Catholic News

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) has named Julie Abbott its 2026 volunteer of the year for her work as "a good and faithful servant."

Abbott has spent more than 15 years and nearly 5,000 hours answering the Relief & Hope emergency services hotline and accompanying callers, many of whom are at their lowest and most vulnerable points.

The Catholic Charities Maine hotline provides immediate support for individuals and families experiencing crises. Abbott helps with a number of challenges related to finances, mental health, job loss, car repairs, housing, hunger, or any other situation callers may find themselves in.

"When my years of home schooling my children ended, I searched for places where I could feel useful and talk freely about Jesus," Abbot said in a press release. "I often came home feeling depressed about the need around me and how little I was able to help."

"Callers thank me for just being willing to listen and empathize. I really feel good after those calls. And I appreciate working with people who put their faith into action every day at work," she said.

"Catholic Charities is such a nice, friendly, godly place to work. I don't feel I do enough to have earned this award. I am flabbergasted to have received it," she said.

The award also acknowledges Abbott's work in developing a large database of resources covering Maine's 16 counties. Due to its success, the state's 2-1-1 operators, who provide residents with local health and human services information, have even been known to call her for guidance on how to refer their own callers to the appropriate services.

"Julie Abbott's service to Catholic Charities Maine shows that sometimes, the quietest contributions can make the greatest impact," said Kerry Alys Robinson, CCUSA president and CEO.

"Julie's gift of presence and attention allow struggling neighbors to retain their dignity even in their most distressing and vulnerable moments. She is truly a good and faithful servant to those in need," Robinson said.

The award has been given annually since 1998 and is bestowed on an individual "who embodies the mission of CCUSA to provide critical services to those in need, advocate for justice in social structures, and call the entire Church and other people of goodwill to do the same," according to CCUSA.

More than 200,000 people volunteer at Catholic Charities agencies around the country each year, and agencies nominate their most deserving volunteers for the honor. Abbott was also a 2021 Volunteer of the Year finalist for her work.

Abbott will receive the award at CCUSA's 2026 annual gathering in Richmond, Virginia, later this year.

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The Local Organizing Committee for World Youth Day Seoul 2027 has officially announced the patron saints who will spiritually accompany the next major international gathering of young Catholics, which will take place in the South Korean capital Aug. 3–8, 2027.

According to a statement from organizers, the five patron saints of WYD Seoul 2027 are St. John Paul II, founder of World Youth Day; St. Andrew Kim Taegon and his companion martyrs; St. Frances Xavier Cabrini; St. Josephine Bakhita; and St. Carlo Acutis.

St. John Paul II (1920–2005) is remembered for centering much of his pastoral teaching on young people, the family, and the defense of the dignity of human life. St. Andrew Kim Taegon (1821–1846), the first Korean Catholic priest, together with his companion martyrs, represents a powerful witness of faith and courage, sealed by martyrdom at a young age.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850–1917) was a tireless missionary, known especially for her work on behalf of migrants and the poor. St. Josephine Bakhita (1869–1947), a former slave who became a religious sister, is a witness of hope, freedom, and faith transformed through suffering. St. Carlo Acutis (1991–2006), meanwhile, embodies the witness of holiness in the digital age and remains a model of evangelization for young people today.

As is customary for each World Youth Day, the patron saints are presented as models and guides of faith for young people through the witness of their lives and spirituality. For WYD Seoul 2027, the choices were made in light of the event's major spiritual themes: truth, love, and peace.

The selection process began at the end of 2024 and included a nationwide survey of young people, youth ministry leaders, and formators. Following that consultation, the Local Organizing Committee reviewed the candidates and made the final selection.

After the announcement, a group of young volunteers spent two months studying the lives and spirituality of the five patron saints. Through prayer, dialogue, and shared reflection, they prepared a special prayer and a representative symbol for each saint to express the particular witness they offer to new generations.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, emphasized the importance of the selection, saying the patron saints "play a fundamental role in the preparation of each World Youth Day." He said these models of holiness invite young people to reflect on God's call and encourage them to respond with generosity and courage in following Christ.

