Catholic church
Coverage of Catholic church in the Nexus archive.
- The immorality of world leaders is contagious. Thank heavens for the pope | Simon Tisdall
The article highlights the moral failings of leaders like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Benjamin Netanyahu, who exhibit violence, lack compassion, and reject basic moral standards. It contrasts them with Pope Leo, described as a rare figure of moral leadership in a world dominated by immoral political actors.
- Pope Leo urges US to welcome immigrants in America 250 speech before visiting global migrant hotspot
Pope Leo XIV urged the U.S. to uphold its history of welcoming immigrants during a virtual address at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, where he received the 2026 Liberty Medal. He emphasized America's founding principles of freedom and referenced the Declaration of Independence, later traveling to Lampedusa, a European migrant hotspot, to advocate for greater acceptance of migrants.
- Pope defends migrants at Mediterranean island frontier
Pope Leo XIV visited Lampedusa, a Mediterranean island that serves as a major arrival point for migrants from Africa, to emphasize support for migrants. The visit coincided with the United States' 250th anniversary of independence and follows his previous disagreements with President Donald Trump's policies on migrants.
- Pope to defend migrants at Mediterranean island frontier
Pope Leo XIV visits Italy's Lampedusa island, a key arrival point for African migrants, to send a message to US and EU leaders. The first US pope, who has criticized President Donald Trump's migrant policies, is on the island on July 4, the US' 250th anniversary.
- Vatican cracks down on a traditionalist group by excommunicating its bishops
The Vatican declared the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) in schism and excommunicated its bishops and priests after they consecrated bishops without papal approval. The decree warns SSPX faithful that attending their Masses could result in excommunication, reversing prior concessions to the traditionalist group.
- BISHOP ROBERT BARRON: The real reason communists fear religion and want believers silenced
Bishop Robert Barron argues that communists seek to suppress religion because it numbs people's awareness of economic exploitation and provides moral limits that challenge communist totalizing systems. He references Karl Marx's view of religion as 'opium of the masses' and Ludwig Feuerbach's theory of God as a human projection.
- Breakaway Catholic group SSPX risks schism with Rome
An ultra-traditionalist Catholic group has consecrated bishops without papal consent, risking a rupture with the church. The pope had begged it to reconsider its plan.
- Defying Pope Leo XIV and risking schism, traditionalists go ahead with Latin Mass consecrations
Traditionalist Catholics defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops during a Latin Mass in Switzerland without papal approval, citing a 'sacred duty' to preserve Catholic tradition. The Pope warned the act constitutes a 'sin of extreme gravity' and risks excommunication and schism, but the ceremony proceeded with thousands of attendees and livestreamed coverage.
- Pope Leo: human dignity in the AI age
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical addresses theological and humanistic insights into artificial intelligence's impact on human dignity, advocating for global collaboration between the Catholic Church, nations, and institutions to shape a 'dream of a new modernity.' The article highlights the encyclical's focus on balancing AI's potential and risks.
- JD Vance reveals what drew him back to God after seeing Christians had life ‘figured out’
JD Vance discusses his return to Christianity and conversion to Catholicism in his new memoir, 'Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,' after feeling unfulfilled by academic and financial success. He credits the kindness and character of Christians he observed as motivating his faith journey, while also expressing a desire for his Hindu wife, Usha, to convert, despite backlash over his comments.
- JD Vance reveals what drew him back to God after seeing Christians had life ‘figured out’
Vice President JD Vance discusses how his pursuit of academic and financial success left him unfulfilled, leading him to return to Christianity and eventually convert to Catholicism. He credits the kindness and character of Christians he encountered as influencing his faith journey, which is detailed in his new memoir 'Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.' Vance also mentions his wife Usha's Hindu faith and their children, noting their involvement in Sunday Mass despite her not practicing Catholicism.
- Pope Leo XIV heads to northern Italy to honor St. Augustine and migrant saint Cabrini
Pope Leo XIV travels to northern Italy to honor St. Augustine and Mother Frances Cabrini, the patron saint of migrants. The visit includes stops in Pavia to pray at St. Augustine's tomb and near Milan to recognize Cabrini's birthplace, highlighting the pope's focus on Christian devotion and migrant advocacy.
- Trump or Prevost?: US, Catholic Church and the global poor
The article discusses the Catholic Church's shift in political influence following the 1891 Rerum Novarum encyclical by Pope Leo XIII, which marked a response to the Church's loss of the Papal State and reduced role in European politics. It references the encyclical's historical context and implications for the Church's global stance.
