Catholic News

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Florida, is urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to add crucifixes to its list of acceptable symbols for veteran headstones at national cemeteries.

"In the pursuit of religious freedom, as guaranteed by the First Amendment to our Constitution, we urge the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Cemetery Administration to offer the crucifix as an eligible emblem of belief for inscription on headstones at national cemeteries," Steube said in an April 10 letter addressed to Secretary Douglas Collins of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs Samuel Brown.

"Veterans and their next of kin may select from nearly 100 different emblems representing several different belief systems," he said, noting sanctioned emblems include symbols for several Christian denominations as well as Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu symbols.

"While even atheists, humanists, and Wiccans have an eligible emblem of belief for inscription, Catholic veterans do not currently have the option to select a crucifix, an emblem of belief that most accurately represents the faith of nearly 20% of all veterans," he said.

A crucifix is a cross that bears the body of Jesus Christ crucified, which is called the "corpus." It is a spiritual symbol that recalls the passion and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, calling attention to his love, suffering, and redemption of humanity.

Steube's press release quoted Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, saying, "I support the bipartisan effort led by Congressman Greg Steube (R-Florida) to support the free exercise of religion of veterans in having the crucifix included on tombstones."

The archdiocese did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The VA has the authority to add emblems administratively, or lawmakers could introduce legislation if the agency does not act.

Steube's letter, signed by 45 members of Congress — including 42 Republicans and three Democrats — requested the Department of Veterans Affairs provide its criteria for evaluating and approving emblems of belief for inscription on headstones at national cemeteries and whether any prior request had been made to include crucifixes on its list.

"VA is looking into the lawmakers' request and will answer their letter directly," Quinn Slaven, press secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, told EWTN News.

Republican Reps. Riley Moore of West Virginia, Mike Carey of Ohio, and John Rutherford of Florida were among the 20 Catholic members of Congress who signed on to the letter. Steube is Protestant, according to Pew Research Center.

Steube's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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YAOUNDE, Cameroon — Pope Leo XIV arrived Wednesday in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, after a five-hour flight. While meeting with journalists aboard the papal plane, he delivered a brief address, thanking the Algerian authorities and reflecting on the first leg of the journey.

Leo, speaking in English, expressed his "gratitude to all the authorities in Algeria, who made this visit possible. As you've seen, they've even granted us the full honor of an escort as we fly over Algerian airspace."

This, the pope said, is "a sign of the goodness, of the generosity, of the respect that the Algerian people and the Algerian government have wished to show to the Holy See, to myself. And so I want to say a word of thanks to them, as well as a word of thanks to the very small but very significant presence of the Catholic Church in Algeria."

The pontiff then reflected on the journey.

"We had, as you know," he said, "some very special visits both in the Basilica Notre Dame d'Afrique as well as in Annaba yesterday, in the Basilica of St. Augustine on the hill overlooking both the modern city of Annaba and the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Ippona. And that in itself, I would say, is also symbolically significant, because St. Augustine, who was bishop, as you know, of Hippo for more than 30 years, actually is a figure which is very much from the past and speaks to us of tradition, speaks to us of the life, the Church, as the Church grew in the early centuries."

Continuing to speak about St. Augustine, Leo said that he is "a very important figure today as his writings, his teaching, his spirituality, his invitation to search for God and to search for truth is something that is very much needed today — a message that is very real for all of us today, as believers in Jesus Christ, but for all people. And as you've seen, even the people of Algeria, the vast majority of whom are not Christian, they very much honor and respect the memory of St. Augustine as one of the great sons of their land."

"So it was a special blessing for me personally to return once again to Annaba yesterday," he said, "but also to offer to the Church and the world a vision that St. Augustine offers us in terms of the search for God and the struggle to build community, to seek for unity among all peoples and respect for all peoples in spite of the differences."

The pope concluded: "In two days in Algeria I think we've really had a wonderful opportunity to, if you will, continue to build bridges, to promote dialogue. I think the visit to the mosque was significant and to say that it showed that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace. And so I think that promoting that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today, and that together we can continue to offer in our witness through as we continue on this apostolic voyage."

Pope Leo XIV is the third pope to visit Cameroon.

Leo will first meet with 92-year-old President Biya, elected to an eighth term and in power for 40 years. After his address to the diplomatic corps — a standard stop at the beginning of every trip — the pope will visit the Ngul Zamba orphanage, a historic point of reference for the care and education of orphaned children and minors in situations of serious social vulnerability.

In addition to Yaoundé, Leo XIV will also visit the city of Bamenda, around 230 miles from the capital, at the center of the Anglophone crisis — a complex situation in which English-speaking separatists have also called for the formation of their own state.

The pope will also visit Douala, Cameroon's economic capital, thus touching all the major realities of the country before departing for Angola on April 18.

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The Knights of Columbus issued a statement that affirms the Catholic fraternal organization's solidarity with Pope Leo XIV as President Donald Trump criticized the Holy Father a second time on Truth Social.