"May the witness of these patron saints inspire young people throughout the world, especially in contexts marked by difficulty and persecution," Farrell said.

Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung of Seoul, president of the Local Organizing Committee, noted that the chosen saints represent different continents and generations.

"Each one of them offers a concrete path for living the faith amid the realities that young people face today," Chung said, expressing his hope that participants will form a deep spiritual bond with the saints during the journey of preparation for WYD.

The Local Organizing Committee will continue presenting the lives and spirituality of the patron saints through the official WYD Seoul 2027 website and social media channels, while also developing new content and formation programs.

Along with the announcement, the committee also launched an interactive section titled "Meet Your Patron Saint!" Inspired by personality tests and digital quizzes, the feature asks young people a series of questions to help them discover which of the five saints most closely resembles their own personality. The goal is to help young people encounter the saints not only as historical figures but also as companions who can illuminate the questions and hopes of today.

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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Chants of "Yes to life, no to abortion!", "Life is a victory!", and "We are the pro-life generation!" rang out this past weekend in the streets of downtown Mexico City, where young people turned out for the March for Life.

The event took place the day after the anniversary of the law passed on April 24, 2007, when the capital city's government legalized abortion on demand for up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

According to the Mexico City Secretariat of Public Health, nearly 300,000 abortions were performed in the country's capital between 2007 and 2025.

The 2007 decision paved the way for similar laws in other states, such that 24 out of 31 states across the country currently have loosened restrictions on abortion.

To demonstrate against these regulations, groups of friends, families, young people mobilized by parishes, and other participants began gathering early at the Monument to the Revolution. From there, the contingent set off toward the Mexico City Legislature in a march that, according to organizers, drew a crowd of more than 2,000 people.

Throughout the route, young people set the pace with drums, chants, and slogans. Many wore blue handkerchiefs and T-shirts bearing pro-life messages and held signs in defense of motherhood and the unborn.

Among those in attendance was 22-year-old Macarena Muñoz, who told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, that she came to demonstrate that there are still "pro-life young people here in Mexico and in all the states who want to see these laws changed, and who do not want abortion to be decriminalized."

She said it is important to show society that there are young people who understand that "to defend any other right such as women's rights, one must first defend the intrinsic value: the value of life."

Other states begin to permit abortion

Although the first decriminalization of abortion in Mexico took place in 2007 in the capital, the most significant gain for laws allowing abortion occurred during the six-year term of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, which began in 2018, when the political party MORENA secured a majority in various state legislatures and pushed for laws allowing abortion in 12 states.

Subsequently, with the administration of Claudia Sheinbaum, also a MORENA party member, on Oct. 1, 2024, and backed by support from her party in the state legislatures, new laws permitting abortion were passed in Jalisco, Michoacán, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Mexico, Chiapas, Nayarit, Chihuahua, Campeche, Yucatán, and Tabasco states.

The march brought together people from various regions of the country. According to the organizers, participants came from at least 20 cities.

One of them was Regina Hinojosa, 24, who traveled from Puebla. Speaking with ACI Prensa, she lamented that during the time abortion has been legal in Mexico City and other states, "there hasn't been anything that could be positive for women."

She maintained that above any other agenda, Mexican women "deserve more laws in favor of their well-being and that of their babies."

Juan Pablo Perea, 21, a native of Michoacán, also participated. In an interview with ACI Prensa, he stated that he had traveled with the intention of reminding others that "it falls to us young people to fight for this because we are no longer merely the future of the country but its present; and if we do nothing at this time, no one else will."

Although he acknowledged that this is a "struggle that, regrettably, currently seems to be losing ground," he encouraged other young people to get involved, pointing out that "without life, there is no future."

Young people don't want these deadly laws

Some pro-life legislators also participated in the march, such as Juliana Rosario Hernández Quintanar of the National Action Party, a Querétaro state representative who has championed legislative initiatives such as declaring March 25 the "Day of Life."

