The U.S. bishops’ chair for doctrine issued a clarification on April 15 reaffirming that Catholic just war theory sets strict moral limits on the use of military force, emphasizing that it is not a political endorsement of war but a moral framework.
The statement came as President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, the latter a Catholic, have taken issue with papal remarks claiming that “anyone who is a disciple of Christ” is “never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.”
Speaking at an April 14 event hosted by the conservative group Turning Point USA, Vance publicly criticized Pope Leo on his anti-war remarks, asking: “How can you say God is never on the side of those who wield the sword?”
Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop James Massaʼs statement on the subject underscored that Christians are obliged to critically evaluate claims made in favor of armed conflict rather than assume moral legitimacy.
“For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war," Massa said.
"A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword ‘in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2308)," Massa noted.
Massa continued: "That is, to be a just war it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: ‘He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.’
“When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the vicar of Christ. The consistent teaching of the Church is insistent that all people of goodwill must pray and work toward lasting peace while avoiding the evils and injustices that accompany all wars,” the bishop concluded.
Pope Leo XIV responded to Trump’s public criticism by saying he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and will continue to proclaim the Gospel.
At the Turning Point USA event, Vance — who is publishing a book about his conversion to the Catholic faith — said if Pope Leo was “going to opine on matters of theology,” his comments needed to be “anchored in the truth.”
“In the same way that it’s important for the vice president of the United States to be careful when I talk about matters of public policy, I think it’s very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology,” Vance said.
Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, who was elected vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in November 2025, said in a statement on X on April 15 that “public officials may opine about theology, as is their right.”
But "the successor of Peter teaches. This is his office," Flores said. "If what he teaches doesn’t sound like what we want to hear, we should admit the likelihood that the problem is in what we want to hear and not in what he teaches.”
Vance: ‘Stick to matters of morality’
On Monday, Vance defended Trumpʼs decision to post on social media, and later delete, an AI-generated image that critics said depicted the president as Jesus Christ. Vance described it as a joke that people misunderstood.
“It would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality, to stick to matters of what’s going on in the Catholic Church and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy,” Vance said in an interview on Fox News.
At the Turning Point USA event, Vance said he likes it when the pope comments on public issues — including immigration, abortion, and war and peace — because it “invites a conversation,” even when there is disagreement.
This story was updated at 4:40 p.m. ET on April 15, 2026, with additional comments by Vance at the Turning Point USA event regarding inviting a conversation.
About 495 faith leaders and advocates are set to gather in Washington, D.C., to read the entire Bible aloud ahead of the nationʼs 250th anniversary.
America Reads the Bible is a national Scripture-reading event and movement led by Christians Engaged, a nonprofit organization committed “to discipling Americans on biblical worldview and their responsibilities as citizens to pray, vote, and engage for the well-being of our nation.”
From April 19–25, a diverse set of speakers including some Catholics will gather at the Museum of the Bible and read the King James Version of the Bible from beginning to end “as a spiritual celebration of our nation’s founding ideals and a call to rediscover the truth that still anchors us today,” event organizers reported.
The event is inspired by the Hebrew book of Ezra, where the public reading of Scripture sparked national repentance and renewal, according to a press release.
The event will kick off with an opening celebration on April 18 as leaders from more than 100 national ministries will begin to gather for the weeklong celebration. The recitation will begin on April 19 at the museum and will continue with speakers reading each day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to complete the whole Bible in a week.
Those interested in attending can register to join in person or can watch live online.
Catholic speakers
A wide array of speakers including actors, lawmakers, and advocates will participate in the anniversary celebration.
Event sponsors and organizers will speak over the week including Bunni Pounds, America Reads the Bible organizer and president of Christians Engaged, and Steve Green, chair and co-founder of the Museum of the Bible.
Catholic companies, set to serve as partners with America Reads the Bible, including Catholic Book Publishing, will also send speakers. Catholic author Allan Wright, whose books focus on discipleship, evangelization, and the Catholic faith, will read.
The event is also partnering with CatholicVote and will welcome its president, Kelsey Reinhardt, to read.
Catholic figures from the Trump administration will take the stage including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Among others, Christian administration members participating will also include Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.
A number of lawmakers and government representatives will speak, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is Catholic. Others lawmakers scheduled to read include U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, and Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho.
Entertainers and actors from various Christian backgrounds will read Scripture including Catholic actress and author Patricia Heaton, and Christian actress Candace Cameron Bure, America Reads the Bible national spokesperson. Other entertainers will include actors Dean Cain and David Hunt.
