St. Mary Our Lady of the Rosary

Father Michael Herlihey, OFM Cap, one of three chaplains serving pilgrims along the Drexel Route, blesses children following the opening Mass of the 2025 Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Indianpolis on May 18, 2025. / Credit: Jeffrey Bruno

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 12, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

While locals are joining in on parts of the 2025 National Eucharisitc Pilgrimage as it winds its way across the country, eight young Catholics have dedicated the last three weeks to traveling the entire route with the Eucharist as “Perpetual Pilgrims” — and accompanying them are seven chaplains who take turns to serve as their spiritual guides.

Maria Benes, director of pilgrims for the National Eucharistic Congress, told CNA that there are five priests and two religious brothers who have been rotating through the pilgrimage. Three started with the pilgrims and four are expected to end the trek in Los Angeles on June 22. 

The priest chaplains are Capuchin Franciscan Fathers Christopher Iwancio and Michael Herlihey, and Franciscan Friars of the Renewal Fathers Malachy Joseph Napier, Justin Jesúsmarie Alarcón, and Lawrence Joshua Johnson. The religious brothers are Brothers Jan Cyril Vanek and Damiano Mary Pio, both of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

“As a lot of them have told me, the nature of pilgrimage is very Franciscan with the flexibility and adaptability of the adventure with Jesus,” Benes said.

The chaplains were chosen based on a number of criteria. Some reached out directly because they “felt called” and some were were asked if they wished to join based on organizers’ judgment that they would be “a good fit.” From there, pilgrimage staff, the chaplains, and their superiors organized the schedule.

The chaplains are “all stationed in different places” but have traveled to be a part of the experience, Benes said. “In fact, a few are stationed in other countries.”

As they travel, the chaplains take on a number of jobs. “The first part is the pastoral care of the team,” Benes said, adding that some helped lead a February retreat in preparation and a “day of recollection” before the pilgrimage started in Indianapolis.

On the road, the chaplains hear confessions, give homilies, provide reflections, and evangelize. They also help with music during many of the processions, leading worship in both English and Spanish. 

“Then the day-to-day of praying with the team, spiritual protection prayers for the team, and any pastoral concerns that come up. Then the second part of their role is to help bring the Eucharist to the public,” Benes said. 

CNA spoke to the two Franciscan Capuchins priests — Iwancio and Herlihey — about their experiences so far and their time with the pilgrims.  

Father Christopher Iwancio, OFM Cap

Iwancio helped the pilgrims through the retreat prior to their departure. To help calm their nerves he told them that “even the disciples had the same nervousness.” 

“They had uncertainty. Even when Jesus ascended to heaven, there was still a little uncertainty for the disciples. There’s something to be ruptured into that encounter experience, but there’s also the practicality, because you have to balance both the spiritual with the practical,” Iwancio told CNA.

Iwancio, who is based in Los Angeles, said the retreat was a time of “getting spiritually prepared,” going over “logistics,” and preparing for “situations that they’ve never seen.”

Logistical matters consisted of “getting the van prepared and reorganizing the trailer.” The pilgrims make four to five stops a day and travel with a van that Iwancio said is “kind of a portable chapel, too.”

“There’s a tabernacle attached to the van and it serves as a compartment where the Blessed Sacrament can be reserved and that can be opened up and the monstrance fits on top. There’s prayer cards for along the way.” The group organized “the shelves with all the liturgical items.” 

“The trailer is almost like a sacristy,” Iwancio said. 

Iwancio also helped the pilgrims with the spiritual direction they needed prior to leaving by encouraging them to go to confession and to take time away when they need a break while on the journey. “They need to take care of themselves,” he said.

Iwancio said it is important to balance “being present with Jesus” and the operational matters. “It’s kind of balancing that Martha and Mary approach for the experience,” he said. 

“They’re a nice great group of young people and they have a great variety of skill sets because each brings a different gift to the experience … It’s a nice mix of gifts and talents,” Iwancio said.

Iwancio will join the group toward the end of the pilgrimage. “I’m really looking forward to this idea of … bringing hope during the jubilee year. It’s going to be a really awesome experience,” he said.

