Saturday, July 25, 2026

Florida Catholic Bishops ask Governor DeSantis to stay two death penalty executions next week

FILE PHOTO: Hundreds of U.S. Catholic bishops celebrate Mass in Orlando as part of the country's 250th anniversary

Church

Florida bishops petition governor to stay two executions set for same day

In a letter signed by the Executive Director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Bishops urge the state’s governor Ron DeSantis to stay the executions of two men, stressing that their crimes “are gravely evil”, yet “it is possible both to uphold justice and to exercise mercy.”

By Kielce Gussie

On July 21, the Executive Director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Michael B. Sheedy, sent a letter to the Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis, urging him to “stay the executions” of two men, James Duckett and Dominick Occhicone, Jr, and “commute their sentences.”

The two men were convicted of different murders: Duckett of eleven-year-old Teresa McAbee in 1987, and Occhicone of Raymond and Martha Artzner, murdered in 1986. Both are scheduled to be executed on July 28.

Sheedy stressed the crimes of which these men are convicted “are gravely evil” and these losses are “profound sorrows which their loved ones will carry to the end of their days.”

The Executive Director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops is petitioning the governor for a stay in their executions. The Bishops are asking that their sentences be commuted to life in prison without parole.

The depths to which people can sink

Reflecting on Pope Saint John Paul II’s encyclical letter, Evangelium Vitae, Sheedy pointed out that the Pope was not unaware of the “the darkness and depravity to which human beings can sink”—having lived through both the Nazi and Soviet regimes. With this personal understanding of how good and evil play a part in everyday life, the Polish Pope urged everyone to respond to “the hostility of the powers of evil” in the way God has shown us.

At the beginning of Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II contemplated the story of Cain and Abel in the Bible. Cain killing his brother was a terrible sin: “the taking of innocent human life.”

Sheedy noted that God did not “let Cain off the hook.” Instead, God gave him a severe punishment but did not demand Cain be put to death. Reflecting on that story, the Polish Pope wrote, “Not even a murderer loses his personal dignity.”

For this reason, the bishops of Florida urge Governor DeSantis to not move forward with the executions of Occhicone and Duckett. “To punish with lifelong imprisonment is not to minimize the heinousness of these men’s crimes,” Sheedy explained. Rather, he said, it acknowledges that God is the author of life and the taking of life should be reserved to Him alone, “except where it is otherwise impossible to maintain the common good.”

Furthermore, Sheedy highlighted how “especially callous” it would be to require state officers to execute two men on the same day.

The Bishops stress to Governor DeSantis that upholding justice and exercising mercy are not mutually exclusive. “We can entrust the final judgment of every individual to God.” The letter also expressed the Bishops’ prayers for the repose of the souls of Teresa McAbee and of Raymond and Martha Artzner and for the consolation of their families.

Concluding the letter, the Executive Director shared the Bishop’s prayers extend also to Governor DeSantis to consider their request, ending with a scripture passage for reflection:
“Do I find pleasure in the death of the wicked oracle of the Lord GOD? Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23).

Meet the new U.N. Permanent Observer for the Holy See

Vatican

Pope appoints new Holy See Permanent Observer to UN in New York

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis as the Holy See's new Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York, where he will represent the Holy See at the UN headquarters.

Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis as the Holy See's new Permanent Observer to the United Nations (UN) in New York.

The appointment was announced on Saturday by the Holy See Press Office.

Lebanese-born Archbishop El-Kassis, Titular Archbishop of Roselle, has until now served as Apostolic Nuncio to the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, as well as Apostolic Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula.

He was ordained in 1994, and he entered the Holy See diplomatic service in 2000, working in Indonesia, Sudan, Turkey, and the Secretariat of State.

The Holy See maintains Permanent Observer status at the United Nations, enabling it to participate in the work of the General Assembly and other UN bodies.

Pope Leo XIV addresses the Federation of Asian Bishops meeting in Indonesia

Pope

Pope to Church in Asia: United in charity build bridges throughout the continent

Pope Leo invites Bishops gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences to be an ever-greater sign of God's presence in their various countries, as they discuss the important issues affecting the life and future of the Catholic Church in Asia.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"As you gather to discuss the important issues affecting the life and future of the Catholic Church in Asia, I assure you of my spiritual closeness, praying that the Holy Spirit will inspire and guide your time together."

