Spending the day with the poor, Pope Leo XIV prayed that Catholics would make sure their parishes are welcoming of all people and would be “on fire” with God’s love.

In largely Latino communities across Southern California shaken by weeks of immigration enforcement raids on city sidewalks and local businesses, the fear has forced unauthorized immigrants inside, shut out from work, from church, from life.

The Alaska summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held on Aug. 15 has ultimately failed to address the “fundamental moral and geopolitical questions” of Russia’s multiyear war on Ukraine, said Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.

The bishop of Colorado Springs, Colorado, announced in late July his office would “study and discern” the “massive undertaking” of determining whether to open a sainthood cause for a teenager who was killed after he tackled the shooter during a school shooting incident six years ago in suburban Denver.

Recently, Michael Bell, executive director of the of the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, began researching Father Lafleur’s life and service and presented his findings during a special reception on July 31.

As the calendar marks 100 days of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy Aug. 16, experts are scrutinizing his words and actions in hopes of pinpointing his leadership style, priorities and vision for the church’s future.

Mary’s “yes” to God, to life and to love continues “in the martyrs of our time, in witnesses of faith and justice, of gentleness and peace,” Pope Leo XIV said as he celebrated Mass on the feast of Mary’s Assumption into heaven.

Longtime Catholic publisher Our Sunday Visitor Inc. (OSV), has announced it will sunset almost all of its periodical operations.

Pope Leo XIV was elected May 8, making Aug. 16 the 100th day since he stepped out on to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as the new pope. He will celebrate his 70th birthday Sept. 14.

A German Catholic spokesman has defended his church’s approach to blessing same-sex couples, despite evidence of deep disagreement among the country’s bishops.