Hernández told ACI Prensa that more laws are needed to protect vulnerable persons including the unborn and therefore called upon her colleagues not to give up, for "there is no better cause than fighting for life, because life is the future, life is hope, and today in Mexico, we have a great demand for life [to be protected]."

Furthermore, she expressed the view that Mexico bears a "great debt" in this regard, assuring that as politicians, "we are here to defend these causes, the ones that truly matter and the ones that will allow us to make a lasting difference."

Youth at the forefront

Another attendee was Rodrigo Baños, 20, who issued a call to other young people to participate with "attitude and determination" in the defense of human rights, particularly those of women and the unborn.

The young man also told ACI Prensa that, following the example of previous generations, "now it is our turn, this is our moment to go out and fight" for the right to life. He encouraged his contemporaries, reminding them: "We are young; we have nothing to lose. We must give it our all."

At the close of the event , a manifesto was read from the stage ending on the same note, with a message addressed to Mexican youth and to "those who sought to convince us to give up."

"We refuse; we are a generation that does not grow accustomed, that does not sell out, that does not remain silent, that does not surrender. We will not give up. We will not tire of defending the truth. We will not stop loving Mexico."

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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Pope Leo XIV met with the archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, at the Vatican on Monday. Mullally's first official visit to Rome as the spiritual leader of the Church of England comes amid strained ecumenical relations and division among Anglicans.

Mullally's delegation for her April 25–28 visit included representatives from the Anglican Communion and the recently appointed Catholic archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth.

A more difficult path to full communion

In his address to Mullally and her delegation on April 27, Leo said ecumenical dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion has recently become more challenging.

"While much progress has been made on some historically divisive issues, new problems have arisen in recent decades, rendering the pathway to full communion more difficult to discern," Leo said. "I know that the Anglican Communion is also facing many of these same questions at this time. Nevertheless, we must not allow these continuing challenges to prevent us from using every possible opportunity to proclaim Christ to the world together."

The pope added that it would be "a scandal if we did not continue to work towards overcoming our differences, no matter how intractable they may appear."

Beyond Catholic-Anglican dialogue, Mullally's election has further caused significant theological and ecumenical divides within the Anglican Communion, particularly regarding the ordination of women and sexuality.

Pope Leo has affirmed the Catholic Church's teaching on a male-only priesthood. In the Anglican Communion, notable splits have arisen over the ordination of Mullally as a female bishop, particularly among the Global Anglican Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON) and other conservative branches of Anglicanism. In March, GAFCON announced its break with the See of Canterbury.

In 2023, the General Synod of the Church of England controversially voted to approve the blessing of same-sex couples in civil marriages, another point of division among Anglicans.

Hospitality despite differences

After their meeting, the pope and the archbishop recited daytime prayer, part of the Liturgy of the Hours, together in the Chapel of Urban VIII in the Apostolic Palace.

In her address to the pontiff, Mullally thanked him for the opportunity to pray together and encouraged mutual hospitality despite differences.

"In our ecumenical journey, I believe the Holy Spirit is inviting us into a deeper practice of hospitality, not simply as welcome, but as a form of ministry," Mullally said. "As I begin this ministry, I hope to be a shepherd who loves and cares for the Church, who encourages hospitality despite our differences, who speaks prophetically into our present reality, and who proclaims Christian hope with the confidence that the Gospel of Jesus Christ remains good news for our world today."

Over the weekend, Mullally also visited the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and St. Peter's Basilica. On Monday evening, she will preside over choral evensong at the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, during which she will commission Bishop Anthony Ball as the archbishop of Canterbury's official representative to the Holy See.

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With the aim of demonstrating how initiation into Christian life impacts the renewal of the Church, the Paraguayan Bishops' Conference presented the publication "Stories of Light: The Journey and Witness of Christian Initiation in Paraguay."

In the document, by the conference's National Coordination of Catechesis, catechesis is viewed not merely as a process of formation but as an experience that "transforms hearts and lives, leading to renewed commitment to the Gospel."

The document is addressed specifically to bishops, priests, catechists, and pastoral workers, and seeks to serve as a "source of inspiration and encouragement" to foster in them a greater appreciation of catechesis as a driving force for evangelization.

