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For the second time during Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, the Holy Father has been included in a top fashion magazine's list for "best dressed." Vanity Fair released its annual Best Dressed list on Aug. 5 and included the pope in "the originals" category.

In December 2025, the pope was named one of Vogue magazine's 55 best dressed people of 2025.

Style correspondent José Criales Unzueta told The New York Post: "The reality is that everyone has a personal style, and this list celebrates people whose style we find most compelling, inspiring, idiosyncratic or a combination of those traits."

"In the case of Pope Leo, we are drawn to his innate Americanness — the way he will pair a baseball cap or a pair of Nikes with his vestments, which speaks to the great tradition of American sportswear," he said.

When Leo first appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to the thousands of faithful gathered in the square after his election, many noticed the return of several papal vestments that were not used during Pope Francis' pontificate.

So what are some of the papal garments Pope Leo has been wearing and what do they symbolize?

The papal mozzetta

One of the most obvious vestments that Pope Leo has brought back into use is the red papal mozzetta, reviving a long-established tradition.

The mozzetta is a nonliturgical garment worn by the pope, cardinals, bishops, abbots, and certain priests, including canons of a cathedral chapter. It is normally worn over the cassock.

The history of this garment dates back to at least the 14th century, shortly after the papacy returned to Rome from Avignon, France. Initially, it was worn by the popes in Avignon to adapt to the colder French climate. Eventually, it became part of the pope's ceremonial dress around 1400, initially reserved for the pope but later extended to all cardinals and bishops.

The mozzetta, in the case of a prelate, symbolizes his spiritual authority and rank within the Church hierarchy. For a pope, it is normally worn with the papal stole as a sign of his universal jurisdiction over all Catholics.

The mozzetta a pope wears is different from those worn by cardinals and other clerics. While the mozzetta for cardinals is red and for bishops purple, the pope has five versions of the mozzetta. The most commonly worn by the pontiffs is the red satin mozzetta, usually with an embroidered stole.

The white cassock

The white cassock is probably one of the most recognizable pieces of papal attire. It's a long-sleeved, ankle-length garment and is tailor-made from 100% wool or a wool blend. White has a long Christian association with purity, innocence, holiness, and the glory of Christ.

Cassocks, which have historical links to the Roman robe known as the "caracalla," are traditionally made with 33 buttons to represent the 33 years of Jesus' life before his resurrection and ascension into heaven.

The white cassock became part of the papal vestments during the pontificate of Pope Pius V (1566-1572), who was a Dominican friar and continued wearing the white habit of his religious order after becoming pope.

A white sash

The white sash around the pope's waist, another traditional piece of papal attire, is called the fascia. It is essentially a wide, ceremonial band worn with the cassock and is made of linen or silk. It represents the pope's devotion, dedication, and submission to Jesus Christ's call to serve and look after his Church. The fascia is a symbol of readiness to minister to the people of God.

A red stole

The stole is a liturgical vestment worn by priests and bishops as a sign of their ordained ministry. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal explains that a priest wears the stole around his neck, while a deacon wears it over his left shoulder and across the chest.

Pope Leo has made consistent use of the stole since his election in 2025. He typically wears a deep burgundy or scarlet silk stole with ornate gold embroidery during public and formal duties. However, he has also been seen wearing other stoles including a white one with gold embroidery.

Some instances in which the Holy Father has worn a stole include during his apostolic journeys, diplomatic audiences, state visits, major liturgical feasts, and ecumenical meetings, among others.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) explains that the stole symbolizes the authority and responsibility to serve in imitation of Christ, connecting it with Jesus' words: "For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

The tradition of red leather shoes

Red leather shoes have been used by several popes over the centuries and have their origins in the early Church and the ancient Roman Empire.

In the Catholic faith, red symbolizes martyrdom and the passion of Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI's red shoes became a bit of a trademark during his pontificate, with ABC News calling him a "fashionista" and Esquire naming him "accessorizer of the year."

At another point, his loafers sparked controversy after false rumors claimed they were crafted by the high-end Italian fashion house Prada.

Benedict's choice of shoes stands out because his predecessor and successor — St. John Paul II and Pope Francis — opted for alternatives. But popes have walked in red for centuries.