Amid the fierce persecution against the Catholic Church by the regime of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo, exiled Nicaraguan Bishop Silvio Báez denounced the “false peace” that “dictators seek to impose through fear and weapons.”
In the homily delivered during a Mass he celebrated on Sunday, April 12, at St. Agatha Church in Miami, Baez, who has been living in exile since 2019, warned that the wounds inflicted on the Nicaraguan people will remain but that "they will be scars healed by the love of God — wounds glorious forever, wounds of love destined for eternity. So too will be the wounds and sores of our people. One day, they will just be historical scars reminding us of a painful past of injustice and oppression, so that we may never repeat it,” he underscored.
A message of hope
The Nicaraguan prelate reflected on the Gospel passage in which the risen Jesus shows his wounds so that the apostle Thomas may touch them and believe.
Báez affirmed that “just like the glorious wounds of Jesus, so too one day will be the wounds we endured as we alleviate and heal, with respect and mercy, the wounds of others.”
“And those very wounds — scarred over yet eloquent — will spur us to build the future, acting as artisans of peace, ready to foster processes of healing and reconciliation with ingenuity and boldness,” the prelate continued.
Báez denounces ‘false peace’
The bishop also referred to the vigil for peace led by Pope Leo XIV on April 11 at the Vatican and pointed out that “peace is not merely the absence of war. Political systems that impose themselves upon people through terror, stripping them of their freedom, are enemies of peace.”
“Even if they speak of peace, if they repress, control, imprison, and force people into exile, they are enemies of peace. For peace is not a mere balance of forces, nor is it synonymous with the tranquility of cemeteries. We must not grow accustomed to the false peace and deceptive normality that dictators seek to impose through fear and arms, solely to preserve their privileges,” he continued.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Nicaraguan dictatorship has banned thousands of processions and public events during Lent and Holy Week, permitting only a few on the streets and always under police surveillance.
Currently, 309 religious including bishops, priests, and nuns have been forced to leave the country, while the regime has confiscated at least 39 properties belonging to the Catholic Church and has banned the ordination of priests in several dioceses.
A call to be builders of peace
The prelate emphasized that “we, the disciples of Jesus, having received his peace are called to be builders of true peace: a peace that springs from justice, is lived out in freedom, and bears the fruit of reconciliation.”
The bishop expressed the hope “that the mercy of the Lord, welcomed into our hearts, may make us mature believers, earnest builders of peace in the world, and people capable of bending down with mercy [to heal] the wounds of our brothers and sisters.”
“Our lives may not be easier, but they will be fuller, more vibrant, and more filled with light and love,” he said.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
A historic parish in rural Wisconsin suffered major damages amid severe weather in the region on April 14 after strong storms and possibly a tornado destroyed much of the roof of the church building.
St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Bristol lost roughly half of its roof during the weather incident. Photos showed huge portions of the parish roof peeled off, exposing the churchʼs attic and rafters below.
St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Bristol, Wisconsin, is seen with its roof largely destroyed after severe thunderstorms came through the area Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Credit: Bill Ringelstetter
The region has experienced multiple nights of severe storm outbreaks including severe winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes.
Local news reports said tornadoes had been reported in the East Bristol area just after midnight on April 14. The area was under a tornado warning at the time the parish roof was destroyed, though it wasnʼt clear if a tornado was itself responsible for the destruction.
St. Joseph Catholic Church is seen in East Bristol, Wisconsin, with its roof largely destroyed after severe thunderstorms came through the area Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Credit: Bill Ringelstetter
The parish did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the damage. On the parishʼs Facebook page, meanwhile, a post claimed that a tornado had hit the church. Images showed destruction inside the church including insulation piled up near the altar and a light fixture in a pew.
Built in the early Gothic Revival manner, the building has seen several additions in the roughly 130 years since it was built, including in 1965 and 2024.
The parish is part of the Diocese of Madison. A press release from the diocese said the diocesan office of buildings, construction, and real estate was responding to the incident, along with the insurer Catholic Mutual Group.
“St. Joseph Church has served generations of Catholics in northeast Dane County, and we are heartbroken by the devastation,” the diocese said. “We ask for your prayers as we assess the damage.”
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Florida, is urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to add crucifixes to its list of acceptable symbols for veteran headstones at national cemeteries.
“In the pursuit of religious freedom, as guaranteed by the First Amendment to our Constitution, we urge the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Cemetery Administration to offer the crucifix as an eligible emblem of belief for inscription on headstones at national cemeteries,” Steube said in an April 10 letter addressed to Secretary Douglas Collins of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs Samuel Brown.
