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CNA Staff, Aug 5, 2025 / 11:54 am (CNA).

The guardians of the famed Shroud of Turin are disputing the results of a recent study that purports to disprove the cloth’s origins as the burial shroud of Jesus Christ.

Cicero Moraes, a Brazilian 3D artist, claimed in the scholarly journal Archaeometry last month that the depiction of Christ’s body on the shroud was likely made by a “low-relief model” such as a statue rather than a human body.

The imagery on the shroud is “more consistent with an artistic low-relief representation than with the direct imprint of a real human body, supporting hypotheses of its origin as a medieval work of art,” the study alleges.

‘No novelty in this conclusion’

In an Aug. 4 press release, the International Center of Sindonology — the Turin-based organization that leads studies of the Shroud of Turin and promotes its status as a venerated object of Christian devotion — said the nominally new findings of the study were actually considered and disputed more than a century ago. 

Moraes’ research “confirms a result known since the early studies [in 1902], whereby the image on the shroud is configured as an orthogonal projection,” the center said. “There is nothing new in this conclusion of the article.”

Investigations by the Shroud of Turin Research Project beginning in the 1970s, meanwhile, ruled out “the formation of the image by means of painting, [rubbing] with bas-relief, or contact with a heated statue/bas-relief.”

The center argued that researchers have known for more than 100 years of the so-called “Agamemnon Mask effect,” a phenomenon in which an imprinted image is distorted when wrapped around a 3D subject.

The researchers argued that the digital modeling software used to create Moraes’ projection of the shroud “is not specifically designed for scientific purposes.” The model’s simulated physics and lack of a support plane, they said, “does not correspond to a real physical context.”

Turin archbishop Cardinal Roberto Repole, who serves as the pontifical custodian of the shroud, said his office has “no reason to comment on hypotheses freely formulated by scientists of varying degrees of credibility.”

The prelate pointed to “concern about the superficiality of certain conclusions” regarding the shroud, “which often do not stand up to closer examination of the work presented.”

In its press release, meanwhile, the center quoted famed theoretical physicist Richard Feynman, who in the early 1970s urged researchers: “If you’re doing an experiment, you should report everything that you think might make it invalid — not only what you think is right about it.”

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool,” the center said in quoting the scientist.

Vatican City, Aug 5, 2025 / 11:23 am (CNA).

White rose petals drifted from the gilded ceiling of St. Mary Major Basilica on Tuesday as Romans celebrated the 1,667th anniversary of a fourth-century Marian miracle that inspired the construction of the oldest Marian sanctuary in the West.

According to tradition, the miracle involved a miraculous snowfall in Rome on Aug. 5 in the year 358. The Virgin Mary appeared to both a wealthy Roman nobleman named John and to Pope Liberius (352–366) in a dream foretelling the August snow and asking for a church to be built in her honor on the site of the snowfall.

The basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III (432–440) after the Council of Ephesus in 431 declared Mary to be the mother of God.

Lithuanian Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, 53, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, celebrated the Mass on Aug. 5 to mark the anniversary of the dedication of the Marian basilica.

Appointed to reorganize the basilica’s administration in 2023 as a coadjutor archpriest, Makrickas officially succeeded Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, 80, last month.

As the choir sang the “Gloria” during the liturgy, a gentle cascade of white rose petals fell from the basilica’s ceiling, evoking “the miracle of the snow” said to have taken place nearly 17 centuries ago.

In his homily, the cardinal noted that the snowfall “can be understood as a symbol of grace.”

“It can only be received as a gift,” he said. “Grace also arouses admiration and amazement.” 

Makrickas noted that Pope Francis participated in last year’s commemoration on Aug. 5. “Pope Francis, who rests in this basilica to be watched over, inspired, and comforted [by] our heavenly mother, Salus Populi Romani, deeply experienced this maternal guidance of Mary,” he said, referring to the revered Marian icon housed in the basilica.

“Like him, thousands of pilgrims, in this jubilee year, walk through the Holy Door of this Marian sanctuary to ask for God’s grace to be able, with renewed faith and a burning heart like the snow, to be witnesses of the great works of God in the world,” he added. 

Among the four major papal basilicas in Rome, St. Mary Major is the only one that maintained its original structure. Mosaics dating back to the fifth century can be seen in the central nave of the basilica, which also houses the relic of the Holy Crib from the birth of Christ.

“Dear brothers and sisters, crossing the Holy Door of this basilica means entrusting one’s journey of life and faith to the maternal protection of Mary,” Makrickas said. “And to be inspired by hope is to open oneself to this hope that does not disappoint.” 

CNA Newsroom, Aug 5, 2025 / 10:50 am (CNA).

Australians are paying tribute to a prominent priest who passionately cared for vulnerable young people. For decades, Father Chris Riley transformed thousands of lives through his Youth Off The Streets project. He died Aug. 1 at age 70 after a prolonged illness.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led national tributes to the Salesian father in a statement posted on X.

“Father Chris Riley had a heart as big as the country he served. He gave hope to young people doing it tough and never gave up on anyone. He was a good friend and his legacy will live on in the lives he changed,” the prime minister said.

