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Vatican City, Sep 12, 2025 / 11:51 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV spoke out on Friday against what he called the business of wars, while condemning attitudes of rejection and indifference toward migrants and the poor, as he received some of the participants in the third edition of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity at the Vatican.

Among those present were several Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including Iraqi activist Nadia Murad, American Jody Williams, Liberian Leymah Gbowee, Yemeni Tawakkol Karman, Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, Ukrainian lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk, Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, and Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege.

In his remarks, the pontiff reflected on the need for fraternity and reconciliation in a world where wars "shatter the lives of young people forced to take up arms; target defenseless civilians, children, women, and elderly people; devastate cities, the countryside, and entire ecosystems, leaving only rubble and pain in their wake."

The pope decried the plight of many "migrants who are despised, imprisoned, and rejected, among those who seek salvation and hope but find walls and indifference." He also lamented that, on many occasions, the poor are "blamed for their poverty, forgotten and discarded, in a world that values profit more than people."

Faced with all these injustices, Leo XIV insisted that "the answer cannot be silence."

"You are the answer, with your presence, your commitment, and your courage. The answer is choosing a different direction of life, growth, and development," he said.

The pope also called for the establishment of a broad "covenant of humanity, founded not on power but on care; not on profit but on gift; not on suspicion but on trust."

"Care, gift, and trust are not virtues to be practiced only in one's spare time: They are pillars of an economy that does not kill but deepens and broadens participation in life," he said.

Thus, the Holy Father invited everyone to recognize the other as a brother or sister, which in practice means "freeing ourselves from the pretense of believing that we are isolated individuals or from the logic of forming relationships only out of self-interest."

The pope said the planet is marked by conflicts and divisions, and emphasized that the participants of this new edition of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity are "united by a strong and courageous 'no' to war and a 'yes' to peace and fraternity."

Leo XIV cited an encyclical of his predecessor Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, to reiterate that social friendship and universal fraternity necessarily require the "acknowledgement of the worth of every human person, always and everywhere."

He also emphasized that Pope Francis taught that "war is not the right way to resolve a conflict" and praised the "willingness to face conflict head on, to resolve it and to make it a link in the chain of a new process," which he called "the wisest path, the path of the strong."

The pope connected his reflections with the biblical account of Abel's murder at the hands of his brother Cain and reflected on how this fraternal relationship immediately became conflictual.

However, he stressed that this first homicide "should not lead us to conclude that 'it has always been this way.' No matter how ancient or widespread, Cain's violence cannot be tolerated as 'normal.'"

"The norm is revealed in God's question to the guilty party: 'Where is your brother?' It is in this question that we find our vocation, the rule and measure of justice," he stated.

For the pope, that same question continues to echo in history and "today more than ever, we must make this question our own as a principle of reconciliation. Once internalized, it will resonate in this way: 'Brother, sister, where are you?'"

Leo emphasized that the great spiritual traditions and the maturing of critical thought allow us to go "beyond blood or ethnic ties, beyond those kinships that recognize only those who are similar and reject those who are different."

For the Holy Father, it is also significant that in the Bible, as scientific exegesis has shown, it is the more recent and mature texts that narrate a "fraternity that transcends the ethnic boundaries of God's people and is founded on a common humanity."

"The stories of creation and the genealogies bear witness that all peoples, even enemies, have the same origin, and the Earth, with its goods, is for everyone, not just for some," he said.

He also stressed that fraternity is "the most authentic name for closeness. It means rediscovering the face of the other. For those who believe, they recognize the mystery: the very image of God in the face of the poor, the refugee, and even the adversary."

The pope called on his listeners to identify paths, both local and international, that develop "new forms of social charity, alliances between different areas of knowledge and solidarity between generations."

On the other hand, he called for "community-based approaches that also include the poor, not as recipients of aid, but as subjects of discernment and discourse."

The Holy Father encouraged them to continue this work of "silent sowing. This can give rise to a participatory process focused on humanity and fraternity, which is not limited to listing rights, but also includes concrete actions and motivations that make us different in our everyday lives."