Pope Leo XIV expressed this in the video message he sent on Saturday to the Bishops and members gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), taking place from July 20 to 26.

Jesus is the source of our communion

In the message, the Pope recalled that the theme chosen for their Assembly comes from Jesus telling Nathanael: “You will see greater things” (Jn 1:50), noting, that "in calling Philip and Nathanael to follow Him and become His disciples, our Lord alludes to Himself as the unique mediator between God and humanity (cf. Jn 1:51)."

"As His disciples today," Pope Leo went on to underscore, "we know that Jesus is not only the source of our communion with God, but also with one another."

The Holy Father reminded the Assembly participants that in his Encyclical Magnifica humanitas, on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence, he wrote that "Christian solidarity finds its source in the mystery of Christ and emerges from our communion in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist."

An ever-greater sign of God’s presence in your various countries

"For this reason," Pope Leo urged, "I would like to encourage you to continue to promote a Eucharistic spirituality within your local Churches, that is, a spirituality of ecclesial unity grounded in the charity that flows from the gift of our Lord in the Eucharist."

"In this way," he exhorted, "it is my hope that the bonds of communion within and between the local Churches will be strengthened and become an ever-greater sign of God’s presence in your various countries, which in turn will help you be bridgebuilders together throughout Asia."

Finally, the Holy Father concluded by commending all gathered, and their deliberations, to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, before invoking upon them the Lord’s gifts of wisdom and fortitude.

"And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit come down on you and remain with you forever. Amen."

Friday, July 24, 2026

Saint of the Day for Saturday; an original Apostle

St. James the Greater

Feastday: July 25
Patron: of pilgrims and Spain
Death: 44

Nothing is known of St. James the Greater's early life, though it has been established that he is the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of John the disciple.

The title "the Greater" was added to St. James' name to help distinguish him from the Apostle James "the Less," who is believed to have been shorter than James "the Greater."

Saint James the Greater was one of Jesus' first disciples. James was fishing with his father and John the Apostle when Jesus came to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and called for the fisherman, who were unable to catch any fish that day, to dip their nets in the water once again.

When the fishermen followed Jesus' instructions, they found their nets full, and after emptying the fish on board, the boats nearly sank from their weight.

Later, James was one of only three called by Jesus to witness his Transfiguration, and when he and his brother wanted to call fire upon a Samaritan town, both were rebuked by Jesus.

Following Christ's Ascension, James spread the Gospel across Israel and the Roman kingdom as well. He traveled and spread the Word for nearly forty years in Spain.

It is said that one day, as he prayed, The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him and asked him to build her a church, which he did.

Later, James returned to Jerusalem but was martyred for his faith by King Herod, who decapitated him. Saint James the Greater is known as the first apostle to die.

As he was not allowed to be buried following his martyrdom, his remains were taken to Compostela, Spain, by some of his followers, who buried him.

In the ninth century his remains were discovered and moved to a tomb in Santiago de Compostela. Today, his remains can still be found in the Cathedral of Santiago.

Because Santiago de Compostela is the most frequently visited place pilgrims migrate to following Rome and Jerusalem, Pope Leo declared it a shrine.

U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See clarifies his remarks ; acknowledges that Pope Leo is above all else, universal shepherd of the Church

U.S. ambassador clarifies view on pope’s role in politics, war after Vatican response

Burch said his recent comments to the New York Times were not meant to imply that Pope Leo’s statements about the Iran war should be seen as simply diplomatic — rather than spiritual — guidance.

By Tyler Arnold

After the Vatican reframed statements that U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch made to The New York Times, the ambassador has clarified that he understands Pope Leo XIV’s role as a head of state is “inseparable” from his role as the universal shepherd of the Church.

During a July 23 interview with the EWTN News program “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo,” Burch clarified that his July 9 comments to the Times were not meant to imply that Leo’s statements about Iran war policy should be seen as simply diplomatic — rather than spiritual — guidance.

“I think thereʼs a misunderstanding,” Burch explained. “... [The role of] the pope as the universal sovereign of the Holy See and as the universal pastor — a pastor of the universal Church — is inseparable.”

