Tag: Catholic Church

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Silence Over Screens: Pope Leo XIV Calls for Prayer and Peace

Tanisha Cardozo

In a world constantly buzzing with notifications, updates, and endless digital noise, Pope Leo XIV has offered a simple yet profound invitation: switch off and listen. Speaking during his Angelus address, the pope encouraged Catholics to turn off televisions, radios, and cellphones during Lent, creating space for silence, prayer, and deeper reflection.

His message was not merely about disconnecting from technology but about reconnecting with what truly matters. He urged the faithful to meditate on the word of God, approach the sacraments, and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit within their hearts. Beyond personal spirituality, he emphasized the importance of listening to one another—in families, workplaces, and communities—highlighting a deeper human need often overshadowed by digital distractions.

Describing Lent as a “luminous path,” Pope Leo XIV spoke of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as transformative practices that help renew one’s relationship with God. He portrayed this journey as a process of healing and renewal, where individuals can cleanse the wounds of sin and move closer to a life rooted in love—the foundation of true happiness.

At the same time, he acknowledged the challenges of this spiritual path. Lent, he said, is demanding, and many may feel tempted to seek easier forms of satisfaction through wealth, fame, or power. However, he cautioned that such pursuits ultimately leave individuals feeling empty and restless, offering only temporary comfort instead of lasting fulfillment.

Drawing from the teachings of Pope Paul VI, he reminded believers that penance is not a loss but a gain—one that enriches, purifies, and strengthens the human spirit. It is through this discipline that individuals can align themselves with a higher purpose centered on love and surrender.

Extending his message beyond personal reflection, the pope also called for compassion toward those on the margins of society. He urged people to dedicate time to the elderly, the poor, and the sick, suggesting that the act of giving—whether time, attention, or resources—can bring meaningful change to both the giver and the receiver.

However, the address took a deeply global turn as Pope Leo XIV spoke about the ongoing war in Ukraine, marking nearly four years since the conflict began. His words reflected both urgency and sorrow as he described the immense human suffering caused by the war—lives lost, families torn apart, and communities destroyed.

Calling peace an “urgent necessity,” he appealed for an immediate ceasefire, urging that weapons fall silent and bombings cease. He emphasized the need for dialogue, advocating for responsible decisions that pave the way toward lasting peace. His message was clear: war is not just a regional tragedy but a wound inflicted on the entire human family.

In closing, he entrusted the Lenten journey of the faithful to the care of the Virgin Mary, offering a message of hope and guidance during times of trial. His words served as both a spiritual reminder and a global appeal—inviting individuals not only to look inward but also to act outward with compassion, awareness, and a shared commitment to peace.

In an age defined by constant connection, his call to disconnect may be one of the most relevant messages of our time.

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Pope Leo XIV Calls for ‘Fasting from Harmful Words’ in 2026 Lenten Message

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

In a powerful appeal through his 2026 Lenten message, Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics to “disarm” their language by fasting from words that wound, stressing that true repentance must transform not only individual hearts but also relationships.


Ahead of Ash Wednesday on February 18, the Holy Father described Lent as a sacred time to place “the mystery of God back at the center of our lives.” He encouraged the faithful to renew their faith amid the anxieties and distractions of daily living by turning attentively to God’s word and to one another.

Fasting from Harmful Speech
Highlighting the spiritual discipline of fasting, the Pope described it as an “ancient ascetic practice” essential to conversion. However, he emphasized that fasting must be lived in humility and in communion with the Lord. Beyond abstaining from food, he urged Catholics to fast from language that harms, divides, or diminishes others, allowing Scripture to awaken compassion for those who suffer.

A Communal Journey of Renewal
The Pope also underscored the communal dimension of Lent, noting that Scripture often presents fasting and listening as shared acts of renewal for the people of God. He invited the faithful to journey together through prayer, charity, and attentive listening , strengthening bonds within families, communities, and the wider Church.
Concluding his message, Pope Leo XIV asked believers to seek grace and strength throughout the penitential season, so that Lent may become a genuine opportunity to hear the Lord’s voice and recommit to following Christ more faithfully.

Special Occasion

Ash Wednesday 2026: A Quiet Beginning to a Sacred Journey

Tanisha Cardozo

On February 18, 2026, the Christian world pauses for a quiet but deeply meaningful observance — Ash Wednesday. It is not a celebration filled with bright decorations or festive gatherings. Instead, it is a solemn beginning, a gentle turning inward, and the first step into the sacred season of Lent.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, the forty-day period of prayer, fasting, and reflection that prepares believers for Easter. Across churches — from grand cathedrals to small parish chapels — worshippers gather to receive ashes placed in the shape of a cross on their foreheads. As the ashes are applied, words are often spoken that echo through centuries: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” These words are not meant to instill fear, but humility. They remind us of our humanity, our fragility, and our need for grace.