The organizers of the third edition of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity structured this international event, promoted by St. Peter's Basilica on Sept. 12 and 13, around 15 thematic tables.

These are spaces of dialogue that will function as laboratories for the exchange of ideas on various themes, such as the world of information, the environment and sustainability, the economy and finance, and artificial intelligence.

In this context, St. Peter's Square will host a free concert open to the public this Saturday, one that promises to mark a turning point in the relationship between culture, faith, and entertainment.

Under the name "Grace for the World," the Vatican square will become an open-air stage bringing together international artists such as Karol G, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, and other singers like Pharrell Williams, John Legend, Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll, BamBam, and Angélique Kidjo.

This evening will be broadcast live on Disney+, Hulu, and ABC News Live, allowing millions of viewers to follow the event in real time.

The concert will also bring together the voices of an international choir of 250 people, including members of the Choir of the Diocese of Rome. The entire event will be orchestrated by world-renowned music producer Adam Blackstone.

But the show will go beyond music. The company Nova Sky Stories will present a visual creation that will light up the sky of Rome with a choreography of more than 3,000 drones, inspired by the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel.

This innovative staging will turn the night into a true living fresco of sounds and lights, an unprecedented sensory experience in the heart of Christendom, according to the Vatican.

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

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CNA Staff, Sep 12, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

A new film called "Triumph of the Heart" depicts St. Maximilian Kolbe's last days on earth in a starvation bunker in the German death camp of Auschwitz. The film will be released in theaters on Sept. 12.

St. Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Franciscan friar and priest who volunteered to die in place of another man in Auschwitz. He spent the last 14 days of his life in a starvation bunker alongside nine other men.

At the film's Sept. 8 premiere in Dallas, where over 1,000 people gathered at the Edith O'Donnell Arts and Technology Building on the University of Texas at Dallas campus to show their support and watch the film, writer and director Anthony D'Ambrosio told CNA on the red carpet that it was "surreal" to see the magnitude of the premiere. 

He explained that it was originally meant to be a more intimate gathering with roughly 200 people in attendance but "God, of course, had other plans," D'Ambrosio said. "I think that what I'm seeing is that God keeps on growing our vision for where he wants to take the film, where he wants to take this story." 

The current rise in faith-based media

Actors who also spoke on the red carpet discussed the resurgence of faith-based media being seen in today's culture. 

Michael Iskander, who portrays King David in Prime Video's "House of David" and served as the master of ceremonies for the premiere, said he believes "Christ is pouring his heart out to all of us in every way possible and media is one of those frontiers that hasn't really been touched yet."

He credited the hit series "The Chosen" for "paving the path for so much faith-based filmmaking and showing people that this is a market that people want to see."

A recent convert to Catholicism, Iskander shared that St. Maximilian Kolbe was one of the first saints he learned about from the Catholic Church. He highlighted the saint's use of media to spread the Gospel message to the masses and said it is "fitting that this film and this rise in Christianity, especially in filmmaking, had to do with St. Kolbe."

Jeff Schiefelbein, co-host of the podcast "The Beatidudes" and an investor in "Triumph of the Heart," said he believes there is a resurgence in faith-based media because people are "sick of all the fake stuff."

"We're being told to compare ourselves to things that aren't even important. The materialism has swung so far that the pendulum is making its way back," he said. "... I think there's going to be this resurgence … of young people, Gen Xers, old people coming back and saying, 'Wait, we want what's real, what's true, what's good, and what's beautiful' and so it is rooted in the Gospel when we go and seek those."

Marcellino D'Ambrosio, a well-known author, Catholic commentator, and executive producer of the film — also the father of Anthony D'Ambrosio — called this moment we're seeing in faith-based media "a Holy Spirit moment."

"Human beings always need God but I think something really special is going on right now," he said. 

"St. Augustine said it well: Our hearts are restless until we rest in him. And success in the culture — this is a fascinating thing that actually goes back even to the successful cultures in Rome — there's an emptiness when you have a certain amount of success and you have leisure; nothing satisfies but God," he added. "So it oftentimes leads people to that restlessness that St. Augustine talks about — to look for him, to be open to him, and I think that's what's going on in our culture right now."

