Daily Catholic News:
In anticipation of Pope Leo XIV’s forthcoming visit, Peru is seeking to transform its national image into a significant pilgrimage destination for Catholics worldwide. The country’s officials believe that the Pope’s visit could serve as a catalyst for this transformation, which could potentially boost the local economy by attracting regular pilgrims.
In Haiti, the Church is facing a crisis as gangs increasingly target its institutions. Bishop Joseph Gontrand Décoste has voiced his concern over the escalating violence, which has led to the closure of numerous parishes and schools. He described the Church as the last remaining moral, ethical, spiritual, and prophetic bulkhead, which is why it has become a target for elimination.
In Texas, a district court has ordered UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas to provide lifesaving care to a baby named Gabriel, who is at the center of a surrogacy dispute. The baby is due to be born to surrogate mother McKenna West. The court’s ruling obligates these medical institutions to ensure the baby’s well-being.
Medicaid has officially ceased funding for ‘sex-rejecting procedures’ for minors, according to a final rule that formalizes a policy initiated by the Trump administration. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has been advocating for government action in this area, expressing their support for the policy change.
The last surviving Chinese Trappist monk who endured the Maoist persecution has passed away at the age of 108. Father Benedict Chau managed to survive the communist persecution led by Mao Zedong. He spent his final years at the reestablished monastery of Our Lady of Joy on Lantau Island, Hong Kong.