While Pope Leo has not yet been seen in red shoes, the Holy Father has made headlines for photoshares of him sporting a pair of white Nike sneakers around the Vatican grounds before he became pope.

Instagram post

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An Israeli court has acquitted a West Bank settler who assaulted a French Catholic sister near Mount Zion in Jerusalem earlier this year, ordering up to six years in a psychiatric facility, Israeli media reported.

Jerusalem Magistrate Court Judge Ophir Tischler acquitted Yona Schreiber citing an assessment from a district psychiatrist that found Schreiber was experiencing a psychotic episode during the attack and could not be found criminally responsible, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The Aug. 26 ruling ordered Schreiber to be committed to an inpatient treatment facility for a maximum six years, though he may be released early if a psychiatric council determines his mental condition to be improved.

The psychiatric assessment further diagnosed Schreiber with schizophrenia, media reports said. The assessment noted that a lack of conclusive evidence showing how Schreiber's mental state led him to carry out the attack on the religious sister but said the illness influenced his actions nonetheless.

Schreiber was arrested and charged in April with assault and hostility toward a religious group for pushing a Catholic sister to the ground and kicking her in the head. The April 28 assault took place on Mount Zion near King David's Tomb, steps from Dormition Abbey.

Videos of the attack circulated on social media, fueling a backlash and further outrage over persistent attacks against Christians in Israel and the West Bank.

At the time, Israel's Foreign Ministry said it strongly condemned Schreiber's actions, writing in an April 29 social media post: "Israel remains firmly committed to safeguarding freedom of religion and freedom of worship for all faiths, and to ensuring that Jerusalem remains a city where every community can live, pray, and practice its faith in safety and dignity."

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A federal judge has struck down a major Trump White House immigration policy, calling the directive "patently unlawful" and handing a win to a Catholic immigration group that brought suit against the administration.

U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas rebuked the Trump administration in the Aug. 21 ruling for what she said was a "direct" infringement on normal federal policy rules.

The U.S. government through the Department of State had issued a policy on Jan. 14 suspending new immigrant visas to dozens of countries. Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed consular offices to adhere to the policy and deny new visas to nationals of 75 countries.

In making the policy, the government alleged that immigrants from those countries were at risk of becoming "public charges."

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network subsequently sued, arguing that the White House had in part "invented a visa processing regime" that violated U.S. statutory rules.

In her ruling, Vargas described the decision as "not a challenging case."

Congress established "comprehensive procedures" related to immigrant visa approvals, she said; those rules rely on consular officers to determine whether or not immigrants should receive visas.

The government's policy, meanwhile, "categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based upon the nationality of the applicant," a rule Vargas said is "a direct abrogation of this statutory scheme."

Vargas said her order would vacate the government's policy and "set aside and vacate any refusal of an immigrant visa that was based solely upon" that policy.

In a press release after the ruling, the Catholic legal group said it welcomed the decision, describing the government's rule as one that "disrupted lawful immigration pathways and separated families around the world."

Anna Gallagher, the group's executive director, said the case "at its heart … is about keeping families together."

"The suspension of lawful visa issuance across 75 countries separated spouses, parents and children who were simply following the legal immigration process," Gallagher said, arguing that the ruling "allow[s] families to once again move forward toward reunification."

The court's ruling is the second high-profile loss this summer for the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump had exceeded his authority when he signed an executive order to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents in the country illegally.

In June, however, the high court ruled in favor of several other restrictive immigration policies from the Trump administration, including one that allowed the government to end temporary protected status for Haitian and Syrian migrants. Those policies have received pushback and criticism from the U.S. bishops.

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With his Wednesday general audience at the Vatican on Aug. 26, Pope Leo XIV concluded his catechesis on the Church's liturgy, focusing on the Second Vatican Council's constitution on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium.

From warning against virtual participation in Sunday Mass to calling for a rediscovery of the symbols of the liturgy, here's an overview of what the pope taught about the liturgy in this series:

Vatican II's reform did not change only 'the rites' of the liturgy

Leo began his catechesis on the liturgy during his general audience at the Vatican on May 20. He explained that the liturgical reforms were not the only changes in the Church that came from the Second Vatican Council.

