Catholic News

For Catholic actor Neal McDonough, the story of Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart is about more than fame or military heroism. It's also a story of faith, sacrifice, and the importance of putting God and country before oneself.

McDonough portrays Alexander Stewart, Jimmy Stewart's father, in the new film "Jimmy," produced by Papaian Studios and Burns & Co. The film, which premiered Nov. 6, explores the transformative time of Stewart's service in World War II as a bomber pilot and how this experience impacted his portrayal of George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life."

Alexander Stewart, who served in the Spanish-American War and World War I, had a profound influence on his son and inspired Jimmy's desire to serve his country. Before Jimmy went to war, his father slipped a handwritten letter — a copy of Psalm 91 — and a devotional into Jimmy's pocket. Jimmy carried and read these items before every single bombing mission he went on during his service in World War II.

That scene of a father passing down his faith to his son resonated with McDonough, who has sought to do the same with his wife, Ruvé, in raising their five children.

In an interview with EWTN News, McDonough shared that while his daughter Catherine was playing volleyball in college, she wrote a verse from Philippians on her shoe and his son, who is a baseball pitcher, always draws a cross in the dirt on the pitcher's mound before he begins to pitch.

"It makes me think, 'OK, my wife Ruvé and I did the right thing,'" he said. "We brought our kids up correctly that they're putting God first and country first before themselves."

With this in mind, McDonough pointed out that young people today need more examples of what it looks like to put something bigger than yourself first.

"Nowadays, we're pretty selfish about a lot of things, not just in America, all over the world. Social media has kind of ruined a lot of kids and a lot of thought processes … I can't imagine being 16 years old and looking at a phone and thinking, 'I could never be as cool or as pretty or as handsome as that person,' or 'Gosh, I'm a loser.' Wow, what a horrible way to start your day," he shared.

He added: "We need to have more heroes. We need to have films where kids can go to a movie theater and think, 'Oh wow, that dude did it. I can do it, too. I can work a little bit harder and not worry so much about what I'm wearing or what I'm saying or what my hair looks like. I can care more about what's the right thing for the United States of America.'"

McDonough also recalled President John F. Kennedy's famous call to service, arguing that Americans need to rediscover the spirit behind the words "Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."

The actor lamented that this spirit of service has been "lost nowadays," pointing to declining trust in institutions as one reason Americans may feel powerless to bring about change. However, he encouraged people not to let that discourage them.

"There are great journalists out there. There are some terrible journalists out there, but keep going towards the good ones. There are great politicians out there. There are some not so great politicians — keep going towards the good ones and you'll weed out the bad things after a while," he said.

"But if you let the bad ones permeate into your soul and make you realize, 'Oh, there's nothing I can do as an American. I can't change the system.' Yeah, you can. You can stand up for what is right by being the best version of yourself for God and for your country, not just for yourself. That was Jimmy Stewart."

Ultimately, McDonough said, he hopes the film will encourage a new generation to recognize the importance of faith, selflessness, and service.

"It's OK to do the right thing. It's OK to put God first before yourself. It's OK to put country first before yourself," he said. "And in a day and age where people just tear heroes down so much, there are few heroes left. Jimmy Stewart is one of those heroes. And it's time for us to start building up some heroes again."

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LIMA, Peru — Pope Leo XIV arrived in Peru on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in a spectacular homecoming that drew an estimated three million people to the streets to greet him.

Leo, a U.S. citizen but also a naturalized citizen of the country where he served as a missionary and bishop for about 20 years before becoming pope, met privately with President Keiko Fujimori, then addressed her and other dignitaries about Peru's current state and prospects.

"For decades, I shared in the lives of its people, listened to their concerns, and learned from their faith," the pope said, drawing laughter when he noted that he also ate ceviche, a traditional Peruvian dish based on raw fish.

"Today I understand how much of this land remains with me and how much of my own story also belongs to you."

