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ACI Prensa Staff, Jun 2, 2025 / 17:37 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV recalled the life and legacy of Cardinal in Pectore Iuliu Hossu, a Romanian Greek Catholic bishop, "pastor and martyr of the faith during the communist persecution in Romania," who was commemorated Monday in the Vatican and who saved thousands of Jews from death during World War II.

"We have gathered today in the Sistine Chapel to commemorate, in the jubilee year dedicated to hope, an apostle of hope: Blessed Cardinal Iuliu Hossu, Greek Catholic bishop of Cluj-Gherla," said the Holy Father at the beginning of his address at the commemoration ceremony for the cardinal, who died 55 years ago on May 28, 1970.

"Today," Pope Leo continued, "he enters this chapel after St. Paul VI, on April 28, 1969, named him cardinal in pectore (in secret) while he was in prison for his fidelity to the Church of Rome."

Hossu's appointment as a cardinal was not known until 1973, three years after the death of the cardinal in pectore, according to Vatican News.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the pope can create a cardinal in pectore, a designation known only to him and the cardinal. He does not acquire the rights of a cardinal until it is publicly announced. If the pope dies before this is known, he does not become a member of the College of Cardinals.

'Righteous among the nations'

In his remarks, Leo XIV emphasized that this year the cardinal is especially remembered, as he is "a symbol of fraternity that transcends any ethnic or religious boundaries. His recognition process as 'Righteous Among the Nations,' which began in 2022, is based on his courageous commitment to supporting and saving the Jews of Northern Transylvania when, between 1940 and 1944, the Nazis implemented the tragic plan to deport them to the extermination camps."

The title of "Righteous Among the Nations" is awarded by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews from extermination at the hands of the Nazis.

Action in the face of the 'darkness of suffering'

Leo XIV then recalled a passage from a 1944 pastoral letter written by the blessed martyr in which he stated: "Our appeal is addressed to all of you, venerable brothers and beloved children, to help the Jews not only with your thoughts but also with your sacrifice, aware that today we can accomplish no nobler work than this Christian and Romanian aid, born of ardent human charity. The first concern of the present moment must be this work of relief."

"Cardinal Hossu, between 1940 and 1944, contributed to saving thousands of Jews from death in northern Transylvania. The hope of the great shepherd was that of the faithful man, who knows that the gates of evil will not prevail against the work of God," the Holy Father continued.

After emphasizing that he was a man who lived "prayer and dedication to others," Pope Leo recalled that Pope Francis beatified Hossu on June 2, 2019, in Blaj, Romania — along with six other martyred bishops — and highlighted a phrase from his homily that belonged to the bishop and cardinal: "God has sent us into this darkness of suffering to forgive and pray for the conversion of all."

For Pope Leo XIV, the phrase "remains today a prophetic invitation to overcome hatred through forgiveness and to live the faith with dignity and courage."

'A courageous and generous man, even to the point of supreme sacrifice'

The pope also emphasized that "Cardinal Hossu's message is more timely than ever. What he did for the Jews of Romania, the actions he undertook to protect others, despite all the risks and dangers, show him as a model of a free, courageous, and generous man, even to the point of supreme sacrifice."

"Therefore, his motto, 'Our faith is our life,' should become the motto of each one of us."

After encouraging Hossu's example to be "a light for the world today," Pope Leo XIV finally exclaimed: "Let us say 'no' to violence, to any violence, even more so if it is perpetrated against defenseless and vulnerable people, such as children and families!"

Who was Iuliu Hossu?

Iuliu Hossu was a Greek Catholic bishop and cardinal in pectore. He was born on Jan. 30, 1885, in Milas.

In 1904, he began his theological studies at the College of Propaganda Fide in Rome. In 1906 and 1908, he earned doctorates in philosophy and theology, respectively. On March 27, 1910, he was ordained a priest.

According to Vatican News, on March 3, 1917, he was appointed bishop of the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Gerla in Transylvania. In 1930, the eparchy changed its name to Cluj-Gherla, moving its center to the city of Cluj Napoca. There was a period of occupation there between 1940 and 1944.

On Oct. 28, 1948, Hossu was arrested by the communist government and taken to Dragoslavele. He was later transferred to the Orthodox Monastery of Caldarusani and in 1950 to the Sighetul Marmatiei Penitentiary. In 1955 he arrived at Curtea de Arges, in 1956 at the monastery of Ciorogarla, and finally back to Caldarusani.