"In drafting this constitution, the council fathers sought not only to undertake a reform of the rites but to lead the Church to contemplate and deepen that living bond which constitutes and unites her: the mystery of Christ," Leo said in his remarks.

Leo also highlighted the missionary and universal dimensions of the liturgy, and, quoting Pope Francis, recalled that "the world still does not know it, but everyone is invited to the supper of the wedding of the Lamb."

Priests must respect 'norms of the liturgy' to avoid confusion at Mass

During his general audience on May 27, Leo urged priests not to alter the celebration of Mass on their own, to avoid confusing the faithful.

"I encourage all priests to respect the texts and norms of the liturgy with openness, humility, trust in God's greatness, and with sincere fidelity to ecclesial communion."

Leo also explained that liturgical reforms following the Second Vatican Council are not a departure from tradition but a development. To emphasize this, he quoted Pope Benedict XVI, who said that the council fathers' "reform program" sought "a balance between the great liturgical tradition of the past and that of the future."

We must rediscover signs and symbols of the sacred liturgy

In his audience on June 3, Leo called on Catholics to rediscover the meaning of the various gestures associated with the liturgy, such as the sign of peace and kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament. He explained that these symbols and signs are not arbitrary gestures but help Catholics experience "the presence of God through Jesus Christ."

"The rites of the Christian liturgy are not an outward covering of the sacramental mystery or a set of arbitrary ceremonies," Leo said. "Rather, they are the ecclesial mediation through which the divine gift reaches us."

The Eucharist is a powerful antidote to division

Pope Leo dedicated his June 24 general audience to the mystery of the Eucharist, calling on Catholics to "draw with faith from this source of divine life" and to allow themselves "to be transformed by the mystery we celebrate."

"Thus, by incorporating us into Christ, the Eucharist teaches us to adopt the very style of life of the Lord Jesus, which was marked by the free gift of himself," the pope said.

He also drew on the teaching of St. Augustine, who explained the mystery of the Eucharist to the newly baptized.

"It is your own mystery that you receive," Augustine wrote, according to the pope. "To what you are, you respond: 'Amen,' and your response is like your signature. You are told, 'The Body of Christ,' and you reply, 'Amen.' Be therefore members of the Body of Christ, so that your 'Amen' may be true."

The tradition of prayer is disappearing from families

Leo resumed his catechesis at the Aug. 5 general audience following a few weeks of rest at Castel Gandolfo. He lamented that many Christian families no longer pass on prayer and urged the faithful to rediscover it as a fundamental dimension of human life.

"Furthermore, even in many Christian families, the tradition of prayer is no longer passed on, whilst many people risk confusing it with just another technique, of a psychological nature aimed at personal well-being," the pope said.

Leo proposed the Liturgy of the Hours — the Church's official public prayer — as a remedy.

"To the many people who wish to learn to pray, especially catechumens, it can offer the path and the school of Christian prayer."

Attendance at Sunday Mass cannot be replaced by virtual participation

In his audience on Aug. 12, Leo reflected on the importance of the liturgical year. He also urged Catholics to prioritize attending Sunday Mass and warned that virtual gatherings cannot replace in-person Mass attendance.

"To sanctify Sunday, it is essential to celebrate the Eucharist," Leo said. "This
assembly cannot be substituted by a solely virtual presence, nor can it be reduced to a merely passive gathering."

On the liturgical year, he explained that it should be understood "as a constant renewal of the work of salvation which Christ accomplishes in history."

"As she journeys through this temporal cycle, the Church remains in contact with the Lord's redemptive action, so that all the faithful may be filled with his grace."

The musical heritage of the Church must be preserved

Pope Leo called for the Church's musical heritage to be preserved during his general audience on Aug. 19. He also said that inculturation can take place in Church music to accommodate different cultures.

"A theme close to the council's reform is that of inculturation, including in the field of sacred music. In particular, with regard to the musical traditions of different cultures, the council emphasizes the importance of taking them seriously into consideration, as they form part of people's religious and social life."