A film that inspires hope

As for what those involved in the film hope viewers take away from it, the major theme they mentioned was their wish that it fills the audience with hope.

"I hope they will take away hope," Marcellino D'Ambrosio said. "I hope that everyone realizes that God is real; I have a future, no matter how bad the present looks … he's with me in the present and he has something in store for me that's greater than my wildest dreams."

Rowan Polonski, the actor who portrays Albert in the film — one of the men in the starvation bunker alongside Kolbe — told CNA his hope is for the audience to be "pleasantly surprised in the way that they're moved."

"Entering into this movie, you could quite easily walk in thinking it's going to be a pretty dark and heavy write, but what I want them to walk out with is a sense of joy and catharsis," he added. "And a sense that no matter how dark times can get, how low one can feel, there's always a way out, there's always a crack of light somewhere that you can cling onto and follow through and it's normally in the form of love."

Producer Cecilia Stevenson added: "I really want people to feel love when they watch this movie and specifically to feel the love of Our Lord and how he enters into our suffering with us, just like Kolbe did for those men in that film. Our movie, Kolbe's story, it's a modern-day example that ultimately points us to Christ, and I really hope people feel that love and I hope it gives them hope, that there is meaning in life and that suffering itself can have meaning."

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Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sep 12, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

The Santa Catarina State Court of Justice in Brazil has denied Regiane Cichelero's request to home-school her son. In its Sept. 2 ruling, the court upheld the previous decision requiring the child to be enrolled in a regular school in addition to a fine of 100,000 reais (more than $18,000).

In 2020, with the closure of public schools in Santa Catarina state due to fears surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Cichelero decided to home-school her son. After schools reopened in March 2021, the lawyer decided to continue home-schooling him, believing it would guarantee a quality education in line with the family's religious beliefs.

At that time, the school began an "active search" for Cichelero's son. The Child Protection Council went to the lawyer's home and warned her about the mandatory school enrollment requirement, according to the Child and Adolescent Statute. After the Child Protection Council's notification, the case was referred to the Santa Catarina public prosecutor's office.

Initially, the presiding judge threatened to remove Cichelero's son from her custody if she continued home-schooling him. Later, the Santa Catarina court ruled that she had to pay a fine of between three and 20 times the minimum wage, plus an additional daily fine of 1,000 reais (approximately $184) if her son was not enrolled in school.

Her defense

On social media, Cichelero said she will appeal to Brazil's Supreme Federal Court and, if necessary, to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in order to continue home schooling.

The judges ruled on the case without "observing the law," she said. "They ignored international human rights treaties, they ignored the constitutionality of home schooling. They relied solely on personal opinions."

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a religious freedom legal advocacy organization, has been coordinating Cichelero's defense since 2023, believing that her rights are being violated and that "parents have priority by right in choosing the type of education their children will receive."

"This decision represents a disappointing setback for parental rights in Brazil," said Julio Pohl, legal adviser for Latin America at ADF International, which coordinated Cichelero's defense. "International human rights law is clear: Parents have the right to choose the type of education their children receive. By ruling that Cichelero cannot home-school her son, the court not only ruled against her family but also undermined the protections of all parents throughout Brazil."

Article 26.3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children." Article 13.3 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights also establishes that states must respect the right of parents "to choose for their children schools, other than those established by the public authorities, which conform to such minimum educational standards as may be laid down or approved by the state and to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions."

In Brazil, Bill 1338/2022, which would regulate home schooling in the country, was approved by the Chamber of Deputies (lower house) in 2022 but is still awaiting a vote in the Senate.

According to the Brazilian National Association of Home Education, approximately 75,000 Brazilian families have currently opted to home-school. This represents approximately 150,000 students receiving home schooling in the country.

This story was first published by ACI Digital, CNA's Portuguese-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by ACI Prensa/CNA.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Sep 11, 2025 / 18:37 pm (CNA).