In August 1961, he wrote this in prison: "I have not been able to take away your love, Lord; it is enough for me: I ask your forgiveness for all my sins and I thank you with all my being for all that you have given me, your unworthy servant."

Hossu was deprived of all freedom until his death on May 28, 1970, at the Colentina Hospital in Bucharest, where his last words were: "My battle is over; yours continues."

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 2, 2025 / 18:07 pm (CNA).

Archbishop of Toronto Cardinal Francis Leo called on the faithful to honor the most Sacred Heart of Jesus throughout the month of June rather than "using symbols that are contrary to God's divine revelation." 

"This year the solemnity of the Sacred Heart is commemorated on June 27, though the entire month is dedicated to this long-standing and much appreciated devotion in the Church," Leo said in a statement. 

The month of June is a time to reflect on Jesus' "loving, burning, sacrificial, and life-giving heart," which Leo called "one of the most profound and enduring symbols in Catholic devotional life."

For Catholics, symbols "help us to deepen our faith and shape our prayer life, not to mention the lives we lead and the choices we make," the cardinal said. "They are like bridges joining together the material and spiritual worlds and reveal to us the Gospel truths."

The month of June is also recognized in many cities around North America as "Pride Month." Thousands of people gather throughout June to hold parades and parties that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. 

Leo called on the faithful in Toronto to use symbols this month that "are consistent with our Catholic faith and not borrowed from ideological fora, promoted by lobby groups and endorsed by political movements." 

He said: "We ought to honor and respect our traditions and not compromise the integrity of the faith by using symbols that are contrary to God's divine revelation."

"We do good to use our own symbols to tell our own story without resorting to trendy, misguided, and inadequate symbols that do not represent us as Catholics but rather contribute to confusion, distortions, and ambiguities about what the Catholic faith truly teaches regarding the human person, human nature, and natural moral law." 

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, which depicts "Christ's physical heart, pierced and surrounded by thorns calling to mind his suffering and imbued with the inextinguishable flame of his love is ultimately the only symbol we really need," Leo said.

"It is important for us to remember that the Sacred Heart does not merely refer to Jesus' physical heart but to his entire interior life — his will, emotions, thoughts, desires, and love. It signifies the love that motivated the Incarnation, Our Lord's earthly ministry, his passion, and ultimately the offering of himself on the cross for the redemption of the world."

"Finally, during this month of June, I would encourage you to take time to renew your consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus," Leo said. "If you haven't already consecrated yourself, your family, and household to the most Sacred Heart, please consider doing so."

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Denver, Colo., Jun 2, 2025 / 18:27 pm (CNA).

Every Sunday afternoon since Oct. 7, 2023, a peaceful group has gathered for a vigil walk in downtown Boulder, Colorado, to remember the Israeli hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas. 

This past Sunday, as they marched past local shops and restaurants in the city's outdoor Pearl Street Mall, eight participants in the group's activity were firebombed in what the FBI is investigating as an act of terrorism.

In the wake of the June 1 attack, the archbishop of Denver, Samuel Aquila, called for an end to anti-Jewish violence and urged the faithful to join together in prayer for the victims.

"I'm deeply saddened this evening to hear of the attack in Boulder, especially as it seems our Jewish brothers and sisters were targeted," Aquila said in a statement released June 1. 

A suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd, yelling "Free Palestine" during the attack, according to law enforcement.

Four women and four men ages 52 to 88 were taken to the hospital with burns and other injuries after the attack. 

"This type of violence must come to an end as it only fuels hatred," Aquila said. 

The attack closely followed the killing of two Israeli embassy employees — a young couple soon to be engaged — in Washington, D.C., just weeks ago. 

The Boulder attack suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was booked in the Boulder County Jail on multiple felony charges, according to the City of Boulder. 

An FBI affidavit said Soliman confessed to the attack, telling the police he had planned it for a year and that he wanted to "kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead." 

After being taken into custody, Soliman reportedly told the police he would do it again. 

In addition to the two Molotov cocktails that Soliman threw into the crowd, investigators found more than a dozen unlit Molotov cocktails as well as weed sprayer filled with gasoline, according to the FBI affidavit. 

