Catholic News

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 9, 2025 / 15:23 pm (CNA).

Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Boston who are in the United States on visas have been urged to avoid international travel amid the Trump administration's immigration policies and deportations. 

"As many of you may be aware, recent policy changes by the U.S. government have significantly impacted foreign travelers coming into the United States," the archdiocese's Director of Clergy Personnel Father Paul Soper told priests in an email acquired by the Boston Globe. 

"While none of our priests have encountered significant issues to date," Soper said, "we cannot predict if or when challenges may arise."

It is unclear what "recent policy changes" the letter refers to. The Trump administration has pursued aggressive immigration policies since President Donald Trump took office in January, mostly involving the intended deportation of millions of illegal immigrants and the strengthening of border policies.

Soper said the archdiocese was "advising those of you holding visas or employment authorization documents (EAD) and currently serving in official assignments to consider refraining from international travel until further notice."

"Our primary concern is minimizing the risk of any of our priests being unable to reenter the United States due to unforeseen circumstances, where we would be in no position to assist you." 

The priest wrote that he understood clergy could not completely give up travels, especially following trips abroad for Pope Francis' funeral, but said "to avoid it whenever possible" and to alert him of any international trips. 

He asked that "any priests who are currently traveling outside the United States and are not U.S. citizens" to notify the archdiocese office "with details of their location and travel plans."

Terrence Donilon, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Boston, told the Globe that this request does not reflect the archdiocese's view of the U.S. government and is not to be taken as a criticism but is  meant "to provide practical proactive guidance given recent policy changes."

Soper said the plan is subject to change as they "learn more in the coming months," but the archdiocese wanted priests to be aware since many of them travel abroad to see family or to serve at parishes, schools, and ministries.

Catholic advocates have been warning for months of a looming crisis in which many U.S.-based priests could be forced to leave their ministries and return to their home countries, after which they would be subject to lengthy wait times before coming back, due to changes in U.S. visa laws under the Biden administration. It's unclear if the visa issue is related to the letter from the Boston Archdiocese.

In April a group of U.S. senators introduced the Religious Workforce Protection Act, which would allow some immigrants to "stay in the U.S. while waiting for permanent residency," potentially addressing that issue. 

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CNA Staff, May 7, 2025 / 12:25 pm (CNA).

The Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, said it will drop its fight against the state's efforts to empanel a grand jury to investigate clergy abuse allegations.

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CNA Staff, May 7, 2025 / 13:00 pm (CNA).

The Room of Tears is just a few feet away from the Sistine Chapel, where the monumental decision of the papal election is made by Catholic cardinals.

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Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 13:30 pm (CNA).

Here is a list of the garments you may see the new pope wearing once he steps out onto the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to greet the people.

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CNA Staff, May 7, 2025 / 14:30 pm (CNA).

The 2025 Conference of the Society of Catholic Scientists will take place June 6–8 at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

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Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 15:09 pm (CNA).

The black smoke confirmed the 133 cardinal electors sequestered inside had not reached the required two-thirds majority — at least 89 votes — needed to elect a new pope.

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Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 15:44 pm (CNA).

Beginning Thursday, the cardinals will hold four votes each day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

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Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 16:29 pm (CNA).

Four electors — Cardinals Peter Turkson, Philippe Barbarin, Péter Erdo, and Josip Bozanic — became members of the College of Cardinals in 2003.

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Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 05:51 am (CNA).

The plume of dark smoke indicates that the 133 cardinal electors sequestered inside the chapel have not reached the required two-thirds majority.

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Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

Nutritionist Giorgio Calabrese, an Italian doctor who specializes in nutritional science, prepared the menu for the cardinal electors who have kicked off the conclave.

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