"The Knights of Columbus has always stood in solidarity with the Holy Father, recognizing in him a spiritual father who calls the world not to division but to unity, not to conflict but to peace," Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly said in the statement.

"In this moment, we reaffirm that commitment with clarity and conviction," he said.

Trump escalated his criticism of the Holy Father late Tuesday evening in a second post on Truth Social, which criticized the pontiff's staunch opposition to war.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with Leo's policy views, Kelly said, "the Holy Father's prophetic voice deserves to be heard with respect and engaged seriously."

"Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for peace, dialogue, and restraint in a world marked by war and suffering," he said. "The Holy Father's words are not political talking points — they are reflections of the Gospel itself."

Kelly noted that many Catholics and others "have been deeply disappointed by the disparaging comments directed at Pope Leo XIV" by Trump, and that Leo "is not a politician — he is the vicar of Christ, entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding souls."

In his statement, Kelly acknowledged that faithful Catholics can hold differing views on foreign policy and that Catholics should engage in the public square. He said nations can safeguard security "in accordance with the demands of justice and the pursuit of peace."

"The Church does not ask Catholics to withdraw from civic life but to engage with and elevate it — bringing to our civic dialogue the light of truth, respect for the dignity of every human person, and a steadfast concern for the common good," he said.

Kelly also encouraged prayers for the pope, the president, and other politicians.

"As Knights, we are called to be men of unity, as followers of Christ and patriotic citizens," he said. "I encourage all Knights of Columbus to pray for the Holy Father, to pray for civic leaders, and to pray for peace and those working to achieve it."

"And let us recommit ourselves to charity in our public discourse," he added. "May we be known not for echoing the divisions of our time, but for healing them. In a moment of tension, the path forward is not louder conflict but deeper fidelity — to truth, to charity, and to the Gospel."

Trump goes after Leo again

Trump's social media post said: "Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable."

During the protests, Leo did call for peace, saying in January that "ongoing tensions [in Iran and Syria] continue to claim many lives."

"I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society," he said at the time.

Leo has also strongly opposed nuclear weapons, saying in June 2025: "The further proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, as well as this escalation of violence, imperils the fragile stability remaining in the region."

While Trump cited numbers exceeding 40,000 people, estimates about the number of people killed in anti-regime protests and unrest in Iran varies a lot, ranging from several thousand to more than 30,000. Most protesters were unarmed, but Iran's government claims some were armed and killed about 500 security personnel. Trump said the United States tried to arm the protesters, but those guns did not get to the right people.

Vance, bishops offer more comments

Catholic bishops and leaders have responded to Trump's attack on Pope Leo, and elected officials also have made statements.

Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, said he is deeply concerned and troubled by Trump's social media rhetoric, especially during Holy Week and Easter, which he says falls short of the moral standard expected of both the presidency and a professed Christian. The archbishop criticized Trump's attacks on Pope Leo, saying the pope's calls for peace and dialogue arise from his pastoral mission, not political ideology.

Sample said the Church's role is to proclaim peace, human dignity, and the Gospel, citing Jesus' teaching: "Blessed are the peacemakers."

The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemned attacks and mockery directed at Pope Leo XIV and the papacy, affirming that respect for the Holy Father is essential to Catholic faith.

Vice President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism, said at a Turning Point USA event that Pope Leo XIV should "be careful when he talks about matters of theology."

"One of the issues here is that if you're going to opine on matters of theology, you've got to be careful," he said. "You've got to make sure it's anchored in the truth."

Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said: "Any religious leader can say anything they want, but obviously, if you wade into political waters, I think you should expect some political response."

Pope Leo XIV has responded to Trump's public criticism by saying he has "no fear of the Trump administration" and will continue to speak out boldly with the message of the Gospel.

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YAOUNDE, Cameroon — "Peace, in fact, cannot be decreed: It must be embraced and lived," Pope Leo XIV emphasized on Wednesday in a meeting with government authorities, the diplomatic corps, and civil society in Cameroon — the second stop of his journey in Africa.

In a dense address, the pope expressed confidence in Cameroon's society, often described as "Africa in miniature" because of the richness of its lands, cultures, languages, and traditions. A country marked by conflict, even recent conflict, but whose civil society, the pope said, is ready to take responsibility for a rebirth, together with its young people.

Leo arrived in Cameroon's capital, Yaoundé, for the second leg of his 11-day papal journey to Africa. President Paul Biya, in power for nearly four decades, welcomed the pope. Yet beneath a political system that has endured, conflicts have also taken root. In particular, the so-called Anglophone crisis remains in the background, a topic the pope will address when he visits Bamenda on Thursday.

The Anglophone crisis erupted in 2016 when Cameroon's Anglophone minority launched a campaign calling for greater autonomy and was rejected by Biya. From that point onward, the situation deteriorated, resulting in deaths and displacement, culminating in a "declaration of independence" proclaimed in October 2017 in a territory referred to as Ambazonia. At the height of the crisis, mediation by the Holy See was also requested.