An Egyptian citizen, Soliman entered the country on a B2 visa in August 2022 and filed for asylum the following month. He remained in the country even though his visa expired in February 2023, according to Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel described what happened as a "targeted terrorist attack" and said the federal agency is "fully investigating" it as such.

In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump pledged to prosecute the perpetrator "to the fullest extent of the law." 

"My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy and the great people of Boulder, Colorado!" Trump continued. 

The mayor of Boulder, Aaron Brockett, decried the attack in a statement, saying that the city would "stand strong together."

"Know that the Jewish community has my full support and the support of the entire Boulder community," Brockett said. 

"Please join me in praying for everyone affected by this horrific attack," Aquila said. "We ask the Lord to bring comfort, healing, and peace in the face of such hatred." 

"May we listen to the voice of God, who calls us to love one another!" Aquila concluded.

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Vatican City, Jun 2, 2025 / 12:17 pm (CNA).

The Vatican Library is the custodian of a major part of humanity's literary heritage. That includes more than 80,000 ancient manuscripts and 2 million printed books (8,600 of which are "incunabula," that is, printed before 1501); a graphic collection (drawings, maps, engravings, photographs); 150,000 documents; a large collection of coins and medals (300,000 pieces); and a collection of archives (100,000). 

The library is currently in the process of digitizing and publishing online all the manuscripts it houses, a project that first started in 2012. When necessary, manuscripts receive conservation treatments or are restored before digitization. So far, some 30,000 manuscripts have been digitized and published online. This work is made possible due to the support of many benefactors, including the Sanctuary of Culture Foundation, which generously supports the digitization and restoration of manuscripts as well as other projects. 

Recently, a new collaboration was launched between the Vatican Library and the Colnaghi Foundation, a prestigious art gallery founded in 1760. The two institutions are working together specifically on the library's archives section.

The five-year agreement provides for the restoration and reorganization of the archives' storage facilities, which will improve the future preservation of documents spanning the 10th to the 20th century. The archival collections include documents of exceptional historical value.

The project, which involves a complete reorganization of the department, including new shelving systems and renovations, will be led by the renowned British architectural firm David Chipperfield Architects.

The Colnaghi Foundation has promoted the creation of an association, the Patrons of the Vatican Library, to assist in the project and to study and carry out other projects related to the conservation treatments of many of the archival manuscripts.

The association has provided a new system for scanning the surface of documents, called Selene, developed by the Factum Foundation. Among other benefits, this device makes it possible to bring to light parts of objects that are hidden from view.

To celebrate this collaboration between the art world, represented by the Colnaghi Foundation and the Vatican Library, the "Codex" exhibition opened on May 26.

The exhibit features 14 works from private collections that are not normally exhibited. The library has also selected 15 documents from its collections (manuscripts and archival documents) related to the people portrayed in the exhibited works, the curators of those works, or the artists who created them.

On June 3, the works will return to private collections, and the Vatican manuscripts will be returned to their original collections.

The works on display offer a visual and historical journey through sacred art and portraits from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, highlighting pieces by some of history's greatest masters.

The exhibition opens with "Saint Peter Penitent" by Flemish artist Anthony van Dyck, which depicts the weeping apostle with a deeply human expression of repentance and features baroque chiaroscuro (strong light and dark contrasts).

The exhibition continues with "The Triumph of Flora," a mythological allegory by Mario Nuzzi, exuberant in color and symbolism, which celebrates the fertility of nature with a festive and decorative spirit that contrasts with the gravity of other pieces.

Another work on display is Michelangelo Buonarroti's preparatory sketch for "The Adoration of the Brazen Serpent," a powerful scene from the Old Testament. The drawing demonstrates the artist's anatomical and expressive intensity, which manages to condense drama and redemption into a single figure.

The exhibition also includes works by other influential artists of the 16th and 17th centuries, such as Titian's "Portrait of Pope Paul III," painted during his trip to Rome between October 1545 and May 1546. This painting, in which the pope appears with a shrewd expression and the traditional camauro (red cap with white trim), a symbol of his authority, belongs to a private collection and is kept in Lisbon, Portugal.

Another portrait is that of "Clement VII," painted by Sebastiano del Piombo. A highlight by the artist Tintoretto is his "Portrait of Cardinal Marcantonio da Mula," which demonstrates the painter's skill in combining the cardinal's dignified appearance with dynamism.