The controversy stemmed from a quotation in the Times article in which Burch said: “When the pope acts as the sovereign leader of the Holy See, he is coequal with world leaders.” The article also paraphrased Burch’s position by saying the ambassador argued that the pope’s comments about the Iran war were not made as the vicar of Christ but rather as the political leader of the Vatican City State.

Without naming Burch, the Editorial Director for the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, Andrea Tornielli, subsequently wrote a July 13 op-ed saying that “even when he speaks about war and peace … the Successor of Peter remains, above all, a spiritual leader.” Even though Leo is a head of state, he wrote, this “does not mean that he acts or speaks as a politician when addressing issues concerning the affairs of humanity.”

In his interview with Arroyo, Burch disputed the Times’ characterization of his views, saying the outlet “doesnʼt exactly understand the nuances of Catholic social teaching and how to apply it.”

“The pope has this dual role,” Burch said. “He is both the head of the sovereign territory of the Holy See, which has diplomatic relations with the world, but inseparable from that is his role as the universal pastor of the Catholic Church. And when he acts, he certainly acts in such a way to call the world to these high moral principles, to the ideals of … how [humanity] ought to live together.”

At the same time, Burch insisted that “there are some very difficult, contingent, practical matters” that play into decisions about going to war, which he said are “the responsibility of the prudential wisdom of those responsible for the common good,” which are political leaders like President Trump.

“I tried to explain [to the Times] where there are certain prudential questions,” Burch said. “For example, what does the intelligence information tell us about the situation in Iran? Where is the dialogue at? What [do] the regional alliances look like? What [does] the war game scenario implicate?”

“These are very contingent, prudential questions that inform this question on the legitimate use of force,” he added. “And I think, to the Holy Fatherʼs credit, he is the universal shepherd that is calling humanity to this high ideal to try to resolve these sorts of conflicts without violence, without the use of force.”

Burch told Arroyo that he does not see disagreement between Trump and Leo on the intended end goal: “Thereʼs no disagreement on peace, on disarming Iran, on the need for interreligious dialogue, for religious freedom.”

“Where the challenge comes is the means to get there,” Burch said. He added that it’s not “a surprise, nor a shock, nor an unwelcome message from the Holy Father that we ought to seek peace, that we ought to seek ways to resolve these sorts of conflicts without the use of force.”

“But as you know, original sin exists, and there are evil people in this world with evil intentions that, if they arenʼt stopped, certainly could do enormous damage, catastrophic damage, in the world,” the ambassador emphasized.

The universality of the Catholic Church on display with this interview of Archbishop of Tokyo

Church

Cardinal Kikuchi of Tokyo: 'Church in Asia lives diverse realities, but one faith'

In an interview with Vatican Media, Cardinal Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo, Secretary General of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, reflects on the fruits of the FABC Plenary Assembly, highlighting faith, the protection of human dignity, and an urgent pastoral response to migration as shared priorities for the Church across Asia.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"Through these three days, we had the opportunity to deepen our understanding of our own reality in Asia and our understanding that we exist across really diverse realities but are united in one faith, one Body of Christ."

Cardinal Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi, SVD, Archbishop of Tokyo and Secretary General of the FABC, expressed this as he reflected on the FABC Plenary Assembly which opened on Monday in Jakarta, Indonesia, and concludes Sunday, in an interview with Vatican News. More than 120 Cardinals and Bishops from across Asia have gathered to pray and reflect on the Church's mission across the continent.

Cardinal Kikuchi presided over the Eucharistic Celebration on the Assembly's opening day. The days have been full of mutual sharing, and, on Thursday, delegates participating in the Assembly presented the results of their table discussions.

As the plenary continues, Vatican News spoke with the Archbishop of Tokyo about the Assembly, but also about the Church in Japan, and Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica humanitas.

Q: Your Eminence, what do you see as the main fruits of the FABC Plenary Assembly so far? What have been the principal themes and priorities of your discussions?

