Catholic News

Two U.S. Catholic bishops sent a letter to newly-confirmed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin asking him to prevent immigration authorities from detaining pregnant women and nursing mothers.

"No matter one's immigration status, there is no overarching justification for separating nursing infants from their mothers or endangering the health and safety of pregnant women or their preborn babies," Diocese of Toledo, Ohio, Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Diocese of Victoria, Texas, Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chair of the USCCB Committee on Migration, said in a letter.

"In this regard, we urge you in the strongest possible terms to extend the administration's commitments on life to all vulnerable mothers, infants, and children in the womb," the Ohio and Texas bishops added.

The bishops said they wrote the letter due to "alarming reports of pregnant mothers not getting the medical care they need while in immigration detention, tragically resulting in miscarriage in some cases, as well as reports of nursing mothers being separated from their babies" during detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE), which DHS oversees.

No matter one's immigration status, there is no overarching justification for separating nursing infants from their mothers...

Bishop Daniel Thomas and Bishop Brendan Cahill

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

In the letter, the bishops said they are writing "as pastors compelled by the Gospel's call to uphold the dignity of human life."

"Agency policy still recognizes the vulnerability of these women and their children by generally discouraging their arrest and detention; unfortunately, that policy seems to no longer be followed in practice," they wrote.

The bishops asked that ICE adhere to Directive 11032.4 on the "Identification and Monitoring of Pregnant, Postpartum, or Nursing Individuals," which states that ICE should generally avoid the detention of pregnant women and nursing mothers for an administrative violation of immigration laws.

"[Following this directive] would be consistent with this administration's recent pro-life actions, including those explicitly welcomed by the USCCB's Committee on Pro-Life Activities in January," the bishops wrote.

The bishops also reiterated their concerns from last year when they said U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rescinded certain protections for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Last May, both committees wrote that the CBP change was "deeply troubling and inexcusable."

The USCCB has been at odds with President Donald Trump on immigration policies throughout his presidency. Trump has voiced support for mass deportations of immigrants who entered the country unlawfully, while the bishops have echoed Pope Leo XIV's calls for immigration policies that are less harsh.

In November, the bishops voted 216-5 to approve a message that opposes "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people." In February, the USCCB urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold birthright citizenship, calling the Trump administration's efforts to take it away "immoral."

Mullin is replacing former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was removed from her post and given a role as special envoy for "The Shield of the Americas." In March, the USCCB told EWTN News that the bishops planned to advocate for "just immigration policies that recognize the God-given dignity of all involved" when Mullin took over as secretary.

In their letter on concerns for pregnant women and nursing mothers in detention, the bishops also congratulated Mullin on his confirmation.

"We pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you in your continued service to our country," the bishops wrote.

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Pope Leo XIV visited the community of Augustinian Missionary Sisters in the Algiers neighborhood of Bab el Oued on Monday and honored the memory of two Spanish religious who were shot to death 32 years ago. The sisters had gone to a chapel to attend Sunday Mass.

Sister Esther Paniagua Alonso, 45, was the first to die. She was shot three times in the head just as she was about to enter the Chapel of St. Joseph in the residence of a small community of French nuns.

Also shot was Augustian Sister Caridad Álvarez Martín, 61, who accompanied Sister Esther to the chapel. A native of Burgos, Spain, she passed away hours later in the emergency department of Ain Naya military hospital, where she had been transported by ambulance.

Doctors spent three hours attempting to save her life, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Sister Caridad, as she was known in religious life, died on the operating table with one bullet lodged in her brain and another in her neck, after suffering three cardiac arrests and hemorrhaging.

The murder of Esther and Caridad was not an isolated incident; rather, it occurred within a context of escalating violence against religious personnel. Months earlier, in May 1994, two other missionaries had been killed.

A year earlier, the Armed Islamic Group had declared it would kill all foreigners.

The political crisis in Algeria during the 1990s triggered the Algerian Civil War, in which between 100,000 and 200,000 people were killed.

Sister Maria Jesús Rodríguez, who at the time served as the provincial superior of the Augustinian Missionaries, told the Pontifical Mission Societies that it was because of this heightened danger that the bishops of Algeria requested that religious communities ensure "no one remain in Algeria unless they did so in complete freedom and having made that decision on a personal level."

In October 1994, Rodríguez traveled to Algiers and engaged the 12 nuns living there in a process of discernment regarding the course of action they would take.

For several days, accompanied by the then-archbishop of Algiers, Henri Teissier, the nuns undertook a process of personal and communal discernment.