“Veterans and their next of kin may select from nearly 100 different emblems representing several different belief systems,” he said, noting sanctioned emblems include symbols for several Christian denominations as well as Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu symbols.
“While even atheists, humanists, and Wiccans have an eligible emblem of belief for inscription, Catholic veterans do not currently have the option to select a crucifix, an emblem of belief that most accurately represents the faith of nearly 20% of all veterans,” he said.
A crucifix is a cross that bears the body of Jesus Christ crucified, which is called the “corpus.” It is a spiritual symbol that recalls the passion and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, calling attention to his love, suffering, and redemption of humanity.
Steubeʼs press release quoted Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, saying, “I support the bipartisan effort led by Congressman Greg Steube (R-Florida) to support the free exercise of religion of veterans in having the crucifix included on tombstones.”
The archdiocese did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio leads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. | Credit: “EWTN News In Depth”/Screenshot
The VA has the authority to add emblems administratively, or lawmakers could introduce legislation if the agency does not act.
Steubeʼs letter, signed by 45 members of Congress — including 42 Republicans and three Democrats — requested the Department of Veterans Affairs provide its criteria for evaluating and approving emblems of belief for inscription on headstones at national cemeteries and whether any prior request had been made to include crucifixes on its list.
“VA is looking into the lawmakers’ request and will answer their letter directly,” Quinn Slaven, press secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, told EWTN News.
Republican Reps. Riley Moore of West Virginia, Mike Carey of Ohio, and John Rutherford of Florida were among the 20 Catholic members of Congress who signed on to the letter. Steube is Protestant, according to Pew Research Center.
Steube’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Just a few weeks since the death of her husband, Miguel, and amid her grief, Virginia Pérez de Santana, clutching a rosary, recounted with serenity and strength their story of a love that endures, sustained to the very last moment by the certainty that God exists and never abandons us.
Although she grew up in a Catholic family, Virginia said she felt that “something was missing”: a spark, an impulse of faith that would dispel her doubts regarding the existence of God. What she never could have imagined was that this longed-for certainty would come with the illness of her husband, Miguel, a dentist whom she met while volunteering in Cambodia 14 years before.
Although Miguel never doubted, she said, faith did not occupy a central place in their lives. But everything changed one day in July 2024 while they were enjoying a vacation with their three children: Virginia, 5; Miguel, 4; and María, 3.
After suffering severe headaches and a loss of mobility in his left arm, Miguel decided to go to the emergency room.
And that moment marked the beginning of it all.
“While waiting, Miguel was incredibly nervous, because he sensed that something was wrong. He was very agitated the entire time, saying, ‘I want to get out of here, I want to get out of here — I can’t breathe,’” Virginia told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. After several tests and a long wait, the doctors confirmed what the couple feared most: Miguel had a brain tumor and required emergency surgery.
Miguel and Virginia with their three children. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Virginia Pérez de Santana
‘I’ve had an experience with God’
Gripped by fear and uncertainty, Virginia left the room to tell her parents what was happening. Upon her return, Miguel was no longer the same: His nervousness had vanished, and his face reflected a surprising peace and serenity. “When I came back, they had already moved him into an emergency bay, and I saw him there, laughing and talking with the other patients,” she recalled.
Then, Miguel took his wife’s hands and said: “Virginia, be at peace; I’ve had an experience with God.”
Miguel told her that, after being left alone in the room once the nurse had gone, he got down on his knees and pleaded: “My God, please, don’t leave me alone.”
A love ‘not of this world’
After praying, Miguel felt as though someone were embracing him, and in that instant, a warmth coursed through his entire body: “From head to toe, he felt a kind of electricity, of love, love, love. A love so pure, a love so profound, that he said it was not of this world.”
She recalled how her husband recounted to her every detail of the embrace he felt in the empty room, where he heard someone say to him: “Be at peace; I am with you, and I bear your cross with you.”
“And in that moment, he began to weep; not out of sorrow, not because of the tumor, but out of happiness. Then, he took my hands once more and said to me: ‘Virginia, you, who have sometimes had doubts — never, never, never doubt again, for God exists. I no longer merely have faith; I am certain that God exists.”
From that moment, Miguel experienced a profound peace and an absolutely radical transformation, “even physically,” recalled Virginia, whose friends and family told her that he looked even “more handsome” than before his illness because of the happiness he radiated.
“You will view the tumor as a blessing.” | Credit: Photo courtesy of Virginia Pérez de Santana
‘He was in love with God’
Although her husband was “a very good person,” Virginia recalled, with a smile, that he complained at times. Nevertheless, he offered up all his suffering and illness. “He would tell me that he was in love with God and that he didn’t want to complain, he wanted to do everything for God.”
