Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

St. Ignatius of Laconi was born in 1701 on the island of Sardinia, Italy. From a young age, he was known for his deep piety and desire to serve God. After recovering from a serious illness, he fulfilled a promise to God by joining the Capuchin Franciscans. Ignatius spent his life performing humble tasks, particularly […]

CNA Deutsch, May 10, 2025 / 13:42 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV on Saturday visited and prayed at a Marian shrine outside of Rome, greeting the community there and urging them to "be faithful to the Mother."

The Holy Father visited the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano on Saturday afternoon. The sanctuary, located about an hour east of Rome, is run by the religious of the Order of St. Augustine and "houses an ancient image of the Virgin, dear to the Order and to the memory of Leo XIII," according to the Vatican.

The pope greeted the religious at the shrine before praying at both the altar and the Marian image there, according to the Vatican. The Holy Father also prayed St. John Paul II's prayer to the Mother of Good Counsel with the assembly.

"I wanted so much to come here in these first days of the new ministry that the Church has entrusted to me, to carry out this mission as the Successor of Peter," Leo told those present.

The pope told the community that the shrine was "such a great gift" to them.

"As the Mother never abandons her children, you must also be faithful to the Mother," he said. The Holy Father also offered a blessing to those present.

Leo on Saturday also visited the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he prayed in front of the tomb of Pope Francis, his immediate predecessor.

Francis is one of eight popes buried in the papal basilica.

CNA Deutsch, May 10, 2025 / 13:42 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV on Saturday visited and prayed at a Marian shrine outside of Rome, greeting the community there and urging them to "be faithful to the Mother."

The Holy Father visited the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano on Saturday afternoon. The sanctuary, located about an hour east of Rome, is run by the religious of the Order of St. Augustine and "houses an ancient image of the Virgin, dear to the Order and to the memory of Leo XIII," according to the Vatican.

The pope greeted the religious at the shrine before praying at both the altar and the Marian image there, according to the Vatican. The Holy Father also prayed St. John Paul II's prayer to the Mother of Good Counsel with the assembly.

"I wanted so much to come here in these first days of the new ministry that the Church has entrusted to me, to carry out this mission as the Successor of Peter," Leo told those present.

The pope told the community that the shrine was "such a great gift" to them.

"As the Mother never abandons her children, you must also be faithful to the Mother," he said. The Holy Father also offered a blessing to those present.

Leo on Saturday also visited the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he prayed in front of the tomb of Pope Francis, his immediate predecessor.

Francis is one of eight popes buried in the papal basilica.

CNA Newsroom, May 10, 2025 / 11:45 am (CNA).

An effort backed by the U.S. bishops to protect a centuries-old Native American religious site from destruction scored a win in federal court on Friday when a district judge blocked the sale of the location while the matter is considered by the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. District Judge Steven Logan said in the Friday order that the federal government would be prohibited from selling the Oak Flat site in Arizona while the coalition group Apache Stronghold waits for the Supreme Court to potentially consider its case.

The federal government several years ago moved to transfer Oak Flat to the mining company Resolution Copper after having protected the site for decades. The group’s proposed mining operations would largely obliterate the site, which has been viewed as a sacred site by Apaches and other Native American groups for hundreds of years and has been used extensively for religious rituals. 

Apache Stronghold filed a challenge to the transfer, arguing that it violates both the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and an 1852 treaty protecting Apache territory. The religious liberty law group Becket is representing the group in the case. Several lower courts have already ruled against the Native American group.

Logan in his Friday ruling said he was persuaded by "the fundamental freedoms at stake in this case."

"It is undisputed that if the transfer goes forward and Resolution Copper’s mining plans are effectuated, [the Native American groups] will suffer irreparable harm in the long term," he wrote. The injunction, meanwhile, would “not stop Resolution from mining a single ounce of copper should the transfer ultimately be upheld.”

The "balance of equities" in the dispute is in favor of Apache Stronghold, Logan said, insofar as they have "established a likelihood of irreparable harm should the transfer proceed" and have raised "serious questions" about the merits of the case.

The injunction will hold until the Supreme Court either refuses to hear the case or else issues a decision should it take the case up, Logan ordered.

