Our Lady of Czestochowa

Father Juan Miguel Ferrer Grenesche of the Archdiocese of Toledo in Spain is an expert in popular piety. / Credit: Nicolás de Cárdenas/ACI Prensa

Madrid, Spain, Dec 11, 2024 / 08:00 am (CNA).

Father Juan Miguel Ferrer Grenesche, a Spanish priest and an expert in liturgy and popular piety, explained in anticipation of Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Corsica on his 47th apostolic journey that the pontiff “has highly valued popular piety” throughout his life.

Popular piety, in this sense, means the piety characteristic of a people, often manifested in public expressions of faith. 

On Dec. 15, the pope will visit the city of Ajaccio, the capital of the French island, to close a conference on popular religiosity in the Mediterranean in which Ferrer will participate, speaking about processions and popular faith in Spain.

In an interview with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, Ferrer explained how he believes the pope will approach his participation in this conference, since “in Latin America he has greatly valued popular piety,” especially with his participation in the meetings of the Latin American and Caribbean Bishops’ Council (CELAM, by its Spanish acronym).

After the Second Vatican Council, the priest explained, the Latin American bishops decided at a conference held in Medellín, Colombia, in 1968 to distance themselves in some way from popular religiosity, considering that it was “too contaminated by pagan elements, superstitions, witchcraft, and other things.”

This reluctance changed at the conference held in Puebla, Mexico, in 1979, Ferrer explained, noting that “if care is taken, there are many elements that can be helpful and complement the great contribution of the liturgy, which the council said did not exhaust the spiritual life of the Church.”

Pope Francis was consecrated as a bishop in 1992 and six years later he became archbishop of Buenos Aires. In 2001, St. John Paul II made him a cardinal. In that capacity, he participated in the CELAM conference held in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2007.

“As cardinal of Buenos Aires he played a key role in the final document, because in it popular religiosity is clearly seen as an element that expresses the inculturation of Christianity in the masses of people on the entire continent,” Ferrer explained.

Pope Francis “wants the Church to present what remains of popular religiosity as a platform for encounter, as an Areopagus for evangelization,” the Spanish priest summed up.

Popular piety, ‘last lifeline’ for many

Regarding the content of the conference that Pope Francis will close, the Spanish priest explained that, in a secularized society, popular piety is for many people “the last lifeline to connect with transcendence and not to completely break with the Christian religious tradition.”

He also commented that the Church likes to talk more about “popular piety” than “popular religiosity” because understood in this latter sense it can be considered “excessively aseptic or disconnected from Christian sources or roots.”

In evangelization, popular piety also allows us to reach those who don’t know the depth and richness of formal liturgy and through “a cultural adaptation” is able to “preserve the connection between the human heart’s thirst for God and the sources of revelation: the word of God, the life of Christ, the sacraments, the Church itself.”

Preserving the religious sense of life

Ferrer also pointed out that “where there is a strong popular religiosity, the religious sense of life is preserved,” despite sins, “doctrinal lapses,” neglect, or laziness.

In this context, it’s possible that “someone who has a religious sense of life can receive the Christian message more easily. On the contrary, where all manifestations of popular religiosity or popular piety have been eliminated, we could say that people’s souls have dried up.”

In this regard, the expert pointed out that psychologist Victor Frankl discovered that even more pathologies “arise from the repression of the religious instinct” than from the repression of the sexual instinct, as his teacher, Sigmund Freud, maintained.

“In societies where people’s souls have dried up, where everything has to be rational, where everything has to be empirical, where there is no room for the religious or the transcendent, then phenomena of crises, we might say, arise and sowing the Gospel becomes very difficult,” the priest observed.

Ferrer also explained that popular piety, expressed through processions, with their statues, music, etc., attracts many people of different ages in whom different emotions are awakened.

However, “for a Catholic Christian that’s not enough, but it’s also true that if we then add to the mixture with skill and pastoral art, with presence, liturgical celebration and formation, it becomes a source of volunteers for any task in the parishes or, in the dioceses, a source of vocations for our religious communities and for our seminaries.”

Popular piety in Corsica

When asked about the particularities of popular piety in Corsica, Ferrer said that Corsica “has a strong tradition of confraternities and brotherhoods [that typically sponsor and organize processions],” with influences from Italy and southern France, “coming very much from the Dominicans and Franciscans who preached and looked after these areas of the Mediterranean.”

Over the years, “people took it up as something very much theirs and very much their own, and in addition, much of the singing has been preserved, which is very important in Corsica” and is characterized by being “very peculiar, nasal, very striking.”

