Catholic News

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is increasing its pressure campaign on underground Catholics, according to a report from Human Rights Watch.

"A decade into Xi Jinping's Sinicization campaign and nearly eight years since the 2018 Holy See-China agreement, Catholics in China face escalating repression that violates their religious freedoms," Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in an April 15 report. "Pope Leo XIV should urgently review the agreement and press Beijing to end the persecution and intimidation of underground churches, clergy, and worshippers."

Human Rights Watch said it conducted interviews with "nine people outside the country who had firsthand knowledge of Catholicism in China" for its report, who said the 2018 Vatican-China agreement has "provided an overarching structure for the authorities to pressure underground Catholics."

Witnesses in the report said Catholics in China felt the agreement left them with "no other choice but to join the official church" and that those who have remained in the underground Church "felt betrayed by the Vatican."

Human Rights Watch also highlighted the Chinese government's persecution of Catholic bishops and clergy, citing instances of detention and forced disappearance as well as China's move to ban Catholic priests from teaching or evangelizing online.

"Catholic clergy released from detention continue to face harassment," the report said. "One person said in January that a priest he knew was barred from having bank accounts, SIM cards, and a passport, and thus has 'no means of survival and can barely make ends meet for even a day or two.'"

"The Vatican's agreement and policy regarding the Catholic Church in China in recent years has been disastrous," Nina Shea, Hudson Institute senior fellow,  told EWTN News. "Faithful Catholic bishops are subjected by the government to being disappeared, detained indefinitely without due process, sidelined but 'recognized' or being actively threatened with detention if they resist swearing fealty to only the Chinese Communist Party and not Rome."

Shea, who also serves as director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom, urged Pope Leo XIV to lead a global prayer vigil for Chinese bishops who have been forcibly disappeared or detained.

"Pope Benedict XVI designated May 24 as the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China but it's been virtually forgotten in the last few years and never robustly embraced by the Vatican, which probably sees it as implicit criticism of the CCP, something it is loath to do," she said.

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The brother of Pope Leo XIV was reportedly the victim of a hoax bomb threat in a suburb outside of Chicago, according to police and media reports.

The New Lenox, Illinois, Police Department said in a Facebook post on April 15 that it had responded to a "reported bomb threat at a private residence" in the Chicago suburb about 40 miles outside of the city center.

The statement did not identify the home as belonging to Leo's brother John Prevost, but local media reports said the target of the threat was Prevost's home. Public records indicate that Prevost lives on the street to which police responded.

Police evacuated nearby homes during their investigation and called in explosive-detection K9 units. "After careful examination, investigators determined that the threat was unsubstantiated and that no explosive devices or hazardous materials were present," New Lenox police said.

The police noted that no injuries were reported but that the false bomb threat was "a serious offense and may result in criminal charges."

New Lenox Police Chief Micah Nuesse told EWTN News via email on April 16 that the matter was an "active and ongoing investigation" and that the police department had "no new updates to share" about the crime or any suspects.

The hoax threat came just several days after President Donald Trump praised Pope Leo XIV's other brother, Louis, in a rambling Truth Social post in which he derided Pope Leo XIV as "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy" after Leo repeatedly criticized the ongoing U.S.-led war in Iran.

"I like [Leo's] brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn't!" Trump said. Louis Prevost currently lives in Florida.

On April 11 at a Vatican peace vigil, the pope criticized the "madness of war" and urged world leaders: "Stop! It's time for peace!" On March 29, meanwhile, he said that God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war."

In Trump's Truth Social post, he suggested that Leo — the first American-born pontiff — was only elected to the papacy as part of a diplomatic strategy to "deal with" Trump himself, due to Leo's U.S. background.

"If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican," Trump claimed in the post.

Responding to a question about Trump's post on April 13, Leo told media that "people who read it will be able to draw their own conclusions."

"I am not a politician, and I have no intention of entering into a debate with him," the pope said, adding that he had "no fear neither of the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel."

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For the fourth consecutive year, the Holy See will have its own pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in Italy.

The Dicastery for Culture and Education announced the participation of several influential figures in contemporary art and culture — including American singer Patti Smith and Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao — in the Holy See Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, which will be held May 9 through Nov. 22.

This edition of the Italian cultural event, titled "In Minor Keys," is a sensory and meditative experience that seeks to reconnect participants with the emotional and affective roles of art in society.

In a press release, the Dicastery for Culture and Education announced the 24 artists who will form part of the Holy See's selection this year, reflecting the event's concept for 2026, which invites visitors to slow down the pace of life and open up spaces for reflection and silence.

