Catholic News

The president of the Right to Life group at the University of Notre Dame — who was adopted from China as a child — is speaking out against the appointment of an outspoken abortion advocate.

Anna Kelley, along with eight other club board members of Notre Dame Right to Life — a group with more than 700 members — in a Feb. 3 letter called on the university to rescind the appointment of Susan Ostermann.

Ostermann, currently an associate professor of global affairs at Notre Dame, was recently named director of the Keough School of Global Affairs' Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, which funds projects for justice in Asia. She has already faced criticism for her pro-abortion writing and previously served as a consultant for the Population Council, an agency centered on contraception, abortion access, and population control.

Citing Ostermann's published writings, the Right to Life board said in its letter that the professor has advocated for anti-life causes "in an inflammatory way."

"Within the context of 11 op-ed pieces, she has referred to laws respecting the sanctity of life as based in 'white supremacy' and 'racism,'" Kelley and the other students noted in the letter.

"Notre Dame cannot claim to maintain its Catholic identity while simultaneously promoting someone whose public advocacy is in such direct contradiction to the faith," the students said.

The students also criticized her affiliation with the Population Council, a group that supports contraception, abortion, and population control.

"Her work as a member of the Population Council, an organization that collaborated with the Chinese government to promote abortion, contraception, and the enforcement of the one-child policy, violates the dignity of human life," the students continued.

Kelley was born in China when the one-child policy was in effect. From 1980 to 2015, China restricted most families from having more than one child, sometimes by means of forced abortions, sterilizations, and high fines.

"As a Catholic adoptee from China, I take personal offense at this appointment," Kelley said. "I am so blessed to have escaped the fate that Professor Ostermann's work has inflicted on so many innocent Chinese lives."

"Because I have been given the gift of life, I am choosing to speak out with my own testimony to bring attention to the real-life consequences that her ideology promotes," Kelly continued.

Alejandra Ricardo, another Right to Life board member and a senior at the university, said the board is "concerned with this appointment because Professor Ostermann has publicly rejected the vital truth that every human being possesses inherent dignity and the right to life through her works."

"In her writings, she publicly advocates for policies that contradict the magisterial teaching of the Catholic Church as well as the institutional statement of our university," Ricardo told EWTN News. 

"Yet, though we signed our call to action as the executive board, our worry is grounded in our dedication to the mission of Our Lady's university," Ricardo continued. "As her students, we are committed to the pursuit of truth, and this pursuit is futile if we do not seek to promote and uphold the fundamental truth that human life is sacred at all stages, from conception to natural death."

Ostermann did not deny her abortion stance but told EWTN News that she holds "respect" for the university's mission.

"I am fully committed to maintaining an environment of academic freedom where a plurality of voices can flourish," Ostermann said in a statement shared with EWTN News. "I have long worked with scholars who hold diverse views on a multitude of issues, and I welcome the opportunity to continue doing so."

"While I hold my own convictions on complex social and legal issues, I want to be clear: My role is to support the diverse research of our scholars and students, not to advance a personal political agenda," she continued.

"This commitment to academic inquiry and mutual respect is deeply rooted in my appreciation for Notre Dame's identity as a global Catholic research university," Ostermann said. "I am inspired by the university's focus on integral human development, which calls us to promote the dignity and flourishing of every person. I respect Notre Dame's institutional position on the sanctity of life at every stage."

Father Bill Miscamble, a Holy Cross priest and Notre Dame professor emeritus of history, publicly opposed the appointment in a letter to the editor published Jan. 30 in The Observer.

In the letter, Miscamble questioned if Ostermann would be "prepared to retract her view that the pro-life movement is associated with white supremacy."

Concluding that she has not yet done so, Miscamble called her appointment "untenable."

"[T]he lack of judgment as well as the failure to uphold Notre Dame's Catholic mission demonstrated by those responsible for this disgraceful appointment must raise serious questions about their own suitability for the positions they presently occupy," Miscamble wrote.

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A new podcast titled "Catholics & Cappuccinos" is premiering on Feb. 5 on EWTN+, EWTN's brand-new streaming platform that brings high-quality Catholic content to audiences.

"Catholics & Cappuccinos" is hosted by Catholic actress and comedian Siobhan Fallon Hogan, known for her roles in "Forrest Gump," "Men in Black," and "Seinfeld." The podcast blends humor, celebrity interviews, and faith as Hogan explores how Catholicism has shaped the lives of her guests.

