Tuesday, March 31, 2026

First April Saint of the Day

St. Hugh of Grenoble

Benedictine bishop of Grenoble, France, patron of St. Bruno. He was born in the Dauphine region and became a canon of the cathedral in Valence. In 1080, while attending a synod in Avignon, Hugh was named bishop of Grenoble. He attempted a massive reform of the diocese, but discouraged, retired to Chaise Dieu Abbey, and became a Benedictine. Pope St. Gregory VII ordered him back to Grenoble. Hugh gave St. Bruno the land on which the Grande Chartreuse was founded, thus starting the Carthusians. Hugh died on April 1 and was canonized by Pope Innocent II.

Cardinal-Archbishop of Tehran, Iran in Rome appeals for peace throughout the Middle East & the Holy Land

File photo of Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Teheran with Pope Leo XIV

Church

Archbishop of Tehran: End war in the Gulf, end logic of retaliation

At a prayer vigil for peace in Rome at the beginning of Holy Week, Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Teheran, appeals for peace for all war-torn regions, with a special plea for the Middle East and the Holy Land.

By Valerio Palombaro

The urgent call for peace in a world torn by multiple conflicts resounded on the evening of Monday of Holy Week at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome.

The prayer vigil, presided over by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome, Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, was marked by the presence of the Archbishop of the Latin Archdiocese of Tehran-Isfahan, Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu.

“Never again war, an adventure with no return; never again war, a spiral of mourning and violence,” said Cardinal Mathieu, echoing passages from a prayer uttered by Saint John Paul II on 2 February 1991. The Cardinal invoked God’s intercession for the end of the war ravaging the Gulf region, after having been compelled to leave the Iranian capital on 8 March.

“Stop the logic of retaliation and revenge,” he prayed, “and through your Spirit suggest new solutions, generous and honourable gestures, spaces for dialogue and patient waiting, more fruitful than the rushed deadlines of war.”

Forgotten conflicts and the wounded Holy Land

The evening prayer is part of a monthly initiative entitled “Mission of Peace – A Journey in the Spirit”. It is promoted by the Diocesan Missionary Centre and the Office for Social and Labour Pastoral Care of the Diocese of Rome, in collaboration with Pax Christi, Azione Cattolica, and the Community of Sant'Egidio. Attention was also shone on the so-called “forgotten conflicts” devastating parts of the world, including eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan.

Particular focus was placed on the Holy Land and the wider Middle East. A measure of relief was expressed regarding the decision of the Israeli authorities to allow Holy Week celebrations to take place in Jerusalem—albeit under security restrictions linked to the war.

An agreement was reached after access to the Holy Sepulchre had been denied on Sunday to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and to the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo.

'So many innocent people are being crucified'

“We are close to the Iranian people and to all those who are suffering at this moment,” Cardinal Reina told journalists on the sidelines of the event.

Referring to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, where the vigil was being held, he said, “This church preserves one of the most important relics of the Cross of Christ.”

"History repeats itself, and there are so many innocent people being crucified," he recalled. "The Pope calls all Christians to pray for peace. This is a dramatic moment for all humanity.”

Abandoning violence: the lesson of history

“Violence produces only more violence,” Cardinal Reina said in his meditation, asking: “How can humanity not have learned this basic lesson of history?”

The Cardinal Vicar observed that the world has “lost peace” and is moving “towards the absurd,” towards “rearmament that carries the taste of death.”

He expressed appreciation for the presence of Cardinal Mathieu, who joined the prayer together with that of his people and of all peoples marked by war.

“Jesus is among those who suffer,” he said, recalling Christ’s crucifixion between two criminals. “He who came to bring peace is found in the middle, as if to reveal a God who enters into our history, into our suffering, in the hope that someone will recognize Him and bring peace.”

“Help us to recover peace,” Cardinal Reina concluded, stressing that peace is ultimately not the result of “diplomatic choice or strategy,” but is Christ himself.

Announcing the Special Prayer Intention of Pope Leo XIV for April

Pope

Pope’s April prayer intention: ‘For priests in crisis’

Pope Leo XIV releases his prayer intention for the month of April and invites Catholics to pray for priests who are facing a personal crisis in their vocation.

By Devin Watkins

Pope Leo XIV has urged Catholics across the globe to join him in April in praying for priests in crisis.