Father Michael Herlihey, OFM Cap

Father Michael Herlihey, the vocation director of Capuchin Franciscans at the Province of St. Augustine, told CNA that “it was important” for him “to spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist as a first-year priest.”

“I was just inspired by ... [the] eight young adults. They were willing to step away from their lives, their jobs, their families, friends, cities for a period of five weeks to be Eucharistic evangelizers, if you will,” Herlihey said.

Herlihey also led the initial retreat for the pilgrims and then spent the first 10 days of the pilgrimage with them. He reflected on the week and half of traveling saying that “the intentionality that comes to the pilgrims forming a family … was very powerful. In fact, I think it was one of the strongest parts.”

During his time on the pilgrimage, Herlihey witnessed the Eucharist travel in a boat, a helicopter, and a van. “It’s kind of cool to think of a helicopter being a temporary tabernacle” or a boat “being a temporary vessel carrying Jesus.”

Herlihey shared some of his favorite and most memorable moments. 

“I literally got to cross the Mississippi River in a fishing boat with Jesus and see the crowds waiting on the shore for him to arrive. I was pinching myself going, ‘This will be in my homily for decades,’” he joked.

“I understand now, Jesus getting into the boat, going away from the crowds, out into the silence of the water to pray.”

Herlihey also shared some challenges the pilgrims have faced on the journey. They have run into anti-Catholic protestors that started out in small numbers but now travel in groups of around 50 people.

Before the pilgrimage began, Herlihey held a Mass for the pilgrims. He reflected that “in praying over the homily, the Holy Spirit asked … ‘to embrace the cross.’” Herlihey said “to be honest, I didn’t want that to be the homily.” He said he wanted to give an “exciting talk,” but “the Holy Spirit did not budge” — he said he felt the Holy Spirit saying, “You’re going to talk about embracing the cross and the importance of that.”

After the Mass, Herlihey was pleasantly surprised when multiple pilgrims shared that “embracing the cross and embracing death” had been topics they were praying about. 

“Now, hindsight is 20-20,” Herlihey said. “Here we are … weeks later, and they’re experiencing crosses. They’re carrying their cross amidst a white martyrdom right now with all the counter-protesters. It’s just like … ‘Holy Spirit, you knew what you were doing.’”

Another difficult part that Herlihey said “pained” him was that they “couldn’t go to more places” with the Eucharist. “I would love to go to every one of the parishioners’ houses, their workplaces, their schools, everywhere. And then I had a thought,” Herlihey said.

“We receive Jesus into our bodies in the Mass, and so we all become tabernacles. And those tabernacles carry Jesus as the helicopter does, as the boat does, as the van does, as the monstrance does. Our bodies.”

Herlihey said the Lord is saying, “I want to give my body and blood to people because I want my body and blood to travel to every office, school, and household. I’m going to do it by making people my tabernacles.”

One thing Herlihey said he hopes people know is that the priests and pilgrims are “not bringing one sacrament,” they are “bringing two.” Herlihey shared he heard confessions for three hours in the procession line as he walked through Iowa. 

The chaplains will continue to bring the sacraments to people across Texas, New Mexico, and California as the pilgrimage comes to a conclusion over the next two weeks. 

Blackrock College in Dublin, Ireland, where extensive abuse took place over decades, according to a documentary that led to the June 2025 report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. / Credit: Sarah777, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 11, 2025 / 18:18 pm (CNA).

Allegations of sexual abuse of minors within the Catholic Church in Ireland significantly spiked this past year, a newly published report has found.

The total number of allegations rose by more than 50% from 252 in 2023-2024 to 385 in 2024-2025, according to the latest report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. 

The figure represents the highest number since the organization began publishing annual reports on child sexual abuse in the Irish Church in 2009. 

The majority of these allegations, 73%, date to the period between 1960 and 1989, with only two cases relating to the period after 2000. Forty-seven cases had no time frame attributed to them. 

According to the report, which covers allegations from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, the increase in allegations took place predominantly in September 2024 immediately following the announcement of a government-sponsored investigation examining historical abuse in religious-run day and boarding schools in Ireland. 

