Padre Pio statue appears to weep blood in Italian parish
Santa Maria delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) parish in the small Italian town of Casalba has found itself in the media spotlight after a statue of St. Padre Pio appeared to show a tear of blood trickling down its face.
The discovery was made in April, when a parishioner noticed an unusual detail on the face of the saint from Pietrelcina: A reddish tear, resembling blood, appeared to be falling from its left eye.
The news quickly reached the parish priest, Father Girolamo Capuano, who went to the church to verify what had happened and attempt, without success, to clean off the stain. The statue of Padre Pio, which has stood at the entrance of this Italian church for two decades, has been removed for examination in order to determine the origin of the phenomenon.
Speaking to Mediaset Italia’s program Mattino Cinque, Capuano urged prudence and emphasized that bringing the matter to public attention to clarify the facts “does not stem from any desire for popularity.”
Furthermore, he insisted that such “signs” are “given to all so that they may be shared with prudence, love, and discernment,” while also stating that they should be made known “because many people begin a journey of faith” through them.
The Italian priest, who verified via security cameras that no one had tampered with the statue, reiterated that in his view, it is “an authentic sign that comes from God,” although he asked people to wait for the necessary verification.
“What convinces me the most is that we have a camera monitoring the statue day and night for more than 10 years. I have personally reviewed all the footage from April 1st to the 30th. The tear appeared on the 18th, or at least that was when we saw it. No one approached the statue, either by day or by night, to do anything to it. That reinforces my personal conviction and my faith in Padre Pio,” he said.
The priest noted several striking elements: “The statue is made of fiberglass, and the reddish color of the tear raises questions. Furthermore, the path of the tear is so perfect that not even a painter like Michelangelo could reproduce something like it.”
Regardless of the investigationʼs findings, which must determine whether the stain contains hemoglobin or another substance, Capuano insists that “they cannot take our faith away from us.”
In 2015, a reported case of an image of the Virgin Mary weeping circulated in the same town, although investigations concluded that the phenomenon was caused by rainwater seepage.
In accordance with the Vatican’s Norms for Proceeding in the Discernment of Alleged Supernatural Phenomena, the bishop of the Diocese of Capua, Pietro Lagnese, will lead the preliminary investigation before submitting the findings to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF).
According to these norms, published by the Vatican in 2024, it is up to diocesan bishop to examine cases in dialogue with his corresponding bishops’ conference and under the supervision of the DDF.
Once the facts have been investigated, the bishop must send the results to the dicastery, which analyzes both the material received and the procedure followed by the prelate. Until the DDF issues a definitive judgment, the bishop “will refrain from any public declaration regarding the authenticity or supernaturality of these phenomena.”
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.
Bishop Baldacchino to climb Mount Cristo Rey as the government moves to seize diocesan land
Bishop Peter Baldacchino of Las Cruces, New Mexico, will climb Mount Cristo Rey and celebrate Mass at the mountain’s peak as the government moves to seize the diocesan land for border fencing.
The Diocese of Las Cruces “is currently the subject of an application by the United States government to exercise eminent domain over diocesan land situated on Mount Cristo Rey,” Baldacchino wrote in a letter.
Mount Cristo Rey is a prominent mountain in Sunland Park, New Mexico, overlooking the Texas and Mexico borders. The mountain is home to a 29-foot-tall statue of Christ and a shrine.
“At this site, Christ the King, with open arms, rises above two countries,” Baldacchino said. “Since the sites’ founding nearly a century ago, many have come together in devotion and journeyed to the top of this mountain seeking Him and offering prayers of thanksgiving and hope.”
As the dispute remains ongoing, Baldacchino and Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso are inviting the faithful “to join in prayer and pilgrimage” by climbing the mountain and celebrating Mass on June 28.
“Our government is within its rights to secure its border, however, our Diocese is defending itself against the means by which the government now seeks to do so,” Baldacchino said.
The government is trying to seize the diocesan property “to construct, install, operate, and maintain…structures designed to help secure the United States/Mexico border within the state of New Mexico,” according to a civil action filed by the federal government in U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico.
The Diocese of Las Cruces had asked a district court to block the deposit of the funds while it fights the governmentʼs attempts, but on June 15, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Gonzales ruled the government could deposit the $183,071 to “allow for the safekeeping of funds pending resolution” of the dispute.
This is not a matter of politics, but a matter of preserving and defending a sanctuary and devotion which has brought many people in our community to God."
Peter BaldacchinoBishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico
“This is not a matter of politics, but a matter of preserving and defending a sanctuary and devotion which has brought many people in our community to God,” he said. “The spiritual value of this site cannot be compromised by politics or financial gain.”
“I look forward to being with you all on June 28, 2026, as we pray for the Dioceses of Las Cruces and El Paso, and for our government and its leaders,” Baldacchino wrote.
African bishops lead ‘Peace University’ effort to train future leaders in terror-plagued region
Catholic bishops from West Africa are leading an international effort to develop the Sahel Peace University — a prospective higher education institution to train future leaders in addressing the scourge of terrorism and violence in the region.
The proposed university is borne out of the broader Sahel Peace Initiative, an interfaith advocacy organization working toward peacebuilding in the region. The Sahel is the region sitting directly below the Sahara desert, representing the northernmost part of Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to a concept proposal provided to EWTN News, the initiative is led by the Catholic bishops conferences in Burkina Faso and Niger.
Christians are the minority in both countries, representing slightly more than one-fourth of Burkina Faso and about 1% of Niger. Traditional African religions also represent a minority, while Islam is the most practiced religion.
“While we will envision solutions like buildings and programs, the goal is to foster a robust population engaged in problem solving and developing a sustainable peace in the Sahel,” the proposal states.
Although led by Catholics, the bishops also partner with Muslim clerics and leaders of traditional African faith communities. The proposal notes the university will be grounded in Catholic social teaching, and open to everyone, and expressed a commitment to work with interfaith partners, especially the Muslim community.