Vatican II reformed the liturgy to promote active participation

Leo concluded his catechesis on the liturgy on Aug. 26, reflecting on the reasons for the liturgical reforms after the Second Vatican Council.

He described those reforms as necessary to encourage active participation by the faithful and urged them not to be mere spectators during the celebration of the liturgy.

"Since the gestures and words of the sacred liturgy are critical to realizing this experience, the participation of the faithful cannot be passive," Leo said. "The liturgical reform promoted by the Second Vatican Council is thus firmly rooted in the living tradition of the Church."

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A group of merchants in Los Angeles is seeking to join a federal lawsuit in defense of a historic cross and Nativity display in the city's nearly-300-year-old center.

The disputed public displays are located within sight of each other at El Pueblo de Los Angeles, which has long been marked as a historical monument commemorating the founding of the city in 1781. The site was first established by settlers from Spain known as "los pobladores."

The cross is displayed year-round at the head of Olvera Street, while the Nativity is displayed about 150 feet away in a gazebo in the site's plaza every Christmas season.

Los Angeles resident Jack Gerritsen sued the city government alleging that the displays violate the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which forbids federal and state government entities from favoring specific religions.

Gerritsen alleged that the displays make him "feel excluded as a nonbeliever." A U.S. district court initially ruled against him, leading him to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

In an Aug. 24 filing, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty asked the appeals court to allow a group of merchants on Olvera Street to intervene in the case as defendants alongside the city. The merchants have "a significant and legally protected interest in preserving the historic and cultural heritage of El Pueblo," the filing said.

The business owners, the filing said, have "concrete economic interests in preserving the cross and nativity as important attractions that draw visitors to the area."

The merchants help bring a "growing volume of visitors" to the area who travel there to witness the site's "authentic and uninterrupted links to its historic past."

The court filing notes that the area immediately surrounding the disputed monuments has considerable historic resources, including La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, a Catholic parish the roots of which date to 1784, shortly after the city's founding.

The plaza also hosts an annual "Blessing of the Animals" during the season of Lent at which a cardinal or bishop provides benedictions to local pets.

One of the business owners who operates a cafe on Olvera Street, Edward Flores, said in the filing that his own heritage includes a Mexican Catholic background, but he said "Chinese and Italian heritage groups" are also present in the neighborhood.

"Preserving our distinct cultures and educating others about our roles in the founding and growth of Los Angeles ennobles Americans across all ethnicities, faiths, cultures, and generations to take pride in their own contributions and to see more clearly their future potential," Flores wrote.

The filing suggested that, under existing court precedent, both the cross and the Nativity may not be sufficiently "established" to violate the establishment clause at issue in the suit.

The "longstanding and historic nature of the cross and nativity," meanwhile, "reflect the precise nature of the Merchants' interests they seek to protect."

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Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing backlash after comments he made during a television interview comparing Muslim sharia law to Catholic canon law.

In a heated exchange that aired on the evening of Aug. 24 on Fox News' "Jesse Watters Primetime," Watters asked El-Sayed if he thinks opposing sharia — the religious law of the Islamic faith — is akin to "white supremacy."

Watters pointed to a 2022 speech El-Sayed made for the Oklahoma branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations where he likened the 2010 passage of a law preemptively banning sharia in Oklahoma to white supremacist "forces" in the state who "destroyed Black Wall Street" and "drove native peoples from their lands." That law passed with over 70% of the vote but was struck down by a federal judge.

Responding to Watters, El-Sayed said: "I don't begrudge you your right to practice your faith as you choose. I don't know why the idea that I could practice my faith as I choose is a problem."

"Nobody is trying to push sharia law on anyone else," he continued. "Just like I hope nobody is trying to push canon law on anybody else, because we live in America, where you should have the freedom of your religion."

He said that with Muslims comprising around 1% of the U.S. population, preemptively trying to ban sharia law "seems to me to be deliberately targeting the Muslim community because they're different."

Watters and El-Sayed also sparred during the interview on topics including immigration enforcement, environmental issues, transgender medical procedures, taxes, Iran, and the economy.

