Pope Leo XIV received a signed Chicago Bears shirt as a gift from Quarter Back Caleb Williams.
The gift was inscribed with AMDG and presented by US Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch.
Pope Leo XIV, the Chicago native, has received an autographed jersey from Caleb Williams. pic.twitter.com/hmSbEFksox
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) July 5, 2026
The Bishop of Oslo has promised to accompany those who wish the attend the Latin Mass, in the wake of the SSPX consecrations.
As your shepherd, I therefore give you an invitation and some words about the future. The invitation is simple: Hold fast to unity with Our Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, and with me as Bishop of Oslo.
So the future: You want to be able to take part in the liturgical celebration according to the 1962 Missal. Many of you also look for a spiritual expression and a spirituality characterized by the pre-conciliar liturgy. I understand this. Masses according to the 1962 Missal are celebrated every Sunday in St. Joseph's Church in Oslo . This will continue. If there is a need for it and it will be for the good of the Church and souls, I will also expand this type of Mass celebration in our local church.
Finally: Pray for unity in the Church. Pray for the Pope. And pray that those who have now placed themselves outside the ecclesial community will turn around and return.
It will be interesting to see if others follow suit.
Read his full letter here.
With the fallout from the SSPX consecrations continuing, Reuters has reported that an SSPX priest, Fr. Georg Kopf, told his congregation today that a ‘future pope’ would welcome them back.
Reuters states that the Mass in Switzerland also spoke about Pope Benedict XVI making efforts to welcome them back:
"I am convinced that there will be another pope like him who will give tradition its rightful place again. Of course, we’d like that to happen tomorrow.
"Nothing that happened on July 1 was intended to establish a parallel church or to break with Rome. On the contrary, it was precisely out of love for the Church and the pope that these ordinations were carried out, in order to look after the salvation of souls."
In a speech broadcast to the final day of the Eucharistic Pilgrimage, Pope Leo XIV has reminded Americans of the rich Catholic heritage of their nation.
The word Eucharist literally means ‘thanksgiving’, and the first thanksgiving occurred in the USA on September 8th 1565 in Saint Augustine Florida between the Spanish and the natives, a fact unknown to many Americans.
🚨 Pope Leo XIV has celebrated the great Catholic history of the USA by reminding Americans that the first thanksgiving was a Catholic Mass between the Spanish with natives pic.twitter.com/347agNaGOO
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 5, 2026
In 1873, Jules Rimet was born in France.
The Frenchman became a lawyer when he reached adulthood, though along the way he became a very devout Catholic with a particular inspiration coming from Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum.
Rimet was a founder of French club Red Star, with an emphasis on equality and allowing workers from every type of background.
Rimet served in World War I as an Officer in the French Army and received awards for his role.
Following the war, he became head of the French Football Federation and the later head of FIFA.
It was in that role that he got to implement some of his core beliefs, notably being the driving force behind the foundation of the World Cup, the trophy of which was named after him.
The World Cup today stands as a testament to his Catholic beliefs, bringing together countries rich and poor, big and small to compete and challenge one another in sport.
Animal rights group PETA have staged a protest in Pamplona, designed to draw attention to the relationship between bullfighting and Catholicism.
Bullfighting has a long history in Pamplona and a long history with Catholic iconography and popular devotion.
PETA are calling on the church to act against this and condemn the practise.
SPAIN 🇪🇸
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 5, 2026
Animal rights group PETA have staged a bizarre protest in Pamplona which women covered a a man dressed as Christ, and themselves, in red paint as they wore horns
The protest is designed to get the church to condemn bullfighting pic.twitter.com/VWVjQ5GB6V
Pampelune 2026 – le message de « Jésus » à l’Église catholique : coupez les ponts avec les cruelles corridas
— PETA France (@PETA_France) July 5, 2026
📷 : Esa Ennelin pic.twitter.com/M81643hPQM
One of the host nations of the World Cup, Mexico, have started well in the tournament and now face their toughest test in the Round of 32 in the form of England.
Since the beginning of the tournament, their fans have been flocking to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City to pray at the site of a statue of the child Jesus dressed in Mexico gear.
Should Mexico win tonight, against the odds, expect the numbers visiting the statue to increase ten fold.
