Catholic News

Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) honored Archbishop Paul Coakley with an award for his public opposition to the death penalty during its Justice Reimagined Awards and Celebration at the apostolic nunciature in Washington, D.C.

Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, received CMN's Archbishop Fiorenza Dignity and Life Award, named after civil rights advocate and death penalty abolitionist Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston, at the Oct. 21 event.

Coakley, a longtime advocate against the death penalty including in his home state of Oklahoma, earlier this month condemned the Trump administration's plan to livestream the military execution of the Fort Hood mass shooter, Nidal Hasan. "Our God is the God of life," he said in an Oct. 9 statement. "In no way can Hasan's actions be condoned but this decision is a barbaric promotion of a culture of death and must be reconsidered."

"It goes without saying that I'm very humbled and honored by this this award," Coakley said during his acceptance speech. "Archbishop Fiorenza was a true champion whom I knew as the president of the bishops' conference when I was a brand-new bishop, and I had always admired his work and his convictions and his principles."

"Being in the United States of America at this time has really turned my attention more toward advocating for the condemned on death row and the need for us as a people, as a Church, as a nation to recognize the injustice and the inhumanity of what is being done in our name," he said.

Being in the United States of America at this time has really turned my attention more toward advocating for the condemned on death row and the need for us as a people, as a Church, as a nation to recognize the injustice and the inhumanity of what is being done in our name."

Archbishop Paul Coakley

Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

Coakley shared that he first became aware of the importance of advocating for life in 1973, the year Roe v. Wade was passed into law and the year he graduated from high school. The law, he said, allowed "the wholesale destruction of the most vulnerable and innocent of human lives on a massive scale."

"So for many years, in terms of life issues, opposing abortion and advocating for the right to the life of the unborn was really my primary passion and concern," he said. "Only later did I come to appreciate the meaning of respect for life from conception to its natural end."

Coakley reflected that over time, "seeing up close that life is sacred and that it is to be preserved" ultimately led to him to the conclusion "that human dignity cannot be forfeited, no matter how heinous the crime that a man or woman has committed." 

He noted that during his time as an archbishop in Oklahoma, he was struck by the notion that his home state, like Florida and Texas, "was very solidly pro-life in terms of supporting the right to life of the unborn" but was "unforgiving" in its embrace of capital punishment.

Coakley spoke out in August against the execution of a condemned murderer in Oklahoma, calling for prayers for both the killer's victims and the killer himself while urging a "more humane form of justice."

Concluding his speech, Coakley expressed gratitude to CMN for its advocacy.

"I'm encouraged and hopeful, especially in view of some of the things that have been in the news of late, that we'll all find renewed courage and determination to continue this fight to advocate for the sanctity, the dignity of every human life, from conception to its natural end," he said.

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, apostolic nuncio to the U.S., delivered a message from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressing his closeness to those gathered for the event.

Elizabeth Bruening, a Catholic and two-time Pulitzer-Prize finalist and writer for The Atlantic, also received a Reimagining Justice Award at the event.

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Catholic bishops warned that uncertainty over immigration protections for Ukrainians and Salvadorans could result in deportations and family disruption if temporary protected status (TPS) lapses.

On Oct. 19, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted an alert saying Ukrainian TPS beneficiaries would continue to retain protections, including employment authorization, pending an announcement "made at the appropriate time." The agency posted a similar announcement about El Salvador TPS as a Sept. 9 expiration deadline passed.

TPS is an immigration status granted to eligible foreign nationals from designated countries that are deemed unsafe to return to due to ongoing conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.

U.S. bishops said with more than 170,000 Salvadorans and about 100,000 Ukrainians estimated to hold TPS, the administration should "carefully consider conditions in countries of origin and the threats to human life that could come with forcibly repatriating people." The bishops urged the government to provide meaningful notice about the future of the designations so that families, employers, and communities can plan accordingly, a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) statement said.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which determines whether to extend or end TPS, said in a statement to EWTN News on Oct. 22 that Ukrainians and Salvadorans with TPS will "retain protection" under the program until the agency announces a final decision on the future of the designations.