Difference between canon law and sharia law

Sharia law, which governs Islamic religious practice along with family matters and financial transactions, also deals with aspects of political governance and public law, forming part or all of the political and legal systems in several Muslim-majority countries.

Canon law, on the other hand, regulates only the Catholic Church's internal structure and functions, including rules about clergy, sacraments, and other ecclesiastical and administrative norms. It does not function as a civil or political legal code for the state or for non-Catholics, as sharia can for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Catholics are generally expected to obey the just civil laws of their countries, and canon law does not affect those laws.

Catholic media personality Michael Knowles mocked El-Sayed's position on X, writing: "[T]he Catholic Church requires ministers to use plant oils in sacraments with the blessings of a bishop, so why shouldn't courts allow Muslim men to have four wives?"

Kyle Shideler, the director and senior analyst for homeland security and counterterrorism at the Center for Security Policy, wrote on X that El-Sayed's comparison between canon and sharia law is "deliberately misleading."

He noted that sharia law contains elements that conflict with U.S. laws, including "Islamic marriage contracts which conflict with policies on child welfare," among others.

The Democrat is set to face Republican nominee Mike Rogers in the general election in Michigan this fall.

El-Sayed was born in Michigan to Egyptian parents. An epidemiologist, if elected he would be the first Muslim and the first Egyptian-American elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.

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The U.S. bishops raised concerns about proposed federal sponsor-vetting rules, warning that they could further delay the release of unaccompanied migrant children and deepen the harms of prolonged custody.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) refugee office proposed a rule on June 26 to update how it runs the program for unaccompanied children, including adding tougher background checks for adults who want to take in those children.

In a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., William Quinn, general counsel for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), warned that the proposed rule could negatively affect unaccompanied children and their families.

The rule would add more requirements for evaluating sponsors before releasing unaccompanied migrant children from federal custody to them, including proof of identity and income, and background checks for sponsors and adult household members.

The bishops said they're "grateful" for efforts to ensure "children are placed in safe and stable environments upon their release from government custody" but warned proposed sponsor-vetting rules exclude otherwise eligible parents and relatives from sponsoring children, the letter said.

The bishops said they fear the proposed rule could keep children separated from their families longer because some parents or relatives "without lawful immigration status" may not have the documents the government would require including proof of identity and income. Under federal law, prospective sponsors may be noncitizens, including those without lawful immigration status.

The bishops warned that without enough flexibility, the rules could block eligible parents and relatives from taking in children, making reunification harder and keeping kids in government custody longer.

Longer custody stays for migrant children

The bishops said they are concerned about a "striking increase in the average length of time children are already spending" in the government's care, the letter said.

The letter detailed federal data that found an increase in the average length of care over the past 10 fiscal years. Average monthly time in government care has surged in fiscal 2026 even as far fewer children entered the system, according to HHS data.

The average length of care in fiscal 2026 so far is nearly 190 days, according to federal data. The number is up from 2025, when the average stay was 117 days.

Previously, the highest monthly average length of care was 69 days in fiscal 2020. The average decreased during the Biden administration with an average number of 33 days in government care in 2021 and 29 days in 2022.

The bishops' letter also points to government research indicating that children who remain in custody for prolonged periods of time can experience more stress, anxiety, and behavioral issues. These affects could lead to higher levels of defiance, hopelessness, and frustration, as well as more instances of self-harm and suicidal ideation, the letter said.

Proposed recommendations

"Pope Leo XIV has referred to children as 'the most vulnerable group within the global movements of migration,'" the letter said.

"Unaccompanied children are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking, domestic servitude, and other exploitative situations. The Church considers it a moral obligation on the part of society as a whole to ensure that all children are protected from such harms, consistent with their God-given dignity," the letter said.

To carry out this obligation, the bishops said they urge the government "to maintain and ensure reasonable flexibility regarding sponsor suitability requirements proposed."

They asked that the government allow "deviation from the enumerated list of documents on a case-by-case basis" and allow "waivers for the requirement to collect Social Security or taxpayer identification numbers."

They added that an "inability to show formal proof of income should not automatically disqualify a prospective sponsor."