U.S. bishops say transfer 'jeopardizes religious liberty'

Last year the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) joined an amicus brief with the Christian Legal Society and the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, arguing that the lower court decisions allowing the sale represent “a grave misunderstanding of RFRA that fails to apply its protections in evaluating that destruction.”

The transfer of the land “jeopardizes Native American religious practice and religious liberty more broadly,” the groups argued.

The Knights of Columbus similarly filed a brief in support of the Apaches, arguing that the decision to allow the property to be mined “reads into RFRA an atextual constraint with no grounding in the statute itself.”

The decision is devastating not just to the Apaches but to “the myriad religious adherents of all faiths and backgrounds who use federal lands every day for their religious exercise,” they said. 

Religious liberty scholars from the Notre Dame Law School, Seton Hall University, and the University of St. Thomas School of Law also filed a brief backing the Native Americans. Numerous other religious groups also filed amicus briefs.

CNA Newsroom, May 10, 2025 / 11:45 am (CNA).

An effort backed by the U.S. bishops to protect a centuries-old Native American religious site from destruction scored a win in federal court on Friday when a district judge blocked the sale of the location while the matter is considered by the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. District Judge Steven Logan said in the Friday order that the federal government would be prohibited from selling the Oak Flat site in Arizona while the coalition group Apache Stronghold waits for the Supreme Court to potentially consider its case.

The federal government several years ago moved to transfer Oak Flat to the mining company Resolution Copper after having protected the site for decades. The group’s proposed mining operations would largely obliterate the site, which has been viewed as a sacred site by Apaches and other Native American groups for hundreds of years and has been used extensively for religious rituals. 

Apache Stronghold filed a challenge to the transfer, arguing that it violates both the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and an 1852 treaty protecting Apache territory. The religious liberty law group Becket is representing the group in the case. Several lower courts have already ruled against the Native American group.

Logan in his Friday ruling said he was persuaded by "the fundamental freedoms at stake in this case."

"It is undisputed that if the transfer goes forward and Resolution Copper’s mining plans are effectuated, [the Native American groups] will suffer irreparable harm in the long term," he wrote. The injunction, meanwhile, would “not stop Resolution from mining a single ounce of copper should the transfer ultimately be upheld.”

The "balance of equities" in the dispute is in favor of Apache Stronghold, Logan said, insofar as they have "established a likelihood of irreparable harm should the transfer proceed" and have raised "serious questions" about the merits of the case.

The injunction will hold until the Supreme Court either refuses to hear the case or else issues a decision should it take the case up, Logan ordered.

U.S. bishops say transfer 'jeopardizes religious liberty'

Last year the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) joined an amicus brief with the Christian Legal Society and the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, arguing that the lower court decisions allowing the sale represent “a grave misunderstanding of RFRA that fails to apply its protections in evaluating that destruction.”

The transfer of the land “jeopardizes Native American religious practice and religious liberty more broadly,” the groups argued.

The Knights of Columbus similarly filed a brief in support of the Apaches, arguing that the decision to allow the property to be mined “reads into RFRA an atextual constraint with no grounding in the statute itself.”

The decision is devastating not just to the Apaches but to “the myriad religious adherents of all faiths and backgrounds who use federal lands every day for their religious exercise,” they said. 

Religious liberty scholars from the Notre Dame Law School, Seton Hall University, and the University of St. Thomas School of Law also filed a brief backing the Native Americans. Numerous other religious groups also filed amicus briefs.

Rome Newsroom, May 10, 2025 / 10:30 am (CNA).

The Vatican unveiled Pope Leo XIV’s official portrait and signature Saturday, revealing the American pontiff’s embrace of traditional papal elements just two days after his historic election.

The formal portrait shows the 69-year-old pope wearing the red mozzetta (short cape), embroidered stole, white rochet, and golden pectoral cross — traditional papal vesture that present a visual contrast to the simpler style preferred by his predecessor.

Vatican Media published the portrait alongside the pope’s personal signature, which includes the notation “P.P.” — an abbreviation traditionally used in papal signatures that stands for “Pastor Pastorum” (“Shepherd of Shepherds”). Pope Francis had departed from this convention, signing simply as “Franciscus.”

