St. Mary's of the Lake Roman Catholic Church

WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Congress considers the draft text of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in the budget reconciliation process, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), encouraged lawmakers to uphold human life and dignity and the common good.

“My brother bishops have sent a comprehensive letter to Congress commending parts of the budget proposal that will support human life and dignity, while also strongly encouraging them to reconsider provisions that will harm the poor and disadvantaged, our immigrant brothers and sisters, and our environment. To our elected lawmakers, I echo the call of my brother bishops and urge you to remain consistent in protecting human life and dignity and supporting the common good so that families can flourish. I also underscore the grave concerns expressed by my brother bishops and implore you to address the real and substantial harms that would result from provisions in this bill before it advances further. Raising income taxes on the working poor, cutting nutrition and healthcare programs for those most in need, and eliminating investments in environmental stewardship would place a terrible burden on the least of our brothers and sisters,” said Archbishop Broglio.

The USCCB’s letter on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” as currently proposed in the House of Representatives, may be found here.

The USCCB, Catholic Health Association, and Catholic Charities USA letter on Medicaid in budget reconciliation may be found here.

The USCCB’s principles letter on family flourishing and budget reconciliation may be found here.

A USCCB chairmen’s letter on defunding the abortion and “gender transition” industries in budget reconciliation may be found here.

The faithful are encouraged to write to their elected members of Congress on these issues here.

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WASHINGTON – “You have the capacity to organize and create change that will endure for generations to come,” said Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan in a joint letter to young people, written during the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’.

In the letter, the bishops recognize the impact the climate crisis has on young people and applaud their strong witness for a better future. “Young people can lead the way as catalysts of hope... We are with you, standing in the tension between God’s vision for his beloved creation and our current reality.”

The full letter to young people is available here.

Archbishop Gudziak is chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. Bishop Zaidan is chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace.

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Gospel parable of the "wasteful sower" who casts seeds on fertile soil as well as on a rocky path "is an image of the way God loves us," Pope Leo XIV told visitors and pilgrims at his first weekly general audience.

The parable can strike people as odd because "we are used to calculating things -- and at times it is necessary -- but this does not apply in love," the pope told an estimated 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square May 21.

Pope Leo read his full prepared text in Italian and also read the summaries of the talk in English and in Spanish.

At the end of the audience, Pope Leo drew attention to ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and its limitations on the delivery of humanitarian aid to the area.

"The situation in Gaza is increasingly worrying and agonizing," he said. "I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid and to end the hostilities, the heartbreaking price of which is being paid by children, the elderly and the sick."

The pope also told the crowd that he could not conclude the gathering without remembering "our beloved Pope Francis, who exactly one month ago returned to the house of our Father."

It had been more than three months since the Vatican hosted a weekly general audience; Pope Francis met pilgrims and visitors Feb. 12 and was hospitalized two days later. He died April 21. 

Mercy Sister Maria Juan Anderson, coordinator of the Bishops' Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican, which is housed in the Casa Santa Maria of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, told Catholic News Service that the office distributed 1,800 free tickets to the pope's first audience -- "a record!"

"We had eight priests hearing confessions for two and a half hours" as visitors came to collect their tickets May 20 and get information about the audience, the Vatican and the new pope, she said.

Pope Leo arrived in the popemobile for the audience, riding through the crowd in St. Peter's Square and stopping often to bless infants, tracing the sign of the cross on their foreheads.

The pope began his audience explaining he would continue the series of talks his predecessor had begun on the Jubilee-related theme, "Jesus Christ Our Hope."

Focusing specifically on the parable of the sower from the Gospel of Matthew 13:1-17, Pope Leo said Jesus' parables were stories "taken from everyday life" but meant to lead listeners "to a deeper meaning." 

The parable of the sower, he said, is about "the dynamic of the word of God and the effects it produces. Indeed, every word of the Gospel is like a seed that is thrown on the ground of our life."

The soil where the seed in the parable lands "is our heart, but it is also the world, the community, the church," he said. "The word of God, in fact, makes fruitful and provokes every reality."

What happens to the seed depends on the quality of the earth it lands on, he said.