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

Pope Francis meets with members of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, Dec 11, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), the Vatican body responsible for questions of doctrinal orthodoxy in the Catholic Church, has a group of outside consultants. What is the role of these experts in one of the Roman Curia’s most prominent dicasteries?

This past September, Pope Francis appointed 28 new consultants for the dicastery, headed since July 2023 by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández.

The majority of the latest crop of DDF consultants are Italian priests-theologians, experts in canon law and Scripture, as well as six women — two religious and four lay theologians — and two lay male theologians. Among those appointed is a Jesuit priest who holds a doctorate in sacred Scripture, Father Juan Manuel Granados Rojas.

Speaking with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, Granados, a Colombian, explained the details of the new role that he is taking up as “a humble service” to the Catholic Church and the Holy Father.

Granados explained that on Dec. 2, he and his fellow recently appointed consultors took the oath for their new service in a “simple ceremony” where they committed themselves “to safeguard the faith received from the apostles and to keep the pontifical secret.” 

The event, said the professor at the Pontifical Biblical Institute and member of the Catholic Biblical Association, was presided over by the cardinal prefect (Fernández) and took place in a private chapel of the dicastery. Pope Francis was not present.

During the ceremony, the experts recited the Creed in Latin and read “a series of personal commitments to the Catholic Church,” added the Jesuit priest, who is also a member of the team of translators of the Bible of the Church in America (BIA, by its Spanish acronym).

“Consultants are appointed for a period of six years,” Granados explained, “and our role is to respond as quickly as possible to the questions that the dicastery sends us. The questions are asked ad hoc according to the competencies of each consultant.”

In this context, he noted that there are two branches in the DDF: the disciplinary and the doctrinal. He added that most of the new consultants have been appointed for consultations related to the dicastery’s disciplinary role.

In the case of Granados, he said he can expect “consultations that involve biblical material or where the doctrinal statements have to do with the holy Scriptures.”

He received the news of his new role, which he assures will be carried out with “due scientific rigor,” from the undersecretary of the DDF, Archbishop Philippe Curbelié.

“When I asked if I could decline the appointment, he respectfully informed me that by virtue of my fourth vow of obedience I could not do so,” the religious explained, in reference to the commitment of obedience to the pope that Jesuits make.

Granados also noted that almost all of the consultants are professors of ecclesiastical faculties and that the number of laypeople “is greater than in previous years.”

“During the explanation of our responsibilities, the cardinal prefect made us understand that the new group reflects, or is intended to reflect, the initiative of the Holy Father in favor of the synodal character of the Church,” he said.

Granados also emphasized that “the personal opinion of the consultants does not influence either the decisions or the documents issued by the DDF” and that their collaboration is done anonymously.

“We help the cardinal prefect and the other officials stay up to date on academic theological discussions. They will eventually ask us for summaries or opinions on the questions that other dicasteries or bishops address to the DDF,” the Jesuit explained.

In that case, he added, “we will have to give our professional opinion.”

“That doesn’t mean that it coincides or has to coincide with the opinion of the DDF, nor with the decision or document that the DDF subsequently works up. It’s a humble and anonymous service,” he said.

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

St. Austin Catholic Church and School once the construction project was underway. / Credit: St. Austin Catholic Church and School

Seattle, Wash., Dec 11, 2024 / 06:00 am (CNA).

The Catholic Church in the United States is facing a real estate reckoning. Declining congregations, shifting demographics, and aging infrastructure have left thousands of Church properties underutilized or vacant. As dioceses merge and parishes close, leaders grapple with determining the future of these valuable yet costly assets.

The Church’s predicament is a delicate balancing act between financial pressures and mission objectives. Burdened by immense financial obligations — maintenance deficits often soaring into the millions — these properties are more than assets on a ledger. They are sacred spaces with spiritual significance, historical landmarks, and community pillars. These values transcend monetary measurement, yet decisions must be made.

“Many of these properties are dilapidated or just unused, and the overhead costs are immense,” said Michael Lyons, founder of [Y] Impact Ventures, an impact investment firm focusing on driving social good and financial return by boosting the value of housing through community building. “At the same time, the Church lacks funds from a ministry standpoint. There’s an arbitrage that needs to be addressed.”

Amid a national housing shortage and the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, some dioceses are adopting creative approaches to repurpose Church properties, aligning financial obligations with their mission.

Austin’s blueprint for balancing mission and finances

Facing mounting costs to maintain aging facilities, St. Austin Catholic Parish in Austin, Texas, saw an opportunity in its prime location near the University of Texas. In 2020, the parish entered a 99-year ground lease for half of its acreage with developer Greystar.

