Catholic News

Catholic Charities of Baltimore officially opened its new $35 million intergenerational center on May 21.

The Carolyn E. Fugett Intergenerational Center was created to offer care for all ages — from Head Start to senior care programs. It intends to bring the greater community together through weekly activities, sports teams, art classes, and career guidance.

Kevin Creamer, director of the center, told EWTN News that Catholic Charities of Baltimore has been working to bring generations together through community sites for about 10 years.

The new facility started "as an outgrowth of some of the early childhood supports that we were offering across the agency," he said.

Catholic Charities is "one of the largest Head Start providers in Baltimore City," with "13 unique locations and a little under 700 children and families being served there," Creamer said. "So we have a good grasp on the impact of that early childhood support."

"But we've tried to be intentional as we've grown with families and seen those families age out of Head Start and move on to school and eventually careers and college — the benefit of the wraparound services that Head Start provides."

He continued: "So the question … presented itself: 'How can we be more intentional about bringing services to attach, so that families aren't losing the support structure of Head Start or don't have an ability to connect in-house to services?'"

The facility, named after community leader Carolyn Fugett, was ultimately a way to answer the question.

Catholic Charities acquired the project site, which was previously an elementary school, in 2021. Construction for the project took about three and a half years.

"The center itself is a byproduct of our Centennial and Capital Campaign," Creamer said. "Catholic Charities Baltimore turned 100 in 2023, and a campaign was launched to spearhead three milestone projects for the agency."

The campaign raised a little over $100 million, which, along with the Fugett Center, contributed to the Gallagher Meaningful Day Center, a center for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and the Cherry Hill Town Center, a community gathering space.

The center has also been funded by private fundraising with a number of partners to support activities and programs.

Community engagement all under 'one roof'

The intergenerational model allows for multiple program partners to be present and offer activities to different age groups all under one roof.

"We knew we wanted to bring in what we had already been doing well in the neighborhood: our food pantry program, our Head Start programming, some of our behavioral health services," Creamer said. "But to fill in the gaps around that model, we needed to defer to the expertise of the leaders in the neighborhood."

Creamer began talking with community partners and leaders "to make sure that we got this right and that there was room in the project scope for the interests of the community."

"The loss of recreation centers and access to things like after-school basketball and basketball leagues was something that came up a lot in those conversations," he said.

So basketball became "a big driver," Creamer said. "PeacePlayers is our in-house basketball partner," and "they'll be running youth programming from [ages] 5 to, really, 25" at the center.

Starting this summer, PeacePlayers will use the Fugett Center as one of its locations for a free program for kids and a coaching and leadership development program for teens and young adults.

A "lack of senior programming space and activity space" also came up when leaders spoke with neighbors, especially since the center is "located right next to Rosemont Tower, which is a 200-unit Housing Authority building largely for seniors," Creamer said.

To address this, the facility has "five community classrooms that'll house a rotating curriculum of classes" including "senior dance class, musical theater, chair yoga, candle making — all free of charge to our neighbors."

It will offer community art projects led by outside vendors but will also engage the community with volunteer-led classes, as neighbors hope "to lead crocheting classes or jewelry-making classes," Creamer said.

"We want to empower residents to also give back their gifts," Creamer said.

The space will also provide "access to the internet, to learn computer skills," Creamer said. It has a computer lab to offer "digital literacy instruction, job preparation, resume writing, and interview training."

Named in honor of a lifelong 'community leader'

The center is named after Carolyn E. Fugett, "who is the mother of Reginald F. Lewis ... who was an entrepreneur and a lawyer — widely considered the first Black billionaire in U.S. history," Creamer said.

Fugett "was a community leader throughout her entire life" who "passed about three years ago at the age of 97."

"She did not ask for credit" and "she preferred to operate in the backdrop but was such a wellspring of compassion."

As "a big advocate of child education," she worked with bishops, schoolteachers, and principals to help Catholic schools integrate coming out of segregation.

