Pope Leo XIV reunites with his eighth grade classmates
On the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Leo XIV met last week with some of his eighth grade classmates from St. Mary of the Assumption lower school in south Chicago, where he grew up.
Of the 82 eighth graders with whom he attended St. Mary’s in 1969, 10 greeted him after the general audience on March 18, exchanging laughs, gifts, and warm handshakes.
During the meeting, his former classmates gave him a photograph of the class of 1969, which he held up as he posed for another group shot more than 50 years later.
Jerome Clemens pointed out the young Robert Prevost standing among his classmates to the L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper: “Here he is, our friend, the pope,” showing the back of the photo with Prevost’s old autograph and his new one, which he signed, “Leo XIV.”
Another former classmate, Sherry Stone (née Blue), dropped a sign she held that read “God bless you Pope Leo” when the pope approached her.
“Sorry! I’m nervous!” she said, laughing, as he shook her hand.
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Last spring, Stone told the Lansing Journal: “When he was in the conclave, I thought, ‘Could it be him? Could Bob be the new pope? No, probably not.’ When I saw that it was him, I was just amazed. I was crying tears of joy.”
“He was a super nice guy, but not nerdy,” she said.
After finishing eighth grade at St. Mary’s, Prevost attended boarding school at St. Augustine Seminary High School in Michigan, graduating in 1973. He then attended another Augustinian school, Villanova University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1977 before entering the Augustinian novitiate that September.
He was ordained a priest in 1982, earning a master of divinity degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago that same year. He earned a licentiate in canon law (JCL) in 1984 and completed a doctorate in canon law (JCD) in 1987, both from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
St. Mary’s church and school on Chicago’s ‘most endangered list’
St. Mary of the Assumption Church and School, where a young Prevost served as an altar boy and his mother, Mildred Prevost, worked as a librarian, was at the center of a vibrant Catholic community in the Riverdale neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side in the 1960s.
The property, which has been vacant since 2011 and is now privately owned, is located just a few blocks from the pope’s childhood home in Dolton, Illinois, but within Chicago city limits.
The neighborhood has seen significant decline since the popeʼs childhood. Ward Miller of Preservation Chicago told EWTN News that St. Mary’s, which has a hole in the roof of the church building, broken windows, graffiti, and many other issues, was listed on Preservation Chicago’s 2026 “7 Most Endangered List" as of March 4.
“We at Preservation Chicago are of the opinion that the church and school buildings of St. Mary’s are in need of immediate attention in order to secure temporary repairs, with a long-term goal of a full restoration of the campus of buildings, before everything is lost to deterioration,” Miller said.
The property’s current owner, Joel Hall, said last year he is open to a landmark designation by the city, according to Miller.
Preservation Chicago, a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to preserving historic sites in Chicago and encouraging landmark designations in the city, presented its case to designate it as such at a meeting in May 2025 of the Commission of Chicago Landmarks.
No decision has been made yet regarding the landmark designation, but Preservation Chicago has created an online petition to the city of Chicago to “Save the Pope’s Church!”
“This complex should become a visitors site, an oratory or shrine, as this is our first American pope — a world leader, and from Chicago!” Miller told EWTN News.
“We would very much like to see a partnership form to save these buildings and tell the story of this world leader,” reads an article on Preservation Chicago’s website. “An initial step in this process would be to consider a Chicago landmark designation of the buildings of this campus, with a plan to methodically restore and repurpose each of the buildings.”
Miller told EWTN News he would like to see the property “prepared [in time] for the pope’s return visits to Chicago!”
The pope does not yet have plans to visit the United States.
War forces Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to cancel Palm Sunday procession
Amid the continuing war and restrictions on access to the holy sites, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has canceled the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, announcing “exceptional measures” regarding this year’s Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
The Palm Sunday procession will instead be replaced by a time of prayer for the city in a location yet to be announced.
The patriarchate also announced the postponement of the chrism Mass until circumstances allow — most likely during the Easter season after necessary ecclesiastical approvals are obtained.
At the same time, it affirmed that the churches of the diocese will remain open and that priests and pastors will work, within the limits of what is possible, to ensure the participation of the faithful in prayers and liturgical celebrations.
