The canon archivist of Vigo Cathedral in Spain, Father Avelino Bouzón Gallego, has confirmed the Spanish origins of Pope Leo XIV’s maternal family by researching the archives of a parish in Galicia in Spain’s far northwest.

After reading on Dec. 14, 2025, in a biography of the pontiff by Rafael Lazcano that Leo XIV has ancestors in towns in Pontevedra province, Bouzón could barely sleep.

“At 3 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, I woke up, got out of bed in my pajamas, and after putting on a sweater and a robe, I sat down at my desk, prayed lauds [the canonical hour or part of the Divine Office for the morning], and immediately began writing down the Prevost family tree, following the maternal line with the information provided in the biography,” the priest related in the parish bulletin of St. Bartholomew de Renbordanes Church.

That same morning, at the cathedral archives, he discussed his concerns and suggested to one of his collaborators, Luis Arias, that they begin the research in the La Louriña region, where there are two parishes.

The archives of Santa María de Porriño Parish date back to 1700, so they decided to start with those of San Salvador Parish, which cover one century more.

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, he received what he describes as “earth-shattering news.” They had located the baptismal record of one of Pope Leo XIV’s ancestors mentioned in the biography, Benito de Bastos Lorenzo, who was baptized in that parish in 1639.

The information is recorded in the “Book I of Baptisms [page, line etc.],” Bouzón cited with academic exactitude in the parish bulletin. Based on this information, the archivist concluded that Benito de Bastos Lorenzo is “the fifth great-great-great-grandfather on the maternal side of Robert Prevost [Leo XIV].”

Specifically, Benito de Bastos Lorenzo is part of the ninth generation before that of Pope Leo XIV.

The journey to the Americas of this direct relative of the pope is also detailed, as he married in Havana in 1677 at the age of 32, when Cuba was part of Spain and an “emerging sugar elite” was flourishing there.

“Later, many Galicians and other Iberians who had arrived on the island subsequently moved to Mexico and the United States of America,” Bouzón explained.

This significant genealogical discovery is just the beginning of a larger investigation in order to compile a comprehensive genealogy of the pontiff, which has begun “in the parishes of San Salvador in Torneiros and San Miguel in Pereiras, where direct and collateral [related by blood but not in a direct line] relatives have been found.”

Now, Bouzón promised, “we will continue to follow the thread and weave the tapestry until we reach the current generations, who will be able to present themselves to the pontiff and tell him that they share his same genes.”

In anticipation of Pope Leo’s possible trip to Spain in 2026, it is suggested that his stops will include Barcelona, ​​Madrid, and the Canary Islands.

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.

For the first time in his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV received the prelates of the Roman Rota in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican on the occasion of the opening of the judicial year, emphasizing that true justice requires a balance between the rigor of truth and the compassion of charity.

In his welcoming address, Archbishop Alejandro Arellano, dean of the tribunal of the Roman Rota, which is the highest appellate tribunal in the Catholic Church, noted that every judicial decision must reflect respect for the law, the sanctity of justice, and charity toward individuals, always remembering that “only God is before our eyes” as a guiding principle.

After expressing his appreciation for the judicial role they perform, the Holy Father dedicated a lengthy address to reflecting on the relationship between the truth of justice and the virtue of charity.

After recalling that “God is love and truth,” the pontiff emphasized the “dialectical tension” between objective truth and the concerns of charity, which can lead to “a dangerous relativization of truth.”

Pope Leo XIV addresses the prelates of the Roman Rota during an audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on Jan. 26, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Charity, the driving force of true justice

He explained that “misunderstood compassion, even if apparently motivated by pastoral zeal, risks obscuring the necessary dimension of ascertaining the truth proper to the judicial office.”

This, according to Pope Leo, occurs particularly in the area of ​​marriage annulment cases, and “it could lead to pastoral decisions lacking a solid objective foundation.”

Conversely, there can also be “a cold and detached affirmation of the truth that does not take into account all that love for people requires, omitting those concerns dictated by respect and mercy, which must be present in all stages of a proceeding,” he warned.

He also affirmed that the truth “must enlighten every action” and be done in charity, the “great driving force that leads to true justice.”

In light of the teachings of St. Paul and St. John, the pontiff reminded the members of the Roman Rota that their function is to be “fellow workers in the truth.” He also quoted Benedict XVI to emphasize that charity “needs to be understood, confirmed, and practiced in the light of truth.”

Pope Leo XIV meets with the prelates of the Roman Rota during an audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on Jan. 26, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media A contribution to the salvation of souls

He emphasized that their work must be driven by a “true love for neighbor” and that their service to truth and justice “is a loving contribution to the salvation of souls.”

The Holy Father urged the prelates to exercise “rigorous intellectual honesty,” to strive for “technical competence and an upright conscience,” while also stressing that “service to the truth in charity must shine out in all the work of the ecclesial tribunals.”

“This must be appreciated,” he added, “by the whole ecclesial community and especially by the faithful involved: those who seek a judgment on their marriage, those accused of committing a canonical crime, those who consider themselves victims of grave injustice, and those who claim a right.”

He noted that “canonical processes must inspire the trust that comes from professional seriousness, intense and thoughtful work, and a convinced dedication to what can and must be perceived as a true professional vocation.”

The Holy Father said the faithful “have a right to the proper and timely exercise of procedural functions, because it is a journey that affects consciences and lives.”

He warned: “A purely bureaucratic approach in such an important role would clearly prejudice the search for truth.”

He noted that the judge becomes “a peacemaker who contributes to consolidating the unity of the Church in Christ” and that the judicial process “is the indispensable tool for discerning the truth and the justice in the case.”

“Failure to observe these basic principles of justice — and favoring unjustified disparity in the treatment of similar situations — is a significant violation of the legal profile of ecclesial communion,” he warned.

He noted that in marriage annulment proceedings, even the shortest ones, the grounds for annulment must be carefully evaluated and the process itself must determine whether a more comprehensive procedure is needed.

The pope emphasized that it is essential to study and apply canon law “with rigor and fidelity to the magisterium,” since this allows for resolving cases in accordance with the principles of natural law as well.

At the end of his address, the Holy Father reminded the judges that they are called to “to guard the truth with rigor but without rigidity” and to exercise charity “without omission.”

“In this balance, which is in reality a deep unity, one must manifest true Christian juridical wisdom,” 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.

Last week, the “ad limina apostolorum” visits began at the Vatican. These official pilgrimages to Rome are undertaken by all the bishops of the world, usually organized by episcopal conferences, to renew their communion with the See of Peter.

The expression “ad limina apostolorum” comes from Latin and means “to the thresholds of the apostles.” During this time, the bishops visit the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul, as well as the various dicasteries of the Vatican, ending their pilgrimage with a meeting with the pope.

Bishops pray before the tomb of St. Peter during their ad limina visit. | Credit: Father Miguel Silvestre When do they take place?

From a canonical perspective, these visits should take place every five years; however, in practice, they are usually spaced out every seven or eight years or even longer, due to the large number of bishops and various circumstances. Among these, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant disruption to the regularity of the visits, which are also suspended during jubilee years.