"So when we thought about the early childhood education piece, the beacon that we want this community center to provide to the neighborhood, she represented all of what we hope to be."

"A handful of the team attached to this project were at her funeral service at St. Edward's Church, which is right across the street from the [center]," Creamer said.

"We came out of that service after hearing the outpouring of love from her family and from the community at large, and the first thing you see walking out of those church doors was the building that was being constructed."

"Sometimes God speaks very clearly, and it's hard not to listen," he said.

"We're honored to bear her name, and we're excited to carry that torch. She's shown us who we have to be, as has the community. We just need to keep listening and keep rising to the occasion," Creamer said.

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OYO, Nigeria — Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of Nigeria's Catholic Diocese of Oyo has appealed for prayers for the safe release of teachers, students, and children abducted during an attack on schools in Ogbomoso in Nigeria's Oyo state on May 15.

In a statement issued May 18, the bishop described the incident as "deeply saddening" and urged Catholics to include prayers for the victims in every Mass and prayer gathering.

"In view of the recent and deeply saddening incident of the abduction of teachers, students, and children in schools in Ogbomoso, I urgently appeal that, if not already being done, we include the intention for the safe release of the captives in every holy Mass henceforth," Badejo said.

He also directed that the intention be remembered in all intercessory prayers, including the ongoing novena to the Holy Spirit ahead of Pentecost Sunday.

The appeal follows the attack on Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso and the abduction of pupils, students, and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

According to Sahara Reporters, armed men invaded the schools during class hours and shot a teacher, causing panic among students, teachers, and residents, before abducting a principal, identified as Rachael Alamu, along with an unspecified number of students.

Sources in the community said the attackers fled the area using the principal's vehicle and escaped into a nearby forest reserve bordering the community.

Residents also lamented the delayed response from security agencies, noting that the nearest police station is located far from the affected community.

The spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the attack and disclosed that tactical and intelligence teams had been deployed to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.

On May 18, teachers in the area staged a peaceful protest following the abduction of students and fellow educators. The demonstrators shut down classrooms and marched to the Teaching Service Commission office in Ogbomoso, carrying placards and calling for urgent government intervention.

The protest followed the circulation of a disturbing viral video allegedly showing one of the abducted teachers being beheaded by the kidnappers. The victim was later identified as Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher.

Speaking to journalists on May 18, Gov. Seyi Makinde provided details about the abductions in the three schools.

"We can now confirm conclusively that at Community Secondary School, about seven students were abducted, while at First Baptist Primary and Nursery School, 18 children were abducted, along with about seven teachers. Unfortunately, as I reported yesterday, one of them was killed," the governor said.

He added: "Whatever it is they demand, we are ready to listen and address what we can as a state government. But the children and their teachers must be released."

The governor also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.

"If you see something strange, say something, and expect us to act. We will not surrender to terror. We will do everything possible to ensure that our children and their teachers return safely," Makinde said.

In his May 18 statement, Badejo called for prayers for political leaders in Nigeria, asking God to grant them wisdom and courage to address the country's worsening insecurity.

"I also ask that we pray earnestly for our government, that God may grant our leaders the wisdom, insight, and courage needed to act swiftly and decisively in the protection of our people," he said.

The bishop underscored the power of prayer in moments of fear and uncertainty, saying: "Dear brothers and sisters, prayer is the greatest power we possess. Let us use it to the fullest."

"May the merciful God hear our cry, answer us with his mercy, and favor our land with lasting peace. Kyrie Eleison. Amen," Badejo implored.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, and has been adapted by EWTN News.

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Pope Leo XIV goes through his day centered on prayer, silence, and seeking God amid his responsibilities at the helm of the Church, said his personal secretary, Peruvian priest Father Edgard Rimaycuna, in an interview released May 18 by the Order of St. Augustine.

Rimaycuna offered details regarding the daily spiritual life of the pontiff, whom he described as a man who "lives always in the constant presence of God."

"From the very start of the day, he has his fixed times for prayer, including holy Mass and the recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours; we also pray the rosary," the priest explained.