The bishops said while the changes aim to fix problems in how sponsors are vetted, the government's own poor recordkeeping is one reason those problems exist. A 2024 HHS inspector general report found serious failures in how the agency documented the vetting.

The letter highlighted the need for "post-release services," including access to legal counsel, enforcement of federal anti-trafficking and child labor laws, and general protection of children after reunification with a safe sponsor.

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Ahead of the start of the school year in Poland, local bishops there again raised concerns about changes introduced by the Ministry of National Education. They call for the full restoration of religious education and warn about mandatory "health education."

We feel "obligated to speak out in the spirit of pastoral care for the young," the episcopate writes in a statement titled "A Young Person Deserves More."

The document was published Aug. 24 and signed by the presidency of the Polish Bishops' Conference headed by Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda of Gdansk.

"Religion classes are not a privilege of the Church" but "a constitutional right" based on "freedom of conscience and religion and the right of parents to raise their children in accordance with their own beliefs," the document stresses.

They also say religious classes can help nonbelievers in schools better understand the history of the nation and Europe as well as the arts, culture, and literature. "Especially in times of crisis," the document says, religion is a "guiding light that prevents them from getting lost."

The episcopacy raised concerns that the Ministry of National Education placed "religious education classes before or after other school activities," reduced "teaching time to one hour per week," eased mixing of such classes, and removed their grade from the grade point average. They said these measures marginalize religious formation in schools and called for "the immediate restoration of these classes to their proper place and for a genuine dialogue with representatives of religious communities."

At the same time, the episcopate says "formation of values" is not "opposed to pluralism," as it "enables respectful dialogue and building community." Thus, it is not opposed to the choice between religion and ethics classes.

Polish Catholic leaders also voiced reservations about the new compulsory subject "health education." Although it leaves the theme of sexuality optional, they said it "does not solve the problem," since such "a sensitive area of human life must respect parents' right to decide" on its form.

They also argue that sexuality should be presented in the context of marital and family relationships, because in this context it serves the true good of humanity. They add that "the lack of a clear position that marriage is a union between a man and a woman is also concerning."

So far, the proposed changes have sparked controversy due to conflicting views of education. Apart from bishops, the Coalition to Save the Polish Schools opposed "health education" for its allegedly "anti-family and gender-ideology character."

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A man is in police custody on charges of arson after a historic church in the Canadian province of New Brunswick burned to the ground.

Saint-Simon Catholic Church near the town of Caraquet was reduced to ashes and was considered a "total loss," the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said on Aug. 25.

The fire, which consumed the church on Aug. 24, had been "intentionally set," according to authorities. Police said in a news release that they arrested 68-year-old Gilles Mallet on suspicion of starting the blaze.

In a Facebook post, meanwhile, the town of Caraquet called the parish "a true emblem of our heritage."

"Far more than just a building, this church held a significant place in our region's collective memory and cultural life," the town's post said.

The parish "welcomed generations of families, hosted gatherings and performances, and was the setting for countless moments that brought our community to life."

Monica Albert Légère, who lives near the parish, echoed those remarks when she told EWTN News on Aug. 26 that the church was "more than just a building."

"It was a gathering place — it was the soul and the heart of Saint-Simon," she said.

She said some commentators blamed immigrants for the blaze, though "no one in Saint-Simon" has leveled such blame. She described local immigrants as "all very kind."

"We are all heartbroken, of course, but we are united and standing together, and we will get back on our feet as one," she said.

In an Aug. 24 statement, Bathurst Bishop Michel Proulx, O Praem, said he was "devastated" by the blaze.

"This event has plunged us into deep sorrow," the bishop wrote, describing the burned parish as an "immeasurable loss."

"So many memories are tied to this beautiful wooden church: baptisms, weddings, funerals, and so many other significant events," he said. "Several generations of Christians celebrated their faith there, and it was the precious legacy of our ancestors."

The bishop said he was offering prayers and support to the Saint-Simon community.

The parish's roots stretch back more than a century. News reports indicated the church dated to 1918, while the Bathurst directory says that the parish began as a mission in 1910.