In the first episode, Hogan sits down with actor Jonathan Roumie, best known for his role portraying Jesus in "The Chosen." Other episodes will include conversations with Patricia Heaton, Kevin James, Federico Castelluccio, Sister of Life Mary Gabriel, Father Michael Duffy, and many more.

Hogan told EWTN News that after being asked by Peter Gagnon, president of EWTN Studios, if she'd be interested in doing a podcast, her husband gave her the idea to focus the podcast on interviewing other Catholics about their faith journeys.

"So, we have celebrities and religious and people that are Catholic come on and talk about their journeys as Catholics and how their faith has impacted their lives, their families, [and] their careers," Hogan told EWTN News in an interview.

Raised in a large Catholic, Irish-American family, Hogan has spoken openly about the role her faith plays in her personal and professional life and the joy it brings her, which is something she wanted to highlight in the podcast.

"I think there's so much joy in the Catholic Church and that's what I wanted to bring out," she said.

She added that her own faith was "impacted hugely" by sitting down to have these conversations.

"It's just really inspiring to see how people really make their faith the first priority … you learn from these people to step up your game," Hogan added.

The actress pointed out that having not only celebrities join her but also religious men and women as well provides the opportunity to "get brilliant theology, brilliant perspectives, from all types, and not only entertain, but like myself, I'm being educated by these people, and show the joy of Catholicism but also show that we all need to raise the bar."

Hogan hopes the listeners will feel "inspired and given hope and joy" after tuning in.

EWTN+ also recently launched "Seeking Beauty," a first-of-its-kind adventure documentary series hosted by David Henrie that explores culture, architecture, food, art, and music, and aims to point viewers to the beautiful — and ultimately to the divine.

"These new productions reflect a fresh, creative chapter for EWTN Studios," Gagnon said in a press release. "'Seeking Beauty' and 'Catholics & Cappuccinos' show how faith-based storytelling can be vibrant, entertaining, and deeply meaningful. We're excited to collaborate with talented artists who bring authenticity and heart to these projects."

EWTN+ is available for free on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV. It can also be accessed through ewtn.com.

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For nearly four decades, Sister Miriam Francis Perlewitz has lived a quiet but extraordinary missionary life in Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation where Catholics represent a tiny minority.

An American missionary sister, Scripture scholar, and educator, she has shaped generations of Catholic priests while also transforming grassroots education for children of all faiths. Today, she stands as one of the last American nuns still serving in the country — and as her advanced age signals an imminent departure, her story emerges as a rare testimony to missionary perseverance, women's leadership, and faith lived from the margins.

Sister Miriam arrived in Bangladesh in 1985, initially to teach sacred Scripture part time at Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Dhaka. At the time, Bangladesh faced daunting challenges: widespread poverty, limited access to education, and pervasive illiteracy. The idea of a woman teaching future priests — let alone in South Asia — was uncommon and controversial.

Yet what she encountered immediately disarmed hesitation. "The friendliness and welcoming attitude of the students, as well as the questions I had about applying the message of Scripture in a Muslim environment, deeply touched me," she told EWTN News.

For several years, she divided her time between Maryknoll's major seminary and Bangladesh. When Maryknoll closed its school of theology in 1992, she made a decisive choice: She would remain full time in Bangladesh. That decision would shape the Church in the country in lasting ways.

Forming shepherds in a Muslim-majority nation

For more than two decades, Sister Miriam taught sacred Scripture at Holy Spirit Major Seminary, forming generations of priests — including men who would later become bishops and archbishops. Her presence itself was a quiet challenge to convention.

"First of all, the fact that I was a woman, involved in a ministry that was considered to be a man's field, was questioned," she recalled. Initially, some Church authorities hesitated. But the seminarians themselves defended her role. "When the students supported and spoke in my favor, the 'powers that be' decided to allow me to continue."

What followed was a deeply collaborative ministry. Sister Miriam describes her seminary years not simply as academic formation but as a shared spiritual journey. "We became 'one' in the endeavor," she said, united by the goal of passing on the Gospel — "the good news that God became man so that man may become one again with God." For her, the word "man" was always inclusive, embracing all humanity.