Christopher Keith Riley was born Nov. 24, 1954, in rural Victoria and ordained as a Salesian priest in 1982 after growing up on a dairy farm, The Catholic Weekly reported.

His life’s work began in 1991 when he established Youth Off The Streets with a single food van serving homeless youth in Sydney’s inner-city Kings Cross area.

Under Riley’s leadership for nearly three decades, the effort expanded from its modest beginnings into a comprehensive organization employing over 220 staff and operating more than 30 programs across New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland. 

The organization now serves approximately 1,600 homeless youth annually, according to a media release from Youth Off The Streets.

NSW Premier Chris Minns in a statement expressed profound sadness at Riley’s death, describing him as a visionary whose work proved “that with compassion and opportunity, young lives can be transformed.”

Minns noted how the Salesian transformed “a single food van in Kings Cross into a lifesaving network of crisis accommodation, counseling, and other wraparound support services.”

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman (Liberal Party) praised Riley as “a quiet giant” who provided “tens of thousands of young people a sanctuary and a second chance,” CathNews reported.

The bipartisan recognition reflects Riley’s widespread respect across Australia’s political spectrum.

Anne Fitzgerald, chairperson of Youth Off The Streets’ board, remembered Riley as “a tireless advocate for homeless and disadvantaged youth” who “inspired and changed thousands of young lives.”

She emphasized the priest’s “compassion, tenacity, and unwavering belief that every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential.”

Australian society recognized the Catholic priest’s work with multiple honors: The government appointed him a member of the Order of Australia in 2006 for service to disadvantaged youth. That same year, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission awarded him the Human Rights Medal.

Riley stepped down from active leadership in 2022 as his health declined but remained connected to the organization he founded. His death marks the end of an era for youth services in Australia, though his organization continues the work he began more than three decades ago.

Judy Barraclough, current CEO of Youth Off The Streets, in the organization’s statement said Riley’s “dedication to supporting and empowering young Australians in need has left a powerful legacy.”

His “vision, drive, and determination will continue to inspire our organization,” she added.

ACI Prensa Staff, Aug 5, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

A Spanish court has ruled in favor of the Catholic Church in the eviction lawsuit against the former Poor Clare nuns of Belorado, ordering them to leave the monastery they are illegally occupying.

“The ruling upholds in its entirety the eviction lawsuit filed on Sept. 16, 2024, by the pontifical commissioner as major superior, administrator, and legal representative of the monastery of Belorado,” announced the statement from the office of the pontifical commissioner published Aug. 1.

The papal commissioner, Archbishop Mario Iceta, is also the archbishop of Burgos, where the monastery is located.

The text specifies that the ruling declares “that the eviction of the defendant [the schismatic former nuns] from the aforementioned property is warranted, the possession of which must be returned to the plaintiff, and orders the defendant to vacate, leave the aforementioned property free and clear, and at the disposal of the plaintiff, with the threat of eviction if they do not do so voluntarily.”

The ruling of the lower court, located in the town of Briviesca, follows the July 29 trial and states that “the defendant has not demonstrated, as was their responsibility, that it possesses any title that would justify and legitimize the use of the property” against the demand to vacate by the actual title holder, “which must lead to the full upholding of the claim.”

The ruling also emphasizes that the schismatic former nuns cannot acquire the property they occupy because it is merely “a gathering of individuals [as opposed to a juridical person] lacking the authority” to do so.

Carlos Azcona of the office of the pontifical commissioner said regarding the case that “it is important to note that this ruling addresses the substance of the matter,” stating that the former nuns’ “so-called conventual chapter” is nothing more than “a gathering of individuals lacking the authority to meet as such a chapter.”

He thus noted that “the agreement reached [by the schismatic nuns] regarding the transformation of the monastery into a civil association would be null and void and cannot serve as a justification for the right to continue occupying the monastery.”

Finally, Azcona clarified that “the ruling we learned of yesterday orders the eviction of the schismatic former nuns who do not belong to the monastic community. The older sisters [still in communion with Rome] are the only ones who constitute the Belorado monastic community, and at this time we should not make any statements regarding any action related to them.”

In a previous ruling, the Briviesca court had already set Sept. 12 as the date for the eviction.

The schismatic former nuns of Belorado

The former Poor Clare nuns of Belorado were excommunicated from the Catholic Church for the crime of schism in June 2024 after announcing in May 2024 that they were leaving the Catholic Church and placing themselves under the tutelage of a false excommunicated bishop.

On May 13, when they announced their departure from the Catholic Church, the nuns indicated in a letter and a declaration that they recognize “H.H. Pius XII as the last valid supreme pontiff,” a decision that was explained through an attached 70-page text titled “Catholic Manifesto” claiming that “the see of St. Peter is vacant and usurped.” 

At the time, the nuns stated that their community “is leaving the conciliar Church to which it belonged to become part of the Catholic Church.” They complained that in recent years there have been “contradictions, double and confusing language, ambiguity, and loopholes in clear doctrine have been coming from the chair of Peter.” 

