I know adults tell children not to take candy from strangers. But I decided to amend the rule: Never take candy from strangers unless that “stranger” is the pope!
Youth
Posted inFaith, Last Take
How to engage the Latino young adults who are disaffiliating from the Catholic Church
We are called to meet Latino young adults where they are. Our dioceses and parishes need to make a more concerted effort for Latinos with strong catechesis and youth ministry programs.
Posted inCommunity, News
America Media Announces 2025-26 O’Hare Fellows
Sam Sawyer, S.J., president and editor in chief of America, announced today the selection of three graduating seniors from three U.S. colleges to serve as the 2025-26 Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J., Postgraduate Media Fellows.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis to make late Italian teenager Carlo Acutis the first millennial and digital saint on April 27
Pope Francis said he will canonize Carlo Acutis next April, setting the eagerly awaited date for the late teenager to become the Catholic Church’s first millennial and digital saint.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Eucharistic Diary: Holy chaos at the Eucharistic Congress
A nun with lightsabers. 100 priests hearing confession. Spontaneous song. Prayers over pizza. Toddlers at Mass. The Eucharistic Congress is chaotic, loud, fun—and glorious.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
USCCB meeting recap: anti-poverty campaign and Eucharistic Revival plans
U.S. bishops met for a plenary assembly to discuss various topics including mental health, poverty and youth ministry, as well as hearing proposals from the National Review Board on how to combat sex abuse in the church.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The case for showing up to church—even if you don’t believe in God
Do you have to believe in God to go to church? I used to think so. But more agnostics should give religion a try.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Pope Francis welcomes 50,000 children to the Vatican for first World Children’s Day
With the event, the pope hoped to raise awareness about children’s plight in war, promote global peace, care for the environment and empower the younger generation.
Posted inFaith, News
Bishops’ report: U.S. church abuse allegations are down, but complacency is dangerous.
The U.S. Catholic bishops’ latest annual report on child and youth protection shows abuse allegations are down, while safe environment protocols have taken root in the church—but guarding against complacency about abuse prevention is critical, as is providing ongoing support for survivors.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Podcast: Using Jesuit spirituality (and community) to make big life decisions
This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are live at Xavier University in Cincinnati with their spiritual director, Eric Sundrup, S.J., sharing their own experiences discerning their paths as young adults and offering insights from Jesuit spirituality to young people navigating big life questions.