This return to traditional elements accompanies Leo’s papal coat of arms. The heraldic design features a fleur-de-lis on a blue background, symbolizing the Virgin Mary, while the right side displays the Sacred Heart of Jesus resting on a book against a cream background.

This is based on the traditional symbol of the Augustinian Order.

The fleur-de-lis has particular significance in Catholic iconography as a symbol of purity and the Virgin Mary.

The three-petaled lily design has also been connected to the Holy Trinity. It is prominently featured in French heraldry, which may hold personal meaning for the pope, who has French ancestry through his father’s lineage.

Beneath the shield runs a scroll displaying the pope’s episcopal motto: “In illo uno unum” (“In the one Christ we are one”), a phrase taken from St. Augustine’s commentary on Psalm 127. The motto reflects Leo’s roots in the Augustinian order and his commitment to unity in the Church.

These profound presentations of papal symbols — the portrait, signature, and coat of arms — traditionally occur in the early days of a new pontificate and provide insights into the theological priorities and pastoral style the new pope intends to emphasize.

Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, made history on May 8, becoming the first U.S.-born pope.

Rome Newsroom, May 10, 2025 / 10:30 am (CNA).

The Vatican unveiled Pope Leo XIV’s official portrait and signature Saturday, revealing the American pontiff’s embrace of traditional papal elements just two days after his historic election.

The formal portrait shows the 69-year-old pope wearing the red mozzetta (short cape), embroidered stole, white rochet, and golden pectoral cross — traditional papal vesture that present a visual contrast to the simpler style preferred by his predecessor.

Vatican Media published the portrait alongside the pope’s personal signature, which includes the notation “P.P.” — an abbreviation traditionally used in papal signatures that stands for “Pastor Pastorum” (“Shepherd of Shepherds”). Pope Francis had departed from this convention, signing simply as “Franciscus.”

This return to traditional elements accompanies Leo’s papal coat of arms. The heraldic design features a fleur-de-lis on a blue background, symbolizing the Virgin Mary, while the right side displays the Sacred Heart of Jesus resting on a book against a cream background.

This is based on the traditional symbol of the Augustinian Order.

The fleur-de-lis has particular significance in Catholic iconography as a symbol of purity and the Virgin Mary.

The three-petaled lily design has also been connected to the Holy Trinity. It is prominently featured in French heraldry, which may hold personal meaning for the pope, who has French ancestry through his father’s lineage.

Beneath the shield runs a scroll displaying the pope’s episcopal motto: “In illo uno unum” (“In the one Christ we are one”), a phrase taken from St. Augustine’s commentary on Psalm 127. The motto reflects Leo’s roots in the Augustinian order and his commitment to unity in the Church.

These profound presentations of papal symbols — the portrait, signature, and coat of arms — traditionally occur in the early days of a new pontificate and provide insights into the theological priorities and pastoral style the new pope intends to emphasize.

Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, made history on May 8, becoming the first U.S.-born pope.

CNA Newsroom, May 10, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV's pontifical name is a reflection of his intent to lead the Catholic Church with a "clear vision" amid a turbulent world, Italian Cardinal Fernando Filoni said Friday.

The Italian prelate, who was one of the voting members of the conclave that elected Leo to the papacy this week, told EWTN News Vice President and Editorial Director Matthew Bunson in Rome that the cardinals were "surprised by the name" chosen by the new pope, born Robert Prevost.

But "it [was] a wonderful surprise," the cardinal said.

"I asked him why he took this name," Filoni said. "He's an Augustinian. ... He told me, 'In this moment, we need a man with a clear vision of the Church.'"

Filoni pointed to what was until this week the most recent Leonine pope, Pope Leo XIII, who lead the Church from 1878 to 1903, during a time of great global upheaval and change.

"[It was] a moment when society was reorganizing itself, especially the social [aspects] and the work, the organization," Filoni said.

Leo XIII worked to articulate the social positions of the Catholic Church in the midst of those transformations, including with the encyclical "Rerum novarum," which in part addressed deplorable working conditions and asserted the rights of workers.

Leo XIII has been hailed for decades as the "Social Pope" for those efforts. Filoni also pointed out that Pope Leo I — who served in the 5th century — is remembered as "Leone Magno," or "Leo the Great," and who among his accomplishments worked to clarify doctrines related to Christ’s human and divine natures.