In addition to the penalty of excommunication, the 10 former nuns were expelled from consecrated life, which meant they were supposed to leave the monastery. However, they did not do so and began a legal battle to remain in the building.

In mid-September 2024, Iceta, the pontifical commissioner appointed by Pope Francis, filed a lawsuit demanding that the schismatic former nuns leave the monastery. He had repeatedly stated that the former Poor Clares could no longer occupy the monastery, having expressed their decision not to remain in the Catholic Church.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA

Elie Hasrouty, whose father was killed in the 2020 Beirut port blast, tells Vatican News that he wants the tragedy to inspire Lebanon to “come together, act, and organise".

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 5, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

President Donald Trump’s administration may be walking back an earlier plan that would have required insurance companies to provide coverage for in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a report from the Washington Post.

The Post reported that “two people with knowledge of internal discussions” told the outlet that the White House does not plan to impose any IVF mandates on health insurance providers.

According to the report, a senior administration official said expanding IVF access is still “a huge priority” for the president but that any government-imposed mandatory coverage would need to come from legislation passed through Congress. The article reported that such a plan is not on the table at the moment.

CNA reached out to the White House for a response to that report and to ask whether religious liberty concerns for Catholics and others opposed to IVF are being weighed in the deliberations but did not get a response by the time of publication.

The Catholic Church opposes IVF because it separates the creation of life from the marital act and because the process results in the destruction of millions of human embryos, which ends human lives. The Southern Baptist Convention officially expressed opposition to IVF last year as well, but many Protestant denominations do not take a formal stance.

Trump first promised nearly a year ago during a campaign rally that the government would either subsidize IVF costs with taxpayer money or impose a coverage mandate on insurers. In October, Trump told EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo that a religious exemption for those opposed to IVF “sounds to me like a pretty good idea” and that “we will look at that.”

As president in February, Trump signed an executive order directing the United States Domestic Policy Council to examine ways to expand IVF access, which sparked immediate concerns from the pro-life community and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). At this point, the administration has not imposed any rules related to IVF coverage.

Father Thomas Ferguson, who serves on the religious leadership advisory board for Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, told CNA the report suggesting a departure from an insurance coverage mandate is “welcome news” but that Catholics “must continue to remain vigilant” in opposition to IVF.

IVF, Ferguson said, is “an illicit medical procedure” and must not be portrayed as an “essential health benefit.”

“It is a matter of grave concern that there might exist the possibility that tax dollars would be used to pay for IVF procedures under federally funded insurance plans,” Ferguson said.

“An even more serious concern would be the prospect of the federal government attempting to mandate privately funded insurance plans to pay for IVF services in a manner that would be clearly contrary to the religious beliefs of individuals, business owners, or even churches themselves,” he added.

The Religious Liberty Commission has held one hearing so far, but concerns about potential IVF expansion were not on the agenda. Ferguson said that education will be the focus of the second hearing scheduled for Sept. 8. No other topics have been scheduled yet, but he said he expects Catholic leaders to raise the IVF issue within the context of the commission’s work.

“Catholic belief and teaching that IVF is a morally illicit means of conceiving human life is well known, so it should be no surprise that Catholic leaders and the Catholic faithful would be dismayed by the administration’s commitment to promote IVF as a part of its policy on marriage and family life,” Ferguson added.

Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, a senior ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), expressed optimism about the report, telling CNA that Trump’s advisers “thankfully seem to have gotten his ear and reminded him that the government ought not be subsidizing IVF in any manner.”

IVF, he said, is “an unethical approach to satisfying parental desires and customer yearnings by erecting and subsidizing an enormous industry to replace what parents themselves are meant to do uniquely within the marital embrace. Human life is not respected in the process but is instead commodified and objectified.”

Rather than covering IVF, Pacholczyk said health insurance should cover “authentic therapies and treatments for infertility,” such as natural procreative technology and Fertility Education and Medical Management, which are pro-life alternatives that seek to address the root causes of fertility struggles.

NCBC past president and senior fellow Joseph Meaney told CNA the report is “highly welcome news” and noted that IVF is “extremely unethical and costly,” while the many pro-life alternatives are “ethically and financially” preferable.

He said the Church has consistently condemned IVF as immoral since 1987 in the document Donum Vitae and that the First Amendment would require that any potential insurance mandate have religious liberty exemptions.

“Religious freedom constitutional guarantees in the U.S. would make it illegal to impose IVF on Catholics and particularly on Catholic employers who might have been required to pay for IVF through their employee health insurance plans,” Meaney added.

In a message on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, Pope Leo XIV urges the international community to renew its commitment to pursue lasting peace for our whole human family.

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Following the reignition of conflict in the northeastern part of Ghana, the Minister of the Upper East Region of the country urges local Catholic leaders to use their influence to achieve peace.

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The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to address the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip, following the release this week of videos by Palestinian militias showing them suffering from starvation.

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A world without nuclear weapons is not unrealistic, the archbishop of Tokyo said marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city of Hiroshima in Japan.