“The income from that lease allowed us to rebuild our school,” said Trish Dolese, partner at Emmaus Projects LLC, who guided the parish. “We tore down everything except the church and now have brand-new school and ministry spaces.”

Dolese highlighted the challenges the Church faces in real estate decisions. 

“The Church always thinks long term,” she said. “This can make them reluctant to make quick decisions about investing in real estate assets, which often conflicts with development timelines.”

The $45 million project was primarily funded by lease income, covering 88% of the costs. The parish raised an additional $7 million to complete financing. Despite the development, St. Austin retains ownership of the land and will regain full control — including all improvements — when the lease concludes.

“They built a 29-story student housing tower with affordable units and included a gym for our school and parish,” Dolese explained. “Because it’s a school, we can take tax-exempt status.”

By leveraging their proximity to the university, the parish found a win-win solution. “We still own the property, and life continues to happen in this church,” Dolese said.

Lyons points to this project as a model. “Instead of having to fire-sale the property, they maintained control and bought themselves time and financial runway,” he said.

Mission-driven repurposing of Church properties

Many parishes prioritize mission-driven initiatives, using their properties to serve vulnerable populations.

In Philadelphia, the Sisters of St. Joseph transformed a former convent into a men’s transitional home for immigrants and refugees. Since 2017, the SSJ Newcomer Housing Alliance has provided shelter and support to over 50 men from various countries.

“Each of those has been a success story,” said Sister Eileen McNally, the refugee coordinator. Building on this success, they plan to renovate another convent to accommodate 12 families of newcomer women and children within the year.

Their efforts won the “To the Heights Award” at the Church Properties Conference at the University of Notre Dame. “The $15,000 prize money will probably go to repairs,” McNally added.

“It’s about more than just housing,” she said. “We’re offering a supportive environment where newcomers can adjust to life in the United States.”

Reviving sacred spaces for redemption

In Cincinnati, the Serenelli Project aims to build a supportive community for individuals transitioning out of incarceration. Named after Alessandro Serenelli — who experienced a profound conversion after murdering St. Maria Goretti — the initiative seeks to restore the unused Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

“We expect to close on the church and rectory by the end of 2025,” said Marty Arlinghaus, founder of the project. “We’re actively searching for a director of community life to kick-start the monastic brotherhood.”

“Our goal is to provide a place where men can live in a structured, faith-based environment,” Arlinghaus said. “It’s about healing, redemption, and giving individuals a second chance.”

Navigating challenges and charting a path forward

Despite innovative projects, many Church leaders struggle with managing real estate assets effectively. The complexities of property management, combined with the Church’s mission, present significant hurdles.

“There is a broad lack of appreciation for the financial realities of Church property,” said Maddy Johnson, program manager of the Church Properties Initiative at Notre Dame’s Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate. “Many of these properties are running seven-figure maintenance deficits.”

According to a 2020 Faith Communities Today report, two-thirds of churches in the U.S. have annual incomes of less than $100,000. “They face capital repairs that easily run into millions, plus ongoing costs to maintain these buildings,” Johnson said.

Administrators often have “dollar signs at the top of their minds” for good reason, she added. “A paradigm shift is required if these properties are to be reused within the life of the Church.”

Timing is another significant hurdle, as institutional processes can impede prompt decisions. “There are high bars bishops have to pass to divest property,” Dolese explained. “We have to balance our long-term vision with development timelines.”

Prolonged deficits pose additional challenges. “It’s crucial for dioceses to get ahead of these issues,” Lyons said. “Those who recognize issues early can pursue innovative solutions.”

Yet, Johnson sees a positive shift.

“We’re witnessing dioceses adopting creative, mission-aligned strategies,” she said. “Groups like the Loretto movement and the Sant’Egidio Community are laypeople united in ecclesial forms. This is a promising model for transferring responsibility when an asset can still be used within the Church.”

“There’s a lot of hope in this,” Lyons affirmed. “By finding creative solutions that align financial realities with the Church’s mission, we can help institutions adapt while staying true to their core values.”

Dolese believes reimagining Church properties is essential.

“The future use has more to say than our current use,” she said. “There’s value in preserving that legacy while adapting to new realities.”

The historic city of Aleppo, Syria. / Credits: STEPANOV ILYA/Shutterstock

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 10, 2024 / 17:50 pm (CNA).

Catholic Church leaders in the U.S., Rome, and the Middle East have expressed cautious “hope” that the new regime in Syria will respect Christian communities after a lightning offensive this past week by Islamist rebel groups toppled the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Bishop Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace issued a statement on Tuesday in which he called on the U.S. and the international community at large to support Syria as it “starts a new chapter in its rich history.”