“The [university] will serve as a regional hub for peacebuilding, governance research, trauma healing, and community resilience, equipping leaders and communities to address the Sahel’s most urgent challenges,” it adds.
The bishops hope to headquarter the university in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. It will be African- and Catholic-led, but the bishops are looking for international support, including from the United States.
“While the physical requirements include buildings and materials, these are merely tools for the emerging leaders to cultivate a new group of younger and empowered people of all faiths working collaboratively towards the shared goal of lasting peace,” it states.
Burkina Faso bishops seek solidarity
Bishops from Burkina Faso have met with Pope Leo XIV in Rome and have offered information to the U.S. State Department in a recent trip to the United States, hoping to spread awareness about problems in the Sahel and to garner more support for their peace efforts.
Two of the bishops — Archbishop Laurent Dabire, archbishop of Bobo-Dioulasso, and Bishop Alexandre Bazie, auxiliary bishop of Koudougou and head of the Burkina Faso-Niger bishops’ delegation — spoke with EWTN News about the situation on the ground and efforts to gain support for the university.
The bishops spoke in French through a translator, Father Barthelemy Bazemo.
Dabire said he told Leo the bishops have been trying to raise awareness about problems in the region for a long time. He said people globally are aware of the conflicts in Ukraine, Iran, and Gaza, but often Africa and the Sahel are overlooked.
President Donald Trump coordinated with the Nigerian government to strike terrorists in Nigeria — a country in the Sahel, east of Burkina Faso — amid rampant violence, killings, and terrorism that has disproportionately targeted Christians, but also victimized many Muslims and followers of traditional African religions.
Bazie said the U.S. has coordinated with Burkina Faso on separate issues, such as health initiatives, but the terrorism problem has not drawn as much attention from the administration when compared to Nigeria.
He said the violence in Burkina Faso is not one-sided against Christians, but that terrorists target both churches and mosques, and both Christian and Muslim clerics. He warned the people of Burkina Faso, however, cannot afford to wait until the situation reaches the level of Nigeria.
According to a 2025 report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) about the Sahel countries, Burkina Faso has “one of the world’s highest rates of civilian attacks and fatalities from insurgent violence.”
It cites actions from violent insurgent groups, including a February 2024 attack by the Islamic State – Sahel Province that killed 12 worshipers at a Catholic Church in Essakane. There was another attack that month on a mosque that killed dozens of people, along with numerous attacks on villages by bandits and insurgents. These attacks have targeted both Christians and Muslims.
In addition to murders, attacks have included kidnappings of priests, religious sisters, imams, and other Christian and Muslim civilians.
“As a result of brutal killings — thousands [have been] killed — there [are] many [in the] community being impacted [and] it takes education,” Bazie said. “It takes several years of training to get people into the [right] mindset, even if we have different solutions.”
Bazie noted that the Church has been working to improve the region through construction of schools and hospitals and other forms of economic development, but that additional support from outside partners can help the region further.
“With limited resources, [we’re] trying to do [our] best,” he said. “But now coming here is to ask for support in what’s already being done.”
Parents sentenced to prison in Brazil after excluding gender content in homeschool curriculum
A Brazilian couple was sentenced to 50 days in prison related to the homeschooling of their two daughters in an unprecedented case that has raised concerns regarding educational freedom and parental rights in Brazil.
Audato and Ieda Denardi were found guilty of the crime of “intellectual neglect” by a court in the state of São Paulo, even though the prosecution itself had requested their acquittal after concluding that the minors were not suffering from any neglect and were demonstrating appropriate academic and social development.
The Christian legal organization ADF International, which is representing the family in the appeal, denounced the case as “a grotesque abuse of criminal law” and stated that it would continue defending the couple.
The conviction, initially handed down in April 2026 and currently under appeal before the Seventh Criminal Court Chamber of the São Paulo State Court of Justice, will remain suspended while the appeal is being resolved.
‘I cannot conceive of a more dictatorial state’
Ieda Denardi expressed her distress and defended the right of parents to choose their childrenʼs education.
“As a mother, I cannot conceive of a more dictatorial state than the one that wants me in jail because I chose to exercise my right to direct the education and upbringing of my daughters,” she told ADF International.
“My husband and I are hopeful the court will recognize our right to choose the best education for our children and overturn this unjust conviction,” she added.
The couple began homeschooling their daughters in 2020 after realizing the limitations of the remote public education imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, they report a significant improvement in their daughters' academic performance and have been able to incorporate family values and faith into their education.
Judge takes into account the girls’ music preferences
One of the most striking aspects of the case is the reasoning the judge used to reach the verdict. According to the ruling, the educational program provided by the parents did not include content regarding “gender and sex education” or “tolerance and diversity.”
Furthermore, the court concluded that the fact that the girls, aged 15 and 11, do not enjoy popular musical genres such as “trap” or “sertanejo” demonstrated an alleged deficiency in their cultural education.
The judge cited this despite the fact that both girls are pianists with advanced training and are fluent in several languages.
In his ruling, the judge further accused the parents of “using their daughters as pawns in an ideological struggle, subjecting them to a form of unregulated education, the effectiveness and quality of which lack adequate metrics within the Brazilian legal system, while completely excluding the state’s involvement.”
The prosecution sought the parents' acquittal
“The prosecutor examined the witnesses and recommended acquittal. An independent educational psychologist found no sign of neglect. The girls themselves described rigorous daily education,” explained Julio Pohl, legal counsel for Latin America at ADF International.
However, “the judge convicted anyway,” he said, “because a fifteen-year-old said she finds some music lyrics morally questionable, and because the curriculum didn’t include state-approved content on gender.”