The Church remains present in Cameroon and carries out extensive work. Leo XIV recalled that he is the third pope to visit the country, following two visits by St. John Paul II and one by Pope Benedict XVI. In 1995, John Paul II chose Yaoundé, the country's capital, to promulgate the postsynodal apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa, which emerged from the Synod for Africa.

'A hunger and thirst for justice'

This was the backdrop of Leo's address on April 15, which was not only as a message of peace but also an encouragement to Catholics in Cameroon to continue building the common good.

"I come among you as a shepherd and as a servant of dialogue, fraternity, and peace," he said. "We are living, in fact, at a time when hopelessness is rampant and a sense of powerlessness tends to paralyze the renewal so deeply desired by peoples. There is such a hunger and thirst for justice! A thirst for getting involved, for a vision, for courageous choices and for peace!"

The pope expressed his desire to reach everyone, especially the young, "who are called to help shape a world that is more just, including in the political sphere." He recalled the visits of his predecessors and asked where the country stands today, quoting St. Augustine: "Those who rule serve those whom they seem to command; for they rule not from a love of power but from a sense of the duty they owe to others — not because they are proud of authority, but because they love mercy."

From this perspective, he said, serving one's country means dedicating oneself, with clarity of mind and upright conscience, to the common good of all people, including both the majority and minorities, and their mutual harmony.

Leo acknowledged that Cameroon is facing complex difficulties. Violence and tensions in the northwest, southwest, and far north regions have caused profound suffering: lives lost, families displaced, children deprived of education. In response, he recalled his appeal to reject violence and war and to embrace peace founded on love and justice: "A peace that is unarmed, that is, not based on fear, threats or weapons, and at the same time disarming, because it is capable of resolving conflicts, opening hearts, and generating trust, empathy, and hope."

"Peace cannot be reduced to a slogan: It must be embodied in a way of life that renounces all forms of violence, both personally and institutionally," the pontiff continued. He forcefully reiterated that "the world is thirsting for peace… Enough of war, with all the pain it causes through death, destruction, and exile!"

"Peace, in fact, cannot be decreed: It must be embraced and lived. It is a gift from God, which unfolds through patient and collective effort. It is everyone's responsibility, beginning with civil authorities," he said. To govern, the pope added, means to love one's own country and neighboring countries, applying the commandment "love your neighbor as yourself" even to international relations. Governing also means truly listening to citizens and valuing their ability to help build lasting solutions. In this context, he recalled Pope Francis' call to move beyond "the idea of social policies being a policy for the poor, but never with the poor and never of the poor, much less part of a project which can bring people back together."

Civil society, the pope stressed, must be recognized as a vital force for national cohesion. "Cameroon is ready for this transition!" Associations, women's and youth organizations, trade unions, humanitarian nongovernmental organizations, and traditional and religious leaders, he said, play an irreplaceable role in social peace. They are often the first to intervene during tensions, to assist the displaced, support victims, open spaces for dialogue, and encourage local mediation. Their closeness to communities allows them to identify the root causes of conflict and appropriate solutions.

Leo expressed particular gratitude for women, who are frequently the first victims of prejudice and violence yet remain tireless peacemakers. Their commitment to education, mediation, and rebuilding the social fabric curbs corruption and abuse of power and requires that their voices be fully recognized in decision-making processes.

Transparency in managing public resources and respect for the rule of law, he said, are essential to restoring trust.

'Integral human development'

Addressing those in positions of authority, Leo XIV spoke of a twofold witness: collaboration among institutions in service of the people, especially the poor, and integrity of personal conduct. To allow peace and justice to flourish, he said, the chains of corruption must be broken and hearts freed from idolatrous pursuit of profit. True profit lies in integral human development.

Looking ahead, the Holy Father highlighted Cameroon's human, cultural, and spiritual resources and emphasized that "young people represent the hope of the country and of the Church. Their energy and creativity are priceless treasures." While unemployment and exclusion can fuel frustration and violence, investing in education, training, and entrepreneurship, he said, is a strategic path to peace and the only way to stem the loss of talent and counter the scourges of drugs, prostitution, and apathy.

Cameroonian youth, he added, possess a "deep spirituality that still resists the homogenizing influence of the market."

Through its educational, health care, and charitable efforts, the Catholic Church in Cameroon wishes to continue serving all without distinction, collaborating with civil authorities and strengthening ties between Cameroonians worldwide and their communities of origin, the pope concluded.

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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The U.S. bishops' chair for doctrine issued a clarification on April 15 reaffirming that Catholic just war theory sets strict moral limits on the use of military force, emphasizing that it is not a political endorsement of war but a moral framework.

The statement came as President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, the latter a Catholic, have taken issue with papal remarks claiming that "anyone who is a disciple of Christ" is "never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs."

Speaking at an April 14 event hosted by the conservative group Turning Point USA, Vance publicly criticized Pope Leo on his anti-war remarks, asking: "How can you say God is never on the side of those who wield the sword?"

Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop James Massa's statement on the subject underscored that Christians are obliged to critically evaluate claims made in favor of armed conflict rather than assume moral legitimacy.

"For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war," Massa said.

"A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword 'in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2308)," Massa noted.