El Salvador first received TPS in 2001 after devastating earthquakes, and the designation has been repeatedly renewed since then. The U.S. first granted TPS to Ukrainians in April 2022, after Russia's full-scale invasion starting Feb. 24, 2022, made conditions unsafe for many Ukrainians to return home. The United Nations has verified more than 13,000 civilian deaths in Ukraine, while warning the actual toll is likely much higher.

Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, chair-elect of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace, said many Ukrainians relying on TPS in the United States have no home to go back to, according to the USCCB update.

"In recent months, DHS terminated TPS designations for various countries, often while existing conditions in those countries make return of large numbers of people unsafe or impractical," according to a USCCB statement on Sept. 24.

The Trump administration has moved to end TPS for people from more than a dozen countries since 2025, and Lebanon TPS is set to end Nov. 27. TPS for Haiti ended July 27.

Pathway to legal status

U.S. bishops have continued to support legislative efforts "to provide a pathway to permanent legal status for longtime residents of the United States." Bishops have supported legislation such as H.R. 1589 that would provide a pathway to permanent residency for certain "dreamers" (those brought to the U.S. illegally as children by family) and other immigrants with temporary protections while expanding access to green cards for some TPS and Deferred Enforced Departure recipients.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, "would create a long-term solution for those in this situation who have contributed positively to the fabric of American life and have established equities in the country, such as having U.S.-citizen spouses and children, owning businesses, and more," the USCCB statement said.

Another bill (H.R. 10740) introduced in the U.S. House on Oct. 5 would extend temporary protected status for eligible Ukrainians by redesignating protections until July 1, 2029.

In April, the House passed legislation, H.R. 1689, that would extend TPS for Haitians for three more years. No legislative efforts have gained traction in the Senate.

'In limbo'

Without any formal notice from DHS about the status of El Salvador's TPS, it has left communities "in limbo," said Lizbeth Iniguez, immigration attorney at Alba Law in Long Beach, California.

"At the moment, we hear a lot of fear, especially in the Salvadoran community … we can only tell them how to prepare," Iniguez said.

David Spicer, USCCB's policy and engagement director, said Catholic Charities and other Church ministries are seeing growing demand as families lose legal protections and work authorization.

"They're seeing people having to grapple with the loss of the legal protection, their work authorization, families struggling to make ends meet. Then more people turn to Catholic services for things like food and housing assistance," Spicer said.

Uncertainty about TPS status could expose longtime U.S. residents to deportation, family separation, and the loss of work authorization, according to U.S. bishops.

"I think Haiti is probably the most serious example of this. It is objectively unsafe for large numbers of people to be forcibly repatriated to Haiti at this time," Spicer said. "When you consider that this is also a factor in several other countries where they are no longer TPS designations … it really does set up the opportunity, if not the loss of human life, then the harm that could be inflicted on the people."

Spicer said the TPS uncertainty also was "going to hurt employers … they're having an even harder time because they've lost workers who were relying on employment authorization that they had through TPS."

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In Brazil this Sunday, Oct. 25, socialist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers' Party, currently serving as president, will face off at the polls against Liberal Party candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

The runoff follows the first round that took place on Oct. 4, with results that demonstrated the sharp political polarization within the world's most populous Catholic country. Bolsonaro secured 47.1% of the valid votes, compared with 40.5% for Da Silva.

The political tension reached new heights following a heated Oct. 18 debate between the two candidates. It was the first face-to-face encounter of the electoral contest, and according to Datafolha, it has had an immediate impact: Voter preference has shifted slightly in favor of Bolsonaro.

The latest poll indicates that 47% of Brazilians intend to vote for the conservative candidate, while 45% favor Da Silva, a result that is essentially a statistical dead heat.

Accusations of corruption

"The quality of the debate has been very low," said journalist Marcelo Musa Cavallari, editor-in-chief of ACI Digital, the Portuguese-language sister service of EWTN News.

