Pope Leo explains why Vatican II’s reform did not change only ‘the rites’ of the liturgy
Pope Leo XIV said Wednesday that the liturgy occupies a central place in the life of the Church, since it “touches the very heart” of the mystery of Christ — because it is “at once the space, the time, and the context” in which the Church receives from him “her very life.”
The liturgy, he said at the general audience in St. Peterʼs Square, is where “the work of our redemption is accomplished,” which makes us “a chosen lineage, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people whom God has acquired for himself.”
On May 20, the pontiff began a new series of catechesis about the Second Vatican Councilʼs constitution on the sacred liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium.
The conciliar text marks a shift in emphasis in the understanding of the liturgy: Whereas the Tridentine Mass prior to Vatican II focused primarily on the sacrificial dimension, the conciliar liturgical reform placed at the forefront Christ acting in the liturgy, setting at the center the paschal mystery — his passion, death, resurrection, and glorification — which is made sacramentally present in every celebration.
Not just a reform of the rites
The pope explained that the council fathers at Vatican II sought not only an external reform of the rites but also a broader spiritual deepening: “In drafting this constitution, the council fathers sought not only to undertake a reform of the rites but to lead the Church to contemplate and deepen that living bond which constitutes and unites her: the mystery of Christ.”
The pontiff thus affirmed that “every time we take part in the assembly gathered ‘in his name’ we are immersed in this mystery,” stressing that Christ continues to act in the Church as “he who is present in the proclaimed word, in the sacraments, in the ministers who celebrate, in the gathered community and, in the highest degree, in the Eucharist.”
Referring to St. Augustine, Leo recalled that in celebrating the Eucharist the Church “receives the body of the Lord and becomes what she receives,” thus becoming the body of Christ and “a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
The pope also insisted that the liturgy is not an isolated act but “the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed … the font from which all her power flows.”
Leo highlighted the missionary and universal dimension of the liturgy, which “represents a sign of the unity of the entire human race in Christ,” and, quoting pope Francis, recalled that “the world still does not know it, but everyone is invited to the supper of the wedding of the Lamb.”
The pontiff concluded by inviting the faithful to allow themselves to be transformed by the liturgical action. “Let us allow ourselves to be shaped inwardly by the rites, symbols, gestures, and above all the living presence of Christ in the liturgy,” he said.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, the head of the Armenian Church and one of the most important figures in Eastern Christianity, was also present during the general audience. The pope said the fraternal visit by the Armenian Orthodox leader “represents an important opportunity to strengthen the bonds of unity that already exist between us, as we move toward full communion between our churches.”
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Contemplative life proclaims God is worthy of being sought and loved, Spanish bishops emphasize
The bishops of the Commission for Consecrated Life of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference underscored the importance of the contemplative life in a message issued on the occasion of Pro Orantibus Day (“for those who pray”), which will be observed on May 31, the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.
The celebration was instituted by Pope Pius XII to foster awareness of and prayer for those who consecrate their lives to prayer and contemplation in cloistered convents.
Under the theme "Vida contemplativa, ¿por quién eres?" ("Contemplative Life, for Whom Do You Exist?"), the bishops said this observance invites the faithful "to turn our attention toward those who, called by the Lord, have consecrated their lives to prayer, praise, and constant intercession for the people of God and for all of humanity."
The question “For whom do you exist?” is intended as a call to “return to the origin and center: the One from whom contemplative life flows, is configured, and sustained.” In other words, the bishops said this involves “reflecting on God, who is love, who takes the initiative, calls, draws people in, and consecrates them” as well as “recognizing the ecclesial and missionary fruitfulness” of this form of consecrated life.
“In a time and cultural context marked by being in a hurry," the bishops said, "interior distractedness and the temptation to measure life by immediate efficacy along with a thirst for spirituality on many levels, the contemplative life reminds the entire Church that the decisive question is not merely what we can do and hope for but also and above all for whom we exist, live, and act, for whom we lift up our eyes."