This edition is marked by the unexpected death in May 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, of its curator, Koyo Kouoh, a Cameroonian-Swiss artist globally recognized as one of the most powerful voices in the promotion of contemporary African art.

Patti Smith is popularly known as the "Godmother of Punk." Her 1975 debut album "Horses" marked a turning point in New York punk by fusing rock and poetry.

The prestigious Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao, internationally renowned for her humanist and social approach to architecture, will also participate in the project. She designed the pavilion for the 2025 Venice Biennale, a project titled "Opera Aperta" ("Open Work"), which received a special mention from the jury.

Inspired by a medieval saint

Inspired by the life and spiritual legacy of St. Hildegard of Bingen, the Holy See's pavilion as explained by the Vatican is conceived as a space for contemplation and deep listening.

Titled "L'orecchio è l'occhio dell'anima" ("The Ear Is the Eye of the Soul"), the pavilion will be hosted across two historic venues in the city: Cannaregio and Castello.

It has been curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers in collaboration with the Soundwalk Collective and draws upon the life and spiritual legacy of St. Hildegard, a 12th-century Benedictine nun, mystic, composer, and thinker who was proclaimed a saint and doctor of the Church in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.

The works commissioned from the participating artists are conceived as a "sonic prayer": an art form that unites music, spoken word, film, and silence, and invites the visitor to an experience of contemplative listening.

As explained by the Vatican, the proposal reflects a curatorial vision that conceives of sound as a path to inner knowledge and spiritual experience, reviving a central insight of the thought of Hildegard of Bingen.

The project is curated by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

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 spent his first full day in Cameroon on April 16 meeting with local Catholics and other officials, hosting a meeting for peace and saying Mass in the central African country.

The Holy Father will ultimately spend several days in Cameroon before heading on to Angola and then Equatorial Guinea during his first apostolic journey to Africa. The trip is scheduled to last through April 23.

Here is a look at the pope's activities in Cameroon:

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BAMENDA, Cameroon — From Bamenda's Catholic cathedral on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV urged both Christians and Muslims to heal wounds of conflict in Cameroon.

When Leo arrived at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, on the fourth day of his trip in Africa, he first visited the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for a moment of prayer together with Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Bamenda.

During the interreligious peace gathering, Nkea said the pope's presence was consoling for the people. The meeting included testimonies from local people, including Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims.

"Holy Father, help us to have peace," Imam Mohammad Abubakar of the Central Mosque of Buea said after speaking about violent episodes that have taken place in recent years.

"It is a joy for me to be with you in this region that has suffered so greatly. As your testimonies have just demonstrated, the lived experience of suffering by your community has only made stronger your conviction that God has never abandoned us! In God, in his peace, we can always begin anew!" the pope said.

"May we all continue on the path of goodness which leads to peace," he continued. "I am grateful for your words of welcome, because it is true: I am here to proclaim peace. Yet I find it is you who are proclaiming peace to me, and to the entire world."

Leo praised the witness of local Muslims and Christians in working for peace and said he wishes "this would happen in so many other places of the world."

"Jesus told us: Blessed are the peacemakers! But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth," Leo said.

The Holy Father also expressed his gratitude to all the laypeople and religious women who care for those traumatized by violence — a work that is dangerous and unseen.

"The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet a lifetime is often not enough to rebuild," he said. "We must make a decisive change of course — a true conversion — that will lead us in the opposite direction, onto a sustainable path rich in human fraternity."

"Peace is not something we must invent: It is something we must embrace by accepting our neighbor as our brother and as our sister. We do not choose our brothers and sisters: We simply must accept one another!" he urged.

The pope said: "Let us walk together, in love, searching always for peace."

Outside of the cathedral at the end of the meeting, Pope Leo, accompanied by representatives of the Bamenda community, released seven doves as a sign of peace.

"My dear brothers and sisters, today the Lord has chosen all of us to be workers who bring peace to this land! Let us all say a prayer to the Lord, that peace will truly reign among us, that as we release these white doves — a symbol of peace — that God's peace will be upon all of us, upon this land, and keep us all united in his peace. Praise the Lord!" he said.

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

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BAMENDA, Cameroon — Despite bad weather, at least 20,000 people gathered on the runways of Bamenda International Airport on Wednesday to take part in the Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV, concluding the second day of the pontiff's visit to Cameroon.