The patriarchate explained that this year it has not been possible to hold the traditional Lenten pilgrimage in Jerusalem, with its celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the sites associated with Christ’s passion. It noted that, although the faithful have been able to prepare individually, they have felt the absence of the communal journey toward Easter, which is an essential element of the Church’s spiritual life.
Continuing restrictions
The patriarchate said the security conditions linked to the conflict do not suggest any improvement in the near future. It stressed that, in coordination with the other Churches and the relevant authorities, it is continuing to assess possible ways to hold the celebrations within the available framework.
Decisions, it said, will be made on a day-by-day basis according to developments on the ground. According to the statement, it has become clear that it will not be possible to organize normal celebrations open to all the faithful, prompting the patriarchate to adopt a set of organizational measures.
The patriarchate said this reality constitutes “another wound added to the many wounds caused by the conflict.” The pain, it said, is not limited to the consequences of war but also includes the inability to celebrate Easter together “in a fitting way.” Yet it stressed the need not to surrender to despair and called for perseverance in prayer.
In this context, the patriarchate called on the faithful to unite in prayer on Saturday, March 28, by reciting the rosary for peace and reassurance, especially for those suffering because of the conflict. It concluded by affirming that Easter remains, despite every circumstance, a sign of hope, recalling that “no darkness, not even the darkness of war, can have the last word” and that the empty tomb remains a witness to the victory of life over hatred and mercy over sin.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Does the pope vote in Peru or pay U.S. taxes? Key questions remain unsettled
Questions about whether Pope Leo XIV must vote in Peru or pay taxes in the United States remain unresolved, with one canon law expert arguing that the pope’s unique status as a sovereign head of state likely exempts him in practice — even if the legal picture is not entirely settled.
The debate has gained attention following Leo XIV’s election, given that he holds both U.S. and Peruvian citizenship. In Peru, voting is mandatory, with elections scheduled for April 13. In the United States, citizens — including those living abroad — are generally required to file tax returns, including disclosures of foreign income.
The Holy See Press Office did not immediately respond to questions about whether the pope will vote in Peru or in the United States or file U.S. income tax returns.
According to Professor Antonio G. Chizzoniti, a canon law scholar at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, these questions arise from treating the pope as an ordinary dual citizen — an assumption he argues is incomplete.
“The issue of the pope’s citizenship lies at the intersection of distinct legal systems,” Chizzoniti told ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News, referring to canon law, Vatican law, and the laws of the countries from which popes originate. “None of these systems establishes uniform rules,” he said, noting that the pope’s legal status is the result of a “complex layering of norms” that has led to different outcomes in modern history.
Chizzoniti emphasized that canon law does not require a pope to renounce prior citizenship, nor does it forbid retaining it. He described this as an intentional gap, reflecting the Church’s focus on the pope’s spiritual and ecclesial role rather than his civil status.
At the same time, Vatican law grants the pope citizenship of Vatican City automatically upon his election. This “functional citizenship,” tied to office rather than birth or descent, exists alongside any prior nationality, which may still be retained depending on the laws of the country of origin.
As a result, modern popes have typically held multiple citizenships. Historical examples include St. John Paul II retaining Polish citizenship and Pope Francis maintaining Argentine nationality.
In principle, Chizzoniti said, obligations tied to original citizenship — such as taxes or voting — could still apply. However, he argued that the pope’s status as a foreign head of state introduces a decisive complication.
“It will be necessary to verify the applicability of such obligations to a foreign head of state,” he said, pointing to the well-established principle in international law that grants heads of state immunity from the jurisdiction of other countries.
This immunity, he explained, generally covers both official and private acts and prevents enforcement of civil or administrative obligations by foreign states.
For that reason, while the pope’s dual citizenship is not merely theoretical, “there are multiple reasons to consider these obligations not applicable or no longer enforceable” in his case, Chizzoniti said.
Still, his analysis reflects a legal interpretation rather than a definitive resolution. The interaction between citizenship obligations and head-of-state immunity — especially in cases as unique as the papacy — remains a matter of ongoing discussion rather than settled law.
