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PRAGUE, Czech Republic — Thousands of pro-life marchers filled the streets of Prague on Saturday, April 11, for the Czech Republic's annual March for Life, though organizers say police restrictions on crowd access to the event's main gathering point significantly depressed turnout.

The event began with a Mass in St. Vitus Cathedral, where around 2,000 people gathered before joining the pro-life march. Archbishop Emeritus Jan Graubner of Prague said in his homily that "the path to the revival of the Church and society is not possible without the revival of families."

Graubner praised a culture based on love, "which does not live for itself," on the acceptance of the Holy Spirit, interior freedom, and forgiveness.

Some resist this culture, Graubner acknowledged, saying that they "consider their own self to be the center and summit of everything." Such a perspective "encloses in bubbles and creates boundaries," he said, adding that it also "causes poverty because there is a lack of love that can divide."

It "threatens peace because there is a lack of love that seeks the good of others," he continued. Finally, it "leads to depression because there is a lack of hope for eternity and the disappointed person experiences" that "he is not the omnipotent god he had" thought, Graubner concluded.

Counterprotesters and police response

Pro-abortion protesters attempted to block the marchers, screaming and accusing them of denying women the right to choose. Police arrested five people, but no serious incident occurred. Last year, pro-abortion demonstrators blocked the march at one point, so this time participants walked through the city in separate groups to avoid a repeat disruption.

Typically, the number of marchers doubles once they reach Wenceslas Square (Václavské námestí), one of the city's main squares, where the program's final portion takes place. This year, however, police blocked the square and allowed entry only to those who insisted on getting in — a barrier that was especially difficult for families with small children. As a result, the total number of participants was hard to estimate, and the turnout in Wenceslas Square was much lower than expected.

The organizer, Hnutí Pro život CR (Movement for Life of the Czech Republic), told EWTN News that it is considering a legal complaint against the police department.

"The leadership of local police disabled a public gathering for which the public has a right," the organizer said. The group stressed that the march is held to show support for women facing unexpected pregnancies, adding: "We welcome among us even those with another viewpoint."

However, those responsible lacked the "political will" to secure the march by blocking the square, while letting "the radicals run wild and intimidate the participants," the organizer said.

The press office of the Police of the Czech Republic wrote to EWTN News that it has "no information suggesting that the police officers acted improperly in any way." The Regional Directorate of Police in Prague did not respond to an enquiry for comment.

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Catholics across the United States are once again invited to support the annual Catholic Home Missions Appeal, with most dioceses scheduled to take up the collection the weekend of April 25–26.

The nationwide effort provides essential financial assistance for dioceses and eparchies that are unable to sustain core pastoral and evangelizing ministries on their own due to limited financial resources, small Catholic populations, or communities spread across wide geographic areas.

Coordinated by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), the appeal supports nearly 75 Latin-rite dioceses and Eastern Catholic eparchies in the United States and its current and former territories. These mission dioceses are often located in rural regions or small cities where priests often serve multiple parishes separated by long distances.

Seasonal employment, economic challenges, and shifting demographics can further complicate efforts to maintain consistent parish life and diocesan ministry.

The appeal is intended to help bridge those gaps by supporting core areas of diocesan life, including priestly formation, catechesis, evangelization, and parish-based ministry. Grants also assist with practical needs that vary by region, such as transportation for clergy serving remote communities and resources for dioceses responding to changing cultural realities. 

In announcing this year's appeal, Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, chair of the bishops' Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions, pointed to the missionary pattern of Christ's own ministry.

The Catholic faithful who give to the Catholic Home Missions Appeal are mirroring Jesus, who "spent little time in cities but built his ministry in fishing villages and rural areas," Zielinski said in an April 9 statement.

He also highlighted the spiritual dynamic at the heart of the mission, drawing on the Gospel account of the Samaritan woman at the well, commonly known in Eastern Christian tradition as St. Photina.

"The work of the Catholic Home Missions Appeal reflects Jesus's encounter with the 'woman at the well,' whom Eastern Christians call St. Photina," Zielinski said. "She was an outcast in a community that was considered heretical and that many of Jesus' followers avoided. After talking with him, Photina evangelized her neighbors (John 4)."

He added that many of today's mission dioceses reflect the same openness to the Gospel despite difficult circumstances.

"Most of our mission dioceses are in remote, rural areas, or communities with economic and social challenges," he said. "Yet they are filled with people like St. Photina, who thirst for the Gospel and are eager to spread its life-changing message."

Recent funding from the Catholic Home Missions Appeal has provided more than $8.1 million in assistance to mission dioceses, the USCCB noted. The grants support a wide range of pastoral needs that reflect the diversity of Church life across the country and its territories.