"Both candidates focused far more on accusing their opponent of crimes and corruption, while there was very little real discussion of proposals for the country or ideas for the nation's development."

Certainly, one of the key moments of the debate involved the mutual accusations regarding corruption cases linked to Da Silva and to Bolsonaro's inner circle.

The current president spent 580 days in prison between 2018 and 2019, following his conviction for accepting bribes — totaling over a million dollars — from a construction firm, which he used to renovate and furnish a three-story luxury apartment in São Paulo.

Da Silva was released from prison following a ruling by the Supreme Federal Court, which annulled his conviction on the grounds that his rights had not been upheld during the legal proceedings. At least eight other cases remain open in the courts against da Silva, involving charges of corruption, influence peddling, and money laundering.

Meanwhile, the Bolsonaro family is not exempt from accusations. Flávio himself is currently under investigation by the Brazilian justice system for alleged crimes involving corruption, money laundering, and currency evasion.

At the same time, Eduardo — Jair's son and Flávio's younger brother — was sentenced this year by the Supreme Federal Court to more than four years in prison for coercing the justice system and attempting foreign interference. Furthermore, he has been barred from holding political office for eight years. Eduardo Bolsonaro has taken refuge in the United States.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro is serving a sentence of more than 27 years handed down by the Supreme Federal Court after being found guilty of an attempted coup d'état, violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, and participation in an armed criminal organization.

Issues of particular interest to Catholics

When asked about the candidates' positions on issues of particular interest to Catholics, Cavallari explained that as is the case in much of the Western world, it is the left-wing parties, such as those represented by Da Silva, that advocate for abortion.

"For his part, Flávio Bolsonaro enjoys the support of Protestant churches," he said. According to Datafolha, the candidate is backed by 59% of Protestants, which represents his "greatest advantage." Cavallari noted that the evangelical community makes up "a significant part of the pro-life movement in Brazil."

Furthermore, regarding crime and insecurity, the veteran journalist noted that Da Silva "is seen as highly untrustworthy by voters." In contrast, Bolsonaro has the support of several senators who "have served as police officers or police chiefs," which contributes to a "much tougher stance" when it comes to security.

Various polls identify security as the primary concern for Brazilian voters, followed closely by economic issues. Regarding the latter, Cavallari noted that Da Silva's economic proposals have not had the expected impact on the electorate and, in practice, would entail an enormous cost — "billions of reais" (the national currency) — to the national treasury.

Over the past year, the Brazilian economy has experienced a period of moderate slowdown. In September, year-on-year inflation reached 4.58%, an uptick driven primarily by the rising global cost of energy and fuel.

"The money isn't there; it's impossible to pay for everything he promised. So, this is purely an electoral ploy. In the future, making a promise that one knows cannot be kept could even be considered an electoral crime," noted Cavallari, referring to Da Silva's proposal to ease the debt burden on Brazilian families through the "Desenrola Brasil 3.0" plan.

The proposal is an aggressive financial rescue plan under which the Brazilian state would directly purchase portfolios of delinquent debt from banks, subsequently refinancing them for citizens with discounts ranging from at least 90% up to 95%. This has been one of the socialist candidate's primary campaign proposals.

What will determine the outcome of the election?

A factor that could tip the scales in the runoff, Cavallari explained, is the electorate's "desire for renewal." Da Silva, who is 80 years old, has been a presidential candidate since 1989 and is now running for his fourth, nonconsecutive term.

"He is a very well-known figure. He is the man who has spent the most time in the Brazilian presidency in the country's history," Cavallari said. "There is a sense of fatigue regarding Lula."

On the other hand, he noted that there is currently an "institutional crisis" affecting almost every sector of public life. Much of this, Cavallari continued, "is perceived by the electorate as being Lula's responsibility."

In this regard, the Brazilian journalist emphasized that a potential victory for Flávio Bolsonaro would be "almost an act of revenge" for his supporters, who seek to vindicate former President Jair Bolsonaro, a man they view as being persecuted by a Brazilian justice system affected by the crisis, allegedly instrumentalized by Da Silva and the local left. "That is why the tension in Brazil is so high," he observed.