The bishops also emphasized that “an existence dedicated to contemplation proclaims just by the entire dedication of one’s life that God is worthy of being sought and loved for his own sake and that placing one’s life before him represents in and of itself a profound and silent service both to the Church and to humanity as a whole, a humanity often lost in the depths of hatred and destruction. It is a service and a mission that the Church and men and women of all times need.”
Of God, for God, for the world and in community
The bishops of the Commission for Consecrated Life presented four distinctive characteristics of contemplative life: to be of God, for God, for the world, and in community.
This means that it “is born of a divine initiative that precedes any human response and takes concrete form in a total consecration, lived out in stability, silence, listening to the Word, and persevering praise.”
This consecration “for God” means that “contemplative persons order their days, renounce other good and legitimate projects, and remain faithful even amid aridity, trials, and anonymity.”
This “radical orientation toward God” is the reason why the contemplative life “exists for the Church,” the prelates noted, because “the personal and communal prayer of contemplatives sustains communion, strengthens the faith of the people of God, and serves as a reminder that all pastoral and missionary action is born of and returns to listening to the Spirit and to one’s brothers and sisters, as the synodal journey highlights.”
The bishops said that “the contemplative life is also for the world, even when the world neither knows nor understands it,” insofar as “its constant intercession reaches men and women of every walk of life, and becomes a hidden source of hope for a wounded humanity in need of meaning, reconciliation, and a profound joy of living.”
Pro Orantibus Day is an ecclesial act of gratitude, reciprocity, and co-responsibility, the prelates said, one that should help “to rediscover, value, and sustain the contemplative life, to pray for vocations, and to learn in the light of your witness that mission begins on one’s knees and is sustained by daily fidelity to the Lord.”
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Nearly 500,000 already signed up for main events of pope’s visit to Spain
The organizers of Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Spain have confirmed that nearly half a million people have registered for some of the major public events along the itinerary, particularly those in Madrid and the Canary Islands.
Rafael Rubio, the communications coordinator for the pontiff’s apostolic visit, said during a press briefing that 160,000 people have already registered for the vigil scheduled for June 6; 250,000 for the Corpus Christi Mass and procession; 36,000 for the Mass to be celebrated at Gran Canaria Stadium on June 11; and another 25,000 for the event taking place the following day at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canaries.
However, they are unable to provide figures regarding the events to be held in Barcelona as the local organizers “have decided that the ticket distribution system will be different,” Rubio explained.
Nevertheless, the Archdiocese of Barcelona reported that the Olympic Stadium will accommodate approximately 37,000 people.
The organizers also confirmed they have over 20,000 volunteers who will assist at the various venues during the pope’s visit. They will be wearing four different-colored T-shirts depending on their role: red for the organizing team, orange for general duties, blue for assisting people with reduced mobility, and green for those providing information to participants at the various events.
To ensure that “there is no one in Spain unaware of the pope’s visit,” Rubio emphasized, a communication strategy has been developed, one that is still in progress but already features two commercials: “Metro” and “Amigos.”
Its creation involved the participation of over 100 contributors and 45 volunteers, with the support of Omnicom Media for strategic planning, Ábside Media for production, and The Cyranos for creative direction.
The campaign aims to invite people “to no longer be indifferent, listen to others, and rediscover them,” which goes along with the trip’s theme, “Lift Up Your Eyes,” Rubio noted.
This communication effort will be rolled out not only through social media but also across some 400 advertising displays distributed throughout Spain.
Listening centers
During the Holy Fatherʼs visit to Madrid, the archdiocese will set up listening centers along the Paseo de la Castellana — the city’s main north-south thoroughfare — a pastoral initiative that has been underway for several years, coordinated by the Camillian religious order.
Through this initiative, the Catholic Church hopes to minister to the personal, spiritual, and psychological concerns of those generous enough to share them in a welcoming and confidential environment through a model of accompaniment based on the humanistic psychology of Carl Rogers.
Dedicated to this ministry of listening are not only priests but also laypeople, who undergo training courses before joining the listening centers.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Agreement allows daily pastoral access at Illinois ICE facility, faith leaders say
A group of Catholic and Christian faith leaders said it has been granted daily access to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois, since May 15 under a milestone agreement with immigration officials.