“He used to tell me that he felt just like a typical teenager waiting outside school for his girlfriend to come out,” she recalled.
She said that her husband never stopped talking about God and would tell her: “In time, you will come to see this as a blessing, because thanks to the tumor, God has granted me this experience; and thanks to this experience, my eyes have been opened — for before, I was blind.”
Miguel was discharged from the hospital 15 days after the emergency operation. “He was happy,” his wife remembered. During his stay at the hospital, they prayed the rosary daily, and Miguel made a point of visiting some of the patients in nearby rooms, accompanied by the Schoenstatt Pilgrim Virgin statue.
Following the biopsy, they were informed that the tumor was one of the most aggressive types — incurable and fast-progressing. Yet, Miguel accepted the diagnosis with serenity, never questioning why this was happening to him.
“It was a profound acceptance of his illness,” Virginia continued. “And the truth is, we were always side by side, like a team, always believing that we were in God’s hands and that we simply had to accept his will. If a miracle occurred and he was cured, that would be wonderful; and if not — well, then whatever he decides, for we will never understand his ways.”
Friends and parents from their childrenʼs school in Madrid formed a prayer group that grew to nearly 500 people, “almost none of whom we knew,“ Virginia said. ”That gave us a great deal of strength: So many good people who, without even knowing us, cared and prayed for us.”
Miguel and Virginia with their family. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Virginia Pérez de Santana
Embracing illness as a gift
As time went by, although Miguel no longer felt the same powerful impact of the experience he had undergone in the hospital, he still saw God’s love in the everyday “little signs” and gestures of the people praying for him. “It also brought me much closer to God," Virginia said.
In July 2025, the tumor recurred, returning with greater force and in a much more aggressive manner. “He always faced it with great courage, with great strength, and with immense faith. We always used to say: ‘Whatever God wills.’”
“He always faced it with great courage, with great strength, and with immense faith.” | Credit: Photo courtesy of Virginia Pérez de Santana
The tumor progressed rapidly, all treatment options exhausted. In February, Miguel was admitted to palliative care at the Navarra Clinic in Madrid, where he remained until he died on March 10.
“Throughout that entire month Miguel spent in the hospital, he never once complained; even the palliative care doctors themselves told us they were astonished by the sense of peace we radiated,” Virginia said.
Miguel was able to say goodbye to his children. "Watching how he faced his illness and how he faced death has set the bar very high for me,” Virginia recounted.
Miguel with his three children. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Virginia Pérez de Santana
‘It’s true that God exists, that he rose again, and that he is with us’
Drawing upon her experience, Virginia hopes to reach out to those who are going through a similar illness: “God desires that very same love and that very same faith for them, too.”
“Even if they haven’t felt it within their own bodies, let them lean on the testimonies of others,“ she said, ”because he is real; because it is true that God exists, that he rose again, that he is with us; and that even when you call out to him and it feels at times as though God isn’t listening, he is indeed listening to you.”
“That very same strength God has given us, he is also giving to other people … Obviously, I would have preferred for Miguel to remain with me, to grow old alongside him, for our lives to continue on, free of illness and trouble. But I think that had we simply continued on in that same manner, would we have remained so close to God? Well — no; probably not,” she reflected.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to say that my husband is in heaven.” | Credit: Photo courtesy of Virginia Pérez de Santana
‘No ordinary peace’
Virginia shared what she considers the most important thing of all: “I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to say that my husband is in heaven — because I know it; because he had immense faith, he had such deep love for God, and he demonstrated it in so many ways, such as by praying the rosary every day.”
Shortly before her husband died, the chaplain at the Navarra Clinic administered the anointing of the sick.
"I said to Miguel: ‘Do you realize how many people have drawn closer to God because of your illness? I truly believe there is nothing more important you could have done,’” she said.
With tears in her eyes, Virginia said that if one sets aside “human selfishness,” her husband has already achieved his goal: “To be with God — and in such a way.”
“For Miguel, this has been the greatest gift God could have given him. Miguel is with God; he’s happy, and that’s what truly matters,“ she said. ”And if you hold onto that thought, your life changes.”
“The peace we experienced throughout the entire process of his illness and his death was no ordinary peace,“ she said. ”I know it because we were enveloped by so many people’s prayers, and because we were enveloped by God.”
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
MANILA, Philippines — Amid growing concerns over mental health, Cardinal Jose Advincula, the archbishop of Manila, Philippines, stressed on April 2 that priests must prioritize their mental health to sustain their missionary work.