In June, the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil issued a message urging voters to cast a conscious, ethical vote committed to the common good, while also stating that "the Catholic Church does not endorse candidates or parties."

The bishops warned against corruption, vote-buying, disinformation, and political polarization while denouncing the "scandalous social inequality" the country is experiencing.

However, Cavallari reflected on the support that some bishops have shown for the candidates, noting that "it is difficult" to say whether these expressions of support influence the Catholic vote, as one must distinguish between "how Brazil's bishops think and how the Catholic faithful think."

"The point is that the Workers' Party, Lula's party, was to a large extent a creation of Brazil's progressive Catholic Church. Within the National Conference of Bishops, there remains a strong preference for, and significant support for, Lula — even though they have committed to not taking an official stance in favor of any particular candidate," he explained.

"In the first round of these elections, Lula saw his worst performance among Catholic voters. Although he secured a majority, it is the smallest majority he has ever received in any of his candidacies," Cavallari said.

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

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Pope Leo XIV reiterated the Church's stance against antisemitism and all forms of religious discrimination, recalling the work of St. John Paul II in promoting dialogue between Catholics and Jews.

The pontiff held a private audience on Thursday with a delegation from the American Jewish Committee, one of several meetings he has held with Jewish leaders since his election as pope in 2025.

During the audience, coinciding with the liturgical feast day of St. John Paul II, Leo praised the Polish pope's efforts to advance Catholic-Jewish dialogue, recalling his address to their delegation in 1995.

"Addressing the board of governors of your committee in 1995, he observed that 'dialogue between Christians and Jews must find eloquent expression in the life of both our communities,'" Leo said in his address.

"These words remain relevant today, as reflected in your organization's long-standing commitment to dialogue and cooperation with the Catholic Church."

As he did in June during a meeting with the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York, Leo reflected on the progress of Catholic-Jewish dialogue since the 1965 publication of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council's declaration condemning all forms of antisemitism.

"Rooted in our shared spiritual heritage, this friendship also calls us to defend human dignity, serve the poor, protect religious freedom, and promote justice and peace. Essential to this commitment is the rejection of all forms of religious and ethnic hatred and discrimination," Leo said.

Reiterating the Church's stance against antisemitism, he added that differences of opinion between Catholics and Jews "must never give rise to prejudice and hostility" and that fraternity between them will "certainly contribute to building a more peaceful world."

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With less than a year to go until World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul, South Korea, Pope Leo XIV invited young Catholics worldwide to register and to view the event as a pilgrimage rather than just a trip to a new place.

"This is not merely an invitation to see a new city; it is a call to set out on a pilgrimage of faith, friendship, and hope," Leo said in a video message.

The Vatican released the pontiff's message on Thursday, coinciding with the liturgical feast of St. John Paul II, who established WYD in 1985. In his message, Leo referred to his predecessor, who invited the young to "open wide the doors for Christ."

"Providentially, today we celebrate the liturgical memory of St. John Paul II, who continuously proclaimed to all peoples, 'Do not be afraid, open wide the doors for Christ.' These words also apply to each one of you," Leo said.

The pope, who is expected to attend, also reminded young Catholics what to look forward to as they register for WYD 2027: unity in diversity.

"In Seoul, you will meet young people from all across the world, representing a beautiful and rich variety of languages and cultures," the pope said.

"Yet, despite these differences, and indeed because of your God-given diversity, you will experience an even greater sense of unity, for we are all members of the one body of Christ."

WYD 2027 registration

The next World Youth Day will take place in Seoul from Aug. 3–8, 2027.

In a press release accompanying the pope's message, the WYD 2027 organizers urged those registering to do so as groups. As explained in the press release, registration takes place in two phases: first, the group leader creates a group account, and second, the group leader adds each member's information. Registration is complete once payment is made.

Pilgrims are offered 11 packages to choose from, ranging from $70 to $340, depending on the type of stay, and including public transportation and a pilgrim kit.

Registrations can be made on the WYD 2027 website.