“In yet another dramatic development in the Middle East, after enduring more than a decade of bloody civil war, Syria is undergoing a national political transition that will surely impact the entire region,” Zaidan said.

The 53-year reign of the Assad regime crumbled in little more than 10 days after a coalition of so-called “rebel” forces led by the jihadist Sunni Muslim group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept through the war-torn country’s major cities of Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and finally Damascus on Dec. 8. HTS is notorious for its early roots in Al-Qaeda and has been designated as a terror group by the U.S. and the United Nations.

Al-Assad, successor to his father Hefez, has fled to Moscow with his wife and children, according to Russian and Iranian state media.

The radical turn of events has provoked reactions of both joy at the end of the oppressive regime and fear at the prospect of what an HTS-controlled Syria could mean for its citizens, especially minority Christian communities who fear persecution.

Zaidan further referenced comments made by the apostolic nuncio of Damascus, Cardinal Mario Zenari, who told Vatican News in a Dec. 8 interview that he was greatly relieved at what he described as a relatively peaceful transition thus far. 

“Thank God, this transition happened without bloodshed, without the carnage that was feared,” Zenari said, adding: “Now the path ahead is steep — those who have taken power have promised to respect everyone and to build a new Syria. We hope they will keep these promises, but of course, the road ahead remains very difficult.”  

According to Zenari, HTS rebel forces met with bishops in Aleppo “immediately” after capturing the city, “assuring them that they would respect the various religious denominations and Christians.” 

In his statement, Zaidan said he agrees with Zenari that the “sentiments on the transition and aspirations of the Syrian people are clear.”

“The people of Syria want a government in Damascus that will respect and defend human rights,” Zaidan said, “especially the religious freedom of minorities, uphold the rule of law, and promote economic and civil society development throughout the country.”

“As Syria starts a new chapter in its rich history, I urge the United States and the international community to keep the people of Syria in prayer and to closely monitor the situation so that all aid organizations are able to reach those most in need,” he concluded.

The Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, also addressed the developing situation in Syria at a meeting on interreligious dialogue between Muslims and Christians in Milan at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.

Lebanese Christians celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria on Dec. 8, 2024. / Credit: Jean Bou Assi

ACI MENA, Dec 10, 2024 / 17:20 pm (CNA).

In the wake of the Assad regime’s fall in Syria, the streets of Lebanon were alive with celebration. Church bells rang out as Lebanese Christians gathered en masse, uplifted by the seismic political shift. Flags waved triumphantly as sweets passed from hand to hand and fireworks filled the sky, casting light over a nation long shadowed by turmoil. 

But why have Lebanese Christians reacted so fervently to this news from a neighboring country?

A dark history

Lebanese Christians have long harbored animosity toward the Assad regime, which occupied their country for 29 years. This occupation came to an end in 2005 following the Cedar Revolution, where Lebanese from all sects united in protest. 

Despite the formal end of Syrian control, the regime’s influence lingered, and the ghosts of the past never truly departed. Both under Hafez and Bashar al-Assad, Lebanese Christians endured significant suffering.

The impact of the regime’s actions and crimes has left a deep and lasting mark. Lebanese journalists faced abductions, mutilations, and execution for their opposition. Media outlets were attacked and forcibly shut down. Political assassinations were common, and the daily lives of civilians were marred by humiliation, torture, and interrogations by Syrian intelligence. 

Lebanese citizens faced the grim reality of enduring Syrian checkpoints within their own country, each crossing fraught with potential peril. Students were violently removed from classrooms and beaten up. 

Towns like Zahleh — one of the largest predominantly Christian towns in Lebanon and the Middle East — withstood sieges, while neighborhoods such as Ein el-Remmaneh and Ashrafieh suffered immensely under heavy shelling. Car bombs, shelling of vital supply ships, and massacres perpetuated a climate of fear and repression. 

Almost every Christian Lebanese family has a story of suffering at the hands of the Assad regime’s occupation of Lebanon. 

On X (formerly Twitter), Lebanese citizens began sharing personal and familial stories that highlight those dark and oppressive days. Reflecting on this dark history, the news was not just important for Syria but also for Lebanon, which has suffered immensely under Assad’s rule.

In an interview with ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner, Jean Bou Assi, a 27-year-old Lebanese Christian activist who joined in the celebratory gatherings, reacted to the news.

“I wanted to express my happiness as a Lebanese Christian after this historic event,” he said. “The fall of the Assad regime is deeply tied to years of oppression, occupation, and assassinations that Lebanon endured under this regime. As Lebanese Christians, our history and fate have often been linked to the Lebanese entity (that the Assad regime doesn’t recognize). The fact that Lebanon’s entity endured despite this oppressive regime’s existence is a significant reason to celebrate following its downfall.”

