Saint Joseph Catholic Church

“The Catholic Church’s social teaching calls us to safeguard human life, promote the common good, and protect creation for current and future generations,” said William Quinn, the USCCB’s general counsel. “The USCCB respectfully urges the NHTSA to reconsider the proposed rollback and to pursue approaches that genuinely improve affordability while preserving and advancing the nation’s commitment to fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility.”

“Students and teachers from Holy Innocents School in Long Beach, California, greeted the Pontiff at the end of the audience,” L’Osservatore Romano reported. “They are recovering from the horrific experience of February 2, when the institution was subjected to vandalism, with the tabernacle desecrated, the statue of the Virgin Mary broken, and liturgical books spilled onto the floor.”

“Silence in the face of such horror as we now have in Nigeria can hardly escape being labelled as complicit,” the administrative staff of the bishops’ conference said in its February 7 statement. “Every unaddressed attack, every unpunished crime, and every unfulfilled promise deepens the wound of mistrust between the people and those entrusted with their protection.”

“As many innocent individuals are incarcerated based on unfounded allegations of forceful religious conversions, we strongly demand the repealing of legislations which are inconsistent with religious freedom and [the] right to privacy,” the bishops said in their statement, issued at the conclusion of their February meeting.

The prelates also encouraged the nation’s faithful to offer “credible public witness”:

Each time our faith is questioned, or our Christian way of life is confronted, we are presented with a providential moment to deepen our relationship with Christ, who unfailingly grants us the grace needed to persevere (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9). Instead of being silenced or withdrawing from our mission, we are urged to live our Christian identity with courage and conviction, so that the fragrance of Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 2:15) may permeate every aspect of society, inspiring hope and promoting unity among all peoples.

The chairman of the Philippine bishops’ Commission on Inter-Religious Dialogue issued a statement, “On the Shared Observance of Ramadan and the Lenten Season 2026.”

Preaching at the principal Mass of the 34th World Day of the Sick (video, background), Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, asked the faithful to pray for the grace of conversion, that they might love the sick as an expression of love for God.

Pope Leo XIV offered homage to the Immaculate Conception at the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens on February 11 (video).

“Next Wednesday, the season of Lent begins,” Pope Leo said. “It is a time for deepening our knowledge and love of the Lord, for examining our hearts and our lives, as well as refocusing our gaze on Jesus and his love for us.”

The Pope added, “May these coming days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving be a source of strength as we daily strive to take up our own crosses and follow Christ.”

At the conclusion of his February 11 general audience, Pope Leo XIV spoke about Saints Cyril and Methodius in remarks to Polish-speaking pilgrims.