Here's a roundup of the latest Catholic education news in the United States:

Benedictine College launches AI center on Carlo Acutis' canonization day

In response to calls by Pope Leo XIV to the rise of artificial intelligence, Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, launched its new Center for Technology and Human Dignity to promote Catholic digital and biomedical ethics on the same day as Carlo Acutis' canonization on Sept. 7 in Rome. 

"We are excited to dedicate this center under the patronage of St. Carlo Acutis, a model of how Catholics should use new technology thoughtfully but without fear. And its biomedical emphasis will help as we pursue a medical school," said Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis in a press release. 

The center will be directed by Benedictine College Professor of Theology and Bioethics Mariele Courtois, who is also a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education's research group on artificial intelligence.

2 Marquette University lacrosse players killed in drunk driving incident 

In a Sept. 6 Mass celebrated at the Marquette University Theatre, students, faculty, and staff mourned the loss of two lacrosse players killed in a drunk driving incident, according to reports.

Two students, Noah Snyder and Scott Michaud, were killed in the accident, which occurred when an unidentified 41-year-old woman who was driving while intoxicated struck their car. Four other students, including three lacrosse players, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

"When only standing room was available in the 1,000-seat facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jesuit university, students, and members of the Marquette community lined the walls of the theater and watched the Mass from the lobby," a report said. 

School to issue public apology after alleged racist incident

The parents of a student who was expelled from a Catholic school in Oregon after they confronted the administration over a racist incident that took place in March have reportedly reached an agreement with the school. 

According to local reports, the Madeleine School will issue a public apology to parents Karis Stoudamire-Phillips and her husband, Mike, who are African American, in addition to promising to rectify its actions after an incident in which their son was allegedly called the N-word on the playground. 

When the couple confronted the school, the school's principal allegedly dismissed the incident. The principal has since been fired, and the school issued a pledge to "[maintain] an educational environment free from the scourge of racism." 

Catholic Church in Oklahoma announces plan to open new school after SCOTUS ruling 

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma and the Diocese of Tulsa have announced plans to open a new Catholic virtual school after their plan to open the first religious charter school in the nation was blocked by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. 

St. Carlos Acutis Academy will officially open in August 2026 as a private Catholic institution, enrolling K–8 students for its first year and adding grades each year until the school reaches K–12, the Oklahoman reported.

"We are thrilled to announce the opening of St. Carlo Acutis Classical Academy," said the school's head, Misty Smith."Our mission is to bring the richness of the Catholic intellectual tradition into homes through an online format embracing classical curriculum resources that combine both synchronous and asynchronous learning."

"St. Carlo Acutis said: 'To be with God, that is my life project,'" she added, "and everything we at the academy do walks us closer to unity with Christ."

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ACI Africa, Sep 11, 2025 / 11:34 am (CNA).

The superior general of the Via Christi Society in Nigeria has decried the state of insecurity in his native Makurdi Diocese, saying he can no longer travel to his village.

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of a canonical visit to St. Matthew Kuchikau Parish of the Diocese of Lafia on Sept. 7, Father Vealumun Paul Ansbert Mom described the current insecurity in Benue state and others in the north-central region of Nigeria as "deliberate persecution of Christians in the West African nation."

"St. Paul Parish Ayititwa in Katsina-Ala Diocese was burnt down and destroyed. The parish house, rectory, and church building were reduced to ashes. From every evidence available, what is going on is the persecution of Christians, and we cannot hide away from that fact," Mom told ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa.

The Nigerian priest, who has lost family members amid insecurity in Benue state, said the attacks have destroyed entire communities. 

"I don't have a village any longer; I can't travel to my village. My village no longer exists because everyone has been driven away by killer herders," he lamented.

"When Yelewata community was burnt down, I lost two cousins, and another cousin was shot on his farm two weeks ago," Mom said. "These attacks are targeted. There are areas where Christianity is simply not allowed to grow."

The priest further explained that priests continue to live and work in dangerous conditions even after government officials have abandoned those areas. 

"Many parishes in Makurdi Diocese and outstations have been closed down because of this insecurity. Local government chairmen have relocated their offices to Makurdi, but Catholic priests remain in those villages. They go to bed every night wondering if they will survive, yet they stay," he said.