Cardinal Kikuchi: The Church in Asia exists in the diverse realities of culture, language, politics and economy, but one thing is common among most of us: we are an absolute minority in society, except in the Philippines. So far, we have only had three days, from Tuesday to Thursday, of reflection and sharing our experiences. We had members share three-minute video presentations on the first day, a day of prayer and Conversation in the Spirit led by Cardinal Tagle on Wednesday, and on Thursday, a day of learning about the changing socio-political landscape of Asia and sharing the reality of our local Churches.

Through these three days, we had the opportunity to deepen our understanding of our own reality in Asia and to deepen our awareness that we live in really diverse realities but are united in one faith, one Body of Christ. We shared the challenges and opportunities for mission based on local realities and found some common elements, especially the importance of dialogue. We are searching for the best way to be bridges ourselves, but also bridge-builders among people and together with people through dialogue—with diverse cultures, with people, especially the poor, amid the diverse reality of numerous religions and in responding to the ecological crisis.

Q: Asia is an extraordinarily diverse continent. What have you learned from your brother Bishops during this assembly?

Drastic waves of migration in Asia call for immediate pastoral attention in many countries. Also, the protection of human dignity is a priority in many countries. Though each country has its own situation and problems, we can seek ways of cooperation among the Church communities in Asia. What the respective Church communities in Asia need is mutual understanding of each other's realities and mutual cooperation. All my brother Bishops, despite their diverse realities, are asking for recognition of their circumstances and for support, especially spiritual support, from one another.

Q: Catholics in Japan make up a relatively small percentage of the population. As Archbishop of Tokyo, how do you believe these days' deliberations will help your Church better witness or even spread the faith in this context?

According to official Church statistics, there are fewer than half a million Catholics in Japan. However, in reality, there are at least another half a million migrant Catholics in the country. The official registration system of the Church in Japan does not fully account for these migrant Catholics. For example, there are an estimated 40,000 Filipinos residing within the Archdiocese of Tokyo, and many young Vietnamese working in Japan on temporary visas are also Catholic.

Through our encounters with Bishops from other Asian countries, we have engaged in fruitful discussions on the reality of migrant Catholics and exchanged meaningful perspectives on their pastoral care. We all agree that the presence of migrant Catholics is a significant contribution to the local Church community, deepening its diversity and enabling the Church to stand as a witness to unity within diversity, particularly in a society that often tends toward exclusion and nationalism, such as Japan. By being a community of "unity in diversity," the Church in Japan can proclaim the Gospel values through its very existence, by being a community of people from different nationalities walking and praying together. Synodality is key to this witness.

Q: As Archbishop of Tokyo, how has Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica humanitas been received in Japan? Given Japan's leadership in technological innovation, do you think the document has resonated with Japanese society? Which aspects of it do you believe could be especially valuable in the Japanese context?

The new encyclical Magnifica humanitas has been covered by several news outlets in Japan. In fact, ever since his election as Pope, Pope Leo's words and actions have been actively covered by the Japanese media. At the same time, although there is considerable interest in the content of the new encyclical because it addresses the issue of AI, which is also a matter of national interest at this moment, the official Japanese translation is still underway, and we are eagerly awaiting its release. Only then will we be able to observe the response from the general public.

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Saint of the Day for Friday

St. Charbel

Feastday: July 24
Patron: of Lebanon
Birth: May 8, 1828
Death: December 24, 1898
Beatified: Pope Paul VI in 1965
Canonized: Pope Paul VI in 1977

Saint Charbel Makhlouf, born Youssef Antoun Makhlouf on May 8, 1828, in the small village of Bekaa Kafra, Lebanon, is one of the most beloved saints of the Maronite Catholic Church and a powerful witness to the mystery of divine grace through silence, sacrifice, and prayer.

From an early age, Charbel was drawn to the spiritual life. He was profoundly influenced by his uncle and the hermits of Saint Anthony of Qozhaya Monastery. In 1851, he entered the Monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouq and later transferred to the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya, where he took the religious name Charbel, after a second-century Christian martyr. He was ordained a priest in 1859.

For the next sixteen years, Charbel lived in his monastery with deep humility and obedience. He spent hours daily in the Divine Liturgy, Eucharistic Adoration, and prayer, fully embracing the monastic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. In 1875, he was granted permission to live as a hermit in the nearby Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul, where he would spend the final 23 years of his life in near-complete seclusion.