"But first and foremost, in this parable Jesus tells us that God throws the seed of his word on all kinds of soil, that is, in any situation of ours," the pope said. "At times we are more superficial and distracted; at times we let ourselves get carried away by enthusiasm; sometimes we are burdened by life's worries, but there are also times when we are willing and welcoming."

"God is confident and hopes that sooner or later the seed will blossom," Pope Leo said. "This is how he loves us: he does not wait for us to become the best soil, but he always generously gives us his word."

When people see how God loves and trusts them, the pope said, it should encourage them to be "better soil."

Pope Leo urged people to ask God for the grace to welcome his word in their lives, "and if we realize we are not a fruitful soil, let us not be discouraged, but let us ask him to work on us more to make us become a better terrain."
 

Pope Leo teaches in English at general audience

A look at Pope Leo XIV's English catechesis at his first general audience May 21.

ROME (CNS) -- God's love, mercy and goodness lie at the foundation of every vocation, including that of the pope, Pope Leo XIV said.

"Let us ask the Lord for the grace to cultivate and spread his charity and to become true neighbors to one another," he said, paraphrasing his predecessor, Pope Francis, in a homily at Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls May 20.

"Let us compete in showing the love that, following (St. Paul's) encounter with Christ, drove the former persecutor to become 'all things to all people,' even to the point of martyrdom," he said.

The pope visited the basilica and tomb of St. Paul two days after the Mass for the inauguration of his Petrine ministry in St. Peter's Square. It was part of a series of visits to the city's major papal basilicas after his election.

People cheered and applauded as he entered the basilica, and he blessed the crowds. He walked to the steps descending to the apostle's tomb where he knelt briefly in silent prayer. 

The prayer service was dedicated to St. Paul, the so-called "Apostle to the Gentiles" who brought the Gospel to peoples across the central and eastern Mediterranean, exemplifying evangelical zeal and the missionary spirit. The visit was part of entrusting "the beginning of this new pontificate to the intercession of the apostle," the pope said.

Pope Leo's homily reflected on a reading chosen from the opening of Paul's Letter to the Romans, where the apostle expresses his complete allegiance to the Lord and his faith in God's justifying action in Jesus.

St. Paul received the grace of his vocation from God, acknowledging "that his encounter with Christ and his own ministry were the fruit of God's prior love, which called him to a new life while he was still far from the Gospel and persecuting the church," the pope said.

St. Augustine also was a convert who experienced choosing God after having realized God had chosen him first, he said. "We cannot love unless someone has loved us first." 

In fact, "at the root of every vocation, God is present, in his mercy and his goodness, as generous as that of a mother who nourishes her child with her own body for as long as the child is unable to feed itself," he said, quoting from the saint who founded the religious order he joined in his 20s.

When St. Paul speaks of "the obedience of faith," he said, he is referring to what happened to him on the road to Damascus, when the Lord appeared and "did not take away his freedom, but gave him the opportunity to make a decision, to choose an obedience that would prove costly and entail interior and exterior struggles, which Paul proved willing to face."

"Salvation does not come about by magic, but by a mysterious interplay of grace and faith, of God's prevenient love and of our trusting and free acceptance," he said.

Quoting from Pope Benedict XVI's 2011 address to young people, Pope Leo said, "'God loves us. This is the great truth of our life; it is what makes everything else meaningful.' Indeed, 'our life originates as part of a loving plan of God.'"

"Faith leads us to 'open our hearts to this mystery of love and to live as men and women conscious of being loved by God,'" he continued.

"Here we see, in all its simplicity and uniqueness, the basis of every mission, including my own mission as the successor of Peter and the heir to Paul's apostolic zeal. May the Lord grant me the grace to respond faithfully to his call," he said. 

After praying before the altar above the apostle's tomb, Pope Leo concluded the service and processed out the basilica, again to applause, blessing those present and making the sign of the cross on the foreheads of several babies.

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Reporting by CNS Rome is made possible by the Catholic Communication Campaign. Give to the CCC special collection in your diocese May 31-June 1 or any time at: https://bit.ly/CCC-give

Pope Leo XIV visits tomb of St. Paul

Pope Francis entered Saint Paul’s Basilica through the Holy Door, opening a prayer service at St. Paul's tomb May 20, 2025.

