Prince of Peace Parish

CNA Staff, Apr 26, 2025 / 13:00 pm (CNA).

Federal agents arrested a Wisconsin judge and former Catholic Charities director this week over allegations that she sheltered an illegal immigrant from being arrested by law enforcement earlier this month.

A criminal complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, alleges that Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan helped hide Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was present illegally in the United states and who had been charged in Milwaukee with domestic battery.

Police showed up at the Milwaukee County Courthouse on April 18 planning to arrest Flores-Ruiz after a hearing in his criminal case. The hearing was scheduled to take place in Dugan’s courtroom, according to the complaint.

Upon learning of the looming arrest, Dugan reportedly became “visibly angry” and subsequently confronted the federal agents over their plans. Afterward, according to the complaint, she “escorted Flores-Ruiz and his counsel out of the courtroom” through a “jury door” and to a “nonpublic area of the courthouse.” Flores-Ruiz’s case was reportedly adjourned shortly thereafter.

Agents ultimately arrested the suspect outside of the courthouse after he allegedly attempted to flee on foot.

The complaint charges Dugan with “obstructing or impeding a proceeding” of a U.S. agency as well as “concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest.”

Prior to becoming a judge, Dugan had served for nearly three years as executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, resigning in 2009, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The judge’s LinkedIn profile lists her as having led the Catholic charity “through board restructuring and services reorganization.”

Prior to her election to the Milwaukee circuit court, Dugan served as a civil law attorney in Milwaukee.

Dugan’s lawyer this week said during a hearing in federal court that the judge “wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest.”

“It was not made in the interest of public safety,” he argued.

Vatican City, Apr 26, 2025 / 12:00 pm (CNA).

The wooden coffin of Pope Francis arrived at the Basilica of St. Mary Major just after 1 p.m. local time in Rome on Saturday, completing the solemn procession from St. Peter’s Square through the streets of Rome and bringing an end to the funeral of the late pontiff.

Nearly half a million mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday morning, while crowds of faithful lined the route to St. Mary Major as the late pontiff made his final journey to the basilica he visited more than 100 times during his papacy.

After Pope Francis' burial in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, the Basilica's Coadjutor Archpriest, leads mourners in a recitation of the Rosary.

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ACI Prensa Staff, Apr 26, 2025 / 11:00 am (CNA).

With both bold gestures and strong words, Pope Francis laid out a path of fraternity that consistently challenged religious and geopolitical boundaries, often within the context of the severe tensions that surround ongoing international conflicts.

In 2021, for example, during his apostolic trip to Slovakia, the Holy Father met with the Jewish community there and referred to the “madness of hatred” that led to the murder of more than 100,000 Slovak Jews during World War II. “We are united in condemning all violence, all forms of antisemitism, and in striving to ensure that the image of God in the human person is not profaned,” he said.

In November 2023, a few weeks after the war between Hamas and Israel began, Pope Francis received the Conference of European Rabbis, a meeting in which he expressed concern and condemned “the spread of antisemitic manifestations.”

Drawing on the words of St. John Paul II, he addressed the Jewish community with the words “dear brothers” and “elder brothers.”

The dialogue between Jews and Christians, Pope Francis declared, “is more than an interreligious dialogue; it is a family dialogue” whose members are bound “to one another before the one God.”

His closeness to the Jewish community and his priority for interreligious dialogue did not begin with his pontificate but date back to his time in Argentina. 

In 1994, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires when the attack against the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA, by its Spanish acronym) was perpetrated, leaving 85 dead. There are 11 fugitives in the case still at large with active national and international arrest warrants.

The Supreme Court of Argentina found that Iran-backed Hezbollah mercenaries were responsible for the deadly bombing. 

In 2005, as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio was the first signatory of the manifesto “AMIA, 85 lives, 85 signatures,” a document based on the demand for “a country without impunity, with a better justice system, with education and health care for all, without discrimination or exclusion, and that we may preserve the memory of the things that were done wrong so as not to repeat them,” according to La Nación.

Creation of Institute for Interreligious Dialogue

As cardinal primate of Argentina, he promoted the creation of the Institute for Interreligious Dialogue, whose co-presidents are Rabbi Daniel Goldman, the Islamic leader Omar Abboud, and the priest Guillermo Marcó.

In an interview with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, Goldman and Marcó emphasized the importance of Pope Francis in building bridges between both faith communities.

For Goldman, the success of interreligious dialogue lies not so much in institutional actions but in personal relationships that generate profound changes. He therefore believes that “the spaces of affection developed jointly by Guillermo [Marcó], Omar Abboud, and Jorge Bergoglio have been essential in bearing witness to how, despite our differences, there are so many similarities that allow us to discover in each of us what the other’s religious tradition contains in our own lives.”

In this regard, he emphasized that working together has allowed us to overcome the concept of “tolerance” and move first toward “coexistence” and then toward truly “living together in harmony,” an attitude of mutual support where “I cannot live without the other person [also] living."