Mom urged the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to acknowledge the scale of the crisis and take action. 

"The popular narrative among the powers that be is to deny the reality, but those of us who face it firsthand know the truth. Churches are destroyed, priests are displaced, and Christians are being persecuted. Government presence is almost nonexistent in these communities. The only officials left are soldiers," he said.

Despite the insecurity and criticisms, Mom noted that the Catholic Church does not see itself as an enemy of the Nigerian government and state officials. 

"The Church and the state have always worked hand in hand. The Scriptures call us to pray for our leaders. We love them, we pray for them, and we wish them well. But as a credible moral voice, we must call their attention to the suffering of the people," he said.

In the Sept. 7 interview, Mom also reflected on the challenges of vocations to priestly and religious life and the formation of candidates.

"The world has become very secular and lazy, and vocations come from this same society. It is tougher now to train priests because many young people lack commitment. We must build virtues of sacrifice and dedication," he explained.

Mom dismissed suggestions that economic hardship alone prevents young people from joining the priesthood and religious life.

"We train all our seminarians without asking them to pay. What really hinders vocations today is materialism. If you are driven by wealth and comfort, you cannot survive in the priesthood. Our priests in Via Christi Society work in remote and difficult missions where sacrifice is required, not wealth," Mom said.

"The Lord says, 'Foxes have holes, the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.' To follow him means surrender and sacrifice. If you are driven by wealth, you have no place in the priesthood," he warned, highlighting the sacrifices of Via Christi missionaries both in Nigeria and abroad. 

"In Makurdi Diocese, our priests remain in flashpoints like Udei, Adaka, Aondona, and Naka. In Bauchi, one of our priests installed solar power that became the only source of light for an entire village," Mom said.

He went on to recount: "In the Caribbean, when hurricanes hit St. Vincent and the Grenadines, one of our priests sheltered an entire community in his church basement. That is what missionary service looks like."

Mom said the Church will continue to rely on faith to sustain its mission. 

"Our founder, Father Angus Fraser, always reminded us to live by divine providence. Even when obstacles seem impossible, divine providence takes us a step further. That is what keeps us going in Nigeria and in every part of the world where we serve," he said.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

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Vatican City, Sep 11, 2025 / 12:11 pm (CNA).

In response to the Sept. 10 fatal shooting of Christian conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Vatican's secretary of state condemned the use of violence against those with whom one disagrees.

"The Vatican stand is that we are against all types of violence. And we think that we have to be very, very tolerant, very respectful of everybody, even though we don't share the same view," Cardinal Pietro Parolin told journalists at the sidelines of a conference at the Vatican on Sept. 11.

"If we are not tolerant and respectful, and we are violent, this will produce a really big problem inside the international community and the national community," he added.

Parolin's comments were made one day after the 31-year-old Kirk was shot dead during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University on the afternoon of Sept. 10.

Kirk, who often debated students on campus, strongly defended free speech at colleges and was an outspoken critic of discrimination against Christians and of gender ideology. He founded Turning Point USA in 2012 to promote free speech and conservative values on college campuses.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Sep 11, 2025 / 13:04 pm (CNA).

Faith leaders and political leaders are uniting their voices to condemn politically motivated violence following the assassination of Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk.

Following the confirmation of Kirk's death by President Donald Trump, some hours after the TPUSA founder was shot at a Utah Valley University event on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 10, countless faith and political leaders began to speak out against the scourge of political violence.

In a statement, Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, railed against the "vicious pattern of political and social disorder" of the past several weeks, citing the Annunciation Catholic school shooting, the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, "and now the political assassination of Charlie Kirk, known for his commitment to civil and rational discourse." 

"What we see unfolding in our nation is a vicious pattern of hatreds rooted in the rejection of God, of the dignity of the human person, and the sanctity of the family," the bishop observed.

"We are living through a perilous moment," Burbridge continued. "Our challenge is not only one of partisan disagreement, law, and policy, but in a deeper way our challenge is to uphold the central goods of American political life: of faith, of families, and of a national commitment to live together in harmony as brothers and sisters."

