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Justice Clarence Thomas and the Declaration of Independence

Dr. Tod Worner

Justice Clarence Thomas

I was transfixed by the hope residing in some ideas and the danger lurking in others. Justice Thomas put his finger on a crisis that we are left to resolve.

Three Gospel Stories to Reflect on the Common Good

Mark Bradford

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus and two stories of Jesus healing show consequences of success or failure in pursuing the common good. 

Ordination Class of 2026 Survey Results Released in Conjunction with World Day of Prayer for Vocations

WASHINGTON – “Vocations are a sign of God’s free gift of merciful love to a world in need of salvation,” said Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, in anticipation of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 26. “We join in prayer for all disciples of Christ, especially young people, to experience the loving God, the Good Shepherd, who has a unique call for each person’s life,” he continued. 

In conjunction with the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the USCCB’s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations released the Ordination Class of 2026 Study conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University. According to this survey, four in five ordinands reported regular participation in Eucharistic adoration before entering the seminary. The full CARA report and profiles of the Ordination Class of 2026 may be found here.   

In his message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Leo XIV extends an invitation to all, not just clergy and those in religious life, to commit to creating conditions that allow the gift of vocations to be embraced, nourished, protected and accompanied, so that it may bear abundant fruit. “Only when our surroundings are illumined by living faith, sustained by constant prayer and enriched by fraternal accompaniment can God’s call blossom and mature, becoming a path of happiness and salvation for individuals and for the world,” he says. 

This year’s CARA report was sent out to the 428 men scheduled to be ordained this year. 334 completed the survey for an overall response rate of 78%. These ordinands represent 110 U.S. dioceses and eparchies and 34 distinct religious institutes.

A few of the major findings of the report are:

  • In regard to prayer practices before entering the seminary, ordinands participated in Eucharistic Adoration (81%) on a regular basis, praying the Rosary (79%), participated in a prayer/Bible group (52%), and prayed Lectio Divina (48%).
  • Most of the ordinands received formation at a seminary in the Midwest (35%), in the Northeast (28%), South (19%), West (14%), and abroad (5%).
  • Nine in ten responding ordinands (92%) reported being encouraged to consider the priesthood by someone in their life, most frequently by a parish priest (70%), friend (49%), or parishioner (44%).
  • Hispanics/Latinos constituted 17% of the responding ordinands. They represented 14% of ordinands in religious institutes and 18% of ordinands to the diocesan priesthood.
  • Most respondents (93%) were baptized Catholic as an infant and raised primarily by their biological parents (97%) and a married couple living together (88%).

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One year ago today: The pope from the peripheries died on Easter Monday

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- One year ago today, Pope Francis died at 7:35 a.m., April 21, 2025.

It came the day after Easter, when -- barely able to raise his hands -- he gave his blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world). Looking drawn and worn, the 88-year-old pope from Argentina took his final ride in the popemobile, spending about 15 minutes among the crowd.

But then, the next morning, which was a major holiday in Italy, church bells in Rome tolled the death knell after U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, announced that Pope Francis had died just a few hours ago. 

farrell
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, "camerlengo" or chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where the pope lived, at the Vatican April 21, 2025. Standing with him are Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Vatican secretary of state; Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, substitute for general affairs of the Secretariat of State; and Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of papal liturgical ceremonies. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

"His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his church," Cardinal Farrell said in a video announcement broadcast from the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where Pope Francis lived.

The Wikimedia Foundation said that its "Deaths in 2025" entry, which included Pope Francis, was their second most-read entry during the year. And plenty of people took the occasion to learn more about his life too, adding that "His English Wikipedia article was the 11th most-read (page) of the year."

Following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Pope Francis was an untiring voice for peace, urging an end to armed conflict, supporting dialogue and encouraging reconciliation.

He gave new energy to millions of Catholics -- and caused concern for some -- as he transformed the image of the papacy into a pastoral ministry based on personal encounters and strong convictions about poverty, mission and dialogue.

His simple lifestyle, which included his decision not to live in the Apostolic Palace and his choice of riding around Rome in a small Fiat or Ford instead of a Mercedes sedan, sent a message of austerity to Vatican officials and clergy throughout the church. 