“A parent has been sentenced to prison not for failing to educate her children, but for educating them according to her own values. This is a grotesque abuse of the criminal law, and we will not let it stand.” Pohl pledged.
First criminal prosecution against homeschooling families
According to ADF International, more than 70,000 children are currently being homeschooled in Brazil. However, a lack of regulation has left thousands of families in a state of uncertainty.
The Denardi case sets a precedent as the first criminal conviction of parents for homeschooling their children.
The situation has even reached the country’s legislature, where hearings were recently held on the matter, and the Denardis asked lawmakers to pass a law guaranteeing families the right to choose this educational model.
Although a homeschooling bill was passed by the Chamber of Deputies (lower house) in 2022, the initiative remains stalled in the Senate.
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.
SSPX issues declaration of faith to Pope Leo XIV and cardinals ahead of consistory
The traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) issued an open letter and a declaration of faith to Pope Leo XIV and the College of Cardinals on June 24.
Ahead of the extraordinary consistory of the cardinals at the Vatican on June 26-27 and the SSPX’s upcoming episcopal consecrations on July 1 without papal approval, the group issued the letter as well as the declaration reaffirming their attachment to Church tradition.
“We are convinced that Tradition contains all the remedies for the deepest ills afflicting the Church and the world, for which solutions are sought in vain outside of it,” the SSPX stated in their open letter.
The accompanying declaration contains 154 statements defending traditional Church teachings, including on the sacraments, divine revelation, the Virgin Mary, the rejection of ecumenism, and fidelity to the Traditional Latin Mass.
These documents from the SSPX mark the latest development in a series of public disagreements with the Holy See over the SSPX’s planned episcopal consecrations without papal approval.
The Vatican stated on May 13 that the consecrations would be a schismatic act, resulting in automatic excommunication for the consecrating bishops and those consecrated.
On June 16, Pope Leo warned the SSPX that their planned episcopal conscrations risk schism.
“We have invited them, and I am still considering making another appeal, to say: ‘Do not do this. Let us try to live in communion in the Church.’ But it is their choice. They must understand what it means for them and for the Church,” the pope said, responding to journalists’ questions outside Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo on June 16.
The SSPX exclusively celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass and has rejected certain teachings and reforms of the Second Vatican Council, particularly regarding religious freedom and the Church’s approach to other faiths.
The Holy See Press Office did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
Vatican publishes Pope Benedict XVI's private homilies in English
The Vatican has published, for the first time in English, a collection of Pope Benedict XVI’s private homilies from 2005-2017.
According to Vatican News, the Vatican Publishing House has published “The Lord Holds Us By the Hand,” previously released in Italian in 2025 under the title “Il Signore Ci Tiene per Mano.”
The book contains Benedict’s homilies delivered during private Masses both during his time as pope and after his resignation from the papacy in 2013.
The volume includes homilies from the seasons of Advent, Lent, and Easter, given at either the private chapel in the Apostolic Palace or the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican, and focused on developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The book offers an example of the continuity of the late pope’s theological work since his time as Joseph Ratzinger, both as an acclaimed theologian and as head of the then-Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The book also highlights his focus on the person of Christ as an accompanying figure for today’s Christians.
“The Lord Holds Us by the Hand” includes a preface by Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Pope Benedict XVI’s former personal secretary, and an introduction by Father Federico Lombardi S.J., president of the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation.
A second volume, dedicated to Benedict’s homilies given during Ordinary Time, is forthcoming.
Next year, 2027, will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Ratzinger, who would later become Pope Benedict XVI.
Florida bishops urge DeSantis to stay execution of 74-year-old convicted of murdering wife
Florida’s Catholic bishops are urging state Gov. Ron DeSantis to spare the life of a convicted murderer set to be executed for killing his wife more than three decades ago.
DeSantis should “grant a stay of the execution of Dusty Ray Spencer and … commute his sentence to life without parole,” the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops said in a letter to DeSantis dated June 18.
Spencer is set to be executed at 6 p.m. on June 25. DeSantis signed his death warrant on May 26.
The convicted murderer was found guilty of killing his wife Karen after stabbing her to death in 1992 in the backyard of her Orange County home. Spencer carried out the killing with a brick and a knife; Karen’s 17-year-old son witnessed the murder and attempted to stop his stepfather from the killing.
Spencer had carried out the murder after being released from jail on bail. His attorneys had argued that the murder was a crime of passion, though prosecutors said he had threatened to kill Karen prior to getting out of jail and ultimately followed through with the threat.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Spencer will be 74 if and when the state executes him. Data from the Death Penalty Information Center indicates that he would be among the 10 oldest criminals executed in the U.S. since 1976.
‘God is the author of life’
In their letter, written by Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Executive Director Michael Sheedy, the Florida bishops acknowledged that Karen Spencer’s death was “tragic and horrific.” The letter expressed “sorrow for the terrible suffering her loved ones have had to live with ever since.”
“Mr. Spencer’s crime was truly heinous and merits a severe punishment by the state,” the letter said. “…Nevertheless, we ask that you spare the life of Mr. Spencer, who was sexually abused as a child by his father and had a paranoid personality disorder.”
Like bishops in many U.S. states, the Florida bishops regularly petition the state government to commute death sentences there. Florida is among the most active states in the country for carrying out death sentences.
The state most recently executed Andrew Lukehart, a 53-year-old who was convicted of killing his girlfriend’s baby in 1997. The Florida bishops had petitioned the state government to halt that execution as well, though it was ultimately carried out on June 2.
In their plea to DeSantis regarding Spencer, the bishops said a sentence of life in prison was “not [meant] to minimize the heinousness of Mr. Spencer’s crime.”
“It is rather to recognize with awe that God is the author of life, and to reserve to him the taking of human life except where it is otherwise impossible to maintain the common good,” they said.
The letter urged the governor to “uphold justice and..exercise mercy.” It further offered prayers for Karen Spencer “and for the consolation of her loved ones.”