WASHINGTON – As the Catholic Church celebrates the 10th anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), offered the following statement:

“Over the last decade, Laudato Si’ has inspired the Catholic Church and the world to draw closer in our relationship with Almighty God, the Creator of all life and to care more deeply for our common home. The ever-urgent message of the late Pope Francis asks us, ‘What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?’ (Laudato Si’, no. 160). The USCCB remains committed to advocacy that cares for the most vulnerable and creation, seeking a ‘sustainable and integral development’ that benefits the entire human family (Laudato Si’, no. 13). As we remember the legacy of Pope Francis and heed the call of Pope Leo XIV for peace and unity in our world, I invite the faithful to join in prayer and action during this 10th anniversary year.

“Tomorrow, two of my brother bishops who serve as chairmen of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Committee on International Justice and Peace, will mark this occasion with a special letter to young people celebrating their strong witness as stewards of God’s creation.”

More information on the USCCB’s environmental work can be found here.

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- During a special audience with religious leaders who came to Rome for the inauguration of his papal ministry, Pope Leo XIV vowed to continue working toward Christian unity and promoting dialogue among all religions.

"Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges," the pope said May 19 as he met with the leaders in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace.

His guests included Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and Catholicos Awa III, patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, as well as Anglican, Methodist and Lutheran leaders. Representatives of the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain communities also attended.

"As bishop of Rome," Pope Leo told them, "I consider one of my priorities to be that of seeking the reestablishment of full and visible communion among all those who profess the same faith in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."

Full Christian unity must be based on unity in faith, he said, noting how his election took place in the year that Christians are celebrating the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which "represents a milestone in the formulation of the Creed shared by all churches and ecclesial communities."

The late Pope Francis had been planning to travel to Iznik, Turkey, site of the ancient city of Nicaea, to commemorate the anniversary with Patriarch Bartholomew. A Vatican official said planning is underway for Pope Leo to make the trip. 

"Unity has always been a constant concern of mine," the new pope told his guests, pointing to the motto he chose when he became a bishop in 2014: "'In Illo uno unum,' an expression of St. Augustine of Hippo that reminds us how we, too, although we are many, 'in the One -- that is Christ -- we are one.'"

Pope Leo told the Christian leaders that "the more faithful and obedient we are" to Jesus, "the more united we are among ourselves. We Christians, then, are all called to pray and work together to reach this goal, step by step, which is and remains the work of the Holy Spirit."

"Aware, moreover, that synodality and ecumenism are closely linked, I would like to assure you of my intention to continue Pope Francis' commitment to promoting the synodal nature of the Catholic Church and developing new and concrete forms for an ever stronger synodality in ecumenical relations," he said.

Pope Francis and many ecumenical leaders focused on how synodality -- literally "walking together," listening to one another and valuing the gifts and talents of all -- could help Christians see how much they have in common and how they must work together to bring the Gospel to world.

Pope Leo also praised Pope Francis' emphasis on how, since everyone is a child of God, they are brothers and sisters to each other.

"The witness of our fraternity, which I hope we will be able to show with effective gestures, will certainly contribute to building a more peaceful world, something that all men and women of goodwill desire in their hearts," the pope told the religious leaders.

"In a world wounded by violence and conflict," he said, "each of the communities represented here brings its own contribution of wisdom, compassion and commitment to the good of humanity and the preservation of our common home."

Working together "and free from ideological and political conditioning," he said, "we can be effective in saying 'no' to war and 'yes' to peace, 'no' to the arms race and 'yes' to disarmament, 'no' to an economy that impoverishes peoples and the Earth and 'yes' to integral development." 

Pope Leo had special words of gratitude for the Jewish and Muslim representatives and pledged to continue the dialogue that began with their communities 60 years ago with the publication of the Second Vatican Council's document, "Nostra Aetate," on relations with other religions.

The document, the pope said, "emphasizes the greatness of the spiritual heritage shared by Christians and Jews, encouraging mutual knowledge and esteem."

"The theological dialogue between Christians and Jews remains ever important and close to my heart," he said. "Even in these difficult times, marked by conflicts and misunderstandings, it is necessary to continue the momentum of this precious dialogue of ours."