In his homily, Pope Leo praised the faith of the local Church, saying: "The festive celebrations that accompany your liturgies and the joy that flows from the prayers you raise are signs of your trusting surrender to God, of your unshakeable hope and of your clinging, with all your strength, to the love of the Father who draws near and looks with compassion upon the sufferings of his children."

Quoting Psalm 34, the pope reminded the crowd that "the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

He then turned to the wounds afflicting the country and the region.

"Brothers and sisters, there are many situations in life that break our hearts and plunge us into sorrow," Leo said. "Our hope for a future of peace and reconciliation, in which the dignity of every person is respected and their fundamental rights guaranteed, is continually disappointed by the many problems afflicting this beautiful land."

The pope pointed to "the numerous forms of poverty," including an ongoing food crisis, as well as "moral, social, and political corruption, seen above all in the management of wealth, which hinders the development of institutions and infrastructure."

He also cited "the serious problems affecting the education and health care systems, as well as large-scale migration to foreign countries, particularly of young people."

"Added to these internal problems, which are often fueled by hatred and violence, is the damage caused from outside, by those who, in the name of profit, continue to lay their hands on the African continent to exploit and plunder it," he said.

Even so, Leo insisted that the present moment is one for action, not despair.

"Yet this is the moment to change, to transform the story of this country," he said. "The time has come, today and not tomorrow, now and not in the future, to restore the mosaic of unity by bringing together the diversity and riches of the country and the continent. In this way, it will be possible to create a society in which peace and reconciliation reign."

The pope warned that when difficult situations persist for a long time, people can fall into resignation and helplessness. But, he said, "the word of the Lord opens up new possibilities and brings about transformation and healing."

"It is capable of stirring our hearts, of challenging the normal course of events to which we so easily risk becoming accustomed, and of making us active agents of change," he said. "Let us remember this: God is newness, God creates new things, God makes us courageous people who, by confronting evil, build up the good."

Reflecting on the Acts of the Apostles, Leo said the apostles' courage became "a voice of conscience, a prophecy, a denunciation of evil," calling that witness "the first step towards changing things."

"In fact, obeying God is not an act of submission that oppresses us or nullifies our freedom; on the contrary, obedience to God sets us free, because it means entrusting our lives to him and allowing his word to inspire our way of thinking and acting," he said.

Those "who obey God rather than human beings and earthly ways of thinking," he continued, "rediscover their inner freedom, succeed in discovering the value of goodness, and do not resign themselves to evil. They find anew their way in life and become builders of peace and fraternity."

The pope also cautioned Catholics to remain vigilant in their faith.

"We must, however, always keep the apostle Peter's exhortation in our hearts and bring it to mind: Obey God, not human beings. To obey him, because he alone is God," Leo said.

"This calls us to foster inculturation of the Gospel. It also calls us to be vigilant, even regarding our own religious practices, so as not to fall into the trap of mixing the Catholic faith with other beliefs and traditions of an esoteric or Gnostic nature, which in reality often serve political and economic ends."

"Only God sets us free; only his word opens paths to freedom; only his Spirit makes us new people capable of changing this country," he said.

At the end of the Mass, Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Bamenda thanked the pope for visiting the region "during this time of insecurity, uncertainty, and discouragement," saying his presence had brought "spiritual uplift, moral encouragement, psychological boost, and physical consolation."

The archbishop said the people of Bamenda were confident that "the peace you have come to pray for shall return once again" to the ecclesiastical province and pledged, on behalf of the bishops of the region, filial loyalty to the pope.

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

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DOUALA, Cameroon — Pope Leo XIV launched a passionate appeal to authorities in Cameroon to invest in the education and training of young people for lasting peace in the central African nation, where he embarked on a three-day apostolic visit Wednesday.

In his April 15 meeting with civic authorities and the diplomatic corps at the presidential palace on the first day of his visit, Pope Leo described young people as Cameroon's greatest asset and a key to its future, noting that their frustrations mount when they feel that they are not gainfully employed.

"As I have often mentioned, young people represent the hope of the country and of the Church. Their energy and creativity are priceless treasures," the Holy Father said, adding: "Of course, when unemployment and social exclusion persist, frustration can lead to violence."

"Investing in the education, training, and entrepreneurship of young people is, therefore, a strategic choice for peace," he said.

According to the Holy Father, investing in young people is one of the best ways to curb the outflow of talent to other parts of the world.

It is also a good way to combat "the scourges of drugs, prostitution, and apathy, which are devastating too many young lives in an increasingly dramatic way," he said.

"Thankfully, young people in Cameroon possess a deep spirituality that still resists the homogenizing influence of the market," he said. "It is a source of energy that gives value to their dreams, which are rooted in the prophecies that nourish their prayers and their hearts."