If it proceeds with the execution, Florida will carry out the killing at Florida State Prison in Raiford, located between Jacksonville and Gainesville.
Catholic bishops oppose establishment of America’s Ebola facility in Kenya
NAIROBI — Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops are opposing the proposed establishment of an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility for American citizens who will be flown in for care in the East African country, urging the government to affirm the country’s sovereignty by protecting Kenyans.
In their statement on Tuesday about the state of the nation, the bishops said that the initiative, which was suspended by the court following public outcry, has been imposed on Kenyans without adequate public consultation or parliamentary oversight.
“We…as your shepherds committed to safeguarding the dignity and protection of our people, express our grave concern regarding the proposed establishment of an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base, mainly for the American citizens,” the bishops said.
The Catholic leaders explained that their opposition stems from the initiative’s lack of transparency and disclosure of its governing terms. The prelates said: “Clearly, there is an inherent threat to the lives of Kenyan citizens that must be addressed because we would be importing a deadly disease.”
They continued: “What is in this for Kenya? Is this facility in the interest of our nation, whereby Kenya as a country welcomes the treatment of foreign Ebola patients, who are not welcome to their own country, for fear and danger of infection, yet accommodated in our country at the risk of our people? Kenya must affirm its sovereignty,” they said.
The facility was reportedly intended to quarantine and monitor Americans who may have been exposed to Ebola during the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
According to U.S. officials, the plan was designed to keep exposed individuals closer to the outbreak region rather than transport them immediately to the United States.
The project has generated significant public opposition in Kenya, with protests in and around Nanyuki and legal challenges arguing that the government failed to adequately consult the public and disclose the agreement with the United States.
Some demonstrations have turned violent, with reported fatalities.
Kenyaʼs Health Minister, Aden Duale has ordered an immediate halt to construction of the U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base following a court finding that he failed to comply with earlier suspension orders.
Despite previous court orders suspending the project, Reuters reported that construction activity and deliveries of equipment appeared to continue at the site until the latest order to halt work. Satellite imagery and flight-tracking data indicated ongoing activity at the air base.
The Kenyan government, led by President William Ruto, has defended the initiative, saying it forms part of broader Ebola preparedness efforts and a long-standing health partnership with the United States. U.S. officials have also stated that the project is intended to strengthen regional preparedness.
Reuters in its June 23 report indicated that the construction of the Ebola quarantine facility was ordered to stop but that the project remains embroiled in legal and political controversy.
In their June 23 statement, the Kenyan bishops said that considering the nature of the Ebola disease and what it takes to contain it, government wisdom would have required a public engagement, to build consensus on the necessity, if at all, of the facility.
The bishops further argued that the absence of meaningful public participation had already resulted in serious consequences, noting that the lack of engagement had contributed to the loss of lives during protests in Laikipia, the arrest of residents, and widespread anxiety over the possibility of an Ebola outbreak in the area.
Calling for a different approach, they urged the nation’s government to “engage in genuine, transparent dialogue with religious leaders, civil society, healthcare workers, and affected communities to explore alternative solutions” that would strengthen Kenya’s own health infrastructure and its capacity to respond to Ebola and other infectious disease threats.
The Ebola outbreak is centered in DRC and is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a relatively rare strain for which there is currently no licensed approved vaccine.
According to the latest reports, the DRC has recorded more than 1,000 confirmed cases and over 250 deaths, making this one of the fastest-growing Ebola outbreaks on record.
The outbreak has also spread into Uganda, where authorities have confirmed 19 cases and two deaths, many linked to importation from the DRC and subsequent local transmission
The bishops also demanded greater openness in government agreements affecting the country, including those involving the exploitation of Kenya’s natural resources.
“We demand for transparency in government deals that affect our country, including those recently struck like the exploitation of our minerals,” they said, adding that such transparency is a right of all Kenyans because the nation’s natural resources belong to its people.
At the same time, the bishops reaffirmed their willingness to collaborate with the government and international partners in strengthening public health systems.
They said they were committed to helping build “robust, equitable public health systems that protect all people, Kenyan and foreign alike, without compromising our constitutional principles or the safety of our citizens,” while also recalling that concerns surrounding the Social Health Authority (SHA) remain unresolved.
Emphasizing the need to place human dignity at the center of national decision-making, the bishops said they believe “the renewal of our nation must begin by recovering an unwavering respect for the dignity of every human person,” arguing that only a society that protects life can build justice, peace, and lasting hope.
They said that Catholic social teaching regards human dignity as the cornerstone of justice and maintains that honoring the dignity of every individual creates the conditions necessary for genuine peace and human flourishing.
The bishops further expressed confidence that Kenya possesses the spiritual resources, moral wisdom, and collective resolve needed to build a nation where every person is valued, grievances are addressed with respect, and economic systems serve the common good.
The Catholic leaders pledged to continue working alongside both the government and the Kenyan people in pursuing these goals.
“We as the Catholic Church, commit ourselves to walking alongside the government and our people in this sacred work,” they said, expressing faith in Kenya’s capacity for transformation and in the power of faith to guide the country toward justice and an environment in which human life is cherished.
This article was originally published by ACI Africa, EWTN News’ service in Africa, and has been adapted for EWTN News English.
Pope Leo XIV: Writing is an act of humanity that leads to God
Pope Leo XIV this week emphasized the importance of writing, describing it as a human expression of truth that ultimately leads to God.
In an audience with a group of authors on June 24, Leo discussed the enduring value of literature amid rapid digitalization. In his remarks, he urged authors to inspire readers to seek truth through their work.
The encounter between the pope and writers marked the 100th anniversary of the Vatican Publishing House, also known as Libreria Editrice Vaticana, shortened to LEV, in Italian.