Celebrating the chrism Mass on Holy Thursday at the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as Manila Cathedral, Advincula quoted a recent study, saying: “About 18% reported that they are psychologically distressed,” meaning “almost one in every five priests is undergoing a mental difficulty or emotional burden.”
He reminded clergy to acknowledge their human vulnerabilities and weaknesses, calling on the faithful to support clergy through prayer and understanding.
According to data from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), as of 2025, there are more than 10,000 priests serving 73.6 million Catholics. The Philippines is Asiaʼs largest Catholic country.
Lay faithful support for the clergy
Advincula urged lay Catholics to stand with priests as they carry out their ministry.
“To be faithful, we need your understanding and your prayers,” he said.
Advincula thanked communities for their continued support, despite what he described as the “obvious limitations” of clergy, which include challenges such as limited resources and the need for more active engagement from the laity.
Cardinal Jose Advincula, archbishop of Manila, delivers his homily during the chrism Mass at Manila Cathedral on April 2, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Archdiocese of Manila
The cardinal thanked priests and the faithful for their shared responsibility in continuing the Churchʼs life and mission.
He said human connections are essential to restoring hope and sustaining missionary work.
Pope Leo XIVʼs April prayer intention
Advinculaʼs remarks coincided with the Holy Fatherʼs April prayer intention, which is “for priests in crisis.”
“Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer,” Pope Leo XIV said.
Echoing the popeʼs words, Advincula urged Catholics to pray for priests, especially those facing loneliness, doubt, and exhaustion.
“When a pastor faces some kind of weariness at any time, the Church is not supposed to judge but rather to walk beside him,” he said.
A parish priestʼs struggle with addiction
EWTN News spoke with two priests who have faced mental health challenges and described how they overcame them.
Father Mark (a pseudonym used to protect his identity), a 52-year-old parish priest in the southern Philippines, serves a parish with more than 40,000 Catholics. He has been there for the last five years.
Over the years, Father Mark felt exhausted by pastoral duties. He gradually developed loneliness and distress, which affected his mental well-being. Over time, he began to consume alcohol more frequently and eventually became addicted.
As his health conditions and addictions affected his personal life and pastoral duty, his religious superiors made him take a break from pastoral care and placed him in a Church-run rehabilitation center near Manila for a year.
After a year of medication along with prayer, social connections, and discernment, he is free of addiction and back to pastoral work in a different parish in the central Philippines.
He said he learned a valuable lesson from his imperfections, especially about balancing personal care — physical, spiritual, and emotional.
A rural missionaryʼs ordeal
Father Marcilino, a 47-year-old priest, used to be a rural missionary in the northern part of the country.
He used to minister to 70,000 Catholics across eight chapels and one parish, alongside two younger priests.
“At some point, I got disinterested in my pastoral work and lost zeal for it,” he said.
“I did not have any vices as such. I felt a kind of spiritual dryness in my priestly life,” he said.
When his priest companions noticed his mental distress and lack of participation in community prayers and mealtime presence, they encouraged him to take a few months' break from pastoral responsibility with the knowledge of their superiors.
His superiors sent him for a three-month refresher course on psycho-spiritual enrichment.
After spending three months in the program, he returned to the parish with renewed zeal as a person and pastor.
“I have realized that priests like me face pastoral exhaustion or compassion fatigue caused by many factors,” he said. “It is necessary that we take precautions and efforts to monitor our mental well-being as we are interested in rendering our pastoral service to others with hope and compassion,” he added.
He thanked his superiors and those who continually support him in his missionary endeavors.
“My struggles with mental health issues taught me a valuable lesson that I am not a superhuman being,” he said. “I need to be aware of my limitations, especially worry, anxiety, stress, and depression to some extent.”
“We are all works in progress and rely on Godʼs grace to carry out our pastoral work for the common good,” he said.
Mental health in the Philippines
An estimated 7 million to 12.5 million Filipinos suffer from mental health conditions, according to research published in the Lancet Regional Health.
The National Capital Region Police Office reported on March 25 that suicide cases in Metro Manila more than doubled in the first three months of 2026, with many cases stemming from emotional distress, financial pressure, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.
Meanwhile, the country does not have adequate mental health professionals, and the government is making efforts to strengthen mental health services, such as increasing funding for mental health programs and training more professionals to meet the growing demand.
Everyone must take care of their mental health amid the many challenges of life and work, Christopher Lim, a professional psychologist, told EWTN News.
