Everyone can be a good Samaritan, pope says in message for world’s sick

January 21, 2026 U.S. Conf. of Catholic Bishops
To love one’s neighbor — whom Jesus identifies as anyone who has need of us — is within everyone’s reach, Pope Leo XIV said in his message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, observed by the church Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Carol Glatz January 20, 2026 Pope Leo XIV greets a young woman in a wheelchair after leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer in front of the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Aug. 17, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) VATICAN CITY (CNS) — People of faith and goodwill need to take...

God speaks to the faithful; take time to listen every day, pope says

January 15, 2026 U.S. Conf. of Catholic Bishops
Pope Leo XIV continued his new catechesis series on Vatican II, this time focusing on the importance of dedicating time to prayer. Building and strengthening one’s friendship with the Lord requires listening to his word and sharing what’s in one’s heart. Also it is only by listening to God can the faithful truly speak about him. Carol Glatz January 14, 2026 Pope Leo XIV greets people at the conclusion of his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican Jan. 14, 2026. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) VATICAN CITY (CNS) — If Christians are to speak about...

Pope Leo XIV calls on Catholics to rediscover Vatican II teachings

January 8, 2026 U.S. Conf. of Catholic Bishops, What's Happening
Pope Leo XIV launches a fresh series of weekly talks on the Second Vatican Council, urging Catholics worldwide to reread its documents and continue to be inspired by its prophetic teachings. Carol Glatz January 7, 2026 Pope John XXIII leads the opening session of the Second Vatican Council in St. Peter’s Basilica Oct. 11, 1962. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano) VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The teachings of the Second Vatican Council are still “the guiding star” the Catholic Church is meant to follow, Pope Leo XIV said. Rereading all of its teachings “is a valuable opportunity to rediscover the beauty and...

President of U.S. Bishops Conference Issues Statement on Course of Action Responding to Moral Failures on Part of Church Leaders

August 1, 2018 U.S. Conf. of Catholic Bishops
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement noting the steps the U.S. Bishops Conference will take in addressing the failures of the Church in protecting the people of God. Cardinal DiNardo’s full statement follows: “The accusations against Archbishop Theodore McCarrick reveal a grievous moral failure within the Church. They cause bishops anger, sadness, and shame; I know they do in me. They compel bishops to ask, as I do, what more could have been done to protect the People of God. Both the abuses...

Mary Pat Donoghue Named as Executive Director of the Secretariat of Catholic Education for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

August 1, 2018 U.S. Conf. of Catholic Bishops
WASHINGTON—Mary Pat Donoghue has been appointed as Executive Director of the Secretariat of Catholic Education for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Monsignor Brian Bransfield, USCCB Secretary General, made the appointment, which will take effect August 13, 2018. Over her 28 years of service to Catholic education, Ms. Donoghue is perhaps best known for her tenure as Principal of St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville, Maryland, where she led the effort to move the parish school from near failure to a now-thriving and growing institution. Before then, she served as a Vice Principal and as a teacher in...

Pope Francis Names Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted As Apostolic Administrator of the Byzantine Eparchy of Phoenix

August 1, 2018 U.S. Conf. of Catholic Bishops
WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has appointed the Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, as the Apostolic Administrator Sede Plena of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic eparchy of Phoenix. Bishop Olmsted will also retain his current Office as Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix. The announcement was publicized in Washington on August 1, 2018 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Olmsted has served as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix since December 20, 2003. Prior to his arrival in Phoenix, Bishop Olmsted served as Bishop of Wichita, Kansas from 2001-2003, after being ordained Coadjutor...