Her approach to teaching remained consistent across decades, even as Bangladeshi society changed. "I believe the answer is in every individual," she said. "The key to learning is to find out what lies hidden in the depths of each person." Creating a space where students could speak openly about hopes and desires, she believed, was essential for both faith and transformation.

A school of values and inclusion

Sister Miriam's missionary vision was never confined to the seminary classroom. In her early years, she balanced teaching Scripture with running sewing classes for women recovering from drug addiction. Witnessing their determination deeply influenced her educational philosophy.

"Seeing the desire of these afflicted souls to overcome their addiction gave me the incentive to motivate, encourage, and pass on the tools to achieve their hopes," she said.

This conviction later found fuller expression in the 1990s, when she co-created an innovative "Education for Life" curriculum with Sister Joan Cordis Westhues, MM. The program addressed self-esteem, anger management, communication, and personal responsibility — topics largely absent from traditional rote-based education.

"In the process of reform, one must begin with the 'self,' then 'others,' and finally 'the world,'" Sister Miriam explained. She piloted the lessons with students at St. Gregory's School in Dhaka. One young boy's reaction stayed with her. "He told me these lessons had changed his whole life," she said, smiling at the memory.

This vision ultimately took institutional form through BACHA English Medium School, an inclusive education initiative Sister Miriam co-founded to prioritize human values, critical thinking, and life skills over memorization. BACHA brings together Christian, Muslim, and Hindu children in the same classrooms — a quiet but powerful witness to interfaith harmony in a divided world.

As an English-medium school located in the heart of Dhaka, BACHA is also remarkably affordable. Khokan Gomes, father of a sixth-grade student, told EWTN News that tuition is "half that of other English medium schools" while maintaining high academic standards.

"Children quickly learn English from speaking to writing," he said. "This school is a blessing for people like me." He added that discipline and moral values are integral to the school's culture.

For former student Sifat Ahmad, a Muslim who studied at BACHA from nursery through O Levels, the impact was profound. "I not only got good results in exams," he said, "I also developed confidence, English-language skills, and leadership qualities." He credits the school with shaping him "into a global person, beyond just academic achievement."

Sister Miriam insists that interfaith harmony comes naturally among children. "This is a question that adults will ask," she said. "Children do not differentiate on the basis of religious background. They are friends and companions on the journey of life."

A legacy of quiet transformation

Now in advanced age, Sister Miriam is preparing to leave Bangladesh, closing a chapter that few will replicate. She is among the last American nuns serving in the country — a fact that underscores both her singular witness and the changing landscape of global mission.

Looking ahead, she said she hopes BACHA's legacy will be collective rather than individual. "One person cannot achieve what 20 persons can achieve," she said. Her message to students is simple but ambitious: Equipped with values and tools, they can together make Bangladesh "productive and a model for future generations."

Rooted in her religious congregation's charism to proclaim God's goodness and provident care, Sister Miriam carried that vision beyond U.S. borders. "I wanted to bring that knowledge of God to those who perhaps would never hear it," she said.

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The Archdiocese of New York is arguing in state court that its longtime insurer has secretly been "waging a shadow campaign" and posing as a victims' rights group in order to "undermine and weaken" the archdiocese amid an ongoing insurance dispute.

In a Jan. 31 legal filing at the New York State Supreme Court obtained by EWTN News, the archdiocese said that Chubb Insurance — which the archdiocese sued in 2024 over an alleged failure to pay out financial claims for sex abuse victims — has for several years been "secretly" posing as the "Church Accountability Project," allegedly encouraging abuse victims to "pursue claims against the [archdiocese]."

The archdiocesan filing said the insurer has secretly run the website in order to "elevate Chubb's own financial interests" and improve its leverage in the ongoing lawsuit.

As of Feb. 4 the "Church Accountability Project" website prominently displays the Chubb logo at the top of its page. But archives of the website from around a year ago make no mention of the site's alleged alignment with Chubb.

"The Archdiocese of New York tolerated and covered up horrific sexual abuse against children for decades," the older, un-branded version of the website states. The project said it was "committed to holding the Archdiocese of New York accountable." The current version of the website contains partly similar language.

A Chubb spokesman on Feb. 4 described the filing as "the latest desperate tactic to delay justice and distract from the decades of horrific child sexual abuse the Archdiocese of New York enabled and concealed."

