Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

The popemobile used by Pope Francis during his visit to Bethlehem in 2014. / Credit: Courtesy of Caritas

Vatican City, May 5, 2025 / 13:56 pm (CNA).

Before his death, Pope Francis donated one of his popemobiles to be converted into a mobile clinic to assist the children of Gaza, one of the communities most affected by the war and humanitarian crisis in that region.

As Peter Brune, secretary-general of Caritas Sweden and one of the project’s driving forces, explained to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, it is the popemobile the pontiff used during his visit to Bethlehem in May 2014 during his historic trip to the Holy Land. “Since then, the vehicle has been on display in a public square in the Palestinian city,” he said.

“The popemobile has been refurbished and upgraded to fulfill a new and hopeful mission: to provide medical assistance to injured and malnourished children who currently have no access to any type of health care,” Brune explained.

The initiative was personally entrusted by the pope to Caritas Jerusalem in the final months of his life to respond to the extremely serious humanitarian emergency in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of displaced children live without access to food, clean water, or basic medical care amid the Hamas conflict with Israel.

With the new name of “Vehicle of Hope,” the former popemobile is being equipped with basic medical equipment: rapid diagnostic kits, suture materials, syringes, vaccines, oxygen, refrigerated medications, and other vital supplies.

The clinic will be operated by drivers and trained medical staff from Caritas Jerusalem, an organization with extensive experience in the region.

“This is a concrete, lifesaving intervention at a time when the health system in Gaza has virtually collapsed,” Brune emphasized.

The mobile pediatric clinic can be deployed in the Palestinian territory as soon as humanitarian access is restored, with the mission of “providing basic care in the most isolated areas and reminding the world that children’s rights and dignity must always be protected,” Brune explained.

“It is not just a medical tool but a symbol that the world has not forgotten the children of Gaza,” Brune added.

For his part, in a statement, Caritas Jerusalem Secretary-General Anton Asfar said the vehicle donated by Pope Francis represents “the love, care, and closeness that His Holiness showed toward the most vulnerable throughout the crisis.”

The last time Pope Francis rode in a popemobile was on Sunday, April 20, just one day before his death. Despite his delicate health, he chose to move about St. Peter’s Square one last time to greet the faithful after giving his “urbi et orbi” blessing. During that emotional tour, he asked to stop the vehicle several times to bless a child with cancer and several babies.

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

The popemobile used by Pope Francis during his visit to Bethlehem in 2014. / Credit: Courtesy of Caritas

Vatican City, May 5, 2025 / 13:56 pm (CNA).

Before his death, Pope Francis donated one of his popemobiles to be converted into a mobile clinic to assist the children of Gaza, one of the communities most affected by the war and humanitarian crisis in that region.

As Peter Brune, secretary-general of Caritas Sweden and one of the project’s driving forces, explained to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, it is the popemobile the pontiff used during his visit to Bethlehem in May 2014 during his historic trip to the Holy Land. “Since then, the vehicle has been on display in a public square in the Palestinian city,” he said.

“The popemobile has been refurbished and upgraded to fulfill a new and hopeful mission: to provide medical assistance to injured and malnourished children who currently have no access to any type of health care,” Brune explained.

The initiative was personally entrusted by the pope to Caritas Jerusalem in the final months of his life to respond to the extremely serious humanitarian emergency in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of displaced children live without access to food, clean water, or basic medical care amid the Hamas conflict with Israel.

With the new name of “Vehicle of Hope,” the former popemobile is being equipped with basic medical equipment: rapid diagnostic kits, suture materials, syringes, vaccines, oxygen, refrigerated medications, and other vital supplies.

The clinic will be operated by drivers and trained medical staff from Caritas Jerusalem, an organization with extensive experience in the region.

“This is a concrete, lifesaving intervention at a time when the health system in Gaza has virtually collapsed,” Brune emphasized.

The mobile pediatric clinic can be deployed in the Palestinian territory as soon as humanitarian access is restored, with the mission of “providing basic care in the most isolated areas and reminding the world that children’s rights and dignity must always be protected,” Brune explained.