Justice served

Many Christian Lebanese view the fall of Assad as a form of justice being served. 

Bou Assi described the atmosphere, noting that chants of “Bachir hay fina” (“Bachir lives among us”) filled the air, an invocation of the memory of President-elect Bachir Gemayel. 

Gemayel was a prominent Lebanese Christian leader who was assassinated in 1982. 

Bou Assi explained that for many, it feels like a moment of justice for Gemayel. 

“Many feel that President Bachir was finally avenged, as Syria was widely implicated in his assassination,” he explained. “This sentiment is reinforced by Syria’s history of granting asylum to his assassin, Habib Chartouni, even after freeing him in 1990. People are now awaiting action from the new Syrian administration, hoping they will hand over Habib Chartouni once identified.”

In a similar vein, Michel Moawad, a member of Parliament and founder of the Independence Movement, shared a poignant tribute to his father, René Moawad, who was the president of Lebanon. 

“Sleep tight dad, for heaven’s justice has been achieved on earth, even if it took a while,” Moawad said in a heartfelt message.

Nayla Tueni, CEO of An-Nahar, one of Lebanon’s most influential newspapers, published an article to honor her father, Gebran Tueni, a journalist assassinated for his strong criticism of Assad. She titled it “To Gebran and All Martyrs: The Justice of Fate.”

MTV, a major Lebanese TV channel, was shut down by the Assad regime in 2002, giving them a strong reason to celebrate the regime’s fall this week. In one of its posts, it wrote: “The tyrant’s regime fell, but MTV remained.”

A glimmer of hope

Names of Lebanese citizens believed to be in Syrian prisons have become a focal point on Lebanese media, sparking hope for reunions with loved ones. 

Since 1975, more than 17,000 Lebanese have disappeared, and there is no definitive count of how many are still alive in Assad’s jails. However, families are actively sharing posts about their missing relatives, holding onto hope for their return.

One of the detainees, held for 32 years because of his affiliation with the Lebanese Forces — an anti-Assad Christian party and resistance movement — was released and returned to his family in Lebanon. Many others are anxiously awaiting more such reunions and the return of other detainees.

Lebanese are also hopeful that the refugee crisis, which has been placing a strain on the country, will now begin to ease. 

“With the war in Syria reigniting, I previously feared that Lebanon would face an even greater influx of refugees, adding to the 2 million Syrian refugees already hosted — a burden that has strained Lebanon’s demography, economy, and infrastructure,” Bou Assi said. 

“Many Syrians have cited fear of mistreatment by Assad’s regime as a reason for not returning home. Now that Assad is gone, this justification no longer holds. The Lebanese government will be in a stronger position to address the crisis, implementing measures that encourage refugees to return to Syria.” 

The recent events have also stripped Hezbollah of a crucial ally and supporter. As a significant political backer, arms supplier, and facilitator of Hezbollah’s operations through border smuggling routes — particularly in the trafficking of Captagon — Assad’s departure marks a pivotal shift. 

“With Syria’s support gone and Hezbollah weakened by its last war with Israel two months ago, attempts to rearm the group will be significantly hindered. This isolation will disrupt Hezbollah’s logistical and political network, forcing it into a more precarious position within Lebanon’s shifting power dynamics,” Bou Assi said.

This newfound isolation of Hezbollah is seen as a strategic opportunity by its adversaries. 

Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces, the largest Christian party in Lebanon, expressed his long-term frustrations and current hopes in an interview with MTV channel. 

“Over the past 50 years, the regime of Hafez and Bashar al-Assad was the biggest obstacle to the building of a state in Lebanon,” Geagea stated. “No matter how the situation in Syria will be after Assad, it’s impossible that it will be worse than Assad. I don’t know what awaits us with the new Syrian authorities, but there is nothing worse than Assad.”

Seizing the moment, Geagea called for Hezbollah to either hand over their weapons or sell them, urging a collective effort to build a state in Lebanon. In one tweet, he had a strong message: ‘’To Hezbollah, game over.”

With the situation changing, there are also hopes for improved relations between the two countries that share a brutal history.

‘’While it’s still early to predict the future, I remain optimistic that Lebanon and Syria can turn the page toward a new chapter of friendship,” Bou Assi said. “This could mark the end of Syrian aggression toward Lebanon, from denying Lebanon’s existence as an independent entity to its military occupation and facilitating Hezbollah’s armament. The fall of the Assad regime could close the door on this dark era, paving the way for a better relationship based on mutual respect.’’

