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CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Pope Leo XIV appeals for unity within the Catholic Church in Holy Year messages to priests
Pope Leo XIV arrives to celebrate an ordination Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican as part of the Jubilee of Priests, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) ROME — Pope Leo XIV doubled down on Friday on his appeal for unity in the polarized Catholic Church, urging priests to act in communion with their superiors and be models of reconciliation in a world driven by conflicts and divisions. Leo appealed for unity in a triptych of messages to priests who are celebrating a special Holy Year week in Rome dedicated to clergy. He hosted a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, celebrated an ordination Mass on Friday morning and also delivered a written message to priests around the world. During the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Leo ordained 32 new priests and recalled his appeal for unity during his installation Mass right after his May 8 election. 'Today, I share this desire once more with all of you,' he said. He quoted St. Augustine – the inspiration of his Augustinian religious order – in repeating the words he said on the night of his election: 'For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian.' During the meetings that preceded the conclave that elected the first American pope in history, cardinals made clear their hope that the next pontiff would heal some of the divisions within the church that deepened during the late Pope Francis' radical 12-year pontificate. Francis' progressive social justice priorities, his informal style, liturgical looseness and disdain for the capitalist economic system often alienated conservatives, particularly in Leo's native United States, who begged for a new pope who could pacify divisions. Leo's consistent reference to unity in the church suggests he has heard those appeals and is working to respond. In a message to priests around the world Friday, Leo offered encouragement in his appeal for unity, not a browbeating as Francis often gave priests. 'In a world marked by growing tensions, even within families and ecclesial communities, priests are called to promote reconciliation and foster communion,' Leo said. He added that priests should not be afraid of their own weaknesses. 'The Lord does not look for perfect priests, but for humble hearts that are open to conversion and prepared to love others as he himself loved us,' he said. He gave a similar message Thursday to thousands of priests who gathered in a Vatican-area auditorium for a Jubilee rally that ended with Leo giving English-language shoutouts to priests from various parts of the world, including his native Chicago. In the encounter, Leo acknowledged the 'crisis' in priestly vocations, which have been falling consistently in traditionally Christian parts of the world for years even as the overall global Catholic population grows. According to Vatican statistics, there were 407,730 priests globally at the end of 2022, down 142 from the previous year. Europe saw the greatest decline, losing 2,745 priests — a figure that was only compensated for globally by the addition of 1,676 priests in Africa and 1,160 in Asia. 'Thank you for who you are, and remind everyone that it's beautiful to be a priest,' he said. 'We aren't perfect, but we are friends of Christ … and that's enough.' ___ Nicole Winfield, The Associated Press Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV appeals for unity within the Catholic Church in Holy Year messages to priests
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV doubled down on Friday on his appeal for unity in the polarized Catholic Church, urging priests to act in communion with their superiors and be models of reconciliation in a world driven by conflicts and divisions. Leo appealed for unity in a triptych of messages to priests who are celebrating a special Holy Year week in Rome dedicated to clergy. He hosted a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, celebrated an ordination Mass on Friday morning and also delivered a written message to priests around the world. During the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Leo ordained 32 new priests and recalled his appeal for unity during his installation Mass right after his May 8 election. 'Today, I share this desire once more with all of you,' he said. He quoted St. Augustine – the inspiration of his Augustinian religious order – in repeating the words he said on the night of his election: 'For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian.' During the meetings that preceded the conclave that elected the first American pope in history, cardinals made clear their hope that the next pontiff would heal some of the divisions within the church that deepened during the late Pope Francis' radical 12-year pontificate. Francis' progressive social justice priorities, his informal style, liturgical looseness and disdain for the capitalist economic system often alienated conservatives, particularly in Leo's native United States, who begged for a new pope who could pacify divisions. Leo's consistent reference to unity in the church suggests he has heard those appeals and is working to respond. In a message to priests around the world Friday, Leo offered encouragement in his appeal for unity, not a browbeating as Francis often gave priests. 'In a world marked by growing tensions, even within families and ecclesial communities, priests are called to promote reconciliation and foster communion,' Leo said. He added that priests should not be afraid of their own weaknesses. 'The Lord does not look for perfect priests, but for humble hearts that are open to conversion and prepared to love others as he himself loved us,' he said. He gave a similar message Thursday to thousands of priests who gathered in a Vatican-area auditorium for a Jubilee rally that ended with Leo giving English-language shoutouts to priests from various parts of the world, including his native Chicago. In the encounter, Leo acknowledged the 'crisis' in priestly vocations, which have been falling consistently in traditionally Christian parts of the world for years even as the overall global Catholic population grows. According to Vatican statistics, there were 407,730 priests globally at the end of 2022, down 142 from the previous year. Europe saw the greatest decline, losing 2,745 priests — a figure that was only compensated for globally by the addition of 1,676 priests in Africa and 1,160 in Asia. 'Thank you for who you are, and remind everyone that it's beautiful to be a priest,' he said. 'We aren't perfect, but we are friends of Christ … and that's enough.' ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Pope Leo XIV Appeals for Unity Within the Catholic Church in Holy Year Messages to Priests
