheduled to meet with Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Vatican representative will return to the Vatican on Aug. 28.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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For the second time during Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, the Holy Father has been included in a top fashion magazine's list for "best dressed." Vanity Fair released its annual Best Dressed list on Aug. 5 and included the pope in "the originals" category.

In December 2025, the pope was named one of Vogue magazine's 55 best dressed people of 2025.

Style correspondent José Criales Unzueta told The New York Post: "The reality is that everyone has a personal style, and this list celebrates people whose style we find most compelling, inspiring, idiosyncratic or a combination of those traits."

"In the case of Pope Leo, we are drawn to his innate Americanness — the way he will pair a baseball cap or a pair of Nikes with his vestments, which speaks to the great tradition of American sportswear," he said.

When Leo first appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to the thousands of faithful gathered in the square after his election, many noticed the return of several papal vestments that were not used during Pope Francis' pontificate.

So what are some of the papal garments Pope Leo has been wearing and what do they symbolize?

The papal mozzetta

One of the most obvious vestments that Pope Leo has brought back into use is the red papal mozzetta, reviving a long-established tradition.

The mozzetta is a nonliturgical garment worn by the pope, cardinals, bishops, abbots, and certain priests, including canons of a cathedral chapter. It is normally worn over the cassock.

The history of this garment dates back to at least the 14th century, shortly after the papacy returned to Rome from Avignon, France. Initially, it was worn by the popes in Avignon to adapt to the colder French climate. Eventually, it became part of the pope's ceremonial dress around 1400, initially reserved for the pope but later extended to all cardinals and bishops.

The mozzetta, in the case of a prelate, symbolizes his spiritual authority and rank within the Church hierarchy. For a pope, it is normally worn with the papal stole as a sign of his universal jurisdiction over all Catholics.

The mozzetta a pope wears is different from those worn by cardinals and other clerics. While the mozzetta for cardinals is red and for bishops purple, the pope has five versions of the mozzetta. The most commonly worn by the pontiffs is the red satin mozzetta, usually with an embroidered stole.

The white cassock

The white cassock is probably one of the most recognizable pieces of papal attire. It's a long-sleeved, ankle-length garment and is tailor-made from 100% wool or a wool blend. White has a long Christian association with purity, innocence, holiness, and the glory of Christ.

Cassocks, which have historical links to the Roman robe known as the "caracalla," are traditionally made with 33 buttons to represent the 33 years of Jesus' life before his resurrection and ascension into heaven.

The white cassock became part of the papal vestments during the pontificate of Pope Pius V (1566-1572), who was a Dominican friar and continued wearing the white habit of his religious order after becoming pope.

A white sash

The white sash around the pope's waist, another traditional piece of papal attire, is called the fascia. It is essentially a wide, ceremonial band worn with the cassock and is made of linen or silk. It represents the pope's devotion, dedication, and submission to Jesus Christ's call to serve and look after his Church. The fascia is a symbol of readiness to minister to the people of God.

A red stole

The stole is a liturgical vestment worn by priests and bishops as a sign of their ordained ministry. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal explains that a priest wears the stole around his neck, while a deacon wears it over his left shoulder and across the chest.

Pope Leo has made consistent use of the stole since his election in 2025. He typically wears a deep burgundy or scarlet silk stole with ornate gold embroidery during public and formal duties. However, he has also been seen wearing other stoles including a white one with gold embroidery.

Some instances in which the Holy Father has worn a stole include during his apostolic journeys, diplomatic audiences, state visits, major liturgical feasts, and ecumenical meetings, among others.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) explains that the stole symbolizes the authority and responsibility to serve in imitation of Christ, connecting it with Jesus' words: "For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

The tradition of red leather shoes

Red leather shoes have been used by several popes over the centuries and have their origins in the early Church and the ancient Roman Empire.

In the Catholic faith, red symbolizes martyrdom and the passion of Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI's red shoes became a bit of a trademark during his pontificate, with ABC News calling him a "fashionista" and Esquire naming him "accessorizer of the year."

At another point, his loafers sparked controversy after false rumors claimed they were crafted by the high-end Italian fashion house Prada.

Benedict's choice of shoes stands out because his predecessor and successor — St. John Paul II and Pope Francis — opted for alternatives. But popes have walked in red for centuries.

While Pope Leo has not yet been seen in red shoes, the Holy Father has made headlines for photoshares of him sporting a pair of white Nike sneakers around the Vatican grounds before he became pope.

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An Israeli court has acquitted a West Bank settler who assaulted a French Catholic sister near Mount Zion in Jerusalem earlier this year, ordering up to six years in a psychiatric facility, Israeli media reported.

Jerusalem Magistrate Court Judge Ophir Tischler acquitted Yona Schreiber citing an assessment from a district psychiatrist that found Schreiber was experiencing a psychotic episode during the attack and could not be found criminally responsible, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The Aug. 26 ruling ordered Schreiber to be committed to an inpatient treatment facility for a maximum six years, though he may be released early if a psychiatric council determines his mental condition to be improved.