“It is not just a medical tool but a symbol that the world has not forgotten the children of Gaza,” Brune added.

For his part, in a statement, Caritas Jerusalem Secretary-General Anton Asfar said the vehicle donated by Pope Francis represents “the love, care, and closeness that His Holiness showed toward the most vulnerable throughout the crisis.”

The last time Pope Francis rode in a popemobile was on Sunday, April 20, just one day before his death. Despite his delicate health, he chose to move about St. Peter’s Square one last time to greet the faithful after giving his “urbi et orbi” blessing. During that emotional tour, he asked to stop the vehicle several times to bless a child with cancer and several babies.

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

Readings (Year C): Acts 13:14, 43 – 52Psalm 100:1 – 2, 3, 5Revelation 7:9, 14b – 17John 10:27 – 30 Reflection: We are always beloved by God This week’s readings have a clear message of trust in the shepherd’s way and of surviving distress. How appropriate in today’s world to be sitting with readings such […]

The post A reflection for the fourth Sunday of Easter appeared first on U.S. Catholic.

A millennium and a half before Jorge Bergoglio became pope, a baby girl was born on the margins: Neither here nor there, neither slave nor free, neither Christian nor pagan, she entered the world quite literally on the threshold, half in and half out of her father’s house, according to the Vita Prima, one of […]

The post St. Brigid of Kildare, guide this conclave appeared first on U.S. Catholic.

FOCUS founder Curtis Martin discusses evangelization with “EWTN News In Depth” on May 2, 2025, from the Vatican. / Credit: “EWTN News In Depth”

CNA Staff, May 5, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

As the world focuses on the Catholic Church and the upcoming papal conclave, Curtis Martin, founder and CEO of the evangelism group FOCUS, urged Catholics to share the Gospel with zeal. 

FOCUS is a Catholic outreach organization that evangelizes at more than 200 college campuses and 20 parish communities around the world. 

In an interview with “EWTN News In Depth” from St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Martin spoke on the current state of evangelization in the Catholic Church as the world anticipates a new pope.

For Martin, this presents a “unique” opening for Catholics to “declare with great joy and … clarity the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.”

Into the world

“God is inviting Catholics to transform the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ — and the world is looking to us,” Martin said.

Now is the time for Catholics to provide the opportunity for those outside the Church “to have hope, to find mercy” in Christ, Martin reflected. It is the time for non-Catholics “to be welcomed — almost like a prodigal son coming home.” 

Pope Francis appointed Martin as a consultor to the Dicastery for Evangelization in 2023.

Reflecting on Pope Francis’ legacy, Martin called the late pope “a great inspiration” in “his desire to see us out on the periphery, to be caring for people, calling the Church out of the comfort zone and back into the world.”

When asked about the unique challenges the incoming Holy Father will face, Martin noted that cultural issues are “more pronounced” than they were when Pope Francis was elected more than a decade ago.

But these challenges are “not all bad news” because “the Church is a light,” Martin noted.

“The contrast between what we’re offering and what the world is offering will be all the more startling and attractive,” he said.

For young people, these “contrasts” between the light of the Church and the dark of the world “are becoming greater,” Martin noted.

“The culture is unfortunately chewing up and destroying the lives of our young people in unforeseen ways and terrible ways,” Martin said.

But from Martin’s perspective, this reality is an opportunity for mercy.

“Our God is a God of mercy,” Martin said. “And it sometimes takes us [being] in a place where we know we need mercy before we’re going to find it attractive.”

Martin said he believes young people may be “more open” to the Gospel than their parents or previous generations. 

But the Gospel is not just young people, Martin reminded viewers. It’s for all. 

“The Gospel works. It has worked since the time of Christ. It works right now,” he said. 

Martin encouraged Catholics to share the Gospel with “joy” because “people are responding — in our experience, first by dozens, then by hundreds, and now by tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands.” 

“This next pope will have a tremendous opportunity to guide us in this path,” Martin said.

When asked about his hopes for the new pope, Martin again pointed to sharing the Gospel.