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Rain and wind hit Copacabana beach as Pope Francis addresses World Youth Day pilgrims at a welcoming ceremony in Rio de Janeiro July 25, 2013. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Although he repeatedly said he did not like to travel, he made 47 foreign trips, taking his message of the Gospel joy to North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

He was elected after Pope Benedict XVI retired in 2013. Then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was already a known and respected figure within the College of Cardinals, so much so that no one disputed a respected Italian journal's report that he had received the second-highest number of votes on all four ballots cast in the 2005 conclave that had elected Pope Benedict.

Elected on March 13, 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio chose the name Francis to honor St. Francis of Assisi.

"Go out" was Pope Francis' constant plea to every Catholic, from curial cardinals to the people in the pews. More than once, he told people that while the Bible presents Jesus as knocking at the door of people's hearts to get in, today Jesus is knocking at the doors of parish churches trying to get out and among the people.
 

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Here are some of our favorite images:

One Year Later: The Legacy of Pope Francis Revealed

One Year Later: The Legacy of Pope Francis Revealed

A look back at the papacy of Pope Francis.

Ep 73 | ‘The Desecration of Man’ w/ Dr. Carl Trueman

Dr. Tod Worner

What happens when we no longer shape our lives by the assurances and expectations, the wisdom and graces, of God?

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Bishop Robert Barron

DGR Eng

Friends, in today’s Gospel, a crowd whom Jesus fed among the five thousand challenges him.

The 250th Anniversary of the American Proposition

Dr. Christopher Kaczor

This 250th birthday raises critical questions for our country.

Monday, April 20, 2026

Bishop Robert Barron

DGR Eng

Friends, in today’s Gospel, the crowd that experienced the miracle of the loaves pursues Jesus to see more wonders.

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Bishop Robert Barron

DGR Eng

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus joins two disciples on the road to Emmaus, but they do not recognize him.

Peace appeals in Africa were not aimed at Trump, pope says

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM CAMEROON TO ANGOLA (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV pushed back against interpretations that his recent calls for peace on the ground during his Africa trip were directed specifically at U.S. President Donald Trump, saying his remarks were part of a broader message.

While the pope had responded to comments from the Trump administration earlier in the trip during a flight from Rome, he said April 18 the speeches delivered in Algeria and Cameroon were prepared in advance and intended for local communities and leaders more broadly.

"At the same time, there has been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects," he told journalists aboard the flight, "because of the political situation created when, on the first day of the trip, the president of the United States made some comments about myself," referring to coverage that linked his on-the-ground remarks to Trump. 

He added that "much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said."

For example, the pope said, his remarks during a meeting for peace with residents in Bamenda, Cameroon, April 16, had been written two weeks prior, "well before the president ever commented on myself and on the message of peace that I am promoting."

"And yet, as it happened, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate against the president, which is not in my interest at all," he said. 

April 18
Aboard the Papal flight from Cameroon to Angola April 18, Pope Leo XIV responded to some media coverage over the past week, which mistakenly reported his speeches in Africa and calls for peace as being directed at the White House. (CNS Photo/Lola Gomez)

In that address to the community, the pope spoke broadly about violence, exploitation and the misuse of religion, warning: "Blessed are the peacemakers! But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain."

"The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild," he had said in the speech, adding that "The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters."

Throughout his 11-day trip, Pope Leo repeatedly framed peace as a global moral responsibility, emphasizing the importance of everyone working together toward justice and the need for everyone to reject violence. Some media outlets had reported that these themes were a direct response to U.S. political leaders.

The week of criticism began April 13 when Trump called the pope "weak on crime" and questioned his stance on global conflicts, while also defending his own policies, especially those on Iran and nuclear weapons, as being aligned with the Bible. 

Vice President JD Vance suggested the pope should avoid weighing in on political matters, and he defended Trump’s actions. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was "taken a little bit aback" by the pope’s comments. 

Reflecting on his visit to Africa in his address to the media on the plane, Pope Leo said he was "pleased" with the Algeria leg of the trip and its focus on the legacy of St. Augustine.

"In one sense, it expresses what this trip is about," he said. "I come to Africa as a pastor, as the head of the Catholic Church, to be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany."

He added that he would continue to proclaim the Gospel and promote "the different, fantastic, beautiful aspects" of Christianity, calling for justice, fraternity and peace.

Taking a question from a Cameroonian journalist, the pope said he was struck by the enthusiasm of the people he encountered.

"How wonderful it is to experience what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to celebrate our faith together," he said. "That enthusiasm was very much present in Cameroon. I am very happy to have had the experience and to accompany all of your people during these days."