Argentina, an example of interreligious harmony 

Marcó recalled that when Bergoglio first arrived in Buenos Aires, interreligious dialogue was not a priority on his agenda. However, after the attack on the Israeli Embassy In 1992 before he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires and the 1994 attack on the AMIA, he became actively involved with the Jewish and Muslim communities, marking milestones such as his visit to the Islamic Center and officials from AMIA and the Delegation of Argentine Israelite Associations, a gesture that became a tradition for those who succeeded him as archbishop of Buenos Aires.

“The interesting thing about the format we developed in Argentina, which he later brought to the Holy See, is that at the institute, we proposed not to emphasize the things that divide us but rather the things that unite us," the priest noted.

Both Goldman and Marcó agree that Argentina is an example of interreligious harmony. “I can attest to that. Over the last 25 years, we have built this institute of dialogue, and I couldn’t think of anything in my life without a sense of the deep friendship and brotherhood I have developed with Guillermo and Omar,” the Jewish leader emphasized.

Marcó cited for example initiatives such as the interreligious dialogue training course, the Day for Interreligious Dialogue, and the Night of the Temples, events that demonstrate a path in the area that is “unthinkable” in other parts of the world.

During the Night of the Temples people visit the houses of worship of different religions, an opportunity to experience “the religious, historical, cultural, gastronomic, and architectural heritage” of different faith communities. 

As the key to achieving this, Marcó emphasized “that respect for others, without it weakening your own identity. No one hides anything just so others don’t feel uncomfortable.”

However, for Goldman, there is a debt in Argentina that still pains the Jewish community and society as a whole: justice for the attacks that occurred in the 1990s. “The demand for justice regarding the AMIA bombings, regarding the Israeli Embassy, ​​are issues that are very dear to us, significant, and we hopefully expect that at some point this can be resolved, but the delay in justice transforms into injustice,” he lamented.

Despite his efforts to maintain closeness and dialogue, the global context presented challenges for the Holy Father. For Marcó, the pope’s relations with the Jewish world were affected by the war in the Middle East, with gestures such as his calls to the pastor of the only Catholic church in Gaza, the Argentine priest Gabriel Romanelli, although he believes it was a “way of showing that he is keeping an eye on what is happening there.”

He acknowledged that relations might have been “a bit tense,” although he emphasized that Francis condemned terrorism and at the same time expressed his concern for the humanitarian crisis in the region. “The pope always repeated that war is a failure,” he pointed out.

For his part, the rabbi pointed out that “there are certain terms that are painful for Jews, such as the word genocide.”

“We can have our differences. If everyone thought like me, they would all be Jews, and if everyone thought like the pope, they would all be Christians,” he summarized, urging people to “know how to accept disagreement as part of the conversation.”

Despite these obstacles, both agree that Pope Francis left an indelible mark on the path of interreligious dialogue and marked “milestones, from which it is difficult to go back,” Marcó said.

“We can’t be satisfied with where we are; we have to keep moving forward,” Goldman concluded.

In a world where algorithms “tend to radicalize positions,” Marcó said, “the interesting thing about dialogue, about pluralistic thinking, is that when we dialogue with someone, we have to be willing for something to change. You have to come out changed.”

Pope Francis and Rabbi Skorka

The path of dialogue with Judaism led to a friendship between Pope Francis and Rabbi Abraham Skorka, with whom he wrote the book “On Heaven and Earth” and also shared a television program.

It was Skorka who, along with the Islamic leader Omar Abboud, shared an iconic embrace with the Holy Father in front of the Western Wall.

When Cardinal Bergoglio was elected pope, Skorka described him as “a man of integrity, a man of very deep faith, a man who, I would even say, abhors superficiality. A man of sincere simplicity, a man who constantly seeks God.”

On that occasion, the rabbi told CNA that strengthening interreligious dialogue would be one of the key focuses of his pontificate.

In May 2023, Rabbi Skorka received an honorary doctorate from the University of Trnava’s theology department in Slovakia for his contribution to advancing interreligious dialogue.

For the occasion, Pope Francis sent him a congratulatory letter for his commitment and for his positive influence on “two generations of rabbis, as well as Catholic and Protestant theologians.”

“I too have experienced your gift of friendship and wisdom, for which I thank the Lord,” the Holy Father said.

“You have rightly sought to show that people of faith can and must defend human rights in all of life’s situations,” he concluded.

On July 18, 2024, marking the 30th anniversary of the AMIA bombing, Pope Francis sent a letter that was read at the commemorative event in which he stated: “The memory of those who died in that dark tragedy remains alive in our prayers and in our ongoing commitment to justice.”

“Memory can be our guide. It teaches us that remembering is not only looking back but also projecting ourselves with hope toward a future where such reprehensible acts of violence will not be repeated,” he expressed.

The pontiff also encouraged people to continue fighting for “a justice that does not seek revenge or retaliation but rather truth and reparation. A justice that is essential not only for the affected families but also for the cohesion of the nation’s social fabric.”

A message of hope to the Jewish people

On Jan. 26, the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Pope Francis dedicated a message to the Jewish people, saying: “May the anniversary of the unspeakable cruelty that humanity learned of 75 years ago serve as a summons to pause, to be still, and to remember. We need to do this, lest we become indifferent.”