The publication notes that catechesis "is not merely intellectual knowledge but an experience of grace that transforms the heart and one's entire existence, making the believer a participant in Trinitarian life."

It also emphasizes the need to move beyond the prevailing view of catechesis as simply preparation for the sacraments, proposing a paradigm shift wherein it becomes a communal, missionary, and experiential undertaking. Within this framework, the document emphasizes that Christian initiation functions by "integrating the catechized person into the community," thereby fostering commitment to the family, society, and the Church.

The participation of families is important in catechesis; parents, godparents, and entire communities should become actively involved.

Among the document's most valuable contributions are the testimonies of young people, families, and catechists, who bear witness to the spiritual growth they experienced.

"My whole life changed and my family's as well. Now I feel fulfilled doing so much for others," said a participant who through this process found a new opportunity for life and service.

Formation should lead to the practice of the works of mercy. Accompanying suffering families means "touching the suffering body of Christ, integrating the social and spiritual dimensions into the catechetical process," the text points out.

Christian initiation, according to the document, "is a response to the cultural shifts and relativism affecting young people and families," promoting integration and fostering a faith that is both lived and shared.

Finally, the document proposes Christian initiation as a journey of pastoral renewal that fosters an "ecclesial renewal ... aimed at a new vocational impetus and a new missionary awakening of parish communities."

"Stories of Light" is thus presented as a pastoral tool that seeks to offer a model of a "Church that goes out," one centered on encounter with Christ, on the transformative dimension of catechesis, and on living out the faith in community.

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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U.S. bishops said violence is never the answer after a shooter breached the hotel hosting the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C. and injured a Secret Service agent on April 25.

Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement, "We are grateful the lives of the President, those who protect him, and everyone in attendance last night were spared from serious harm. Let us all pray for our elected leaders and public officials that they may receive God's blessings. Because human life is a precious gift, there is no room for violence of any kind in our society."

Attendees heard gunshots shortly after the White House Correspondents' Dinner began at the Washington Hilton hotel. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and several cabinet members were evacuated by federal agents.  Trump said in a press conference at the White House following the shooting that a lone suspect was taken into police custody and one federal agent was hospitalized after being hit in his bulletproof vest.

Bishop David Bonnar of Youngstown, Ohio said the issue of gun violence requires attention.

Bonnar said in a statement, "The United States is built on freedom and respect for all. There is no room for violence that endangers the life of any human being. Moreover, the issue of gun violence must be addressed. Violence is never the answer. We all must look deeper into the human heart to build each other up rather than tear each other down. We pray for peace in moments of disagreement and discord. As we celebrate our 250th birthday may we live as a nation under God with liberty and justice for all."

Bonnar also offered a prayer for healing.

We all must look deeper into the human heart to build each other up rather than tear each other down.

Bishop David Bonnar

Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio

Since 2025, the United States has seen a marked escalation in political violence, including assassination attempts and lethal attacks linked to ideological extremism, threats against elected officials, and armed incidents surrounding political events.

High-profile political actor Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator, was assassinated in Utah in September 2025. In Minnesota, Rep. Melissa Hortman, the top Democratic leader of the state House of Representatives, was assassinated in her home in June 2025, and her husband was killed in the same attack. Hortman, who had served as Minnesota House speaker, was a Roman Catholic catechist.

Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, posted on X on April 26, "I'm grateful that the President and his entourage are unhurt after this latest attack. May I raise my voice against the viciousness and tribalism that are so prevalent on the internet and that contribute mightily to the violence we see in our political culture. Can we please remember that it is possible to disagree with a politician's ideas without demonizing and de-humanizing him? Jesus commanded us to love our enemies, and that includes our ideological opponents."

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MYMENSINGH, Bangladesh — In a country where Catholic vocations often emerge from modest rural communities, the quiet influence of lay Catholics can be decisive. For decades, Lobdine Chisim, a lay teacher and catechist from Mariamnagar Parish in Bangladesh's Diocese of Mymensingh, has been one such influence — helping shape a generation of priests and religious sisters through personal sacrifice, faithful accompaniment, and maternal care.