He released the monthly “Pray with the Pope” video on Tuesday, which is prepared by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

In his prayer, the Pope entrusted all priests into the Father’s hands, especially those going through moments of crisis, “when loneliness weighs heavily, when doubt clouds their hearts, and when exhaustion seems stronger than hope.”

God, he said, knows their struggles and wounds as they seek to accept His unconditional love as “humble and cherished disciples” and not as “mere functionaries or lonely heroes.”

“Good Father, teach us as a community to care for our priests: to listen without judging, to give thanks without demanding perfection, to share with them the baptismal mission of proclaiming the Kingdom in word and deed, and to accompany them with closeness and sincere prayer,” prayed the Pope.

He invited Catholics to support the men who “so often support us.”

Pope Leo prayed that the Holy Spirit may “rekindle in our priests the joy of the Gospel.”

“Grant them healthy friendships, networks of fraternal support, a sense of humor when things don’t go as expected, and the grace to always rediscover the beauty of their vocation,” he said.

“May they never lose trust in You,” he concluded, “nor the joy of serving your Church with a humble and generous heart.”

Sustaining the men who sustain our faith

In a press release accompanying the video, Fr. Cristóbal Fones, international director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, said the intention to pray for priests is particularly close to Pope Leo XIV’s heart.

“It is essential to remember how important human accompaniment, sincere friendship and, above all, prayer support are,” said Fr. Fones. “Priests need to know that they are not alone.”

Like all people, priests too are fragile men who need to receive mercy, closeness, and understanding, noted the press release.

In addition to community life, priests should feel supported by their communities and the prayer of their flocks, and the Pope’s prayer intention for April offers Catholics an opportunity to offer our spiritual support.

Pray with the Pope

Lord Jesus,
Good Shepherd and companion on the journey,
today we place in your hands all priests,
especially those going through moments of crisis,
when loneliness weighs heavily,
when doubt clouds their hearts,
and when exhaustion seems stronger than hope.

You who know their struggles and wounds,
renew in them the certainty of your unconditional love.
Let them feel they are not mere functionaries or lonely heroes,
but beloved sons, humble and cherished disciples,
and pastors sustained by the prayer of their people.

Good Father,
teach us as a community to care for our priests:
to listen without judging,
to give thanks without demanding perfection,
to share with them the baptismal mission
of proclaiming the Kingdom in word and deed,
and to accompany them with closeness and sincere prayer.
May we support those who so often support us.

Holy Spirit,
rekindle in our priests the joy of the Gospel.
Grant them healthy friendships, networks of fraternal support,
a sense of humor when things don’t go as expected,
and the grace to always rediscover the beauty of their vocation.
May they never lose trust in You,
nor the joy of serving your Church with a humble and generous heart.

Amen.

Monday, March 30, 2026

Saint of the Day for Tuesday

St. Benjamin

St. Benjamin, Martyr (Feast Day - March 31) The Christians in Persia had enjoyed twelve years of peace during the reign of Isdegerd, son of Sapor III, when in 420 it was disturbed by the indiscreet zeal of Abdas, a Christian Bishop who burned the Temple of Fire, the great sanctuary of the Persians. King Isdegerd threatened to destroy all the churches of the Christians unless the Bishop would rebuild it.

As Abdas refused to comply, the threat was executed; the churches were demolished, Abdas himself was put to death, and a general persecution began which lasted forty years. Isdegerd died in 421, but his son and successor, Varanes, carried on the persecution with great fury. The Christians were submitted to the most cruel tortures.

Among those who suffered was St. Benjamin, a Deacon, who had been imprisoned a year for his Faith. At the end of this period, an ambassador of the Emperor of Constantinople obtained his release on condition that he would never speak to any of the courtiers about religion.

St. Benjamin, however, declared it was his duty to preach Christ and that he could not be silent. Although he had been liberated on the agreement made with the ambassador and the Persian authorities, he would not acquiesce in it, and neglected no opportunity of preaching. He was again apprehended and brought before the king. The tyrant ordered that reeds should be thrust in between his nails and his flesh and into all the tenderest parts of his body and then withdrawn. After this torture had been repeated several times, a knotted stake was inserted into his bowels to rend and tear him. The martyr expired in the most terrible agony about the year 424.