Massa continued: "That is, to be a just war it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: 'He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.'

"When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the vicar of Christ. The consistent teaching of the Church is insistent that all people of goodwill must pray and work toward lasting peace while avoiding the evils and injustices that accompany all wars," the bishop concluded.

Pope Leo XIV responded to Trump's public criticism by saying he has "no fear of the Trump administration" and will continue to proclaim the Gospel.

At the Turning Point USA event, Vance — who is publishing a book about his conversion to the Catholic faith — said if Pope Leo was "going to opine on matters of theology," his comments needed to be "anchored in the truth."

"In the same way that it's important for the vice president of the United States to be careful when I talk about matters of public policy, I think it's very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology," Vance said.

Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, who was elected vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in November 2025, said in a statement on X on April 15 that "public officials may opine about theology, as is their right."

But "the successor of Peter teaches. This is his office," Flores said. "If what he teaches doesn't sound like what we want to hear, we should admit the likelihood that the problem is in what we want to hear and not in what he teaches."

Vance: 'Stick to matters of morality'

On Monday, Vance defended Trump's decision to post on social media, and later delete, an AI-generated image that critics said depicted the president as Jesus Christ. Vance described it as a joke that people misunderstood.

"It would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality, to stick to matters of what's going on in the Catholic Church and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy," Vance said in an interview on Fox News.

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YAOUNDE, Cameroon — Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by the happy chatter of children on Wednesday at the Ngul Zamba Orphanage in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where he shared a message of God's presence.

"Dear children, I know that many of you have endured difficult trials. Some of you have known the pain of loss through the death of parents or loved ones. Others have experienced fear, rejection, abandonment, deprivation, and uncertainty. Yet, you are called to a future that is greater than your wounds. You are bearers of a promise," the pope said April 15.

Run for 40 years by the religious congregation the Daughters of Mary, the Ngul Zamba Orphanage — whose name means "Strength of God" — provides food, lodging, and education to poor or abandoned children.

During the visit, the pope listened with delight to the various songs of welcome. He applauded with satisfaction, smiling in return at the many smiles of the children. He was also moved by the recitation of a verse from Psalm 27: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even should mothers forget, I will never forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before my eyes."

Leo also listened to two testimonies from staff members, one of whom is a former student, who expressed his gratitude for all that the Daughters of Mary of Yaoundé did for him and concluded by reaffirming his commitment to promoting an "education for all," without exclusion.

Pope Leo then addressed the children and staff: "I am very happy to visit this orphanage, which has become your home. Here, above all, it is our heavenly Father who welcomes you with love as his children. He wants to show you his tenderness and to draw you close to his heart. In his name, I too wish to do the same. Indeed, you form a true family here, with brothers and sisters who all share a similar history marked by suffering. In this family, your eldest brother is Jesus! It is living as brothers and sisters gathered around him that makes you strong, helps you to carry life's burdens together, and allows you to experience true joy."

"In a world often marked by indifference and selfishness, this home reminds us that we are the ones who need to look after our brothers and sisters, and that, in God's great family, no one is ever a stranger or forgotten, no matter how small he or she may be."

Turning directly to the children, the Holy Father acknowledged the weight of their experiences:

"Dear children, I know that many of you have endured difficult trials. Some of you have known the pain of loss through the death of parents or loved ones. Others have experienced fear, rejection, abandonment, deprivation, and uncertainty. Yet, you are called to a future that is greater than your wounds. You are bearers of a promise. For wherever there is misery, suffering, or injustice, God is present; and he knows each of your faces and is very close to you. The Gospel reminds us that Jesus cares especially for children like you, and he would often place them at the center of a gathering. Know that he looks upon each one of you today with that same affection."

Finally, the pope addressed all those who care daily for the children of the orphanage:

"I would also like to greet with gratitude all those who take care of these children: the directors, educators, staff, volunteers, and, of course, the sisters. Your faithful dedication is a beautiful testimony of love. By caring for these children, you are getting a foretaste of the joy that the Lord has promised to those who serve the little ones. Your patience reflects the face of divine mercy. Through your patience and dedication, you offer much more than mere material support: You offer these children a presence, a listening ear, a family, and a future. Through you, God's tenderness is made manifest — a faithful tenderness that does not falter in times of trial and never disappoints. I thank you for all that you do, and I encourage you to persevere courageously in this beautiful work that you have undertaken."

He concluded by entrusting everyone to Mary's care: "As I impart my heartfelt blessing, I entrust each of you to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our mother. May she always watch over you, console you in moments of sadness, and help you to grow as true friends of her son, Jesus."

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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About 495 faith leaders and advocates are set to gather in Washington, D.C., to read the entire Bible aloud ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.

America Reads the Bible is a national Scripture-reading event and movement led by Christians Engaged, a nonprofit organization committed "to discipling Americans on biblical worldview and their responsibilities as citizens to pray, vote, and engage for the well-being of our nation."

From April 19–25, a diverse set of speakers including some Catholics will gather at the Museum of the Bible and read the King James Version of the Bible from beginning to end "as a spiritual celebration of our nation's founding ideals and a call to rediscover the truth that still anchors us today," event organizers reported.