“These events in September 2024 appear to have given individuals renewed strength to tell of their experiences,” National Board CEO Aidan Gordon said in a June 10 press release. 

According to the report, 291 of the allegations received by the National Board were categorized as sexual abuse as the primary complaint. The report records 55 additional allegations of physical abuse, four boundary violations, one count of neglect, one emotional abuse, one bullying, and 32 cases where the alleged abuse was not categorized.

The report indicates that 385 allegations were made against 376 people, including 318 male religious, 39 diocesan priests, 16 female religious, and three males of unknown affiliation.

Of the 39 diocesan priests accused of abuse, 20 (64%) are deceased, three are laicized, three are in prison, four are out of ministry, four are under a management plan, one remains in active ministry, and four are of unknown status.

Of the remaining accused, 221 of them are deceased, five are laicized, five are in active ministry, 31 are in prison, 21 are under a management plan, 12 have left the Church, 17 are out of ministry, and 22 are of unknown status.

The National Board received 287 requests for advice in relation to safeguarding children from abuse within the Church in 2024-2025.

Background

The announcement of the Irish government’s September 2024 investigation came after the government-backed scoping inquiry, published in March 2023.

The inquiry was initiated in the aftermath of a 2022 radio documentary called “Blackrock Boys,” which revealed extensive abuse at the Spiritan-run Blackrock College, a boys’ boarding and day school in Dublin. 

The scoping inquiry revealed that 2,395 allegations of abuse had been made in 308 schools between 1927 and 2013, including extensive accounts of sexual abuse, rape, and sexual assault.

Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin described the scoping inquiry as “a tragedy” at the time, lamenting not only the sheer number of allegations in the report but also “that so many of them had to carry their experience alone for so many years before they felt sufficiently free to tell someone else.”

Migrants walk alongside the railroad tracks after dismounting from the “La Bestia” train, which they rode through Mexico to reach the Mexico-U.S. border near Chihuahua, Mexico. / Credit: David Peinado Romero/Shutterstock

Puebla, Mexico, Jun 11, 2025 / 17:44 pm (CNA).

The Catholic bishops of neighboring Mexico are reacting to the wave of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that are provoking unrest in various cities.

In a June 10 statement, the Mexican Bishops’ Conference expressed its concern about “the difficult situation that has arisen” as a result of the enforcement operations, saying that, although no one desires the presence of criminals, “it is necessary to distinguish that, although some undocumented migrants commit criminal acts, not all undocumented migrants are criminals.” 

They affirmed that most undocumented migrants “contribute to the good of the communities in which they live and work” and emphasized that this distinction “makes it possible to overcome confusion that leads to mistakes, allows us to see reality clearly and make appropriate decisions for the benefit of all.”

They also pointed out that the migration phenomenon cannot be addressed with isolated solutions, as it “requires multiple joint actions; among them, an immigration system that allows us to do things well without having to resort to other means that only end up complicating everyone’s lives.”

They also expressed their closeness to those suffering from the situation and, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, asked that she “help us understand that we are all brothers and sisters and help us build a better world together.”

Mexican government’s response

During a June 10 press conference, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her support for immigration reform in the United States “that recognizes the role of migrants in the United States, especially those who have been working there for many years.”

She also called on those participating in the protests “not to engage in violent actions and to support each other as we as Mexicans have always done.”

Sheinbaum anticipated an upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump during the G-7 summit from June 15–17 in Canada, where Mexico will participate as a guest country. 

Within this framework, Sheinbaum said she will seek to advance agreements that go beyond immigration control, since recognizing that “Mexicans living in the United States and contributing to the U.S. economy must be part of the agenda.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

null / Credit: Sergey Hramov/Shutterstock

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 11, 2025 / 17:12 pm (CNA).

Results of a new Gallup poll reveal an increase in the number of Americans who support policies that prioritize sex over gender identity.