“The delight of the Catholic Church, of faith in Jesus Christ, is radiating all over the world,” Martin said.

Watch the full “EWTN News In Depth” interview with Martin below.

FOCUS founder Curtis Martin discusses evangelization with “EWTN News In Depth” on May 2, 2025, from the Vatican. / Credit: “EWTN News In Depth”

CNA Staff, May 5, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

As the world focuses on the Catholic Church and the upcoming papal conclave, Curtis Martin, founder and CEO of the evangelism group FOCUS, urged Catholics to share the Gospel with zeal. 

FOCUS is a Catholic outreach organization that evangelizes at more than 200 college campuses and 20 parish communities around the world. 

In an interview with “EWTN News In Depth” from St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Martin spoke on the current state of evangelization in the Catholic Church as the world anticipates a new pope.

For Martin, this presents a “unique” opening for Catholics to “declare with great joy and … clarity the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.”

Into the world

“God is inviting Catholics to transform the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ — and the world is looking to us,” Martin said.

Now is the time for Catholics to provide the opportunity for those outside the Church “to have hope, to find mercy” in Christ, Martin reflected. It is the time for non-Catholics “to be welcomed — almost like a prodigal son coming home.” 

Pope Francis appointed Martin as a consultor to the Dicastery for Evangelization in 2023.

Reflecting on Pope Francis’ legacy, Martin called the late pope “a great inspiration” in “his desire to see us out on the periphery, to be caring for people, calling the Church out of the comfort zone and back into the world.”

When asked about the unique challenges the incoming Holy Father will face, Martin noted that cultural issues are “more pronounced” than they were when Pope Francis was elected more than a decade ago.

But these challenges are “not all bad news” because “the Church is a light,” Martin noted.

“The contrast between what we’re offering and what the world is offering will be all the more startling and attractive,” he said.

For young people, these “contrasts” between the light of the Church and the dark of the world “are becoming greater,” Martin noted.

“The culture is unfortunately chewing up and destroying the lives of our young people in unforeseen ways and terrible ways,” Martin said.

But from Martin’s perspective, this reality is an opportunity for mercy.

“Our God is a God of mercy,” Martin said. “And it sometimes takes us [being] in a place where we know we need mercy before we’re going to find it attractive.”

Martin said he believes young people may be “more open” to the Gospel than their parents or previous generations. 

But the Gospel is not just young people, Martin reminded viewers. It’s for all. 

“The Gospel works. It has worked since the time of Christ. It works right now,” he said. 

Martin encouraged Catholics to share the Gospel with “joy” because “people are responding — in our experience, first by dozens, then by hundreds, and now by tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands.” 

“This next pope will have a tremendous opportunity to guide us in this path,” Martin said.

When asked about his hopes for the new pope, Martin again pointed to sharing the Gospel.

“The delight of the Catholic Church, of faith in Jesus Christ, is radiating all over the world,” Martin said.

Watch the full “EWTN News In Depth” interview with Martin below.

WASHINGTON – “Continue to speak the truth, and treat every human being with dignity,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) while hosting a meeting on May 1 with religious leaders from Ukraine. The USCCB welcomed representatives of The Ukrainian Council of the Churches of Religious Organizations (UCCRO) to Washington in a show of solidarity with their war-torn country.

The Ukrainian religious leaders spoke about indiscriminate bombing of churches, illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, and religious persecution in the occupied territories. They expressed great gratitude for the prayers and aid of the American people and asked for continued help with sharing the truth about what is happening in Ukraine. 

Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyi of the Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr said, “We really have felt the solidarity of the Church in the USA, and we never cease to pray for you. Now we are asking the Church to be on the side of the truth, and not to allow a false narrative to prevail in the current political climate. For us it is ‘war’ not a ‘conflict.’ This is one example of how we see things have shifted.” 

In response, Archbishop Broglio encouraged the Ukrainians to continue their authentic witness of Biblical values -- “to speak the truth, even when not politically expedient, respect fundamental human rights and treat every human person with dignity, even Russian prisoners of war.”