“Writing, as you know, is an act of truth, of revelation, for it reveals who we are, what we believe and hope for, the world we strive toward and the future of which we dream,” Leo said. “We are never masters of the truth; if anything, it is the truth that ‘conquers’ us. That is why I hope you will inspire others to be drawn to the truth, because you yourselves are drawn to it.”
Leo also explained that writing, as a human exercise, ultimately leads to God.
“When we delve into the very depths of our humanity, we are not far from God; for there, in the midst of very human stories, God reveals himself,” Leo said.
His speech to writers follows a similar address delivered to the Vatican Publishing House employees on May 7, also held to mark its 100th anniversary.
The Vatican Publishing House was founded in 1926 as the official publisher of all texts by the pope and the Holy See.
Encounter through literature in the age of AI
Several of the authors reflected on the pope’s speech in comments to journalists following their audience.
Jonathan Safran Foer, a critically acclaimed Jewish-American author, described the encounter as revealing the power of writing to foster empathy for others’ suffering.
“Writing is good at opening us up empathically and being aware of the suffering in the world,” Foer told EWTN News. “It is very easy to ignore somebody you don’t see. It’s very hard to ignore somebody who is in front of you. And at its best, art brings the other in front of you. It creates those encounters.”
Other authors discussed the challenges faced by writers in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). Paul Elie, an American author and a senior fellow at Georgetown University, praised Pope Leo for highlighting the need for writers in today’s world.
“Artificial intelligence — thereʼs no question itʼs a threat to literature and writing, and the pope addressed that today. ‘We need you,’ he said. One reason the world needs writers is that we still write as a free act, not as something created by an algorithm,” Elie told EWTN News.
Colum McCann, an Irish writer of literary fiction, added: “The Holy Father has been talking about stories and storytelling, language, disarming language, and how AI has penetrated the world of storytelling. If you get to the heart of the human mystery, you get to the heart of proper storytelling and engagement. We would then hope, somehow, to bring [humanity] back together in these divided times.”
Full list of EWTN winners at the 2026 Gabriel Awards and Catholic Media Awards
EWTN was recognized with multiple honors at the 2026 Gabriel Awards and Catholic Media Awards, a testament to the quality of its apostolate in Catholic media and storytelling. The network received awards across a broad range of categories, reflecting its commitment to producing compelling, faith-centered content for a global audience. Here is the full list of EWTN winners.
Gabriel Awards
G401: SINGLE NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE
Christians Fight To Survive: ISIS in Iraq
EWTN News Inc.
Colm Flynn, Producer and Reporter; Patrick Leonard, Videographer
RUNNER UP
EWTN News Nightly – North Pole in New Jersey? This Man Has Been Santa for 60 Years
EWTN News Inc.
Mark Irons, Reporter and Producer; Jack Haskins, Videographer; Camila Monteiro, Editor
RUNNER UP
AI Chatbot Groomed My Son: Heartbroken Mother Shares His Story
EWTN News Inc.
Colm Flynn, Editor, Producer and Reporter; Patrick Leonard, Videographer
G405: BEST VIDEO FOR DIGITAL MEDIA
FIRST PLACE
James the Less – Season 2
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Stephen Beaumont, Studio Operations Manager; Greg Hendrick and Michael Masny, Producers
Catholic Media Association — All Members Division
AI161: PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
FIRST PLACE
Daniel Ibáñez
EWTN Global Catholic Network – EWTN News Inc.
AI171: SOCIAL MEDIA PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
FIRST PLACE
Debbie Cowden
EWTN Global Catholic Network
AW340B: BEST VIDEO – FEATURE, RADIO, TELEVISION STATIONS, AND FILM COMPANIES
FIRST PLACE
From Mohammed to Jesus: The Nikki Kingsley Story
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Ryan Penney, Director and Producer; Daniel Godinez, Producer and Editor; Nick Kubeck, Director of Photography; James Copes, Producer; John Groome, Director of Photography; Clare Gautreaux, Animator; Sam Zamarron, Art Director; Peter Gagnon, Executive Producer; Stacey Box, Executive Producer; The Marian Fathers
SECOND PLACE
John Paul II: Twenty Years Later
EWTN News Inc.
Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi, Journalist and Producer; Alberto Basile, Director of Photography; Fabio Gonnella and Camera Ilaria Chimenti, Video Editor
THIRD PLACE
Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Navajo Nation
EWTN News Inc.
Mark Irons, Reporter; Jack Haskins, Videographer; Camila Monteiro, Editor
HONORABLE MENTION
Mother Angelica Witness to Providence Award: Doug Keck
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Peter Gagnon, Executive Producer; Len Marino, Executive Producer; Jody Copeland, Senior Producer and Director; Katy Ryan, Associate Producer; Sam Zamarron, Segment Designer and Editor; JB Brown, Coordinating Producer; Maria Kaczperski, Coordinating Producer; The EWTN Creative Services Team and The EWTN Studios Production Crew
AW342B: BEST VIDEO – PRO-LIFE ACTIVITIES, RADIO, TELEVISION STATIONS, AND FILM COMPANIES
FIRST PLACE
Canada: Preserving the Life of a Nation
EWTN News Inc.
Holly Shannon, Executive Producer; Mark Irons, Producer and Reporter; Camila Monteiro, Producer and Editor
SECOND PLACE
Flash Mob Against Euthanasia
EWTN News Inc.
Zofia Czubak, Reporter; Matteo Ciofi and Christian Swezey, Producers
THIRD PLACE
National Celebrate Life Rally
EWTN News Inc.
Abigail Galvan, Reporter; Christian Swezey and Andrew Oliveros, Producers; Cathy Smith, Editor
AW344B: BEST VIDEO – SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES: RADIO, TELEVISION STATIONS AND FILM COMPANIES
SECOND PLACE
Baltimore Catholics Confront Gun Violence
EWTN News Inc.