The ashes themselves carry symbolism. Traditionally prepared from the burned palm branches of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, they represent both repentance and continuity. The celebration of Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem eventually leads to His passion, death, and resurrection — and so the cycle of faith continues. What once symbolized joy becomes a sign of reflection.

Lent lasts forty days, mirroring the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. During this time, many Christians choose to fast, abstain from meat on certain days, give up specific comforts, or take on new spiritual disciplines such as daily prayer, Scripture reading, or acts of charity. But Lent is not merely about giving something up. It is about making space — space for growth, healing, forgiveness, and a deeper relationship with God.

In today’s fast-paced world, Ash Wednesday offers something rare: stillness. It invites believers to slow down and examine their lives. What needs to change? What habits no longer serve the soul? Where is renewal needed? The cross of ashes may fade from the forehead within hours, but its meaning lingers far longer.

For many, this day is deeply personal. Some carry private burdens they hope to release during Lent. Others seek clarity, strength, or simply a renewed sense of purpose. Families attend Mass together. Individuals sit quietly in pews, heads bowed. The atmosphere is reverent, contemplative, and sincere.

Ash Wednesday does not promise instant transformation. Instead, it opens a door. It marks the beginning of a journey — one that leads through sacrifice and self-examination toward the joy of Easter morning. It reminds believers that faith is not only about celebration, but also about reflection. Not only about victory, but also about surrender.

As Ash Wednesday 2026 arrives, it gently calls us to begin again. To clear distractions. To look inward. To acknowledge both our limitations and our hope. In the simplicity of ashes lies a profound truth: renewal often starts with humility. And from that humility, something beautiful can grow.

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From Raia to Sindhudurg: Fr. Agnelo Pinheiro Named Bishop by Pope Leo XIV

Tanisha Cardozo

From the serene village of Raia in South Goa to the episcopal seat of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, the journey of Fr. Agnelo Pinheiro has now entered a historic new chapter. Pope Leo XIV has appointed the priest of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman as the Bishop of the Diocese of Sindhudurg, with the announcement made on 14 February 2026. The news has been received with joy and gratitude in Raia and across the Goan Catholic community.

Born on 6 July 1972 in Raia, Fr. Agnelo’s path to priesthood was marked early by academic excellence and a deep sense of vocation. After completing his SSC in 1988, he entered the minor seminary and continued his higher secondary education in Mapusa, securing fourth rank in the Goa State XII Board Examination in 1990. He began his priestly formation at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol in 1991 and completed a degree in Psychology with distinction at St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa.

Ordained on 28 October 2000, he first served as Assistant Parish Priest at St. Alex Church, Calangute. He later underwent pastoral training at the Pastoral Institute St. Pius X in Old Goa. His intellectual pursuit led him to obtain a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, in 2004, after which he was appointed Professor of Philosophy at Rachol Seminary. His academic journey extended to Rome, where he pursued doctoral studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University between 2013 and 2016.

Upon returning to Goa, he resumed teaching at Rachol Seminary and also served as Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph’s Church, Dramapur, from June 2022 to May 2023. Since 2018, he has been entrusted with the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, playing a key role in promoting harmony and mutual respect among different faith communities.

He now takes charge of the Diocese of Sindhudurg, established in 2005 and comprising 43 parishes with nearly 36,000 Catholics. The diocese spans Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts and parts of Kolhapur district in Maharashtra, with strong historical and cultural ties to Goa. The episcopal seat had been vacant since October 2024, and this appointment brings renewed leadership and direction to the diocese.

As Raia celebrates one of its sons being called to shepherd a diocese, the faithful of Sindhudurg prepare to welcome a bishop shaped by scholarship, pastoral dedication and a commitment to dialogue. From Raia to Sindhudurg, the journey continues — guided by faith, service and a call to lead.

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Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Kuwait Elevated to Minor Basilica Status

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Kuwait City, Jan 16: The Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi marked a historic and solemn occasion today as it was officially elevated to the status of a minor basilica, becoming a significant spiritual landmark for the Catholic community in the region.


The ceremonial event was attended by Ambassador Sadiq Marafi, Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, along with a large gathering of ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from Arab and European nations. Christian clergy representing various denominations from across the Gulf region were also present, alongside hundreds of citizens and residents who gathered to witness the momentous occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin described the elevation as a “blessed historic day.” He emphasised that the honour was not limited to the church building alone, but symbolised the recognition of a decades-long spiritual journey and the enduring mission of the Church of Our Lady of Arabia in serving the faithful.

The elevation to a minor basilica underscores the church’s historical, spiritual, and pastoral significance, reaffirming its role as a beacon of faith, unity, and hope for the Christian community in Kuwait and the wider Gulf region.