"It's quite telling that the archdiocese is more outraged about the facts coming to light on a platform we created than they are about the abuses they condoned, concealed, and covered up," the statement said. "The archdiocese is delaying payment to deserving victims and failing to provide insurers needed information."

In 2024 amid the newly filed lawsuit against the insurer, New York archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan told the faithful that Chubb was "attempting to evade their legal and moral contractual obligation to settle covered claims which would bring peace and healing to victim-survivors."

The insurer in turn argued that the archdiocese "tolerated, concealed, and covered up rampant child sexual abuse for decades, and despite having substantial financial resources, they still refuse to compensate their victims."

In its Jan. 31 filing the archdiocese requested punitive damages against Chubb. It described the alleged "Church Accountability Project" maneuver as "wanton sabotage" and "just the latest in an example of the depths to which Chubb is willing to stoop."

The rebranded "accountability" website, meanwhile, alleges that the archdiocese "repeatedly refused to share crucial details regarding what they knew and when" regarding child abuse.

"The insurance purchased by the archdiocese is designed to cover accidents, not to compensate for deliberately concealing a pattern of abuse," the website says.

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The main opposition party in the Slovak Parliament, Progressive Slovakia, has questioned aspects of the Basic Agreement with the Holy See signed on Nov. 24, 2000.

The critique came shortly after the visit of Archbishop Paul Gallagher, secretary for relations with states of the Holy See, to the Central European country to mark the 25th anniversary of the accord.

According to the progressives, the state should not have a special contract with one church. They argue that the contract is costly financially and in terms of obligations — for instance, the teaching of religion in public schools is state-funded, but its contents are determined by the Catholic Church.

Other churches should be offered a similar option, progressive member of the Parliament Ondrej Prostredník proposed. Yet it would not be a solution, as "there are many different groups of believers" currently "excluded from this right to have, for example, such activities in public schools," continued the politician, who served as dean of the Evangelical Faculty of Theology (Lutheran) of Comenius University in Bratislava.

In response, the Slovak Bishops' Conference underscored that the accord "is not about privileges," as it ensures a legal framework and "clear rules for cooperation between the state and the Church."

In this way, the Catholic Church can "freely fulfill its mission in service to the common good of not only believers, but all citizens" in areas such as "education, social solidarity, health care, culture, protection of human dignity," the Slovak episcopate explained.

"A democratic state should not ignore the spiritual and religious dimension in society," the Catholic bishops stressed, adding that "stable and correct relations between institutions contribute to social cohesion and a culture of trust."

During his visit to Slovakia last weekend, Gallagher described Holy See–Slovakia relations as "very positive," also thanks to the agreement. He recalled that "some provisions still require further implementation and interpretation."

Mainly conscientious objection has not been applied, said Archbishop Cyril Vasil, eparch of the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Košice. The prelate warned about a "tendency in some countries to weaken this principle" when they propose "new claims as rights," which "creates moral and sometimes even labor-law pressure" on medical staff "to participate in procedures that are contrary to their moral convictions or professional ethics."

The 2000 Basic Agreement regulates various aspects of the Catholic Church's life and legal status in the Slovak Republic.

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"In talking to my pastors, it became crystal clear that there really is a crisis right now regarding mental health and emotional well-being, and in a special way for young people," Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, told EWTN News in an interview discussing a pastoral letter he issued recently.

"The scale and scope of this crisis are staggering," he said in the letter titled "The Divine Physician and a Christian Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing." Burbidge explained that he hopes "to offer encouragement and guidance, in light of the teachings of Christ and the Gospel, to all who wish to confront and overcome the modern world's challenges to mental health and well-being."

With depression now the leading cause of disability worldwide, and 1 in 5 American adults experiencing mental health challenges each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which the bishop cites in his letter, Burbidge told EWTN News that "there's a real pastoral need for mental health counseling, and my pastors told me they don't have the expertise" that many families need.

The importance of counselors with a Christian perspective

Many Catholic parents and couples seek out counseling, he said, but often the counseling "isn't coming from a Christian or Catholic understanding of the world, where persons are oriented to God and to authentic human relationships and the development of virtue."