Also featured in the exhibition is Guido Reni's portrait of Camillo Borghese (later Paul V), painted during the first decade of the 17th century.

Among library documents featured in the exhibition, which aim to suggest a real dialogue with the works of art, are the 1628 invoice sent to the bishop of Gubbio for three Caravaggio paintings, including "The Card Cheats"; some notes and autograph drawings by Michelangelo Buonarroti; as well as a 1657 letter by Cardinal da Mula to Cardinal Guglielmo Sirleto.

Also among the documents in the exhibition is a 1526 contract signed with Sebastiano del Piombo for a panel of the "Nativity of the Virgin" in the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo.

The sharing of cultural heritage embodied by the Codex initiative represents, for the library, an essential tool for building bridges between cultures. The exhibition is considered a beautiful and concrete example of this, and an important demonstration of the collaboration between different institutions working together to achieve positive results in the conservation of cultural heritage.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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CNA Staff, Jun 2, 2025 / 14:49 pm (CNA).

In a tightly contested runoff election, nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki won Poland's presidency with 50.89% of the vote, narrowly defeating Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski's 49.11%, according to final results announced Monday. 

Nawrocki, a 42-year-old historian and former amateur boxer, ran on a platform emphasizing traditional Catholic values and cultural and political conservatism. He has vowed to maintain close ties between the Polish government and the Catholic Church, saying he views faith as a cornerstone of national culture. 

During the campaign, Nawrocki made headlines by publicly shredding a copy of "Gender Queer: A Memoir," signaling his staunch opposition to progressive social policies. He has pledged to veto any legislation liberalizing Poland's strict abortion laws or introducing same-sex civil unions, citing the Catholic Church's teachings on sexual ethics and the need to protect traditional family structures. 

"Poland's strength lies in its faith and family values," Nawrocki declared at a campaign rally, framing his presidency as a defense against secular influences.

His conservative stance contrasts sharply with Trzaskowski, who campaigned on progressive reforms, including abortion law liberalization, support for LGBTQ+ civil partnerships, and deeper European integration.

Nawrocki is expected to use his presidential veto to block Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-European Union, reformist legislative efforts. 

The Polish presidency, while largely ceremonial, wields significant influence through its veto power, which requires a 60% parliamentary majority to override — a threshold Tusk's coalition lacks. This dynamic echoes the tenure of outgoing President Andrzej Duda, a PiS (Law and Justice Party) ally who consistently thwarted Tusk's attempts to reverse PiS-era judicial reforms.

Poland's president is elected to a five-year term through a two-round voting system, with a runoff between the top two candidates if no one secures a majority in the first round. Presidents may serve up to two terms. Duda's second term ends on Aug. 6, when president-elect Nawrocki will be sworn in to office.

The election, the closest in Poland's post-communist history, underscores the country's deepening political divide. Early exit polls had predicted a Trzaskowski win, while the actual results ended up reversing those projections. Exit polls also showed that younger voters leaned toward Nawrocki in the runoff.

Nawrocki's win has broader implications for Poland's role in Europe. His opposition to strengthening EU ties and Ukraine's NATO membership sets him apart from Trzaskowski's pro-EU platform.

Nawrocki has expressed strong opposition to illegal immigration, advocating for policies that prioritize Polish citizens and reject EU-driven migration frameworks.

"My Poland is a Poland without illegal migrants," he said during his campaign.

Conservative European leaders celebrated the result, with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán calling it a "fantastic victory" and France's Marine Le Pen, deputy of the French National Assembly, praising it as a rejection of the "Brussels oligarchy." 

Nawrocki attended the National Day of Prayer at the White House last month, posing for photos with President Donald Trump, who supported Nawrocki's presidential bid.

At a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) meeting in Poland last week, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also strongly endorsed Nawrocki.

"I met with Karol, and let me be clear: He must be Poland's next president. Are we on the same page?" Noem declared.

"You need to choose the right leader," she continued. "You can be the ones to steer Europe back toward conservative values."

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CNA Newsroom, Jun 1, 2025 / 19:56 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV urged French Catholics to embark on a profound spiritual renewal by following the example of three beloved saints as France commemorated the centenary of their canonization.