The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), a Chicago-based Catholic and Christian advocacy group, said in a May 19 press release that it has struck a deal with ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that allows “daily pastoral visits.”
The temporary agreement follows a nearly 10-month-long campaign and lawsuit filed by CSPL and other faith leaders in November. CSPL faith leaders were permitted to provide pastoral care for Ash Wednesday and Holy Week but were denied entrance at Christmas.
The group noted that the agreement is not permanent and that the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois requested a July status update.
“During the pendency of this federal litigation, as ordered by the court, plaintiffs may access the ICE Broadview Service Staging Area Facility,” the agreement states, according to CSPL, “to offer pastoral services on a daily basis to detainees who wish to receive pastoral care, including spiritual care, prayer, or facility-approved sacramental ministry, which may include rites tied to specific religious observances.”
Access to the facility will be allowed for up to five religious leaders per day between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., CSPL said. ICE personnel are required under the agreement to provide “sufficient space for religious services to be carried out within reasonable operational parameters,” CSPL said. The agreement also requires ICE to “make reasonable efforts” to facilitate privacy for detainees during the sacrament of confession, CSPL said.
Visits may only take place after detainees have completed intake and must be concluded with enough time for detainees to be transported out of the facility, CSPL said. ICE is permitted to limit visitation based on safety threats and operational concerns under the agreement, CSPL said.
‘Emergency room treatment’
The group provided religious services to 12 detainees at Broadview under the agreement on May 17, CSPL said.
“One detainee, facing deportation, expressed his gratitude for the visit and said, ‘Me siento como a volver a vivir,’ which loosely translates to a feeling of being brought back to life,” the organization said in the release.
“To my mind, it’s emergency room treatment,” said Father Paul Keller, CMF, the provincial for the Claretian Missionaries and a member of the CSPL Clergy Council. “Someone is there right when the trauma has happened to attend to the immediate emotional and spiritual wounds.”
“This agreement represents a recognition of the human dignity and basic human rights of our detained sisters and brothers,” CSPL Executive Director Michael N. Okińczyc-Cruz said.
Another civil suit (Moreno Gonzalez v. Noem) in federal court alleged detainees at the Broadview facility faced overcrowded, “inhumane” conditions, insufficient nutrition, inadequate medical care, lack of privacy, and a squalid living environment.
Although detainees are only meant to be held at Broadview for a few hours, with the maximum being 72 hours, some alleged last year that they were held there for several days and even up to one week during ICE’s Operation Midway Blitz, which detained about 3,000 immigrants illegally residing in the state.
A DHS spokesperson said “religious organizations are more than welcome to provide services to detainees in ICE detention facilities” and disputed detainees' claims that the Broadview facility functions as a detention center, not a temporary processing facility.
“Even before the attacks on the Broadview facility, it was not within standard operating procedure for religious services to be provided in a field office, as detainees are continuously brought in, processed, and transferred out," according to a DHS spokesperson.
U.S. Catholic bishops urge immigration reform to uphold ‘God-given dignity’ in budget bill
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is urging Congress to include immigration reform in the budget reconciliation package that is being negotiated by lawmakers.
The bishops seek protection of the pastoral needs of detainees and changes to enforcement practices.
“We encourage members of both parties to reject partisan appropriations funding and instead rededicate yourselves to a collaborative process that pursues the common good and promotes human dignity and flourishing,” they wrote in a letter to Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
The letter was signed by Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the USCCB, and Victoria, Texas, Bishop Brendan Cahill, chair of the USCCB Committee on Migration.
In the letter, the bishops acknowledge “the legitimate role of the state to regulate immigration, including by bringing to justice those among us who seek to inflict harm,” but raise concerns about enforcement practices.
“Enforcement of immigration laws cannot truly advance the common good without reasonable conditions that ensure respect for the God-given dignity of each person, inherent in which is the exercise of certain fundamental rights,” they wrote.
The bishops asked for enforcement to be better aligned with “the moral order,” such as avoiding enforcement near sensitive locations like churches when there are not extreme circumstances and “mandating consistent access to religious and pastoral services” for detainees.
