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White House responds to Pope Leo's words on the prayers of those who wage war (C-SPAN)
Posted on 04/1/2026 06:04 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
Asked by a reporter about the Pope’s words, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded:
I think our nation was a nation founded 250 years ago, almost, on Judeo-Christian values, and we’ve seen presidents, we’ve seen the leaders of the Department of War and we’ve seen our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nation’s history, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our service members in those who are serving our country overseas.
In fact, I think it’s a noble thing to do, and if you talk to many service members, they’ll tell you they appreciate the prayers and support from the Commander in Chief and from his Cabinet.
Supreme Court strikes down Colorado conversion therapy ban (Religion Clause)
Posted on 04/1/2026 06:04 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
“The First Amendment is no word game,” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in his majority opinion. “And the rights it protects cannot be renamed away or their protections nullified.”
The attorney for the Christian counselor who challenged the law said, “Kids deserve real help affirming that their bodies are not a mistake and that they are wonderfully made. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today is a significant win for free speech, common sense, and families desperate to help their children.”
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, joined by the Colorado Catholic Conference and the Catholic University of America, filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the counselor who challenged the ban.
Ukrainian Catholic leader marks 15th anniversary of enthronement (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
Posted on 04/1/2026 05:04 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
The prayer service took place on March 29 in the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv. The apostolic nuncio, as well as representatives of the Latin-rite Ukrainian hierarchy and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, were present for the occasion.
Vatican diplomat praises EU for response to Ukrainian refugees (Holy See Mission)
Posted on 04/1/2026 05:04 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
“Becoming a refugee is never a choice,” said Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. “The right to life must be prioritized, and the principle of non-refoulement must be upheld. No person in need of protection should die at sea or at land borders due to withheld, delayed, or conditional assistance.”
Archbishop Balestrero added:
The Holy See supports efforts to develop more predictable, route-based responses, including strengthened search-and-rescue coordination. However, such an approach must also address the root causes of forced displacement, so that no one is compelled to leave his or her home due to a well founded fear of persecution.
Prelate hails India's new climate targets (UCANews)
Posted on 04/1/2026 05:04 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
“I commend the government’s updated climate commitments as they build on the success of surpassing renewable energy targets ahead of time and commit to increasing carbon sinks through expanded forest and tree cover,” said Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, a retired Mumbai auxiliary bishop. He told UCA News:
As a faith-based leader, I believe in ecological stewardship, sustainable living, and development that is anchored in the sanctity of the deep web of interconnectedness between the Creator, nature, and human beings. This relationship has been disrupted, placing us on the brink of a planetary crisis.
Vice President Vance writes book on his Christian faith, conversion to Catholicism (HarperCollins)
Posted on 04/1/2026 05:04 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
“To summarize this book: I’m a Christian, and I became a Christian because I believe that Jesus Christ’s teachings are true,” Vice President Vance said. “But I didn’t always think that, and by sharing my journey I might be helpful to others—Catholic, Protestant, or otherwise—who are seeking reconciliation with God.”
Islamist terrorists threaten religious freedom in DR Congo, commission warns (US Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Posted on 04/1/2026 05:04 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
The report, released on March 30, focuses on the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamist rebel group.
Pope appeals to President Trump and world leaders: Find solutions to end war (Vatican News)
Posted on 04/1/2026 05:04 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
“Hopefully he’s looking for an ‘off-ramp,’” the Pope continued. “Hopefully he’s looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing, which would be a significant contribution to removing the hatred that’s being created and that’s increasing constantly in the Middle East and elsewhere.”
The Pontiff urged world leaders to “come back to the table, to dialogue. Let’s look for solutions to problems, let’s look for ways to reduce the amount of violence that we’re promoting, that peace—especially at Easter—might reign in our hearts.”
Cardinal Sarah: The liturgy is not a place of battle (Catholic Herald)
Posted on 04/1/2026 04:04 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
Cardinal Sarah, who served as the prefect of the Congregation (now Dicastery) for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 2014 until 2021, added that “the Church is nothing without God.”
“God must truly be placed at the center of our existence, at the center of our life, at the centre of our concerns,” he said. “If we detach the Church from this mission … the Church is useless.”
Pope's April prayer intention: for priests in crisis (@Pontifex)
Posted on 04/1/2026 04:04 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)