The pope's personal secretary added that Leo XIV throughout the day "always seeks contact with God through silence and through prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel."

According to Rimaycuna, the pontiff's spirituality is deeply influenced by the thought of St. Augustine. "St. Augustine used to say: God is so intimately within man that man himself is within himself," he noted.

"The Holy Father seeks God within himself; he speaks with him, that is prayer," he added.

A spirituality that translates into closeness

The Peruvian priest said the pope's spiritual experience is subsequently reflected in his interactions with "the people with whom he works."

This closeness, he noted, is manifested in "the time he gives to every person who seeks him out" and in the attention he pays to those who confide their difficulties or concerns to him.

"When someone entrusts him with a specific intention or concern, he keeps them very much in mind," he added.

A pope who listens before deciding

Rimaycuna also described Leo XIV as a patient and prudent man in the governance of the Church. "He is not a man of immediate decisions. He always thinks, listens, and takes into account even opposing views," he stated.

The secretary emphasized that the pontiff seeks to avoid confrontation and promote unity.

"He is a man who seeks to build bridges, seeks dialogue, and always avoids confrontation," he added.

Peace: A constant concern

The papal secretary also noted that one of the Holy Father's greatest sources of suffering is the current wars. "He suffers a lot because of all of this," he said, referring to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, noting that Leo XIV's first words after being elected pope were a call for peace: "Peace be with all of you."

"He always works for peace; he constantly calls upon authorities for a ceasefire," he noted.

The pope will always need our prayers

Rimaycuna asked the faithful to pray constantly for the Holy Father, given the spiritual weight the pope bears in leading the universal Church.

"We can never offer too many prayers. The Holy Father will always need our prayers," he emphasized.

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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An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda could take more than a year to contain due to scarce resources, regional conflict, and misinformation among local communities, according to Catholic Relief Services.

"It is a very big crisis," Rafaramalala Volanarisoa, head of office for Catholic Relief Services in the DRC, told EWTN News. "Of course, Ebola, there's no treatment, there's no vaccines, so it's very difficult to contain."

Volanarisoa, who is based in the capital, Kinshasa, said CRS is partnering with Caritas medical centers across seven Catholic dioceses as well as the DRC Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) to help combat the outbreak.

She said CRS is providing funding to health centers for medical and hygiene supplies and distributing educational materials to help prevent transmission and counter misinformation.

"We have sent money to them to purchase those different supplies to protect the health center staff but also to protect those who are doing education in the community," she said. "There are really big needs, so in many aspects, it's reaching the community, doing proper education, and also supporting health center staff so they are protected."

In addition to a lack of medical and sanitation supplies, Volanarisoa said population movement driven by armed groups and multiple warring factions is complicating response efforts. She also noted resistance among some local communities to accepting CRS-led public health education.

Volanarisoa said stigma and disbelief have fueled misinformation that Ebola is "fake" or intended to undermine local traditions, including burial practices. She said that while there is a high risk of transmission from bodies of those who have died from the disease, some communities remain resistant to changing burial practices.

"It's very difficult for the population to do it in their proper ways, so there is misinformation that this is something brought to change the way we live here," she said.

She noted that CRS does not operate directly on the front lines due to "cultural norms," language barriers, and long-standing relationships between the Church and local communities.

Although she said the scope of the outbreak remains difficult to determine, she estimated the total cost to stop the spread of the virus at around $3 million and said past assessments suggest that if cases surpass 500, containment could take more than a year.

According to Volanarisoa, there are 33 confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC. There are also 516 suspected cases in the DRC, 131 deaths among suspected cases, and 541 people identified as contacts of confirmed cases or symptomatic deaths.

Two lab-confirmed cases have been reported in Kampala, Uganda, including one death, among two unrelated individuals who traveled into the country from the DRC, according to WHO.