This is not a new novelty by the way, it has been around for decades.
Shortly before his election as pope, Cardinal Prevost gave a talk in the USA in which he spoke about many topics, one of which was immigration.
Here is what he had to say:
'It's a huge problem and it's a problem not only in this country but worldwide, there's got a be a way to solve the problem but treat people with respect'
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 5, 2026
Cardinal Robert Prevost on immigration pic.twitter.com/552bNud8GL
Pope Leo XIV visited the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa on July 4th. The small island was the first place that Pope Francis visited as pope.
Since the murder of Colonel Gaddafi and the so called ‘Arab Spring’, the island has been flooded with migrants who the enter Europe.
The problem shows no signs of going away.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa on the 4th of July
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 5, 2026
The island has become a hub for huge flows of migrants since the early 2010s, mostly because of the effects of Western backed regime changes and colour revolutions pic.twitter.com/M5CzBZDxm6
On July 4th, Pope Leo XIV will visit Lampedusa
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 2, 2026
The Mediterranean island has been swamped with migrants since 2011
This is how Hillary Clinton celebrated the death of Colonel Gaddafi that year, a death that has helped to create 15 years of mass migration into Europe pic.twitter.com/aJtGGrsQr8
In 1991, singer Freddie Mercury died from AIDS.
A concert was held at Wembley Stadium in London some months after as a fundraiser for the disease, in which 1 BILLION people around the world tuned in to watch some of the world’s biggest stars including Guns n’ Roses and David Bowie.
The latter ended his set with something quite remarkable and unique and in the context of celebrities, visually sincere.
When asked about it in 1993, Bowie said:
In rock music, especially in the performance arena, there is no room for prayer, but I think that so many of the songs people write are prayers… On a personal level, I have an undying belief in God’s existence. For me it is unquestionable.
"Looking at what I have done in my life, in retrospect so much of what I thought was adventurism was searching for my tenuous connection with God.
Bowie continued:
I decided to do it about five minutes before I went on stage,
He was just dropping into a coma that day. And just before I went on stage something just told me to say the Lord’s Prayer.
Although Bowie was raised Anglican, religious practise was not a core feature of his life in a formal way.
But this video and the sincerity of it can give us hope.
David Bowie kneeling and praying in front of 76,000 at Wembley and 1 Billion at home during the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992 pic.twitter.com/pW0ntHyiMA
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 2, 2026
In 2004, Mel Gibson released his life’s work, The Passion of the Christ.
The great film caused uproar across the world, with unfounded claims of antisemitism and opposition to the gruesomeness of some of the scenes (from a society obsessed with violence).
One the film was released, however, all of that disappeared.
Gibson’s film went straight to the heart, causing many conversions and years of spiritual anguish for Gibson, who no doubt paid a heavy price for the great work that he did for Christ.
Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' will be re-released in cinemas in September
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 2, 2026
This is how the world reacted to its release in 2004
There has never been anything like it before or after pic.twitter.com/uL8bUn6pv1
Pope Leo XIV will receive the Liberty Medal today.
The pope will address people gathered in Philadelphia, in an event organised by the National Constitution Centre.
The award is an annual one given to those who are seen as demonstrating leadership in the pursuit of freedom.
Catholic activist Jimmy Lai previously received the award in 2021.
The award will coincide with the weekend of the United States of America celebrating its 250th birthday.
Disturbing news from Europe once more.
A church in Geneva has been ruthlessly attacked, according to a report by OIDAC Europe.
OIDAC write:
On 29 June 2026, the tabernacle of Sacré-Cœur Church in Geneva was stolen and destroyed in an act of sacrilegious theft and desecration. The tabernacle contained consecrated hosts and liturgical vessels, the former of which were later found discarded in a nearby construction dumpster. The incident prompted the celebration of a Mass of reparation for the affected Catholic community.
On 29 June 2026, unknown perpetrators stole and destroyed the tabernacle of Sacré-Cœur Church in the Plainpalais district of Geneva, Switzerland. The tabernacle contained consecrated hosts as well as ciboria used during Catholic Mass.
Reports further state that the consecrated hosts were later found in a nearby construction dumpster. The tabernacle, made of solid bronze, was damaged. The ciboria were also taken during the incident.