The Holy Father said that when the young people are not twisted by what he described as "the poison of fundamentalism and religious traditions" they become prophets of peace, justice, forgiveness, and solidarity.

The pope also highlighted the spiritual strength of Cameroon's youth, noting that despite challenges, many remain deeply rooted in faith.

He expressed particular concern for young people, urging that they be empowered to play an active role in shaping society. "It is my great desire to reach the hearts of all, especially young people, who are called to help shape a world that is more just, including in the political sphere," he said.

In his address, Pope Leo also lauded the richness of the country's land, cultures, languages, and traditions, noting that such resources should not be perceived as weakness but as a treasure to be cherished.

"It is with deep joy that I find myself in Cameroon, often described as 'Africa in miniature' because of the richness of its lands, cultures, languages, and traditions. This variety is not a weakness but a treasure," he said.

The pontiff added that the country's richness as compared to its treasure "constitutes a promise of fraternity and a solid foundation for building lasting peace."

The Holy Father also said that Cameroon possesses the human, cultural, and spiritual resources needed to overcome its trials and conflicts and move toward a future of stability and shared prosperity.

"The common effort in favor of dialogue, justice, and integral development must transform the wounds of the past into sources of renewal," he said.

The pope also called for stronger interreligious cooperation, emphasizing its importance in promoting peace.

"By fostering interreligious dialogue and involving religious leaders in mediation and reconciliation, politics and diplomacy can draw upon moral forces capable of easing tensions, preventing extremism, and promoting a culture of mutual esteem and respect," he said.

He also affirmed the Catholic Church's commitment to serving all people in Cameroon without distinction.

"Through her efforts in education, health care, and charity, the Church in Cameroon desires to continue serving all citizens," he said, adding that it also seeks collaboration with civil authorities and other partners in promoting human dignity and reconciliation.

Addressing the broader mission of his visit, the pope said he came "as a shepherd and as a servant of dialogue, fraternity, and peace," emphasizing that his presence was a sign of the pope's affection for all Cameroonians and a call to persevere in building the common good.

"We are living in a time when hopelessness is rampant and a sense of powerlessness tends to paralyze renewal," he said, adding: "There is such a hunger and thirst for justice, for involvement, for vision, for courageous choices, and for peace."

The Holy Father expressed hope for stronger relations between the Holy See and Cameroon, grounded in shared values. He prayed that God would bless the nation, guide its leaders, strengthen civil society, enlighten the diplomatic corps, and grant all citizens the grace to build a future of justice and peace together.

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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A series of celebrations marking the centenary of the birth of Pope Benedict XVI will take place across four continents beginning on April 16, 2027.

An international committee for the centenary celebrations established by the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation is coordinating the initiatives, the foundation announced.

"The centenary of Ratzinger's birth is an opportunity to fully present his thought and his approach to reality as significant contributions to the current ecclesial and cultural debate," said Father Roberto Regoli, president of the foundation and of the centenary committee.

"His legacy concerns the interpretation of the Second Vatican Council, the personal experience of Christ, which becomes the key to all branches of theology, and reasonableness as the criterion underlying human reflection on reality," the priest noted.

Events marking 100 years since the beloved German pontiff's birth on April 16, 1927, will take place in several countries in Europe as well as in the U.S., India, Colombia, and Kenya.

Events across the globe

On the first day of the centenary celebrations next April, the fourth volume of selected texts by Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI titled "The Faith of the Future: The Future of the Church" will be presented in Rome at Italy's embassy to the Holy See.

Two events will take place in the U.S. next year. On Nov. 3, at Saint Mary's University in Minneapolis, the presentation of Volume 6 of the "Collected Works" of Joseph Ratzinger will take place; and on Nov. 4–6, in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, a conference will be held on the theme "Joseph Ratzinger and His Sources."

On July 10–11 in Bangalore, the bishops of India will hold a colloquium on the theme "A Rereading of the Theological Journey of Joseph Ratzinger."

On Sept. 10, Péter Pázmány Catholic University in Budapest, Hungary, will host a study day to mark the presentation of Volume 3 of Joseph Ratzinger's complete works in Hungarian: "The God of Faith and the God of Philosophers: Philosophical Reason, Culture, Europe, Society."

On Sept. 24–26, the international conference "For the Centenary of Joseph Ratzinger: Paths of Faith, Hope, and Charity" will take place at the University of La Sabana in Bogotá, Colombia.

