Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture

A little summer music for Pope Leo XIV

I.Media — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:15:43 +0000

Pope Leo XIV will attend a concert performed by various renowned musicians in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo on July 18, 2026. The local Diocese of Albano, which is organizing the event in honor of the Pontiff, announced the event this week. The Pope has been staying at his summer residence Read More…

A little summer music for Pope Leo XIV

How a Paris devotion is changing ministry in the USA

Jenny Lark Snarski — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:38:37 +0000

In 2017, when Joseph and Samantha Austin honeymooned in Paris, France, they could never have imagined the longstanding impact their “French connection” would have almost one decade later. This connection centers on traditional French devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: A devotion that has been prominent in the Austins’ marriage, family life, and diocesan Read More…

How a Paris devotion is changing ministry in the USA

Being less than perfect is perfectly acceptable

Father Dave Mercer — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:10:43 +0000

It’s an unreasonable expectation, but it’s there: We are to be perfect at what we do. Anything less risks being labeled a failure. Unfortunately, we too easily bring that attitude to religion, as if being Catholic comes with the assumption that we must be perfect, that is, we must be sinless. This Sunday’s Gospel proclamation Read More…

Being less than perfect is perfectly acceptable

French lawmakers legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide

Cécile Séveirac — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:04:08 +0000

After two years of debate, the bill creating “a right to assistance in dying” was adopted by a narrow majority in its final reading by the French National Assembly on Wednesday, July 15. Lawmakers passed the measure with 291 votes in favor, 241 against, and 29 abstentions. This marks the fourth time deputies have approved Read More…

French lawmakers legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide

When was the upper voting age for cardinals set at 80?

Matthew Green — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 07:27:00 +0000

From time to time, Church news outlets — including Aleteia — note that a (once-)prominent cardinal has aged out of being able to vote in a conclave upon turning 80. While most of us are so used to the voting age limit as to not think twice about it, we might wonder: How old is Read More…

When was the upper voting age for cardinals set at 80?

Does the pope speak without error, all the time?

Philip Kosloski — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 06:12:00 +0000

In an age when the pope’s words are broadcast all over the world immediately after he says them, it can be tempting to think that everything he says is part of what is known as “the deposit of faith” — that is, the teachings of Christ that the Church guards and protects. The reality is Read More…

Does the pope speak without error, all the time?

Walking away from darkness: The Rosary and conversion

Fr. Peter John Cameron, OP — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:55:09 +0000

What does the Rosary have to do with conversion? Ever since the addition of the luminous mysteries to the Rosary in 2002, the theme of conversion stands out more prominently in the recitation of the Rosary. For example, the third luminous mystery is “The Preaching of the Kingdom and the Call to Conversion.” And even Read More…

Walking away from darkness: The Rosary and conversion

The Catholic faith behind Spain’s World Cup run

Cerith Gardiner — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:42:11 +0000

After defeating France 2-0 in Tuesday’s semifinal, Spain is heading to the World Cup final, with the chance to lift soccer’s greatest trophy for only the second time in the country’s history. Yet amid all the analysis of tactics, talent, and the extraordinary young players who have carried the team through the tournament, another thread Read More…

The Catholic faith behind Spain’s World Cup run

Bold goal: Bring the Rosary to every nursing home in America

Jenny Lark Snarski — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:36:35 +0000

The Rosary Team, founded and currently led by palliative care nurse Teresa Rodriquez, has a bold goal. Rodriguez recently wrote in an article for the Denver Catholic that they are in pursuit of offering a “Rosary Team in every nursing home in America.” As Rodriguez noted, “What started in the Denver Archdiocese as a single Read More…

Bold goal: Bring the Rosary to every nursing home in America

This is the oldest Carmelite image of Our Lady

Philip Kosloski — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:24:01 +0000

The Carmelite Order has been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary for centuries and is best known for the Brown Scapular and devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. At around the same time as St. Simon Stock received the legendary revelation of the Brown Scapular, the hermits of Mt. Carmel were devoted to a Read More…