The SSPX released a statement on July 1st explaining the rationale behind the consecrations new bishops:
On 1 July 2026, the feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, at the Seminary of Saint Pius X in Écône, Switzerland, in the presence of Fr. Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X, and a very great gathering of priests, religious, and faithful, His Excellency Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, assisted by His Excellency Bishop Bernard Fellay, conferred episcopal consecration upon Bishop Pascal Schreiber, Bishop Michael Goldade, Bishop Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, and Bishop Marc Hanappier, to serve as auxiliary bishops of the Society of Saint Pius X, without jurisdiction.
The Society sincerely regrets that, owing to exceptional circumstances, these consecrations had to be conferred without the authorization of the Holy Father. It regrets in particular that the Superior General of the Society was not afforded the opportunity to meet personally with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, in order to set before him filially the grave reasons which rendered this ceremony necessary.
The profound joy inspired by these episcopal consecrations cannot, however, be overshadowed. By securing the means necessary for the preservation of the sacred heritage of Tradition, the gift of these four new bishops constitutes truly a very great grace for the Society itself and for the whole Church.
The Society of Saint Pius X rejoices deeply in this and raises to God a fervent act of thanksgiving, thanking in particular the Most Blessed Virgin Mary for having permitted this transmission of the fullness of the priesthood, for the greater glory of God, the honour of Holy Church, and the salvation of souls.
Écône, 1 July 2026
In a major development, the Vatican has issued a statement affirming that the Society of Saint Pius X have been excommunicated.
The Vatican’s statement goes even further than their 1988 response, in that lay faithful who ‘adhere’ to the SSPX are also excommunicated and Marriages and Confessions are declared ‘invalid’.
Catholics are encouraged not to attend or participate in SSPX liturgies.
Read below:
From the time of Saint Paul VI up to the most recent talks, held recently at this Dicastery, the many attempts to bring the members of the movement begun by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre back into full communion with the Catholic Church have proved vain.
This situation has been further aggravated by the recent episcopal consecrations celebrated without pontifical mandate, against the will of the Holy Father, and in open violation of canon law.
Therefore, this Dicastery, in the faithful exercise of the functions entrusted to it, considers it necessary to state that this act constituted the delict of schism, with the canonical consequences for the sacred ministers and lay faithful involved. Indeed, as was already declared in 1988, “such disobedience—which implies in practice the rejection of the Roman primacy—constitutes a schismatic act” (cf. John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Ecclesia Dei, 3).
In this regard, from now on:
1. The sacred ministers belonging to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X are in schism and must therefore be considered schismatics (cf. Ecclesia Dei, 5 c; Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Explanatory Note on the excommunication for schism incurred by those adhering to the movement of Bishop Marcel Lefebvre, 24.08.1996, 5-6), and are subject to the excommunication prescribed by law (can. 1364 § 1 CIC).
2. As regards the lay faithful, those who formally adhere to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X are to be considered schismatics and excommunicated under the conditions established in the 1996 Explanatory Note of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts (cf. ibidem, 7), which remains in force and which this Dicastery adopts as its own.
3. Finally, the holy People of God are warned that the sacred ministers of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X administer the sacraments illicitly, and that the sacrament of penance administered by them and marriages assisted by them are invalid.
The Church, as a caring mother, will welcome with sincere affection and lively solicitude all those who wish to return to full communion. The Apostolic Nuncios will arrange the procedures that Ordinaries may use in the various cases.
Finally, all the faithful are urged to remain steadfast in communion with the Roman Pontiff, with the Bishops in communion with him, and with the whole Church (cf. Lumen Gentium, 22; can. 751 CIC), and to refrain from taking part in celebrations and activities promoted by the aforementioned Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X.
Dia is muire Dhíbh, a chlann Phádraig! Céad mile fáilte rómhaibh! Tá Naomh nua againn inniu: Comharba Phádraig, Olibhéar Naofa Ploinéad. (God and Mary be with you, family of Saint Patrick! A hundred thousand welcomes! We have a new Saint today: the successor of Saint Patrick, Saint Oliver Plunkett).