Leo XIV’s situation is particularly notable because he holds three citizenships: U.S. citizenship by birth, Peruvian citizenship acquired in 2015 when he became bishop of Chiclayo, and Vatican citizenship by virtue of his election as pope.
Ultimately, Chizzoniti argues that the pope’s identity as both the Holy See and the sovereign of Vatican City distinguishes him fundamentally from ordinary citizens — even those with dual nationality.
But the broader questions — whether and how civil obligations tied to citizenship apply to a reigning pope — remain open, highlighting the unusual intersection of international law, state sovereignty, and the unique nature of the papal office.
A version of this story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Pope condemns aerial bombardment
“After the tragic experiences of the 20th century, aerial bombardment should have been banished forever!” Pope Leo XIV said Monday during an audience with airline executives and staff.
“Instead, as we know, it still exists, and technological development, which is positive in itself, is being put at the service of war. This is not progress, it is regression!” he added.
The pope, speaking to representatives of Italy’s national airline, ITA Airways, along with a delegation from the Lufthansa Group, emphasized that aviation must serve peace rather than conflict.
“Aircraft should always be vehicles of peace, never of war! No one should fear that threats of death and destruction will come from the sky,” he said.
Leo XIV also underscored the importance of fostering peace through global travel and cooperation.
“In this context, it becomes even more important to chart courses of peace in the skies,” he said.
The audience highlighted the long-standing relationship between the papacy and Italy’s national airline, dating back to St. Paul VI’s historic 1964 pilgrimage to the Holy Land — the first papal journey by air. Since then, successive popes have continued the tradition of international apostolic travel.
The pope noted that he himself plans to rely on ITA Airways for his upcoming trip to Africa in about 20 days.
Reflecting on papal travel more broadly, Leo XIV described such journeys as a visible expression of the Church’s mission.
“The papal flights are one of the most eloquent symbols of the mission of the successors of Peter in the contemporary age,” he said. “In a particular way, in his apostolic journeys, the pope appears to everyone as a messenger of peace: His routes are what they should always be, namely bridges of dialogue, of encounter, and of brotherhood.”
He also praised airline personnel for their professionalism and spirit of service.
“My predecessors and the collaborators who accompanied them on their international journeys found in the personnel of Alitalia and ITA not only qualified and experienced professionals, but also people capable of creating a serene, I would say almost family-like, atmosphere, where respect goes hand in hand with devotion,” he said.
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.
Catholic bishops demand repeal of India state’s anti-conversion bill
NAGPUR, India — Catholic leaders in one of India’s most populous states are demanding the repeal of a new law that criminalizes religious conversion — the 13th such measure enacted across the country under the ruling Hindu-nationalist government.
“We protest this move. We have urged the government to repeal this law. Copies of our [Western Regional Bishops’ Council] statement have been sent to the chief minister and governor of the state,” Archbishop Elias Gonsalves of Nagpur, chairman of the Western Regional Bishops’ Council, told EWTN News on March 23.
“Far from safeguarding religious freedom, this law, in its present form, effectively undermines the very right it claims to protect, i.e., the freedom to choose and profess one’s religion, as guaranteed under Articles 19, 21, and 25 of the Constitution of India,” the Western Regional Bishops’ Council said in its March 19 statement.
Expressing “deep disappointment and strong protest” against the bill, the bishops’ council said sections of the legislation “amount to a direct and unjustified interference in the legitimate religious practices of the Catholic Church, particularly its Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program. It is equally disheartening that the ruling party has passed this bill [on March 16] without adequate consultation with the communities most affected by it.”
A threat to conscience
The statement pointed out that sections of the legislation “mandate that any individual intending to convert must submit a notice 60 days in advance to the competent authority. ... This provision intrudes deeply into the personal domain of conscience and belief, opening the door to scrutiny, suspicion, and harassment.”
“This section, like most sections in the bill, is manifestly arbitrary and violative of individual’s right to privacy protected by Article 21 [under Fundamental Rights],” the statement cautioned.
Given the serious concern, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India distributed the statement to media across the country.
Laity and civil society
“We are very disappointed that the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill was passed in haste and rammed through the Assembly owing to the brute majority of the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] government,” said Dolphy D’Souza, spokesperson of the Bombay Catholic Sabha — a lay forum of the Archdiocese of Bombay.