Understanding the world through the lens of faith is "the crucial factor — even in circumstances where such faithfulness seems in the eyes of the wider world to be desperate, foolish, or even absurd. Faith and trust in God are shown to be the keys to everlasting health and well-being for humanity," Burbidge wrote in his letter.

Faith, he told EWTN News, "helps us to get a glimpse of heaven even now … If that's not a part of the counseling being provided, it won't bring about the healing we're seeking."

Regarding efforts in his diocese, the bishop told EWTN News he formed a mental health commission about a year ago, on which sit experts in psychology, theology, and mental health counseling.

He said with the commission's help, he hopes to soon issue an extensive list of counselors who have been vetted and recommended for the Catholic faithful in his diocese.

Father Charles Sikorsky, LC, the president of Divine Mercy University, a Catholic school that offers graduate degrees in psychology and clinical mental health and whose graduates work in various capacities in the Diocese of Arlington, told EWTN News that psychology cannot be addressed properly without a "a Christian view, a Catholic view of the person."

"We're incarnational beings," Sikorsky said, "so we need to address the human but also the spiritual dimension of the person, who needs to be treated in a holistic way."

"The word psyche comes from Greek and means soul," he continued," so psychology is the science of the soul, and Christ is the divine physician. Any way of looking at or treating people that doesn't include the entirety of the interior, spiritual life is not going to work. If you reduce a human person to just biology or experiences, it's not going to work."

Lack of community the 'culprit' in the crisis

In his letter, Burbidge named a lack of community as a culprit in the mental health crisis.

"We must be willing to connect with others. We are made for community and find purpose when given the chance to cultivate authentic relationships with others and practice virtues like compassion," he wrote.

"As people of faith, Christians have a particular responsibility to address the stigmas that prevent people from seeking help and to remove barriers that keep so many stuck in patterns of isolation and misery," he wrote.

Burbidge told EWTN News about community-building initiatives that leaders in his diocese have begun, especially since the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"People learned quickly from COVID that being isolated, not being part of a caring fellowship, was a detriment to their growth and affected mental health," he said.

He described an increase in new programs throughout the Diocese of Arlington such as Bible studies, lectures, and programs such as That Man is You, a Catholic men's leadership program.

Sikorsky also cited a lack of connection and loneliness that are particularly prevalent in a society rife with "marriage and family breakdown" and in which technology separates people.

"So many people are afraid to say they need help," he said. "If the Church is what it needs to be and should be, it will be a place to experience a sense of belonging to something higher, where people can come to be loved and to be understood."

'Suffering can be the cross' that leads us to holiness

The bishop said that in addition to being in communion with others, those suffering from mental health problems must also realize they are beloved children of God, and their "severe distress, depression, or whatever it is, does not define who you are."

"You're a child of God — that never changes," Burbidge said. "Don't identify yourself with that suffering."

"You don't necessarily need to run away from the suffering, however," he continued. "That could be the cross that can lead you to holiness. It doesn't have to completely disappear for you to be well. Maybe you can get help, and still live a healthy, balanced life living with the anxiety or whatever it is you're struggling with. If it causes a little suffering, it can be united to the Lord's, and you can see it as a path to holiness."

Sikorsky echoed the bishop, telling EWTN News: "Our dignity is rooted in being children of God. Your dignity is much more than your struggle or the difficulties that you've had."

Burbidge is the latest American Catholic bishop to draw attention to the widening mental health crisis in the United States. In 2025, ahead of World Mental Health Day in October, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced an addition to its ongoing National Catholic Mental Health Campaign.

"As pastors, we want to emphasize this point to anyone who is suffering from mental illness or facing mental health challenges: Nobody and nothing can alter or diminish your God-given dignity. You are a beloved child of God, a God of healing and hope," the U.S. bishops said at the time.

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The Vatican has published the schedule of liturgies that Pope Leo XIV will celebrate in February, March, and the beginning of April, a period that includes the start of Lent and the preparation for Holy Week and Easter.

According to the calendar published by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations, the pontiff will begin his pastoral visits to various churches in Rome on Feb. 15, when he will celebrate Mass at Holy Mary Queen of Peace Parish, located near the beach in Ostia Lido.

With this initiative, Leo XIV begins a tour of five parishes in Rome — one for each pastoral sector — to strengthen his connection with the diocese of which he is bishop.