In Alaska, assistance helps cover the cost of fuel for seaplanes used by priests traveling to island villages, enabling access to the sacraments in remote communities. According to the release, in the Diocese of Dodge City in Kansas, funding has supported the expansion of Spanish-language ministry, including printed resources, diocesan retreats, and bilingual personnel serving growing Hispanic populations.

Other dioceses have used grant support to strengthen targeted pastoral initiatives. For instance, the Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio, has deepened its outreach to vulnerable expectant mothers through the USCCB's Walking with Moms in Need initiative, engaging parishes in local support. The Diocese of Belleville in Illinois has supported a full-time college campus minister who accompanies students in faith formation and vocational discernment, including encouragement toward the priesthood.

In American Samoa, the Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago continues to operate five Catholic schools across seven islands, providing educational opportunities in a territory where geographic isolation and economic pressures remain significant challenges.

As parishes prepare for the collection, Church leaders are encouraging Catholics to see the appeal as a practical expression of solidarity with mission dioceses that depend on shared support to sustain parish life and evangelization efforts.

"Your generosity shows Catholics in remote areas that the Church stands with them," Zielinski said, "and that Jesus is calling them to embrace his mercy and share his message as St. Photina did."

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The Polish Bishops' Conference is working with national authorities to prepare an action plan for potential armed conflict, reflecting growing security concerns in the region.

The initiative follows discussions held during the 404th Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops' Conference. On March 17, Poland Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and Minister of the Interior and Administration Marcin Kierwinski met with bishops at the conference's general secretariat in Warsaw.

In an April 7 interview with the Polish Press Agency, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, president of the Polish Bishops' Conference, said the preparations were driven by widespread concern over regional instability.

"There are fears that the war will reach Poland, which is understandable," Wojda said. "Fortunately, we are not standing idly by, waiting for events to unfold."

Coordinated Church-state response

At the center of the effort is a newly established working group within the bishops' conference composed of representatives from multiple institutions, including Caritas Poland. The group is collaborating with both the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of the Interior to develop coordinated responses to crisis scenarios.

According to Wojda, the plan includes provisions for assisting civilians, supporting refugees, and ensuring access to essential resources such as generators, water, medical supplies, and hygiene products. Government authorities have indicated that such materials would be made available to parishes in the event of a national emergency.

The working group is also developing protocols for the evacuation of cultural and religious heritage sites, the establishment of humanitarian corridors, and the identification of safe locations where civilians could seek shelter.

Role of parishes on the front line

Church leaders expect that parishes will play a critical role in any crisis response. Poland has more than 10,000 Catholic parishes nationwide, making the Church one of the country's most extensive and trusted local networks.

Wojda explained that the Polish government realizes that in a crisis situation, "most Poles will first turn to the Church for help, and only then to municipal institutions and offices." Therefore, it is important to have access to resources that will allow civilians to survive in a crisis.

To prepare for this responsibility, the conference is developing practical guidelines for clergy. Training sessions and workshops are already underway in some dioceses, often in collaboration with Caritas Poland, which has extensive experience in humanitarian aid.

Wojda stressed that priests are aware of the potential challenges. "They understand the problem they may have to face," he said, adding that bishops are being kept regularly informed of the preparations.

Broader regional context

The initiative reflects heightened awareness in Poland of security risks linked to the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine and broader geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.

While Poland has not been directly involved in armed conflict, its proximity to the front lines and its role as a key NATO member and logistical hub for Ukraine have heightened concerns about potential spillover effects.

Church and state officials have framed the preparations as a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding civilians and maintaining social stability. Observers have largely viewed the development positively, noting that the Catholic Church's extensive parish network and centralized structure position it as a uniquely effective partner in crisis response.

This evolving role raises broader questions about the place of religious institutions in modern European societies: whether the Church can serve not only as a moral authority but also as a stabilizing force in times of crisis, and how such cooperation between ecclesial and state structures may shape future responses to conflict and humanitarian emergencies.

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ANNABA, Algeria — Pope Leo XIV traveled Tuesday from Algiers to Annaba — ancient Hippo — in what for the Augustinian pontiff amounted to a return to the roots of his faith and vocation.

After a flight of about an hour, Leo arrived in the city most closely associated with St. Augustine, who served as bishop of Hippo from 396 to 430. For the pope, a son of St. Augustine, the visit marked a homecoming of sorts.