Roselle Reyes, Reporter; Jack Haskins, Videographer; Andy Spangenberg, Editor; Holly Shannon, Executive Producer; Catherine Hadro, Host
AW345B: BEST VIDEO – EXPLAINER: RADIO, TELEVISION STATIONS AND FILM COMPANIES
HONORABLE MENTION
Saints in Italy EWTN Learn Series with Teresa Tomeo
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Teresa Tomeo, Host and Writer; Dianne Ogden, Producer and Editor; Anthony Johnson, Director
AW346B: BEST VIDEO – THE CLERGY: RADIO, TELEVISION STATIONS, AND FILM COMPANIES
FIRST PLACE
Meet the Catholic Hermit Priest Who Records Rock and Roll Music
EWTN News Inc.
Catherine Rubano, Reporter and Producer; Jack Haskins, Videographer and Editor
SECOND PLACE
Meet One of the Only Catholic Priests Born Deaf
EWTN News Inc.
Colm Flynn
AW349B: BEST VIDEO – CATECHESIS, RADIO, TELEVISION STATIONS, AND FILM COMPANIES
THIRD PLACE
Americaʼs National Eucharistic Revival: The True Presence of Christ
EWTN News
Holly Shannon, Executive Producer; Camila Monteiro, Producer/Editor; Tom Haller, Jack Haskins, Anthony Johnson, Patrick Leonard, Videographers; Montse Alvarado, Catherine Hadro, Mark Irons, Roselle Reyes, Reporters; Susan Leber, Sam Zamarron, Graphics; John Sheehan, Media Manager.
AW350A: BEST VIDEO, HOT TOPIC – POPE FRANCIS: DIOCESAN AND NATIONAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS
FIRST PLACE
Before Francis, Who Was Bergoglio?
EWTN News Inc.
Colm Flynn and Paola Arriaza-Flynn, Producers and Reporters; Mattias Bocca, Juan Andres Muñoz, Julieta Villar, Producers; Patrick Leonard, Videographer; Eduardo Berdejo, Photographer
AW355: BEST VIDEO, HOT TOPIC – THE PAPAL CONCLAVE AND THE ELECTION OF POPE LEO XIV: DIOCESAN AND NATIONAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS
HONORABLE MENTION
The Soup Kitchen Pope Leo XIV Founded in Peru
EWTN News Inc.
Jonathan Liedl, Reporter; Camila Monteiro, Editor; Edgardo Castañeda, Videoographer; Diego López,Field Producer
AW357B: BEST VIDEO – PERSONALITY PROFILE: RADIO, TELEVISION STATIONS, AND FILM COMPANIES
FIRST PLACE
Judge Frank Caprio on His Fight Against Terminal Cancer and His Catholic Faith
EWTN News Inc.
Colm Flynn and Claudette Jerez
SECOND PLACE
Before Francis, Who Was Bergoglio?
EWTN News Inc.
Colm Flynn and Paola Arriaza-Flynn, Producers and Reporters; Mattias Bocca, Juan Andres Muñoz, Julieta Villar, Producers; Patrick Leonard, Videographer; Eduardo Berdejo, Photographer
THIRD PLACE
North Pole in New Jersey? This Man Has Been Santa for 60 Years
EWTN News Inc.
Mark Irons, Reporter; Jack Haskins, Videographer; Camila Monteiro, Editor
AW511A: SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS – LITURGICAL SEASONS
HONORABLE MENTION
Having a Holy Lent with EWTN and Mother Angelica
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Debbie Cowden - Sr. Manager of Social Media, Judy Ranelli - TV Graphics Designer and Social Media Editor, Sergio Ramirez - Digital Content Producer, Daniel Godinez - Digital Content Producer, Ryan Penney - Digital Media Manager
AW361B: BEST MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE – NEWS
FIRST PLACE
NCYC 2025 — Pope Leo XIV’s Historic First Digital Encounter With Young U.S. Catholics
EWTN News Inc.
Victoria Melo Arruda, Ursula Murua and Claudette Jerez
AW381B: BEST USE OF VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA – NEWS ORGANIZATION
THIRD PLACE
Michael Iskander’s Powerful Conversion Story
EWTN News Inc.
Francesca Fenton
AW384B: BEST USE OF VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA – ONGOING SERIES – RADIO, TELEVISION STATIONS AND FILM COMPANIES
SECOND PLACE
TV Nun Goes Viral in 2025: Mother Angelica on the Types of Prayer
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Debbie Cowden, Senior Manager of Social Media; Sergio Ramirez, Digital Content Producer
AW385A: BEST USE OF VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA – THE CLERGY – DIOCESAN AND NATIONAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS
THIRD PLACE
Got Relics? with Fr. John Paul Mary — St. Maximilian Kolbe, Patron of those Suffering with Addiction
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Fr. John Paul and Mary Zeller, Host; Daniel Godinez, Producer and Editor; Debbie Cowden, Senior Manager of Social Media
AW511A: SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS – LITURGICAL SEASONS
HONORABLE MENTION
Having a Holy Lent with EWTN and Mother Angelica
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Debbie Cowden - Sr. Manager of Social Media, Judy Ranelli - TV Graphics Designer and Social Media Editor, Sergio Ramirez - Digital Content Producer, Daniel Godinez - Digital Content Producer, Ryan Penney - Digital Media Manager
AW511B: SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN: GENERAL INTEREST
FIRST PLACE
EWTN and NCYC Reach the Hearts of Young People
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Len Marino, Vice President of Creative Services; J.B. Brown, Director of TV and Digital Promotions; Debbie Cowden, Senior Manager of Social Media; Maria Kaczperski, Senior Creative Director of Motion Design; Daniel Spada, YouTube Channel Manager; Sam Zamarron, Director of Animation and Brand Development; Sergio Ramirez, Digital Content Producer; Judy Ranelli, Social Media Video Editor; the EWTN Creative Services Team; Montse Alvarado, President and COO of EWTN News.