Chisim, 65, received the papal honor "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" in 2025 in recognition of her lifelong service to the Church. The award highlighted a vocation lived not in vows or ordination but in persistent support of Catholics discerning consecrated life.

Mariamnagar Parish, founded in 1937 by American Holy Cross missionaries, has produced at least eight priests and seven religious sisters over the years. According to clergy and religious from the parish, Chisim has played a role — both direct or indirect — in nearly all of those vocations.

A member of the parish, Chisim teaches at the local Catholic school and serves as a catechist. Known for her fidelity to Church teaching and firm moral guidance, she has long accompanied young people considering the priesthood or religious life, often stepping into roles usually filled by parents or formal formation staff.

Though never officially assigned to a seminary or formation house, Chisim has acted quietly and become what local clergy call a "caregiver of vocations," introducing boys and girls to seminaries and religious congregations, helping them navigate formation, and supporting them materially when poverty threatened to derail their calling.

Chisim, the mother of one child, personally financed the seminary education of her younger brother — now Father Joseph Chisim. Beyond her family, she has continued to follow the progress of seminarians and candidates, remaining in contact with them through letters, visits, and phone calls, particularly during moments of doubt or crisis.

Father Sanchaya Ignatius Chisim (no relation to Lobdine Chisim), rector of St. Paul's Minor Seminary in Jalchatra, Tangail, credits the influence of the laywoman as decisive in his own discernment. Speaking to EWTN News, he said she first inspired him while teaching catechism classes during his school years.

"She encouraged me to enter the seminary and continued to guide me after I joined," he said. "She gave me advice and counseling, and many times helped me financially while I was a seminarian."

During vacations home from the seminary, Father Chisim recalled, she would regularly check on him. "She protected me like a mother and warned me against temptation. She played an important role in my becoming a priest, and I am grateful to her."

Religious sisters from Mariamnagar Parish offer similar testimony.

Sister Mary Hima of the Associates of Mary, Queen of Apostles, now headmistress of St. Lawrence School in Dhaka, said she first encountered Chisim as a child in catechism classes.

"She inspired us to become sisters even then," Hima told EWTN News. "When I later entered the formation house, she was very happy and continued to motivate me, saying that as a sister I would be able to serve very well."

Hima said Chisim's support did not end after first profession. During a difficult period in her early religious life, when she felt unable to confide in her community or family, she turned to Chisim for guidance.

"She gave me honest advice and counseling, which helped me continue my religious life with strength," Hima said, adding that she remains deeply grateful.

Beyond individual discernment, Chisim has become a respected figure throughout her village. She regularly leads evening prayers and is known for encouraging priests, sisters, and laypeople to live faithfully and ethically.

Speaking to EWTN News, Chisim said her motivation comes from a simple conviction about the life of the Church.

"Priests and sisters provide wonderful service. They keep the Church alive," she said. "That is why we need many of them."

She explained that she offers financial assistance only to those pursuing religious vocations, not for marriage. "Many families live below the poverty line," she said. "Some boys and girls lose enthusiasm because they cannot afford books, exam fees, or school costs. I help them as much as I can."

Although she does not consider herself wealthy, Chisim said she finds peace in supporting vocations. "I spend less on the world so that I can help them," she said.

Her role has even extended to assisting diocesan leadership. She recalled being asked by Bishop Ponen Paul Kubi, CSC, of Mymensingh to counsel seminarians struggling with hesitation shortly before ordination.

"I talk to them and encourage them to return to the seminary," she said. "Many have continued and are now serving the Church beautifully."

For those who know her, Chisim's life stands as a testimony to the often-unseen power of lay witness — a vocation of fidelity that, quietly and persistently, has helped sustain the Church in Bangladesh.

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St. James (Santiago) Church in the town of Curahuara de Carangas in Bolivia, which has earned the popular moniker the "Sistine Chapel of the Andes" due to the murals adorning its interior walls, is going to be restored.