The issue was clear: Should they stay or leave? Both options were "legitimate," but the decision entailed assuming an obvious risk. "The threat was threefold," according to Rodríguez: The sisters could be killed "for being foreigners, for being Christians, and for simply being there."

On Oct. 7, 1994, each of the sisters freely expressed her decision. All of them chose to stay. They commended to God their choice during the Eucharist. "We felt freer after having made that decision," Rodríguez noted.

'No one takes our lives from us, for we have already given them up'

"The question 'And what if something happens to you?' would invariably come up during meals, to which the sisters would reply: 'If something happens to us, no one takes our lives from us, because we have already given them up,'" recalled Rodríguez, who remained in Algiers for a few weeks and was still there when Esther and Caridad were killed. The two died on World Mission Sunday.

The two murdered consecrated women were among the 19 Martyrs of Algeria who were beatified by Pope Francis in 2018.

Following the recognition of their martyrdom, their families and fellow sisters were able to return to Bab El Oued in 2018. Among them was Ana Maria Guantay, the current superior general of the Augustinian Missionaries.

"After a very long time, we were able to return to the house, and in the chapel we celebrated the first Eucharist since their martyrdom. I get emotional when I recall it, because it was a place made sacred by the lives of the sisters; one could say that even the walls exuded their presence, for it was there that they prayed, discerned, and wept over the people's suffering and [their own sense of] powerlessness," she told the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Currently, the Augustinian Missionary Sisters have transformed the house into a center for welcome and friendship for Algerian women and children.

"We help these children experience peace; that it's possible to live together, regardless of our cultures or religious traditions: God makes us brothers and sisters through goodness, through love, and through our capacity to help one another get back on our feet," she explained.

Pope Leo visited the community in 2009 when he served as prior of the Augustinians.

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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Religious Liberty commissioners met for the final scheduled meeting and urged that the commission continue to "persevere in monitoring" threats to religious liberty.

Chair Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Vice Chair Ben Carson hosted the April 13 meeting with members Ryan Anderson; Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota; and Allyson Ho among others on the panel that was created by President Donald Trump to advocate for freedom of religious belief.

They discussed recommendations to Trump on how to protect religious freedom and reflected on the past year of sessions. While the hearing was the last scheduled meeting, many proposed that it continue to meet in some capacity as "threats to religious freedom both at home and abroad are not disappearing anytime soon," Barron said.

Reiterating a statement he said at the first hearing, Barron said: "The principal enemy of religious liberty in our country is what I call the ideology of self invention."

"This is the philosophical program that denies the objectivity of moral values and the stability of human nature, and which proposes consequently that individual choice alone is the determiner of purpose and meaning," he said.

"This dictatorship of relativism has taken hold in many of our institutions of government, education, and health care and its advocates correctly recognize that their most important intellectual opponents are precisely those who subscribe to traditional religion," he said.

"It's no exaggeration to say that the proponents of the culture of self invention want religion out of the pivotal institutions of our society," he said.

"This philosophical opposition manifests itself in a number of concrete ways," Barron said. He detailed "the anti-religious violence that's been increasing dramatically in our country over the past five to 10 years," including attacks on churches, statues, and religious peoples.

"In regard to health care, the culture of self invention expresses itself in an aggressive attitude toward those physicians and nurses who refuse on religious grounds to participate in certain medical procedures," he said.

It is seen in "mandates regarding abortion and contraception, IVF insurance mandates to which Catholics strenuously object, and the requirement to perform so-called gender transition surgeries," Barron said.

Also, "under this health care rubric, we should continue to advocate for pro-life demonstrators who simply want the right to pray at sites where abortions are being performed," Barron said. Criminalizing such righteous activity is a gross violation of religious liberty, he said.

Barron detailed the need to protect religious social service organizations, including Catholic Charities, promote parents as most important educators of their children, and never require priests to break the seal of confession because it is a "gross violation of the free exercise clause of the First Amendment."

Barron also noted the need to continue to work against the rise of antisemitism, which is "encouraged by figures on both the left and the right sides of the political spectrum."

The bishop concluded by addressing immigration, saying the Church "insists that those Catholics who are incarcerated in connection to immigration violations have a right to humane treatment and access to the sacraments," he said.

Catholics who are incarcerated in connection to immigration violations have a right to humane treatment and access to the sacraments.

Bishop Robert Barron

Member, Religious Liberty Commission

"I … urge the president to allow this commission to continue in some form going forward," Barron said. He added: "I believe it's very much in the national interest to persevere in monitoring them."

"Yes, we would like to continue," Patrick said in agreement. "Our charter expires in a couple of months, and I think if we all sent a letter and signed it to the president, we'd like to continue to monitor the outcome and to continue to have hearings as needed as stories break and news breaks would be a great privilege."