- Young Catholic voters need to recognize what motivates Trump and the GOP
The article discusses tensions between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, highlighting Trump's dismissive remarks and AI-generated images targeting the Catholic Church. It criticizes the MAGA movement's undermining of Catholic values and the GOP's 2025 'One Big Beautiful Bill' which proposes cuts to social programs.
- Key takeaways from the Guardian’s inquiry into the church’s handling of a predatory priest
The Catholic Church extended Anthony Odiong's term as a priest despite knowing about allegations of his sexual misconduct against female congregants. A Texas jury later convicted him of criminal clergy sexual assault, resulting in a life imprisonment sentence.
- Key takeaways from the Guardian’s inquiry into the church’s handling of a predatory priest
The Catholic Church extended the temporary role of Anthony Odiong, a priest accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, despite knowing about the allegations. Odiong was later convicted of criminal clergy sexual assault in Waco, Texas, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Catholic church had been alerted to Texas priest’s sexual predation for years – but dawdled before acting
The Catholic Church in Texas delayed acting on allegations of sexual misconduct against priest Anthony Odiong, extending his temporary role at a Louisiana church despite multiple complaints from women. Internal church documents show leaders sought to prolong his assignment by three years, leading to his eventual life prison sentence in June.
- Catholic church had been alerted to Texas priest’s sexual predation for years – but dawdled before acting
Church officials extended the role of Anthony Odiong, a priest later convicted of sexual assault, despite multiple allegations of misconduct from women. Internal Catholic church files show leaders sought to prolong his three-year assignment at a Louisiana church even as complaints persisted.
- Pope tells traffickers of migrants in the Canary Islands: Stop, repent or face God’s wrath
Pope Leo XIV warned human traffickers in the Canary Islands to stop exploiting migrants, urging them to repent or face divine consequences. During his visit to Spain's Canary Islands, a key entry point for African migrants, he emphasized the Church's call to 'welcome the stranger' and criticized anti-migrant policies in Europe and the U.S.
- As UFOs go mainstream, the jury is out on what the existence of alien life might mean for religion
Steven Spielberg's film 'Disclosure Day' explores the implications of extraterrestrial life for religion, as public interest in UFOs and unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) grows. The Pentagon released UFO files, former President Barack Obama acknowledged the statistical likelihood of alien life, and religious figures like Diana Walsh Pasulka argue such discoveries challenge secular views, while others, including Catholic leaders, link UFOs to demonic activity.
- Pope tells traffickers of migrants in the Canary Islands: Stop, repent or face God's wrath
Pope Leo XIV warned human traffickers in the Canary Islands to stop exploiting migrants, urging them to repent during his visit to the region, a key entry point for African migrants to Europe. He emphasized the Church's stance on welcoming migrants amid rising anti-migrant sentiment and highlighted the deadly Atlantic migration route, where thousands have perished.
- Pope meets with 6 clergy abuse survivors in Spain, hopes to improve response
Pope Leo XIV met with six clergy sexual abuse survivors in Madrid, listening to their stories and pledging to use their suggestions to improve the Catholic Church's response. The Vatican described the meeting as a commitment to making the church a safer, more healing environment, though some survivor groups protested their exclusion from the encounter.
- Pope denounces ‘scourge’ of abuse before meeting victims
Pope Leo XIV denounced sexual violence by Catholic clergy in Spain and called for a 'culture of care' ahead of a private meeting with victims. Some victim groups expressed disappointment over being excluded from the meeting, while the Vatican stated it would provide details after the encounter to respect victims.
- Pope Leo receives seven-minute standing ovation after calling for the public’s ‘moral renewal’ to respect migrants
Pope Leo XIV received a seven-minute standing ovation from Spanish lawmakers after addressing parliament on the need for 'moral renewal' to respect migrants, the unborn, and vulnerable people. His speech marked a historic moment of Catholic Church acceptance in Spain, a secular country with declining religious observance, and coincided with regional tensions between Israel and Iran.
- Pope’s historic speech to Spain’s parliament demands respect for migrants and gets 7-minute ovation
Pope Leo XIV delivered a historic speech to Spain's parliament, calling for respect for migrants' rights and international law, which received a 7-minute standing ovation. The address marked a significant shift in the Catholic Church's political acceptance in secular Spain, contrasting with its past role under Franco's dictatorship.
- Celebrating a wedding amid the Ebola outbreak: No kisses or close contact, but love lives here
A couple in Congo's Ituri province held a socially distanced wedding amid an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has killed 91 of 515 confirmed cases. Local authorities enforced restrictions on gatherings and physical contact, leading to limited attendance and adapted celebrations at a Catholic Church in Bunia.