Ash Wednesday

On Feb. 18, Ash Wednesday, the pope will preside over a penitential procession from St. Anselm Church followed by Mass with the blessing and imposition of ashes in St. Sabina Basilica on Aventine Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. This tradition dates back to Pope Gregory the Great, shortly after the construction of the basilica in 422, thus marking the beginning of the Lenten season.

On Sunday, Feb. 22, Pope Leo XIV will visit Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in the Roman neighborhood of Castro Pretorio, near the Termini train station, where he will celebrate morning Mass. In the afternoon, the spiritual exercises for the Holy Father and the Roman Curia will begin, continuing until Feb. 27.

These meditations will take place in the Apostolic Palace, as confirmed by the Vatican. Under Pope Francis' pontificate, this practice changed and was moved to the House of the Divine Master, a secluded and quiet convent located in the town of Ariccia about 28 miles from Rome.

Previously, these reflections took place in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel, a space that allowed numerous prelates to attend and made it easy for the pope and his secretaries to follow the meditations from a side area next to the altar.

The Vatican has not specified whether the spiritual exercises will take place in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel or in the Pauline Chapel, dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, which was conceived as a small palace chapel in contrast to the Sistine Chapel and has historically been linked to the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament and the pope's private prayer.

The latter is not usually open to the public and, during the conclave, it was the starting point for the procession of the cardinal electors to the Sistine Chapel. It was also the place where Leo XIV stopped to pray just after being elected successor of Peter.

Pastoral visits to various churches in Rome

During the month of March, the pope will continue his pastoral visits to parishes in Rome, visiting Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ Parish on March 1, where he will celebrate Mass in the afternoon. The following week, on March 8, he will visit Holy Mary of the Presentation Parish to celebrate a 5 p.m. Mass. Finally, on March 15, Leo XIV will visit Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Ponte Mammolo, celebrating Mass there as well.

Holy Week

His schedule of commitments for Holy Week, one of the busiest periods for the pontiff, will begin with the celebration of Palm Sunday in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in the morning, commemorating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

On Holy Thursday, April 2, Leo XIV will celebrate the chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at 9:30 a.m. local time in the presence of all the priests of Rome.

In the afternoon, the pontiff will go to St. John Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of the bishop of Rome, to celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper.

Leo XIV thus revives this historical tradition after Pope Francis had chosen for 12 years to celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper in other places marked by suffering, such as prisons or immigrant centers.

The following day, Good Friday, the pontiff will preside over the service for the Lord's Passion in St. Peter's Basilica at 5 p.m. local time, and in the evening at 9:15 p.m., he will lead the traditional 14 Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum that commemorate Jesus' passion, from his being condemned death to his burial, in one of the most widely followed ceremonies by the faithful in Rome.

This tradition also commemorates the persecution suffered by the early Christians under the Roman Empire and is usually led from a platform set up in the open air on Palatine Hill.

On Holy Saturday, April 4, the pope will celebrate the Easter Vigil, which will take place in the atrium of St. Peter's Basilica with the brief ceremony of the lighting of the fire and blessing of the paschal candle. In previous years, Pope Francis usually baptized and gave first Communion to a group of adults, although whether Pope Leo will do the same has not yet been confirmed by the Vatican.

The pontiff's Holy Week will conclude on Easter Sunday, April 5, with the celebration of Mass in St. Peter's Square followed by the lengthy Easter discourse and the urbi et orbi ("to the city and the world") blessing from the central balcony of the basilica, praying for peace in the world.

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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A week of spiritual exercises for Pope Leo XIV and the Roman Curia at the start of Lent will take on a distinctly monastic character, with the retreat returning to the Apostolic Palace but relocating to the Renaissance-era Pauline Chapel, decorated with frescoes by Michelangelo.

In previous years, the retreat was held in the palace's Redemptoris Mater Chapel, known for mosaics associated with Father Marko Rupnik, who has been accused of sexual and spiritual abuse.

The preacher for the exercises will be Archbishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, a Cistercian of the Strict Observance (Trappist). A Norwegian who was baptized as a Lutheran by nonpracticing parents, Varden studied at Cambridge and later converted to Catholicism, a change he has linked to the inspiration of music. He has served as bishop of the Diocese of Trondheim since 2020.

"It is a responsible task. I hope, in one way or another, to be of service," Varden told EWTN News.