Protection of faith-based organizations

At the final session, the commission also welcomed two panels of witnesses to discuss how religious liberty has facilitated human flourishing in American history and how faith communities help to combat problems facing the U.S. today.

The panel included testimony from Sister Mary Elizabeth, SV, a Sister of Life ministering to women and children in need, who spoke about the important work faith ministries accomplish and the threats facing them today.

"Ours is just one of thousands of religious ministries seeking to be such a light in the world to create a society in which people are cared for, valued, and protected," Sister Mary Elizabeth said.

The Sisters of Life engage "in a variety of works in order to share this love" through ministering to women and children in need, helping women facing crisis pregnancies, and assisting those who are recovering from abortion, she said.

She detailed legal issues the sisters have faced including in 2022, when "the state of New York passed a law targeting our ministry to pregnant women," she said. "It allowed government officials to force pregnancy centers, but only those that do not perform abortion, to turn over internal documents, including sensitive information about the women we serve."

She also addressed the "dangerous" situation facing the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne in New York who have provided comfort and nursing for patients with incurable cancer for 125 years, but the government is warning them about restricting rooms and bathrooms to one sex and failing to use preferred personal pronouns for transgender patients.

"Jesus said, 'Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do to me.' So our religion actually impels us forth to charitable service to others," she said.

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Catholic bishops and U.S. elected officials have publicly criticized the president's statements about Pope Leo XIV.

President Donald Trump called Leo "weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy" in a lengthy social media post April 12 that drew response from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and elected officials. On April 13, Trump said he would not apologize to Pope Leo. "Because Pope Leo said things that are wrong," Trump said.

Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, called Trump's attack on Pope Leo XIV "disrespectful." Barron, who serves on Trump's Religious Liberty Commission, said in a post on X that Trump's comments "were entirely inappropriate and disrespectful" and "I think the president owes the pope an apology."

"[Trump's comments] don't contribute at all to a constructive conversation," he said. "It is the pope's prerogative to articulate Catholic doctrine and the principles that govern the moral life. In regard to the concrete application of those principles, people of goodwill can and do disagree."

Barron encouraged Catholic Trump officials to arrange a meeting with Vatican officials "so that a real dialogue can take place," saying "this is far preferable to the statements on social media."

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, said in a social media post: "Along with Archbishop [Paul] Coakley, president of the USCCB, and my brother bishops, I was disheartened by recent comments from President Trump concerning Pope Leo XIV and the Church. I pray that civility and respect are fully restored as together, with God's grace, we work for peace and harmony among all people. May we also be united in our prayer for the end of war and violence so that Christ's peace reigns throughout the world and in our hearts."

Palm Beach, Florida, Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez posted on X: "The @DiocesePB stands firm with our Holy Father, @Pontifex, and strongly rejects the disrespectful and violent attacks that Donald J. Trump has directed against the Holy Father."

Buffalo, New York, Bishop Michael Fisher posted on X: "This is not about politics but the very cause of humanity."

The Catholic Association's Ashley McGuire said in a statement: "The Catholic Church does not in any way fit into American political boxes. It will always prioritize the protection of innocent life in all its stages as well as the cause of the poor and marginalized. Insulting the pope, and all Catholics by extension, with the hope of making the Church bend to American political agendas, is discouraging and counterproductive."

McGuire added: "We pray that President Trump apologizes to Pope Leo."

U.S. officials' reaction begins

Republican Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, has not yet commented on the matter, nor has Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also a Catholic.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, who is Catholic, posted on X that "I find it abhorrent that the president of the United States would publicly attack the successor of St. Peter."

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on X that Trump "shamefully attacked" the pope. Few Republican elected officials have spoken out.

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Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X: "Hey @GOP, you good with your guy directly attacking the pope now?"

Rep. Lukas Schubert, a Republican Montana state lawmaker, disputed the president's statement that the pope is a "liberal person."

"Pope Leo is significantly further to the right than President Trump on abortion, gay marriage, and family values. Also he is more America First on the Iran War," Schubert said.

AI image

Trump also posted, and later deleted, an AI-created image on Truth Social that appeared to portray himself as Jesus Christ, healing the sick, which led several Catholics to accuse the president of blasphemy.

Edward Feser, a Catholic philosopher and professor at Pasadena City College, posted on X that Trump's comments illustrate "how utter enslavement to the sin of pride makes a man unsuitable for the presidency."

"For all their faults, previous presidents had the visceral understanding of proper boundaries not to attack the vicar of Christ even when they disagreed with him," he said.