The psychiatric assessment further diagnosed Schreiber with schizophrenia, media reports said. The assessment noted that a lack of conclusive evidence showing how Schreiber's mental state led him to carry out the attack on the religious sister but said the illness influenced his actions nonetheless.

Schreiber was arrested and charged in April with assault and hostility toward a religious group for pushing a Catholic sister to the ground and kicking her in the head. The April 28 assault took place on Mount Zion near King David's Tomb, steps from Dormition Abbey.

Videos of the attack circulated on social media, fueling a backlash and further outrage over persistent attacks against Christians in Israel and the West Bank.

At the time, Israel's Foreign Ministry said it strongly condemned Schreiber's actions, writing in an April 29 social media post: "Israel remains firmly committed to safeguarding freedom of religion and freedom of worship for all faiths, and to ensuring that Jerusalem remains a city where every community can live, pray, and practice its faith in safety and dignity."

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A federal judge has struck down a major Trump White House immigration policy, calling the directive "patently unlawful" and handing a win to a Catholic immigration group that brought suit against the administration.

U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas rebuked the Trump administration in the Aug. 21 ruling for what she said was a "direct" infringement on normal federal policy rules.

The U.S. government through the Department of State had issued a policy on Jan. 14 suspending new immigrant visas to dozens of countries. Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed consular offices to adhere to the policy and deny new visas to nationals of 75 countries.

In making the policy, the government alleged that immigrants from those countries were at risk of becoming "public charges."

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network subsequently sued, arguing that the White House had in part "invented a visa processing regime" that violated U.S. statutory rules.

In her ruling, Vargas described the decision as "not a challenging case."

Congress established "comprehensive procedures" related to immigrant visa approvals, she said; those rules rely on consular officers to determine whether or not immigrants should receive visas.

The government's policy, meanwhile, "categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based upon the nationality of the applicant," a rule Vargas said is "a direct abrogation of this statutory scheme."

Vargas said her order would vacate the government's policy and "set aside and vacate any refusal of an immigrant visa that was based solely upon" that policy.

In a press release after the ruling, the Catholic legal group said it welcomed the decision, describing the government's rule as one that "disrupted lawful immigration pathways and separated families around the world."

Anna Gallagher, the group's executive director, said the case "at its heart … is about keeping families together."

"The suspension of lawful visa issuance across 75 countries separated spouses, parents and children who were simply following the legal immigration process," Gallagher said, arguing that the ruling "allow[s] families to once again move forward toward reunification."

The court's ruling is the second high-profile loss this summer for the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump had exceeded his authority when he signed an executive order to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents in the country illegally.

In June, however, the high court ruled in favor of several other restrictive immigration policies from the Trump administration, including one that allowed the government to end temporary protected status for Haitian and Syrian migrants. Those policies have received pushback and criticism from the U.S. bishops.

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With his Wednesday general audience at the Vatican on Aug. 26, Pope Leo XIV concluded his catechesis on the Church's liturgy, focusing on the Second Vatican Council's constitution on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium.

From warning against virtual participation in Sunday Mass to calling for a rediscovery of the symbols of the liturgy, here's an overview of what the pope taught about the liturgy in this series:

Vatican II's reform did not change only 'the rites' of the liturgy

Leo began his catechesis on the liturgy during his general audience at the Vatican on May 20. He explained that the liturgical reforms were not the only changes in the Church that came from the Second Vatican Council.

"In drafting this constitution, the council fathers sought not only to undertake a reform of the rites but to lead the Church to contemplate and deepen that living bond which constitutes and unites her: the mystery of Christ," Leo said in his remarks.

Leo also highlighted the missionary and universal dimensions of the liturgy, and, quoting Pope Francis, recalled that "the world still does not know it, but everyone is invited to the supper of the wedding of the Lamb."

Priests must respect 'norms of the liturgy' to avoid confusion at Mass

During his general audience on May 27, Leo urged priests not to alter the celebration of Mass on their own, to avoid confusing the faithful.

"I encourage all priests to respect the texts and norms of the liturgy with openness, humility, trust in God's greatness, and with sincere fidelity to ecclesial communion."

Leo also explained that liturgical reforms following the Second Vatican Council are not a departure from tradition but a development. To emphasize this, he quoted Pope Benedict XVI, who said that the council fathers' "reform program" sought "a balance between the great liturgical tradition of the past and that of the future."

We must rediscover signs and symbols of the sacred liturgy

In his audience on June 3, Leo called on Catholics to rediscover the meaning of the various gestures associated with the liturgy, such as the sign of peace and kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament. He explained that these symbols and signs are not arbitrary gestures but help Catholics experience "the presence of God through Jesus Christ."

"The rites of the Christian liturgy are not an outward covering of the sacramental mystery or a set of arbitrary ceremonies," Leo said. "Rather, they are the ecclesial mediation through which the divine gift reaches us."

The Eucharist is a powerful antidote to division

Pope Leo dedicated his June 24 general audience to the mystery of the Eucharist, calling on Catholics to "draw with faith from this source of divine life" and to allow themselves "to be transformed by the mystery we celebrate."