Father Miguel Silvestre of the Work of the Church, an institution of pontifical right, is entrusted with the mission of welcoming the prelates and facilitating their stay in the Eternal City as much as possible.

“We organize their travel schedules and accompany the bishops to the various basilicas and to their meetings at the different dicasteries,” the young Spanish priest explained to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.

Silvestre said the fact that the bishops can travel from one place to another with no worries is a great relief for them and makes their visit more efficient and comfortable because “they often don’t know their way around Rome very well or find it difficult.”

“Those of us who live in Rome,” he added, “know the chaos this city entails, and coming from afar, having someone to guide and accompany you provides great peace of mind.”

The priest emphasized the importance of the ad limina meetings, where “the ecclesial and hierarchical communion of the entire episcopate of a country is manifested in a concrete way, as particular [local] Churches, among themselves and with the universal Church, through their union with the Holy Father.”

Pope Leo XIV meets with the bishops of Puerto Rico on Jan. 23, 2026, at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media The origin of the ad limina visits

Although there is no specific date for the institution of the ad limina visit, Silvestre noted that many accounts trace its origin back to the fourth century.

In the sixth century, the obligation of the ad limina visit properly began and was later extended universally, with various regulations, until it was formally established by canon law as it exists today. “It was St. John Paul II who gave a new and renewed impetus to this type of visit by bishops with the Holy Father,” Silvestre explained.

Who organizes them?

The meetings are organized by the Dicastery for Bishops and the Dicastery for Evangelization in the section for the Evangelization of Peoples and in collaboration with all the dicasteries. “The structure has varied throughout the centuries,” the Spanish priest added.

In addition, the bishops work on different documents for years, which they then send to the dicasteries, before discussing the topics presented. “It’s a way of evaluating the situation of each particular Church and then receiving advice or assistance from the dicasteries to continue carrying out the mission that the Lord has entrusted to the bishops,” explained Silvestre, who emphasized that the prelates “leave these meetings feeling very grateful.”

An example of this is the testimony of Bishop Alberto Figueroa, who has served as bishop of the Diocese of Arecibo in Puerto Rico since 2022. On Jan. 23, he concluded his first ad limina visit along with eight other bishops from the island.

In a conversation with ACI Prensa after the meeting with Pope Leo XIV, he described his experience as “surprisingly good and beautiful,” acknowledging that bishops are naturally a little nervous when visiting the Holy See.

He also emphasized that the reception at the dicasteries was “absolutely wonderful,” where they found staff “ready to listen.” For the Puerto Rican prelate, the meeting with the pope was “the icing on the cake.”

What topics are discussed?

The topics discussed vary depending on the country’s situation and the bishops’ conference, such as evangelization, the situation of the clergy, vocations, social and political issues, and the various problems or challenges the bishops are facing.

Figueroa explained that he and the other bishops of Puerto Rico had the opportunity to convey the challenges facing the Church in their country: “We have a very sharp decline in the birth rate, emigration to the United States, and also the issue of gender ideology and other aspects that are having their impact everywhere,” he explained.

However, he emphasized that “the Catholics there continue to live their faith, and it is growing stronger. People feel committed to their Church, they love their Church, and they are interested in understanding the processes leading us to be a synodal and missionary Church.”

The Puerto Rican bishops meet with Pope Leo XIV for their ad limina visit on Jan. 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media The meeting with the pope

Regarding the Puerto Rican bishops’ meeting with Pope Leo XIV on Jan. 23, Figueroa said the Holy Father “strongly emphasized the importance of continuing to work very, very closely on family issues. It’s clear that this is a very strong concern for him. He told us to continue this work, always taking into account the family, its involvement, its needs, and the guidance that families require.”

“He was very approachable, listened attentively, and was evidently very discreet in his comments. He understood what we were telling him. I believe that the Church truly continues to be blessed by the Lord through [this] pontificate,” he emphasized.

Of the bishops’ meeting with the Holy Father, Silvestre said they left “very happy, renewed, full of hope, and strengthened.”

The prelate expressed his gratitude for the welcome they received from the Work of the Church during their stay in Rome and said they felt “very edified: They have gone above and beyond for all of us in a fantastic way.”

What difficulties do bishops encounter when they arrive in Rome?

Silvestre emphasized that Rome is not an easy city: “The difficulties, especially for bishops who come from abroad and haven’t studied in Rome, can be the language and sometimes the cold, as is the case these days for the bishops from Puerto Rico.”

“But it’s also true that most adapt very well, even though the visit’s schedule is very demanding, with many formal and informal meetings, and they end up being tired,” he commented.

Father Miguel Silvestre (left) with the bishops of Slovenia. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Tilen Vesenjak Meeting more than a thousand bishops

During his years of service, Silvestre has met more than a thousand bishops. “Having spent so many hours with them, there are many anecdotes,” he commented.

He shared with ACI Prensa some of the stories that have “touched his heart” the most: those of the bishops from mission territories, in the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, or in some parts of Africa.

“The stories they tell are truly impressive. There are bishops who have to travel for several days by boat to reach the most remote communities in their dioceses. Others have to travel on foot for hours and hours to visit communities in the middle of the jungle, where there are no other means of access due to the type of terrain.”

He also recalled the harsh experiences of those who live in areas where Christians are persecuted. “Bishops who have suffered greatly in their dioceses, witnessing the kidnapping of some of their priests, seeing people murdered, or suffering from war, hunger, and the misery of their people. I even know a bishop who was kidnapped by drug traffickers, and another who was imprisoned,” he revealed.

Silvestre said he feels “obligated to pray for them and for their dioceses, and to continue offering my life for the Church, especially for the pope and the bishops.”

“I believe this is something that needs to become part of the consciousness of all Christians: to pray for our bishops, for all of them, because they are the successors of the apostles, the pillars of the Church, and they also need our support, both human and spiritual,” he emphasized.

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.

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged Christians to deepen their common witness by growing in “ecumenical synodal practices,” recalling the shared recitation of the Nicene Creed at Nicaea and thanking the Churches in Armenia for preparing this year’s resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The pope made the appeal during the celebration of Second Vespers for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, marking the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Standing near the tomb of the Apostle to the Gentiles, Leo said that Paul’s mission “is also the mission of all Christians today: to proclaim Christ and to invite everyone to place their trust in him.”

Quoting the Second Vatican Council’s call to proclaim the Gospel to all creation, the pope said it is the “shared task of all Christians to say humbly and joyfully to the world: ‘Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles!’”

Leo also looked back to the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, noting that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had invited Christians to commemorate the anniversary in İznik, Turkey, and giving thanks that “so many Christian traditions were represented” there.

“Reciting the Nicene Creed together in the very place where it was formulated was a profound and unforgettable testimony to our unity in Christ,” he said, praying that the Holy Spirit would help believers “proclaim the faith with one voice to the men and women of our time!”

Reflecting on the Pauline theme of “one body, one Spirit, one hope … one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God,” the pope told those gathered: “We are one! We already are! Let us recognize it, experience it and make it visible!”