Feser quoted Daniel 11:36-37 in response to Trump's AI image of himself as Christ, which reads: "And the king shall do according to his will; he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods … He shall not give heed to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all."

In reaction to the AI photo, Matt Fradd, the host of "Pints With Aquinas," urged Catholics to "offer a rosary today for Donald Trump and all blasphemers. ... Seriously. Do it. I will too."

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Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, did not directly reference Trump's remarks about the pope but criticized the AI-created image on X: "There aren't enough words to denounce how wrong this is."

The comments came after Leo criticized the Iran war and Trump's rhetoric about targeting the entire civilization of Iran. Leo said in response to the post: "I have no fear neither of the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel."

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Republican congresswoman who was a strong ally of Trump before splitting with him on the Iran war and his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, posted on X that Trump "attacked the pope because the pope is rightly against Trump's war in Iran and then he posted this picture of himself as if he is replacing Jesus."

"This comes after last week's post of his evil tirade on Easter and then threatening to kill an entire civilization," she said. "I completely denounce this and I'm praying against it!!!"

'Fuels division'

Father Robert Sirico, the founder of the Acton Institute, said in a statement that Leo "has both the right and the duty to speak prophetically on matters of war and peace, the dignity of the human person, and the moral limits of force — even when his words discomfort political leaders."

He said Trump's post does not "strengthen America's moral standing but "merely fuels division."

Sirico also added that Catholics can disagree with popes on prudential judgments, such as foreign policy or crime, which he said are not infallible: "The Church herself teaches that such applications of principle admit of legitimate debate."

Toby Capion contributed to this story.

This story was updated at 11:50 a.m. ET on April 13, 2026, with comments from Buffalo, New York, Bishop Michael Fisher and The Catholic Association's Ashley McGuire. It was further updated at 1:45 p.m. ET on April 13, 2026, to indicate that Trump refused to apologize and that the AI post was deleted.

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ALGIERS, Algeria — The first day of Pope Leo XIV's international apostolic journey to Africa concluded with an encounter with the Algerian community at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers.

"It is with profound joy and fatherly affection that I meet with you today, you whose discrete and precious presence in this land is marked by an ancient heritage and by luminous witnesses of the faith," Pope Leo said after listening to several testimonies.

"Your community has deep roots indeed. You are the heirs of a host of witnesses who gave their lives, motivated by love for God and neighbor," he continued. "I am particularly reminded of the 19 men and women religious who were martyred in Algeria, choosing to stand alongside this people in its joys and sorrows. Their blood is a living seed that never ceases to bear fruit."

After fulfilling the more formal engagements — beginning with the late-morning meeting with the president of the Algerian Republic, authorities, and the diplomatic corps — Leo on Monday afternoon received the embrace of the Algerian Catholic community, present despite heavy rain.

At the opening of the meeting, the pope knelt in adoration in front of a tabernacle containing the Eucharist.

"You are also heirs to a still more ancient tradition, dating back to the early centuries of Christianity," he said in a speech delivered in French. "In this land resounded the fervent voice of Augustine of Hippo, preceded by the testimony of his mother, St. Monica, and of other saints. Their memory shines as a call to be authentic signs of communion, dialogue, and peace today."

"To all of you, dear friends, and to those who are not able to be present but are following this meeting from afar," he added, "I express my gratitude for your daily commitment to manifest the maternal heart of the Church."

After thanking Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga and a religious sister, Pentecostal student, basilica guide, and Muslim woman who had spoken, the pope invited those present to reflect on three essential aspects of Christian life.

"First, prayer. We all need to pray. … Prayer unites, humanizes, strengthens, and purifies the heart. Through prayer, the Church in Algeria sows humanity, unity, strength, and purity, reaching places known only to the Lord," he said.

Turning to charity, Leo emphasized that mercy and service are not merely practical assistance but places of grace and mutual growth.

"After all, it is precisely love for their brothers and sisters that inspired the witness of the martyrs we have commemorated. In the face of hatred and violence, they remained faithful to charity even to the point of sacrificing themselves alongside many other men and women, Christians and Muslims. They did so without ostentation or fanfare, with serenity and steadfastness, neither falling into presumption nor despair, for they knew the One in whom they had placed their trust."

Addressing peace and unity, Pope Leo recalled that this was the central theme of his visit.

"In a world where division and wars sow pain and death among nations, in communities, and even within families, your experience of unity and peace is a compelling sign. Together, you spread fraternity and inspire a deep longing for communion and reconciliation with a powerful and clear message that is borne in simplicity and humility," the pope said.