Over the years, Lim has counseled several people, including priests and religious sisters, who have faced mental health challenges.
One piece of advice he gives is that anyone can develop mental health concerns at any time, regardless of their current mental well-being.
“Timely professional help is key to mental health,” Lim said.
The Knights of Columbus issued a statement that affirms the Catholic fraternal organization’s solidarity with Pope Leo XIV as President Donald Trump criticized the Holy Father a second time on Truth Social.
“The Knights of Columbus has always stood in solidarity with the Holy Father, recognizing in him a spiritual father who calls the world not to division but to unity, not to conflict but to peace,” Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly said in the statement.
“In this moment, we reaffirm that commitment with clarity and conviction,” he said.
Trump escalated his criticism of the Holy Father late Tuesday evening in a second post on Truth Social, which criticized the pontiff’s staunch opposition to war.
Whether one agrees or disagrees with Leo’s policy views, Kelly said, “the Holy Father’s prophetic voice deserves to be heard with respect and engaged seriously.”
“Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for peace, dialogue, and restraint in a world marked by war and suffering,” he said. “The Holy Father’s words are not political talking points — they are reflections of the Gospel itself.”
Kelly noted that many Catholics and others “have been deeply disappointed by the disparaging comments directed at Pope Leo XIV” by Trump, and that Leo “is not a politician — he is the vicar of Christ, entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding souls.”
In his statement, Kelly acknowledged that faithful Catholics can hold differing views on foreign policy and that Catholics should engage in the public square. He said nations can safeguard security “in accordance with the demands of justice and the pursuit of peace.”
“The Church does not ask Catholics to withdraw from civic life but to engage with and elevate it — bringing to our civic dialogue the light of truth, respect for the dignity of every human person, and a steadfast concern for the common good," he said.
Kelly also encouraged prayers for the pope, the president, and other politicians.
“As Knights, we are called to be men of unity, as followers of Christ and patriotic citizens,” he said. “I encourage all Knights of Columbus to pray for the Holy Father, to pray for civic leaders, and to pray for peace and those working to achieve it.”
“And let us recommit ourselves to charity in our public discourse,” he added. “May we be known not for echoing the divisions of our time, but for healing them. In a moment of tension, the path forward is not louder conflict but deeper fidelity — to truth, to charity, and to the Gospel.”
Trump goes after Leo again
Trumpʼs social media post said: “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable."
During the protests, Leo did call for peace, saying in January that “ongoing tensions [in Iran and Syria] continue to claim many lives.”
“I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society,” he said at the time.
Leo has also strongly opposed nuclear weapons, saying in June 2025: “The further proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, as well as this escalation of violence, imperils the fragile stability remaining in the region.”
While Trump cited numbers exceeding 40,000 people, estimates about the number of people killed in anti-regime protests and unrest in Iran varies a lot, ranging from several thousand to more than 30,000. Most protesters were unarmed, but Iran’s government claims some were armed and killed about 500 security personnel. Trump said the United States tried to arm the protesters, but those guns did not get to the right people.
Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, said he is deeply concerned and troubled by Trump’s social media rhetoric, especially during Holy Week and Easter, which he says falls short of the moral standard expected of both the presidency and a professed Christian. The archbishop criticized Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo, saying the pope’s calls for peace and dialogue arise from his pastoral mission, not political ideology.
Sample said the Church’s role is to proclaim peace, human dignity, and the Gospel, citing Jesus’ teaching: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemned attacks and mockery directed at Pope Leo XIV and the papacy, affirming that respect for the Holy Father is essential to Catholic faith.
Vice President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism, said at a Turning Point USA event that Pope Leo XIV should “be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”
“One of the issues here is that if youʼre going to opine on matters of theology, youʼve got to be careful,” he said. “Youʼve got to make sure itʼs anchored in the truth.”
Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said: “Any religious leader can say anything they want, but obviously, if you wade into political waters, I think you should expect some political response.”
Pope Leo XIV has responded to Trump’s public criticism by saying he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and will continue to speak out boldly with the message of the Gospel.
After concluding the first leg of his African apostolic journey in Algeria, Pope Leo XIV travels to Cameroon from April 15–18. In the Central African nation, the Holy Father is set to visit the capital, Yaoundé, and the metropolitan sees of Bamenda and Douala.
If Algeria represents the Church as a small minority navigating a Muslim-majority society, Cameroon presents a different ecclesial landscape. The Catholic Church there is demographically significant, institutionally entrenched, socially influential, and politically attentive.
Cameroon stands not only as the second stop on the Holy Father’s African itinerary but also as a microcosm of the contemporary African Catholic experience — complex, vibrant, and consequential.