THIRD PLACE
Commemorate the Canonizations of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Debbie Cowden, Senior Manager of Social Media; Ryan Penney, Digital Media Manager; Ana Sanchez, Digital Distribution Manager; Daniel Spada, YouTube Channel Manager; Judy Ranelli, Social Media Video Editor; Sergio Ramirez, Digital Content Producer; Daniel Godinez, Digital Content Producer; Sean Graber, President of EWTN Digital
AW511C: SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS
SECOND PLACE
James the Less Season 2 — An Unexpected Love Story!
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Len Marino, Vice President of Creative Services; J.B. Brown, Director of TV and Digital Promotions; Debbie Cowden, Senior Manager of Social Media; Sam Zamarron, Director of Animation and Brand Development; Maria Kaczperski, Senior Creative Director of Motion Design; Katy Ryan, Creative Services Project Manager; the EWTN Creative Services Team
AW552: BEST USE OF GRAPHICS IN SOCIAL MEDIA
HONORABLE MENTION
Godincidences
EWTN News Inc.
Ursula Murua, Nury Becerra, and Richard Escalona
AW571: BEST USE OF LIVE VIDEO IN SOCIAL MEDIA
FIRST PLACE
Living the Moment After the Habemus Papam, from St. Peter’s Square
EWTN News Inc.
Colm Flynn, Patrick Leonard and Ursula Murua
CMA – Newspaper/ News Service Division
GN111C: BEST NEWSPAPER — NATIONAL/ WIRE SERVICE
FIRST PLACE
National Catholic Register
National Catholic Register Staff
N371B: BEST LAYOUT OF ARTICLE OR COLUMN — PRINT EDITION
HONORABLE MENTION
Melissa Hartog
National Catholic Register
N510: HOT TOPIC — THE JUBILEE YEAR
FIRST PLACE
Assessing the Fruits of the Jubilee of Hope in the Catholic Church
National Catholic Register
Matthew McDonald, Courtney Mares and Msgr. Roger Landry
N513C: BEST REGULAR COLUMN — FAMILY LIFE
THIRD PLACE
5 Things Every Catholic Family Needs to Survive Sickness
EWTN Global Catholic Network
Debbie Cowden
N513D: BEST REGULAR COLUMN — GENERAL COMMENTARY
FIRST PLACE
Alberto M. Fernandez
National Catholic Register
N521D: BEST COVERAGE — RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ISSUES
SECOND PLACE
Judiciary Committee: FBI Spied on Catholic Priest for Not Divulging Info on Parishioner
EWTN News Inc.
Tyler Arnold and Daniel Payne
N521F: BEST COVERAGE PRO-LIFE ISSUES
THIRD PLACE
Where Does Your State Stand on Abortion?
EWTN News Inc.
Kate Quinones
N521H: BEST COVERAGE OF ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH ISSUES
SECOND PLACE
Facing Rising Antisemitism, ‘Hebrew Catholic’ Association Aims to Bridge Judaism, Catholicism
EWTN News Inc.
Jonah McKeown, Madalaine Elhabbal and Daniel Payne
N521I: BEST COVERAGE ON CATHOLIC EDUCATION
SECOND PLACE
From Malawi to Houston: Catholic schools around the world named after Carlo Acutis
EWTN News Inc.
Courtney Mares and Amira Abuzeid
N537C: BEST FEATURE WRITING — NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OR WIRE SERVICE
FIRST PLACE
Did Monastic Life Inspire the Little Black Dress? Chanel Preserves Historic Abbey
National Catholic Register
Solène Tadié
SECOND PLACE
Facing Rising Antisemitism, ‘Hebrew Catholic’ Association Aims to Bridge Judaism, Catholicism
EWTN News Inc.
Jonah McKeown
N561C: BEST IN-DEPTH NEWS/SPECIAL REPORTING — NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OR WIRE SERVICE
THIRD PLACE
Sacred or Scandalous? Catholic Shrines Take Different Approaches to Marko Rupnikʼs Art
EWTN News Inc.
Hannah Brockhaus, Almudena Martínez-Bordi Montse Alvarado and Paola Arriaza
N563C: BEST INVESTIGATIVE NEWS WRITING — NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OR WIRE SERVICE
HONORABLE MENTION
CNA Explains: How Do Dioceses Pay for Bankruptcy and Abuse Settlements?
EWTN News Inc.
Daniel Payne
N564C: BEST ANALYSIS/ BACKGROUND/ROUND-UP NEWS WRITING — THE GERARD E. SHERRY AWARD — NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OR WIRE SERVICE
SECOND PLACE
Claiming Newman: Inside the Tug-of-War over the Newest Doctor of the Church — And Why It Matters
National Catholic Register
Jonathan Liedl
HONORABLE MENTION
Victor Gaetan: The State of the Catholic Church in Francophone Africa (Series)
National Catholic Register
Victor Gaetan
N567B: BEST NEWS WRITING SERIES — NATIONAL EVENT
FIRST PLACE
The New Catholic Hubs
National Catholic Register
Zelda Caldwell, Stephen P. White and Jonah McKeown
THIRD PLACE
‘A Little Taste of Heaven’: Eucharistic Adoration ‘High Point’ of SEEK Event, Attendees Say
EWTN News Inc.