"A considerable part of this country's territory is desert, and in the desert, no one can survive alone. The hostile environment dispels any presumptions of self-sufficiency, reminding us that we need one another, and that we need God," he said. "When we acknowledge our fragility, our hearts become open to supporting one another and to invoking the One who can grant what no human power can ensure: the profound reconciliation of hearts and, with it, true peace."

Before reaching the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, Pope Leo XIV stopped at the Great Mosque of Algiers and earlier at the center of hospitality and friendship of the Augustinian Missionary Sisters in Bab El Oued.

There, the pope paid homage to the memory of several religious sisters of this community killed during the civil war in the 1990s. After praying with the sisters and listening to the words of their superior, Leo XIV recalled the martyrs as a precious presence in the land and as a sign of the heart of Augustinian life: witness, even unto martyrdom.

"Your presence here means a great deal," the Holy Father said, recalling a previous visit and highlighting the legacy of St. Augustine in the region: promoting respect for the dignity of every person and affirming that it is possible to live in peace while valuing differences.

Before departing, he thanked the sisters and encouraged them to persevere, recalling that the feast of the 19 martyrs of Algeria falls on May 8 — the day of his election.

Tomorrow, Pope Leo XIV will make what he described as a true return to his roots, with a visit to Hippo, where St. Augustine — founder of the order to which the pope belongs — served as bishop from A.D. 396 to 430.

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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President Donald Trump sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, calling him "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy" and saying he is "not a fan" of the pope, prompting a wave of international reactions.

Trump made the comments about the Holy Father in a lengthy April 12 post on Truth Social that appeared to be reacting to the pontiff's recent appeals for peace and an end to the war in Iran. In comments to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, shortly afterward, Trump said: "I don't think he's doing a very good job. … I am not a fan of Pope Leo." He added: "He's a very liberal person."

On Monday morning, the president doubled down on his comments, saying he would not apologize to the pontiff "because Pope Leo said things that are wrong."

In recent weeks, the pope has repeatedly called for an end to hostilities, crying out "Enough of war!" while presiding over a vigil for peace at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on April 11.

"Stop! It's time for peace! Sit at tables of dialogue and mediation, not at tables where rearmament is planned and death actions are deliberated," he continued.

Iranian leadership spoke out against Trump's comments, with both the current president's and the late Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei's social media accounts issuing statements.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote in an April 13 social media post: "His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah."

Pezeshkian's statement comes after peace talks involving Vice President JD Vance collapsed on April 12. Vance, a Catholic convert and Iraq War veteran, blamed Iran's refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear program.

Khamenei's social media account posted an April 13 message invoking the teachings of Jesus against war: "Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) used to call people to the path of God, and forbade them from vice and injustice."

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"The corrupt and tyrannical powers sought to assassinate that divine Messenger," the post read, "for those steeped in their passions and the instigators of wars could not tolerate the religion, nor the Prophet, nor those who followed the divine path."

Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, wrote in an April 13 post: "Rome is close to Pope Leo. Donald Trump's attacks on his high spiritual magisterium and on his commitment to peace are unacceptable and wound sensitivities and consciences. The city of Rome, uniquely bound to its bishop, firmly reaffirms the values of respect, dialogue, and peace."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has strong diplomatic ties to the Trump administration, has yet to make a statement.

Father Nikodemus Schnabel, abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition in Jerusalem, denounced Trump's post, writing in German: "And then there are actually Catholics — even in the German-speaking world (!) — who still try to sugarcoat the words and actions of this morally bankrupt president and even defend him on moral grounds."

Catholic bishops in the United Kingdom condemned Trump's criticism of Pope Leo and defended the Holy Father's repeated calls for peace.

"As Pope Leo has made clear, we cannot stand by and allow the message of the Gospel to be abused," Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark, England, said in a statement shared with EWTN News. "As bishops, we are not politicians, nor statesmen, nor do we pretend to have all the answers. But as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we know that each of us is called to be a beacon of his peace."

Wilson called Catholics in the U.K. to "be as courageous as our Holy Father in proclaiming the truth that God demands peace."

Cardinal Fernando Chomali of Santiago, Chile, also defended the Holy Father, writing in an April 13 post: "Pope Leo XIV is a good man, forged by years of prayer, study, and closeness to the poor."

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"[Leo] prefers to obey God rather than men. His courage comes from his deepest convictions, from God, and not from passions. We have a coherent leader who charts a path of no return for us: to promote peace always and under all circumstances," Chomali said.

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Three influential American cardinals spoke about the Church under Pope Leo XIV in an interview on "60 Minutes" this week.