The event is inspired by the Hebrew book of Ezra, where the public reading of Scripture sparked national repentance and renewal, according to a press release.

The event will kick off with an opening celebration on April 18 as leaders from more than 100 national ministries will begin to gather for the weeklong celebration. The recitation will begin on April 19 at the museum and will continue with speakers reading each day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to complete the whole Bible in a week.

Those interested in attending can register to join in person or can watch live online.

Catholic speakers

A wide array of speakers including actors, lawmakers, and advocates will participate in the anniversary celebration.

Event sponsors and organizers will speak over the week including Bunni Pounds, America Reads the Bible organizer and president of Christians Engaged, and Steve Green, chair and co-founder of the Museum of the Bible.

Catholic companies, set to serve as partners with America Reads the Bible, including Catholic Book Publishing, will also send speakers. Catholic author Allan Wright, whose books focus on discipleship, evangelization, and the Catholic faith, will read.

The event is also partnering with CatholicVote and will welcome its president, Kelsey Reinhardt, to read.

Catholic figures from the Trump administration will take the stage including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Among others, Christian administration members participating will also include Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

A number of lawmakers and government representatives will speak, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is Catholic. Others lawmakers scheduled to read include U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, and Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho.

Pro-life leaders will also read, including Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, and Kristie McCrary, adviser to the president. Pro-life advocate Abby Johnson, CEO and founder of ProLove Ministries and And Then There Were None, will read as well.

Entertainers and actors from various Christian backgrounds will read Scripture including Catholic actress and author Patricia Heaton, and Christian actress Candace Cameron Bure, America Reads the Bible national spokesperson. Other entertainers will include actors Dean Cain and David Hunt.

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Just a few weeks since the death of her husband, Miguel, and amid her grief, Virginia Pérez de Santana, clutching a rosary, recounted with serenity and strength their story of a love that endures, sustained to the very last moment by the certainty that God exists and never abandons us.

Although she grew up in a Catholic family, Virginia said she felt that "something was missing": a spark, an impulse of faith that would dispel her doubts regarding the existence of God. What she never could have imagined was that this longed-for certainty would come with the illness of her husband, Miguel, a dentist whom she met while volunteering in Cambodia 14 years before.

Although Miguel never doubted, she said, faith did not occupy a central place in their lives. But everything changed one day in July 2024 while they were enjoying a vacation with their three children: Virginia, 5; Miguel, 4; and María, 3.

After suffering severe headaches and a loss of mobility in his left arm, Miguel decided to go to the emergency room.

And that moment marked the beginning of it all.

"While waiting, Miguel was incredibly nervous, because he sensed that something was wrong. He was very agitated the entire time, saying, 'I want to get out of here, I want to get out of here — I can't breathe,'" Virginia told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. After several tests and a long wait, the doctors confirmed what the couple feared most: Miguel had a brain tumor and required emergency surgery.

'I've had an experience with God'

Gripped by fear and uncertainty, Virginia left the room to tell her parents what was happening. Upon her return, Miguel was no longer the same: His nervousness had vanished, and his face reflected a surprising peace and serenity. "When I came back, they had already moved him into an emergency bay, and I saw him there, laughing and talking with the other patients," she recalled.

Then, Miguel took his wife's hands and said: "Virginia, be at peace; I've had an experience with God."

Miguel told her that, after being left alone in the room once the nurse had gone, he got down on his knees and pleaded: "My God, please, don't leave me alone."

A love 'not of this world'

After praying, Miguel felt as though someone were embracing him, and in that instant, a warmth coursed through his entire body: "From head to toe, he felt a kind of electricity, of love, love, love. A love so pure, a love so profound, that he said it was not of this world."

She recalled how her husband recounted to her every detail of the embrace he felt in the empty room, where he heard someone say to him: "Be at peace; I am with you, and I bear your cross with you."

"And in that moment, he began to weep; not out of sorrow, not because of the tumor, but out of happiness. Then, he took my hands once more and said to me: 'Virginia, you, who have sometimes had doubts — never, never, never doubt again, for God exists. I no longer merely have faith; I am certain that God exists."

From that moment, Miguel experienced a profound peace and an absolutely radical transformation, "even physically," recalled Virginia, whose friends and family told her that he looked even "more handsome" than before his illness because of the happiness he radiated.

'He was in love with God'

Although her husband was "a very good person," Virginia recalled, with a smile, that he complained at times. Nevertheless, he offered up all his suffering and illness. "He would tell me that he was in love with God and that he didn't want to complain, he wanted to do everything for God."

"He used to tell me that he felt just like a typical teenager waiting outside school for his girlfriend to come out," she recalled.

She said that her husband never stopped talking about God and would tell her: "In time, you will come to see this as a blessing, because thanks to the tumor, God has granted me this experience; and thanks to this experience, my eyes have been opened — for before, I was blind."