Today, Venerable Brothers and dear sons and daughters, the Church celebrates the highest expression of love-the supreme measure of Christian and pastoral charity. Today, the Church rejoices with a great joy, because the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, is reflected and manifested in a new Saint. And this new Saint is Oliver Plunkett, Bishop and Martyr-Oliver Plunkett, successor of Saint Patrick in the See of Armagh-Oliver Plunkett , glory of Ireland and Saint, today and for ever, of the Church of God, Oliver Plunkett is for all-for the entire world-an authentic and outstanding example of the love of Christ. And on our part we bow down today to venerate his sacred relics, just as on former occasions we have personally knelt in prayer and admiration at this shrine in Drogheda.
For the suffering undergone by Oliver Plunkett is another expression of the triumph and victory of Christ's grace. Like his Master, Oliver Plunkett surrendered his life willingly in sacrifice (Cfr. Is. 53, 7; Io. 10, 17). He laid it down out of love, and thereby freely associated himself in an intimate manner with the sufferings of Christ. Indeed, his dying words were: «Into thy hands, o Lord, I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my soul». The merits of the Lord's Passion, the power of his Cross, and the dynamism of his Resurrection are active and made manifest in the life of his Saint. We praise God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit-who gave the glorious gift of supernatural faith to Oliver Plunkett-a faith so strong that it filled him with the fortitude and courage necessary to face martyrdom with serenity, with joy and with forgiveness. Being put to death for the profession of his Catholic Faith, he was, in the expression of our predecessor Benedict XV, crowned with «martyrdom for the faith» (Cfr. Apostolic Brief of Beatification, 23 May 1920: AAS 12, 1920, p. 238).
And after the example of the King of Martyrs, there was no rancour in his heart. Moreover, he sealed by his death the same message and ministrv of reconciliation (Cfr. 2 Cor. 5, 18. 20) that he had preached and performed during his life. In his pastoral activities, his exhortation had been one of pardon and peace. With men of violence he was indeed the advocate of justice and the friend of the oppressed, but he would not compromise with truth or condone violence: he would not substitute another gospel for the Gospel of peace. And his witness is alive today in the Church, as he insists with the Apostle Peter: «Never pay back one wrong with another» (1 Petr. 3, 9). O what a model of reconciliation: a sure guide for our day! Oliver Plunkett had understood with Saint Paul that «it was God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the work of handing on this reconciliation» (2 Cor. 5, 18). From Jesus himself he had learned to pray for his persecutors (Cfr. Matth. 5, 44) and with Jesus he could say: «Father, forgive them» (Luc. 23, 31).
In his speech on the scaffold, his words of pardon were in fact: «I do forgive all who had a hand directly or indirectly in my death and in my innocent blood». O what an example in particular for all those who have a special relationship with Oliver Plunkett, for all those whose life he shared! As an illustrious son of Ireland he is the honour and strength of the people who transmitted to him the Catholic Faith. In 1647 Oliver Plunkett, with five companions, was conducted to Rome by the well-known and revered Oratorian Peter Francis Scarampi; and for the next twenty-two years he remained in this City of Peter and Paul. As a student at the Irish College he is an example of fortitude and piety to the seminarians of today. For three years, after his ordination to the priesthood in 1654, Oliver Plunkett served as Chaplain with the Oratorians at S. Girolamo della Carità and visited the sick in the nearby Hospital of the Holy Spirit. As a minister of Jesus Christ and servant of fraternal love he is a pattern of zeal for his brother priests in the modern world. For twelve years he taught in the College of Propaganda Fide, and as an ecclesiastical professor he is a luminary of true supernatural wisdom to his colleagues today.
Oliver Plunkett was, above all, a Bishop of the Church of God, serving as Primate of Ireland for twelve years. He was a vigilant preacher of the Catholic Faith and champion of that pastoral charity which is fostered in prayer and manifested in solicitude for his brethren in the clergy-that pastoral charity which is expressed in zeal for the Christian instruction of the young, for the promotion of Catholic education, for the consolation of all God's people. Drawing strength from the inexhaustible fountain of grace, from the power of the Cross-which is itself eminently contained in the Eucharist, source of all the Church's power (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10), and in which the work of Redemption is renewed-he infused into his flock new strength and fresh hope in time of trial and need. Yes, Oliver Plunkett is a triumph of Christ's grace, a model of reconciliation for all, and a particular example for many-but Oliver Plunkett is also a teacher of the supreme values of Christianity. As the world enters the last quarter of the twentieth century and the concluding decades of this millennium, at a moment decisive for all Christian civilization, the testimony of Saint Oliver Plunkett proclaims to the world that the summit of wisdom and the «power of God» (1 Cor. 1, 18) is in the mystery of the Cross.