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A recent symposium in Fortaleza, Brazil, on demonology and exorcism "focused on the theological affirmation of the devil's existence as part of Catholic doctrine," Father Diogo Jairo Rebouças told ACI Digital, the Portuguese-language sister service of EWTN News. The priest is an exorcist for the Diocese of Limoeiro do Norte in Ceará state and coordinator of the gathering held Aug. 18–19.

The symposium drew 240 participants, 76% of whom were laypeople. According to Rebouças, the event was open to this audience because its goal was not "to provide training for performing exorcisms" but rather "to reflect theologically in light of Scripture, tradition, and the magisterium on the reality of the angelic beings who chose damnation."

"We are convinced that this perspective is highly beneficial for deepening the faith of any and every Christian," he said.

The gathering was organized by Marian Community Oasis of Peace with the support of the Archdiocese of Fortaleza and took place in the central auditorium of the Catholic College of Fortaleza.

Among the speakers were Bishop André Vital of Limoeiro do Norte in Ceará state; Father Pedro Paulo Alexandre, exorcist from the Archdiocese of Florianópolis in Santa Catarina state and member of the International Association of Exorcists (AIE, by its Portuguese acronym); Father Fellinto de Oliveira Britto, exorcist from the Diocese of Tianguá in Ceará state and a psychologist; Father Antônio Gomes Macedo Júnior, assistant exorcist; medical doctor Mauro Martins, also an assistant exorcist; and Father David Piter, exorcist from the Diocese of Quixadá in Ceará state and Rebouças.

The lectures dealt, among other topics, with demonology in the Gospels and the liberating ministry of Christ, the Church's guidelines for the ministry of exorcisms, the distinction between prayer for deliverance and exorcism, and the discernment between psychiatric pathologies and possible spiritual phenomena.

Appointment by the bishop required

According to Rebouças, the meeting presented the AIE's guidelines to "make it clear that only priests duly appointed by the bishop may perform solemn exorcisms."

The priest stated that the guidance highlights "the Catholic Church's commitment to pastoral ministry focused on discernment and mercy, rather than fear and sensationalism."

The symposium also addressed the necessary precautions during prayer for healing and deliverance, particularly regarding individuals who become highly distressed during such prayer.

"Talks by both exorcists and mental health professionals addressed the need for prudence during prayer for healing and deliverance as it is frequently observed that highly suggestible individuals become emotionally destabilized during events that strongly appeal to the emotions," Rebouças said.

According to him, participants were instructed on "what procedure to follow when a member of the faithful experiences a crisis during [such prayer], in order to protect him from unnecessary exposure and avoid leading to hasty conclusions about possible activity by the evil one."

Moral certainty required

Another topic addressed was the discernment between possible extraordinary action by the devil and illnesses or other conditions of natural origin.

"The guidelines for the exorcism ministry state that it is not permissible to perform an exorcism on a member of the faithful until the exorcist possesses moral certainty that the case involves extraordinary action by the evil one, rather than merely an illness or condition of natural origin," Rebouças explained.

Therefore, according to him, "mutual collaboration among the exorcist, family members, and healthcare professionals, especially mental health professionals, is extremely important."

"It is certainly not the exorcist's role to provide a psychiatric diagnosis for the person nor is it the role of scientists to say whether the devil exists or not," he said. "Each performs their respective role, observing signs of improvement or deterioration in the person throughout the process of accompaniment."

"Sometimes, a deeply devout but mentally ill believer refuses to take their medication until the priest comforts them by saying, 'I will bless your medicines!'" he said. "And faith encourages the person to follow the treatment and therapies through which they find healing."

"An exorcist will never discourage a believer from making use of scientific therapeutic resources," the priest added.

"It is also not uncommon, in cases of genuine extraordinary demonic activity, for a doctor to tell the family: 'We have done everything within our power!' or even: 'This defies scientific explanation!'" he said.

"In this sense, the Church's faith offers an explanation that addresses the human need regarding spiritual realities," Rebouças said.

The priest highlighted the importance of the training sessions for assistant exorcists offered by the Portuguese-language secretariat of the AIE in which laypeople and healthcare professionals may participate. The next training session will take place Nov. 27–29 at St. Benedict Monastery in Rio de Janeiro.

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

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