Theme song, patron saints, and Korean hospitality

The theme of WYD 2027 is taken from the Gospel of John 16:33: "Take Courage! I Have Overcome the World."

On Aug. 3, the WYD 2027 countdown began with the premiere of its official theme song, "Confidite, Ego Vici Mundum" ("Take Courage, I Have Overcome the World," in Latin), on YouTube. The song was composed by Korean composer Francis Jiyoon Kim.

St. John Paul II and four other saints are patrons of WYD 2027: St. Andrew Kim Taegon and his companion martyrs, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Josephine Bakhita, and St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint to be canonized.

In a July press release ahead of the countdown, Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung of Seoul, president of the local organizing committee, expressed hope that the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims expected in Seoul will experience the hospitality of the South Korean people.

"Over the past three years, we have concentrated on laying the foundations for the event. The year ahead will be the time to complete our preparations and welcome young people from every part of the world," Chung said.

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The Schoenstatt movement in Germany has asked people who knew its founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, to share memories and documents as research into allegations against him continues, including any experiences of possible abuse.

In 2020, abuse allegations against Kentenich became public, and the Diocese of Trier suspended his beatification cause in 2022.

The appeal, published Oct. 15 on the movement's German website, explicitly invites accounts of experiences "perceived as crossing boundaries or as abusive."

"Historical research into the allegations against Father Joseph Kentenich is in full swing and far from complete," the movement said.

Schoenstatt has a contact page for people seeking to participate.

"Incriminating evidence may be confirmed; it may equally turn out that allegations must be seen in a different light and that the suspicion against him cannot be substantiated," the organization said.

Submissions will be "collected, treated confidentially and not prejudged." Because the research will likely take years, it said, "hasty judgments should be avoided."

"For many people in Schoenstatt, Father Kentenich is one of the formative spiritual figures of their lives," the movement said. That bond "is not devalued by open research — any more than open research could erase negative experiences."

Accusations raised in 2020

In 2020, Church historian Alexandra von Teuffenbach accused Kentenich of engaging in manipulative and coercive behavior with members of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, citing files from a 1950s apostolic visitation.

The movement rejected the accusations. "We firmly reject the accusation that Joseph Kentenich was guilty of sexual abuse of members of the Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary," its leadership said in a July 2020 statement.

In May 2022, Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier suspended the cause, opened in 1975, after consulting the Vatican.

"The discussions of the last two years have shown that there is a need for in-depth research into the person and work of Joseph Kentenich," he said at the time. The diocese said the suspension was not a judgment on Kentenich's life and work.

Born in 1885 and ordained a Pallottine priest in 1910, Kentenich founded Schoenstatt in 1914 in Vallendar, near Koblenz. After a Vatican-ordered visitation, he was separated from the movement in 1951 and spent most of the next 14 years in Milwaukee. He died in 1968.

According to the movement, Schoenstatt is present in more than 110 countries worldwide today.

This story was first published by CNA Deutsch, the German-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Poland's Parliament passed two bills on Oct. 20 to ease the country's abortion law, though both are likely to face a veto from President Karol Nawrocki.

The bills passed the lower house, Sejm, but still need Senate approval and the president's signature.

Reuters reported that Nawrocki has signaled he would block any liberalization and that the legislation is "almost certain to be vetoed."

The first bill, an amendment to the penal code, passed 217-213 with three abstentions, according to the Polish news agency PAP. Opponents included the Law and Justice (PiS) party and 14 members of the Polish People's Party (PSL), a partner in the governing coalition.

It would repeal the provision under which anyone who terminates a pregnancy with the woman's consent outside the law faces up to three years in prison. Helping or persuading a woman to have such an abortion would also no longer be a crime. Women themselves are not penalized under current law. A similar bill failed 218-215 in July 2024.

The second bill passed 233-203 with one abstention. It seeks to reverse an Oct. 22, 2020, Constitutional Tribunal ruling that abortion for severe and irreversible fetal impairment is unconstitutional. Such abortions have not been legal since the ruling was published in January 2021.