In two segments of the show, Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C.; Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey; and Cardinal Blaise Cupich of Chicago spoke on the Church in America, from increased conversions and the meaning of patriotism to controversial topics like the Iran ceasefire and immigration enforcement.

Why are young people joining the Church?

Cupich said he does not entirely know what is behind the reported rise in young people entering the Catholic Church as U.S. dioceses report elevated numbers of Easter baptisms and confirmations.

"We are doing some surveys about people who are coming to church to see what's motivating them," he said. "I do think, though, that research is showing that there really is a deep hunger in the hearts of young people for something that can help them with the meaning of life. But also there's a woundedness on the part of young people that they are seeking healing for."

"We don't have all the answers, but we are going to try to drill down to find out more about that," Cupich said.

McElroy pointed to a need for "moral leadership in the world" as a partial explanation.

"What a tragedy to have a world in which there are not moral leaders," he said. "I think young people, and young adults particularly, are looking for a sense of that in their lives — and some of those are coming into the Church for that reason."

"The number of those joining the Church this year is a record for the archdiocese, which is a wonderful thing," he said of the Archdiocese of Washington, which had 1,800 converts.

Tobin credited some of the rising interest and attendance in the Catholic Church to Pope Leo.

"I've had the privilege of working closely with four popes: very different people in a lot of ways, but each one in some way was the right one for that moment in time," Tobin said. "I believe that Pope Leo is the right man at this time."

When asked about the effect of the sex abuse scandal on people leaving the Church, Cupich noted that it "prompts us to be even more forthright in doing everything possible to protect children, but also to address the harm that was done."

"That, I think, is something that's always on the front burner for us with regard to the fall off in terms of people practicing," he said.

Cupich noted, however, that other religions are seeing declines in membership as well.

"It's also part of the secularization that's happening in society today," he said. "People have a lot more options on Sunday, on the weekend, than they did before. So I think there are a number of factors that contributed to that decline."

What does patriotism look like for Catholics?

In light of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the cardinals shared their thoughts on a Catholic understanding of patriotism.

"For us as Catholic Americans, we love our country because of what it aspires to be and has for the past 250 years," McElroy said.

"We love our country not merely because we were born here, if we were, but rather because of its aspirations of democracy, justice, equality, of freedom that have been lived out with differing levels of success all through our history, and having to change it and readapt it to make it more true to its core," he continued.

"For me," Cupich said, "patriotism is about being united in the common task of creating the opportunities for everyone to flourish — that they would have the opportunity to be the person God intended them to be."

"That is part of the aspirations that immigrants came here with; an opportunity to have a fresh start," he said. "So how can we work together to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to flourish? I think that's patriotism."

Pope Leo and politics: Iran and ICE

When asked if he would like to see the first American pope be more outspoken on controversial issues, Tobin said: "He's the pastor of the world; he's not a pundit."

"The distinction is he's not going to pronounce on everything, but he's going to pronounce on what's important," Tobin said.

Recently, Pope Leo has called for an end to the war with Iran, advocating for peace and dialogue.

When asked if the Iran war is a just war according to Catholic teaching, McElroy said it is not.

"Catholic faith teaches us there are certain prerequisites for a just war," he said. "You can't go for a variety of different aims. You have to have a focused aim, which is to restore justice and restore peace. That's it."

When asked about the destruction of the Iranian regime's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities as an aim of the war, McElroy agreed that the regime "should be removed."

"It's an abominable regime and it should be removed," McElroy said. "But this is a war of choice that we went to and I think it's embedded in a wider moment in the United States that's worrying, which is this. We're seeing before us the possibility of war after war after war."

Cupich criticized the Trump administration's "gamification" of the war through social media posts and edits, calling it "sickening."

"We're dehumanizing the victims of war by turning the suffering of people and the killing of children and our own soldiers into entertainment," he said. "It is sickening. To splice together movie cuts with actual bombing and targeting of people for the purposes of entertainment is sickening. This is not who we are. We're better than this."

The cardinals also shared pastoral concerns amid ongoing deportations, an issue about which Pope Leo has also spoken.

Tobin criticized the tactics used by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, saying that when immigrants "have to hide their identities," this "can actually violate other guarantees of our Constitution and Bill of Rights."

"I think somebody's got to call that out," he said. "And I'm not the only one."

McElroy shared his concern that many immigrants "live under fear."

He said attendance at Spanish Masses in his archdiocese went down 30% in the past year. "Thirty percent — that's a lot, and it's all fear," he said.

McElroy said there "is a roundup of people throughout the country, people who have been living good, strong lives; [who have] been here a long time." These people "raised their children here; many of their children [were] born here and are citizens," he said. "That's what our objection is."

