Here in Vatican City where I live in Rome, St Peter’s Basilica is about fifty metres from my front door. I try to visit it most days to pray and go to the tombs of the popes, especially the recent ones, who are buried there. One grave that keeps drawing me to it to pray…
Pope Leo XIV called Monday for robust regulation of artificial intelligence and for its developers to work for the common good rather than profit, issuing a sweeping manifesto on safeguarding humankind as the technology impacts everything from work to war. Magnifica humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), Leo’s first encyclical, has been eagerly awaited ever since history’s first…
Sometimes it is hard to tell sickness from health. When we’re suffering, is it an indication that there’s something wrong with us or might it be that the suffering is the healthy result of living faithfully? When we are anxious, are we worrying God’s kingdom into birth or are we simply worrying ourselves to death?…
Bhí aithne agam ar síceolí i Londain uair amháin. Mark Blackwell is ainm dó, fear lán do creideamh. Bhí sé ag cabhrú len’ alán andulaigh, daoine a raibh dúlagar agus imní orthu. Do na caitlicigh a bhí aige mhol sé dóibh “Tá grá ag Dia dom, agus is féidir grá a thabhairt dom” a rá…
He looked up at the dark sky, with no twinkle of stars, as he walked slowly. He had never felt quiet, as quiet as tonight. The dim lights along the road helped him navigate the connecting road between the main gate and the majestic building whose towers rose into the sky. For more than one…
A: For a few reasons, it’s hard to determine in the abstract whether or not ‘dating’ a divorced person who has yet to receive a declaration of nullity is strictly speaking a sin per se. However, I would say that in general it is a bad idea. For some background, we as Catholics believe that…
It’s good to see a high-profile drama series that takes religion seriously and doesn’t fall into too many lazy stereotypes. In Falling (Channel 4, Tuesdays and Wednesdays) Keeley Hawes excels as Sr Anna, who entered the convent at age 16 against the wishes of her mother. Twenty years later, a chance encounter with a young…
![Hearers of the word Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9; Ps [= Dan 3:52-56]; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18](https://www.irishcatholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/39_01-728x410.jpg)
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son The Gospel John 3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that…
An encyclical is a pastoral letter addressed by the pope to the whole Church. Encyclical letters generally address matters of faith or morals, encourage a particular commemoration or pious devotion, or deal with matters of Church discipline which are to be universally observed. The apostles used letters to address the faithful of the various churches…
The biggest film date of the year is coming up. It’s June 1, the centenary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth. A hundred years on we’re still talking about her, watching her films, seeing documentaries about her on TV and discussing in bars and homes whether she was a good actress or just chewing gum for the…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Brendan O’Regan
Aubrey Malone