Kirk's assasination hit Bishop Barron particularly hard

"I am devastated by the news of Charlie Kirk's death," Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, Bishop Robert Barron said after news of Kirk's death was confirmed by President Donald Trump. 

Barron went on to reveal that Kirk had been scheduled to appear on his show, "Bishop Barron Presents," in 10 days. The founder of Word on Fire called Kirk "a great debater and also one of the best advocates in our country for civil discourse, but he was, first and last, a passionate Christian," recalling that when they first met four years ago, "we didn't talk much about politics. We talked about theology, in which he had a deep interest, and about Christ. I know I'm joining millions of people around the world in praying that he rests now in the peace of the Lord."

Moral theologian on root of problem

"You have to be willfully blind not to see that the root of the problem is political hatred, and that that hatred is no more obvious than in those who cannot restrain themselves from badmouthing a man even when he lay dying," said Edward Feser, a Catholic philosopher and professor at Pasadena City College.

In a joint post showcasing their shared perspective across ideological divides, Princeton legal scholar Robert George and Harvard theology and philosophy professor Cornel West said: "For our nation, this is a moment for deep healing and for bearing witness to the precious humanity of all our brothers and sisters — those with whom we agree and those with whom we disagree." The pair had appeared together on Kirk's show recently.

Meanwhile, CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt said the tragic shooting "was not merely an assault on one man: It was an assault on the principles of free dialogue, civic order, and human dignity." 

"As Catholics, we affirm with unwavering conviction that every human life is sacred," Reinhardt continued, offering prayers for the repose of Kirk's soul. "I call upon every leader, regardless of party or persuasion, to condemn this murder unequivocally. To remain silent in the face of such evil is to be complicit in its advance. Let this tragedy awaken America to the urgent need to recover respect for life, civility in discourse, and courage in the pursuit of truth."

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts also weighed in, writing: "What a horrific day in American history." 

"To Charlie's family, friends, and @TPUSA colleagues: We must never, never, never, never, never, never stop fighting to build the America that he helped make possible," Roberts added. 

Netanyahu: Kirk 'stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined world leaders in condemning Kirk's assasination, writing: "Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization." 

Netanyahu revealed he had spoken to Kirk "only two weeks ago" and had invited the late TPUSA founder to visit Israel.

"Sadly, that visit will not take place," the prime minister said. "We lost an incredible human being. His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact." 

In another tribute, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who hosted Kirk as the first guest on his new podcast, said: "His senseless murder is a reminder of how important it is for all of us, across the political spectrum, to foster genuine discourse on issues that deeply affect us all without resorting to political violence." 

"The best way to honor Charlie's memory is to continue his work: Engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse," he continued. "In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate — never through violence."

Newsom added: "Honest disagreement makes us stronger; violence only drives us further apart and corrodes the values at the heart of this nation.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden both took to social media as well, with Biden writing in a post: "There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk's family and loved ones." 

"I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family," Harris wrote, adding: "Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence."

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Sep 11, 2025 / 13:34 pm (CNA).

On the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Catholic and U.S. leaders offered prayers and paid tribute to those who lost their lives that day and for all those who continue to grieve.

"Today we remember Sept. 11, 2001," Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York wrote in a joint post to social media. "We continue to pray for the souls lost that day, the families who still mourn, the heroes who served, and all those who have since died from 9/11-related illnesses or continue to suffer."

Dolan's post offered a prayer to be said on the anniversary: "Lord, on this Sept. 11, we remember all who died 24 years ago in our city and throughout the country. We hold in our hearts those who still carry loss and grief from that day."

"Grant eternal rest to the departed, strength to survivors and their families, and protection for first responders and all who serve our communities with courage and dedication. Lord God, continue to watch over our city and country, and help us turn hearts toward compassion and peace. Amen."

In a post to X, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) also offered a prayer in memory of the attack: "God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events. Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain."

"Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all."

U.S. leaders also commemorated the day and paid tribute to the victims. 