But the cardinal, who for 10 years served as bishop of San Diego, added that he does believe in strong borders, noting that under Biden, "it got to a point where it was getting out of control."

Recalling the pope's recent words and actions (the pope is currently visiting Africa on his third international journey), Cupich said Leo is "sending a message that his top priority right now is to be with those who are downcast and marginalized."

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ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT — Pope Leo XIV said Monday that he will continue to speak out "loudly" against war, stressing that his role is to preach the Gospel, not to enter into political disputes.

Speaking to journalists aboard the papal flight to Algiers on April 13, the pope responded to a question about a post by U.S. President Donald Trump.

"I think people who read it will be able to draw their own conclusions. I am not a politician, and I have no intention of entering into a debate with him," Leo said.

The pope said he would remain outspoken in condemning war and promoting peace.

"I have no fear neither of the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel," he said in comments to a different journalist. "That's what I believe I am called to do and what the Church is called to do. We're not politicians. We're not looking to make foreign policy, as [Trump] calls it, with the same perspective that he might understand it."

"But I do believe that the message of the Gospel, 'blessed are the peacemakers,' is a message that the world needs to hear today."

The pope also reflected on the meaning of his trip to Algeria, describing it as both a personal blessing and an important opportunity for the Church and the wider world.

"As you know, I am very happy to visit once again the land of St. Augustine," he said. He noted that the saint offers "a very important bridge in interreligious dialogue" and remains deeply loved in his homeland.

Leo said the visit would allow him to see the places associated with the life of St. Augustine, including the places where he served as bishop.

"Today is truly a blessing for me personally, but I believe also for the Church and for the world, because we must always seek bridges in order to build peace and reconciliation," he said.

The trip, he added, is "a most precious opportunity" to continue proclaiming the same message with the same voice: "We want to promote peace, reconciliation, and respect and consideration for all peoples."

He concluded by thanking the journalists traveling with him.

"Welcome, everyone. I am happy to greet you," the pope said. "Have a good trip, and thank you for the service you offer to all the people."

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.

Correction: Quotations attributed to Pope Leo XIV in this article have been revised based on audio recordings of his comments.

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Bishop Juan Ignacio Liébana of Chascomús in Argentina issued a message to young people wishing to enter politics in which he reflected on the characteristics that those aspiring to undertake the task must possess, with particular emphasis on the common good.

The prelate, who is also a member of the Social Pastoral Commission, noted in his letter that politics is "one of the noblest tasks" and is "charity exercised at its highest level."

"It means administering what belongs to everyone; it means engaging in dialogue, listening, enduring tensions, and always seeking what is just, good, and appropriate while looking out for the most vulnerable, working for the common good, and fostering processes of friendship and social dialogue," he explained.

He asked that anyone who "enters politics" be a person of integrity, someone "who does not toy with the dreams and hopes of a people."

He outlined several essential qualities and habits that aspiring politicians should cultivate.

According to the bishop, such a person should be austere, possess a deep spirituality, and be firmly rooted in values and principles.

The bishop advised that politicians should always keep close at hand a list of their campaign promises and deepest aspirations, so they can periodically hold themselves accountable and undertake a sincere examination of conscience.

He emphasized the importance of humility, urging politicians not to become enamored of their own image. Instead, they should know how to "renounce and die" to themselves and to their own petty interests.

They should be quick to ask for forgiveness and know how to step away from their work each day to rest, pray, and reflect, enjoying with sobriety the simple things in life — nature, family, wholesome friendship, and serene prayer.

Liébana added that politicians must never lose their tenderness, their smile, or their simplicity and should make time to play with their own children and visit their elders.

He warned against the allure of luxury, stating that politicians should not be enamored of travel, the "high life," or extravagant living, as these temptations often lead to the misuse of power and distance them from the realities of ordinary people.

The bishop also stressed the need for good and honest companions, recommending that politicians surround themselves with true friends who are willing to correct them directly and honestly. He advised always having a wise person nearby to consult, listen to, and learn from.

Finally, Liébana called for a clear understanding of one's innermost motivations for entering politics. If the goal is to make money, become famous, have a good time, or gain recognition, he said, then the person is mistaken about the nature of the vocation.

"The temptations are many; that's why one must stand firm," the prelate emphasized. In his view, politics "should be a place for the best, the most virtuous, and not 'a den of thieves.'"

"We cannot continue to toy with the future of our people, who are already weary and fed up with so much narcissism and mediocrity. This applies equally to every public servant, including us who are consecrated religious," he pointed out.