In his first message to the French bishops' conference, released by the Holy See Press Office on Saturday, the Holy Father highlighted St. John Eudes, St. John Mary Vianney, and St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus as powerful models for contemporary evangelization.

The pope emphasized their shared spiritual trait: "They loved Jesus unreservedly in a simple, strong, and authentic way" and experienced his goodness in daily closeness.

The pontiff presented these saints as Catholics whose lives demonstrate the transformative power of Christ's tender love.

Leo noted St. John Eudes as the first to celebrate liturgical worship of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, St. John Mary Vianney as the priest who declared "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus," and St. Thérèse as the great doctor of "scientia amoris" who "breathed" Jesus' name with spontaneity and freshness.

Pope Leo framed this anniversary not as mere nostalgia but as an opportunity for missionary momentum. He expressed hope that God can "renew the marvels he has accomplished in the past" through these saints' intercession.

The pope specifically addressed the shortage of priestly vocations, asking whether these saints might inspire young people to embrace the priesthood's "beauty, greatness, and fruitfulness."

The message concluded with papal gratitude for French priests' "courageous and persevering commitment" amid contemporary challenges, including "indifference, materialism, and individualism."

Pope Leo invoked the saints' intercession for France and placed the nation under the maternal protection of Our Lady of the Assumption.

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Manila, Philippines, Jun 2, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

With multiple episcopal sees standing vacant and others soon to be without bishops, Asia's largest Catholic nation faces a potential pastoral leadership crisis as the Church awaits new appointments from Rome.

The Philippines, home to 110 million people, with eight out of 10 identifying as Roman Catholic, currently has three vacant sees.

Current dioceses without bishops

The Diocese of Boac in Marinduque province has been without a bishop since Sept. 21, 2024, after its local ordinary, Bishop Marcelino Antonio M. Maralit, was transferred to the Diocese of San Pablo, Laguna. Maralit is the current chair of the Episcopal Commission on Social Communication of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

According to the 2023 Annuario Pontificio, the annual Holy See directory that lists the popes and all officials of the Holy See's departments, the Diocese of Boac has a total population of 256,611 with 88% of the population identifying as Catholic. Seventy-nine priests serve the diocese, with a 1 to 3,248 priest-to-lay ratio. The diocese is recognized for its social action initiatives and its collaboration with Basic Christian Communities, small, grassroots groups of Christians that gather for prayer, fellowship, Bible study, and social justice activities.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk has been without an apostolic vicar since Dec. 8, 2024, when its former apostolic vicar, Bishop Prudencio P. Andaya Jr., CICM, was made bishop of the Diocese of Cabanatuan.

The Tabuk vicariate encompasses the highland provinces of Kalinga and Apayao, with a total population of 493,960. Only 31 priests serve the 75% of its population who identify as Catholic, mostly from the Indigenous Igorot tribe. That translates to a 1 to 11,966 priest-per-laity ratio.

The bishop's chair of the Diocese of San Jose de Nueva Ecija has been empty since Dec. 12, 2024. Its former bishop, Roberto Mallari, was transferred to the Diocese of Tarlac. The diocese is located in the province known as the "rice granary of the Philippines." Most of its residents are farmers who produce rice, corn, sugar cane, coconuts, mangoes, onions, fruits, and vegetables.

Approaching retirement

In addition to these empty sees awaiting new bishops, others may soon require new episcopal leaders.

In March of this year alone, three local ordinaries reached the optional canonical retirement age of 75 for bishops: Archbishop Angelito Lampo, OMI, of Cotabato on March 1; Bishop Patricio Buzon, SDB, of Bacolod on March 14; and Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu on March 19.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a "local ordinary" is a bishop appointed by the pope to care for a local Church; to teach, govern, and sanctify the faithful of his diocese, sharing these duties with the priests and deacons who serve under him.

Other local ordinaries in the Philippines who will turn 75 in the coming months are: Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc of Kalibo (June 16), Archbishop Marlo Perlata of Nueva Segovia (July 13), and Bishop Jacinto Jose of Urdaneta (Oct. 29).

If the Holy Father accepts the retirement of these bishops, the Philippines will have nine sede vacante sees.

Most of these dioceses are located in provinces where the majority of its residents are workers in the agriculture sector. Bacolod and Cebu are exceptions, as they are located in bustling cities.