“One of our demands was to give opportunity to discuss the provisions of the bill, some of which are draconian, which has the propensity to be misused against minorities, women, and interfaith marriages, as is evident from states where this law has been implemented,” D’Souza said in a March 21 statement.
“This law will be a tool used to harass minorities, women, and interfaith marriages and those who want to convert out of their personal choice voluntarily. While the bill is titled Freedom of Religion Act, it curtails this fundamental right,” D’Souza told EWTN News.
“This bill also criminalizes all charitable works including imparting education under the vague terms of ‘allurement.’ It will give unbridled power to [Hindu] vigilante groups and ‘suo motu’ powers to police to harass and intimidate citizens, encouraging violence and attacks,” he cautioned.
A week before the legislation was passed, a coalition of 35 civil rights, social action, Muslim, and Christian groups had condemned the bill as a “threat to constitutional freedom.”
“Article 25 guarantees the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion, which includes the right to adopt and change one’s faith,” the groups asserted.
“The political agenda behind this legislation is to polarize and divide communities on religious lines,” said Irfan Engineer, who heads the Center for Study of Society and Secularism, one of the groups that signed the statement.
Hindu nationalists, Engineer said, are using the propaganda of “love jihad” — marriage for the purpose of conversion — to defend the legislation. He pointed out, however, that “the committee appointed by the state government studied 152 interreligious marriages and found no conversion motive.”
Boys Town founder Father Flanagan moves one step closer to sainthood
Pope Leo XIV on Monday approved the advancement of the beatification cause for Boys Town founder Father Edward J. Flanagan, declaring him “venerable.”
The Irish-born priest, revered for his revolutionary approach to caring for homeless and impoverished children in the 20th century, famously said there was “no such thing as a bad boy, only bad environment, bad modeling, and bad teaching.”
His life and legacy were immortalized in the 1938 movie “Boys Town,” starring Spencer Tracy, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of the priest.
Thanks to his ministry to young boys in Omaha, Nebraska, Flanagan was invited to review the child welfare conditions in Japan and Korea in 1947, and the following year in Austria and Germany.
While in Germany, Flanagan had a heart attack and died on May 15, 1948. His body rests at Dowd Memorial Chapel of the Immaculate Conception in Boys Town, Nebraska.
The pope declared the “heroic virtue” of Flanagan alongside four other holy men and women on March 23.
He also authorized the beatification of Italian Cardinal Ludovico Altieri, who died ministering to cholera patients during an epidemic in 1867.
Altieri was found to have made an “offering of life,” a legal path to sainthood created by Pope Francis in 2017.
The other sainthood causes advanced Monday are French diocesan priest Henri Caffarel (1903–1996), founder of Équipes Notre-Dame; visionary and Polish Sister Barbara Stanisława Samulowska, who served for five decades as a missionary in Guatemala (1865–1950); Spanish Sister Maria Dolores Romero Algarín (Mother Belén) (1916–1977); and Italian husband and father of 12 Giuseppe Castagnetti (1909–1965).
‘Thirst of their souls’ is awakening a new generation of catechumens in France, priest says
The number of catechumens — people preparing to receive baptism — continues to grow robustly in France. After reaching the highest number in two decades in 2025, with a total of 10,384 baptisms during the Easter Vigil, several French dioceses indicated that this year the number could reach 20,000.
Young people are seeking something transcendent
Father Gian Strapazzon, rector of St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in France, arrived in the country 12 years ago from his native Brazil. In an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, he said there he encountered exemplary priests whose witness confirmed his vocation: “They were like lights amidst the darkness.”
St. Vincent de Paul Seminary serves as the primary formation center for the Institute of the Good Shepherd, founded in 2006 in Courtalain within the French Diocese of Chartres. It is distinguished by its formation of priests utilizing the traditional Roman rite.
The record number of conversions in France, particularly among young adults, stems from “reaction to a society that’s not finding answers,” reflecting a spiritual awakening in Europe, according to Strapazzon.
“These are young people seeking something transcendent who find answers in preaching rooted in the tradition of the Catholic faith — just as it has always been done. This encourages many adults to take a more radical step and live out their faith more intensely,” he noted.
