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Pope Leo XIV Sets Out on His First Africa Tour Across Four Nations
8 hours ago•Source: BBC
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St Bernard, the Idealist, Guides Lent, Says Varden
Bishop Erik Varden's second Vatican Spiritual Exercises reflection portrays St. Bernard of Clairvaux as an idealist whose humility, reformative energy, and witness to God’s love offer a guiding example for a Lent focused on authentic conversion and renunciation of self-righteousness.
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Ashes Over Barriers: Catholic Leaders Stand with Immigrant Families on Ash Wednesday
National Catholic Reporter•6 days ago
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Ramadan 2026: Global fasting hours span roughly 12–15 hours by location
Al Jazeera•9 days ago
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Lent 2026: Pope Leo XIV Urges Listening, Fasting, and Community Renewal
The Vatican releases the full text of Pope Leo XIV's Lent 2026 message, urging conversion through listening to God's word, fasting as self-denial that clarifies desires and speech, and a communal, justice-driven journey—calling the faithful to listen to the cries of the poor and of the Earth and to transform relationships in a civilization of love.
Church of England halts standalone same-sex blessing plans, keeps discussion open
The Church of England’s General Synod formally abandoned proposals to introduce standalone blessings for same-sex couples in churches, citing theological and legal barriers, while directing the issue to a continuing working group; blessings within ordinary services remain allowed, and leaders apologized for the hurt caused, as some liberal members warn they may disengage from the Church amid the ongoing controversy.
Strickland Frames SSPX's Bishops as Guardians of Apostolic Continuity
Bishop Joseph Strickland argues that the SSPX’s plan to consecrate new bishops should be read as an attempt at apostolic continuity in a time of perceived crisis, not rebellion, emphasizing the need to preserve the traditional faith and sacraments even amid tensions with Rome and his own removal from pastoral duties in 2023.
SSPX Leader Details Planned Episcopal Consecrations and Dialogue Push
Fr. Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X, explains additional details on planned episcopal consecrations in an SSPX News interview, recounts outreach to the Holy See, argues the move is a necessary response to doctrinal and pastoral crises, defends Traditional Catholic practice, and expresses hope for papal dialogue while preparing to act if not approved.
FSSPX to Convene Rome Meeting After Cardinal Fernández's Episcopal Proposal
Following Cardinal Fernández's proposal to proceed with episcopal consecrations, the Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X agreed to a meeting in Rome on February 12, 2026, and urged the Society's members and faithful to pray for a favorable outcome.
Hidden Glory Lights Lent as Varden Leads Vatican Spiritual Exercises
From Feb 22–27, Pope Leo XIV, Rome-based cardinals, and heads of dicasteries will hear two daily meditations led by Trappist Bishop Erik Varden in the Pauline Chapel, on the theme 'Illuminated by a Hidden Glory,' with reflections including Saint Bernard and topics like God’s help, freedom, truth, and hope; a brief bio of Varden notes his Norwegian origin, monastic leadership, and Vatican roles.
SSPX Sets July Date for New Episcopal Consecrations Amid Vatican Talks
The Society of Saint Pius X announced it will proceed with new episcopal consecrations on July 1, entrusted to its bishops, citing urgent pastoral needs and a lack of satisfactory response from the Holy See in ongoing talks; the move follows months of negotiation with Rome and signals increasing pressure over episcopal succession and the Society's future relationship with the Vatican.
LDS Church expands global stake structure with 11 new stakes from Chile to Kiribati
The Church News reports that 11 new stakes were created worldwide and several stakes reorganized, detailing the new stake presidencies and ward configurations—from Antofagasta Chile East to Tarawa Kiribati North and the Vineyard Utah YSA Stake—as part of a broad global leadership reshuffling.
Beatitudes: A New Yardstick for Happiness, Pope Says at Angelus
During the Vatican Angelus, Pope Leo XIV says living the Beatitudes brings happiness, lights the darkness, renews the heart, and offers hope to the oppressed, presenting happiness as a gift to be shared rather than a prize to be won.
Pope Leo XIV cautions Rota: truth must guide church justice in marriage cases
Pope Leo XIV told the Apostolic Tribunal of the Roman Rota that ecclesiastical justice must be rooted in objective truth and charity, warning against a 'dangerous relativisation of truth' and urging rigorous, careful handling of marriage nullity cases to preserve both justice and mercy.