The polling firm surveyed 1,003 U.S. adults from May 1–18, asking them a number of questions related to sex and gender with a margin of sampling error of 4%. When compared with the 2021 and 2023 Gallup research surveys on sex and gender, the new study revealed an increase in the number of Americans who prefer using sex as an identifier rather than “gender identity.”

The most recent poll called “Values and Beliefs” focused on two specific policies related to which team transgender athletes should compete on and how they should identify themselves on government documents.

The results showed that 69% of U.S. adults surveyed believe that “trangender athletes should only be allowed to play on sports teams that match their birth gender.” Of the sample, 90% of Republicans agreed with this statement, 72% of independents, and 42% of Democrats.

Slightly fewer Americans agree that “people should be required to list their birth sex on government documents such as driver’s licenses or passports.” The research found that 66% of Americans agreed with this statement and this included 89% of Republicans, 66% of independents, and only 38% of Democrats.

Between 2021 and 2025, Democrats’ and independents’ support for transgender athletes playing on sports teams that align with their “current gender identity” fell by 10 points. The poll found that there was no significant change in Republicans’ support.

The questionnaire also examined Americans’ views on the morality of “changing one’s gender” and found an increase in the number of people who believe it is “morally wrong.” As of 2025, 40% of U.S. adults believe that is “morally acceptable” to change one’s gender, which is six points less than it was in 2021.

Participants’ answers on morality were significantly different based on their designated political parties.

Of those surveyed, 71% of Democrats, 45% of independents, and only 9% of Republicans said that changing one’s gender is “morally acceptable.” Since 2021, Republicans experienced the largest shift with a decline of 13 points of those who find it acceptable.

The poll also found that “Americans are more likely to view gay or lesbian relations as morally acceptable than changing genders.” About 64% said they agreed that being gay is more acceptable, which included 86% of Democrats, 69% of independents, and 38% of Republicans.

Gallup reported that this poll was the first time the survey asked participants what causes “transgender identity.” Half of the participants said they believe transgender identity is due to one’s “upbringing” and “environment” and 30% said people are “born with it.” The rest had no opinion or believe that both are factors.

Republicans are much more likely to agree that “nurture” over “nature” is what leads to someone being transgender. The majority of the party (76%) reported that upbringing and environment cause it, compared with 9% who reported it is “nature” or from birth.

Democrats had less of a drastic difference with 29% believing it is “nurture” and 57% reporting it is “nature.”

Every category studied by Gallup prior to the 2025 study revealed an increase in support of focusing on one’s sex at birth rather than the way a person might identify himself or herself in terms of gender.

The prelate of Opus Dei with Pope Leo XIV. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, Jun 11, 2025 / 16:41 pm (CNA).

Opus Dei presented its proposed statutes to the Holy See on June 11 following the guidelines from the Vatican in the 2022 motu proprio Ad Charisma Tuendum as announced by the apostolate’s prelate, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz.

“I would like to inform you about the work of adapting the statutes. We had planned to complete this study at the general congress, but, as you know, due to the Holy See being vacant, it was deemed appropriate not to do so,” Ocáriz explained in a letter. “The congress participants gave their positive opinion so that, with the new [general] council and [central] advisory [board], we could conclude the revision of the statutes and submit them to the Holy See for approval, which we did today.”

“It has been a three-year journey, accompanied by everyone’s prayers, which I ask you to intensify in this final stage,” he added in the letter, in which he urged everyone to entrust their work and apostolic labors to the Most Holy Trinity and to St. Josemaría Escrivá, noting that this June marks the 50th anniversary of the founder of Opus Dei’s death.

Now the Holy See will have to review and determine whether it will accept the statutes proposed by the prelature. The time frame for the decision is unknown.

On May 14, just six days after his election, Pope Leo XIV discussed with Ocáriz the process of revising its statutes. This process had to be postponed following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, two days before the convening of the general congress from which the revisions proposed for approval were to be issued.

According to the Opus Dei communications office in Rome, “the Holy Father, among other things, inquired about the current study of the prelature’s statutes.”

“Leo XIV listened with great interest to the explanations given to him,” the official statement noted.

The Vatican did not provide an account of the meeting’s content and limited itself to reporting it in the pope’s agenda, which is distributed daily to the Vatican-accredited press.

