Today's Catholic Highlights:
The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) recently held a summit focusing on the issue of Christian persecution. Key speakers at the event included Mercedes Schlapp, a senior fellow at CPAC, and Jack Posobiec, a conservative political commentator and practicing Catholic. The summit aimed to bring attention to the ongoing persecution of Christians around the world and to discuss potential solutions.
In celebration of the centenary of the Secular Institute of the Sisters of Mary of Schoenstatt, Pope Leo XIV has granted a plenary indulgence at Schoenstatt shrines. This act is a significant part of the Catholic tradition, offering the faithful a way to reduce the temporal punishment due to sin. The Schoenstatt movement, founded in Germany, is known for its devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Pope Leo XIV recently addressed young people, urging them not to let technology dictate their lives. The Pope’s message, delivered to hundreds of university students gathered in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, was a call to use technology wisely and not to let it control their actions or decisions. This exhortation comes at a time when concerns about the impact of digital technology on society and individual lives are increasingly prevalent.
Young Catholics have begun signing up for a conversation with Pope Leo XIV. This initiative provides an opportunity for young people to engage directly with the Pope, asking questions and discussing matters of faith. It is part of the Church’s ongoing efforts to engage with the younger generation and to encourage their active participation in the faith.
In response to the government shutdown and the impending loss of funding for food assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC, Catholic Charities USA has launched a fundraising effort. The organization is stepping in to help needy Americans who rely on these programs for their daily sustenance. This action demonstrates the Church’s commitment to social justice and its readiness to provide practical help in times of crisis.