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The Order of St. Augustine in Spain will welcome Pope Leo XIV in June with particular enthusiasm: He has visited the country on 10 previous occasions before becoming pope when he served as prior general of the Augustinians from 2000 to 2024. Robert Prevost traveled to Málaga, Seville, León, Valencia, Zaragoza, Santander, Huelva, Valladolid, Madrid, Bilbao, Palencia, and Ávila.

On June 7, the second day of his apostolic journey, the pontiff will hold a private meeting with a delegation of the Augustinian community at the apostolic nunciature in Madrid.

The Augustinian province of San Juan de Sahagún in Spain and Portugal comprises 338 religious with solemn vows, forming 36 communities distributed across 39 houses, including two communities in Portugal and two formation communities where 45 brothers are undergoing formation.

While primarily established in the Iberian Peninsula, the Spanish Augustinian province also extends to other parts of the world: Antilles, Argentina, India, Peru, Venezuela, and Tanzania, in vicariates. It also has two delegations in Central America and Cuba.

In total, this subdivision of the Order of St. Augustine is present in 12 countries in addition to Spain and Portugal: the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, United States, Argentina, India, Peru, Venezuela, Tanzania, Cuba, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.

The order's international character is evident in Spain's Augustinian communities. In Barcelona, ??the community consists of four religious, two originally from the Philippines and two from Tanzania. Together, the four of them provide pastoral care for three parishes within the Archdiocese of Barcelona.

One of these is St. Augustine Parish, where on June 10 Pope Leo XIV will meet with diocesan charitable and assistance organizations. Situated off the beaten tourist path, it is located in the Raval neighborhood, one of the most disadvantaged in Barcelona. Indeed, very close to the parish, the Missionaries of Charity provide meals to about 400 people each day.

In the Canary Islands, the Order of St. Augustine has maintained a presence since the 14th century, and numerous missionaries have set out from there. Currently, a single community remains in Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife Island, comprising four religious: Father Ángel Andrés, a 77-year-old Spaniard who serves as coordinator; Father Manuel Ángel Andrés Alegre, a 96-year-old Spaniard; Father Aldrin Alvarado, 45, originally from the Philippines; and Father Jojo Neyssery Lonankutty from India, also 45.

The Order of St. Augustine in Spain runs 17 schools and three university residential colleges in addition to the Royal University Center Escorial-María Cristina. This work benefits nearly 18,000 students and employs 1,500 teachers, support staff, and administrators.

The Spanish Augustinians maintain two formation houses, one in Valladolid and another in El Escorial, where the novitiate is also headquartered.

Each educational center features a pastoral team coordinated by a designated leader and comprising both Augustinian religious and lay members responsible for planning and promoting activities related to the apostolate and evangelization.

The events surrounding the pope's visit to Spain are being organized by the Augustinian family in collaboration with other religious congregations including the Augustinian Recollects, Discalced Augustinians, Assumptionist Augustinians, Augustinian Missionaries, Augustinians of the Amparo, and Contemplative Augustinians, thereby bringing together approximately 8,000 pilgrims from various parts of Spain.

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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The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and other Catholic groups appealed a court ruling that would require them to provide workplace accommodations for employees seeking an abortion in certain circumstances.

"In 250 years, our nation has never allowed the state to make the church support abortion — and now's not the time to start," Laura Wolk Slavis, an attorney for Becket who represents the Catholic groups in the lawsuit, said in a statement.

The lawsuit centers on a May 2025 court ruling that interprets the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) to include a mandate that employers must offer accommodations to employees for obtaining abortions if they are not fully elective.

The language of the PWFA itself does not mention abortion but instead requires that employers offer accommodations to pregnant women in the workplace. The USCCB supported the law, and its Senate sponsor, Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pennsylvania, with cosponsor Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, promised it would not require abortion accommodations.

In spite of this, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under former President Joe Biden imposed rules for PWFA that interpreted it as requiring abortion accommodations for both elective and nonelective abortions in April 2024, which prompted the USCCB lawsuit.

A federal court in May 2025 ruled that the law itself, regardless of what the regulations say, does require that the Catholic bishops and the other Catholic groups offer abortion accommodations if a pregnant woman is experiencing a negative health effect from the pregnancy itself but not if it is fully elective.