Abortion is now legal only when the pregnancy threatens the woman's life or health, or up to 12 weeks if it resulted from a crime.

PiS lawmaker Marcin Warchol criticized Prime Minister Donald Tusk's coalition, saying abortion is murder and that the law shapes consciences, according to the Catholic weekly Niedziela. He said the "December 13 coalition," a reference to the date Tusk's government took office in 2023, wants "a soulless and amoral society."

The coalition lacks the three-fifths majority in the Sejm needed to override a veto, according to the news portal naTemat.

As a candidate in January 2025, Nawrocki said on Polsat News he would not sign a law restoring the so-called abortion compromise in place before the 2020 ruling. He said he could not allow children with Down syndrome to be aborted, PAP reported at the time.

Catholic perspective

"As a person and a bishop of the Church, I will not change my mind," Bishop Artur Wazny of Sosnowiec wrote in a statement published the same day by the Polish edition of Aleteia.

He added that the defense of the defenseless, especially the unborn human being, is an absolute foundation he cannot and does not want to abandon.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception and that formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense (Nos. 2270, 2272).

In his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae, St. John Paul II wrote that direct and voluntary killing of an innocent human being is always gravely immoral.

This story was first published by CNA Deutsch, the German-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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A new book authored by Cardinal Fernando Filoni delves into God's personal relationships with biblical figures and saints over the past 4,000 years, beginning with Abraham, the father of the faith, and continuing to contemporary saints such as Mother Teresa and Edith Stein.

During a visit to the United States, Filoni, the grand master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, discussed the book, "My Days Are in Your Hands: Men and Women in the Footsteps of Jesus," with Erik Rosales on "EWTN News Nightly."

"They are not extraordinary," Filoni said of the holy figures in the book; rather, "they became extraordinary."

"They were normal people, as all the others in the world, as we are normal people," he said. "What is important in their life to become extraordinary? They were touched by the grace of God, and they answered to this grace of God."

Filoni also discussed the book on "EWTN Live" with Father Mitch Pacwa. The book is "not a biography" of the people, Filoni explained to Pacwa, but rather a  more specific analysis of their unique relationships with God, how God worked in their lives, and how those experiences relate to God's relationships with people today.

It evaluates people "who are touched by the finger of God, in their sufferings, in their problems, in their difficult lives, [and how] they were touched by the grace of God," Filoni said.

Filoni told Pacwa the book gets into the "trauma men like Abraham had in their life," such as his anxiety that "I have no children" and "my wife cannot bear anyone," before God called him to be a father to biological children and to be the father of many nations.

Another section examines the struggles of Moses while wandering the desert after escaping Egypt, when some of the people were unfaithful, unhappy, and critical. The book lays out how God strengthened Moses by appearing as a burning bush and instructing him "to go home and not to lose faith in his Word."

People today, Filoni said, may be struggling "because they are neglected, because they are addicted to drugs, they are abandoned." He asked whether they can have the courage of God amid fear and doubt, saying of all people: "We need the courage of God in our lives."

Filoni also referenced the archangel Gabriel's visit to Mary, when he asked her to bear Christ, the Son of God: "If you say yes," Filoni said, "you have to trust and at the moment, you have to put your life in the hand of God."

Filoni said Joseph's role "was not so easy," because he needed to trust that "this is coming from the Holy Spirit."

He said the spiritual journeys of both Mary and Joseph are important for men and women looking toward marriage. People today, he said, also have the "mission to give life to this world."

Some of the other personalities featured in the book include Ezekiel, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, Helena, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas. The book focuses on not portraying them simply as heroes but rather focuses on their humanity and their struggles and how surrendering to God transformed them.

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You may know that St. John Paul II was the second-longest-serving pope in modern history with 27 years of pontificate, and he was the first non-Italian pontiff since the Dutch Pope Adrian VI in 1523.

