From AI to the White Sox: Pope Leo XIV's first 100 days break new ground

Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNARome Newsroom, Aug 16, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA).Saturday, Aug. 16, marks Pope Leo XIV's 100th day as pope. Since his May 8 election as the first pope born and raised in the United States, the 69-year-old Chicago native has already left his mark on a jubilee year filled with papal liturgies and a surge in pilgrim enthusiasm.Here are some of the highlights of the first 100 days of the new Holy Father:Papal jubilee: Pope Leo offers 16 public Masses in 14 weeksPope Leo XIV began his papacy in the heart of the Church's 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, and he made the most of this opportunity to interact with Catholic pilgrims from across the globe by offering many Masses with the public.Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for the Jubilee of Sport on June 15, 2025, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican MediaLeo XIV offered 16 large public Ma...

Here are 50 notable remarks by Pope Leo XIV during his first 100 days

Pope Leo XIV smiles during his Wednesday general audience on Aug. 13, 2025, in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican MediaACI Prensa Staff, Aug 16, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).Pope Leo XIV has made numerous memorable remarks during the first 100 days of his pontificate (May 8 to Aug. 16). Below are some of the most notable.The peace that comes from Christ1. "It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally" (First greeting after being elected).2. "In a divided and troubled world, the Holy Spirit teaches us to walk together in unity" (Vigil of Pentecost).3. "Today more than ever, humanity cries out and calls for peace. This is a cry that requires responsibility and reason, and it must not be drowned out by the din of weapons or the rhetoric that incites conflict" (Angelus on the solemnity of Corpus Christi).The evangelizing mission4. "These ar...

Catholic bioethics expert on AI: 'It's not too late to put the genie back in the bottle'

Moral theologian Charles Camosy, a bioethics professor at the Catholic University of America and an acclaimed author, speaks to Anchor Catherine Hadro on "EWTN News In-Depth," Aug. 15, 2025 / Credit: EWTN NewsCNA Newsroom, Aug 16, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).As artificial intelligence (AI) has become more widespread, a Catholic bioethics expert is warning against the dangers posed by it, saying it's "not too late" to "put the genie back in the bottle" and avoid the worst effects of the new technology.  Pope Leo XIV has already warned that AI could have negative effects on the development of young people and contribute to a "loss of the sense of the human.""He took the name Leo XIV to connect himself to Leo XIII, who himself was dealing with the Industrial Revolution of the late century, which totally transformed culture," moral theologian Charles Camosy, a bioethics professor at the Catholic University of America and an acclaimed author, told "EWTN News In-Depth" Ancho...

Study: Catholic law grads outpace secular peers in practice, purpose, and civic life

null / Credit: Sora Shimazaki/PexelsWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 15, 2025 / 16:41 pm (CNA).A new study found that 2025 graduates of Catholic law schools are not only more focused on ethics, service, and community, but they are also more likely to be practicing law than graduates of secular institutions.The study, commissioned by the St. Mary's University School of Law and conducted by YouGov, asked a national sample of 1,076 law school graduates across Catholic and secular institutions (844 secular and 232 Catholic) questions about motivation, career trajectory, values alignment, civic participation, and ethical formation.The report revealed graduates of Catholic institutions highly prioritize their career outcomes and professional commitments. It found that 14% more Catholic law school students who graduated this year are currently practicing law than graduates of secular institutions. Also, 13% more Catholic law graduates said their career aligns with their personal values....

Economics paper suggests Mass decline tied to Vatican II implementation

General view of the Council Fathers in St. Peter's Basilica on Dec. 8, 1962, at the Vatican, at the end of the first session of the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II. / Credit: AFP via Getty ImagesWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 15, 2025 / 12:41 pm (CNA).An economics paper published last month on religious service attendance trends in 66 countries concluded that the implementation of reforms associated with the Second Vatican Council likely contributed to subsequent Mass attendance declines.The working paper, "Looking Backward: Long-term Religious Service Attendance in 66 Countries," was published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) on July 21.NBER economists delved into historical trends for religious service attendance in historically Catholic and historically Protestant countries based on 1,900 religious affiliation statistics.According to the researchers, attendance rates declined significantly faster in historically Catholic countries th...