According to the USCCB lawsuit, such negative effects range from serious complications with the pregnancy to common pregnancy-related conditions such as minor or severe hormonal changes, anxiety, nausea, or vomiting.

Daniel Blomberg, an attorney for Becket, told EWTN News that some of the conditions listed are "literally the case for any pregnancy." He noted that the ruling requires the Catholic groups to not only accommodate abortions in those situations but also to rewrite policies and procedures in a way that clearly communicates these accommodations to employees or prospective employees.

The court's interpretation of the law, Blomberg said, forces Catholic ministries to "adopt anti-life employment policies and statements in the workplace" and would stifle the speech of anyone in the workplace who would discourage an abortion accommodation.

As interpreted by the court, the rule would "police the internal speech and even the atmosphere of the religious ministry" and it "radically transforms the requirements on religious ministries" as it relates to abortion, he warned.

Blomberg noted that the 2025 court ruling interpreted the law itself as creating this mandate — not simply the regulations that followed. He explained that this means President Donald Trump's administration does not have the authority to overrule the court order by promulgating regulations.

He noted that the Department of Justice's report on anti-Christian bias under Trump admonished the Biden-era PWFA rule, but "it remains to be seen how the administration's lawyers will respond in court."

The EEOC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Wolk Slavis noted in her statement that other lawsuits against this PWFA interpretation led to stronger religious freedom rulings for other organizations that objected.

"Every other court to consider religious objections to this mandate has protected churches, and we hope the 5th Circuit does too," she said.

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The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has published a letter of solidarity with the Church in Mali following several coordinated attacks that took place April 25–26.

Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles and chairman of the USCCB's Committee on International Justice and Peace, wrote a letter on behalf of the U.S. bishops on May 19 to Bishop Hassa Florent Kone of the Diocese of San in Mali expressing "fraternal solidarity and deep condolences."

"Be assured of our spiritual closeness with the bishops and faithful of your country as well as our prayers for the many communities mourning the death of military personnel and civilians, and caring for those wounded by these acts of violence," Zaidan wrote.

Several coordinated strikes hit a number of military positions across the west African country, including the Kati military base near Bamako, the capital of Mali. The country's defense minister, ?Sadio Camara, was ?killed in the attack, carried ?out by ?an al-Qaeda affiliate and Tuareg rebels.

Zaidan highlighted the concern the USCCB has "by the increasing fragility of human security conditions and the growing violence suffered by the people of Mali and in other areas of the Sahel."

"We reiterate that interreligious dialogue and collaboration among all people of goodwill remain crucial to building social cohesion and lasting peace in the Sahel. We thank God for the work of the Catholic bishops in the region to these ends, with the support of Catholic Relief Services, through the Sahel Peace Initiative," he said.

The Maronite Catholic bishop also pointed out that "education access and fostering economic opportunity for young people are essential elements of building peace and promoting respect for human dignity."

In a statement released after the incidents, members of the Episcopal Conference of Mali — the official assembly of Catholic bishops in Mali — said they had followed "with great sorrow" the confrontations in Bamako, Sévaré-Mopti, Gao, and Kidal, where defense and security forces engaged the armed terrorist groups.

The bishops extended "sincere condolences to the state of Mali, to the bereaved families, and to the entire Malian nation" while entrusting the victims to God's mercy.

They prayed for "the eternal rest of the soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for the homeland" and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

Zaidan added: "In this month of May, I join the bishops of Mali in praying that your country may be guided to truth, unity, and lasting peace, through the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

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The Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York, will pay out $45 million to abuse victims, part of a yearslong bankruptcy process that began after dozens of sex abuse cases were filed against it.

The diocese said in a May 19 statement that the diocesan administration, along with "parishes, schools, and other Catholic entities," would contribute into the settlement, which would be organized as a "survivor trust."

"Once the plan is confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court, the $45 million contributed to the survivor trust ... will be available for distribution to survivors of sexual abuse perpetrated against them by clergy, religious, lay employees, and volunteers," the diocese said.