But did you know that he also changed the Catholic Church forever during those 27 years? Here are five ways he did that:

1. He helped bring about the 1989 fall of communism in Eastern Europe.

The pope's official biographer, George Weigel, who for decades chronicled the pope's engagement with civic leaders, noted that the way Pope John Paul II influenced the political landscape was enormous. His political influence is seen best in the way his engagement with world leaders assisted the downfall of the U.S.S.R.

Just days before President Ronald Reagan called on Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down" the Berlin Wall, he met with the pope. According to historian and author Paul Kengor, Reagan went so far as to call Pope John Paul II his "best friend," opining that no one knew his soul better than the Polish pontiff who had also suffered an assassination attempt and carried the burden of world leadership.

In the course of 38 official visits and 738 audiences and meetings held with heads of state, John Paul II influenced civic leaders around the world in this epic battle with a regime that would ultimately be responsible for the deaths of more than 30 million people.

"He thought of himself as the universal pastor of the Catholic Church, dealing with sovereign political actors who were as subject to the universal moral law as anybody else," Weigel said.

"He was willing to be a risk-taker, but he also appreciated that prudence is the greatest of political virtues. And I think he was quite respected by world political leaders because of his transparent integrity. His essential attitude toward these men and women was: How can I help you? What can I do to help?"

More than anything, John Paul II understood his role primarily as a spiritual leader.

According to Weigel, the pope's primary impact on the world of affairs was his central role in creating the revolution of conscience that began in Poland and swept across Eastern Europe. This revolution of conscience inspired the nonviolent revolution of 1989 and the collapse of communism in Central and Eastern Europe, an astounding political achievement.

2. He beatified and canonized more saints than any predecessor, making holiness more accessible to ordinary people.

One of John Paul II's most enduring legacies is the huge number of saints he recognized. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies, during which he proclaimed 1,338 blesseds, and celebrated 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. That is more than the combined tally of his predecessors over the five centuries before.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta is perhaps the best-known contemporary of John Paul II who is now officially a saint, but the first saint of the new millennium and one especially dear to John Paul II was St. Faustina Kowalska, the fellow Polish native who received the message of divine mercy.

"Sister Faustina's canonization has a particular eloquence: By this act I intend today to pass this message on to the new millennium," he said in the homily of her canonization. "I pass it on to all people, so that they will learn to know ever better the true face of God and the true face of their brethren."

St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, whom Pope John Paul II beatified in 1990 and nicknamed the "Man of the Beatitudes," is another popular saint elevated by the Polish pope who loved to recognize the holiness of simple persons living the call to holiness with extraordinary fidelity. At the time of his death, the 24-year-old Italian was simply a student with no extraordinary accomplishments. But his love for Christ in the Eucharist and in the poor was elevated by John Paul II as heroic and worthy of imitation. Frassati was canonized Sept. 7, 2025, by Pope Leo XIV.

It bears noting that Pope Francis would later surpass John Paul II when he proclaimed 800 Italian martyrs as saints in a single day.

3. He transformed the papal travel schedule.

John Paul II visited some 129 countries during his pontificate — more countries than any other pope had visited up to that point.

He also created World Youth Days in 1985 and presided over 19 of them as pope.

Weigel said John Paul II understood that the pope must be present to the people of the Church, wherever they are.

"He chose to do it by these extensive travels, which he insisted were not travels, they were pilgrimages," Weigel said.

"This was the successor of Peter, on pilgrimage to various parts of the world, of the Church. And that's why these pilgrimages were always built around liturgical events, prayer, adoration of the holy Eucharist, ecumenical and interreligious gatherings — all of this was part of a pilgrimage experience."

In the latter half of the 20th century — a time of enormous social change and upheaval — John Paul II's extensive travels and proclamation of the Gospel to the ends of the earth were just what the world needed, Weigel said.

4. He made extraordinary contributions to Church teaching.

John Paul II was a scholar who promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1992, reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law during his pontificate, and authored 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, 11 apostolic constitutions, and 45 apostolic letters.

This is why Weigel said the Church has only begun to unpack what he calls the "magisterium" of John Paul II, in the form of his writings and his intellectual influence.