Turning to the Catholic Church’s synodal path, Leo cited Pope Francis’ observation that the synodal journey of the Catholic Church “is and must be ecumenical, just as the ecumenical journey is synodal,” adding: “I believe this is a path for growing together in mutual knowledge of our respective synodal structures and traditions.”

With an eye toward 2033 — the 2,000th anniversary of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus — the pope urged Christians to commit themselves “to further developing ecumenical synodal practices and to sharing with one another who we are, what we do and what we teach.”

Leo greeted Cardinal Kurt Koch and leaders and representatives of other Christian communities, including Metropolitan Polykarpos for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and Bishop Anthony Ball on behalf of the Anglican Communion.

He also offered a special word of gratitude to the Churches in Armenia, which prepared the materials for this year’s Week of Prayer, praising “the courageous Christian witness of the Armenian people throughout history, a history in which martyrdom has been a constant feature.”

Recalling Catholicos St. Nersès Šnorhali, whom he called “the Gracious,” Leo said the 12th-century Armenian churchman understood that the search for unity “is a task entrusted to all the faithful, and that it requires the healing of memory.”

The pope concluded by recalling the tradition of Armenia as the first Christian nation, after King Tiridates was baptized by St. Gregory the Illuminator in 301, and prayed that the seeds of the Gospel would continue to bear fruit “in unity, justice and holiness, for the benefit of peace among the peoples and nations of the whole world.”

This story was originally published by ACI Stampa, CNA’s Italian-language news partner. It has been adapted by CNA.

Pope Leo XIV has set “One in Christ, United in Mission” as the theme for World Mission Day 2026, marking the 100th anniversary of the annual celebration established by Pope Pius XI.

In his message, released Jan. 25 on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the pope writes that the Church’s missionary renewal depends first on spiritual communion and reconciliation within Christian communities.

“The mystery of union with Christ lies at the heart of mission,” Leo writes, warning that “conflicts, polarization, misunderstandings, and a lack of mutual trust” can erode the Church’s witness when they take root “even within our communities.”

World Mission Day will be observed Oct. 18.

Union with Christ and unity among Christians

Reflecting on the call to evangelize after the jubilee year, the pope writes that the missionary path “requires hearts united in Christ, reconciled communities and, in everyone, a willingness to cooperate with generosity and trust.”

Leo also links the theme to ecumenical efforts, encouraging Catholics to deepen engagement with other Christians “building upon the opportunities arising from the joint celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.”

He stresses that the Christian life is not reducible to an ethical code or a set of ideas.

“Being a Christian is not primarily about practices or ideas; it is a life in union with Christ,” he writes, adding that this communion “is the source of all missionary fruitfulness.”

‘Not an end in itself’

The pope emphasizes that unity is ordered toward proclamation of the Gospel.

“The unity of disciples is not an end in itself; it is directed towards mission,” Leo writes. “It is through the witness of a reconciled, fraternal, and united community that the proclamation of the Gospel acquires its full communicative power.”

He recalls the motto of Blessed Paolo Manna — “All the Churches United for the Conversion of the Whole World” — and notes the 110th anniversary of the Pontifical Missionary Union, founded in 1916. “No baptized person is exempt from or indifferent to mission,” he writes.

Thanks to the Pontifical Mission Societies

Leo offers specific thanks to the Pontifical Mission Societies, writing that their work supporting missionary cooperation is something “I experienced with gratitude during my ministry in Peru.”

He points to their efforts to “promote a network of prayer and charity that connects communities throughout the world” and recalls the role of Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot, founder of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, who established the living rosary.

The pope also highlights the origins of World Mission Day itself, noting that Pius XI established it in 1926 following a proposal from the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and that the annual offerings gathered are distributed “on behalf of the pope” for the Church’s missionary needs.

Mission as a work of love

In the final section, Leo frames mission as an outgrowth of God’s faithful love revealed in Jesus Christ.

“If unity is the condition of mission, love is its essence,” he writes. “The good news that we are sent to proclaim to the world is not an abstract ideal; it is the Gospel of God’s faithful love, which became flesh in the face and life of Jesus Christ.”

He expresses gratitude to today’s ad gentes missionaries — those sent beyond their homelands — and appeals for new missionary vocations.

“The world still needs these courageous witnesses of Christ, and ecclesial communities still need new missionary vocations,” he writes. “We must always keep them close to our hearts and continually pray to the Father for them.”

Citing St. Francis of Assisi, Leo acknowledges the challenges missionaries can face: “As St. Francis of Assisi said, ‘Love is not loved,’” he writes, urging Christians to let themselves be inspired by the saint’s desire to live and transmit the love of the Lord.

A prayer for unity and evangelization

Leo concludes with a prayer asking that believers be made “one in Christ,” strengthened for witness, and sustained in missionary service: “Holy Father, make us one in Christ, rooted in his love that unites and renews,” the pope prays, asking Mary, “Queen of Missions,” to accompany the Church’s evangelizing work “in every corner of the earth.”

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that the Gospel “calls us to dare to trust,” warning that fear and excessive caution can leave Christians “paralyzed by indecision” rather than ready to follow Christ.

In his reflection before the noon Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, the pope returned to the day’s Gospel (Matthew 4:12-22), asking two questions about Jesus’ public ministry: When did it begin, and where did it begin?

Leo noted that Jesus began preaching “when he heard that John had been arrested,” a moment that might appear “inopportune.” Yet, the pope said, “it was precisely in this dark situation that Jesus began to bring the light of the good news: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’”

“In our lives, both individually and as a Church,” he said, “interior struggles or circumstances we deem unfavorable can lead us to believe that it is not the right time to proclaim the Gospel… In this way, however, we risk becoming paralyzed by indecision or imprisoned by excessive prudence, whereas the Gospel calls us to dare to trust.”

Leo highlighted Galilee as “a predominantly pagan territory” and a “multicultural region,” explaining that the Messiah “transcends the borders of his own land to proclaim a God who draws close to everyone.”

“He is a God who excludes no one,” the pope said, “and who comes not only for the ‘pure,’ but enters fully into the complexity of human situations and relationships.” For that reason, Leo added, Christians “must overcome the temptation toward isolation,” living the Gospel in every setting “as a leaven of fraternity and peace among all individuals, cultures, religions, and peoples.”

After the Angelus, the pope noted that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is the Sunday of the Word of God, established by Pope Francis “to promote throughout the Church knowledge of sacred Scripture and greater attention to the word of God.”

Leo expressed concern for Ukraine, saying the country is being hit by “continuous attacks,” leaving “entire populations exposed to the cold of winter.”

“I invite everyone to intensify their efforts to end this war,” he said.

He also marked World Leprosy Day, voicing his closeness to those affected and thanking those who care for patients, including the Italian Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau.

The pope concluded by inviting prayers for peace “in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and in every region where, unfortunately, there is fighting going on for interests that are not those of the people,” adding: “Peace is built on respect for peoples!”

The pope also recalled that Sunday closes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and said he would celebrate vespers at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls with representatives of other Christian denominations.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, EWTN News’ Italian-language partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News.

