Pope says Trump Ukraine plan would weaken U.S. alliance with Europe

By CNA Staff

Pope Leo XIV said President Donald Trump’s plan to end Russia’s war against Ukraine threatens to break apart the alliance between Europe and the United States.

Asked by reporters Dec. 9 to comment on the initiative's fairness, the pope said, “I would rather not comment on that. I haven’t read the whole thing. Unfortunately, some parts I have seen make a huge change in what was for many years a true alliance between the EU and U.S.”

The pope commented to reporters after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Castel Gandolfo. 

Pope Leo said, “The remarks [by Trump] that were made about Europe recently are, I think, trying to break apart what I think is an important alliance today and in the future. It’s a program that President Trump and his advisers put together, and he’s the president of the U.S. And he has a right to do that.”

The Holy Father called for continued dialogue to seek a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine during the meeting with Zelensky on Tuesday, according to the Vatican.

The pair also discussed the question of prisoners of war and the urgent need to assure the return of Ukrainian children to their families. According to the Vatican, the Holy See will continue its efforts to do that — including "through the efforts of the Special envoy of the Holy Father for humanitarian issues in Ukraine," Cardinal Matteo Zuppi said, and to ensure the release of prisoners of war. 

Responding to a question from EWTN News, the pope said that progress on the repatriation of abducted Ukrainian children was “very slow, unfortunately,” but he declined to comment further on the matter.

The Vatican has mediated between Kyiv and Moscow on the issue of the children’s return. Zelensky wrote on X, "I informed the Pope about diplomatic efforts with the United States to achieve peace. We discussed further actions and the Vatican’s mediation aimed at returning our children abducted by Russia," Zelensky wrote on X.

In a statement published by the Vatican after the meeting at Castel Gandolfo, the pope “reiterated the need for the continuation of dialogue and expressed his urgent desire that the current diplomatic initiatives bring about a just and lasting peace.”

Following the private audience, Zelensky expressed his “profound gratitude” to Pope Leo XIV for the Holy See's constant support for the Ukrainian people.

U.S. bishops award over $7 million in grants to home missions, thanks to nation’s Catholics

By Gina Christian
OSV News

Dozens of “home mission dioceses” across the nation have received much-needed financial support, provided by the generosity of U.S. Catholics through an annual collection.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced Dec. 1 that 69 mission dioceses and Eastern Catholic eparchies had been awarded a collective total of more than $7.8 million in grants.

The allocations — which ranged from $10,000 to approximately $145,000 — were determined by the USCCB’s Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions, which met earlier in the fall to review the 2025-2026 grant applications.

The awarded funds were made possible through the USCCB’s annual Catholic Home Missions appeal. The collection, taken up in many dioceses and parishes on the last weekend in April, was established in 1998 to strengthen U.S.-based mission dioceses.

Donations to the appeal can also be made through the iGiveCatholic.org platform.

Mission dioceses rely on sustained aid, including funds from the annual collection, in order to provide basic pastoral services to the faithful.

In its announcement, the USCCB noted that the mission dioceses and Eastern Catholic eparchies receiving the grants “are found across the United States and its territories,” with many located “in regions with small Catholic populations in rural areas affected by economic hardship.”

The USCCB said the grants “support parish and diocesan operations, as well as ministries of evangelization, catechesis, and healing that grow and strengthen the Church.”

Bishop Chad W. Zielinski of New Ulm, Minnesota, who chairs the USCCB home missions subcommittee, said in a statement that parishioners contributing to the annual appeal “bring faith, hope and love where it is most needed,” regardless of the amount of their gift.

The donations “have a profound, positive impact on Catholics who face poverty or the isolation of being a small, minority faith,” he said.

(Continue reading online at https://catholicreview.org/u-s-bishops-award-over-7-million-in-grants-to-home-missions-thanks-to-nations-catholics/ )

U.S. Bishops Meet for 2025 Fall Assembly in Baltimore

More than 200 bishops gathered for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, Nov. 11-13.