"Let us ask God to raise up vocations of public servants who are enthusiastic and passionate, sober and austere, simple and humble — ordinary men and women who are approachable, and filled with tenderness and love for our beloved Argentina. Our homeland deserves it," he emphasized.

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

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ALGIERS, Algeria — Pope Leo XIV on Monday presented himself to Algeria's diplomatic corps and civil society as "a pilgrim of peace," urging a more just international order, warning against exclusion and inequality, and praising those who refuse to be "blinded by power or wealth."

Peace remained the central theme of the pope's first day in Algeria, following his earlier stop at the Martyrs' Memorial, where he delivered an appeal for peace and reconciliation.

Speaking in French at the Djamaa el Djazair Conference Center, Leo recalled his previous visits to Algeria in 2001 and 2013 to Annaba, the ancient see of St. Augustine, whose spiritual legacy has long shaped the Augustinian order to which the pope belongs.

"I am here among you as a pilgrim of peace, eager to meet the noble Algerian people," the pope said. "We are brothers and sisters, for we have the same Father in heaven."

Leo said the "profound religious sense of the Algerian people" fosters "a culture of encounter and reconciliation," adding that his visit also seeks to be a sign of that spirit.

"In a world full of conflicts and misunderstandings, let us meet and strive for mutual understanding, recognizing that we are one family!" he said. "Today, the simplicity of this awareness is the key to opening many doors that are closed."

Addressing an audience of about 1,400 people from civil society and the diplomatic corps, the pope praised the resilience of the Algerian people, saying they had never been defeated by their trials because of their spirit of solidarity, hospitality, and community.

"They are the truly strong ones, to whom the future belongs: those who do not allow themselves to be blinded by power or wealth, and those who refuse to sacrifice the dignity of their fellow citizens for the sake of personal or collective gain," he said.

Leo also highlighted the Algerian understanding of hospitality and almsgiving, reflected in the word "sadaka," which he noted can also mean justice.

"The one who accumulates wealth and remains indifferent to others is unjust," the pope said, calling this vision of justice both "simple and radical" because it recognizes the image of God in others. "Indeed, a religion without mercy and a society without solidarity are a scandal in God's eyes."

At the same time, he warned that many societies that consider themselves advanced are falling ever deeper into inequality and exclusion, while "people and organizations that dominate others destroy the world." He said Africa knows this reality well and suggested that Algeria's historical experience gives it a critical perspective on global power balances.

"If you are able to engage in dialogue regarding the concerns of all and show solidarity with the sufferings of so many countries near and far, then you will be able to contribute to both envisioning and bringing about greater justice among peoples," Leo said.

He added that this task is especially urgent "in the face of continuous violations of international law and neocolonial tendencies."

Drawing on the teaching of Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, Leo called on Algeria's authorities not to fear a broader social participation by those on the margins.

"I therefore urge those of you who hold positions of authority in this country not to fear this outlook but to promote a vibrant, dynamic, and free civil society, in which young people in particular are recognized as capable of helping to broaden the horizon of hope for all," he said.

"The true strength of a nation lies in the cooperation of everyone in pursuing the common good," he continued. "Authorities are called not to dominate but to serve the people and foster their development."

The pope also pointed to Algeria's unique role as "a bridge between North and South, and between East and West," describing the Mediterranean and the Sahara as geographical and spiritual crossroads rich with human and cultural meaning.

"Woe to us if we turn them into graveyards where hope also dies!" he said. "Let us multiply oases of peace; let us denounce and remove the causes of despair; and let us oppose those who profit from the misfortune of others!"

"For illicit are the gains of those who exploit human life, whose dignity is inviolable," he added.

Leo then broadened his reflection to the place of religion in modern society, noting that Algeria, like much of the world, experiences tensions between religious sensibility and modern life. He warned against both fundamentalism and secularization when they distort the true sense of God and human dignity.

"Religious symbols and words can become, on the one hand, blasphemous languages of violence and oppression, or on the other, empty signs in the immense marketplace of consumption that does not satisfy us," he said.

Still, the pope insisted that such polarization should not lead to despair.

"We must educate people in critical thinking and freedom, in listening and dialogue, and in the trust that leads us to recognize in those who are different fellow travelers and not threats," he said. "We must work toward the healing of memory and reconciliation among former adversaries."

In his introduction, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune called Leo's presence the first visit of a pope to Algeria and said it gave the occasion "a unique resonance." He invoked both St. Augustine and Emir Abdelkader as enduring models at a time of accelerating change and weakening moral values.

Tebboune also praised the pope's moral authority and his support for social justice while reaffirming Algeria's commitment to working with the Holy Father to promote dialogue, coexistence, and cooperation over division and conflict.

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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