"I think [Leo XIV] had a lot of these aspects in his heart" in picking his name, Filoni said. "And we will see it."

The cardinal further noted the new pope's first address to the world, which he opened with: “Peace be with you all.”

Filoni — the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre — said the significance of this blessing cannot be missed, particularly in the context of ongoing unrest in the Holy Land.

"I am sure it will remain an essential part of his pontificate, but not in the sense of a sociological aspect or political aspect," he said.

"If there is no peace of the Lord, men never will make peace," he said. "They will make an agreement [and] after a while it will be completely abandoned. So he put at the center of peace the person of Jesus, the risen Lord."

CNA Newsroom, May 10, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV's pontifical name is a reflection of his intent to lead the Catholic Church with a "clear vision" amid a turbulent world, Italian Cardinal Fernando Filoni said Friday.

The Italian prelate, who was one of the voting members of the conclave that elected Leo to the papacy this week, told EWTN News Vice President and Editorial Director Matthew Bunson in Rome that the cardinals were "surprised by the name" chosen by the new pope, born Robert Prevost.

But "it [was] a wonderful surprise," the cardinal said.

"I asked him why he took this name," Filoni said. "He's an Augustinian. ... He told me, 'In this moment, we need a man with a clear vision of the Church.'"

Filoni pointed to what was until this week the most recent Leonine pope, Pope Leo XIII, who lead the Church from 1878 to 1903, during a time of great global upheaval and change.

"[It was] a moment when society was reorganizing itself, especially the social [aspects] and the work, the organization," Filoni said.

Leo XIII worked to articulate the social positions of the Catholic Church in the midst of those transformations, including with the encyclical "Rerum novarum," which in part addressed deplorable working conditions and asserted the rights of workers.

Leo XIII has been hailed for decades as the "Social Pope" for those efforts. Filoni also pointed out that Pope Leo I — who served in the 5th century — is remembered as "Leone Magno," or "Leo the Great," and who among his accomplishments worked to clarify doctrines related to Christ’s human and divine natures.

"I think [Leo XIV] had a lot of these aspects in his heart" in picking his name, Filoni said. "And we will see it."

The cardinal further noted the new pope's first address to the world, which he opened with: “Peace be with you all.”

Filoni — the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre — said the significance of this blessing cannot be missed, particularly in the context of ongoing unrest in the Holy Land.

"I am sure it will remain an essential part of his pontificate, but not in the sense of a sociological aspect or political aspect," he said.

"If there is no peace of the Lord, men never will make peace," he said. "They will make an agreement [and] after a while it will be completely abandoned. So he put at the center of peace the person of Jesus, the risen Lord."

ACI Africa, May 10, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA).

Members of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap) in Nigeria are appealing for prayers following a car accident that claimed the lives of seven of their brothers and left several others injured.

In a statement shared with ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, on May 5, the order’s leadership in Nigeria provided details of the accident that occurred on May 3 in the Ridgeway Community in Nigeria’s Enugu state.

“With deep sorrow but in the hope of the Resurrection, the Capuchin Friars of Nigerian Custody announce the death of some of our brothers in a tragic incident that took place on the evening of May 3, 2025,” said the statement, signed by Brother John-Kennedy Anyanwu, OFM Cap, custos of the order.

The statement continued: “Thirteen of our brothers departed the Ridgeway Community, Enugu state, for Obudu, Cross Rivers state, Nigeria, but unfortunately had a fatal accident. Seven of the brothers died as a result of the accident, while six of them sustained various degrees of injuries. The injured brothers have been transferred to Enugu for proper treatment.” 

In the statement, Anyanwu entrusted the souls of his deceased confreres to the “merciful love of God” and invited the people of God to “join us in praying for the happy repose of their souls.” He said funeral arrangements will be “communicated in due course.”

The deceased Capuchin friars have been identified as:

Brother Somadina Ibe-Ojuludu, OFM Cap

Brother Chinedu Nwachukwu, OFM Cap

Brother Marcel Ezenwafor, OFM Cap

Brother Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap

Brother Kingsley Nwosu, OFM Cap

Brother Wilfred Aleke, OFM Cap

Brother Chukwudi Obueze, OFM Cap

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen,” the statement concluded. 

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.