Charbel lived an ascetic life of intense prayer, manual labor, and strict fasting. His life mirrored the desert fathers—completely surrendered to God. Though hidden from the world, his holiness radiated far beyond his hermitage. He was known for his deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He died on December 24, 1898, after suffering a stroke while celebrating the Divine Liturgy. Following his death, reports of miracles began immediately. His tomb emitted a bright light, and his incorrupt body exuded a miraculous liquid, attracting pilgrims from all faiths. To this day, countless healings—spiritual and physical—are attributed to his intercession.

Pope Paul VI beatified him in 1965 during the Second Vatican Council and canonized him on October 9, 1977. Saint Charbel is now venerated worldwide, especially in Lebanon, where he remains a symbol of unity, peace, and supernatural grace.

As Catholics, we honor Saint Charbel as a model of contemplative holiness. In an age of noise and distraction, his life reminds us of the power of silence, solitude, and deep communion with God. His intercession continues to inspire conversions, healings, and a renewed desire for sanctity. Saint Charbel, pray for us.

Pope Leo XIV: just because it's summer, don't forget those most in need

Pope

Pope: Do not forget those most in need during the summer

In the July/August edition of the Piazza San Pietro magazine, Pope Leo XIV responds to a letter by an Italian man asking how to enrich his faith during the summer season. The Pope highlights the importance of living out the Gospel of peace and mercy and not forgetting those who are suffering.

By Isabella H. de Carvalho

Pope Leo XIV encourages Christians not to forget about the sick, the elderly and those who are suffering during the summer season, in the July/August edition of the Italian magazine, Piazza San Pietro.

The Pope was responding to a letter sent by Maurizio from Rome, who asked how he can live the summer months in a way that deepens and enriches his faith.

How to nurture our spirituality in a frenetic world

In his letter, Maurizio highlights the current turbulent times affected by wars and instability but also by a world that is “faster and more efficient than ever, but often superficial and distracted.”

“I often wonder how it is possible to live and nurture a more conscious and authentic spirituality—one that can translate into concrete acts of love and responsible respect for others,” Maurizio reflects.

He tells the Pope that as the summer holidays approach, he wants to live them not only as a period of rest but also as a moment to “rediscover a deeper dimension” of his inner self, in order also “to rediscover an authentic space for encountering God the Father.”

Maurizio thus concludes the letter by asking the Pope for his thoughts and advice on this.

The Pope’s response: live out the Gospel of peace and mercy

The Pope’s response firstly remembers “those who cannot even enjoy a brief period of rest because they are crushed by burdens of every kind.”

“Let us think of the sick, of those who have lost hope in life, of those overwhelmed by the pain of losing loved ones, of the victims of war, hatred, terrorism, and violence, of those persecuted for their faith and for justice, of prisoners, of those who have lost their jobs or their homes, and of migrants who are not welcomed with humanity,” the Pope emphasizes.

He notes how holidays should be for everyone a time of respite from work and worries in order to experience genuine friendship and company, as a foretaste of the communion of the Kingdom of God.

In order to strengthen one’s faith, he thus calls all Christians to “make use also of the summer to live out the Gospel of peace and mercy.”

“To families, parents and children, the young and the elderly alike—I wish that this summer may be an opportunity for fruitful social and religious experiences, and for deepening their mission in the Church and in society,” he insisted.

He added that he hoped the sick would not lack the closeness of their relatives and volunteers and urged families to not leave their elderly members alone.

The Pope also offered a word of encouragement to volunteers: “Commit yourselves to bringing humanity and hope to those who suffer, and you will see the fruits of grace. You will discover how much love will fill your lives, how much joy, how much happiness.”

He also called Christians to reflect on their privilege and “bear witness to evangelical poverty” when serving the poor, as this is a “service we render to Christ himself.”

“Let us also avoid excess and waste, materialism and consumerism, and let us educate ourselves in simplicity and moderation,” he said, adding that “the accumulation of wealth hinders evangelization.”

Lastly, he expressed his wish that our holidays may “be consistent with a Christian way of life.”

“God's love and grace reach us every day, always,” he concluded. “Let us help one another, in every community, not to squander this precious heritage of humanity and peace, the only hope for giving a future to a world threatened by war.”

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