Pope Leo XIV warned of the risks that go hand in hand with information in the digital age and urged journalists never to succumb “to the temptation of the trivial” or to fake news that creates confusion about what’s true or false.

The pope made his comments in a message sent on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of “Porta a Porta” (“Door to Door”), a program on RAI 1 Italian public television, in which he addressed to the show’s host, Bruno Vespa, the editorial team, and the viewers.

Leo XIV recalled the three decades of the “Porta a Porta” program’s history as a period marked by “wars and peace agreements, crises and recoveries, joyful and sad events.”

At the same time, he emphasized that the medium itself has also changed: television and, with it, all communication. “Today we have new tools and new possibilities for informing ourselves, learning, and interacting,” the pope wrote, “but along with them, new risks have also emerged.”

Among these dangers, the Holy Father listed the exchange of fake news for real news, “compulsive channel surfing” instead of attentive listening, “doom scrolling” instead of intentional reading, superficial curiosity instead of a genuine desire to learn, and monologues instead of dialogues in which no one truly listens.

‘Quality television’

In the face of these trends, the pontiff advocated patience and a long-term perspective as necessary conditions for building lasting relationships. He also urged that technological innovations not lead to the loss of “the uniqueness of our humanity.”

“Communication challenges us all never to succumb to the temptation of the banal,” Pope Leo XIV emphasized. Finally, he encouraged television professionals to “always offer the world, which thirsts for beauty and truth, quality television.”

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.

On Jan. 22, Pope Leo XIV approved the decree recognizing the martyrdom of Servant of God Augusto Ramírez Monasterio, a Franciscan priest murdered in Guatemala in 1983, and the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Maria Ignazia Isacchi, foundress of the Congregation of the Ursulines of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Asola in Italy.

Murdered in the street during the Guatemalan Civil War

Monasterio was last seen trying to escape his killers on one of the busiest streets in downtown Guatemala City. With his hands tied, he was crying out for help while dodging traffic going in the opposite direction. His desperate efforts were in vain: He was struck by eight bullets.

The future blessed thus joined the long list of priests murdered — apparently at the hands of Guatemalan security forces — during the 1960–1996 civil war that pitted the official security forces against the Catholic clergy, Marxist guerrillas, political dissidents, and the poor.

His murder was the culmination of months of persecution, death threats, and torture for refusing to break the seal of confession after hearing the confession of Fidel Coroy, a catechist and member of the Kaqchikel Maya people known for his involvement in peasant organizations such as the Committee of Peasant Unity and the Guerrilla Army of the Poor.

Accounts following Ramírez’s murder revealed that he had been tortured by his military captors, who stripped him naked and hung him by his wrists, subjecting him to beatings and burns and breaking several of his ribs.

At the time of his death, Ramírez was the superior of the Franciscans and a priest at St. Francis the Great Parish in the city of Antigua, known for its colonial churches. He was remembered as an exemplary priest and for his service to and protection of the poor of Guatemala.

Devotion of Maria Ignazia to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Following Thursday morning’s audience with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the pope also approved the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Maria Ignazia Isacchi, founder of the Congregation of the Ursulines of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Asola, Italy.

As highlighted by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Isacchi distinguished herself by a profound life of prayer and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, demonstrating heroic virtues of faith, hope, and charity, and dedicating her life to educational services and to those in need. Her reputation for holiness remains alive within the congregation she founded.

Miracle attributed to her intercession

In 1950, at age 23, Sister Maria Assunta became seriously ill with tuberculosis and did not respond to medical treatment. After a novena of prayer invoking Isacchi and a medal with her image was placed on Sister Maria Assunta, she experienced a sudden and complete recovery from Sept. 27–29, 1950. The healing was medically confirmed and considered miraculous, becoming one of the steps toward Isacchi’s beatification. Maria Assunta lived to be 92 years old, passing away in 2018.

New venerables

The Holy Father has also recognized the heroic virtues of Servant of God Maria Tecla Antonia Relucenti, co-founder of the Congregation of the Pious Sisters Workers of the Immaculate Conception in Italy.

The pope recognized the heroic virtues of Italians Servant of God Crocifissa Militerni, a religious sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist, and Servant of God Nerino Cobianchi, a lay member of the faithful and father of a family.

Pope Leo XIV also recognized on Jan. 22 the heroic virtues of Maria Immaculata of the Blessed Trinity, a Brazilian Discalced Carmelite and a key figure in the founding of the Carmel of the Holy Family in Pouso Alegre, Brazil, in 1943.

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.

Franciscan Father Augusto Ramírez Monasterio is shown after his initial interrogation and torture; he is hiding the wounds on his hands and wrists. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Ana Morales Ramirez

Jan 23, 2026 / 12:34 pm (CNA).

On Jan. 22, Pope Leo XIV approved the decree recognizing the martyrdom of Servant of God Augusto Ramírez Monasterio, a Franciscan priest murdered in Guatemala in 1983, and the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Maria Ignazia Isacchi, foundress of the Congregation of the Ursulines of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Asola in Italy.

Murdered in the street during the Guatemalan Civil War

Monasterio was last seen trying to escape his killers on one of the busiest streets in downtown Guatemala City. With his hands tied, he was crying out for help while dodging traffic going in the opposite direction. His desperate efforts were in vain: He was struck by eight bullets.

The future blessed thus joined the long list of priests murdered — apparently at the hands of Guatemalan security forces — during the 1960–1996 civil war that pitted the official security forces against the Catholic clergy, Marxist guerrillas, political dissidents, and the poor.

His murder was the culmination of months of persecution, death threats, and torture for refusing to break the seal of confession after hearing the confession of Fidel Coroy, a catechist and member of the Kaqchikel Maya people known for his involvement in peasant organizations such as the Committee of Peasant Unity and the Guerrilla Army of the Poor.

Accounts following Ramírez’s murder revealed that he had been tortured by his military captors, who stripped him naked and hung him by his wrists, subjecting him to beatings and burns and breaking several of his ribs.

At the time of his death, Ramírez was the superior of the Franciscans and a priest at St. Francis the Great Parish in the city of Antigua, known for its colonial churches. He was remembered as an exemplary priest and for his service to and protection of the poor of Guatemala.

Devotion of Maria Ignazia to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Following Thursday morning’s audience with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the pope also approved the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Maria Ignazia Isacchi, founder of the Congregation of the Ursulines of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Asola, Italy.

As highlighted by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Isacchi distinguished herself by a profound life of prayer and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, demonstrating heroic virtues of faith, hope, and charity, and dedicating her life to educational services and to those in need. Her reputation for holiness remains alive within the congregation she founded.

Miracle attributed to her intercession

In 1950, at age 23, Sister Maria Assunta became seriously ill with tuberculosis and did not respond to medical treatment. After a novena of prayer invoking Isacchi and a medal with her image was placed on Sister Maria Assunta, she experienced a sudden and complete recovery from Sept. 27–29, 1950. The healing was medically confirmed and considered miraculous, becoming one of the steps toward Isacchi’s beatification. Maria Assunta lived to be 92 years old, passing away in 2018.