Miguel was discharged from the hospital 15 days after the emergency operation. "He was happy," his wife remembered. During his stay at the hospital, they prayed the rosary daily, and Miguel made a point of visiting some of the patients in nearby rooms, accompanied by the Schoenstatt Pilgrim Virgin statue.

Following the biopsy, they were informed that the tumor was one of the most aggressive types — incurable and fast-progressing. Yet, Miguel accepted the diagnosis with serenity, never questioning why this was happening to him.

"It was a profound acceptance of his illness," Virginia continued. "And the truth is, we were always side by side, like a team, always believing that we were in God's hands and that we simply had to accept his will. If a miracle occurred and he was cured, that would be wonderful; and if not — well, then whatever he decides, for we will never understand his ways."

Friends and parents from their children's school in Madrid formed a prayer group that grew to nearly 500 people, "almost none of whom we knew," Virginia said. "That gave us a great deal of strength: So many good people who, without even knowing us, cared and prayed for us."

Embracing illness as a gift

As time went by, although Miguel no longer felt the same powerful impact of the experience he had undergone in the hospital, he still saw God's love in the everyday "little signs" and gestures of the people praying for him. "It also brought me much closer to God," Virginia said.

In July 2025, the tumor recurred, returning with greater force and in a much more aggressive manner. "He always faced it with great courage, with great strength, and with immense faith. We always used to say: 'Whatever God wills.'"

The tumor progressed rapidly, all treatment options exhausted. In February, Miguel was admitted to palliative care at the Navarra Clinic in Madrid, where he remained until he died on March 10.

"Throughout that entire month Miguel spent in the hospital, he never once complained; even the palliative care doctors themselves told us they were astonished by the sense of peace we radiated," Virginia said.

Miguel was able to say goodbye to his children. "Watching how he faced his illness and how he faced death has set the bar very high for me," Virginia recounted.

'It's true that God exists, that he rose again, and that he is with us'

Drawing upon her experience, Virginia hopes to reach out to those who are going through a similar illness: "God desires that very same love and that very same faith for them, too."

"Even if they haven't felt it within their own bodies, let them lean on the testimonies of others," she said, "because he is real; because it is true that God exists, that he rose again, that he is with us; and that even when you call out to him and it feels at times as though God isn't listening, he is indeed listening to you."

"That very same strength God has given us, he is also giving to other people ... Obviously, I would have preferred for Miguel to remain with me, to grow old alongside him, for our lives to continue on, free of illness and trouble. But I think that had we simply continued on in that same manner, would we have remained so close to God? Well — no; probably not," she reflected.

'No ordinary peace'

Virginia shared what she considers the most important thing of all: "I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to say that my husband is in heaven — because I know it; because he had immense faith, he had such deep love for God, and he demonstrated it in so many ways, such as by praying the rosary every day."

Shortly before her husband died, the chaplain at the Navarra Clinic administered the anointing of the sick. 

"I said to Miguel: 'Do you realize how many people have drawn closer to God because of your illness? I truly believe there is nothing more important you could have done,'" she said.

With tears in her eyes, Virginia said that if one sets aside "human selfishness," her husband has already achieved his goal: "To be with God — and in such a way."

"For Miguel, this has been the greatest gift God could have given him. Miguel is with God; he's happy, and that's what truly matters," she said. "And if you hold onto that thought, your life changes."

"The peace we experienced throughout the entire process of his illness and his death was no ordinary peace," she said. "I know it because we were enveloped by so many people's prayers, and because we were enveloped by God."

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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MANILA, Philippines — Amid growing concerns over mental health, Cardinal Jose Advincula, the archbishop of Manila, Philippines, stressed on April 2 that priests must prioritize their mental health to sustain their missionary work.

Celebrating the chrism Mass on Holy Thursday at the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as Manila Cathedral, Advincula quoted a recent study, saying: "About 18% reported that they are psychologically distressed," meaning "almost one in every five priests is undergoing a mental difficulty or emotional burden."

He reminded clergy to acknowledge their human vulnerabilities and weaknesses, calling on the faithful to support clergy through prayer and understanding.

According to data from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), as of 2025, there are more than 10,000 priests serving 73.6 million Catholics. The Philippines is Asia's largest Catholic country.

Lay faithful support for the clergy

Advincula urged lay Catholics to stand with priests as they carry out their ministry.

"To be faithful, we need your understanding and your prayers," he said.

Advincula thanked communities for their continued support, despite what he described as the "obvious limitations" of clergy, which include challenges such as limited resources and the need for more active engagement from the laity.

The cardinal thanked priests and the faithful for their shared responsibility in continuing the Church's life and mission.

He said human connections are essential to restoring hope and sustaining missionary work.

Pope Leo XIV's April prayer intention

Advincula's remarks coincided with the Holy Father's April prayer intention, which is "for priests in crisis."

"Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer," Pope Leo XIV said.

Echoing the pope's words, Advincula urged Catholics to pray for priests, especially those facing loneliness, doubt, and exhaustion.

"When a pastor faces some kind of weariness at any time, the Church is not supposed to judge but rather to walk beside him," he said.

A parish priest's struggle with addiction

EWTN News spoke with two priests who have faced mental health challenges and described how they overcame them.

