CWCIT (World Catholicism & Intercultural Theology)

::: THIS THURS. 5/7 ::: Join us (in person or online) for the story of "Las Hermanas," the Latine Catholic women that organized as the U.S. Chicano movement emerged & advocated for Latine voices to be heard, both in & outside the Church. ::: Hermanas.eventbrite.com :::

Reflection by Pope Leo XIV "The capacity to gaze with wonder at the sun, the moon, and stars is a gift given to every human being, regardless of station or circumstance...Tragically, even this gift is now under threat." (Address to the Members of the Board of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, May 11, 2026)

From NCR's former Vatican correspondent, Chris White, who just spoke at our CWCIT conference last week: "What we knew then — and what we know now — about history's first US-born pope" ncronline.org/vatican/what-w…

Worth bearing in mind that, as with past encyclicals, the date it is signed is not necessarily the date it is released, which can be one, two or more weeks later. Laudato Si, for example, was signed May 24, 2015, but released on June 18. thedeaconsbench.com/report-leos-fi…

The Chicago Tribune won the Pulitzer Prize on Monday for its coverage of Operation Midway Blitz, the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement mission in the Chicago area last fall. chicagotribune.com/2026/05/04/pul…

Cardinal Cupich: What the Gospel demands in times of war ow.ly/p6X250YV5lS

To the beat of a drum and with her tender voice, Sr. Blanca Meza shared the story of Afro-Colombians like her with members of the V Latin American and Caribbean Congress on Religious Life. globalsistersreport.org/qas/qa-sr-blan…

German News KNA: Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical is reportedly scheduled to be released on May 15. “Thematically, it is understood to address—among other topics—artificial intelligence, peace, and the crisis of international law, as well as other contemporary threats facing humanity. According to sources within the Vatican, the choice of May 15 as the date serves to underscore the historical significance of a major social encyclical. The first such doctrinal letter, titled ‘Rerum Novarum,’ was published by Leo XIII on May 15, 1891.”

Pope Leo meets with Catholic Charities USA. In his address, the Pope recognized that personal and institutional difficulties often confront those who seek to care for the poor. These include "demonstrating to others that this type of service is an integral part of authentic Christian living", the Pope said. Catholic Charities USA is “by no means immune from these challenges", Pope Leo said. “Yet," he emphasized, "it is precisely when we are confronted with such obstacles that we must learn to hear Jesus’ voice saying to us once more, ‘I am with you always!’”

Pope Leo was questioned about Trump’s latest attack while leaving Castel Gandolfo, Leo’s response: “I do not believe that Rubio is coming on Thursday to discuss what happened today—or because of what happened today. The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace. If anyone wishes to criticize me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully. For years, the Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons; therefore, there is absolutely no doubt on that front. Consequently, I simply hope to be heard for the sake of the value of God's words."

Pope Leo at General Audience: “No ecclesial institution can be treated as absolute; indeed, since they exist within history and time, they are called to continual conversion, to the renewal of forms and the reform of structures, to the continual regeneration of relationships, so that they may truly fulfil their mission.” vatican.va/content/leo-xi…

Intense Double Rainbow over Sears Tower on Monday evening in Chicago.

Today in 1930, the Merchandise Mart opened and became the world's largest building. It was originally built to centralize the wholesale operations of Marshall Field & Co. It was so large, it had its own zip code. #chicago #history

Look for the "Hopemobile," driving thru a city near you. This popemobile, a gift from Pope Francis, will drive across the US to raise $$ to help kids hurt by war. Read the full story here: ow.ly/B6Js50YUsQ7 (📸Cross Catholic Outreach)

Calling for disarmament and multilateral engagement, the Holy See warns that nuclear deterrence, arsenal modernisation, and AI-driven military systems are increasing the danger of catastrophic miscalculation. vaticannews.va/en/vatican-cit…

Happy today to have led the unveiling of a new street sign in Brooklyn to honor Dorothy Day near where she was born! Thank you @LincolnRestler @BrooklynDiocese @DayGuild @ManhattanEdu

Recalling the annual World Press Freedom Day celebrated on May 3rd, Pope Leo XIV remembers the many journalists and reporters who have become victims due to wars and violence. vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2…

Archbishop Weisenburger reminds us that we are all called to be witnesses of God's mercy and compassion in the midst of social turmoil. Let us follow the example of the saints as we journey on the way to justice for immigrants and others in need.

Pope Leo to @CCharitiesUSA: “As was the case with the Apostles and with the early Church, the proclamation of the Gospel through caring for the poor and for those most in need will always present certain difficulties on both the personal and the institutional levels. These include finding sufficient resources, demonstrating to others that this type of service is an integral part of authentic Christian living, and not giving way to discouragement, particularly when we meet those whom we cannot help in the way that we would like.  I am fully aware that the Catholic Charities agencies in the United States of America are by no means immune from these challenges that continue to manifest themselves in our own day.” vatican.va/content/leo-xi…

Pope Leo reading the book 'Free Under Grace', published by the Vatican Publishing House, which brings together for the first time speeches, homilies, letters, and messages from his early ministry as Robert Prevost. Currently available in Italian, the book will be released in several languages in the coming months and is currently being translated in 30 countries around the world.