New venerables

The Holy Father has also recognized the heroic virtues of Servant of God Maria Tecla Antonia Relucenti, co-founder of the Congregation of the Pious Sisters Workers of the Immaculate Conception in Italy.

The pope recognized the heroic virtues of Italians Servant of God Crocifissa Militerni, a religious sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist, and Servant of God Nerino Cobianchi, a lay member of the faithful and father of a family.

Pope Leo XIV also recognized on Jan. 22 the heroic virtues of Maria Immaculata of the Blessed Trinity, a Brazilian Discalced Carmelite and a key figure in the founding of the Carmel of the Holy Family in Pouso Alegre, Brazil, in 1943.

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.

Ecumenical dialogue is especially important in a time when Christian belief and practice are on the decline, said one Catholic expert during the Jan. 18–25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

“What is happening today is that the secularization [of society] is incredibly strong … and the temptation among Christian traditions is to step back,” Father Philip Goyret, an ecclesiology professor at Rome’s Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, told EWTN News.

“But if [Christians] step back, we lose our identity, and we cannot be united,” he said. “That is a serious concern.”

Goyret said it is evident that the theological principles of “unity” and “communion” have become important policies of Leo’s pontificate, as summarized in his papal motto, “In Illo uno unum” (“In the one Christ we are one”).

“Leo, from the very beginning, has said that he wants to be the pope of unity, and that is extremely linked with ecumenism,” he added.

When Leo first stepped out onto the Loggia of Blessings of St. Peter’s Basilica in May last year, he said humanity needs God and stressed the need for a “united Church” in Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and among ourselves, let us move forward,” the pope said in his May 8 address. “We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs his light.”

Two months after his election, Pope Leo shed further light on his desire to forge the belief, identity, and mission of the Church.

“I believe very strongly in Jesus Christ and believe that that’s my priority, because I’m the bishop of Rome and successor of Peter, and the pope needs to help people understand, especially Christians, Catholics, that this is who we are,” the pope told the Catholic website Crux in July 2025.

Noting the Holy Father’s particular emphasis on Christian identity and witness as key to advancing ecumenical relations among churches, Goyret said Leo’s predecessors have also shown commitment to promoting unity among the faithful through different approaches.

Pope Francis placed great attention to engaging in dialogue with Eastern and Orthodox Churches, while Pope Benedict XVI is recognized for his 2009 apostolic constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus, which structurally supported Anglicans seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.

“Pope Francis presented himself as ‘bishop of Rome,’ and that’s very significant because that title is the way that Eastern non-Catholic Christians understand the Petrine ministry,” he said, recalling the late pope’s first urbi et orbi address in 2013. “It was an invitation for dialogue.”

By focusing on the Vatican II documents Unitatis Redintegratio (Restoration of Unity) and Lumen Gentium (Light of the Nations), Goyret said Pope Benedict’s approach to ecumenical dialogue encouraged academic study and the faithful living of Christian traditions.

“If you dig and dig into these different traditions, you will eventually discover the Church as Jesus Christ wished it,” he said.

Speaking on the theme of the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, “One Body, One Spirit,” Goyret said there is a great need for Christians to be united in prayer and hope to strengthen faith in God in a secularized world.

“Pope Leo said that we have to pray in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,” he said. “The Church needs our prayers especially because the unity of the Church is a gift of God.”

“We don’t build it ourselves through negotiation. It’s not diplomatic and it’s not political,” he added. “If we want to restore unity to the Church, we have to ask God for it.”

Father Philip Goyret, an ecclesiology professor at Rome’s Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Philip Goyret

Jan 23, 2026 / 12:04 pm (CNA).

Ecumenical dialogue is especially important in a time when Christian belief and practice are on the decline, said one Catholic expert during the Jan. 18–25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

“What is happening today is that the secularization [of society] is incredibly strong … and the temptation among Christian traditions is to step back,” Father Philip Goyret, an ecclesiology professor at Rome’s Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, told EWTN News.

“But if [Christians] step back, we lose our identity, and we cannot be united,” he said. “That is a serious concern.”

Goyret said it is evident that the theological principles of “unity” and “communion” have become important policies of Leo’s pontificate, as summarized in his papal motto, “In Illo uno unum” (“In the one Christ we are one”).

“Leo, from the very beginning, has said that he wants to be the pope of unity, and that is extremely linked with ecumenism,” he added.

When Leo first stepped out onto the Loggia of Blessings of St. Peter’s Basilica in May last year, he said humanity needs God and stressed the need for a “united Church” in Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and among ourselves, let us move forward,” the pope said in his May 8 address. “We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs his light.”

Two months after his election, Pope Leo shed further light on his desire to forge the belief, identity, and mission of the Church.

“I believe very strongly in Jesus Christ and believe that that’s my priority, because I’m the bishop of Rome and successor of Peter, and the pope needs to help people understand, especially Christians, Catholics, that this is who we are,” the pope told the Catholic website Crux in July 2025.

Noting the Holy Father’s particular emphasis on Christian identity and witness as key to advancing ecumenical relations among churches, Goyret said Leo’s predecessors have also shown commitment to promoting unity among the faithful through different approaches.

Pope Francis placed great attention to engaging in dialogue with Eastern and Orthodox Churches, while Pope Benedict XVI is recognized for his 2009 apostolic constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus, which structurally supported Anglicans seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.

“Pope Francis presented himself as ‘bishop of Rome,’ and that’s very significant because that title is the way that Eastern non-Catholic Christians understand the Petrine ministry,” he said, recalling the late pope’s first urbi et orbi address in 2013. “It was an invitation for dialogue.”

By focusing on the Vatican II documents Unitatis Redintegratio (Restoration of Unity) and Lumen Gentium (Light of the Nations), Goyret said Pope Benedict’s approach to ecumenical dialogue encouraged academic study and the faithful living of Christian traditions.

“If you dig and dig into these different traditions, you will eventually discover the Church as Jesus Christ wished it,” he said.

Speaking on the theme of the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, “One Body, One Spirit,” Goyret said there is a great need for Christians to be united in prayer and hope to strengthen faith in God in a secularized world.

“Pope Leo said that we have to pray in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,” he said. “The Church needs our prayers especially because the unity of the Church is a gift of God.”

“We don’t build it ourselves through negotiation. It’s not diplomatic and it’s not political,” he added. “If we want to restore unity to the Church, we have to ask God for it.”

Pope Leo XIV will visit five Catholic parishes of Rome in February and March, in continuity with his predecessors, the Diocese of Rome announced Friday.

The visits, which will take place on Sundays during the penitential season of Lent, will include the celebration of Mass.

The pope will also meet with Rome’s priests for the second time on Feb. 19 at the Vatican. His first encounter with priests of the diocese took place one month into his pontificate.

The pope is not only the head of the universal Catholic Church, he is also the bishop of the Diocese of Rome, though he does not manage the diocese like a typical diocesan bishop. A cardinal vicar general, vice regent (deputy), and auxiliary bishops are responsible for the ordinary running of the diocese.

Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the vicar general of Rome, said last year there were 8,020 priests and deacons in the diocese, of whom 809 were permanent Rome diocesan priests, and most of the remaining were part of religious communities or doing advanced studies.

The first parishes selected for papal visits in 2026 are located in each of the five sectors of the diocese: north, south, east, west, and center. Leo reinstated the central sector in November 2025 after Pope Francis had eliminated it the year prior.

Pope Leo’s predecessors also visited parishes in the Diocese of Rome during their papacies.

John Paul II managed to visit 317 of 333 parishes throughout his long pontificate. During his final years, when he was too ill to travel to them, he invited the remaining 16 parishes to come to the Vatican.

Pope Francis in his 12 years as pope made 20-some pastoral visits to parishes in Rome, mostly concentrated in the city’s outskirts, part of his great attention to the peripheries, which was also reflected in his visits to many of the city’s prisons and charitable entities.

Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general of Rome, during a meeting with priests of the Rome Diocese at the Vatican on June 12, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media

Jan 23, 2026 / 10:04 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV will visit five Catholic parishes of Rome in February and March, in continuity with his predecessors, the Diocese of Rome announced Friday.

The visits, which will take place on Sundays during the penitential season of Lent, will include the celebration of Mass.

The pope will also meet with Rome’s priests for the second time on Feb. 19 at the Vatican. His first encounter with priests of the diocese took place one month into his pontificate.

The pope is not only the head of the universal Catholic Church, he is also the bishop of the Diocese of Rome, though he does not manage the diocese like a typical diocesan bishop. A cardinal vicar general, vice regent (deputy), and auxiliary bishops are responsible for the ordinary running of the diocese.

Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the vicar general of Rome, said last year there were 8,020 priests and deacons in the diocese, of whom 809 were permanent Rome diocesan priests, and most of the remaining were part of religious communities or doing advanced studies.

The first parishes selected for papal visits in 2026 are located in each of the five sectors of the diocese: north, south, east, west, and center. Leo reinstated the central sector in November 2025 after Pope Francis had eliminated it the year prior.

Pope Leo’s predecessors also visited parishes in the Diocese of Rome during their papacies.

John Paul II managed  to visit 317 of 333 parishes throughout his long pontificate. During his final years, when he was too ill to travel to them, he invited the remaining 16 parishes to come to the Vatican.

Pope Francis in his 12 years as pope made  20-some pastoral visits to parishes in Rome, mostly concentrated in the city’s outskirts, part of his great attention to the peripheries, which was also reflected in his visits to many of the city’s prisons and charitable entities.

The Holy See’s labor office is pushing back on claims of widespread worker dissatisfaction after an internal survey by the Association of Vatican Lay Employees (ADLV) alleged distrust of leadership and instances of workplace bullying.

In an interview with the official Vatican News outlet, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi, president of the Office of Labor of the Apostolic See (ULSA), said his office “always has its doors open” and stressed that its mission is to ensure “there are no situations in which employees’ rights are not respected or are violated in any way.”

“It doesn’t seem to me that the discontent is widespread,” Sprizzi said, noting that the survey sample was “very small,” amounting to “less than 5% of employees.”

According to the report, 250 people responded to the survey, with about 80% of respondents belonging to the ADLV. The Holy See has around 4,200 workers, though Vatican News estimated the overall figure at more than 6,000 when including retirees.

Sprizzi added that even a single complaint must be taken seriously. “We listen to everyone. We are a structure of dialogue,” he said.

New statutes, broader representation

Sprizzi also pointed to new statutes for ULSA approved in December 2025 by Pope Leo XIV, which he said strengthen the office’s mission of unity, representativeness, and the promotion of labor rights in line with the Church’s social teaching.

“Rowing in the same direction does not mean reducing the protection of workers but promoting it in a spirit of dialogue and mutual trust,” he said.

Sprizzi said ULSA remains in constant contact with employees, Vatican administrations, and the ADLV, describing the relationship as marked by “constructive and frequent” discussions. He said technical working groups and commissions have been created to examine solutions to specific situations “in the interest of everyone: the employees and also the Holy See.”

‘More positive’ overall — but wages still a concern

Against perceptions of general dissatisfaction, Sprizzi said that, in his experience, “the most widespread feeling is rather positive.”

He cited the Vatican’s decision during the COVID-19 pandemic not to lay off employees or reduce salaries despite financial difficulties. He also pointed to employee family services such as a daycare center and summer camp, as well as recent measures by Pope Leo XIV aimed at improving accessibility for persons with disabilities.

At the same time, Sprizzi acknowledged areas that still need improvement, including aligning salary levels more closely with actual responsibilities. “In some cases the necessary adjustments have not been made, but we are working on it to do justice to those who have a right to it,” he said.

Harassment claims: ‘I am not aware of any case’

Asked about allegations of workplace harassment referenced in the survey, Sprizzi said: “Personally, I am not aware of any case.” He noted that legal mechanisms exist to report abuse and said that if such situations were present, “the first to intervene would be the Holy Father.”

“One thing is rumors, another is verifying the truth,” he said, adding that the moral demands of justice in the world of work have been a priority of the Church since Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo XIII.

A path of dialogue

Sprizzi insisted the Vatican’s approach is dialogue rather than conflict, saying those who work for the Holy See share a common mission.

“We are like an orchestra in which each instrument must contribute to harmony,” he said, adding that ULSA aims to strengthen dialogue with workers — individually and through their associations — and to serve as a bridge with Vatican employers.

“The goal is for this dialogue to be increasingly constructive and serene, rooted in the light of the Gospel and the social magisterium of the Church, in a spirit of ecclesial communion and effective respect for workers’ rights,” 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.

Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Jan 23, 2026 / 06:50 am (CNA).

The Holy See’s labor office is pushing back on claims of widespread worker dissatisfaction after an internal survey by the Association of Vatican Lay Employees (ADLV) alleged distrust of leadership and instances of workplace bullying.

In an interview with the official Vatican News outlet, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi, president of the Office of Labor of the Apostolic See (ULSA), said his office “always has its doors open” and stressed that its mission is to ensure “there are no situations in which employees’ rights are not respected or are violated in any way.”

“It doesn’t seem to me that the discontent is widespread,” Sprizzi said, noting that the survey sample was “very small,” amounting to “less than 5% of employees.”

According to the report, 250 people responded to the survey, with about 80% of respondents belonging to the ADLV. The Holy See has around 4,200 workers, though Vatican News estimated the overall figure at more than 6,000 when including retirees.

Sprizzi added that even a single complaint must be taken seriously. “We listen to everyone. We are a structure of dialogue,” he said.

New statutes, broader representation

Sprizzi also pointed to new statutes for ULSA approved in December 2025 by Pope Leo XIV, which he said strengthen the office’s mission of unity, representativeness, and the promotion of labor rights in line with the Church’s social teaching.

“Rowing in the same direction does not mean reducing the protection of workers but promoting it in a spirit of dialogue and mutual trust,” he said.