The "growing commitment to dialogue and fraternity" between Christians and Muslims also is important, he said. The dialogue, "based on mutual respect and freedom of conscience, is a solid foundation for building bridges between our communities."

WASHINGTON – “It is deeply troubling and inexcusable that measures intended to ensure the basic safety of pregnant mothers and their young children while in government custody could be rescinded with such indifference toward the vulnerability of those involved,” said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, and Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities. The bishops were responding to the Trump Administration’s recent rescission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance for addressing the heightened needs of pregnant and postpartum women and their newborn children while in CBP custody. 

The rescinded policy established minimum standards of care, including that mothers and their babies receive food, water, formula, safe places to sleep, and regular monitoring, as well as that they be placed in the least restrictive setting possible. The rationale given for the rescission was that the guidance was “obsolete or misaligned with current Agency guidance and immigration enforcement priorities.” Related guidance pertaining to custodial considerations for medically at-risk individuals was also rescinded. No new guidance was promulgated in their place. 

The bishops’ full statement follows: 

“The U.S. bishops have spoken plainly and clearly about the proven harms that immigration detention is known to inflict on families and especially on young children, opposing its use for these populations unless absolutely necessary. It is deeply troubling and inexcusable that measures intended to ensure the basic safety of pregnant mothers and their young children while in government custody could be rescinded with such indifference toward the vulnerability of those involved. As a result, instances of neglect and abuse, even if inadvertent, will be more likely to occur, putting the lives of pregnant mothers and their children at risk. This decision is all the more concerning as the Administration simultaneously ramps up family detention in place of safer, more cost-effective alternatives to detention. 

“Let us be clear: protecting pregnant mothers and their children can never be considered ‘obsolete.’ This principle irrefutably extends to noncitizens in immigration detention, each of whom possesses an inviolable, God-given dignity that must be respected. We urge the Administration to reissue guidance that adequately reflects and affirms the increased standard of care due to this vulnerable population while in government custody.”

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WASHINGTON – “Americans should not be forced to subsidize abortions and ‘gender transition’ services with their tax dollars,” said Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop Robert E. Barron, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth. In recognition of last week's committee markups of the U.S. House of Representatives’ budget reconciliation bill, and in anticipation of its being voted on in the House in the days ahead, the bishops also urged Congress to support authentic health care for vulnerable women and children.

“For decades, Planned Parenthood has received government money and offered low-income women one terrible option: to end the lives of their babies. More recently, they have used the same taxpayer funds to expand their destructive offerings, by promoting gender ideology and providing puberty blockers and hormones to minors, turning them into lifelong patients in the process. Americans should not be forced to subsidize abortions and ‘gender transition’ services with their tax dollars, and we applaud measures that will finally help to defund Planned Parenthood. We encourage greater support for authentic, life-affirming health care providers that serve mothers and their children in need. We urge all members of Congress and the Administration to work in good faith to protect vulnerable women and children from mutilating ‘gender transition’ services and the scourge of abortion.”

Since January, several USCCB bishop chairmen wrote addressing multiple anticipated issues in the budget reconciliation process, calling for protection of the dignity of life and the poor and vulnerable. Archbishop Borys Gudziak, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development also expressed the importance of preserving Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Child Tax Credit, and other programs for those in need, in the reconciliation legislation. Bishop Thomas and Bishop Barron also urged members of Congress to defund the abortion and “gender transition” industries. The bishops continue to encourage the public to contact their members of Congress on these issues.

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The day after his inauguration Mass, Pope Leo XIV had a closed-door meeting at the Vatican with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who gave him a Chicago Bears jersey and a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Vance delivered the letter from President Trump and his wife Melania before the start of the meeting, according to a video edited and released by Vatican Media. The short video clip showed Vance handing a large envelope to the pope, telling him it was a letter "from the president and first lady inviting you to come …". The rest of the sentence was cut.

The vice president also met May 19 with Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, after meeting with the pope, a Vatican statement said. 