Catholic statistics shows growth, especially in Africa

New data reflects the increasing number of Catholics in the Church in Africa

Vatican

New data of Annuario Pontificio 2026 shows Catholics growing in Africa

New data from the Annuario Pontificio 2026 and Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2024 highlight trends in baptized populations across the five continents, with a remarkable increase in the number of Catholics in Africa.

Prepared by the Central Office of Church Statistics

The Annuario Pontificio 2026 and the Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2024, compiled by the Central Office of Church Statistics of the Secretariat of State and published by the Vatican Publishing House, are now available in bookstores.

The data in the Annuario Pontificio reveal several developments in the life of the Catholic Church worldwide for 2025.

During this period, six dioceses were elevated to metropolitan sees, and eight new dioceses were erected.

Meanwhile, the Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae provides detailed numerical information on the Church’s activities in individual countries and across continents.

The following summary highlights some key statistics for the biennium from 2023 through 2024.

The presence of Catholics worldwide

Over the past two years, the number of baptized Catholics worldwide has remained stable at approximately 17.8%, reflecting growth roughly aligned with the rate of global population increase. In 2024, the Catholic population stood at just over 1.422 billion, compared with about 1.406 billion in 2023, a relative increase of 1.14%.

The contribution of different continents to the overall figure varies. Europe remains the least dynamic continent, with Catholic numbers rising by only 0.8%.

In the context of ongoing demographic stagnation, this results in a modest improvement in territorial presence, with Catholics representing 39.7% of Europe’s population in 2024.

In the Americas and Asia, the Catholic population grows more slowly than the general population, whereas Oceania experiences more substantial growth (+2.1%).

Remarkable increase in Africa

Africa shows a remarkable increase, with growth nearly five times that of Asia (2.7%) and above the continent’s demographic growth. The number of Catholics in Africa rose from just over 281 million in 2023 to over 288 million in 2024.

These differing trends reinforce the increasing weight of the African Church, with its share of global Catholics rising from 19.9% to 20.3%, while Europe’s share declined slightly, from 20.4% in 2023 to 20.1% in 2024.

In the Americas, Catholics continue to represent a significant proportion, namely a 47.7% of the global total.

The proportion of Catholics remains stable in Asia and Oceania, at 11.0% and 0.9% of the global total, respectively.

Of particular interest is the ratio of Catholics to population by continent, which indicates the number of Catholics per 100 inhabitants. At the end of 2024, this ratio was 64.0% in the Americas, 39.7% in Europe, 25.9% in Oceania, 19.9% in Africa, and 3.3% in Asia.

People engaged in apostolic activity

The Church’s apostolic workforce includes both traditional pastoral operators, that is Bishops, priests, religious priests, professed women religious, and members of Secular Institutes, and newer roles that have expanded since the post-Conciliar period, such as permanent deacons, lay missionaries, and catechists.

At the end of 2024, the total number of these pastoral workers reached 4,464,622, an increase of 0.7% over 2023. The composition of these groups varies significantly by continent.

Globally, clerics (Bishops, priests, and permanent deacons) constitute 10.4% of all pastoral workers. This proportion is lower in Africa (9.2%) and the Americas (6.8%), and higher in Europe (20.7%), Oceania (20.6%), and Asia (10.9%), reflecting a more lay-oriented apostolate in the first case and a more clerical orientation in the latter.

Clerics in the World

In 2024, there were 465,048 clerics worldwide, including 5,525 Bishops, 407,421 priests, and 52,102 permanent deacons.

Between 2023 and 2024, the number of Bishops increased by 1.75%, from 5,430 to 5,525.

The most significant growth was in Asia (+3.3%) and Africa (+2.6%), with Oceania (+1.5%), the Americas (+1.3%), and Europe (+1.1%) below the global average. Europe and the Americas together continue to account for roughly 68% of all Bishops.

The number of Catholics per Bishop also varies by continent. In 2024, the global average was 257,000 Catholics per Bishop, with the highest ratios in Africa (365,000) and the Americas (333,000), and lower ratios in Oceania (88,000), Europe (170,000), and Asia (180,000).

The ratio of priests to Bishops, which reflects the average pastoral workload of Bishops, improved slightly worldwide, decreasing from 75 priests per Bishop in 2023 to 74 in 2024.

Ratios fell in the Americas (58.8 to 58), Europe (92.6 to 90), and Oceania (33.3 to 33), while increasing in Africa (71.6 to 72) and Asia (85.2 to 86).

