We Are Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish

Three seminarians were kidnapped in Nigeria’s Edo State on July 10, adding to the escalating crisis of abductions plaguing the country, with Christians increasingly being targeted.

The Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, calls for nations to implement policies that support and protect families, motherhood, and maternity, along with the promotion of equality between women and men.

Read all

 

ACI Prensa Staff, Jul 15, 2025 / 19:07 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV made his first “getaway” from Castel Gandolfo to visit the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception of the Poor Clares of Albano, located within the Papal Villas.

After celebrating Mass on Tuesday morning in the chapel of the Carabinieri station in Castel Gandolfo, where he is staying during his vacation, Pope Leo headed to the nearby monastery, where he was warmly welcomed by the nuns.

The pontiff paused in prayer in the monastery chapel, sharing a moment of silence and contemplation with the sisters, whom he later greeted one by one, emphasizing that “it is beautiful that the Church knows your life, because it is a valuable testimony.”

The encounter generated various images of tenderness, reflected in the joyful and grateful faces of the Sisters of St. Clare, whose mission is to pray for the pope, for the Church, and for all of Vatican City.

The Monastery of the Poor Clares of Albano, founded in 1631 during the pontificate of Urban VIII, has maintained a special bond with the Holy See since its origins.

According to the official website of the Vatican City State, its foundation was due to the generosity of Princess Caterina Savelli and the prince and princess of Albano, who donated the monastery to Sister Francesca Farnese, founder of the Farnese Monastery in Viterbo and promoter of a reform of strict Poor Clare observance.

Throughout the centuries, the nuns have lived in this monastery a life of silence, prayer, and contemplation, faithful to the charism of St. Clare of Assisi. They have also received visits from pontiffs, especially during the summer months.

Pope Francis visited the community for the first time in July 2013, where he emphasized the “incalculable value” the sisters attribute to prayer.

“I came here because I know you pray for me! I am so grateful for all you do for the Church: prayer, penance, caring for one another... Your vocation to the contemplative life is beautiful,” Francis said.

During a visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the monastery in 2007, the pontiff emphasized that “the spiritual bond that exists between you and the successor of Peter is very close.”

St. John Paul II, during a meeting with them in August 1979, affirmed that, of all the people “the pope loves dearly, you are certainly the most precious.”

“The vicar of Christ has an extreme need for your spiritual help and counts above all on you, who, by divine vocation, have chosen the better part, which is silence, prayer, contemplation, the exclusive love of God.”

Aware of this tradition, Pope Leo XIV chose to visit them as well. Before saying goodbye, he signed the monastery’s book of honor and prayed the Lord’s Prayer with the sisters.

As a sign of gratitude, Pope Leo gave the community a chalice and paten for the celebration of Mass, and the sisters, in turn, presented him with an icon of the face of Jesus.

ACI Prensa Staff, Jul 15, 2025 / 17:46 pm (CNA).

The Syrian Catholic archbishop of Homs in Syria, Jacques Mourad, has issued an urgent appeal for the future of the Christian presence in Syria amid a situation marked by violence, poverty, and the collapse of institutions.

Born in Aleppo and a member of St. Moses the Abyssinian Monastery, Mourad — who was kidnapped by ISIS in 2015 and managed to escape after five months of captivity — painfully expressed his concern for the present situation in his country: “Today, Syria has ceased to exist as a country,” he stated in an interview with the Vatican news agency Fides.

However, he has not lost hope or his spiritual conviction: “Jesus wants his Church to remain in Syria. And this idea of emptying Syria of Christians is certainly not God’s will.”

Syria is going through a period of great uncertainty following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. Although the end of his government raised expectations of a democratic transition, violence has intensified and the humanitarian crisis continues.

Various armed factions are vying for power, especially in key cities such as Idlib, Aleppo, and Damascus, resulting in targeted killings, massacres, arbitrary arrests, and people disappearing.

Consecrated the archbishop of Homs, Hama, and Nabek in 2023, Mourad recalled with regret the recent massacre of Orthodox Christians in Damascus on June 22 as they participated in the Divine Liturgy at St. Elijah Church. At the command of the Lord in biblical times, the prophet Elijah anointed Hazael as king of Syria.

Back in 2013, two Orthodox archbishops were abducted and have never been found. 

“Every government is responsible for the security of its people. And I’m not just referring to Christians. Many Sunni Muslims, many Alawites have also been killed, many have disappeared. This government is persecuting the people. All the people,” he openly charged.

According to the prelate, both the Assad regime and the current one “have no respect for the Syrian people and their history.”

Adding to the violence is the daily hostility suffered by the baptized. The archbishop denounced the practice of people driving around in official cars with loudspeakers proclaiming verses from the Quran and calling on Christians to convert.