Invoking his deep personal experience — "I recall seemingly simple conversations in which the difficulties of a family or the hopes of an entire community came to light" — Leo called on Fujimori and other public officeholders to listen to their citizens.

The pope referred gently to the national reconciliation process still underway in Peru after decades of left-wing terrorism, followed by years of a counterterrorism campaign led by President Alberto Fujimori, which was denounced for violations of human rights. The future Pope Leo, then Father Robert Prevost, criticized both the left-wing insurgents and the government at the time. He also called on the elder Fujimori to ask forgiveness.

In his speech on Wednesday the pope addressed the related problem of polarization, encouraging everyone "to cultivate honesty, integrity, and a willingness to engage with others — qualities that sustain trust among people and give strength to the life of institutions."

He also addressed the issue of violent crime, an urgent concern not just in Peru but across Latin America.

"For families, peace has a very concrete meaning: going out to work without fear, caring for one's children, and returning home with peace of mind. These are simple aspirations, but no one should be deprived of them. The Church is aware of the suffering caused by violence and wishes to remain close to those who endure it, encouraging the efforts of all who work to protect the life, dignity, and rights of people through law and justice," the pope said.

At a time when many Latin American governments have moved to the right and hence to favor less social spending, Leo took a contrary position:

"When a person falls ill or needs ongoing care, the lives of those around them also change. Anyone who has cared for a loved one knows how much timely medical care, a friendly presence and a word of comfort mean. I think of the elderly, people with disabilities, and those suffering from loneliness or mental health challenges. Many families quietly shoulder this burden, often with great sacrifice. I encourage the authorities to support this dedication by providing them with accessible health services and strengthening preventive medicine."

After the speech, Leo went to the apostolic nunciature in Lima, where a large crowd was waiting for him. On Thursday he is scheduled to meet Peru's bishops, visit Lima's cathedral and lead an evening vigil with young people.

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Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Argentina on Nov. 11 and departed for Peru, his adopted country where he spent years as a bishop and where he will finish his historic South American papal voyage.

The Holy Father spent his last hours in Argentina visiting prisoners at a federal prison complex and holding a public Mass before flying to the Peruvian city of Callao, where he took part in welcoming ceremonies and met with civil authorities.

Here are photos of Pope Leo's activities in Argentina and Peru on Nov. 11:

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St. Turibius of Mogrovejo (Toribio in Spanish), the second archbishop of Lima, Peru, was officially recognized by the Peruvian state as the patron of human rights in the country and a precursor in the defense of human dignity.

The decision was established through Supreme Decree No. 016-2026-JUS, published in the official government gazette El Peruano and signed by the ministers of Justice and Human Rights and Foreign Affairs.

But what does the recognition entail? The regulation mandates that the Ministry of Justice research and disseminate information regarding the life and work of St. Turibius, in addition to organizing academic activities focused on human dignity. It also tasks the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with promoting his legacy outside of Peru.

Furthermore, the decree establishes that his legacy be commemorated every April 27 as an occasion of civic and historical significance.

For Father Luis Gaspar, secretary of the Peruvian Association of Canon Law, it is an important decision because it provides recognition on a state level of the work St. Turibius carried out on behalf of those most in need.

"It is a timely and illuminating recognition," Gaspar told EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. The priest explained that the decision does not mean the state is assuming a role proper to the Church but rather that it is valuing the contribution of this historical figure.

"The state isn't arrogating to itself what properly belongs to the Church; rather, from within its own civil sphere, it is honoring a person who was a father and defender of the poorest," he explained.

Gaspar also noted the timing of the recognition, which came just ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Peru. The pontiff is scheduled to close the jubilee year marking the 300th anniversary of the canonization of St. Turibius with a celebration in Zaña, Lambayeque region, the place where the saint died.

Why is St. Turibius considered a defender of human rights?