Priest numbers increased by 425, from 406,996 in 2023 to 407,421 in 2024. Diocesan priests rose by 496, while the number of religious priests remained largely stable. Europe saw decreases in both groups, Oceania experienced minimal change, and Africa recorded increases. In Asia, priests rose from 74,056 to 75,121 (+1.4%), and in the Americas from 118,345 to 118,544.

The ratio of Catholics per priest illustrates disparities in pastoral coverage: in 2024, there were just over 1,800 Catholics per priest in Europe, over 7,600 in South America, approximately 5,000 in Africa, and just under 2,100 in Asia.

Permanent deacons

Permanent deacons increased globally by 1.3%, from 51,433 in 2023 to 52,102 in 2024. Growth was most marked in Africa (+7.0%, totaling 8,860), while the Americas remain the largest regional base, with 86.8% of the world total.

Religious and members of secular institutes

At the end of 2024, non-priest religious numbered 48,511 (Africa: 9,368; Americas: 12,484; Asia: 12,962; Europe: 12,831; Oceania: 866), down 0.5% globally. Women religious totaled 589,423, with declines in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, and an increase in Africa (+2.6%). Members of secular institutes totaled 18,177, down 1.8%, with growth only in Africa (+1.5%).

Other pastoral workers

Lay missionaries grew from 444,606 in 2023 to 463,079 in 2024 (+4.2%), with Africa experiencing a 7.0% increase (8,860 individuals).

Catechists, the largest group, numbered 2.9 million, with growth in Asia and the Americas and slight decreases in Africa and Europe; nearly 55% of catechists are in the Americas.

Vocations to the priesthood

Students of philosophy and theology decreased globally from 106,495 in 2023 to 103,604 in 2024 (-2.72%), with growth only in Africa (+2.25%).

Geographic distribution in 2024 was: Africa 34.5%, Asia 26.7%, Americas 26.2%, Europe 11.7%, Oceania 0.9%.

The ratio of candidates to priests was highest in Africa (628.9 per 1,000 priests), lowest in North America (120 per 1,000), with a global average of 254.3 per 1,000.

Catholic participation in the Sacraments

Baptisms in 2024 numbered 13,065,918 (-0.6%), distributed as follows: Americas 40.7%, Africa 31.7%, Asia 15.6%, Europe 11.1%, Oceania 0.9%.

Catholic marriages totaled 1,818,998, with the Americas 37.4%, Asia 21.5%, Africa 21.0%, and Europe 19.3%.

First Communions reached 9,194,143 (+1.1%), and Confirmations 7,823,882 (+1.7%), with the Americas comprising just over 45% of the global total.

Three Papal Appointments announced today

Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, Archbishop Petar Rajič, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra

Pope

Pope appoints new Substitute, Nuncio to Italy, and Prefect of Papal Household

Pope Leo XIV makes three significant appointments: Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia, takes the place of Substitute for General Affairs Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, who becomes Apostolic Nuncio to Italy, succeeding Archbishop Petar Rajič, who has been appointed Prefect of the Papal Household.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

From Colombia to the Secretariat of State, from the Secretariat of State to the Nunciature in Italy, from the Nunciature in Italy to the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Today a round of appointments were announced within the Holy See.

Pope Leo XIV has chosen Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, who will turn 56 in July, to be the new Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, one of the most important and sensitive positions in the entire Vatican apparatus, effectively a kind of “Interior Minister” of the Vatican City State.

Ordained a priest in 1995 and incardinated in Bergamo, Archbishop Rudelli holds a degree in moral theology and has until now served as Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia. He assumed that post in 2023 following his appointment by Pope Francis, who had consecrated him Bishop in 2019 and sent him, in January 2020, as his representative to Zimbabwe.

The prelate's experience in the Holy See’s diplomatic service, however, dates back over twenty years to 2001, with assignments in the Pontifical Representations in Ecuador and Poland, and in the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

Today, by the will of Pope Leo XIV, he becomes the head of that Section, marking the Pope's second significant appointment in the Secretariat of State, following last November’s appointment of the Assessor, the Nigerian theologian and canonist Anthony Onyemuche Ekpo, previously Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

'Gesture of trust'

In a statement issued following today's announcement, Archbishop Rudelli said, “The call from His Holiness Pope Leo to work closely in the exercise of his supreme mission as Substitute of the Secretariat of State is a gesture of undeserved trust that deeply honors me.”