The eight dioceses comprising the ecclesiastical province of Paris have convened a council that opened Jan. 25 and will continue through May 2027 with the aim of discerning an appropriate response to the growing numbers of younger people coming into the Church and establishing common guidelines at the provincial level.
This is indispensable, according to Strapazzon, who said “it is necessary to understand the source of this surge in order to offer good solutions.”
“People want Our Lord Jesus Christ,” he explained, “and this must be taught correctly. People are already weary of the superficiality they encounter in the world; they are seeking the true God, the revelation of God.”
The rector of the French seminary underscored the importance of teaching sound doctrine and noted that many adults who wish to receive the sacrament of baptism — even those raised in non-Catholic environments — attend the Traditional Latin Mass.
“This is what attracts people today: this truth and this search for something concrete, serious, and profound, something that stands in contrast to what they have become accustomed to in the modern world, as they realize that the latter does not quench the thirst of their souls,” Strapazzon said. “For this reason, obviously, it is essential that there be sound doctrine.”
Increase in applications to enter the seminary
Strapazzon has also witnessed an increase in applications to the seminary in recent years: “At the seminary, we have a young man who was baptized five years ago as well as another who converted from Islam.”
He noted, however, that the Church encourages “a certain prudence” regarding the acceptance and formation of newly baptized young men, who must wait at least two years after their baptism before entering the seminary.
“One can become confused in one’s fervor and fail to discern. It’s one thing to be a Christian and quite another to have a vocation to the priesthood. For this reason great prudence [is always exercised]. But yes, here we receive many inquiries every year from individuals who have been baptized only recently, individuals who require guidance to discern whether to enter the seminary.”
The priest emphasized that this unprecedented phenomenon in France “demonstrates to us that the Church of Our Lord is always alive, that our faith is truly catholic — that is to say, universal — and that it is always enduring and life-giving.”
He said this will continue to happen as long as there is a “faith preached with fidelity” on the part of the priests. “Even if there are no priests, the Lord has told us that the stones will preach,” he reminded.
Strapazzon explained that the correct way to interpret this phenomenon “is that the Catholic Church is always alive, will always be fruitful, and when it dies in one place, it revives in another. Moreover, in her resides a soul which is the Holy Spirit who constantly moves it and builds it up.”
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.
Pope decries war’s toll
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday voiced dismay over ongoing conflicts around the world, saying the suffering of innocent victims “hurts all of humanity” and urging an end to hostilities grounded in dialogue and respect for human dignity.
“We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many defenseless people who are victims of these conflicts. What hurts them hurts all of humanity,” the pope said after praying the Angelus on March 22.
“The death and pain caused by these wars is a scandal for the entire human family and a cry that rises to God,” he continued. “I strongly renew my appeal to persevere in prayer, so that hostilities may cease and paths to peace may finally open up, based on sincere dialogue and respect for the dignity of every human person.”
Earlier, in his reflection before the Angelus, the pope focused on the Gospel account of the raising of Lazarus, describing it as a sign of Christ’s victory over death and the promise of eternal life received through baptism.
“The account of the resurrection of Lazarus, then, invites us to listen to this profound need and, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to free our hearts from habits, conditioning, and ways of thinking which, like boulders, shut us away in the tomb of selfishness, materialism, violence, and superficiality,” he said.
“In these places there is no life but only confusion, dissatisfaction, and loneliness.”
Quoting Jesus’ command in the Gospel — “Come out!” — the pope said Christ calls believers to emerge from such “cramped spaces,” renewed by his grace, and to “walk in the light of love, as new women and men, capable of hoping and loving, without calculation and without measure, according to the model of his infinite charity.”
He also warned that the world seems “to constantly search for novelty and change, even at the cost of sacrificing important things — time, energy, values, affections,” as though “fame, material goods, entertainment, and fleeting relationships could fill our hearts or make us immortal.”
“It is a symptom of a longing for the infinite that each of us carries within us, a need that cannot be satisfied by passing things,” he said. “Nothing finite can quench our inner thirst, for we are made for God, and we find no peace until we rest in him.”
The pope concluded by entrusting the faithful to the Virgin Mary, praying that the experience of encountering the risen Christ may be renewed in them each day.