Since the summer of 2022, Opus Dei has been in the process of revising its statutes to adapt them to Pope Francis’ motu proprio Ad Charisma Tuendum. In essence, the pontiff’s directive placed Opus Dei under the direction of the Dicastery for the Clergy rather than the Dicastery for Bishops, and ended the practice of elevating the prelate of Opus Dei to the rank of bishop.

The Argentine pontiff had also requested that Opus Dei revise its statutes to reflect this new structure, which was to be finalized during the general congress. This revision was to be presented as a proposal to the Holy See for approval, following its adoption by the assembly.

However, the general congress ultimately focused solely on the tasks of choosing a new general council and central advisory board, positions that are selected every eight years.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

The Institute for the Works of Religion, commonly known as the Vatican Bank. / Credit: Andrea Gagliarducci/CNA

Vatican City, Jun 11, 2025 / 15:48 pm (CNA).

The Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR, by its Italian acronym), popularly known as the Vatican Bank — a small financial institution with just over 100 employees founded by Pope Pius XII in 1942 — obtained a net profit of 32.8 million euros (about $37.7 million) in 2024, compared with 30.6 million euros (about $35.1 million) in 2023.

As indicated in the annual report published Wednesday by the Holy See Press Office, the net profit of 32.8 million euros represents a 7% increase compared with 2023.

This result, according to the report, is due to growth in interest income (+5.8%), commission income (+13.2%), and brokerage income (+3.6%), along with other measures implemented to ensure strict cost control.

The report also included information on the profits redistributed to the pope and to other Holy See budget items.

As required by the IOR statutes, the report was subsequently submitted to the Commission of Cardinals, which authorized the distribution of a dividend of 13.8 million euros (about $15.8 million) to the Holy Father.

It was a gesture that — according to the Vatican — reaffirms “the institute’s commitment to its mission of supporting religious and charitable works.”

According to the results for last year, the total volume of client assets managed by the IOR — which includes deposits, current accounts, assets under management, and securities in custody — rose to 5.7 billion euros (about $6.5 billion), compared with 5.4 billion euros (about $6.2 billion) the previous year. 

Furthermore, the institute’s net assets increased to 731.9 million euros (about $840.5 million), representing an increase of 64.3 million euros (about $73.8 million) compared with 2023.

One of the most notable figures is the Tier 1 capital ratio, a key financial indicator that measures a bank’s financial strength and ability to absorb losses while continuing to operate. According to the data presented, it reached 69.43%, representing a 16.1% improvement compared with the previous year. This figure was due, according to the Vatican, “to a general decrease in risks and an increase in equity.”

The performance of the institute’s asset management lines was also positive: 100% of them achieved positive gross returns, and 79% outperformed their respective benchmarks. All financial services and investments were carried out in full compliance with the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, according to the report.

The IOR’s financial statement, in which account ownership is limited to Catholic institutions, ecclesiastical bodies, Vatican entities, and embassies and ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, was unanimously approved by the Superintendency Council on April 29 and audited by Mazars Italia S.p.A.

The Vatican attributed this positive performance to the net income achieved and the “numerous improvements” made. During 2024, the IOR strengthened its key functions by adding specialized personnel and making strategic investments in digital and technological infrastructure, with the aim of improving customer service.

According to the Vatican, the institute’s liquidity ratios and Tier 1 capital ratio place it among the “most solid financial institutions in the world” in terms of capitalization and liquidity.

The institution remains the only entity authorized to offer financial services in Vatican City State.

The accounts, prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards, confirm another year of “sustained and solid growth,” according to the report.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

LAPD rally as a curfew takes effect in Los Angeles on June 10, 2025, following days of protests in response to federal immigration operations that saw clashes spread across downtown. / Credit: BENJAMIN HANSON/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

CNA Staff, Jun 11, 2025 / 15:16 pm (CNA).

Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles has called for a day of prayer amid growing violence during protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following arrests of unauthorized immigrants living in the city.

The archbishop has instructed parishes across the archdiocese to hold special Masses for peace and unity, encouraging both Catholics and non-Catholics to pray for peace amid the rioting. 