A prolific author of spiritual books, Varden will offer two meditations a day. The first is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 22, at 5 p.m. Thereafter, each morning begins at 9 a.m. with the Liturgy of the Hours, and another meditation follows at 5 p.m. The final session will be on Friday, Feb. 27, concluding with afternoon Eucharistic adoration.

The theme of the retreat is "Illuminated by a Hidden Glory, a Lenten Itinerary," centered on the figure of St. Bernard — described as both idealist and realist — and will also include reflections on the angels of God.

Pål Johannes Nes contributed to this report.

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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Some Catholic colleges ranked among the best for pro-life support for women, while others were among the worst for their ties to abortion clinics, a recent report found.

In an audit of more than 700 Christian colleges and universities, the Christian Schools Project found that 1 in 7 Christian colleges referred students to Planned Parenthood for health care or future jobs, among other pro-abortion "infractions."

The report by Demetree, a branch of Students for Life of America (SFLA), called the Catholic connection to the abortion industry "shocking."

"Most shockingly, a portion of Catholic schools have forsaken their Christian values," the report read, citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church's teaching on abortion.

One in 10 Catholic colleges had ties to abortion clinics, and about 25% of all the infractions were by Catholic universities.

"Despite this, Catholic schools also had 24 'A+' schools: the most of any denomination," the report continued.

The lowest grade an institution could receive was an "F" and the highest an "A+."

Among the Catholic schools receiving an "F" was Villanova University in Pennsylvania — Pope Leo's alma mater, where he was known for his involvement in the pro-life club in his days at the university.

Other Catholic schools that received a "F" included Boston College in Massachusetts; Carroll College in Montana; Loyola Marymount University in California; Sacred Heart University in Connecticut; Santa Clara University in California; Seattle University in Washington; St. Catherine University in Minnesota; University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan; and University of San Diego in California.

Catholic colleges that received a "D" grade included Mount Saint Mary's University in California; Saint Louis University in Missouri; and St. John Fisher University in New York.

Paradoxically, Catholic colleges were also among the best schools for pro-life values and made up more than half of the top 10 best schools in the report.

These schools don't just avoid ties to Planned Parenthood but provide pregnancy support for student mothers in need.

The schools that lead

At the center of campus at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, sits a statue of an angel holding a child.

Installed in 2017, the Memorial to the Unborn is one of the "unique" aspects of pro-life culture on Benedictine's campus, according to spokesman Steve Johnson.

Each year, busloads of students travel to Washington, D.C., for the March for Life. But before they leave, they place roses before the memorial.

The student-led pro-life group, Ravens Respect Life, is a "major player" for the culture on campus, according to Johnson. The club helps fundraise for the local pro-life pregnancy resource center, while the campus ministry service team organizes volunteering.

The pro-life culture is woven into classes as well, according to Johnson.

"We have a pro-life School of Nursing and our graduates take that position out into the world and the hospitals and clinics at which they work," he said.

The school is also looking to further expand its pro-life medical education.

"We are in the process of opening a proposed School of Osteopathic medicine," Johnson said. "This new school will be the most pro-life medical school in the country and will focus on treating the whole person as a human being and not just treating the ailment."

At the University of Mary in North Dakota, a young woman carrying a toddler crossed the stage at graduation, shaking hands with the president, Monsignor James Shea, who gave the beloved baby Lucia a kiss on the cheek.

Katie O'Meara (Chihoski) is one of several students who have received the support they need to complete their education as part of the university's recently-launched maternity home program, the St. Teresa of Calcutta Community for Mothers, at the University of Mary.

Per a Jan. 27 announcement, the university has plans for a new residence hall following record enrollment, including a dedicated wing of the future hall for the maternity home.

At UMary, motherhood doesn't have to compete with education.

"This St. Teresa of Calcutta Community for Mothers is a concrete expression of the University of Mary's commitment to building a culture of life," Vice President for Student Development Reed Ruggles told EWTN News. "It ensures that motherhood and higher education are not competing paths but complementary vocations."

As for the March for Life, "we treat it like a pilgrimage," said Ed Konieczka, assistant director of University Ministry at the college.

The university sends hundreds of students each year and even provides scholarships to help with the cost.