This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Ireland sees modest revival in faith, especially among youth and young adults
An increase in spirituality and religious practice among young adults in Ireland aged 18 to 30 and confirmation that Ireland is in the “middle range” of religious countries in Europe are among the trends identified in a new report published by the Irish Catholic bishops titled “Turning the Tide.”
Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, primate of all Ireland, told EWTN News: “There has been a lot of talk recently about the so-called quiet revival in religious practice in recent years. The [report] looks at some of the research studies that have been carried out north and south of the island of Ireland into religious practice, religious awareness and spirituality, and interest in religion, and asks a question by comparing this with European social studies: Is there actually any uptake [in] religious practice and awareness and interest in Ireland?”
Drawing on research from the European Social Survey, the Iona Institute’s two recent surveys conducted by Amárach Research, and a variety of relevant academic studies, the report seeks to provide an integrated, relevant, and current look at religious practice in Ireland.
“The report very interestingly points to some type of uptick, as they call it, particularly among young people around the ages of 16 to 30 and the fact that they are taking a new interest in religion and in spirituality.”
Encouraged by the positive trends emerging across different studies, Martin sounded a note of caution, highlighting the challenges that these findings pose for the Catholic Church in Ireland.
“I don’t think we should get ourselves too enthusiastic thinking this is a complete reversal of the very obvious decline and religious practice over the last 10 or 20 years,” he said. “However, it is saying something on the turning tide.”
The archbishop pointed to the implications for the Irish Church: “It’s asking us to reflect on this phenomenon in the light of research, and for instance what does this mean for us as Church, as parishes, as dioceses? How are we responding to this growing body of young people who want to know more more about God, about church, and about religion?”
The report, co-authored by Stephen Bullivant, professor of theology and the sociology of religion at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, and Emily Nelson, a doctoral student of sociology at Queen’s University Belfast, examined the overall religious profile of the island of Ireland, including areas of convergence and divergence between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The authors drew together research studies on patterns in belief, practice, and religious identification between generations, with particular attention to differences within young adult cohorts. The work also provided insight on dimensions of religiosity, religious transmission, and attitudes toward Church teaching and institutions among both men and women.
Ireland remains among the more religious countries in Europe, on measures of religious affiliation, religious service attendance, and frequency of prayer. Among western European countries, it is one of few outliers with a relatively high level of overall religiosity. It also ranks toward the higher end of (especially western) European countries on measures of weekly Mass attendance and daily prayer.
While key measures of Irish religiosity have declined significantly since the European Social Survey began in 2002-2003, the most recent round in 2023-2024 shows a strong uptick in religious affiliation and religious practice.This effect is most strongly evident among those aged 16–29 years, across both Catholics and Protestants.
Northern Ireland is both the most religious region of the United Kingdom, by a large margin, and the most religious part of the island of Ireland, in terms of both affiliation and religious practice.
Although women in the Republic of Ireland are equally as likely as men to be religious, they continue to play an influential role in transmitting faith, even as they express higher levels of moral dissent and institutional dissatisfaction. The report revealed that 74% of Irish Catholic women were found to believe that the Church did not treat them with “a lot of respect.”
According to the report, 51% of Irish adults — and 27% of Irish young adults —pray at least once a week, and 31% say they attend Mass at least once a week, placing them fourth overall, alongside Italy (32%) but well behind Poland (49%) and Slovakia (46%).
There is a significant drop-off among young adults, whose reported religious practice is roughly half that of older adults. Irish 16- to 29-year-olds rank sixth overall compared with other countries, at 17%, though that is at least double the rates of the same age group in Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium, at 5%, and in Austria with less than 1%.
The Irish report also pointed to a 2023 Barna study that found in certain respects, Irish teens are more religious than their global peers. Just over 3 in 5 (62%) Irish teens identify as Christian with nearly a third identify as atheist, agnostic, or of no faith.
On average, 18- to 24-year-olds in the Republic of Ireland aren’t particularly positive about both Christianity and the Catholic Church in Ireland, but they are more positive than those in the 25–34 age range, and fewer have a negative attitude toward priests and nuns.