“Rather than pursuing such measures through a bipartisan process, Congress now risks setting a concerning precedent — one in which furthering the common good is undermined for the sake of political expediency,” they wrote.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded a rule that put limits on immigration enforcement at “sensitive locations” like churches. DHS officials still urge officer discretion and contend such enforcement would be rare.
DHS also says it encourages clergy to reach out for accommodations to ensure spiritual needs are met for detainees, although officials denied faith leaders' requests to bring the sacraments to an immigration processing facility in Illinois until a federal lawsuit was filed in November 2025 following repeated denials.
DHS recently emerged from a prolonged fiscal 2026 funding impasse, the longest DHS shutdown on record. Congress passed a bill that funded most DHS components, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) funding was left unresolved, requiring separate legislative action. The ongoing complexity may influence the fiscal 2027 appropriations timeline, and Republicans have proposed giving ICE and CBP $70 billion in additional funding, on top of $170 billion Congress already allocated last year.
The bishops requested lawmakers “limit additional funding increases for immigration enforcement after the unprecedented amounts provided through last year’s reconciliation bill.” They expressed concern over “an enforcement-only approach to immigration,” which they said “can never meet the demands of the moral law.”
“Nor does such an approach truly support the welfare and prosperity of American communities,” the bishops said.
Fifty‑four people have died in ICE custody since the start of fiscal 2025, which is 125% more detainee deaths than occurred during all four previous fiscal years combined (24 deaths), according to ICE detainee death reporting data.
In their letter to Congress, the bishops quoted a speech by Pope Leo XIV on Jan. 9 in which the Holy Father said: “To be authentic, democratic processes must be accompanied by the political will to pursue the common good, to strengthen social cohesion, and to promote the integral development of every person.”
The bishops asked Congress to follow that guidance when putting together the budget bill.
“Through this reconciliation effort and the circumstances that gave rise to it, we see the unfortunate absence of that will and therefore the failure to achieve reasonable and necessary reforms to current immigration enforcement practices,” they said.
U.S. bishops plan Sacred Heart consecration, issue agenda for June meeting
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City is set to deliver his first remarks as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) before bishops consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June.
The USCCB is set to gather for the 2026 Spring Plenary Assembly in Orlando, Florida, on June 10–12.
Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, nuncio to the United States, also is scheduled to deliver his first address to U.S. bishops since his appointment in March.
In preparation for consecrating the nation, bishops will hear reflections on the Sacred Heart from several of the bishops ahead of the Mass. The USCCB said in a statement that the bishops hope the event encourages parishes and individuals to also participate in America’s 250th anniversary by contributing to 250 hours of adoration and 250 works of mercy.
Lectionary changes
The full plenary agenda has not yet been finalized and is subject to change, but it is expected to include votes on a number of action items including the causes for canonization of Monsignor Joseph Francis Buh and John Rick Miller.
The Committee on Divine Worship also will present elements of a revised edition of the “Lectionary for Mass” and the “2025 Roman Missal-Liturgy of the Hours Supplement” for approval.
The bishops are expected to vote on a potential revision to the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” which was first addressed by bishops in 2022 meetings.
The bishops have determined the charter is in need of revisions to align with its original intention of safeguarding minors, the prevention of abuse, and ensuring structures continue to be in place to respond to abuse allegations, the USCCB said.
9-year novena, Catholic universities to be discussed
The U.S. bishops are also expected to talk about the USCCB’s engagement with the Intercontinental Guadalupan Novena, a nine-year novena called for by Pope Francis in 2022 that anticipates the fifth centennial of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2031.
For the 25th anniversary of the implementation of Ex Corde Ecclesiae in the U.S., there is an expected presentation and reflection on Pope John Paul II’s apostolic constitution to guide Catholic colleges and universities on theological and pastoral principles.
The group will also discuss upcoming events including World Youth Day 2027, which will be held in Seoul, South Korea.
