Juan Dabdoub, tireless defender of life and family in Mexico, dies

Juan Dabdoub, founder of the Mexican Family Council. / Credit: David Ramos/EWTN NewsACI Prensa Staff, Sep 14, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).Juan Dabdoub Giacoman, a legendary and tireless defender of life and family in Mexico, passed away at the age of 71 on Sept. 11 in Mexico City after a long battle with cancer."A Catholic at heart and by conviction," as he described himself on his social media, Dabdoub was born on Nov. 30, 1953, in Monterrey in Nuevo León state in Mexico and specialized in marketing and business management.Self-described as a "rebel by nature and an idealist by conviction," Dabdoub dedicated his recent decades to activism in support of life and family, and founded the Mexican Council of the Family (ConFamilia), which promoted an amendment to the Mexican Constitution to officially recognize marriage as between one man and one woman.The proposal was supported by more than 200,000 signatures, nearly twice the number required by law, but was ignored by the country's Sen...

'Happy birthday, Pope Leo!': EWTN viewers around the world share songs, prayers

Pope Leo XIV waves at the crowds of people who braved a rainy morning for the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 10, 2025. / Credit: Vatican MediaNational Catholic Register, Sep 14, 2025 / 07:09 am (CNA).Sept. 14 marks Pope Leo XIV's 70th birthday. To celebrate, "EWTN News In Depth" invited viewers to send in video messages to share their own personal greeting to the Holy Father on such a momentous occasion.The responses ranged from young Catholic school children singing "Happy Birthday" to seminarians and priests sharing their own sentiments and religious sisters gathered to say happy birthday in unison. Some celebrated by blowing out candles while holding their own Pope Leo prayer card, while many just thanked the Holy Father for all the love and joy he shares daily.Although many American voices shared birthday blessings and prayers of gratitude, several messages came from the Philippines, many in Spanish, and one even from Norway and the Netherlands.There was a ...

Death of Melkite Catholic in Syrian prison sparks debate over security abuses

null / Credit: Freedom Studio/ShutterstockACI MENA, Sep 14, 2025 / 08:09 am (CNA).The death of Milad Farakh, a member of the Melkite Greek Catholic community from the village of Kafra in Syria's Valley of Christians (Wadi al-Nasara), has stirred controversy on social media. About two weeks after his arrest and transfer to the Balouna Prison in Homs on charges of selling spoiled meat, reports emerged recently that he had died under torture, based on leaks.A local source told ACI MENA, CNA's Arabic-language news partner, that the "spoiled meat" charge (Farakh was a butcher) was merely a cover to prevent unrest in the region. The source added that the security services themselves admitted Farakh had died under torture and issued an official apology. The officer responsible for interrogating him was also detained.At the same time, the source stressed that media claims of "persecution of Christians" in Wadi al-Nasara do not reflect reality. "We have never felt any direct target...

Pope Leo XIV marks 70th birthday at Sunday Angelus: 'I give thanks to the Lord and to my parents'

Pope Leo XIV at a window of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, leading pilgrims in reciting the Angelus, on September 14, 2025, the pope's 70th birthday. / Vatican MediaVatican City, Sep 14, 2025 / 09:55 am (CNA).On Sunday, his 70th birthday, Pope Leo XIV presided at the recitation of the Angelus with pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. From the early morning hours, the square had filled up with the faithful carrying banners, flags, and congratulatory signs to celebrate the pope's milestone.Leo was visibly moved when musical groups in the square played "Happy Birthday," a gesture greeted with applause, cheers, and the waving of signs bearing messages of gratitude and blessing."Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Sunday! Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, commemorating the discovery of the Cross by Saint Helen in Jerusalem in the fourth century, and the return of the precious relic to the Holy City by the Emperor Heraclius," the pope said ...

Vatican lights up with drone show at historic 'Grace for the World' concert

Illuminated drones reproduce Michelangelo's "Pietà" over St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on September 14, 2025. / Courtney MaresVatican City, Sep 14, 2025 / 10:45 am (CNA).St. Peter's Square became the stage for an unprecedented spectacle on Saturday night, as tens of thousands gathered for Grace for the World, a massive concert closing the third World Meeting on Human Fraternity.The event opened with breathtaking symbolism: more than 3,000 drones illuminated the night sky above the basilica, tracing the image of Pope Francis, framing Michelangelo's dome and Bernini's colonnade in light. The display, a first for the Vatican, drew reverent silence before the crowd erupted in applause.Illuminated drones portray Pope Francis above St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on September 14, 2025. Eva FernándezThe moment was accompanied by a stirring duet of "Amazing Grace" performed by world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli and American singer Teddy Swims. Their voice...