Ogdensburg Bishop Terry LaValley prayed that the settlement "will bring peace and healing to all survivors and to all the faithful whose hearts were broken by the gravely sinful conduct of Church leaders."

"The great harm that has been caused by this sinful behavior must never be allowed to happen again," he said. "It is my sincere hope that this process has brought the survivors some comfort and peace."

The diocese "is committed to ensuring the safety of all persons entrusted to our care," the bishop said.

The New York-based law firm Jeff Anderson & Associates said in a May 19 press release that the diocese and abuse victims "will continue negotiations regarding significant nonmonetary provisions," including "enhancements to child protection policies and the public disclosure of information related to clergy and other personnel accused of sexual abuse."

The Ogdensburg Diocese filed for bankruptcy in July 2023, the sixth diocese in New York state to do so.

The bankruptcy filing came as the diocese was facing dozens of abuse lawsuits filed under the state's 2019 Child Victims Act, which significantly expanded the window in which abuse victims could file lawsuits against abusers and institutions.

At the time of the bankruptcy filing, LaValley said dealing with the lawsuits on a case-by-case basis would be "slow" and "unpredictable."

"Reorganization ensures that each survivor receives just compensation," the bishop said at the time. "It eliminates a race to the courthouse in which the earliest cases settled or brought to judgment could exhaust the resources available to pay claims, leaving nothing for victims whose cases are resolved later."

Earlier this month it was announced that the Archdiocese of New York would pay $800 million into an abuse settlement there, with the amount covering around 1,300 victims who also filed under the state Child Victims Act.

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With the announcement of Pope Leo XIV's first papal encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas: "On the Protection of Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," there is much anticipation as to what guidance the pope will provide on the digital revolution and emerging technologies such as AI.

But what are papal encyclicals, and what can they reveal about the pope's priorities on the world stage and for the Church?

The pope's pastoral letter

A papal encyclical is a pastoral letter written by the pope, primarily addressed to bishops but also to Catholics and all people, typically reflecting on Church teachings and suggesting ways to apply them to modern issues.

According to the 1917 edition of the Catholic Encyclopedia, encyclicals were "letters sent to all the bishops of Christendom, or at least to all those in one particular country, and intended to guide them in their relations with their flocks."

Encyclicals are part of the pope's everyday teaching authority, known as his "ordinary magisterium." They are among the most common ways he presents Church doctrine and serve as authoritative and valuable sources of Catholic teaching and guidance on contemporary topics, including sexuality, Catholic social teaching, and stewardship of the earth.

Since Pope Leo XIII, encyclicals have become one of the most common means by which popes are heard across the globe on the most pressing issues of our time.

Are Catholics required to believe them?

A pope does not normally use an encyclical to make an "ex cathedra" declaration — a solemn, and rare, statement on faith or morals, normally promulgated in an apostolic constitution. Modern examples of "ex cathedra" proclamations include the popes' definitions of the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception (1854) and the Assumption (1950).

Encyclicals, however, are not merely letters or expressions of the pope's opinion. They carry significant doctrinal weight and are frequently cited as important sources of Catholic teaching.

According to canon law, Catholics are required to give "a religious submission of the intellect and will" to these letters and to "take care to avoid those things which do not agree with it."

Simply put, Catholics are to presume that the pope teaches the truth in these letters and to sincerely respect the teachings they contain.

Recent encyclical trends

Initially addressed exclusively to bishops, papal encyclicals began reaching broader audiences in the modern period, beginning with Pope Leo XIII's groundbreaking 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum. It marked the first time in many years that the bishop of Rome had written a pastoral letter on matters other than doctrine or internal affairs of the Church, instead addressing workers' rights, the right to private property, and the dangers of socialism.

With St. John XXIII's Pacem in Terris in 1963, pontiffs increasingly addressed their letters to "all men of goodwill," shifting from a mainly Catholic audience to the global stage.