Special focus: Cebu Archdiocese

Cebu, known as the "cradle of Christianity in the Philippines," is the largest diocese in Asia — home to 4.7 million Catholics (87% of the population). It has 176 parishes and nine missions ministered by 626 priests (348 diocesan, 278 religious) and 2,035 religious (1,010 brothers and 1,025 sisters). According to the 2024 Annuario Pontificio, it has 144 seminarians.

The bishops' conference approved the Cebu Archdiocese's recommendation to split the diocese into two suffragan dioceses: Danao in the north and Carcar to its south, thereby giving them their own bishops. (A suffragan diocese is typically a smaller diocese within an ecclesiastical province other than the larger metropolitan archdiocese.)

Impact on Catholic communities

Filling these vacancies is not only a ministerial role of the pope, who has the exclusive right and authority to appoint a bishop, but also a necessity to ensure that the people of God have a shepherd looking after their spiritual and, sometimes, socio-economic needs.

"A vacant see creates a leadership vacuum. Appointing bishops to vacant sees means not depriving the people of a shepherd," said Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP's episcopal commission on public affairs.

Many Filipinos, even when they are non-Catholics, look to Catholic bishops for moral guidance on socio-political issues. The popular late Cardinal Jaime Sin, when archbishop of Manila, was a vocal opponent of the dictatorial regime of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father of the current president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Sin was instrumental in two historic peaceful revolutions in the country — the People Power Revolution of 1986 and the 2001 revolt that forced the resignation of then-president Joseph Estrada.

During the tumultuous presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, the CBCP issued a pastoral statement condemning the rampant extrajudicial killings of drug suspects, earning the ire of the president. Duterte once suggested that Filipinos should "kill and steal from" Catholic bishops.

Vatican appointment process

While Secillano stressed the importance of a local bishop setting the pastoral direction and priorities of the local Church or diocese that are beneficial to the people, he said the Holy See does not rush the appointment of bishops so that it can fill the leadership vacuum.

"There should be utmost prudence in doing it," he said.

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CNA Newsroom, Jun 2, 2025 / 08:24 am (CNA).

Follow our live coverage of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, first U.S.-born pope in history.

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Manila, Philippines, Jun 2, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

With multiple episcopal sees standing vacant and others soon to be without bishops, Asia's largest Catholic nation faces a potential pastoral leadership crisis as the Church awaits new appointments from Rome.

The Philippines, home to 110 million people, with eight out of ten identifying as Roman Catholic, currently has three vacant sees.

Current dioceses without bishops

The Diocese of Boac in Marinduque province has been without a bishop since Sept. 21, 2024, after its local ordinary, Bishop Marcelino Antonio M. Maralit, was transferred to the Diocese of San Pablo, Laguna. Maralit is the current chair of the Episcopal Commission on Social Communication of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

According to the 2023 Annuario Pontificio, the annual Holy See directory which lists the popes and all officials of the Holy See's departments, the Diocese of Boac has a total population of 256,611 with 88% of the population identifying as Catholic. Seventy-nine priests serve the diocese, with a 1 to 3,248 priest-to-lay ratio. The diocese is recognized for its social action initiatives and its collaboration with Basic Christian Communities, small, grassroots groups of Christians that gather for prayer, fellowship, Bible study, and social justice activities.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk has been without an apostolic vicar since Dec. 8, 2024, when its former apostolic vicar, Bishop Prudencio P. Andaya Jr., CICM, was made bishop of the Diocese of Cabanatuan.

The Tabuk vicariate encompasses the highland provinces of Kalinga and Apayao, with a total population of 493,960. Only 31 priests serve the 75% of its population who identify as Catholic, mostly from the indigenous Igorot tribe. That translates to a 1 to 11,966 priest per laity ratio.

The bishop's chair of the Diocese of San Jose de Nueva Ecija has been empty since Dec. 12, 2024. Its former bishop, Roberto Mallari, was transferred to the Diocese of Tarlac. The diocese is located in the province known as the "rice granary of the Philippines." Most of its residents are farmers who produce rice, corn, sugar cane, coconuts, mangoes, onions, fruits, and vegetables.

Approaching retirement

In addition to these empty sees awaiting new bishops, others may soon require new episcopal leaders.