Kate Quinones
N571B: BEST PERSONALITY PROFILE — LAITY
FIRST PLACE
A Transformative Tenure: Belmont Abbey College’s Outgoing President
National Catholic Register
SueAnn Howell, freelance writer
N571C: BEST PERSONALITY PROFILE — RELIGIOUS LEADER
FIRST PLACE
Joy Forged in Fire: This Catholic Activistʼs Resolve Defied His Torturers — and Put Him on a Path to the Priesthood
National Catholic Register
Zelda Caldwell and Catalina Scheider Galines
N579: BEST REPORTING ON THE CELEBRATION OF A SACRAMENT
FIRST PLACE
‘Someone Call a Priest’: Sacraments at Time of Crisis Are Not Administered as Often as They Used to Be
National Catholic Register
Matthew McDonald
SECOND PLACE
Here Comes the Bride — and the Groom: Why Catholic Couples Are Walking into Their Wedding Mass Together
National Catholic Register
Jonathan Liedl
THIRD PLACE
Surf, Sand, and Sacrament: Hundreds Attend Long Islandʼs ‘Beach Catholic’ Summer Mass
National Catholic Register
Alyssa Murphy
N581A: BEST REPORTING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES — CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATION
THIRD PLACE
Catholic Ministry Helps Adult Children of Divorce Find Healing and Love
EWTN News Inc.
Emily Chaffins
N581C: BEST REPORTING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES — DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF THE WORKERS
HONORABLE MENTION
Catholic Businesspeople Transforming Culture: Legatus
EWTN News Inc.
Emily Chaffins
N581D: BEST REPORTING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES — LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
FIRST PLACE
Pope Leo XIV Meets Catholic Mother Who Lost Son to AI Chatbot Suicide
National Catholic Register
Courtney Mares
HONORABLE MENTION
Defying Death: Catholics Caution Against the Transhumanist Quest for Immortality
National Catholic Register
Jonah McKeown
N584A: BEST REPORTING ON PRIESTHOOD, RELIGIOUS LIFE OR DIACONATE — ONE-SHOT
FIRST PLACE
A Father and Sonʼs Journey from Addiction to the Altar
National Catholic Register
Sharon Delaney
HONORABLE MENTION
Priests Learn to Connect with Their Audiences at Preaching Boot Camp
National Catholic Register
Zelda Caldwell
N591A: BEST SPORTS JOURNALISM — SPORTS FEATURE OR COLUMN
HONORABLE MENTION
Catholic Ultra-Endurance Runner Inspires Men to Strive for Holiness
EWTN News Inc.
Francesca Pollio Fenton
N821A: BEST PHOTO STORY — FEATURE
THIRD PLACE
Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at St. Peterʼs Basilica
EWTN News Inc.
Zofia Czubak
N831A: BEST STORY AND PHOTO PACKAGE — BY AN INDIVIDUAL
FIRST PLACE
The City of Saints
National Catholic Register
Jeffrey Bruno
N854: BEST PHOTOGRAPH — HOT TOPIC — POPE FRANCIS
SECOND PLACE
Thousands Gather for Rosary in St. Peterʼs Square After Death of Pope Francis
EWTN News Inc.
Daniel Ibañez
CMA – Spanish Division
S508: HOT TOPIC – POPE FRANCIS
FIRST PLACE
Francisco, el Papa Que Puso a la Iglesia en Modo Verde
EWTN News Inc.
Andrés Henríquez
S509: HOT TOPIC – THE PAPAL CONCLAVE AND THE ELECTION OF POPE LEO XIV
SECOND PLACE
‘¡El Papa es chiclayano!’: Más de 10.000 fieles celebran Misa histórica por la elección de Le XIV
EWTN News Inc.
Diego Lez Marina and Almudena Martínez-Bordi
THIRD PLACE
Cobertura Especial de ChurchPOP Español
EWTN News Inc.
Harumi Suzuki
S510: HOT TOPIC — THE JUBILEE YEAR
SECOND PLACE
Dos Viudas en el Jubileo de la Consolación: Nuestros Maridos Están con Dios, en un Gozo que No Es de Este Mundo
EWTN News Inc.
Victoria Cardiel
S521A: IMMIGRATION
FIRST PLACE
La ‘Monja de los Inmigrantes’ en EE.UU. Denuncia Que Muchos Tienen Miedo Hasta de Ir al Supermercado
EWTN News Inc.
Victoria Cardiel
S575A: BEST REPORTING – ON A SPECIAL AGE GROUP
FIRST PLACE
Jóvenes cristianos, musulmanes y judíos desde el Vaticano: ‘Hay posibilidad de convivir en paz’
EWTN News Inc.
Victoria Cardiel, David Ramos, Andrés Henríquez
S575E: BEST REPORTING – PRIESTHOOD, RELIGIOUS LIFE, OR THE DIACONATE
SECOND PLACE
Suicidio del P. Matteo Balzano Evidencia la Humanidad de los Sacerdotes: ‘Somos de Carne y Hueso’
EWTN News Inc.
Victoria Cardiel, Nicolás de Cárdenas, Almudena Martínez-Bordi
S579D: BEST REPORTING ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES – LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
HONORABLE MENTION
El Testimonio de Fe y Fortaleza de una Familia Que Luch por la Vida de Sus Mellizos Nacidos a las 23 Semanas
EWTN News Inc.
Harumi Suzuki
S579E: BEST REPORTING ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES – OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE
FIRST PLACE
Encontró a Santa Teresita en la Capilla Más Pobre de África y Conmueve a Miles
EWTN News Inc.
Luisa Restrepo
S598B: BEST WRITING – IN-DEPTH
SECOND PLACE
El Legado Social del Papa León XIV en Perú, Entrega Entre Desastres, Pobreza y una Pandemia
EWTN News Inc.
Diego Lopez Marina
CMA Book Awards
B113: POPE LEO XIV
SECOND PLACE
Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope
Dr. Matthew Bunson
EWTN Publishing
B202: THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
FIRST PLACE
Man’s Desire for God
Fr. Brian Thomas Becket Mullady, O.P.
EWTN Publishing
B1502: MEMOIR
FIRST PLACE
I Will Come To You: A Story of Adoption and the Relentless Love of God
Jamie McAleer
EWTN Publishing