The project was announced April 21 during a press conference given by Bolivia's deputy minister for the Promotion of Sustainable Tourism, Andrés Aramayo; the bishop of Oruro, Cristobal Bialasik; architect Josefina Matas, who will direct the restoration; and Debra Hevia, chief of mission at the U.S. embassy.

The U.S. will make an investment of $66,240 toward the restoration of the historic church, which dates back to the early 17th century.

Hevia said the funding comes from the U.S. Department of State's Cultural Preservation Fund, which has a history spanning more than 26 years of protecting Bolivian cultural heritage.

"This church is beautiful. Its architectural style and murals tell the story of Bolivia, and we want to protect them to share with the world," she said, highlighting the importance of preserving Bolivia's history and combating the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage objects.

"As the Ministry of Sustainable Tourism, Cultures, Folklore, and Gastronomy, we view culture as a catalyst for our national pride, of our essence, but also for the social cohesion and peace we so urgently need to truly understand where we come from and where we wish to go," Aramayo said at the press conference.

The project, which entails the repair and waterproofing of the thatched roof as well as the reconstruction of the buttresses that support the building, will respect the church's architectural style and unique construction materials, the deputy minister explained. In addition, the exterior walls and façades, which have deteriorated with age, will be restored.

The building, constructed between 1587 and 1608, is located in the Andean province of Sajama at an elevation of 12,788 feet above sea level.

It is a large structure built of stone and adobe, featuring stone buttresses and a gated entrance to the church compound composed of two pilasters and a semicircular arch executed in a Renaissance style.

Inside the church, the walls and ceilings feature paintings depicting biblical scenes, which were completed in 1777 according to period documents belonging to the town of Curahuara de Carangas.

In 1960, the church was declared a national monument. With this restoration, the town hopes to become a hub for economic and social development through tourism, as part of a national religious tourism strategy.

At the press conference, the local bishop expressed his gratitude to the United States, as well as to Germany, which funded previous restoration work on the church.

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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VATICAN CITY, April 26, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV ordained 10 new priests in St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday, urging them to keep the doors of the Church open and to remember that their mission is to welcome, not to exclude.

"Today more than ever, especially when statistics seem to indicate a divide between people and the Church, keep the door open! Let people in, and be prepared to go out," the pope said in his homily for the Mass on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday.

"This is another secret for your life: you are a channel, not a filter," he told the ordinands.

Eight of the new priests were ordained for the Diocese of Rome, of which the pope is bishop: Guglielmo Lapenna, Giorgio Larosa, Jos Emanuele Nleme Sabate, Giovanni Emanuele Nunziante Salazar, Antonino Ordine, Yordan Camilo Ramos Medina, Daniele Riscica, and Cristian Sguazzino.

The pope also ordained Armando Roa Núñez, born in Mexico and incardinated in the Diocese of Miao in India, and Selwyn Pinto Loyce, born in Saudi Arabia and incardinated in the Institute of Christ the Redeemer, Idente Missionaries.

Reflecting on the Gospel in which Jesus says, "I am the gate," Leo told the new priests to see themselves as servants of a suffering humanity that awaits abundant life.

"Never hide this holy door. Do not block it; do not be an obstacle to those who wish to enter," he said. Quoting Jesus' rebuke in Luke's Gospel, he added: "You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering."

The pope said priestly ministry should be marked by communion and openness. "You belong to everyone and are for everyone!" he said. "Let this be the fundamental purpose of your mission: to keep the threshold open and direct others to it, without using too many words."

Leo also urged the ordinands not to reduce Christian life to parish structures or ecclesial groups.

"The Church's doors are open, but not to cut us off from life: life does not end in a parish, in an association, in a movement, in a group," he said. "Whoever is saved can 'go out and find pasture.'"

"Dear brothers, go out and discover culture, people and life!" the pope continued. "Marvel at the things that God makes grow without our having sown them."

The pope also spoke about celibacy, comparing it to the love of spouses.