Another member of the delegation, Bishop Igor Bandura, deputy head of the All-Ukrainian Union of the Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, gave testimony to the power of prayer as “the most powerful weapon,” and asked for continued prayers.

The Kyiv-based council which includes Christians, Jews, and Muslims, was organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

###

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As the College of Cardinals continues to discuss the church's most pressing issues before the conclave, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said it was encouraged that protecting children and vulnerable people was a priority in those discussions.

In a statement published May 5, the commission called for prayers for the cardinals and said its members stand with "the People of God in a plea for discernment guided by the Holy Spirit -- and shaped by the cries of those harmed by abuse within the church."

"We pray for Cardinals who carry the grave responsibility of choosing the next successor of Peter, that they may be guided by courage, humility and a commitment to safeguarding," the statement read.

The issue of clerical sexual abuse was among the discussions at sever of the general congregation meetings, according to daily reports by Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.

Bruni said a cardinal urged his brothers to face the issue "as a 'wound' to be kept 'open,' so that awareness of the problem remains alive and concrete paths for its healing can be identified." 

"We are heartened by the fact that the protection of children and vulnerable people from abuse have been a priority for the cardinals present in Rome in discussions leading up to the conclave," the commission said. "The church's credibility depends on real accountability, transparency and action rooted in justice."

Advocates for victims and survivors have expressed concern regarding several possible candidates to succeed Pope Francis, who died April 21, criticizing them for their records on handling abuse cases.

However, the presence of Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, the retired archbishop of Lima, at the general congregations drew heavy criticism. At 81, the cardinal is ineligible to vote at the conclave.

In January, following a report by the Spanish newspaper El Pais, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that disciplinary measures against Cardinal Cipriani were still in effect after he was accused of abusing an unnamed victim in 1983.

The Peruvian bishops' conference issued a statement in support of victims and called the restrictions on Cardinal Cipriani "a wise decision."

In an interview with El Pais, the cardinal's accuser expressed shock at his presence at the general congregation "because he was supposedly barred from public appearances."

By showing up at the meeting, the victim said, the cardinal was "mocking the church."

"The message is that the pope has died and the party is back," the victim said.

When asked April 30 about Cardinal Cipriani's presence at the pre-conclave meetings, Bruni said the apostolic constitution, "Universi Dominici Gregis" ("Shepherd of the Lord's Whole Flock"), made it clear that all cardinals, with the exception of those with impediments such as illness, were called to participate at the general congregations. 

The following is the text of the prayer released by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors:

Dear Lord,

Let your Holy Spirit descend upon the cardinals gathered in your name. As they prayerfully discern the successor of St. Peter, may they give priority to the safeguarding and protection of the people of God and the importance of effective policies and procedures.

May they contemplate their responsibility for the children, women and men who have been harmed in the life of the Church. May they not fail to fulfill the sacred mission of responsibility for the people of God. Holy Spirit, guide the hearts of those entrusted with discernment. Let no concern of scandal obscure the urgency of truth. Let no consideration for reputation impede our paramount responsibility to take action on behalf of those who have been abused.

Inspire our cardinals to be leaders for protection and safeguarding, defenders of the innocent, and advocates for the abused. Inspire a conversion to safeguarding to accountability, transparency and protection of the vulnerable. May they embrace the priority of accountability for rigorous policies and procedures and disciplinary measures.

We pray for the shepherds of evangelization and their responsibility to ensure transparency and justice for all those harmed in the life of the Church. Inspire them to accountability for safeguarding, protection and action in support of the people of God.

We pray that our cardinals uphold the trust placed in them. Lead them to be vigilant shepherds, defenders of the defenseless and true disciples of your Son, in whose name we pray.

Amen.
 

“Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.” Saint Francis de Sales Dear Blessed Mother, You may wonder why I am writing this letter to you.  As I reflected on you during Eucharistic adoration this week, I was reminded of how much more clearly […]

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A Daily Quote to Inspire Your Catholic Faith “Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.” –Saint Francis de Sales The Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (1567 – 1622) is January 24. Image (inset) credit: “Saint Francis […]

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