It was in Hippo that St. Augustine died at about age 75 while the city was under siege by the Vandals. His remains were first buried in the basilica there. To protect them from desecration, Augustine's body was later moved first to Cagliari and then, around 723, transferred to Pavia by the Lombard king Liutprand. His relics are now venerated in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro, which Pope Leo is scheduled to visit on June 20.

Over the centuries after Augustine's death, Annaba — once Hippo — was conquered first by the Byzantines and later destroyed by the Arabs in the seventh century, before being rebuilt under the name Annaba.

Among the surviving remains from the Roman era are the paved forum surrounded by columned porticoes, the theater, the market, Severan baths, cisterns, and figurative mosaics. Christian-era elements also remain, including the Basilica Pacis, where St. Augustine carried out his episcopal ministry, and its adjoining baptistery.

Upon arriving at the archaeological site, Pope Leo XIV was greeted by a local official. Despite driving rain and a shorter visit than originally planned because of the weather, the pope walked through the ruins and, at the end of the route, laid a wreath of flowers.

The choir of the Annaba Institute of Music then performed songs in Latin, Berber, and Arabic based on texts by St. Augustine dedicated to peace and fraternity. After a brief prayer, the pope departed the archaeological site.

Leo was then set to continue to the Little Sisters of the Poor's home for the elderly, where he was to stop briefly to greet residents.

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

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Vice President JD Vance on Monday defended President Donald Trump's decision to post and later delete an AI-generated image that critics said depicted the president as Jesus Christ, calling it a joke that people misunderstood.

"I think the president was posting a joke and, of course, he took it down because he recognized that a lot of people weren't understanding his humor in that case," Vance told Fox News' Bret Baier on "Special Report."

"I think the president of the United States likes to mix it up on social media," Vance added. "And I actually think that's one of the good things about this president, is that he is not filtered."

Earlier Monday, the president told reporters at the White House that the image depicted him as "a doctor" and "a Red Cross worker," not as Jesus, as many understood it. He added: "Only the fake news could come up with that one."

"I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do with the Red Cross as a Red Cross worker there, which we support," Trump said.

The deleted post

The apparently AI-generated image, posted to Trump's Truth Social account on Sunday evening on Orthodox Easter, showed the president in a white robe and red sash. Both hands emitted a golden light, with one resting on the forehead of a man in a hospital bed. The American flag, the Statue of Liberty, military jets and floating human figures in the sky filled the background. The post contained no caption.

Trump shared the image shortly after publishing a series of posts attacking Pope Leo XIV, calling the pontiff "weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy" over his opposition to U.S. military operations in Iran.

The now-deleted image drew swift backlash from across the political spectrum, including from prominent conservative and Christian commentators who are typically supportive of the president. The post was deleted later on Monday.

Vance addresses U.S.-Vatican tensions

In his Fox News appearance, Vance — a Catholic convert — also addressed the broader friction between the White House and the Vatican.

"When it comes to the disagreements with the Vatican, look, we're going to have disagreements, from time to time," Vance said. "I think it's a good thing, actually, that the pope is advocating for the things that he cares about."

He added: "We can respect the pope. We certainly have a good relationship with the Vatican. But we're also going to disagree on substantive questions from time to time. I think that's a totally reasonable thing. It isn't particularly newsworthy."

Pope Leo XIV, speaking to journalists aboard the papal flight to Algiers on Monday, responded to the controversy: "I have no fear neither of the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel," the pope said.

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, said he was "disheartened" by Trump's remarks about the pope, calling Leo "the vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls."

It is not the first time a Trump social media post depicting himself in religious imagery has caused controversy.

In May 2025, the president posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope shortly after the death of Pope Francis. That post drew condemnation from Catholic leaders, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Vance at the time dismissed that controversy as well, saying he was "fine with people telling jokes."

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WBVM/Tampa (90.5 Spirit FM) announces the promotion of Davis Watts to Program Director. Watts will continue to serve as Music Director and host of the More Music Middays (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Watts says, "It's been an honor serving the Tampa Bay community with this amazing team for the past 13 years. I feel that the Lord, our listeners and the industry friends I've made over these years have prepared me for the exciting challenge of leading our air staff and I'm eager to get started."  

Watts joined the Spirit FM team in 2008, moving through the ranks of night time announcer, to middays, Music Director and now Program Director.  "I've seen tremendous growth in Davis, and a hunger to improve not only his craft, but the station's as a whole.  I'm excited that he's up to the challenge." said John Morris, Station Manager. 

Spirit FM is a 100,000 FM station serving the Tampa/St. Petersburg market since May 1986. The station is owned by the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, the only Catholic station in the country programming contemporary Christian music. For more information about Spirit FM, visit myspiritfm.com.

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