"Certainly, like the love of spouses, the love that inspires celibacy for the Kingdom of God must also be guarded and constantly renewed, for every true affection matures and becomes fruitful over time," he said.

He told the new priests that the deeper their bond with Christ, "the more radical" their belonging to humanity becomes, adding that they are called to be "not only good priests but also honest, helpful citizens, builders of peace and social friendship."

The pope warned against fear and the search for scapegoats, saying that the need for security today can make people aggressive and cause communities to close in on themselves.

"May your security not lie in the role you hold, but in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as well as in your participation, along with your people, in the story of salvation," he said.

The communities to which the priests will be sent, he said, are already places where the risen Christ is present.

"These communities will also help you to become saints!" Leo said. "For your part, help them to walk together, following Jesus, the Good Shepherd, so that they may become places — gardens — of life that rise anew and share themselves with others."

He added: "Facilitating encounters, helping to bring together those who would otherwise never meet, and conciliating division is one and the same as celebrating the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Coming together always means planting the Church anew."

Later on Sunday, before leading the Regina Caeli from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo returned to the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and the gate of the sheepfold.

"Jesus does not come as a thief to take away our life and our freedom, but to lead us along the paths of righteousness," he said. "He does not come to ensnare or deceive our conscience, but to illuminate it with the light of his wisdom. He does not come to taint our earthly joys, but to open them to a fuller and more lasting happiness."

"Those who entrust themselves to him have nothing to fear," the pope said, "for he does not deprive us of life, but comes to give it to us in abundance."

Leo urged the faithful to be vigilant about who or what enters "the gate" of their hearts.

"'Thieves' can take many forms," he said, citing those who "suppress our freedom or fail to respect our dignity," as well as "beliefs and biases," "mistaken ideas," and "superficial and consumeristic lifestyles" that leave people empty inside.

He also pointed to those who harm humanity by "pillaging the earth's resources, waging blood-thirsty wars, or fueling evil in any form," saying they "do nothing but rob each of us of the possibility of a future marked by peace and serenity."

The pope invited the faithful to examine their consciences: "Who do we want to guide us in life? Which 'thieves' have tried to break into our fold? Have they succeeded, or have we managed to ward them off?"

After the Regina Caeli, Leo recalled the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, calling it a warning about the risks of powerful technologies.

"Let us entrust those who died and all who still suffer from the aftermath of the disaster to God's mercy," he said. "I hope that discernment and responsibility will always prevail at every level of decision-making so that all use of atomic energy may be placed at the service of life and peace."

The pope also offered a special greeting to the relatives and friends of the new priests of the Diocese of Rome.

"Please continue to accompany these young ministers of the Gospel with your prayers," he said.

This story was first published in two parts by ACI Prensa, EWTN News' Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Pope Leo XIV recently completed an 11-day trip visiting the faithful in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. With stops in 11 cities across those countries, the Holy Father met with the youth, political leaders, prisoners, families, and many more to share the Gospel message.

Here are seven powerful moments from Pope Leo's trip to Africa:

1. Moving visit to the land of St. Augustine

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

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

Despite pouring rain, the pope walked through the ruins and, at the end of the route, laid a wreath of flowers and stopped for a moment of prayer, visibly moved.

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2. Visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers

While in Algeria, the pope visited the Great Mosque of Algiers (Djamaa el Djazaïr), often referred to as the "Mosque of Algeria." Featuring the world's tallest minaret — rising approximately 265 meters (about 870 feet) — and ranking as the third-largest mosque after those in Mecca and Medina, the monumental complex can accommodate up to 120,000 worshippers.

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The tradition of popes visiting mosques began with Pope John Paul II, who in 2001 became the first pope in history known to have entered a mosque when he visited the Great Mosque of Damascus in the capital of Syria.

Pope Leo addressed criticism directed toward him on April 15 on board the papal plane after leaving Algiers bound for Cameroon.

"I think the visit to the mosque was significant [and showed] that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can [still] live together in peace," the Holy Father said.

"I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today," he said, arguing that such visits show that "together we can continue to offer in our witness as we continue on this apostolic voyage."