Pope Leo XIV reiterated his call for unity within the polarized Catholic Church on Friday, urging priests to work in communion with their superiors and exemplify reconciliation in a world rife with conflict and division. Leo made this appeal for unity in a series of messages to priests celebrating a special Holy Year week in Rome dedicated to clergy. He hosted a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, celebrated an ordination Mass on Friday morning, and delivered a written message to priests worldwide. During the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Leo ordained 32 new priests and recalled his appeal for unity during his installation Mass following his May 8 election. 'Today I share this desire once more with all of you,' he said. He quoted St. Augustine–the inspiration of his Augustinian religious order–repeating the words he said on the night of his election: 'For you I am a bishop; with you I am a Christian.' During the meetings preceding the conclave that elected the first American pope, cardinals expressed their hope that the next pontiff would heal some of the divisions within the church that deepened during Pope Francis' 12-year pontificate. Francis' progressive social justice priorities, his informal style, liturgical flexibility, and disdain for the capitalist economic system often alienated conservatives, particularly in Leo's native US, who yearned for a new pope who could pacify divisions. Leo's consistent emphasis on unity in the church suggests he has heard those appeals and is working to respond. In a message to priests around the world Friday, Leo offered encouragement in his appeal for unity, not a reprimand as Francis often gave priests. 'In a world marked by growing tensions, even within families and ecclesial communities, priests are called to promote reconciliation and foster communion,' Leo said. He added that priests should not be afraid of their own weaknesses. 'The Lord does not look for perfect priests, but for humble hearts that are open to conversion and prepared to love others as he himself loved us,' he said. He gave a similar message Thursday to thousands of priests gathered in a Vatican-area auditorium for a Jubilee rally that concluded with Leo giving English-language acknowledgments to priests from various parts of the world, including his native Chicago. In the meeting, Leo acknowledged the crisis in priestly vocations, which have been declining consistently in traditionally Christian parts of the world for years, even as the overall global Catholic population grows. According to Vatican statistics, there were 407,730 priests globally at the end of 2022, down 142 from the previous year. Europe saw the greatest decline, losing 2,745 priests–a figure offset globally only by the addition of 1,676 priests in Africa and 1,160 in Asia. 'Thank you for who you are, and remind everyone that it's beautiful to be a priest,' he said. 'We aren't perfect, but we are friends of Christ … and that's enough.'
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Pope Leo XIV appeals for unity within the Catholic Church in Holy Year messages to priests
Pope Leo XIV doubled down on Friday on his appeal for unity in the polarized Catholic Church, urging priests to act in communion with their superiors and be models of reconciliation in a world driven by conflicts and divisions. Leo appealed for unity in a triptych of messages to priests who are celebrating a special Holy Year week in Rome dedicated to clergy. He hosted a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, celebrated an ordination Mass on Friday morning and also delivered a written message to priests around the world. During the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Leo ordained 32 new priests and recalled his appeal for unity during his installation Mass right after his May 8 election. 'Today, I share this desire once more with all of you,' he said. He quoted St. Augustine – the inspiration of his Augustinian religious order – in repeating the words he said on the night of his election: 'For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian.' During the meetings that preceded the conclave that elected the first American pope in history, cardinals made clear their hope that the next pontiff would heal some of the divisions within the church that deepened during the late Pope Francis' radical 12-year pontificate. Francis' progressive social justice priorities, his informal style, liturgical looseness and disdain for the capitalist economic system often alienated conservatives, particularly in Leo's native United States, who begged for a new pope who could pacify divisions. Leo's consistent reference to unity in the church suggests he has heard those appeals and is working to respond. In a message to priests around the world Friday, Leo offered encouragement in his appeal for unity, not a browbeating as Francis often gave priests. 'In a world marked by growing tensions, even within families and ecclesial communities, priests are called to promote reconciliation and foster communion,' Leo said. He added that priests should not be afraid of their own weaknesses. 'The Lord does not look for perfect priests, but for humble hearts that are open to conversion and prepared to love others as he himself loved us,' he said. He gave a similar message Thursday to thousands of priests who gathered in a Vatican-area auditorium for a Jubilee rally that ended with Leo giving English-language shoutouts to priests from various parts of the world, including his native Chicago. In the encounter, Leo acknowledged the 'crisis' in priestly vocations, which have been falling consistently in traditionally Christian parts of the world for years even as the overall global Catholic population grows. According to Vatican statistics, there were 407,730 priests globally at the end of 2022, down 142 from the previous year. Europe saw the greatest decline, losing 2,745 priests — a figure that was only compensated for globally by the addition of 1,676 priests in Africa and 1,160 in Asia. 'Thank you for who you are, and remind everyone that it's beautiful to be a priest,' he said. 'We aren't perfect, but we are friends of Christ … and that's enough.' ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Age in place': St. Johns nonprofit seeks donations to build wheelchair ramps for elderly
The St. Johns Housing Partnership is seeking public help to quickly build eight wheelchair ramps for elderly residents who cannot afford the needed home addition. The St. Augustine-based nonprofit needs funding, volunteers and materials to build Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant exterior ramps, which can cost as much as $3,000 each, Executive Director Bill Lazar said. "No one should be forced to remain homebound — or worse, moved to a long-term care facility — simply because they can't safely exit their home," he said. Among the eight people who need the ramps are an elderly woman and recent amputee, a retired couple with multiple health issues, a disabled Army veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm and a stroke-victim who has no leg mobility, the partnership said. Founded in 1998, the partnership serves low-income households, primarily in St. Johns County, but also Clay and Putnam. To donate or get more information, go to bcravey@ (904) 359-4109 This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: St. Johns nonprofit building ramps to help elderly remain at home