For example, John Paul's theology of the body remains enormously influential in the United States and throughout the world, though Weigel said even this has yet to be unpacked.

5. He gave new life to the Catholic Church in Africa.

John Paul II's legendary evangelical fervor took fire in Africa.

He had a particular friendship with Beninese Cardinal Bernardin Gantin and visited Africa many times. His visits would inspire a generation of JPII Catholics in Africa as well as other parts of the globe.

"John Paul II was fascinated by Africa; he saw African Christianity as living, a kind of New Testament experience of the freshness of the Gospel, and he was very eager to support that, and lift it up," Gantin said.

"It was very interesting that during the two synods on marriage and the family in 2014 and 2015, some of the strongest defenses of the Church's classic understanding of marriage and family came from African bishops. Some of whom are first-, second-generation Christians, deeply formed in the image of John Paul II, whom they regard as a model bishop," Gantin said.

"I think wherever you look around the world Church, the living parts of the Church are those that have accepted the magisterium ... as the authentic interpretation of Vatican II. And the dying parts of the Church, the moribund parts of the Church are those parts that have ignored that magisterium."

John Paul II's influence in Africa and around the globe transformed the world. It also forever transformed the Church.

This story was first published on Oct. 22, 2021, and was updated Oct. 22, 2024, and again on Oct. 22, 2026.

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A U.S.-based Catholic association dedicated to mental health ministry has launched two new online resources to help Catholics better understand the signs of mental health struggles and how to accompany those suffering from it in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.

The International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers presented a trailer for the new online courses at the Vatican on Oct. 10 — World Mental Health Day — during its international meeting being held in Rome and at the Vatican, which was titled "A Healing Presence: The Church's Call to Mental Health Ministry."

The online courses include a one-hour course and a two-hour course. The one-hour course focuses on mental health literacy and aims to help people recognize the signs and symptoms of the most common forms of mental illness such as depression, addiction, trauma, and bipolar disorder.

The two-hour course is titled "Psychological First Aid" and equips individuals with the actual skills and knowledge to be able to help someone in distress.

The video states that the courses are not meant to train people on how to diagnose problems or on how to provide treatment; instead, they merge faith resources with skills to recognize, speak about, and support people showing signs of mental health struggles.

The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) has emphasized the importance of helping those suffering from a mental health issue. Mental Health Sunday is part of the USCCB's National Catholic Mental Health Campaign, a year-round initiative of the U.S. bishops that encourages the faithful to respond and bring awareness to the growing mental health crisis in the country.

While the campaign is a year-round initiative, a special emphasis is placed on the issue every year from Oct. 10–18. During that week, the Novena for Mental Health is prayed and launches World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10). It also includes Mental Health Sunday — which takes place on the Sunday that falls within the time frame of the novena — and ends on the feast of St. Luke (Oct. 18), the patron saint of healthcare.

The novena includes themes related to mental health to reflect on and uses a pray-learn-act structure, which means that each day includes a prayer, a section where participants can learn about mental health issues and about those suffering, and a call to action where participants are encouraged to get involved or do more to spread awareness.

The USCCB encourages parishes and dioceses to launch mental health support resources or to provide materials in the narthex after Masses, take part in the novena as a parish community, invite parishioners to bring their petitions about mental health issues to pray as a community, include mental health issues during the Prayer of the Faithful at all Masses, or offer a blessing for those who work in mental health ministries in preparation for Mental Health Sunday, as well as to continue these initiatives throughout the year.

Pope Leo XIV also called upon the faithful to join in prayer during the month of October for mental health ministry.

"Melancholy, bad character, confusion of senses — today, we understand that behind these old labels lies a deep, silent suffering not only of those affected by mental disorders but also of their loved ones and their communities," Pope Leo said in a video released Oct. 1 on X.

He added: "We live in a world full of tensions, and even as solutions grow so does the number of people in crisis. This October, let us pray for the mental health ministry — an urgent and ever-more-needed service in our Church and in the world."

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people — about 1 in 7 individuals — around the world are living with a mental health disorder.

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