In March of this year alone, three local ordinaries reached the optional canonical retirement age of 75 for bishops: Archbishop Angelito Lampo, OMI, of Cotabato on Mar. 1, Bishop Patricio Buzon, SDB of Bacolod on Mar. 14, and Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu on Mar. 19.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a "local ordinary" is a bishop appointed by the pope to care for a local Church; to teach, govern, and sanctify the faithful of his diocese, sharing these duties with the priests and deacons who serve under him.

Other local ordinaries in the Philippines who will turn 75 in the coming months are: Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc of Kalibo (Jun. 16), Archbishop Marlo Perlata of Nueva Segovia (Jul. 13), and Bishop Jacinto Jose of Urdaneta (Oct. 29).

If the Holy Father accepts the retirement of these bishops, the Philippines will have nine sede vacante sees.

Most of these dioceses are located in provinces where the majority of its residents are workers in the agriculture sector. Bacolod and Cebu are exceptions, as they are located in bustling cities.

Special focus: Cebu archdiocese

Cebu, known as the "cradle of Christianity in the Philippines," is the largest diocese in Asia — home to 4.7 million Catholics (87% of the population). It has 176 parishes and nine missions ministered by 626 priests (348 diocesan, 278 religious) and 2,035 religious (1,010 brothers and 1,025 sisters). According to the 2024 Annuario Pontificio, it has 144 seminarians.

The bishops' conference approved the Cebu archdiocese's recommendation to split the diocese into two suffragan dioceses: Danao in the north and Carcar to its south, thereby giving them their own bishops. (A suffragan diocese is typically a smaller diocese within an ecclesiastical province other than the larger Metropolitan Archdiocese.)

Impact on Catholic communities

Filling these vacancies is not only a ministerial role of the pope, who has the exclusive right and authority to appoint a bishop, but also a necessity to ensure that the people of God have a shepherd looking after their spiritual and, sometimes, socio-economic needs.

"A vacant see creates a leadership vacuum. Appointing bishops to vacant sees means not depriving the people of a shepherd," said Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP's episcopal commission on public affairs.

Many Filipinos, even when they are non-Catholics, look to Catholic bishops for moral guidance on socio-political issues. The popular late Cardinal Jaime Sin, when archbishop of Manila, was a vocal opponent of the dictatorial regime of Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., father of the current president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.

Cardinal Sin was instrumental in two historic peaceful revolutions in the country — the People Power Revolution of 1986 and the 2001 revolt that forced the resignation of then-president Joseph Estrada.

During the tumultuous presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, the CBCP issued a pastoral statement condemning the rampant extrajudicial killings of drug suspects, earning the ire of the president. Duterte once suggested that Filipinos should "kill and steal from" Catholic bishops.

Vatican appointment process

While Secillano stressed the importance of a local bishop setting the pastoral direction and priorities of the local church or diocese that are beneficial to the people, he said the Holy See does not rush the appointment of bishops so that it can fill the leadership vacuum. "There should be utmost prudence in doing it," he said.

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CNA Newsroom, Jun 1, 2025 / 19:56 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV urged French Catholics to embark on a profound spiritual renewal by following the example of three beloved saints as France commemorated the centenary of their canonization.

In his first message to the French bishops' conference, released by the Holy See Press Office on Saturday, the Holy Father highlighted St. John Eudes, St. John Mary Vianney, and St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus as powerful models for contemporary evangelization.

The pope emphasized their shared spiritual trait: "they loved Jesus unreservedly in a simple, strong and authentic way" and experienced his goodness in daily closeness.

The pontiff presented these saints as Catholics whose lives demonstrate the transformative power of Christ's tender love.

Leo noted St. John Eudes as the first to celebrate liturgical worship of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, St. John Mary Vianney as the priest who declared, "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus," and St. Thérèse as the great Doctor of scientia amoris who "breathed" Jesus' name with spontaneity and freshness.

Pope Leo framed this anniversary not as mere nostalgia but as an opportunity for missionary momentum. He expressed hope that God can "renew the marvels he has accomplished in the past" through these saints' intercession.

The pope specifically addressed the shortage of priestly vocations, asking whether these saints might inspire young people to embrace the priesthood's "beauty, greatness and fruitfulness."

The message concluded with papal gratitude for French priests' "courageous and persevering commitment" amid contemporary challenges, including "indifference, materialism and individualism."

Pope Leo invoked the saints' intercession for France and placed the nation under the maternal protection of Our Lady of the Assumption.

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