Father Mark (a pseudonym used to protect his identity), a 52-year-old parish priest in the southern Philippines, serves a parish with more than 40,000 Catholics. He has been there for the last five years.

Over the years, Father Mark felt exhausted by pastoral duties. He gradually developed loneliness and distress, which affected his mental well-being. Over time, he began to consume alcohol more frequently and eventually became addicted.

As his health conditions and addictions affected his personal life and pastoral duty, his religious superiors made him take a break from pastoral care and placed him in a Church-run rehabilitation center near Manila for a year.

After a year of medication along with prayer, social connections, and discernment, he is free of addiction and back to pastoral work in a different parish in the central Philippines.

He said he learned a valuable lesson from his imperfections, especially about balancing personal care — physical, spiritual, and emotional.

A rural missionary's ordeal

Father Marcilino, a 47-year-old priest, used to be a rural missionary in the northern part of the country.

He used to minister to 70,000 Catholics across eight chapels and one parish, alongside two younger priests.

"At some point, I got disinterested in my pastoral work and lost zeal for it," he said.

"I did not have any vices as such. I felt a kind of spiritual dryness in my priestly life," he said.

When his priest companions noticed his mental distress and lack of participation in community prayers and mealtime presence, they encouraged him to take a few months' break from pastoral responsibility with the knowledge of their superiors.

His superiors sent him for a three-month refresher course on psycho-spiritual enrichment.

After spending three months in the program, he returned to the parish with renewed zeal as a person and pastor.

"I have realized that priests like me face pastoral exhaustion or compassion fatigue caused by many factors," he said. "It is necessary that we take precautions and efforts to monitor our mental well-being as we are interested in rendering our pastoral service to others with hope and compassion," he added.

He thanked his superiors and those who continually support him in his missionary endeavors.

"My struggles with mental health issues taught me a valuable lesson that I am not a superhuman being," he said. "I need to be aware of my limitations, especially worry, anxiety, stress, and depression to some extent."

"We are all works in progress and rely on God's grace to carry out our pastoral work for the common good," he said.

Mental health in the Philippines

An estimated 7 million to 12.5 million Filipinos suffer from mental health conditions, according to research published in the Lancet Regional Health.

The National Capital Region Police Office reported on March 25 that suicide cases in Metro Manila more than doubled in the first three months of 2026, with many cases stemming from emotional distress, financial pressure, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.

Meanwhile, the country does not have adequate mental health professionals, and the government is making efforts to strengthen mental health services, such as increasing funding for mental health programs and training more professionals to meet the growing demand.

Everyone must take care of their mental health amid the many challenges of life and work, Christopher Lim, a professional psychologist, told EWTN News.

Over the years, Lim has counseled several people, including priests and religious sisters, who have faced mental health challenges.

One piece of advice he gives is that anyone can develop mental health concerns at any time, regardless of their current mental well-being.

"Timely professional help is key to mental health," Lim said.

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After concluding the first leg of his African apostolic journey in Algeria, Pope Leo XIV travels to Cameroon from April 15–18. In the Central African nation, the Holy Father is set to visit the capital, Yaoundé, and the metropolitan sees of Bamenda and Douala.

If Algeria represents the Church as a small minority navigating a Muslim-majority society, Cameroon presents a different ecclesial landscape. The Catholic Church there is demographically significant, institutionally entrenched, socially influential, and politically attentive.

Cameroon stands not only as the second stop on the Holy Father's African itinerary but also as a microcosm of the contemporary African Catholic experience — complex, vibrant, and consequential.

Here are eight things to know about the Church in Cameroon and what is expected of Pope Leo's visit:

1. It has a significant and growing Catholic population.

Cameroon's population is religiously diverse, made up of Christians, Muslims, and practitioners of African traditional religions. Within the Christian bloc, Catholics constitute one of the largest denominations. Current estimates place Catholics at roughly 30% to 35% of the national population, translating into several million Catholics.

This scale gives the Catholic Church measurable public presence. Parishes are numerous, Catholic diocesan structures are well developed, and lay movements are active across urban and rural areas. The Church is not a marginal actor; it is a central stakeholder in national life.

Growth trends remain steady rather than explosive. Unlike some East African contexts where Catholic numbers have surged, Cameroon's expansion is incremental and closely tied to demographic growth. Nonetheless, vocations to the priesthood and Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) continue at levels that sustain ecclesial institutions.

In Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV will encounter a people of God neither defensive nor peripheral but fully embedded in national society.

2. It has a robust ecclesiastical structure and metropolitan sees.

The Catholic Church in Cameroon is organized into five ecclesiastical provinces, each headed by a metropolitan archbishop. These include Yaoundé, Bamenda, Douala, Garoua, and Bertoua.

The Archdiocese of Yaoundé serves the political capital and functions as a strategic center for Church-state engagement. Douala, the country's economic hub, anchors the Littoral region and reflects the Church's engagement with commerce, urbanization, and migration.