Joy amid uncertainty

While there is joy over the end of the brutal regime, fear and skepticism naturally persist. 

The transition process remains unclear, and Lebanon must be vigilant against the potential infiltration of pro-Assad intelligence forces and commanders through illegal crossings.

Moreover, Lebanon is not yet free from conflict as the temporary ceasefire was intended for 60 days. Additionally, Lebanon must address its own significant challenge and elephant in the room: Hezbollah. 

Lebanese Christians may not know what will happen next in Syria or even in Lebanon, but they are acutely aware of the unfathomable atrocities committed against them by the Assad family. For now, it is a time to rejoice.

The Papal Foundation, a U.S.-based organization that provides funding for Catholic projects around the world, recently announced that it has awarded $800,000 to recipients of its scholarship fund. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Papal Foundation

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 10, 2024 / 16:30 pm (CNA).

The Papal Foundation, a U.S.-based organization that provides funding for Catholic projects around the world, recently announced that it has awarded $800,000 to recipients of its scholarship fund.

The awards were distributed across 42 countries and helped enable 110 priests, brothers, sisters, and laypeople to pursue their studies at 14 pontifical universities in Rome as participants in the foundation’s St. John Paul II Scholarship Program. 

“Since its founding, the program has provided nearly $14 million in scholarships to more than 1,700 individuals, known as Saeman Scholars, to advance their education and prepare them to return home and serve in leadership positions in their own countries,” the foundation stated in a recent press release. 

Eustace Mita, president of the Papal Foundation’s board of trustees, in the release invoked the foundation’s establishment at the request of Pope John Paul II.

“We are inspired by, and committed to, St. John Paul II’s vision to prepare Catholic leaders and educators for service,” she said. “These scholarships help train those called to lead in developing nations, where resources for ongoing leadership formation are limited.”

Dec. 5 marked 25 years since the foundation launched its John Paul II Scholarship Fund after John and Carol Saeman — a couple from Denver — made a gift of $5 million that was matched by the Papal Foundation. 

The Papal Foundation is “the only charitable organization in the United States that is exclusively dedicated to fulfilling the requests of the Holy Father for the needs of the Church” and has dedicated more than $225 million to causes designated by popes since its inception. 

The foundation receives its funding from personal money donated by its Stewards of St. Peter, while the Holy Father designates the use of funds based on recommendations from his nuncios or ambassadors around the world. 

Cardinal Seán O’Malley, chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees, praised the foundation’s stewards, stating that “in a society where the gap between rich and poor continues to grow,” they “recognize their responsibility to prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable.” 

“These grants, scholarships, and charitable initiatives are our organization’s gift to the Catholic Church,” the foundation’s executive director, David Savage, stated. 

In the past year alone, the foundation has successfully supported 118 projects in over 60 countries and announced in April that it would distribute nearly $10 million in 2024. Among the beneficiaries include efforts at “providing for basic needs such as access to clean water,” “constructing schools and renovating classrooms,” and “translating Church teachings for evangelization.”

One scholarship recipient, Sister Anna Kapounamai of India, is quoted in the release stating that her studies in Rome are aiding her efforts to help guide young people toward healthy use of social media.

“Today, the influence of social media is growing among youth and children ... My vision is to help young people become literate and responsible social media users while preserving their personal and social values,” she said, thanking the Papal Foundation for its support.

During an audience with Pope Francis in April, the Holy Father commended the foundation for “enhanc[ing] the integral development of so many, including the poor, refugees, immigrants, and nowadays the increasingly large numbers of those affected by war and violence.”

“Through these various worthy initiatives,” Francis addressed the group, “you continue to help the successors of Peter to build up many local Churches and care for large numbers of the less fortunate, thus fulfilling the mandates entrusted to the apostle by Our Lord.”

Former Sistine Chapel choir director Monsignor Massimo Palombella leads the choir during a performance on May 9, 2018, in New York City. / Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for AEG

CNA Staff, Dec 10, 2024 / 15:45 pm (CNA).

A pair of former Vatican officials has been found guilty of embezzlement and abuse of office as part of a long-running investigation into financial irregularities at a prominent choir there. 

Monsignor Massimo Palombella, who previously directed the Sistine Chapel Choir in Vatican City, and Michelangelo Nardella, who was the choir’s manager, were both found guilty in the Vatican City State Tribunal on various counts of embezzlement, laundering, and abuse stemming from their time leading the choir.

Nardella’s wife, Simona Rossi, was also convicted of embezzlement in connection with the scandal.

News of financial improprieties at the choir first broke in 2018 amid reports that Palombella and Nardella used choir concert proceeds for personal expenses. The Vatican launched an investigation that year.