Here are eight things to know about the Church in Cameroon and what is expected of Pope Leoʼs visit:
1. It has a significant and growing Catholic population.
Cameroon’s population is religiously diverse, made up of Christians, Muslims, and practitioners of African traditional religions. Within the Christian bloc, Catholics constitute one of the largest denominations. Current estimates place Catholics at roughly 30% to 35% of the national population, translating into several million Catholics.
This scale gives the Catholic Church measurable public presence. Parishes are numerous, Catholic diocesan structures are well developed, and lay movements are active across urban and rural areas. The Church is not a marginal actor; it is a central stakeholder in national life.
Growth trends remain steady rather than explosive. Unlike some East African contexts where Catholic numbers have surged, Cameroon’s expansion is incremental and closely tied to demographic growth. Nonetheless, vocations to the priesthood and Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) continue at levels that sustain ecclesial institutions.
In Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV will encounter a people of God neither defensive nor peripheral but fully embedded in national society.
2. It has a robust ecclesiastical structure and metropolitan sees.
The Catholic Church in Cameroon is organized into five ecclesiastical provinces, each headed by a metropolitan archbishop. These include Yaoundé, Bamenda, Douala, Garoua, and Bertoua.
The Archdiocese of Yaoundé serves the political capital and functions as a strategic center for Church-state engagement. Douala, the country’s economic hub, anchors the Littoral region and reflects the Church’s engagement with commerce, urbanization, and migration.
Bamenda, in the Anglophone Northwest Region, carries particular pastoral and political weight due to ongoing instability in that part of the country. Garoua Archdiocese is in the north of the country, while Bertoua Archdiocese is in the east.
The bishops collectively operate through the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, which regularly issues pastoral letters on social, political, and moral issues.
Pope Leo XIV’s decision to visit three metropolitan sees signals a recognition of Cameroon’s regional diversity and ecclesial complexity.
3. The Church in Cameroon has deep historical roots.
Catholic missionary activity in Cameroon dates to the late 19th century, particularly under German colonial administration and later French and British rule. Missionaries established schools, clinics, and parishes that became foundational to local communities.
Over time, ecclesial leadership transitioned from missionary congregations to Indigenous clergy. Today, Cameroonian Catholic bishops and priests lead the Church across the country, and missionary institutes have shifted toward collaboration rather than control.
This historical trajectory — from missionary implantation to local ownership — has shaped a confident Church. Catholic institutions in education and health care are not peripheral supplements; they are pillars of national infrastructure.
The historical memory of missionary sacrifice and local perseverance still informs Catholic identity in Cameroon. Papal visits are therefore received not as external interventions but as moments of communion within an already mature ecclesial body.
4. The Church leads in education and health.
Few institutions in Cameroon rival the Catholic Church in educational reach. Catholic primary and secondary schools are widespread, often regarded for discipline and academic performance. The Church also sponsors tertiary institutions and teacher training colleges.
Health care is similarly significant. Catholic hospitals and clinics serve urban centers and remote areas alike. In regions where public health systems are strained, Catholic Church-run facilities frequently fill service gaps.
This social footprint gives the Catholic Church influence but also responsibility. It must negotiate regulatory frameworks, maintain quality standards, and manage financial sustainability.
This also means that papal messaging on social justice, youth formation, and health care ethics resonates concretely rather than abstractly.
In Cameroon, the Church’s credibility is measured as much by service delivery as by liturgical vitality.
5. Catholic leaders play a role in political and social realities.
Cameroon’s Catholic bishops have consistently engaged in public discourse on governance, elections, corruption, and national unity. Pastoral letters issued around electoral cycles often emphasize transparency, accountability, and peaceful participation.
This engagement places the Church in a delicate position. While she does not function as a political party, she operates as a moral voice. Her statements can attract both public support and governmental scrutiny.
The Anglophone crisis in the northwest and southwest regions — marked by tension between separatist groups and state forces — has intensified the Church’s mediating role. Bishops in affected regions, particularly in Bamenda, have appealed for dialogue and protection of civilians.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Bamenda is therefore not merely ceremonial. It unfolds against a backdrop of social fragility and political complexity. Any public remarks in that region will be closely analyzed for diplomatic nuance.
6. The Cameroon Church sees many religious vocations.
Cameroon is considered one of the more fruitful Churches in central Africa in terms of religious vocations. Major seminaries in the country train diocesan clergy, and religious congregations attract local candidates.