Father Juan Ochoa, who runs the archdiocesan worship office, in a message to parishioners encouraged people to look to Christ.

“In this time of unrest and uncertainty, we turn our hearts to God, the source of all peace,” Ochoa said in the June 10 message.

The priest encouraged parishes to offer special intentions and suggested people partake in prayerful observances such as Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic adoration, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The message also encouraged people to pray the rosary as a family, fast, read sacred Scripture, and pray the Sacred Heart novena. 

“As followers of Jesus and members of his Church, we are called to be instruments of reconciliation, healing, and hope,” he said. 

The archbishop was scheduled to celebrate Mass at noon on Wednesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels “to unite our communities in prayer during this time of unrest,” according to the archdiocese.

The prelate “invites all Catholics and people of goodwill to pray for our nation, and especially for our immigrant and local community during this tumultuous time,” Ochoa said. 

The archdiocese is also encouraging Catholics to participate in a candlelight prayer vigil. 

Michael Donaldson, senior director for the archdiocesan Office of Life, Justice, and Peace, invited residents of the city to light a candle at 6 p.m. on June 10 “so that through prayer, wherever we may be, we are united for peace in our communities.”

Neighbors gathered in Grand Park for a peaceful interfaith prayer vigil in the evening, according to a social media post by the archdiocese.

An interfaith prayer vigil had previously been scheduled for Sunday evening at Los Angeles City Hall but was postponed amid escalating violence.

“With so many in fear, we are hoping to share a message of peace and hope, uniting our prayers with others throughout Southern California to end the violence, bring healing, and for a path toward reform of our broken immigration system,” Donaldson said.

As tensions escalated over the weekend, Gomez in a statement called for “restraint and calm,” also calling on Congress to fix the nation’s “broken” immigration system.

After ICE raids at multiple work sites, unrest began on June 6 and escalated as conflicts between protesters and law enforcement intensified over the weekend. 

On Saturday night, President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s opposition. 

The president has since deployed hundreds of Marines to the state to join National Guard troops in protecting federal property and personnel and providing security to ICE agents. 

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass enacted a curfew in parts of the downtown area.

Pope Leo XIV meets with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on June 11, 2025, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, Jun 11, 2025 / 13:57 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday received U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres in an audience held in the study of the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

Guterres subsequently met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of the Holy See, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for relations with states and international organizations.

Although the Vatican did not provide details about the private meeting with the pontiff, it indicated that during the conversation with the Secretariat of State the Holy See’s support for the United Nations’ commitment to world peace was expressed.

Some ongoing processes and upcoming summits organized by the United Nations were also discussed as well as the difficulties the organization faces in addressing current crises around the world.

During the course of the conversation, specific situations of conflict and instability were also discussed.

The United Nations was established in 1945 with the aim of fostering international peace and security. Currently 193 countries are members of the organization, which has its headquarters in New York.

Various initiatives promoted by the U.N. clash head-on with Christian values, such as the demand for the decriminalization of abortion under the euphemism of “sexual and reproductive health,” its explicit support for gender ideology, and the promotion of the 2030 Agenda, which clashes in essential aspects with the doctrine of the Catholic Church.

Since 1964, the Vatican has held the position of permanent observer to the U.N., which means the Holy See is not a full member of the organization but rather an observer state.

The current permanent observer, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, participates in its debates by contributing ideas but does not have the right to vote.

Guterres, 76, is the ninth secretary-general of the United Nations, a position he assumed on Jan. 1, 2017. He was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1949. In addition to being a politician and businessman, he is also an electrical engineer and professor.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl, the bishop of Graz-Seckau in Austria, expressed being “stunned and shaken” following a deadly shooting at a school in Graz on June 10, 2025. / Credit: Screenshot / YouTube / Katholische Kirche Steiermark

CNA Deutsch, Jun 11, 2025 / 13:01 pm (CNA).

The bishop of Graz-Seckau in Austria, Wilhelm Krautwaschl, expressed being “stunned and shaken” following a deadly shooting at a school in Graz that claimed 10 lives. 