Palombella resigned his position at the choir in July 2019. In January of that same year, Pope Francis issued a motu proprio that among other things moved the Sistine Chapel Choir under the administration of the Office of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations.

Palombella was sentenced to just over three years in prison as well as a fine of 9,000 euros (about $9,500); Nardella will spend four years and eight months in prison and pay 7,000 euros (about $7,400) in fines. Nardella was also served with “perpetual disqualification from holding public office.”

Rossi, meanwhile, will serve two years in prison and pay 5,000 euros (about $5,300) in fines, along with a similar disqualification from public office. 

All three defendants will further be subject to the confiscation of tens of thousands of euros as part of restitution for the embezzlement crimes, and all will be required to pay legal fees.

Known officially as the Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, the Sistine Chapel Choir is composed of 20 professional singers from around the world as well as a treble section made up of 35 boys aged 9–13 called the Pueri Cantores.

With a 1,500-year history, the Sistine Chapel Choir is believed to be the oldest active choir in the world.

Pope Francis speaks to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi after Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on June 29, 2022. / Vatican Media

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 10, 2024 / 15:15 pm (CNA).

Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi criticized Pope Francis for the Vatican’s deal with China regarding bishop appointments during an interview with the National Catholic Reporter published on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

The congresswoman from California and former speaker of the House of Representatives told the outlet that she is “not too happy” about the Vatican-China agreement, saying: “I don’t know what they have achieved” and adding: “Do you know of any success?”

“We have, for decades, seen the suffering of Catholics in China,” Pelosi, who is Catholic, told the Reporter. “I have a completely different view [from Francis]. … Why should the Chinese government be having a say in the appointment of bishops? I’ve talked to some folks here and they’re, ‘Well, we have to keep up with the times.’ What?! I don’t get that.”

In January 2018, Pope Francis and Chinese officials entered into a deal that gives the Chinese Communist Party input on bishop appointments. Most of the details of the deal and how it functions have not been made public, but the pontiff revealed in September 2023 that the agreement created a joint China-Vatican commission on the appointment of bishops.

The agreement has been renewed three times, most recently in October. The most recent renewal extends the deal into October 2028. Despite the appearance of friendlier relations on the surface, a report published in October by the Hudson Institute found that the “religious repression of the Catholic Church in China has intensified” since the deal went into effect. In November 2022, the Vatican accused China of violating the terms of the deal. 

In her interview with the Reporter, Pelosi referenced the Gospel of Matthew in her critique of the Vatican-China agreement. 

“Let me say it this way: ‘Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,’” Pelosi said. “Every bishop has sprung from that rock. And now, the Chinese government?”

The congresswoman said she had spoken to the papal nuncio about “what our concerns were,” and commented that those concerns were bipartisan: “This brings a lot of us together because, over time, even bishops were being killed. I mean, this is like martyrs.”

Pelosi also showed solidarity with Cardinal Joseph Zen, the bishop emeritus of Hong Kong and staunch critic of the Chinese Communist Party and Vatican-China deal. In 2022, Hong Kong police arrested the cardinal for his role in assisting pro-democracy protesters for their legal fees, but he was later released on bail.

“With all the respect in the world for His Holiness, Pope Francis, my point of view is closer to the cardinal of Hong Kong, Joseph Zen,” Pelosi told the Reporter.

In 2020, Zen told CNA that he had not seen any positive changes for the Church following the deal with China. 

“Is there any choice between helping the government to destroy the Church or resisting the government to keep our faith?” Zen said.

According to a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in October, China has continued its persecution of Catholics and other religious faiths through its policy of the “sinicization of religion,” which means to make the religion conform to Chinese culture.

The report noted that, in practice, the policy essentially subordinates faiths to “the [Chinese Communist Party’s] political agenda and Marxist vision for religion.” This includes censorship of religious texts, forcing clergy to preach the party’s ideology, and requiring the display of Chinese Communist Party slogans in the churches.

In her interview with the Reporter, Pelosi also spoke about a wide variety of other issues, which included the decline of Catholic support for the Democratic Party in the 2024 elections and her feuds with Catholic bishops over her adamant support of abortion.

Although her bishop, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, prohibited her from receiving Communion within the archdiocese because of her support for abortion, Pelosi told the Reporter that she “received Communion anyway” and said: “That’s his problem; not mine.” 

“My Catholic faith is: Christ is my savior,” Pelosi said. “It has nothing to do with the bishops.”

Pelosi won her reelection by a more than 60-point margin in the heavily Democratic 11th Congressional District in California. The congresswoman, who turns 85 in March 2025, resigned from her leadership position within the Democratic Party in 2016 and was replaced by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who currently serves as the House minority leader.