3. Joy-filled children welcome Pope Leo in Cameroon

Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by the songs and dances of children at the Ngul Zamba Orphanage in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

"Dear children, I know that many of you have endured difficult trials. Some of you have known the pain of loss through the death of parents or loved ones. Others have experienced fear, rejection, abandonment, deprivation, and uncertainty. Yet, you are called to a future that is greater than your wounds. You are bearers of a promise," the pope said.

Run for 40 years by the religious congregation the Daughters of Mary, the Ngul Zamba Orphanage — whose name means "Strength of God" — provides food, lodging, and education to poor or abandoned children.

In another heartfelt moment, at the end of the afternoon Mass in Bamenda, Cameroon, as the pope was preparing to leave the airport and get into his car, a little girl ran up to hug him. This spontaneous gesture, amid the joy and emotion of the 20,000 present, captured the hearts of millions around the world.

4. Rosary gathering at the Mama Muxima Shrine

While in Angola, Pope Leo took part in a rosary gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.

The shrine, whose name means "Mother of the Heart" in Kimbundu, is one of Angola's best-known Marian sanctuaries. Built by the Portuguese in the 17th century on a hill overlooking the Kwanza River, it has long been a place of pilgrimage and prayer for Angolan Catholics.

The crowd in attendance erupted into applause when the Holy Father spoke in Kimbundu, a Bantu language spoken in Angola.

He said: "Mama Muxima, tueza kokué, Mama Muxima, tutambululé," which means: "Mother of the heart, we come to you; Mother of the heart, receive us."

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5. Pope Leo visits psychiatric hospital

The Holy Father visited the Jean-Pierre Olié Psychiatric Hospital in Equatorial Guinea. With its six pavilions, it represents a major development in the treatment of mental illness in Equatorial Guinea, where psychiatric disorders were historically neglected. Founded in 2014, it is the country's first modern center of its kind and has become a symbol of the national commitment to integrating patients into society.

The event included songs, dancing, and testimonies from both the hospital's director and a patient, Pedro Celestino Nzerem Koose. A moving poem by a former patient was also recited.

"Whenever I visit a hospital, I have mixed feelings: on the one hand, I feel sorrow for the patients and their families. On the other, I admire and am comforted by all that is done there each day to serve human life," the pope said in an address delivered in Spanish. "I feel the same way here, but today, I find — and I hope the same is true for you — that joy prevails. It is the joy of meeting in the name of the Lord and of caring for those who are in frail health."

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6. Pope Leo visits a prison

The pope paid a visit to the Bata penitentiary in Equatorial Guinea and told inmates that "no one is excluded from God's love" and urged them to see that even behind bars, there remains the possibility of change, reconciliation, and hope.

This local prison is one of the country's harshest and long known for difficult detention conditions.

One of the more than 600 inmates thanked the pope for his visit and support.

"We wish to thank you for your visit and your support," the prisoner said. "Your presence reminds us of the importance of faith and redemption. We ask for your blessing to keep moving forward and to come out of this as better people. We are grateful for your compassion and for your message of hope."

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7. The final Mass in Africa

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the final Mass of his Africa trip at Malabo's stadium, urging the Church in Equatorial Guinea to continue proclaiming the Gospel "with passion" and to bear witness through lives shaped by faith, service, and solidarity.

The Mass in the stadium, where about 30,000 faithful were expected, marked the pope's last major public event in Equatorial Guinea, the fourth and final African nation on his 11-day journey.

After riding through the crowd in the popemobile, Leo began Mass amid flags, songs, and colorful hats, with music and dance accompanying the liturgy.

The Holy Father also prayed before an image of Our Lady of Bisila, mother and patroness of Equatorial Guinea.

Clothed in white and blue, carrying the child Jesus on her back in the traditional African way, the Virgin of Bisila shows a mother who walks with her people in every struggle and hope. According to local tradition, she appeared to a humble Bubi woman on Bioko Island in the early 20th century (exact year is not clearly attested), and love of her grew until she became the beloved icon of the nation's Marian devotion.

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