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Pope Leo XIV received a delegation of Senegalese Muslim leaders this morning, thanked them for their efforts to foster interreligious dialogue with local Catholics, and told them that Christians and Muslims have a shared responsibility to condemn discrimination and persecution.

“As Christians and Muslims, we all believe that every human being is fashioned by the hands of God, and thus endowed with a dignity that no law or human power has the right to take away,” Pope Leo said.

“It is on this foundation of brotherhood, rooted in the origins of humanity and in faith, that we jointly assume our shared responsibility: to condemn all forms of discrimination and persecution based on race, religion or origin; to reject any exploitation of God’s name for military, economic or political ends; to raise our voices in support of every minority that suffers,” the Pope added.

Located in West Africa, Senegal, a nation of 19.3 million (map), is 92% Muslim, 5% Christian, and 3% ethnic religionist.

Addressing a UN conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968), a Vatican diplomat condemned attacks on nuclear facilities.

Msgr. Robert D. Murphy, Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, said on May 5 that the “Holy See recalls the longstanding consensus within the international community that armed attacks on nuclear facilities must never take place, as they could result in radioactive releases with serious consequences for the affected State and beyond.”

Without mentioning by name the recent Ukrainian attack on a Russian-occupied nuclear plant, or last year’s U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Msgr. Murphy said:

Recent events have drawn attention to the seriousness of such risks, including the potential for radioactive releases with far-reaching humanitarian and environmental consequences. Against this backdrop, the Holy See draws attention to both the immediate and long-term impacts of nuclear activities, including uranium mining and radioactive waste.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops posted a video by Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, explaining the upcoming consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart.

The Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will take place on June 12, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and will be preceded by a June 3-11 novena.

The Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, announced plans to establish a shrine to Venerable Augustus Tolton (1854-1897).

Father Tolton was born into slavery in Missouri, ordained to the priesthood in Rome, and ministered in Illinois. He was declared venerable in 2019.

The Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, filed a lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from confiscating some of its land for border wall construction.

“The Diocesan property that the Government seeks to condemn is located at the base of Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico,” attorneys representing the diocese said in their lawsuit. “Atop the mountain sits a 29-foot-tall limestone statue of Jesus Christ that serves as a shrine to thousands of faithful in the El Paso and Southern New Mexico area.”

“The mountaintop shrine is the site of annual pilgrimages,” the attorneys continued. “On the feast day of Christ the King each fall, as many as 40,000 faithful climb Mount Cristo Rey” for a Mass. “Some of the faithful make the five-mile journey barefooted, while fewer make the ascent on their knees.”