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended an event at the Pentagon in Virginia on Thursday morning where prayers were offered for all the victims, first responders, those who continue to grieve, and U.S. active military members. 

"To every family member that still feels a void every day of your lives, the First Lady and I unite with you in sorrow," Trump said at the event. "And today, as one nation, we renew our sacred vow that we will never forget Sept. 11, 2001."

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also spoke, asking the crowd to honor the memory of the victims and to acknowledge "the decades of courage that followed" the attack. 

"We gather to pay tribute to the first responders who charged into the flames and up the stairs, to those trapped on planes fighting their final fight, and to the families whose lives were forever altered by that fateful day," Hegseth said.  

"I thank God for all of you and all of our fighters from that day, to today and beyond. May God bless our warriors as they ruthlessly seek out enemies on behalf of the fellow citizens they love."

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ACI Africa, Sep 11, 2025 / 14:04 pm (CNA).

Archbishop Inácio Saure of the Archdiocese of Nampula in Mozambique and other Church leaders in the southern African country have denounced the illegal occupation of Church land in the country and the inaction of authorities there.

In a report by the pontifical and charity foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International, the leaders said mosques are springing up on land snatched from the Church in what they say raises fears of worsening interreligious relations in a country that is already suffering from an Islamist insurgency in Mozambique's northern province of Cabo Delgado, which neighbors Nampula.

The land includes plots on which the female religious congregation of the Servants of Mary, two seminaries, and the parish of St. John the Baptist in Marrare are located.

"In at least one of these cases, a mosque has been built on the land adjacent to one of the seminaries," according to the Sept. 8 report by ACN. 

Saure said in the report that Church land property has been vandalized, and so far, authorities have failed to act.

In reference to the attackers, he said: "They came and cut down many trees, and the wood was removed by truck. When we came to ask them to respect our private property, they appeared with machetes and spears. They threatened us and told us they were going to demolish the seminary."

The attackers, he added, also took away animals that were being reared by the seminarians.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, authorities have taken no action, he said, adding that the issue has been ongoing for some time and the Church has filed official complaints. 

On May 16, a court ordered the provisional restitution of possession of the land to the Church, but five months later, no practical action has taken place, the ACN report said.

Saure said that "officials who were sent there were chased away," leading him to conclude that "there must be a very powerful, invisible, and untouchable hand encouraging the criminals."  

He demanded that justice be served "so that our rights are restored, because these are the rights of the poor, as the Church and its works are at the service of the poor. It is not fair that the Church's goods should be stolen in this way."  

Meanwhile, Father Benvindo Isaías de Jesus, director of the local Catholic Radio Encontro, told ACN the illegal occupations began a long time ago but have recently become intense. The situation does not look good for a country that does not have religious tolerance, he said.

"Most of those who spearhead the current occupations are Muslim. Once they have taken the land, the first thing they do is build a mosque," Benvindo said.

And according to Father José Luzia, a missionary who has been in the country for almost six decades, there is suspicion among the faithful.

"Some claim that the apparently organized occupation of Church land in Nampula could be related to the fact that Archbishop Inácio Saure has recently spoken out very critically about the social and political situation in the country," the missionary told ACN.

Saure held a press conference on Sept. 3 and launched "a strong appeal, a call for help to all people of goodwill, in Nampula, in Mozambique, and all over the world, because it seems that the law is worth nothing in this country." 

ACI Africa's Sabrine Amboka contributed to this story.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

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ACI Prensa Staff, Sep 11, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

"Today, we Nicaraguans are making history again. Do not forget: God is with us and God is with Nicaragua!" said Pedro Bismarck Chau, the new auxiliary bishop of Newark, New Jersey, at the Sept. 8 Mass for his episcopal consecration, making him the first Nicaraguan-born bishop in the United States.

Amid a festive atmosphere and before a packed Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark, where he had been rector since 2020, Chau received episcopal consecration through the laying on of hands by several bishops. The principal consecrator was Cardinal Joseph Tobin, the archbishop of Newark.