Since the Second Vatican Council, papal encyclicals have increasingly focused on threats to the dignity of the human person and authentic human development. St. Paul VI wrote Humanae Vitae in 1968, reiterating and applying Church teaching to the question of artificial birth control. St. John Paul II dedicated four encyclicals to promoting Catholic social teaching, building on Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum. Pope Francis' four encyclicals largely addressed the preservation of ecology and universal fraternity.

Despite the importance given to these letters in the modern period, the average number of encyclicals per pope is relatively small. Francis wrote only four, while Benedict XVI, his immediate predecessor, wrote just three. John Paul II wrote 14, but the average number of encyclicals per pope since the Second Vatican Council has been just seven.

Leo XIII has the most encyclicals of any pope, with 88, 11 of which are dedicated to the rosary.

Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical builds on others

Pope Leo XIV indicated at the beginning of his pontificate that he intended to follow in the footsteps of Pope Leo XIII, his predecessor, by responding to today's industrial revolution: "developments in the field of artificial intelligence."

May 15 marked the 135th anniversary of the publication of Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical on capital and labor, Rerum Novarum: "Of New Things" — the first in a long line of social encyclicals produced in the modern era of the Catholic Church.

Addressing the College of Cardinals on May 10, 2025, Leo said: "In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice, and labor."

Magnifica Humanitas is expected to be released on May 25 at 11:30 a.m. Rome time in the Vatican's Synod Hall.

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Minnesota's Catholic bishops are applauding the passage of a bipartisan bill this week that restricts what critics say are the addictive aspects of social media for children below age 15.

The Minnesota Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Church in Minnesota, issued a statement May 16 saying it is "encouraged" that lawmakers in both legislative houses overwhelmingly passed the Stop Harms from Addictive Social Media Act.

The bill is aimed at curbing the purportedly addictive design of social media for young children by imposing new requirements on large social media platforms earning $1 billion or more in global advertising revenue.

It prohibits several features for accounts of children 15 and younger, including infinite scrolling, algorithmic or profile-based feeds, push notifications for new content or likes, autoplay videos, visible engagement metrics such as likes and shares, and usage-based awards, badges, or streaks.

"No more ads, no more push notifications, no more infinite scrolling … and the strongest privacy protections," state Rep. Peggy Scott, the author of the bill in the state House, said when presenting the bill.

Targeted or paid commercial advertising based on the child's activity or personal information is also banned for youth accounts.

"This legislation puts parents back in the driver's seat and helps them foster healthy dialogue with their kids about social media use," said Maggee Hangge, assistant director for family policy at the Minnesota Catholic Conference, in a press release. "It will mean happier kids who are less anxious, less worried, and more focused on the present moment."

After passing with a vote of 132-2 in the House and a vote of 66-0 in the Senate, the bill now requires Gov. Tim Walz's signature to become law.

"I've seen the addiction, the mental health issues — this is an area [of concern] that crosses party lines," said state Sen. Michael Kreun, who co-authored the bill.

"Parents really need help right now with all this technology," he said. "Kids themselves are asking for help, as we have seen from the data."

The bishops' conference cited a recent Minnesota Student Survey that found  that almost 20% of students are online between midnight and 5 a.m. at least five nights a week, along with a 2023 study that showed that 97% of students report using their smartphones during the school day.

Johann D'Souza, a Catholic psychologist who focuses on the destructive effects of screen overuse on youth, told EWTN News that the Minnesota bill is "a laudable step in the right direction given the documented mental health crisis in youth starting in 2010, the year Instagram came out."

"Let's build momentum from this small but real win to further protect children from toxic screen use and digital destruction," he said.

If signed by Walz, the law would take effect July 1, 2027, for both new and existing accounts. It includes exemptions for email, direct messaging, streaming services, online games, and e-commerce platforms where social features are not central.

Enforcement includes a private right of action for families, with potential statutory damages of $10,000 per knowing or reckless violation, plus possible punitive damages and state attorney general enforcement as a deceptive trade practice.

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