Throughout the meeting, the bishops had opportunities to spend time in prayer and fraternal dialogue together. 

As the public session of the plenary began, the bishops sent a message to the Holy Father. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the USCCB, delivered his final address to the bishops as USCCB president. He was followed by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the United States, who offered remarks.

As one of the first items of business on the plenary agenda, the bishops elected Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City as president, and Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville as vice president to lead the Conference. Their terms began immediately at the adjournment of the plenary and will run through November 2028. Additionally, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend was elected as USCCB secretary to complete the vacancy created when Archbishop Coakley was elected Conference president.

During their gathering, the body of bishops also elected new chairmen of six standing committees. Executive sessions (limited to bishops) were not livestreamed but included fraternal dialogues and informational sessions on a variety of topics: the ongoing implementation of the synod; best practices to continue the instruction of Laudato si’; the importance of post-abortion healing ministry; Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (the bishops’ teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics); and the apostolate of the laity. 

In their message to the Holy Father, the bishops assured the pope of their prayers and communion with him. They acknowledged facing a growing worldview that is often at odds with the Gospel mandate to love thy neighbor, but stated: “Holy Father, please know that the bishops of the United States, united in our concern, will continue to stand with migrants and defend everyone’s right to worship free from intimidation.” 

The topic of immigration and the U.S. government’s recent surge in enforcement actions that have been prompting anxiety and fear in the communities across the country was a key point of discussion among the bishops throughout the meeting. Out of their pastoral concern for immigrants and in unison with Pope Leo XIV, the bishops issued a Special Message. In their vote, the body of bishops overwhelmingly approved the Special Message, with sustained applause of the body following the vote. 

The United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence next year. To mark the American Semiquincentennial, the U.S. bishops voted to consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June 2026, with 215 votes in favor, eight votes against, and seven abstentions to pass this measure.

The bishops discussed and voted on a revision of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. The revisions address the statement issued by the USCCB’s Committee on Doctrine in 2023 (“doctrinal note”) that underscored the role that those involved in the ministry of Catholic health care services have in providing the best medical care, as well as Christ’s compassionate accompaniment to all patients, no matter who they may be, or from what condition they may be suffering. The bishops voted 206 in favor, eight votes against, and seven abstentions to pass the action item. 

Other business items on their agenda included: an update from the subcommittee on the Catechism on the Catechetical Accompaniment Process; a report from The Catholic University of America, and from The Pontifical Mission Societies USA. The USCCB’s 2026 budget was approved 220 in favor, seven votes against, and two abstentions. The bishops also held a consultation on advancing the cause for beatification and canonization for Rev. Richard M. Thomas, a priest of the Society of Jesus. With 206 votes in favor, four votes against, and one abstention, the bishops affirmed the advancement of the case at the diocesan level.

The bishops also received an update on the recently concluded National Eucharistic Revival and were given a report on the impact of the three-year initiative. The report was followed by a vote to approve the Summer of 2029 for the next National Eucharistic Congress with 192 votes in favor, 19 votes against, and seven abstentions.

In a presentation during the public session of the plenary that underscored the importance that the Catholic Church places on understanding artificial intelligence and the ethical implications of AI, especially in the context of the life of the Church. The bishops were briefed on the topic by Dr. Paul Scherz of the University of Notre Dame. 

The bishops discussed and voted on two action items pertaining to liturgical texts from the Committee on Divine Worship:

• The bishops voted 205 in favor, two votes against, and two abstentions to approve the Appendices of The Roman Pontifical. The approval of this requires a two-thirds vote of the Latin Church members, with subsequent recognitio from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

• The bishops voted 202 votes in favor, 4 votes against, and 2 abstentions to approve Nuevos santos en el Calendario Romano general. The approval of this requires a two-thirds vote of the Latin Church members, with subsequent confirmatio from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

News updates, texts of addresses and presentations, and other materials from the 2025 fall plenary assembly are available at usccb.org/meetings.