Pope Leo XIV's Peruvian birthdays: Simplicity, closeness, and community

Pope Leo XIV is pictured here during a past birthday celebration when he served as bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Diocese of ChiclayoLima Newsroom, Sep 13, 2025 / 17:00 pm (CNA).Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Robert Prevost celebrated various birthdays in Chiclayo, Peru, with gestures marked by simplicity, closeness, and community as remembered by laypeople and groups of faithful who shared these moments with him during his years as bishop of the diocese.Father Jorge Millán, who worked closely with Prevost in Chiclayo, recalled the sober style of these celebrations: "We used to gather as a family with the bishop: lunch, the classic cake, singing 'Happy Birthday' to him... It was just a pleasant afternoon, nothing more, but then he would return to work," he shared with ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner.In the mornings, he recounted, the bishop received greetings from institutions and schools in the city, while in the afte...

Pope Leo approves new measures to include people with disabilities in Vatican workforce

Ferrara, Italy resident Davide Andreoli and his family visit St. Peter's Square for the Jubilee of People with Disabilities, Monday, April 28, 2025. / Credit: Courtney Mares/CNAVatican City, Sep 13, 2025 / 11:30 am (CNA).Pope Leo XIV has approved new measures to promote the hiring of people with disabilities in the Vatican, saying their condition does not prevent them from serving in Church institutions.The updated regulations require Vatican offices to welcome and support employees with disabilities, including by providing accommodations where needed, "since the condition of disability does not preclude suitability for work," the new provision states.Health requirements for job candidates have also been revised. Instead of demanding perfect health, the focus will be on whether a person is fit for the specific duties of the job, with certification provided by Vatican health services.The changes apply both to the Holy See and to Vatican City and take effect immediately. The...

Pope Leo XIV urges theologians to defend creation and human dignity in the age of AI

Pope Leo XIV greets participants in a seminar organized by the Pontifical Academy of Theology, at the Vatican on September 13, 2025. / Pope Leo XIV greets participants in a seminar organized by the Pontifical Academy of Theology, at the Vatican on September 13, 2025.Vatican City, Sep 13, 2025 / 12:30 pm (CNA).Pope Leo XIV on Saturday urged Catholic theologians to embrace a "theology of wisdom" capable of addressing urgent global challenges, from environmental crises to the ethical questions posed by artificial intelligence (AI).In his address to participants of an international seminar organized by the Pontifical Academy of Theology, the pope said that "environmental sustainability and the care of creation are essential commitments to ensure the survival of the human race" and have a direct impact on peaceful human coexistence. Leo emphasized that theology is at the heart of the Church's missionary work, but must be "incarnate, imbued with the human pains, joys, expectatio...

New U.S. ambassador to the Vatican presents credentials to pope

Brian Burch, the new U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, presents his credentials to Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on September 13, 2025. / Vatican MediaVatican City, Sep 13, 2025 / 07:35 am (CNA).Pope Leo XIV on Saturday morning received Brian Burch, the new U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace for the formal presentation of his letters of credence.Burch, 50, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Aug. 2 in a 49-44 vote. He was nominated by President Donald Trump in December 2024 and succeeds former ambassador Joe Donnelly, who served under the Biden administration.In a statement following his confirmation, Burch said he was "profoundly grateful" to the president and Senate for the opportunity to serve, and asked for the prayers of Catholics across the United States "that I may serve honorably and faithfully in the noble adventure ahead."A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Burch is married and the father of nine children. He graduated wi...

The spiritual testament of Cardinal Karlic, one of the authors of the catechism

The late Cardinal Estanislao Karlic. / Credit: Courtesy of Archdiocese of ParanáACI Prensa Staff, Sep 13, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).The Archdiocese of Paraná in Argentina has published the spiritual testament of Cardinal Estanislao Karlic one month after his death. The prelate was one of the authors of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and died on Aug. 8 at the age of 99.The archdiocese noted that the testament was written by Karlic at the House of Mary of the Benedictine monastery Our Lady of Paraná ??in Aldea María Luisa during the solemnity of the Nativity of Jesus in 2024. Karlic served as archbishop of the archdiocese from 1983 to 2003.In his opening lines, the Argentine cardinal wrote: "The truth of the Catholic faith is what I confess as light, the light with which I ask the Lord to illuminate me in making this testament. I place myself before divine mercy, praying that it may envelop me with its redeeming love in the final moment of my earthly life. I thank God for the l...