“They drive by in government security cars and through loudspeakers, call on Christians to convert. If we then ask the security officials why they are acting this way, they tell us it’s an individual initiative. But meanwhile, they continue to use the security cars… The people no longer believe in this government,” he commented.

Regarding rumors about a possible renewal of the armistice with Israel, Mourad said that “almost all the Syrian people want peace, including with Israel, because everyone is tired of war. But if an agreement were reached now, it would only be because Syria is weak. It would be another act of humiliation for the people.”

The humanitarian situation in Syria

According to the archbishop, the humanitarian situation in Syria is also devastating. “A large part of the population lives below the poverty line; we are massacred, humiliated, and worn out.”

“We lack the strength to regain our dignity on our own. If there is no sincere political support for the people, and not the government, we are finished,” he firmly stated.

Despite everything, the archbishop insisted that the Church can and must be a source of hope: “The Church is the only reference point for hope for all the Syrian people, not just for Christians. We do everything possible to support our people.”

That’s why he has personally visited all the parishes in his archdiocese to encourage the faithful. “Thanks be to God, I always feel the Lord accompanying me in the words I address to the people,” he said.

Mourad also emphasized the importance of dialogue between religious communities in a deeply wounded country: “In Homs, encounters are encouraged with all communities: Alawites, Ismailis, Sunnis, and Christians.”

“Everyone we meet is concerned about government policy, including Muslims. We are united because we are all in the same boat,” the archbishop remarked.

The reconstruction of Syria

In his vision for the reconstruction of the country, Mourad highlighted the role of the Church in specific areas: “It is essential that the Church be deeply involved in the reconstruction of schools and the entire educational system in Syria. And also in the construction of decent hospitals for our people.”

Currently, schools are functioning in Aleppo and Damascus, but “in Homs there’s nothing,” he lamented.

The prelate therefore urged action also on behalf of young people: “We need to revive pastoral and cultural centers that can support the human and cultural growth of our young people. And also homes for young people who want to get married. In this way, all young people can be encouraged to stay in the country, not to leave.”

Finally, with firm hope, the archbishop said that “resources are lacking, but the horizon is clear: This is how we can go forward on our Church’s journey in Syria. Because this is, without a doubt, the will of Jesus.”

“Jesus wants his Church to remain in Syria. This idea of emptying Syria of Christians is certainly not the will of God. We have a duty to protect our faithful and do everything possible to guarantee the future of the Church in Syria,” he affirmed.

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

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 15, 2025 / 15:58 pm (CNA).

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe is calling on churches across the nation to mark the “somber milestone” of the 80th anniversary of the detonation of the first nuclear bomb, which took place in New Mexico in 1945.

The detonation of the Trinity explosion in the Jornada del Muerto desert, part of the Alamogordo Bombing Range, occurred at 5:29 a.m on July 16, 1945. In a statement released July 14, Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe invited churches to ring their bells at that time this Wednesday, July 16, “as a call to prayer for peace and nuclear disarmament” and to remember “humanity’s entry into the atomic age.” 

To commemorate the anniversary, the archbishop, along with Bishop Peter Baldacchino of Las Cruces and Bishop James Wall of Gallup, “will gather with select faith and lay leaders at the Trinity test site for a private prayer and meditation service.”

“Together, they will pray for the end of the wars that plague our world and to protect us from the ongoing threat of nuclear devastation,” the archdiocese said.

The Trinity explosion was felt within a 160-mile radius that covered an area populated by about 500,000 people, most of whom were Latino or Native Americans.

Those near the test area reported that they did not receive warnings about the detrimental effects of the nuclear explosion, which took place just a few miles from their homes. Following the detonation, nearby residents reported a surge in cancer cases, an increase in infant deaths, and other health issues related to contamination and radiation.

“Additionally, clergy are encouraged to include prayers for peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons in the prayers of the faithful during the Mass of the day, celebrated in honor of the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a significant Marian feast in the Catholic Church.”

The archdiocese stated that it “is fitting to seek Our Lady’s intercession for peace, protection from the threats of war and nuclear weapons, and for the conversion of hearts away from violence.”

“As the mother of Christ, the prince of peace, invoking her aid on this feast emphasizes the Catholic Church’s hope for a world free from the peril of nuclear conflict.”

On July 13, the archdiocese held an interfaith vigil in Albuquerque with a number of groups calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons worldwide.

At the event, Wester called Pope Francis‘ statement that nuclear weapons are immoral “groundbreaking” and asked the faithful to “to speak the truth” on the matter.

CNA Staff, Jul 15, 2025 / 15:28 pm (CNA).

Alex Jurado, a popular Catholic apologist known for his social media ministry Voice of Reason, is denying allegations in a bombshell report that he sexually groomed an underage teenage girl when he was 21 years old.

The Protestant website Protestia on Monday published a report alleging that “whistleblowers within the Catholic community” had revealed sexually explicit texts Jurado, now 28, allegedly sent to a girl possibly as young as 14 years old.