And the Church raises her voice in solemn affirmation, to authenticate and consecrate this testimony, and to reaffirm for this generation and for all time the true hierarchy of evangelical values in the world. The message of Oliver Plunkett offers a hope that is greater than the present life; it shows a love that is stronger than death. Through the action of the Holy Spirit may the whole Church experience his insights and his wisdom, and with him be able to hear the challenge that comes from Peter: «Put your trust in nothing but the grace that will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed» (1 Petr. 1, 13). May the Church understand this as yet another call to renewal and holiness of life, knowing as she does that, by reason of the power of God, there is no limit to love's forbearance (Cfr. 1 Cor. 13, 7), and that even the sufferings of the present time cannot be compared with the glory that awaits us (Cfr. Rom. 8, 18). And so we exhort our dear sons and daughters of Ireland, saying with immense affection and love: «Remember your leaders, who preached the word of God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday» (Hebr. 13, 7).
Let this then be an occasion on which the message of peace and reconciliation in truth and justice, and above all the message of love for one's neighbour, will be emblazoned in the minds and hearts of all the beloved Irish people-this message signed and sealed with a Martyr's blood, in imitation of his Master. May love be always in your hearts. And may Saint Oliver Plunkett be an inspiration to you all. And to the whole world we proclaim: «There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends» (Io. 15, 13). This is what we have learned from the Lord, and with profound conviction we announce it to you. Venerable Brothers and dear sons and daughters: let us praise the Lord, for today and for ever Oliver Plunkett is a Saint of God!
TEXT OF SPEECH GIVEN BY POPE PAUL VI AT THE CANONISATION OF ST. OLIVER PLUNKETT IN 1975
The canonisation of St. Oliver Plunkett in Rome
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 20, 2021
1975
Today is the Feast of the Irish Martyrs pic.twitter.com/4R8ZwaVaxF
1st of July is the Feast Day of Saint Oliver Plunkett.
St. Oliver Plunkett was found guilty of treason in 1681, before being hanged, drawn and quartered.
At Tyburn, his body was torched by the bloodthirsty Reformers in an act of depraved zealousness.
Painting of St. Oliver’s death in St. Peter’s Parish Church in Drogheda
His head was eventually recovered from the fire and Dom Maurus Corker had it smuggled to the Benedictine Monastery in Lamspringe, Germany. Within the next few years, it was passed on to Cardinal Philip Howard OP at Rome, a friend of St. Oliver, who had helped the Archbishop of Armagh to return to Ireland safely after his ordination as Archbishop. From him, it passed to Oliver’s successor, Archbishop of Armagh Hugh McMahon, who returned the head to its rightful place in Ireland. McMahon brought the head to the Dominican Nuns at Siena, the prioress at the time being Sister Catherin Plunkett, St. Oliver’s grand niece.
As this came during the penal laws, when it was illegal to be a Catholic, much less a member of a religious order, the order and the relic both had to survive together in secret. Having originally started out in a mud cabin, the sisters moved to other parts of Drogheda over the years, always maintaining the veneer of being a boarding house for women rather than a convent.
When Pope Benedict XV declared Plunkett a martyr for the faith on St. Patrick’s Day in 1918, it was inevitable that his head eventually would have to be moved (incidentally it has been claimed that Benedict XV also blessed plans for the Easter Rising when Count Plunkett brought documents written by his son Joseph Mary Plunkett, apparently a distant relative of St. Oliver). Count Plunkett was in the audience on the day that Oliver was beatified.
The sisters had kept the head in good condition for 200 years at this point, with a shrine surrounding the relic at their convent.
Cardinal Michael Logue then requested that the sisters transfer his head to the St. Peter’s Parish Church in Drogheda, which fulfilled an agreement made initially by the sisters when they promised to return it to a successor of McMahon. The head had not been entirely hidden away however before this, in 1881 thousands had flocked to the convent to venerate St. Oliver on the 200 anniversary of his death.