The Vatican press office released a communique outlining only what general themes were discussed during the "cordial talks held at the Secretariat of State" with Archbishop Gallagher. The two parties expressed their satisfaction with the "good bilateral relations" between them, and "the collaboration between church and state was discussed, as well as some matters of special relevance to ecclesial life and religious freedom."

"Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, calling for respect for humanitarian law and international law in areas of conflict and for a negotiated solution between the parties involved," the Vatican said.

The two U.S. leaders were then joined by their spouses and the larger U.S. delegation for photos and an exchange of gifts.

One of the gifts from the U.S. delegation was a navy blue and orange jersey from the Chicago Bears football team with "Pope Leo XIV" written on the back. The new pope, who was born in Chicago, responded with, "Good choice," when the vice president showed him the jersey, according to the Vatican Media clips. 

Vance's office said he also gave the pope the books, "The City of God" and "On Christian Doctrine," both written by St. Augustine, the founder of the religious order the pope joined when he was 21.

Among the gifts Pope Leo presented was a bronze bas-relief of a flower blossoming with an inscription, which the pope read out loud to Vance, "Peace is a fragile flower," according to the Vatican Media video.

As the pope presented a large book of colored photographs he was giving Vance, the pope was explaining one photo of the apostolic palace saying, "Pope Francis did not live (here) and I may live (there), which is right upstairs from here."

Vance also told the pope, "The United States people are extremely excited about you," to which the pope responded with an "oh," a smile and a nod.

According to the office of Vice President Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was present for a portion of the closed-door meeting with the pope after Vance's one-on-one.

The papal audience lasted 45 minutes, according to the vice president's office. 

Vance and Rubio were in Rome to represent the United States at Pope Leo's inaugural Mass in St. Peter's Square May 18. They were accompanied by their spouses and senior White House aides at the Mass, which drew more than 200,000 people.

Later May 18 Vance and Rubio also met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who also was in Rome for the pope's inaugural Mass.

In a post on X, Vance said, "Our countries share the goal of ending unnecessary bloodshed in Ukraine, and we discussed updates on the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and lasting peace."

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Reporting by CNS Rome is made possible by the Catholic Communication Campaign. Give to the CCC special collection in your diocese May 31-June 1 or any time at: https://bit.ly/CCC-give

WASHINGTON - On the weekend of May 31-June 1, many Catholic dioceses in the United States will take the annual collection for the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Communication Campaign in their parishes. The collection helps the Church spread the Gospel message using modern media tools to inform, inspire, and enlighten.

“While the timeless message of the Gospel remains unchanged, the ways we share it must keep pace with a rapidly evolving media landscape. Your generosity to this collection makes that possible. When you give at Mass, half of your gift remains in your own diocese for local communications efforts while the other half supports nationwide efforts of the bishops of the United States,” said Bishop William D. Byrne of Springfield in Massachusetts, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Communications. 

Last year, more than $3.7 million supported national and international communications, while an equivalent amount underwrote local Catholic efforts ranging from podcasts to print magazines to websites. Examples of how dioceses used their share of the collection include:

• The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, which produced a print magazine and two podcasts focusing on the power of faith and the work of the Holy Spirit in the diocese.
• The Diocese of Tucson, which purchased equipment to produce high quality podcasts and YouTube videos in both English and Spanish that can better reach and include the diocese’s growing Spanish-speaking population.
• The Diocese of Raleigh, which built digital platforms that seamlessly integrate news of the diocese, its parishes and the worldwide church across diocesan and parish websites and social media.

The largest portion of the national share of the collection supports Catholic News Service Rome, which produces accurate, professional, and thorough coverage of the Pope, his global ministry and the Vatican offices that serve him

The national campaign also supports efforts of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to share the work of the bishops, such as through its “5 Minutes with a Bishop” videos, which feature individual bishops speaking about their pastoral work and their daily lives as pastoral leaders.

“The Church is called to testify to the power and love of Jesus, and the Catholic Communication Campaign provides resources for bringing that timeless truth to people in new and traditional ways,” Bishop Byrne said.

Some dioceses take this collection on other dates. Those who wish to give but are unable to do so at Mass may give online at #iGiveCatholicTogether to support the bishops’ national communications programs.

For more information on the Catholic Communication Campaign visit https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-communication-campaign

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