The Archbishop reassured that “moved by faith,” he will “take on this service in the spirit indicated by the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium.”

He said he will do so with the awareness that he can rely on the guidance of Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and on the collaboration of Assessor, Monsignor Anthony Onyemuche Ekpo, and all the staff of the Section for General Affairs.

In particular, the new Substitute noted he places his trust in the “intercession” of a distinguished fellow countryman of Bergamo, Pope Saint John XXIII.

Archbishop Peña Parra becomes Nuncio to Italy

Archbishop Rudelli succeeds Venezuelan Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, whom Pope Leo XIV today appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Italy.

Pope Francis had previously appointed Archbishop Peña Parra as Substitute on 15 August 2018, transferring him from Mozambique. Since 2015, he had led the Apostolic Nunciature in that East African country and also participated in a mediation group to restore peace between the national government and an opposition political party.

Born in 1960, a seasoned diplomat with experience in Kenya, the former Yugoslavia, Honduras, and Mexico, and later serving as Pontifical Representative in Pakistan, Archbishop Peña Parra became the second Latin American to hold the post of Substitute, after the Argentine Leonardo Sandri.

Archbishop Rajič becomes Prefect of the Papal Household

Today also sees the appointment of Archbishop Petar Rajič as Prefect of the Papal Household.

The position had been vacant for more than six years, since the departure of Archbishop Georg Gänswein, now Apostolic Nuncio to the Baltic States of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. Rajič himself had served as Nuncio to the same countries from 2019 before arriving in Italy in 2024.

As Prefect, the Archbishop will oversee the work of the Prefecture, a Curial body responsible for the internal order and daily management of the Pope’s life.

Pope Leo XIV liturgical schedule now thru July

Pope

What’s on Pope Leo’s liturgical schedule from April to July?

The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations releases Pope Leo’s schedule of liturgical events from April until July, including two international journeys and two ordinations.

By Kielce Gussie

The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations released Pope Leo XIV’s calendar of events for the months of April through to July 2026. Please note that all times are in Rome time.

Africa in April

Starting off the agenda is the Pope’s second international journey in 2026—a ten-day visit to four countries in Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea from April 13-23.

This will be his first time traveling to the African continent since being elected pontiff last year. However, Pope Leo has visited Kenya at least six times and Tanzania around five times. Most recently he travelled to Kenya in February 2025—just two months before being elected Pope—to preside over a dedication of a new chapel in Nairobi.

When he served as the Prior General of the Augustinian Order, he would visit Augustinian chapters in Nigeria as well.

On April 26, the Pope will preside over Mass with Priestly Ordinations in St. Peter’s Basilica on the fourth Sunday of Easter at 9am. Eight men from the Diocese of Rome are scheduled to be ordained that Sunday, traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday.

The month of May

Pope Leo will preside over Holy Mass with episcopal ordinations at the Basilica of St. John Latern on May 2 at 5pm.

The following Friday, May 8, the Pope will celebrate his first anniversary as pontiff with a visit to the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii at 10:30am. During this visit to Pompeii and Naples, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass and recite the Supplication prayer at the Shrine.

Three weeks later and back in Rome, Pope Leo will preside over Mass on the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday on May 24 in St. Peter’s Basilica at 10:00am.

A trip to the Iberian Peninsula and a Mediterranean island

From June 6-12, the Pope will travel to Spain and visit the capital city of Madrid, Barcelona—to inaugurate the newest and tallest tower of the Basilica of Sagrada Familia—before concluding his journey in the Canary Islands.

Soon after his apostolic journey to Spain, the Holy Father will travel once again, but this time, within Italy. On June 20, Pope Leo will make a pastoral visit to Pavia, a city just south of Milan. There, he will pray Vespers at 5pm. The northern Italian city has connections to St. Augustine as his relics are kept in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro.

Nine days later on June 29, the Pope will preside over Mass with the blessing and imposition of the pallia on the new Metropolitan Archbishops in St. Peter’s Basilica at 9:30am on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

Finally, on July 4, Pope Leo will make a pastoral visit to Lampedusa and preside over Mass there at 10am. This island is a gateway for thousands of migrants from Africa and the Middle East to Italy and Europe.