On Tuesday, a 21-year-old former student of the Bundes-Oberstufenrealgymnasium Dreischützengasse killed nine students and a teacher before taking his own life.

“This horrific act at a school in Graz leaves us stunned and shaken,” said Krautwaschl, speaking on behalf of himself and Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Freitag.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to the students, the teaching staff, and the families. We accompany all of them with our prayers and are here to support everyone affected to the best of our ability. At the same time, we thank all those who are offering help.”

Austrian broadcaster ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) reported: “According to the authorities, nine young people between the ages of 15 and 17 and one teacher are among the dead. Eleven injured people are being treated in hospitals.”

During his general audience on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV prayed for the victims of the mass shooting. 

“I want to assure you of my prayers for the victims of the tragedy at the school in Graz,” the pope said. “I am close to the families, the teachers, and the classmates. May the Lord welcome these children into his peace.”

The motive of the attacker — who had left the school without graduating — remains unknown. 

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, retired archbishop of Vienna, said on X: “Beyond all the shock, grief, and anxiety, there is one big question: ‘Why?’” adding that “we will probably never find a satisfactory answer.”

Regarding the police operation, ORF reported that “special units were alerted immediately after the first emergency calls came in around 10 a.m. The building was subsequently evacuated. Students were guided, together with teaching staff, to a secure meeting point.”

Bishop Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, expressed his “sincere condolences” and “deep sympathy” in a statement on X. 

“There are no adequate words for such a senseless and cruel act. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, with all who had to witness this act of violence, and with the chaplains and emergency responders on the ground.”

“May God’s support bring strength, comfort, and hope to all those affected,” Bätzing continued. “We include in our prayers all those impacted by this act of violence.”

This story was based on a report published by CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner. Last update on June 11 with more details and the final number of victims.

Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children (right), speaks to “EWTN News Nightly” anchor Mark Irons on Friday, June 6, 2025. / Credit: “EWTN News Nightly”/Screenshot

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 11, 2025 / 12:16 pm (CNA).

Florida has emerged as a national leader in Catholic school enrollment as a product of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ education policy, the leader of a national school choice group says.

Step Up For Students, a Florida program that administers state-funded K–12 scholarships to expand school choice, reports that Catholic school enrollment in the state has recently increased by 12.1%, a contrast to the 13.2% decline seen nationwide.

Tommy Schultz, CEO of the national school choice group American Federation for Children, discussed the implications of these figures in an interview with “EWTN News Nightly,” crediting the accessibility of Florida’s school choice credit for the increase in enrollment. 

“Gov. DeSantis signed into law the big expansion that made every single family eligible for school choice funding in the state. And guess what? Florida is up 12%,” Schultz told anchor Mark Irons.

“In Florida, [families are] eligible for about $8,000 per kid per year with state funding, essentially. Rather than all of your taxpayer funds just going into the public system, now all parents fully control their funding for education in Florida,” Schultz said. 

In 2023, DeSantis signed a bill to expand opportunities for school choice. According to the Florida state government there are currently “1.4 million students utilizing a school choice option in Florida.”

Schultz emphasized the broader national impact of the Step Up For Students findings, particularly in the federal context.

“It couldn’t come at a better time,” he said. “Congress is currently negotiating a comprehensive legislative package, and there’s momentum to include school choice provisions that would extend similar opportunities to families in all 50 states.”

He contrasted Florida’s growth with steep declines in other states. “In New York, Catholic school enrollment has dropped by 31%, Pennsylvania is down 23%, and Illinois by 20%. These declines are driven by a combination of government regulation and financial challenges.”

The success in Florida, Schultz suggested, could serve as an example for national reform, including potentially even solving poverty.

“Now, where every family could theoretically be able to control their child’s education funding, like we see in Florida, like we see in Arizona and other places, that is just a total game changer for families, and it could bring a lot of children out of poverty,” he said.

Earlier this year, CNA reported on the National Catholic Educational Association’s latest annual report of Catholic school data, which found that “8% of students use school choice programs, which is up by nearly 5% from last year.”