Bamenda, in the Anglophone Northwest Region, carries particular pastoral and political weight due to ongoing instability in that part of the country. Garoua Archdiocese is in the north of the country, while Bertoua Archdiocese is in the east.

The bishops collectively operate through the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, which regularly issues pastoral letters on social, political, and moral issues.

Pope Leo XIV's decision to visit three metropolitan sees signals a recognition of Cameroon's regional diversity and ecclesial complexity.

3. The Church in Cameroon has deep historical roots.

Catholic missionary activity in Cameroon dates to the late 19th century, particularly under German colonial administration and later French and British rule. Missionaries established schools, clinics, and parishes that became foundational to local communities.

Over time, ecclesial leadership transitioned from missionary congregations to Indigenous clergy. Today, Cameroonian Catholic bishops and priests lead the Church across the country, and missionary institutes have shifted toward collaboration rather than control.

This historical trajectory — from missionary implantation to local ownership — has shaped a confident Church. Catholic institutions in education and health care are not peripheral supplements; they are pillars of national infrastructure.

The historical memory of missionary sacrifice and local perseverance still informs Catholic identity in Cameroon. Papal visits are therefore received not as external interventions but as moments of communion within an already mature ecclesial body.

4. The Church leads in education and health.

Few institutions in Cameroon rival the Catholic Church in educational reach. Catholic primary and secondary schools are widespread, often regarded for discipline and academic performance. The Church also sponsors tertiary institutions and teacher training colleges.

Health care is similarly significant. Catholic hospitals and clinics serve urban centers and remote areas alike. In regions where public health systems are strained, Catholic Church-run facilities frequently fill service gaps.

This social footprint gives the Catholic Church influence but also responsibility. It must negotiate regulatory frameworks, maintain quality standards, and manage financial sustainability.

This also means that papal messaging on social justice, youth formation, and health care ethics resonates concretely rather than abstractly.

In Cameroon, the Church's credibility is measured as much by service delivery as by liturgical vitality.

5. Catholic leaders play a role in political and social realities.

Cameroon's Catholic bishops have consistently engaged in public discourse on governance, elections, corruption, and national unity. Pastoral letters issued around electoral cycles often emphasize transparency, accountability, and peaceful participation.

This engagement places the Church in a delicate position. While she does not function as a political party, she operates as a moral voice. Her statements can attract both public support and governmental scrutiny.

The Anglophone crisis in the northwest and southwest regions — marked by tension between separatist groups and state forces — has intensified the Church's mediating role. Bishops in affected regions, particularly in Bamenda, have appealed for dialogue and protection of civilians.

Pope Leo XIV's visit to Bamenda is therefore not merely ceremonial. It unfolds against a backdrop of social fragility and political complexity. Any public remarks in that region will be closely analyzed for diplomatic nuance.

6. The Cameroon Church sees many religious vocations.

Cameroon is considered one of the more fruitful Churches in central Africa in terms of religious vocations. Major seminaries in the country train diocesan clergy, and religious congregations attract local candidates.

The presence of Indigenous clergy has allowed the Church to contextualize liturgy, catechesis, and pastoral strategy. Inculturation — integrating elements of local culture within Catholic worship and life — has developed within the framework permitted by universal Church norms.

However, vocations also present governance challenges: ensuring adequate formation, preventing clericalism, and addressing global concerns about safeguarding and accountability. As elsewhere, the Cameroonian Church must navigate expectations of transparency and ethical leadership.

A papal visit often includes meetings with clergy and religious. In Cameroon, such encounters are likely to reinforce standards of pastoral responsibility and ecclesial communion.

7. The Church here enjoys linguistic, cultural, and religious pluralism.

Cameroon is frequently described as "Africa in miniature" due to its linguistic and cultural diversity. The country officially operates in both French and English, with numerous Indigenous languages in daily use.

This diversity shapes ecclesial life. The Church must minister across Francophone and Anglophone regions, urban and rural contexts, and varied ethnic identities. Liturgies may incorporate local languages and music while maintaining doctrinal unity.

Religiously, Cameroon is pluralistic. Alongside Catholics are Protestants, Pentecostals, Muslims, and adherents of traditional religions. Inter-Christian competition — particularly with rapidly growing Pentecostal movements — poses pastoral challenges. The Catholic Church must articulate its identity in an environment where charismatic worship and prosperity preaching attract large followings.

Interreligious coexistence with Muslim communities, particularly in northern regions, remains a factor in national stability. The Church has often collaborated with Muslim leaders to promote peace and counter extremism.

For Pope Leo XIV, this pluralistic setting requires calibrated messaging — affirming Catholic identity without undermining interreligious harmony.

8. Cameroon hosted a previous papal visit.

In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited Cameroon, marking a major ecclesial event that included the promulgation of the Instrumentum Laboris for the Second Synod for Africa. That visit reinforced Cameroon's role within the continental Church.

Pope Leo XIV's 2026 journey will inevitably be compared with past papal engagements. Expectations will be shaped by memory: large public liturgies, strong doctrinal messages, and calls for ethical governance.

This story was first published on March 12, 2026, by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, and has been updated.

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