Sprizzi said ULSA remains in constant contact with employees, Vatican administrations, and the ADLV, describing the relationship as marked by “constructive and frequent” discussions. He said technical working groups and commissions have been created to examine solutions to specific situations “in the interest of everyone: the employees and also the Holy See.”

‘More positive’ overall — but wages still a concern

Against perceptions of general dissatisfaction, Sprizzi said that, in his experience, “the most widespread feeling is rather positive.”

He cited the Vatican’s decision during the COVID-19 pandemic not to lay off employees or reduce salaries despite financial difficulties. He also pointed to employee family services such as a daycare center and summer camp, as well as recent measures by Pope Leo XIV aimed at improving accessibility for persons with disabilities.

At the same time, Sprizzi acknowledged areas that still need improvement, including aligning salary levels more closely with actual responsibilities. “In some cases the necessary adjustments have not been made, but we are working on it to do justice to those who have a right to it,” he said.

Harassment claims: ‘I am not aware of any case’

Asked about allegations of workplace harassment referenced in the survey, Sprizzi said: “Personally, I am not aware of any case.” He noted that legal mechanisms exist to report abuse and said that if such situations were present, “the first to intervene would be the Holy Father.”

“One thing is rumors, another is verifying the truth,” he said, adding that the moral demands of justice in the world of work have been a priority of the Church since Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo XIII.

A path of dialogue

Sprizzi insisted the Vatican’s approach is dialogue rather than conflict, saying those who work for the Holy See share a common mission.

“We are like an orchestra in which each instrument must contribute to harmony,” he said, adding that ULSA aims to strengthen dialogue with workers — individually and through their associations — and to serve as a bridge with Vatican employers.

“The goal is for this dialogue to be increasingly constructive and serene, rooted in the light of the Gospel and the social magisterium of the Church, in a spirit of ecclesial communion and effective respect for workers’ rights,” 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.

Archbishop Georg Gänswein says last year’s change of popes has brought a “whole new positive dimension” to the Vatican.

“Above all, there has been a change for the better in the atmosphere” with Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican’s nuncio to the Baltic states and Pope Benedict XVI’s former secretary told Rudolf Gehrig of EWTN News during a Jan. 20 interview in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Gänswein said he met Leo twice last year, most recently in mid-December.

“Both meetings went very, very well. And the intervening period has made it very clear to me that — to put it somewhat idiosyncratically — normality is slowly returning,” he said, calling it a sign for him that “faith and the Holy Spirit are indeed at work.”

“I used the term normalization. For me, it is important to see that Pope Leo has simply emphasized some matters that are not new but which have been completely overlooked in recent years.”

Gänswein has been nuncio to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, based out of Vilnius, since 2024. The archbishop’s diplomatic post follows 17 years as the personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI and 11 years as the Vatican’s prefect of the Papal Household.

The nuncio, originally from Germany, also praised Leo’s “clear line when it comes to proclaiming the faith,” which he does “joyfully and convincingly.”

“When you read his catechesis or sermons, you can sense that this is a man who lives and proclaims the faith with an Augustinian spirit,” Gänswein said.

German Synodal Way

The archbishop also addressed the Synodal Way in Germany, also known as the Synodal Path, which is set to hold its sixth and final assembly starting Jan. 29.

Gänswein expressed concern that the process will lead to deeper division in society and the Church, and underlined that any possible reforms must always adhere to established Church teaching.

“Anyone who has followed the events surrounding the Synodal Path from the beginning to the present day can see one important thing, namely that a number of the demands of the Synodal Path lead away from the faith,” he said.

“There is no doubt that there is indeed a need to change and reform certain things here and there. I agree with that,” the nuncio said. “However, what has been shown so far on the Synodal Path is, for me, clear evidence that this is not about a return to a deepening of the faith but about a watering down of the faith.”

He said any changes cannot differ from the Catholic Church’s position on morality, ethics, the sacramental structure of the Church, or the official authority of bishops.

“I can only hope and pray that this wrong path will simply come to an end soon,” he added.

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the Vatican’s nuncio to the Baltic states, gives an exclusive interview to EWTN News in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Jan. 20, 2026. | Credit: Tim Hotzelmann/EWTN News

Jan 23, 2026 / 06:27 am (CNA).

Archbishop Georg Gänswein says last year’s change of popes has brought a “whole new positive dimension” to the Vatican.

“Above all, there has been a change for the better in the atmosphere” with Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican’s nuncio to the Baltic states and Pope Benedict XVI’s former secretary told Rudolf Gehrig of EWTN News during a Jan. 20 interview in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Gänswein said he met Leo twice last year, most recently in mid-December.

“Both meetings went very, very well. And the intervening period has made it very clear to me that — to put it somewhat idiosyncratically — normality is slowly returning,” he said, calling it a sign for him that “faith and the Holy Spirit are indeed at work.”

“I used the term normalization. For me, it is important to see that Pope Leo has simply emphasized some matters that are not new but which have been completely overlooked in recent years.”

Gänswein has been nuncio to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, based out of Vilnius, since 2024. The archbishop’s diplomatic post follows 17 years as the personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI and 11 years as the Vatican’s prefect of the Papal Household.

The nuncio, originally from Germany, also praised Leo’s “clear line when it comes to proclaiming the faith,” which he does “joyfully and convincingly.”

“When you read his catechesis or sermons, you can sense that this is a man who lives and proclaims the faith with an Augustinian spirit,” Gänswein said.

German Synodal Way

The archbishop also addressed the Synodal Way in Germany, also known as the Synodal Path, which is set to hold its sixth and final assembly starting Jan. 29.

Gänswein expressed concern that the process will lead to deeper division in society and the Church, and underlined that any possible reforms must always adhere to established Church teaching.

“Anyone who has followed the events surrounding the Synodal Path from the beginning to the present day can see one important thing, namely that a number of the demands of the Synodal Path lead away from the faith,” he said.

“There is no doubt that there is indeed a need to change and reform certain things here and there. I agree with that,” the nuncio said. “However, what has been shown so far on the Synodal Path is, for me, clear evidence that this is not about a return to a deepening of the faith but about a watering down of the faith.”

He said any changes cannot differ from the Catholic Church’s position on morality, ethics, the sacramental structure of the Church, or the official authority of bishops.

“I can only hope and pray that this wrong path will simply come to an end soon,” he added.

Friar Nelson Medina, a Colombian Dominican priest who holds a doctorate in fundamental theology, explained why it is important for the Catholic Church to celebrate and promote a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18–25), which in 2026 has the theme “One Body, One Spirit.”

“There are two reasons, one theological and one biblical, both extremely important. The theological reason is that the fruit of sin is always division, and therefore the victory over sin is always unity around the truth and love in Christ,” the priest emphasized in an interview with “EWTN Noticias,” the Spanish-language broadcast edition of EWTN News.

“Then we have a biblical reason, which is that Christ Our Lord, as appears in chapter 17 of the Gospel according to St. John, prayed precisely for this intention. It is clear that it was from the depths of his heart, precisely in the hours leading up to his sorrowful passion and therefore to our redemption,” Medina emphasized.

“So it is something that God wants, it is a common objective for the Church, and it is an initiative to which we should all unite.”