In 2023, EWTN News’ Colm Flynn traveled to Ireland with the question “Is Ireland still Catholic?” He explored the various reasons for the decline of the faith in Ireland and the challenges the Church faces there today. In the three years since, and after many emails and messages pointing to signs of a “quiet revival” of faith in Ireland, Flynn recently returned to the country to explore those signs of renewal. In his report, he refers to the “Turning the Tide” report:
Angola parish prepares to host historic meeting of pope and Church leaders
LUANDA, Angola — Our Lady of Fátima Parish in the Archdiocese of Luanda is at the center of preparations for a historic moment in Angola as it prepares to host Pope Leo XIV’s meeting with bishops, priests, women and men religious, and catechists during his planned April 18–21 apostolic visit.
The encounter, scheduled for April 20, places the parish — run by members of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap) — in the spotlight, drawing attention from across the country and around the world.
For Father Diogo Messias, pastor of the parish, the choice of Our Lady of Fátima as host is both an honor and a profound spiritual moment for the local Church.
“The visit of the Holy Father to our community is a moment of great significance, joy, and pride for all the faithful,” he said in an interview with ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, on March 18.
“The pope’s presence is a blessing for our parish and for all of Angola,” he said. “The visit marks a historic moment, and seeing our parish chosen for this meeting is a cause of joy and renewal for our community.”
As the largest Capuchin fraternity in Angola, the parish has become a hive of activity, with preparations focused on ensuring that the venue is ready to welcome hundreds of Church leaders and participants expected for the encounter.
“The preparations are focused both inside and outside the church,” Messias explained, adding: “Visible work includes improving the courtyard, pavement, and chairs. The essential part, however, is the interior, where the meeting with the Holy Father will take place.”
The parish’s infrastructure is old, but efforts are underway to enhance the space and ensure it reflects the dignity of the occasion.
“It is not a case of serious deterioration, but we want to give dignity to the Capuchin house and the place of prayer for the faithful. Every touch and detail matters,” the priest said.
Renovation works include painting, structural repairs, and adapting the church to accommodate the expected influx of participants. At the same time, improvements are ongoing in surrounding areas, particularly at Largo Rainha Ginga, where access routes and walkways are being upgraded.
“These works aim to improve access and movement for everyone and enhance the appearance of the church that will receive the pope on April 20,” Messias said.
Beyond logistics, Messias underscored the significance of the gathering, describing it as a moment that brings together the entire Church in Angola and beyond.
“The meeting with the Holy Father involves the entire Church in Angola, including religious sisters, catechists, and members from other dioceses and neighboring countries, such as São Tomé,” he said. “The event will have national and international impact, showing the unity of the Church and the richness of Angolan culture.”
While the parish prepares physically, the emphasis remains on spiritual renewal for those who will take part in the encounter.
“Despite the great mobilization, the most important thing is the experience of renewal for all those present. Those who participate will leave strengthened in spirit, committed to the community, and motivated to live values of fraternity and respect,” Messias said.
The April 20 meeting is expected to be one of the defining moments of the pope’s visit to Angola, offering a unique opportunity for direct engagement with Church leaders and pastoral agents.
“Bishops, women and men religious, and catechists in Angola expect Pope Leo XIV to bring a message centered above all on unity, hope, and community commitment,” Messias said.
He said the visit is widely seen as an opportunity for deeper reflection and renewal within the Church.
“The visit of the Holy Father is seen as a moment that goes beyond a simple meeting, being understood as an opportunity for inner renewal,” he said, adding: “It is expected that the Holy Father’s message will help consecrated persons renew their vocation, strengthen their dedication to service, and assume with greater responsibility the role they play in the life of the Church and the country.”
Meanwhile, members of the local community are playing an active role in the preparations. Among them is David Afonso, a young carpenter overseeing the restoration of church benches.
“Working to receive the Holy Father is a great responsibility, and we are doing our best to ensure everything is in good condition,” he said.
Although not a Catholic, Afonso expressed pride in contributing to the preparations.
“It is a pleasure to take part in an event of this magnitude. Every detail matters, and we want the space to be worthy and memorable for all the faithful and visitors,” he said.
This story was first published by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, and has been adapted by EWTN News.