Leo XIV laments that after receiving confirmation, many young people ‘disappear from the parish’
Pope Leo XIV lamented that after being confirmed, many young people no longer attend church. He asked those awaiting confirmation to “pay special attention” to one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, perseverance.
The pope met on Saturday, May 16, with those awaiting confirmation from the Archdiocese of Genoa, Italy. In an impromptu message, the Holy Father said that “one of the greatest joys of a bishop is celebrating confirmations, because it is truly a gift of the Holy Spirit.”
“It is truly beautiful to receive this sacrament, for the fullness of the Holy Spirit gives us this enthusiasm, this strength, this ability to follow Jesus Christ, to always say ‘yes’ to the Lord, to have no fear of following him with courage, and to live out our faith in a world that so often seeks to draw us away from Jesus,” he told them.
After recalling the significance of the solemnity of Pentecost — to be celebrated on Sunday, May 24 — the pope lamented a sad reality: “At times, when the bishop administers confirmation, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the children are never seen again! They disappear from the parish.”
“Don’t forget what you have experienced during this time, including the joy of coming to Rome to celebrate together, to pray together. And may this joy live on in your hearts as you continue to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ,” Pope Leo urged.
He also invited young people to “persevere in the faith, to return to the parish — there are so many activities, so many opportunities — but above all in the life of faith, because Jesus Christ wants to walk with you, with each one of you, and with all of you in community, which is so important.”
“We do not live out our faith alone; we live it together. And forming these relationships of friendship and community is a way of living with perseverance as disciples of Jesus,” he added.
Finally, he called upon those to be confirmed to make a promise to the Lord: “that you truly desire to continue being his friends, his disciples, and his missionaries, and that you desire to persevere in the faith. So, I leave you with these words,” he concluded.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Archdiocese of Baltimore proposes nearly $170 million settlement for abuse victims
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is proposing nearly $170 million in compensation for abuse victims amid its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings there.
A May 15 filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court revealed that the archdiocese would contribute just under $44 million to an abuse settlement for survivors, while “settling insurers” would pay a total of $125 million into the fund.
The insurance amount represents a 25% increase from an earlier proposed contribution of $100 million.
In a statement on the filing, the archdiocese said the overall plan “seeks to provide equitable compensation to survivors while sustaining the Church’s mission and ministries.”
The proposal “reflects a commitment to transparency and a realistic assessment of available resources,” it said.
The archdiocese noted that “no final agreement has yet been achieved.” The proposal would also establish a “Survivor Compensation Trust” to “evaluate claims and distribute compensation to survivors.”
The archdiocese “will continue to listen, to learn, and to seek a resolution that honors the dignity of survivors and strengthens the mission of the Church for generations to come,” the statement said.
In 2024 the Baltimore Archdiocese sued multiple insurers over what it claimed was a failure to pay abuse claims for which the insurers were contractually obligated.
U.S. dioceses in recent years have frequently turned to insurers to help cover major abuse settlements, though insurers have at times challenged claims from dioceses on the grounds that their insurance policies did not cover instances of sex abuse.
Marie Reilly, a professor of law at Penn State University and an expert in bankruptcy litigation, including Catholic diocesan bankruptcy proceedings, told EWTN News in 2025 that starting in the 1990s, insurance companies mostly changed how they cover sexual abuse.
“Up until about the mid-’90s, a general liability policy used to include coverages for employee liability,” she said. “It would cover sex abuse claims against the diocese stemming from an employee’s abuse.”
“After 1996, insurance policies issued under new revised standards just don’t provide that coverage anymore,” she said.
Priest forced from West Bank after Israel refuses visa renewal
A Catholic priest forced by Israel to leave the West Bank said farewell to his parishioners with a message of obedience, sorrow, and faith, saying he was returning to Jordan after serving the Christian community near Bethlehem.
“I have left Palestine, the land I loved, to return to my beloved homeland, Jordan, continuing the mission of the Gospel and justice,” Father Louis Salman wrote in a farewell message to the faithful.
Salman had served in Beit Sahour, at the Shepherds’ Field near Bethlehem, where he had become a much-loved figure among local Christians.