St. Turibius of Mogrovejo (1538–1606) was one of the most important figures in the Church in Peru during the colonial period. As archbishop of Lima, he defended the Indigenous people and slaves against the abuses of his time.

He also advocated for the teaching of the faith in the languages ??of the Indigenous peoples, particularly Quechua and Aymara. Furthermore, he promoted the publication of a trilingual catechism, which is considered the first book printed in South America.

His defense of the most vulnerable even led him to confront civil authorities whenever he believed their decisions were detrimental to the poorest among them.

Although the modern concept of human rights did not yet exist in his time, his work was marked by the defense of the dignity of every person.

In 1985, during his visit to Peru, St. John Paul II highlighted this dimension of his legacy, describing him as a "courageous defender or promoter of the dignity of the person."

This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Vatican theologians unanimously voted in favor of advancing the canonization cause of Servant of God Joseph Walijewski, a priest from the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, who served as a missionary in Latin America.

The nine members of the Theological Congress of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints examined the "positio" for Walijewski, which is the formal document about his life that shows evidence of heroic virtue, a reputation for holiness, and his intercessory power.

In a unanimous vote, the theologians voted in favor of affirming the merits of his cause. The positio will be reviewed by the cardinals and bishops at the dicastery, who will determine whether to recommend his cause favorably to the pope. If they do, it would be up to Pope Leo XIV to decide whether to beatify him and grant him the title "venerable."

"This marks a significant milestone and an important step forward in the advancement of his cause," Diocese of La Crosse Bishop Gerard W. Battersby said in an announcement. "... While additional steps remain, the favorable vote of the Theological Congress represents a noteworthy affirmation and source of encouragement."

Walijewski was born in 1924 to poor Polish immigrants in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and planned to eventually become a priest while he was selling newspapers as a child. He promised God he would serve in Latin America if he were ordained a priest.

According to the Father Joseph Walijewski Legacy Guild, the servant of God began missionary work in Bolivia, where he built a parish in a jungle along with a rectory and a school. The location is now part of the urban center of Santa Cruz. He later served as a missionary in Peru, where he served the poor and operated an orphanage.

Battersby said the diocese received this news on Nov. 6, on the same day they celebrated the legacy of Walijewski and the work of Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II, a home for youth in Peru. The bishop expressed gratitude for the "dedicated work of the theological experts, the dedication of those who have promoted the Cause, and the many faithful whose prayers continue to accompany this journey."

"We give thanks to God, whose grace was evident in Father Joe's priestly ministry and continues to bear fruit today through the lives he touched and the mission he inspired," the bishop added. "I invite the faithful to continue praying for the successful advancement of the Cause according to God's holy will."

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Inspired by Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, tech leaders, clergy, and educators gathered in Rome for a hackathon to reimagine parish life in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

The event "From Roadmap to Practice" was held at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross on Nov. 7. Following the annual Builders AI Forum that week, the hackathon focused on developing practical prototypes to address parish needs, including liturgical calendars, accessible Church teaching, and digital evangelization.

The hackathon is also set to expand to the United States. Organized by the Catholic Digital Commons Foundation (CDCF) and the Evangelization Lab, the Virtual-to-Sacramental (V2S) hackathon will be held in 4 U.S. dioceses in early 2027.

Where coding meets faith

According to a Nov. 9 press release, more than 60 people gathered for the hackathon, which focused on both building software and organizing ways to support Catholics in the AI era.

More than 15 digital projects were created during the conference, from a digitized Roman martyrology to a database for religious orders.

Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, promoter general for Social Communication of the Order of Preachers, was part of a team that created a database that lets him access documents from his order dating back centuries.

"Typical PDF searches are complex, inefficient, and often incomplete," Briscoe said. "I teamed up with a developer who, in a few hours, allowed me to tap into hundreds of years of documents to get access to our own resources for formation, content creation, and governance."

Other projects built included AI-governance tools for parishes, a lunch sign-up sheet for a Roman seminary, and a digitized version of the Roman martyrology.