On Oct. 14 in Paris, the Collège des Bernardins, the Académie Catholique de France, the Institut de France, the journal "Communio," and the television channel KTO will host an international symposium provisionally titled "The Major Lectures of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI in France."

The international congress "The Beauty of the Liturgy" will be held in Almería, Spain, on Oct. 28–30, and a statue dedicated to Benedict XVI will be unveiled.

In Nairobi, Kenya, a symposium titled "Constellations of Hope: Africa and the Renewal of the Church in the Vision of Benedict XVI" will be held at Tangaza University on Nov. 18–21.

A schedule with more events will be announced at a later date.

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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A historic parish in rural Wisconsin suffered major damages amid severe weather in the region on April 14 after strong storms and possibly a tornado destroyed much of the roof of the church building.

St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Bristol lost roughly half of its roof during the weather incident. Photos showed huge portions of the parish roof peeled off, exposing the church's attic and rafters below.

The region has experienced multiple nights of severe storm outbreaks including severe winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes.

Local news reports said tornadoes had been reported in the East Bristol area just after midnight on April 14. The area was under a tornado warning at the time the parish roof was destroyed, though it wasn't clear if a tornado was itself responsible for the destruction.

The parish did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the damage. On the parish's Facebook page, meanwhile, a post claimed that a tornado had hit the church. Images showed destruction inside the church including insulation piled up near the altar and a light fixture in a pew.

A listing on the Wisconsin Historical Society website says the parish was completed in 1890 and designed by local Swiss-American architect Henry Messmer.

Built in the early Gothic Revival manner, the building has seen several additions in the roughly 130 years since it was built, including in 1965 and 2024.

The parish is part of the Diocese of Madison. A press release from the diocese  said the diocesan office of buildings, construction, and real estate was responding to the incident, along with the insurer Catholic Mutual Group.

"St. Joseph Church has served generations of Catholics in northeast Dane County, and we are heartbroken by the devastation," the diocese said. "We ask for your prayers as we assess the damage."

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Amid the fierce persecution against the Catholic Church by the regime of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo, exiled Nicaraguan Bishop Silvio Báez denounced the "false peace" that "dictators seek to impose through fear and weapons."

In the homily delivered during a Mass he celebrated on Sunday, April 12, at St. Agatha Church in Miami, Baez, who has been living in exile since 2019, warned that the wounds inflicted on the Nicaraguan people will remain but that "they will be scars healed by the love of God — wounds glorious forever, wounds of love destined for eternity. So too will be the wounds and sores of our people. One day, they will just be historical scars reminding us of a painful past of injustice and oppression, so that we may never repeat it," he underscored.

A message of hope

The Nicaraguan prelate reflected on the Gospel passage in which the risen Jesus shows his wounds so that the apostle Thomas may touch them and believe.

Báez affirmed that "just like the glorious wounds of Jesus, so too one day will be the wounds we endured as we alleviate and heal, with respect and mercy, the wounds of others."

"And those very wounds — scarred over yet eloquent — will spur us to build the future, acting as artisans of peace, ready to foster processes of healing and reconciliation with ingenuity and boldness," the prelate continued.

Báez denounces 'false peace'

The bishop also referred to the vigil for peace led by Pope Leo XIV on April 11 at the Vatican and pointed out that "peace is not merely the absence of war. Political systems that impose themselves upon people through terror, stripping them of their freedom, are enemies of peace."

"Even if they speak of peace, if they repress, control, imprison, and force people into exile, they are enemies of peace. For peace is not a mere balance of forces, nor is it synonymous with the tranquility of cemeteries. We must not grow accustomed to the false peace and deceptive normality that dictators seek to impose through fear and arms, solely to preserve their privileges," he continued.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Nicaraguan dictatorship has banned thousands of processions and public events during Lent and Holy Week, permitting only a few on the streets and always under police surveillance.

Currently, 309 religious including bishops, priests, and nuns have been forced to leave the country, while the regime has confiscated at least 39 properties belonging to the Catholic Church and has banned the ordination of priests in several dioceses.

A call to be builders of peace

The prelate emphasized that "we, the disciples of Jesus, having received his peace are called to be builders of true peace: a peace that springs from justice, is lived out in freedom, and bears the fruit of reconciliation."

The bishop expressed the hope "that the mercy of the Lord, welcomed into our hearts, may make us mature believers, earnest builders of peace in the world, and people capable of bending down with mercy [to heal] the wounds of our brothers and sisters."

"Our lives may not be easier, but they will be fuller, more vibrant, and more filled with light and love," he said.

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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