“In a spirit of priestly obedience, I accept all divine will and wisdom with hope and faith despite the deep pain,” the priest said in a message shared by the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice. “I knew that speaking the truth is costly, and here I am paying the price. Not with regret, but with great love, like my crucified Christ.”
The priest described Jesus as his “example and teacher” and concluded his farewell by recalling the words of the Gospel: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Young priest with great pastoral potential
In comments to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, Bishop William Shomali, vicar general of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, said Salman’s visa “was not renewed because he had made some political statements on Facebook that were considered by Israel to be incitement.”
“The Church did everything possible to resolve the situation, but Shabak [Israel’s internal security service] did not give a positive response,” Shomali said. “The Christian community in general — especially his parish and the young people he served as spiritual director — was deeply affected, especially during the farewell gathering they organized for him.”
Shomali clarified that Salman “was not physically expelled.”
“However, since his visa was not renewed, he was asked to leave discreetly to avoid any further tension,” the bishop said. “That is how the situation unfolded.”
Shomali said the priest’s future has already been arranged, adding that Salman will “soon receive a new assignment in one of our dioceses, since he is a good young priest with great pastoral potential.”
Interrogation and departure
According to sources familiar with the case cited by The Pillar in late April, the priest underwent an unusually lengthy interrogation.
Afterward, authorities of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reportedly advised Salman to leave Palestine for his own safety. He later received official notification that his visa would not be renewed, with no formal justification provided. The deadline for him to leave was May 11.
According to The Pillar, Jerusalem sources who requested anonymity said the case may mark the first time Israel has intervened so directly in internal Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem personnel decisions.
The same sources said the patriarchate does not plan to make public statements for the time being as it prepares for a possible legal battle expected to be long and complex.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
San Diego bishop condemns ‘senseless’ deadly shooting at mosque
San Diego Bishop Michael Pham condemned the “senseless act of violence” at a local Islamic mosque on May 18, an attack that left five people dead — three victims and two teenage suspects who died by suicide.
The city government said police responded to the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego just before noon on May 18. Three adult victims, including a security guard, were found dead outside of the center, while the two suspects — aged 17 and 18 — were found dead several blocks away with self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The FBI is helping with the investigation, the city said. The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime.
In a statement released on May 18, Pham said the local Catholic community “stand[s] united in solidarity and prayer with the Muslim community” in San Diego.
Decrying the “senseless act of violence” at the mosque, Pham said the Islamic Center of San Diego “has been a longtime partner in our collaborative work for justice, especially in accompanying immigrants.”
“Houses of worship must always be sanctuaries of peace, safety, and prayer,” the bishop said. “An attack on one faith community is an attack on the sacred dignity of all human life.”
The bishop offered his "deepest condolences, solidarity, and fervent prayers to the families of the victims and the entire Muslim community.”
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed sorrow and prayerful solidarity with the Muslim community.
“We stand with Chief Imam Taha Hassane, the entire Muslim community, and all who mourn in the wake of this senseless violence, affirming our shared commitment to the dignity of every human life and the rejection of hatred in all its forms,” Coakley said in a statement. “In moments such as these, we are reminded of the call to be instruments of peace; as Pope Leo XIV has said, ‘Where violence wounds the human family, compassion and unity must be our steadfast reply.’ May God console the grieving, strengthen the injured, and guide us all toward greater understanding, justice, and peace.”
In a statement on its Facebook page, the Islamic Center said it had lost “three pillars of our community,” including the security guard, who “gave his life protecting the children and community members” of the facility.
The three men who were killed “put themselves on the line for our [mosque] and our community,” the center said, describing them as “men of courage, sacrifice, and faith.”
In another post the mosque said it had established a victim support fund for those impacted by the tragedy.
On its website the center said it was “closed until further notice.” The facility opened in 1989 and is the largest mosque in San Diego County.
The mosque was the target of a bomb attack in 1991 when an explosive device was found in a bathroom there. The device did not explode and nobody was injured in the incident.
This story was updated at 5:45 p.m. ET on May 19, 2026 to include a statement from Archbishop Paul Coakley.