"Thus, by incorporating us into Christ, the Eucharist teaches us to adopt the very style of life of the Lord Jesus, which was marked by the free gift of himself," the pope said.

He also drew on the teaching of St. Augustine, who explained the mystery of the Eucharist to the newly baptized.

"It is your own mystery that you receive," Augustine wrote, according to the pope. "To what you are, you respond: 'Amen,' and your response is like your signature. You are told, 'The Body of Christ,' and you reply, 'Amen.' Be therefore members of the Body of Christ, so that your 'Amen' may be true."

The tradition of prayer is disappearing from families

Leo resumed his catechesis at the Aug. 5 general audience following a few weeks of rest at Castel Gandolfo. He lamented that many Christian families no longer pass on prayer and urged the faithful to rediscover it as a fundamental dimension of human life.

"Furthermore, even in many Christian families, the tradition of prayer is no longer passed on, whilst many people risk confusing it with just another technique, of a psychological nature aimed at personal well-being," the pope said.

Leo proposed the Liturgy of the Hours — the Church's official public prayer — as a remedy.

"To the many people who wish to learn to pray, especially catechumens, it can offer the path and the school of Christian prayer."

Attendance at Sunday Mass cannot be replaced by virtual participation

In his audience on Aug. 12, Leo reflected on the importance of the liturgical year. He also urged Catholics to prioritize attending Sunday Mass and warned that virtual gatherings cannot replace in-person Mass attendance.

"To sanctify Sunday, it is essential to celebrate the Eucharist," Leo said. "This
assembly cannot be substituted by a solely virtual presence, nor can it be reduced to a merely passive gathering."

On the liturgical year, he explained that it should be understood "as a constant renewal of the work of salvation which Christ accomplishes in history."

"As she journeys through this temporal cycle, the Church remains in contact with the Lord's redemptive action, so that all the faithful may be filled with his grace."

The musical heritage of the Church must be preserved

Pope Leo called for the Church's musical heritage to be preserved during his general audience on Aug. 19. He also said that inculturation can take place in Church music to accommodate different cultures.

"A theme close to the council's reform is that of inculturation, including in the field of sacred music. In particular, with regard to the musical traditions of different cultures, the council emphasizes the importance of taking them seriously into consideration, as they form part of people's religious and social life."

Vatican II reformed the liturgy to promote active participation

Leo concluded his catechesis on the liturgy on Aug. 26, reflecting on the reasons for the liturgical reforms after the Second Vatican Council.

He described those reforms as necessary to encourage active participation by the faithful and urged them not to be mere spectators during the celebration of the liturgy.

"Since the gestures and words of the sacred liturgy are critical to realizing this experience, the participation of the faithful cannot be passive," Leo said. "The liturgical reform promoted by the Second Vatican Council is thus firmly rooted in the living tradition of the Church."

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A group of merchants in Los Angeles is seeking to join a federal lawsuit in defense of a historic cross and Nativity display in the city's nearly-300-year-old center.

The disputed public displays are located within sight of each other at El Pueblo de Los Angeles, which has long been marked as a historical monument commemorating the founding of the city in 1781. The site was first established by settlers from Spain known as "los pobladores."

The cross is displayed year-round at the head of Olvera Street, while the Nativity is displayed about 150 feet away in a gazebo in the site's plaza every Christmas season.

Los Angeles resident Jack Gerritsen sued the city government alleging that the displays violate the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which forbids federal and state government entities from favoring specific religions.

Gerritsen alleged that the displays make him "feel excluded as a nonbeliever." A U.S. district court initially ruled against him, leading him to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

In an Aug. 24 filing, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty asked the appeals court to allow a group of merchants on Olvera Street to intervene in the case as defendants alongside the city. The merchants have "a significant and legally protected interest in preserving the historic and cultural heritage of El Pueblo," the filing said.

The business owners, the filing said, have "concrete economic interests in preserving the cross and nativity as important attractions that draw visitors to the area."

The merchants help bring a "growing volume of visitors" to the area who travel there to witness the site's "authentic and uninterrupted links to its historic past."

The court filing notes that the area immediately surrounding the disputed monuments has considerable historic resources, including La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, a Catholic parish the roots of which date to 1784, shortly after the city's founding.

The plaza also hosts an annual "Blessing of the Animals" during the season of Lent at which a cardinal or bishop provides benedictions to local pets.

One of the business owners who operates a cafe on Olvera Street, Edward Flores, said in the filing that his own heritage includes a Mexican Catholic background, but he said "Chinese and Italian heritage groups" are also present in the neighborhood.

"Preserving our distinct cultures and educating others about our roles in the founding and growth of Los Angeles ennobles Americans across all ethnicities, faiths, cultures, and generations to take pride in their own contributions and to see more clearly their future potential," Flores wrote.

The filing suggested that, under existing court precedent, both the cross and the Nativity may not be sufficiently "established" to violate the establishment clause at issue in the suit.

The "longstanding and historic nature of the cross and nativity," meanwhile, "reflect the precise nature of the Merchants' interests they seek to protect."

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