St. Maria Goretti Parish

WASHINGTON – This week, the U.S. Department of State officially published three rules, significantly expanding the “Mexico City Policy,” which historically limited certain federal funds from going to foreign non-governmental organizations that perform or promote abortion abroad. The State Department is referring to these three rules collectively as the Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance (PHFFA) Policy. Three bishop-chairmen of committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) responded:

“God entrusts us with a responsibility to share our blessings to help preserve the lives and dignity of our brothers and sisters in need. We support robust funding for authentic lifesaving and life-affirming foreign assistance and applaud new policies that prevent taxpayer dollars from going to organizations that engage in ideological colonization and promote abortion or gender ideology overseas. We also call for the implementation of any related policies to be carried out in a manner that recognizes the inherent dignity of every human person and does not harm those who are racially or ethnically marginalized.”

The bishop-chairmen were Bishop Edward J. Burns of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Committee on International Justice and Peace. Earlier in the week, Bishop Thomas had also offered a statement, in part, addressing the rule related to the performance and promotion of abortion.

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Pope Leo XIV urges the bishops of Peru to renew their commitment to unity, fidelity to the Gospel, and pastoral closeness, as they face the challenges of evangelisation in today’s world. He also recalls his personal pastoral experience in the nation and admits that Peru has “a special place in my heart.”

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As Haitians residing in the United States face the end of temporary protected status, US Bishops call on the Trump Administration to act in a “just and merciful way” by extending their temporary residency permits.

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The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) and the Catholic University of Zimbabwe (CUZ) have formalised a partnership aimed at strengthening safeguarding and holistic formation in Zimbabwe’s education system through psycho-spiritual therapy and counselling training.

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Pope Leo XIV meets with the leadership and members of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and thanks them for their work. He encourages them to continue their mission and invite young people to take part.

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An interreligious service hosted by the Holy See’s Mission to the UN in Geneva gathers diplomats and religious leaders to reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 World Day of Peace Message amid escalating global conflicts. Cardinal Pizzaballa and the ICRC stress the urgent need for justice, humanitarian law, and a “demanding hope” grounded in dialogue and human dignity.

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Pope Leo sends a letter to the faithful of Toledo in which he highlights the spiritual, historical and social richness of the Primate Cathedral and encourages participation in the liturgical and cultural events planned for 2026.

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Pope Leo sends a telegram for the arrival of the Athletes’ Cross at the Church of San Babila in Milan, where it will be kept for the entire duration of the Winter Olympics.

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The Peruvian bishops describe Pope Leo's unexpected participation at a lunch in Rome as “a gesture of closeness and communion”.

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Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issues a call to pray for renewal in the United States and in people’s hearts in the midst of the “current climate of fear and polarization”.

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