- In first papal speech to Spanish parliament, pope demands respect for migrants
Pope Leo XIV addressed the Spanish parliament, urging respect for migrant rights and international law. The speech marked a new level of Catholic Church acceptance in Spain's public sphere.
- Pope Leo XIV urges Spain to stop fanning flames of polarization on first papal visit in 15 years
Pope Leo XIV urged Spain to stop fanning polarization during his first papal visit in 15 years amid political turmoil and a Catholic Church credibility crisis. The visit, welcomed by 500,000 people including many young attendees, emphasizes peace and unity in a polarized Europe facing migration, the Russia-Ukraine war, and AI concerns.
- Pope Leo says war on Iran fails Catholic ‘just war’ criteria
Pope Leo stated the US-Israel war on Iran does not meet Catholic just war criteria, reiterating his stance during a Madrid visit and criticizing modern weapons' destructive power. He rejected US Vice President JD Vance's characterization of the conflict as a 'just war'.
- Pope Leo XIV urges Spain to stop fanning flames of polarization on first papal visit in 15 years
Pope Leo XIV urged Spain to stop 'fanning the flames of polarization' during his first papal visit in 15 years, addressing political turmoil and a credibility crisis for the Catholic Church. The visit highlights his message of peace and unity amid European polarization over migration, the Russia-Ukraine war, and artificial intelligence.
- Peculiar alliance with visiting pope a blessing for Spain’s Sánchez
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain aligns with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on immigration and criticism of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, despite past tensions over abortion. The convergence reflects a broader shift in the Spanish Catholic Church's approach to political issues.
- Leo XIV urges Spain to stop fanning flames of polarization on first papal visit in 15 years
Pope Leo XIV's first papal visit to Spain in 15 years urges the country to stop polarization amid political turmoil and a Catholic Church credibility crisis. He will address the Spanish Parliament, a first for a pope, as the nation grapples with divisions over immigration, feminism, and corruption.
- Leo XIV urges Spain to stop fanning flames of polarization on first papal visit in 15 years
Pope Leo XIV urged Spain to stop 'fanning the flames of polarization' during his first papal visit in 15 years, addressing political turmoil and a credibility crisis for the Catholic Church. He emphasized unity, education, and dialogue amid European divisions over migration, Ukraine, and AI, while Spain's government faces corruption scandals and political polarization.
- The pope is in secularized, polarized Spain, where the Catholic Church has a complex legacy
Pope Leo XIV begins a seven-day visit to Spain in 2026, meeting with King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The trip addresses the Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis and marks the first papal visit to Spain in 15 years, emphasizing Europe's Christian roots. The Pope also acknowledges competition with Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny's concerts in Madrid.
- The pope is in secularized, polarized Spain, where the Catholic Church has a complex legacy
Pope Leo XIV is visiting Spain, a secularized and politically polarized country, to address a government in crisis and engage with abuse survivors. His trip includes a historic speech to the Spanish Parliament and cultural events like 'pope cakes,' while competing with Bad Bunny's concerts.
- The pope is in secularized, polarized Spain, where the Catholic Church has a complex legacy
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain highlights the Catholic Church's complex legacy in a secularized, polarized country. The trip includes a meeting with clergy sexual abuse survivors, a speech to the Spanish Parliament, and occurs amid a political crisis involving the Socialist-led government and opposition parties.
- Pope Leo to focus on immigration, social justice in visit to Spain
Pope Leo XIV will visit Spain for a week, focusing on immigration and social justice. He will also meet with victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy.
- Pope to find a secularized, polarized Spain where the Catholic Church has a complex legacy
Pope Leo XIV will visit Spain, a traditional center of European Christianity, where the Catholic Church has a complex legacy. The Socialist-led government in Spain is currently experiencing a political crisis.
- Pope to find a secularized, polarized Spain where the Catholic Church has a complex legacy
Pope Leo XIV is visiting Spain, addressing a politically polarized and secularized nation with a complex Catholic Church legacy. The trip includes a speech to the Spanish Parliament and meetings with abuse survivors, amid a government crisis and cultural events in Madrid.
- Pope Leo’s visiting Europe’s migration hot spots. Catholics hope he’ll ease political tensions
Pope Leo XIV is visiting Spain's Canary Islands and Italy's Lampedusa to address migration issues, aiming to shift focus from political divisions to humanitarian solidarity. The Catholic Church emphasizes treating migrants with dignity, as tensions rise over deadly migration routes and political debates in historically Catholic nations.