The presence of Indigenous clergy has allowed the Church to contextualize liturgy, catechesis, and pastoral strategy. Inculturation — integrating elements of local culture within Catholic worship and life — has developed within the framework permitted by universal Church norms.
However, vocations also present governance challenges: ensuring adequate formation, preventing clericalism, and addressing global concerns about safeguarding and accountability. As elsewhere, the Cameroonian Church must navigate expectations of transparency and ethical leadership.
A papal visit often includes meetings with clergy and religious. In Cameroon, such encounters are likely to reinforce standards of pastoral responsibility and ecclesial communion.
7. The Church here enjoys linguistic, cultural, and religious pluralism.
Cameroon is frequently described as “Africa in miniature” due to its linguistic and cultural diversity. The country officially operates in both French and English, with numerous Indigenous languages in daily use.
This diversity shapes ecclesial life. The Church must minister across Francophone and Anglophone regions, urban and rural contexts, and varied ethnic identities. Liturgies may incorporate local languages and music while maintaining doctrinal unity.
Religiously, Cameroon is pluralistic. Alongside Catholics are Protestants, Pentecostals, Muslims, and adherents of traditional religions. Inter-Christian competition — particularly with rapidly growing Pentecostal movements — poses pastoral challenges. The Catholic Church must articulate its identity in an environment where charismatic worship and prosperity preaching attract large followings.
Interreligious coexistence with Muslim communities, particularly in northern regions, remains a factor in national stability. The Church has often collaborated with Muslim leaders to promote peace and counter extremism.
For Pope Leo XIV, this pluralistic setting requires calibrated messaging — affirming Catholic identity without undermining interreligious harmony.
8. Cameroon hosted a previous papal visit.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited Cameroon, marking a major ecclesial event that included the promulgation of the Instrumentum Laboris for the Second Synod for Africa. That visit reinforced Cameroon’s role within the continental Church.
Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 journey will inevitably be compared with past papal engagements. Expectations will be shaped by memory: large public liturgies, strong doctrinal messages, and calls for ethical governance.
This story was first published on March 12, 2026, by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, and has been updated.
Christians in Algeria say they are hoping Pope Leo XIV’s visit will be what “leads to change” as they have recently faced a massive spike in church closures and Christian arrests.
Pope Leo is visiting Algeria April 13–15 for the first part of his African papal trip. The popeʼs presence has been “widely viewed by the Christian community as a success,” Kelsey Zorzi said in an April 14 interview with “EWTN News Nightly.”
Zorzi, director of global advocacy at Alliance Defending Freedom, discussed religious freedom in Algeria and the governmentʼs move to stop the spread of Christianity.
“Algeria is 99% Muslim; less than 1% of the population is Christian," she said. "So for many years, Christians and Muslims have been living side by side. Muslims have been hearing the Gospel and steadily converting to Christianity."
“As of 2017, there were 50 thriving Protestant evangelical churches operating across the country, and these churches were growing, and the government took note of this,” she said.
“To combat what it perceived as an increasing threat,” the government “started enforcing an old 2006 ordinance that required the association of Protestant churches to be licensed,” she said. “These associations tried numerous times to apply for a license, but the government has refused to this day to acknowledge these applications or to grant the licenses.”
“So they have shut down, over the course of the last nine to 10 years, almost 50 churches across the country,” she said.
The government has claimed the closures were due to problems including safety permits and zoning laws, but Zorzi said “these claims are a mere pretext, and the governmentʼs actual motivation is to stop the spread of Christianity in Algeria.”
In the nation, there has been "a long history of pretextual and manipulative tactics that have been used to keep the churches closed,” she said.
“Weʼve seen the government allege that some of the churches have building code violations, and after these alleged violations are remedied, the government still refuses to reopen the churches,” she said.
The government also has asked “the Evangelical Association to meet to discuss the license, and when the invitation for these meetings arrives, itʼs often for a date that has already passed,” she said.
Pope Leo’s visit to Algeria
The pope met with the president of Algeria on April 13, “and we are hearing he did raise the issue of the Protestant church closures as well as the criminal charges that are being brought against pastors,” she said.
Pope Leo also said Mass where the archbishop of Algiers "pointed out that the Christian community in Algeria is comprised of several denominations" and he "specified that several Protestant church leaders were present at the Mass,” she said.
“The pope visited the eastern portion of the country, which is where St. Augustine lived, and planted an olive tree as a symbol of peace,” she said. “The Protestant communityʼs general sense of the popeʼs visit has been highly positive.”
“Theyʼre very encouraged and theyʼre hoping that this might be the thing that leads to change,” she said.