In 1920, which the War of Independence raging, St. Oliver was beatified and his head transferred to the parish church in Drogheda with Eucharistic processions in celebration.
Pope Paul VI visited the shrine on a number of occasions in order to venerate it, eventually lifting Oliver to sainthood during his pontificate, in 1975.
The Canonisation of St. Oliver Plunkett celebrated at his shrine in Drogheda in 1975. pic.twitter.com/zhUeTeOWIe
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 20, 2021
The canonisation of St. Oliver Plunkett in Rome
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 20, 2021
1975
Today is the Feast of the Irish Martyrs pic.twitter.com/4R8ZwaVaxF
Pope John Paul II visited Drogheda in 1979 and venerated the shrine also.
Most of the information in this article is sourced from Tommy Burns’s book ‘St. Oliver Plunkett: Two Centenaries 1921-2021’
The SSPX have consecrated four new bishops today in Switzerland,, 15,000 people were in attendance.
SWITZERLAND
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 1, 2026
The scenes this morning in Écône as the four new SSPX bishops arrived to be consecrated pic.twitter.com/cTvTzu1Pvp
SWITZERLAND
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 1, 2026
The consecrations of 4 new SSPX bishops currently taking place in Écône pic.twitter.com/TWeHdIxUwV
SWITZERLAND
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 1, 2026
The Litany of the Saints is sung as the four new SSPX bishops are consecrated in Écône pic.twitter.com/R2GfJtvgDS
SSPX broadcast explaining to their viewers that they do not have permission from the pope to proceed with the consecrations pic.twitter.com/NS2EhJ3poK
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 1, 2026
SWITZERLAND
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 1, 2026
Thousands of people are attending the consecrations of four new SSPX bishops in Écône pic.twitter.com/JmF6OSFDlR
Pope Leo XIV met today with the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and extended an invite to ALL CHRISTIANS to celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in 2033.
The pope said:
I recall with joy and gratitude the meetings I had with His All Holiness Bartholomew, during which we were able to deepen our mutual friendship and share our views on numerous issues, above all our common desire to make progress on the path towards full unity amongst all Christians.
In this regard, the commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea was held on the eve of the Feast of Saint Andrew in İznik, at the invitation of Patriarch Bartholomew and in the presence of representatives of other Churches and ecclesial communities. This celebration offered an eloquent testimony to the communion that already exists amongst those who share faith in God, the Father of all, and who believe in Jesus Christ, as Lord and Son of God, and in the Holy Spirit, who inspires us and leads us to the fullness of truth and unity. That commemorative event made clear that the Nicene Creed must be the foundation and guiding principle of this ecumenical journey, offering the model of true unity within legitimate diversity: Unity in the Trinity, Trinity in Unity (cf. Apostolic Letter In Unitate Fidei, 12). May the journey towards the celebration of the second millennium of the Redemption, in 2033, be undertaken together by all the Christian denominations of the world, rediscovering the gift and the call to be witnesses to the Risen One.
In an age marked by wars and growing polarization, as well as cultural and social divisions, Christians — reconciled amongst themselves and united in their profession of the one faith — are called to be a credible sign of peace, making a decisive contribution to the efforts of all men and women of good will to build peace. Moreover, in the current situation, it is not only the credibility of the Christian message that is at stake, but the very future of humanity. The need for greater cooperation amongst Christians in the face of today’s challenges — which include peace, the proper use of new technologies and care for creation — stems from the Gospel of Jesus Christ itself. Indeed, our responsibility for the life and dignity of every human being, beginning with the youngest and most needy, is the criterion that will determine our present and eternal destiny (cf. Mt 25:31–46).
The SSPX have issued a response to Pope Leo XIV’s last minute intervention to try to get them to reconsider their episcopal consecrations in Switzerland.
The letter states:
Far be it from us to separate ourselves from the Roman Church. We desire, on the contrary, to serve her by means that are extraordinary, as one would assist a mother in distress who requires particular help, even if such help is not understood by everyone. Yet I am certain that the Holy Father could understand it.
Read it in full.