In this context, he condemned “the horror of the extermination of millions of Jews” and renewed the call to “eradicate the scourge of antisemitism, along with all forms of religious discrimination and persecution.”

“Let us build together a more fraternal, more just world, educating young people to have hearts open to all, in the spirit of fraternity, forgiveness, and peace,” which was his fervent desire.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

CNA Staff, Apr 26, 2025 / 10:30 am (CNA).

The Vatican on April 8 announced that Pope Francis had appointed Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Bruce Lewandowski as the new head of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island.

Less than two weeks later, Pope Francis passed away, leaving behind what Lewandowski — one of the last bishops in the world appointed by the late pontiff — said is a legacy of “closeness” and missionary evangelization. 

Lewandowski told CNA he was “saddened by the pope’s death” and “caught by surprise” when he woke up on April 21 and learned of the Holy Father’s passing. 

“On Easter Sunday we could tell he wasn’t feeling well, but it looked like he was rebounding, to be able to go around in the popemobile,” the bishop said. “It was a surprise to wake up to that news on Monday morning.”

The bishop, who will be installed in Providence on May 20, said he felt a particular closeness to Francis, having met him twice, once during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in 2015 and once when training to be a bishop in Rome. 

An auxiliary bishop of Baltimore since 2020, Lewandowski said it was “really a surprise” to be appointed to the Rhode Island Diocese. 

“I had just finished a Mass at a scouting camp, out in what I call ‘the wilds’ of Maryland,” the prelate recalled with a laugh. “I didn’t really have good cellphone reception. The phone rang, and I saw it was [Papal Nuncio Cardinal Christophe Pierre], and I pulled over and answered the phone.”

Lewandowski said he has been “very invested” in Baltimore, having served in various ministries there for a decade. 

“But I’m a missionary and Redemptorist,” he said. “And that’s part of our lives, we move from one place to another. When the call came, I said I was willing and ready to do my best for the people of Providence. I’m looking forward to serving them.”

Asked for his thoughts on Francis’ legacy, the bishop said the pope taught the Church how to do missionary work for the world. He said that Francis continued the work done by his two predecessors.

“Pope John Paul II highlighted the missionary charism of the Church by his many travels,” Lewandowski said. “He highlighted evangelization and mission by his many travels.” Pope Benedict XVI, meanwhile, “taught what it meant to be a missionary disciple.” 

But Pope Francis “showed us how,” he said. 

“The word I’ve used over and over again to describe Francis is closeness,” he said. “He called us again and again to get close to each other, to have listening hearts, to listen to each other, and to listen to the Holy Spirit.” 

“He taught us how to evangelize. It’s through relationships. Through coming to know Jesus in a deep and meaningful way.” 

The bishop pointed out that the poor and homeless of Rome have taken part in mourning and remembrance of the late pontiff. 

“That’s telling,” he said. “He had close friends among the poor. I use the term ‘Gospel friendship’ for that. Human friendship is great, but this is an elevated type of friendship that leads us to a greater relationship with Christ and the Church.”

The Holy Father lived out the Gospel, Lewandowski said, “by being close to the poor, close to people who feel far from other people, far from the Church, and far from Jesus. He showed they could experience the closeness of the Lord through him.”

“We’ve talked a lot about evangelization and new evangelization for decades,” the bishop said. “He showed us how to do it.”

CNA Staff, Apr 26, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA).

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday held a brief discussion in the soaring halls of St. Peter’s Basilica amid the funeral of Pope Francis, speaking “one-on-one” about possible peace overtures in the Russia-Ukraine war.

“[It was a] good meeting. We discussed a lot one-on-one,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X. “Hoping for results on everything we covered.”

The Ukrainian leader hailed the informal mini-summit as “very symbolic.” The talk took place while the leaders were at the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, who for the last few years of his pontificate was a tireless advocate for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The two heads of state discussed “protecting [the] lives of our people,” a “full and unconditional ceasefire,” and “reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out,” Zelenskyy said.

The discussion “has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results,” he said.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino also shared footage of the meeting, including Vatican officials arranging the ornate chairs for the two leaders to sit in.

Pope Francis regularly used his public addresses, especially his Angelus prayers, to call for peace between Ukraine and Russia.

The Holy Father repeatedly urged the two countries to work toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict. In some cases he even sent material goods to Ukraine, dispatching multiple ambulances to help save lives in war zones there.

As the world paid its final respects to Pope Francis, a great number of people, in all their diversity, were united in their common dream of a better world.

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Our Editorial Director, Andrea Tornielli, offers his reflections on the final embrace of Pope Francis from the ends of the earth at his Requiem Mass in St. Peter's Square.

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In a brief encounter with the media, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, assistant archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, explained why Pope Francis chose to be buried in the Liberian basilica: a decision inspired by the Mother of God, depicted in the icon to which the Pope had a deep devotion.

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Just before the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, the Presidents of the United States and Ukraine met for a "very productive" discussion on the ongoing war in Ukraine.

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