Father Dominic Bouck, the University of Mary chaplain and director of University Ministry, told EWTN News that it comes down to formation.

"The University of Mary forms its students for the whole of their lives so that they can learn to live well, then take this formation into their communities after graduation," Bouck said. "We form them to be servant leaders so that they can go out and serve generously to all who need aid. We teach them the sanctity of human life through the Benedictine value of respect for persons and teach them to form community wherever they are at."

"As a Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine institution, the sanctity of human life is core to our beliefs, and we are not afraid to show that in our mission," he continued.

Belmont Abbey College, which also ranked in the top 10, has its own maternity home, MiraVia, as previously reported by EWTN News.

Why Christian Schools Project?

Though schools like Benedictine, University of Mary, and others stand out for their pro-life work, the report found that many colleges fall short of their Christian values. Project leaders call on readers to reach out to colleges and encourage them to live out these values.

"It's simple: Either stop promoting abortion or stop claiming to be Christian," said SFLA spokeswoman Mary Mobley.

Over the years of doing Christian Schools Project, researchers have seen growth. Since 2024, "56 infractions have been remedied" thanks to the project, according to organizers.

"For some schools, they may be unaware of their ties to abortion," Mobley told EWTN News. "This report offers a chance for them to cut those ties — and to reaffirm their support for life by promoting pro-life resources."

But the project is about more than just cutting ties with abortion providers.

"Being pro-life doesn't just mean being anti-abortion; it means coming alongside women and supporting them, providing them with the resources they need to choose life," Mobley said.

"Humans are made in the image of God, and because of that, they have inherent value and worth — and their lives cannot be disposed of for the convenience of others," Mobley continued.

"It's vital that Christian schools come alongside pregnant and parenting women, showing them that they are valued, loved, and supported — offering them the resources they need to choose life," Mobley said.

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Pope Leo XIV warned Wednesday of the grave danger of a "new global arms race" as the New START nuclear weapons treaty between the United States and Russia reached its expiration, urging world leaders not to allow the agreement to lapse without a credible and effective alternative.

Speaking at the conclusion of his general audience at the Vatican, the pope recalled that the treaty — signed in 2010 by then-U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev — represented a significant step in limiting the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

"Tomorrow the New START treaty reaches its expiration," the pope said, noting that the agreement had helped contain strategic nuclear arsenals and strengthen international security. He called for "every constructive effort in favor of disarmament and mutual trust," insisting that the current international climate demands urgent action to prevent escalation.

The pope stressed that the world must abandon "the logic of fear and distrust" and instead embrace "a shared ethic capable of guiding decisions toward the common good and making peace a heritage safeguarded by all."

Without a replacement framework, he warned, the end of New START opens a period of growing uncertainty, raising alarms across the international community about the weakening of nuclear arms control mechanisms.

Prayers for Ukraine amid winter hardship

During the same audience, the pope also renewed his appeal for prayers for the people of Ukraine, who he said are being "harshly tested" by continued Russian bombardments, including attacks on energy infrastructure during the winter months.

Citing reports of severe cold and widespread shortages of electricity, heating, and water, he urged the faithful not to forget the suffering of civilians, particularly children, the elderly, and the most vulnerable. The pope expressed gratitude for solidarity initiatives organized by Catholic dioceses in Poland and other countries assisting the Ukrainian population.

Evangelization must speak to real lives

Earlier in his catechesis, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Church's mission of evangelization, cautioning against the use of language that is "incomprehensible, poorly communicative, or anachronistic," which he said renders the proclamation of the Gospel ineffective.

When the Word of God becomes detached from the concrete lives, hopes, and sufferings of people, he explained, it loses its power to reach hearts. The pope encouraged the Church to adopt "creative methods" that allow the Gospel to take flesh in history.

Continuing his catechetical series on "Dei Verbum," the Second Vatican Council's constitution on divine revelation, the pope described Sacred Scripture as a "privileged space of encounter" where God continues to speak to men and women of every age.

He warned against both fundamentalist readings that ignore the human authors of Scripture and purely technical interpretations that deny its divine origin, emphasizing that a correct understanding must hold both dimensions together.

"The Gospel cannot be reduced to a merely philanthropic or social message," the pope said. "It is the joyful proclamation of the fullness of life and eternal life that God has given us in Jesus."

This story was first published in two parts 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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