This is the oldest Carmelite image of Our Lady

Vatican Gardens offer a refuge of Marian spirituality

Cyprien Viet — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:17:22 +0000

Occupying about 57 acres — a little more than half the surface area of the world’s smallest state — the Vatican Gardens are a vast space of meditation desired by the popes. They also shelter a remarkable heritage of Marian devotion, which was enriched on Tuesday, June 30, when a mosaic representing Our Lady of Read More…

Vatican Gardens offer a refuge of Marian spirituality

Leo XIV will visit Uruguay in November, cardinal says

I.Media — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:09:52 +0000

Cardinal Daniel Sturla Berhouet, archbishop of Montevideo, reported on July 14, 2026, that Uruguay will be the first destination of Pope Leo XIV‘s South American tour this coming November. The Holy See has not yet officially confirmed this extensive trip, which is also expected to include Peru and Argentina. When questioned by the Uruguayan press, Read More…

Leo XIV will visit Uruguay in November, cardinal says

This brother-sister duo found surprising success in sacred art

Theresa Civantos Barber — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:27:05 +0000

George Capps didn’t expect to become an artist. He loved creating art as a kid — “I spent all my free time during childhood honing my artistic skills,” he told Aleteia — but a lackluster university art class propelled him into science instead, and then into a corporate career. But his younger sister, Polly Capps Read More…

This brother-sister duo found surprising success in sacred art

What Alex Eala reminds us about inner freedom

Simone Lorenzo-Peckson — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:22:11 +0000

Two Saturdays ago, on July 4, the internet buzzed with news of Alexanda Eala’s historic victory over Wimbledon’s defending champion, Iga Swiatek. Just 21 years old, the Filipina tennis star had defeated one of the world’s best. Two days later, however, Eala lost to Italian veteran Jasmine Paolini, who is almost a decade older than Read More…

What Alex Eala reminds us about inner freedom

The legendary origin of St. Bonaventure’s name

Philip Kosloski — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:05:46 +0000

The “Seraphic Doctor,” St. Bonaventure, is among the more well-known Franciscan saints, next to St. Francis and St. Anthony. He was born a few years before St. Francis’ death in 1226, and it is recorded that his life almost ended shortly after he was born. St. Bonaventure himself narrates the events of his youth in Read More…

The legendary origin of St. Bonaventure’s name

Canonist explains SSPX’s appeal of decree of excommunication

I.Media — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:49:50 +0000

On July 13, 2026, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) announced it had filed a recourse against the decree of excommunication published against it by the Holy See on July 2. In an interview with I.Media, canonist Pierre Chaffard-Luçon explained that this procedure is legitimate, but the excommunication penalties continue to apply due to Read More…

Canonist explains SSPX’s appeal of decree of excommunication

Ann Widdecombe’s faith and her surprising donkey legacy

Cerith Gardiner — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:39:03 +0000

For decades, Ann Widdecombe was one of the most recognizable voices in British public life. Politician, author, television personality, and formidable debater, she had a particular gift for saying exactly what she thought and appearing remarkably untroubled by what anyone might make of it. Yet in the days following her shocking death at the age Read More…

Ann Widdecombe’s faith and her surprising donkey legacy

Why England’s soccer team is a great option for Catholic fans!

Cerith Gardiner — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:10:03 +0000

I should probably begin with a tiny declaration of interest. I grew up in England, which means I’ve had years of practice in the particular blend of hope, heartache, and blind optimism required to support its national soccer team. So, when the Three Lions face Argentina in tomorrow’s World Cup semifinal, I will inevitably be Read More…

Why England’s soccer team is a great option for Catholic fans!

Report: There are 3,344 candidates for sainthood in Spain

Matthew Green — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:44:02 +0000

There are currently 349 causes for beatification and canonization, covering a total of 3,344 people, currently open in Spain. This is according to a new report from the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), delivered to the Vatican on June 25. The document, “2025 Jubilee Report: Report on Causes of Virtues in Spain,” is the result of Read More…

Report: There are 3,344 candidates for sainthood in Spain

6 Catholic sayings to inspire your mission in life

Father Dave Mercer — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:42:17 +0000

At the Last Supper, Jesus offers his Apostles a one-liner that reminds them of their mission’s origin, saying: It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you to go and bear fruit that will remain. (John 15:16) The entire Church — including you and me — inherits that mission, and Jesus’ words Read More…

6 Catholic sayings to inspire your mission in life