Pennsylvania priest placed on administrative leave after confessing cheating

null / Credit: Andy via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)CNA Staff, Aug 15, 2025 / 13:11 pm (CNA).A Pennsylvania priest has been placed on administrative leave after he confessed to local prosecutors last month to falsifying the results of a high-level fundraising raffle at his parish.Father Ross Miceli allegedly "admitted to publicly falsifying the results of the grand prize winner" of a raffle for either a Corvette or a $50,000 cash prize at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Erie.In an Aug. 14 statement, the Diocese of Erie told CNA that Miceli will be placed on administrative leave as part of the ongoing investigation into the priest's actions. Erie Bishop Lawrence Persico has also recommended that St. Jude Parish hire "an independent forensic auditor to review all finances."The priest announced his resignation from the parish on the weekend of July 20, though he did not give a reason at the time. The Erie Diocese said last month that Miceli would be heading to St. Timothy Parish in Curwen...

Remembering Mother Angelica's reflections on Mary's assumption: 'It just makes sense'

Assumption of the Virgin Mary, fresco painting in San Petronio Basilica in Bologna, Italy. / Credit: Zvonimir Atletic/ShutterstockWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 15, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA).Today, Aug. 15, is the feast of the Assumption, a solemnity commemorating the end of the Virgin Mary's earthly life and the assumption of her body and soul into heaven. The day also marks the anniversary of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). On this day in 1981, EWTN's foundress, Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, started her television show out of a garage studio in Alabama. The broadcast launched what is now the largest global Catholic media network in the world. (Note: CNA is a service of EWTN News, an affiliate of EWTN.)As Catholics celebrate the Assumption and EWTN commemorates 44 years of spreading the Eternal Word, we look back at what Mother Angelica said about Jesus' mother and her assumption into heaven.Assumption of Mary "This is the feast of Our Lady's assu...

Israel denies entry to Italian priest over criticism of war in Gaza 

Palestine and Israel border. / Credit: AntonMislawsky/ShutterstockWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 15, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed:Israel denies entry to Italian priest over criticism of war in Gaza An Italian Catholic priest who has accused Israel of genocide and criticized its ongoing war in Gaza was recently denied entry into the country and sent on a return flight to Greece, according to reports.Father Nandino Capovilla, founder of the "Bridges, Not Walls" Campaign for Palestine of Pax Christi Italy, was planning to take part in a "pilgrimage of justice" organized by the group but was stopped at Ben Gurion Airport on Aug. 11 and told he would not be permitted to enter the country.Capovilla, who regularly posts on Facebook about Gaza, wrote a post after his release instructing journalists who cover his situation to demand sanctions on Israel.Iran admits to arrest of over 50 Christians since e...

Pope calls for peaceful resolutions to Gaza and Ukraine wars ahead of Trump-Putin meeting

Before the Angelus on July 13, 2025, Pope Leo XIV celebrated a Mass for local Catholics, religious leaders, and civil authorities at the 17th-century Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo's main square. / Credit: Vatican MediaACI Prensa Staff, Aug 14, 2025 / 15:27 pm (CNA).Upon arriving at Castel Gandolfo on Aug. 13, Pope Leo XIV called for a peaceful resolution to the war between Russia and Ukraine ahead of the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.The meeting, scheduled for Aug. 15 in Alaska, will address the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which the Russian army invaded three years ago.The Holy Father stated: "We must always seek a ceasefire; the violence, the many deaths must stop. Let's see how they can reach an agreement. Because after all this time, what is the purpose of war? We must always rely on dialogue, on diplomatic work, and not on violence or weapons."According to Vatican News, Pop...

Study: 9 in 10 cradle Catholics leaving the Church; experts urge stronger faith community

null / Credit: Photo Spirit/ShutterstockWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 14, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).A recent study has found an increase in the number of Americans Catholics leaving the Church. To combat the issue, the study's authors suggest creating stronger community ties among Catholics, especially among children. Michael Rota, philosophy professor at the University of St. Thomas, and Stephen Bullivant, theology and sociology professor at St. Mary's University, conducted the study examining the decline in religious practice among Catholic-born Americans using data from the General Social Survey (GSS). The GSS has asked a large representative sample of Americans a number of questions about religion for the past 50 years, which Rota and Bullivant analyzed to write "Religious Transmission: A Solution to the Church's Biggest Problem," published by Notre Dame's Church Life Journal.The data revealed that in 1973, 84% of the participants raised Catholic still identified as ...