U.S. Bishops Elect New Conference President and Vice President at Plenary Assembly

BALTIMORE – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is meeting in Baltimore this week for their plenary assembly. Earlier today, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, was elected as Conference president, and Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville was elected as Conference vice president. They succeed Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, the Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, who are concluding their terms as Conference president and vice president, respectively.

The president and vice president were elected from a slate of 10 nominees. Archbishop Coakley was elected president with 128-109 votes over Bishop Flores in a runoff on the third ballot. In the vote for vice president, Bishop Flores was elected vice president on the first ballot from the remaining nine candidates. Both bishops will assume their respective new offices for a three-year term after the adjournment of the plenary assembly on Thursday.

Archbishop Coakley currently serves as Conference secretary, a position he has held since 2022 when he was elected to complete the term left vacant when Archbishop Broglio, who had been serving as Conference secretary was elected as president. Archbishop Coakley was then re-elected to serve a full three-year term as Conference secretary through November 2027. The bishops will vote tomorrow for a Conference secretary to complete the term that will be vacant as a result of Archbishop Coakley assuming the presidency.

Read Archbishop Coakley’s biography.

Read Bishop Flores’ biography.

You Are Not Alone’ migrant accompaniment initiative announced by U.S. bishops

By Tyler Arnold
Catholic News Agency

Baltimore, Maryland - The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is launching an initiative called “You Are Not Alone” to focus on providing accompaniment to migrants who are at risk of being deported.

Bishop Mark Seitz, chair of the USCCB Committee on Migration, announced the nationwide initiative during the conference’s Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore on Nov. 11.

The initiative, which was inspired by similar efforts in Catholic dioceses throughout the country, will focus on four key areas: emergency and family support, accompaniment and pastoral care, communication of Church teaching, and solidarity through prayer and public witness. 

Seitz said the Catholic Church has been “accompanying newcomers to this land since before our country’s founding.” He said — in addition to spiritual and corporal works of mercy — the Church “cannot abandon our long-standing advocacy for just and meaningful reform to our immigration system.”

He said clergy will continue “proclaiming the God-given dignity of every person from the moment of conception through every stage of life until natural death,” which includes the dignity of those who migrated to the United States. 

The bishop said many dioceses have launched migrant accompaniment initiatives already.

For example, the Diocese of San Diego launched its Faithful Accompaniment in Trust & Hope (FAITH) initiative on Aug. 4. The diocese works with interfaith partners to provide spiritual accompaniment to migrants during court proceedings and throughout the court process.

In his address to his fellow bishops, Seitz criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for carrying out its “campaign promise of mass deportations,” which he said is “intimidating and dehumanizing the immigrants in our midst regardless of how they came to be there.”

He said the accompaniment initiative was launched because Trump’s immigration policy has created “a situation unlike anything we’ve seen previously.” He specifically referenced efforts to revoke Temporary Protected Status designations for migrants in several countries, including Venezuela and Nicaragua, and restrictions on certain visas.

“Those who lack legal status are far from the only ones impacted by this approach,” Seitz said.

He said most deportees “have no criminal convictions,” and the administration has pressured immigration enforcement “to increase the number of arrests.”

“Our immigrant brothers and sisters … are living in a deep state of fear,” Seitz said. “Many are too afraid to work, send their children to school, or avail themselves to the sacraments.”

Seitz, earlier in the day, noted that bishops are primarily pastors, and “because we’re pastors … we care about our people, and we care particularly for those who are most vulnerable and those who are most in need.”

Pope Leo XIV has encouraged the American bishops to be vocal on the dignity of migrants. In October, the pontiff met with American bishops, including Seitz, and other supporters of migrants. 

According to one person present, Dylan Corbett, the founding executive director of Hope Border Institute, Leo told the group: “The Church cannot stay silent before injustice. You stand with me, and I stand with you.”