The flag of the European Union flying in Rome. / Credit: Bohumil Petrik/CNA

Madrid, Spain, Dec 10, 2024 / 13:30 pm (CNA).

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) has called on the European Union (EU) to appoint a coordinator for the fight against anti-Christian hatred in the same way it already employs coordinators to combat hate directed against Jews and Muslims.

“The time is mature for the appointment of an EU coordinator on combating anti-Christian hatred in Europe,” said Alessandro Calcagno, an adviser to the bishops on fundamental rights, during his speech at the European Prayer Breakfast held at the European Parliament last week.

“It is not a question of victimism but equal access to tools of protection,” Calcagno said. 

COMECE is the body that officially represents the Catholic Church to the EU.

Calcagno explained that the right to freedom of religion, as well as provisions to fight against discrimination on the grounds of religion, should not be seen only through the prism of protecting faith communities that are religious minorities. 

“It is necessary to break the ‘majorities vs. minorities’ dynamic that underpins the approach of certain actors and policymakers,” Calcagno stated.

Appointing a coordinator is one of the priorities that Calcagno, on behalf of the European bishops, outlined in relation to the exercise of religious freedom in the EU, among which is “need to ensure equal protection to all dimensions of this core fundamental right, including the institutional one,” he highlighted.

“Too often, freedom of religion is depicted as a ‘problematic’ right, and its collective dimension, compared with its individual dimension, is neglected,” the adviser said.

The need to protect places of worship and data of a religious nature as well as better integrate the defense of religious freedom into EU policies was also addressed during the event.

The European Prayer Breakfast, attended by some 450 participants from across the continent and beyond, was held in conjunction with a panel focused on current trends of rising religious intolerance in Europe.

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

Ålesund, a port town on the west coast of Norway. / Credit: May_Lana/Shutterstock

Oslo, Norway, Dec 10, 2024 / 13:00 pm (CNA).

On Monday, the parish community of Our Lady’s Church in Ålesund, a port town on the west coast of Norway, gathered for a day of prayer dedicated to the unborn in the wake of new abortion laws in the country. 

This year, the celebration of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary — usually celebrated Dec. 8 — was moved to Monday, Dec. 9, as the second Sunday of Advent took precedence. The day began with Mass followed by adoration and the recitation of the rosary, emphasizing the inviolable dignity of human life from the moment of conception.

The parish’s initiative was in part a response to recent changes in Norway’s abortion laws, which for the first time allow for sex-selective abortions and so-called “twin reduction” procedures. 

The new abortion laws, adopted by Norway’s Parliament on Dec. 3, also extend the legal limit for abortion from 12 to 18 weeks. Women in Norway can still have abortions beyond that time frame with the approval of a medical board.  

The changes in the law have sparked debates in Norwegian society and within church communities, raising serious ethical and moral concerns. Faced with these realities, the diocese sought to respond through prayer, reflection, and increased awareness.

Father Dariusz Buras, parochial vicar of Our Lady’s Church, told EWTN Norway, CNA’s news partner, that he drew inspiration for the pro-life event from Sts. Teresa of Calcutta and Gianna Beretta Molla.

During her Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in Oslo in 1979, Mother Teresa highlighted the unborn as one of the most vulnerable in our time. She described abortion as a threat to peace, asking poignantly: “If a mother can kill her own child in the womb, what is to prevent you and me from killing each other?” Stressing that nations that permit abortion are spiritually impoverished, she promoted adoption as a hopeful alternative, showing that every child can find a loving home.

Another prominent saint for the unborn, Gianna Beretta Molla (1922–1962), was an Italian physician and mother who faced a grave moral dilemma when she was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor during her pregnancy. She chose to carry her child to term despite the risk to her own life, because she saw the unborn child as an irreplaceable human being. After giving birth to her daughter, Gianna Emanuela, Molla died of complications. 

Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2004, St. Gianna Molla remains a modern example of heroic love for life, even under difficult circumstances.

While Mother Teresa addressed the right to life of the unborn from a global perspective, St. Gianna Beretta Molla demonstrated through her life that care for the unborn is not just an abstract principle but a concrete reality — a pastoral, medical, and maternal care that prioritizes the life of the child. 

Together, the lives of the two saints are a reminder of the Christian call to protect life in all circumstances and to offer alternatives to destruction, such as social support, adoption, and prioritizing the vulnerable with sacrificial love.

Monday’s gathering at Our Lady’s Church in Ålesund, inspired by the witness of the two saints, became a moment of deep reflection and prayer in a society where laws increasingly undermine human dignity, especially the dignity of the unborn.