Keeping the human at the center of American parish life

A central focus of the hackathon was how to implement AI and other technologies into parish life, including in the U.S. in 2027.

Taylor Black, executive director of the Leonum Institute at The Catholic University of America, emphasized that the Church under Pope Leo XIV needed to embrace its vocation to build in the digital age.

"Pope Leo emphasizes the builder's vocation in the Church, and it starts with sitting down with the people who do the work and creating something they can try together," Black said.

José Manuel De Urquidi, founder of the Evangelization Lab, expressed his hope that bishops in the U.S. would support the initiative, which he believes will address the challenge of encountering Christ online but not within Catholic communities.

"[The bishops] not only have to bless it but also support it, because the Church as an institution can be slow and risk-averse," Urquidi said. "A hackathon brings a few involved Catholics and a coder to the same table for a whole day, and by evening they have something they can actually try in real life."

Sister Nancy Usselmann, FSP, director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies, said the hackathon, her first ever, revealed the potential for collaboration between Church and tech leaders to spread the Gospel.

"This was my first hackathon — a phenomenal learning experience of profound collaboration between pastoral leaders and builders," Usselmann told EWTN News. "It helped all of us to imagine possibilities, develop opportunities, and create collaborative relationships for the Gospel."

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Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins and three staff members are facing a civil lawsuit in Texas after conducting an undercover investigation that documented the continued illegal mailing of abortion-inducing drugs into the state.

The case, filed by pseudonymous plaintiff Maria Puerto, alleges that Hawkins, along with Lydia Taylor Davis, Jamie Curry, and Megan Roos, violated the Texas Woman and Child Protection Act by ordering the pills during a March investigation in Houston.

Puerto seeks $459,782 in damages and an injunction against Students for Life.

Thomas More Society attorneys, working with co-counsel Texas State Rep. Briscoe Cain, have filed a formal response on behalf of the four women. They deny any violation of the law and are asking the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the plaintiff lacks standing and that the defendants' actions fall outside the statute's reach.

The Texas Woman and Child Protection Act, enacted in 2025, allows private citizens to bring lawsuits against those who distribute, mail, or otherwise provide abortion-inducing drugs in Texas. The measure was designed to address shipments from out-of-state providers operating under shield laws in other jurisdictions.

The defendants contend that their investigation was a form of protected speech and reporting. They say that none of the women involved in the investigation were pregnant or seeking an abortion and that the law itself exempts activity conducted for purposes other than performing or assisting an abortion.

They also point out that the plaintiff's own petition describes the effort as a "publicity stunt" and fails to identify any specific prohibited act by the defendants. They also argue that the amount in damages sought is not authorized by the law and that Students for Life is not a party to the case, rendering the requested injunction improper.

Peter Breen, executive vice president and head of litigation at the Thomas More Society, said the suit appears aimed at discouraging scrutiny of abortion pill distribution.

"Kristan Hawkins and her colleagues gathered evidence of an illegal trade and shared it with the public, investigative reporting the First Amendment protects," he said. "This case is a patently meritless attempt to silence and cover up the truth that out-of-state interests are flooding Texas with abortion pills—we will vigorously defend Kristan and her colleagues until this case is thrown out of court."

Hawkins described the lawsuit as an effort to target those pointing out violations of the law rather than those committing them.

"Attempting to punish the Students for Life team for noticing the obvious — abortion pills can be illegally trafficked — is like going after the person reporting a fire instead of the arsonist. Laws are being broken, and babies are dying, while the sovereignty of Texas law is violated. We are ready to defend ourselves."

Last week, newly elected Texas Attorney General Nathan Johnson said he would end current lawsuits against abortion providers in other states for illegally mailing abortion pills into Texas.

Hawkins and the other defendants have indicated they will seek sanctions against the plaintiff's attorneys, calling the lawsuit frivolous and intended to harass. No hearing date has been set.

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