Regarding the theme of this year’s week of prayer — “One Body, One Spirit” — the friar emphasized that “it is very interesting to see the Church from this dual perspective ... When we speak of unity in the Spirit, we are talking about that working [of the Spirit] which is interior, because the Spirit precisely comes into our hearts, as Romans 5:5 says.”

“But then the unity of the body is also necessary, that is, a unity that is visible. It’s not just that we have general charity towards other people; it’s that it is visibly evident that we believe in the same God, that we believe in the same Scripture, and that we celebrate the same sacraments with a common understanding and truth,” the Dominican priest pointed out.

What is the aim of Christian unity?

On this point, Medina emphasized “the ecumenism of theology; serious theological study is truly indispensable, especially to avoid superficiality. Sometimes people think that for there to be ecumenism, it’s enough for us to simply get together, share a meal, and take a nice picture with people smiling. That’s not the case.”

The Dominican priest explained that this unity helps address serious issues such as “gender ideology, the disregard for the dignity of human life with euthanasia, and all pro-life issues. It is necessary that, together with other Christians, and even with people of other religious beliefs, when appropriate, we understand that we are on the same side.”

“And we shouldn’t underestimate this effort for the causes of defending life, ecology, and justice because in this collaborative work, prejudices are often broken down and doors are opened,” he emphasized.

Regarding the work of priests, Medina continued, this unity among Christians is also important, because “we priests have quite a lot of work to do, because I think we move between two extremes ... on the one hand, parishes where nothing is done [for Christian unity], apart from perhaps putting up a poster on the parish bulletin board; nothing else is done. And others where a lot is done, but sometimes causing confusion.”

“And this, too, we must warn against as a danger. For example, I learned of a case where some religious invited Anglicans to attend, and then everyone started receiving Communion, as if full Eucharistic unity had already been achieved,” he recalled.

That, the Dominican priest lamented, “which should have been a very beautiful ceremony, ended up being a source of scandal for many people.”

Medina noted that “formation is needed. It is a noble ideal, a pressing and unavoidable task for the Church, but it must, of course, have very clear parameters and guidelines from our pastors so that it does not end up being a fleeting enthusiasm, but also so that it does not produce this type of doctrinal or liturgical confusion.”

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.

Dominican Father Nelson Medina discusses this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. | Credit: “EWTN Noticias”/Screenshot

Jan 22, 2026 / 10:00 am (CNA).

Friar Nelson Medina, a Colombian Dominican priest who holds a doctorate in fundamental theology, explained why it is important for the Catholic Church to celebrate and promote a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18–25), which in 2026 has the theme “One Body, One Spirit.”

“There are two reasons, one theological and one biblical, both extremely important. The theological reason is that the fruit of sin is always division, and therefore the victory over sin is always unity around the truth and love in Christ,” the priest emphasized in an interview with “EWTN Noticias,” the Spanish-language broadcast edition of EWTN News.

“Then we have a biblical reason, which is that Christ Our Lord, as appears in chapter 17 of the Gospel according to St. John, prayed precisely for this intention. It is clear that it was from the depths of his heart, precisely in the hours leading up to his sorrowful passion and therefore to our redemption,” Medina emphasized.

“So it is something that God wants, it is a common objective for the Church, and it is an initiative to which we should all unite.”

Regarding the theme of this year’s week of prayer — “One Body, One Spirit” — the friar emphasized that “it is very interesting to see the Church from this dual perspective ... When we speak of unity in the Spirit, we are talking about that working [of the Spirit] which is interior, because the Spirit precisely comes into our hearts, as Romans 5:5 says.”

“But then the unity of the body is also necessary, that is, a unity that is visible. It’s not just that we have general charity towards other people; it’s that it is visibly evident that we believe in the same God, that we believe in the same Scripture, and that we celebrate the same sacraments with a common understanding and truth,” the Dominican priest pointed out.

What is the aim of Christian unity?

On this point, Medina emphasized “the ecumenism of theology; serious theological study is truly indispensable, especially to avoid superficiality. Sometimes people think that for there to be ecumenism, it’s enough for us to simply get together, share a meal, and take a nice picture with people smiling. That’s not the case.”

The Dominican priest explained that this unity helps address serious issues such as “gender ideology, the disregard for the dignity of human life with euthanasia, and all pro-life issues. It is necessary that, together with other Christians, and even with people of other religious beliefs, when appropriate, we understand that we are on the same side.”

“And we shouldn’t underestimate this effort for the causes of defending life, ecology, and justice because in this collaborative work, prejudices are often broken down and doors are opened,” he emphasized.

Regarding the work of priests, Medina continued, this unity among Christians is also important, because “we priests have quite a lot of work to do, because I think we move between two extremes ... on the one hand, parishes where nothing is done [for Christian unity], apart from perhaps putting up a poster on the parish bulletin board; nothing else is done. And others where a lot is done, but sometimes causing confusion.”

“And this, too, we must warn against as a danger. For example, I learned of a case where some religious invited Anglicans to attend, and then everyone started receiving Communion, as if full Eucharistic unity had already been achieved,” he recalled.

That, the Dominican priest lamented, “which should have been a very beautiful ceremony, ended up being a source of scandal for many people.”

Medina noted that “formation is needed. It is a noble ideal, a pressing and unavoidable task for the Church, but it must, of course, have very clear parameters and guidelines from our pastors so that it does not end up being a fleeting enthusiasm, but also so that it does not produce this type of doctrinal or liturgical confusion.”

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.

Pope Leo XIV urged Catholic journalists to double down on truth, human connection, and the voices of the vulnerable as artificial intelligence reshapes the communications landscape.

In a message signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on the pope’s behalf, Leo addressed the Fédération des Médias Catholiques ahead of its Saint François de Sales gathering in Lourdes, scheduled for Jan. 21–23.

“To face this era marked — including in the world of communications — by the rise of artificial intelligence, we urgently need to return to what matters most: matters of the heart, the centrality of good relationships, and the ability to connect with others without excluding anyone,” the pope’s message said. That call, he added, is answered by “the service to truth that Catholic media can offer everyone, including those who do not believe.”

The pope specifically encouraged Catholic communications professionals to be “sowers of good words” and to amplify voices “that courageously seek reconciliation,” helping to “disarm hearts filled with hatred and fanaticism” in a world he described as “fragmented and polarized.”

He also urged journalists to tune in to those most likely to be overlooked.

The message called on Catholic media to act like antennas, picking up and passing along “the experiences of the vulnerable, the marginalized, those who are alone — and those who need to discover the joy of feeling loved.”

Leo’s message also pointed to Father Jacques Hamel, the French priest murdered at the altar while celebrating Mass in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray on July 26, 2016. He was killed by two attackers who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group; both were later shot dead by police.

Noting that the federation has created an award in Hamel’s honor for journalists committed to peace and interreligious dialogue, the pope wrote that Hamel “was a witness to the faith, even to the point of death,” and believed deeply in dialogue and “patient, mutual listening.” He was convinced, the message said, that it is urgent “to know how to be close to others, without exception.”

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.