As part of the celebration, Cardinal Christoph Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, read the letter in which Pope Leo XIV officially appointed Chau as bishop and encouraged him to allow himself to be strengthened "by the grace of this jubilee year and you will have reason to be confident in the gift of hope, which does not disappoint. May God continue to bless you and may he bless the people of God in this archdiocese."

The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep

In his homily in English and Spanish, Tobin encouraged the new bishop to remember that "you have been called from among the people of God and for the people of God. Not for yourself, but for the things that belong to God. Indeed, episcopacy is the name of a service, not an honor, for a bishop should strive to serve rather than rule."

"According to the Master's commandment, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of all … Be a faithful steward and dispenser of the mysteries of Christ. Always follow the example of the Good Shepherd, who knows his sheep and is known by them, and who did not hesitate to give his life for them."

The cardinal then recalled that "Pope Francis never tired of repeating to bishops that there are three aspects to a bishop's closeness to the people he serves: closeness to God in prayer, the first task; closeness to the priests and deacons of the Church; and closeness to the people of God. … Do not forget your roots, do not forget those who have passed on the faith to you."

'God is with Nicaragua!'

At the beginning of his address as a newly consecrated bishop, Chau thanked the Deaf community in sign language, recalling that for 17 years they have been a great support and encouragement in his ministry, offering them his prayers and concluding with a clear: "I love you!"

Speaking later in Spanish, he addressed his "dear Hispanic community: Thank you for the faith and devotion you possess. You are a great gift of life for the Church in the United States. Continue, brothers, to be a Church that goes out in search of the lost sheep."

"I would also like to acknowledge the presence this afternoon," Chau continued, "of a group of people here from a very small country but with a big and resilient heart that cries out with a phrase that no other country has: 'Who causes so much joy? The conception of Mary. Mary of Nicaragua! Nicaragua of Mary!'"

The prelate addressed his family, especially his mother: "Thank you, my dearest mother, for everything and for praying so many rosaries for me, three, four, and five times a day that you pray for me. I need them, so don't stop praying those rosaries for me. OK, Mommy?"

"I love you very much," he told his family, "you know I love you with all my heart."

The example of the Virgin Mary

Chau said he hopes to "follow the example of Mary, whose birthday we celebrate today. Happy birthday, Mary! She trusted in God's plan even though she didn't know what she was being called to or where it would take or lead her. She renounced all the dreams and aspirations that a young girl would have and put God's will first."

Then addressing all those assembled he said: "I humbly ask you to remember me in your prayers to the Lord and to ask the Virgin to watch over me and bring me closer to her son, Jesus, so that I may reflect for you the image of the Good Shepherd. Thank you, and may God bless you all!" he said.

Words of Bishop Silvio Báez

Following the Mass, Bishop Silvio Báez, the exiled auxiliary bishop of Managua, Nicaragua, who has been living in the U.S. since 2019, said the episcopal consecration of Chau was a "historic celebration. The first Nicaraguan, born in Nicaragua, to be ordained a bishop in the United States. He was baptized and took his first steps in the faith in Nicaragua."

"This is a sign of the richness and fruitfulness of the Church of Nicaragua and a message of hope for all the people of God in our country. The fact that Bismarck came from Nicaragua and settled in the United States shows that it is possible to move forward despite the difficulties one may encounter," he added.

When asked about his meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in August, along with two other exiled Nicaraguan bishops — Carlos Herrera and Isidoro Mora — the prelate said: "The interview with the Holy Father was a moment of grace, a moment of hope, seeing how deeply he holds Nicaragua in his heart as well as the situation the Nicaraguan people are experiencing at this time."

Who is Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau?

Pedro Bismarck Chau was born on June 28, 1967, in Managua, Nicaragua. He studied at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology.

He completed his ecclesiastical studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange and later earned a master's degree in counseling from Seton Hall University.

He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark on May 24, 2008.

He served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Mount Virgin in Garfield, New Jersey, from 2008–2012; as director of vocations from 2012–2016; and as head of campus ministry at Rutgers University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology from 2015–2020.

He also served as pastor of the Pro-Cathedral of Sts. John and Patrick in Newark from 2015–2020 and rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart since 2020.

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

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