The website shared screenshots of the alleged conversations between Jurado and the young girl. The site further alleged that Jurado had sent “sexually explicit messages” to several other women. 

Jurado sharply denied the allegations on Tuesday. The influencer said in a statement on his Instagram page that the claims were untrue and that he is “voluntarily cooperating in an investigation that will allow the truth to come to light.” 

“​​[T]he accusation that I was having an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old girl is a complete fabrication,” he said. 

He added that he is “prepared to undergo legal action against those who have defamed me,” describing the allegations as an “awful and vicious rumor.”

In his statement, the content creator went on to apologize to all those who have “been hurt, shocked, and scandalized by these rumors.” 

Amid the controversy, several Catholic outlets, including Catholic Answers and Catholic Speakers, appeared to have removed pages featuring Jurado on their websites as of Tuesday afternoon.

Jon Sorensen, chief operating officer at Catholic Answers, told CNA in an email that “Alex Jurado has never been a staff member of Catholic Answers. He was an occasional guest on our radio program, ‘Catholic Answers Live,’ and, like all our radio guests, he had a profile page on Catholic.com.”

He added: “In light of the recent serious allegations about Alex, we have removed this profile from Catholic.com. We pray that the full truth may come to light, we pray for Alex, and we pray for everyone who may have been victimized, scandalized, or disedified by these reported events.”

Catholic Speakers did not respond to requests for comment on the apparent removals. Jurado also did not respond to a query from CNA.

Jurado began his Voice of Reason social media ministry in 2023. The influencer has over half a million followers across his social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. 

His content is primarily apologetical, sharing and defending the faith and engaging with other non-Catholic points of view. As a Byzantine Catholic, he also promotes the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church.

This story was updated on July 15, 2025, at 5:19 p.m. ET with the comments from Jon Sorensen of Catholic Answers.

Vatican City, Jul 15, 2025 / 14:58 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass on July 15 in the chapel at the Carabinieri station in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, where he is on vacation. The Carabinieri are the national gendarmerie of Italy, a form of military police. 

Reflecting in his homily on the day’s Gospel (Matthew 11:20-24), the pontiff emphasized that there is a bond “stronger than blood” that unites every man and woman who is in Christ. 

In this regard, he explained that “we are truly brothers and sisters of Jesus when we do the will of God,” that is, “when we live loving one another, as God has loved us.”

“Every relationship that God lives, in himself and for us,” the pope continued, “thus becomes a gift: when his only Son becomes our brother, his Father becomes our Father, and the Holy Spirit, who unites the Father and the Son, comes to dwell in our hearts.”

The Holy Father thus noted that “God’s love is so great that Jesus does not even keep for himself his mother, giving Mary as our mother at the hour of the cross.”

From the chapel of Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo explained that Mary becomes the mother of Jesus “because she listens to the word of God with love, welcomes it into her heart, and lives it faithfully.”

The pope also emphasized her fidelity to the Word she received from God: “the Word of life that she welcomed, carried in her womb, and offered to the world.”

Don’t give in to temptation ‘of thinking that evil can triumph’

He then noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the faithful Virgin, the “Virgo fidelis,” as patroness of the Carabinieri, Italy’s national military police force after which the chapel at Castel Gandolfo is named.

He also recalled when, in 1949, Pope Pius XII welcomed this “beautiful proposal” from the Carabinieri’s general command.

“After the tragedy of the war, in a period of moral and material reconstruction, Mary’s fidelity to God thus became a model of fidelity” of the Carabinieri “toward the homeland and the Italian people,” he emphasized.

This virtue, for Pope Leo, “expresses the dedication, purity, and constancy of commitment to the common good, which the Carabinieri safeguard by guaranteeing public safety and defending the rights of all, especially those in danger.”

The pontiff expressed his profound gratitude, especially for the “noble and demanding” service they provide to Italy and the Holy See.

After also recalling the Carabinieri motto, “Nei secoli fedele” (“Faithful throughout the centuries”), which expresses “the sense of duty and self-denial of each member of the armed forces, even to the point of self-sacrifice,” he asked them not to give in “to the temptation of thinking that evil can triumph.”

“Especially in this time of wars and violence, remain faithful to your oath: as servants of the state, respond to crime with the force of law and honesty. This is how the Carabinieri, the ‘Benemerita’ [well-deserving], will always deserve the esteem of the Italian people,” he emphasized.

In conclusion, he remembered the police officers who have given their lives in the line of duty, such as Venerable Salvo D’Acquisto, whose beatification process is ongoing.

The Holy Father will remain at the papal summer complex, located about 18 miles from the center of Rome, until July 20 and will return again Aug. 15–17.

After the Mass, Pope Leo XIV visited the monastery of the Poor Clares in Albano, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

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