Cardinal Joseph Zen has welcomed Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s reflections on a “hostile takeover” within the Catholic Church. “Thank you, Bishop Schneider, for sharing such an interesting anecdote and your reflections,” Cardinal Zen wrote on X on October 11. Zen was referring to Schneider’s recollection of a conversation between the two prelates, during which Zen revealed that his favourite Gregorian chant was the Introit for Sexagesima Sunday: “Exsúrge, quare obdórmis, Dómine?” - “Arise, why sleepest Thou, O Lord?” Bishop Schneider recalled how Zen had explained that the melody places particular emphasis on Exsúrge — “Arise!” — conveying an urgent appeal for divine intervention. Schneider also recounted an incident in Rome in which Cardinal Zen had attempted to persuade another cardinal on an important matter concerning the Church. When the other cardinal remained stubborn and unimpressed, Zen began singing the same Gregorian chant directly to him: “Wake up, why are you sleeping? Wake up!” …More
Missionary Work: Catholics vs. Protestants: A history of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of Catholic and Protestant missionaries shows some fundamental differences
Communiqué from the General House: The appeal against the decree of excommunication is proceeding in Rome
The appeal against the decree of excommunication of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X (FSSPX) is ongoing – no further details disclosed. On October 13, the FSSPX published a communiqué stating that the appeal against the July excommunication has been pursued, in accordance with the procedures established by the canon law of 1983. “Through these actions, the bishops of the Society intend to exercise the right recognized by the Church, requesting an examination of the legal and doctrinal objections they have raised against the documents of July 2.” Pending a response from the “competent authorities” regarding these proceedings, the FSSPX will maintain the discretion required by the nature of these procedures. #newsEabeiftheh
In France, Leo XIV told different audiences what they want to hear: reassuring conservatives while also offering a positive interpretation of the French Revolution's ideals. Polish priest and philosopher Andrzej Kobyliński observed talking to Jan Pospieszalski on October 6 about Leo XIV's France trip: “The various statements during this pilgrimage were addressed to different groups in France. In a sense, everyone got what they wanted. There were statements affirming the value of tradition, but there were also very positive words about the interpretation of the slogan ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.’" And: "There was not a single critical remark - which also surprised me greatly - about the heart of the dispute. That is, concerning the Enlightenment project and the legacy of the French Revolution. That was completely missing."
96% of DOGE’s Claimed Cuts Couldn’t Be Verified, Michael Lewis Says | Stay Tuned with Preet Bharara This week on the Stay Tuned with Preet podcast, financial journalist and New York Times best-selling author Michael Lewis joins Preet to discuss the unraveling of the Department of Government Efficiency, chronicled in Lewis’s new book, "Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State." Preet and Lewis make sense of what went wrong with DOGE, discussing some of the influential figures who shaped the department’s decisions, both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes. They delve into how ideology drove DOGE’s mass firings and why the resulting suffering was not a coincidence, but part of the design. Finally, they examine the qualities that make some people more susceptible to corruption. You can listen to Stay Tuned with Preet wherever you get your podcasts: pod.link/1265845136 Subscribe to Stay Tuned on YouTube: https://cafe.visitlink.me/MpB3pe For more episodes and access to exclusive content …More
NYTIMES: Trump Gives Putin a Hand in Russia’s Economic War With Ukraine By Constant Méheut Reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine Oct. 12, 2026 With the front lines largely frozen, Russia and Ukraine have turned the war into a contest of economic endurance. Kyiv has gone after Russia’s oil refineries. Moscow has hit Ukraine’s ports and heavy industries. On Friday, President Trump sided with Russia in this all-important battle. The American leader announced a deal to buy Russian diesel fuel and stepped up pressure on Ukraine to stop striking Russian refineries. The diesel agreement, if it goes ahead, could send some $4 billion of American money into the Russian economy, energy experts said. A halt to refinery strikes, if Ukraine accedes to one, could be much more valuable to the Kremlin. Mr. Trump is enlisting Russian help in his effort to bring down sky-high diesel prices, caused mostly by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, before the midterm election early next month. Ukraine is expected to get …More
Trump Gives Putin a Hand in Russia’s Economic War With Ukraine nytimes.com/2026/10/12/world/europe/russia-diesel… President Trump is moving to buy Russian diesel while also pressuring Ukraine to halt attacks on refineries, a lifeblood of Moscow’s war machine.
Detroit Archbishop Edward Weisenburger declared that “sins against creation are among the very serious sins” at a September 30 synodal listening session. He criticized the Trump administration's removal of electric vehicle tax incentives and urged Catholics to “cooperate with creation,” invoking Pope Leo XIV. The meeting's findings will be forwarded through the Catholic Climate Covenant to the Vatican. Monsignor Weisenburger, who severely restricted the Traditional Latin Mass in Detroit in 2025, now champions environmental initiatives inspired by Laudato Si’.
A homosexual “creation service” featuring drag performances was held in three Austrian cities with support from Catholic dioceses. Titled “Abracadabra – and it was good!”, the project combined the seven days of creation in Genesis with percussion, dance, light art and interactive performances. Events took place in Graz (Sept. 12, 30 attendees), Vienna (Sept. 25, 150) and Linz (Oct. 2, 110). The ecumenical project involved Catholic, Protestant, Methodist and Old Catholic groups, with support from the dioceses of Linz, Vienna and Graz-Seckau.
Pope Leo’s Lung Surgery: Medical Expert Explains Procedure, Risks and Recovery | SG News As Pope Leo XIV prepares to undergo surgery for a small lung nodule, a leading Italian thoracic surgeon has explained what such a procedure can involve, the possible approaches doctors may use and what recovery often looks like. Pope Leo revealed during the October 11 Angelus that doctors had discovered a localized nodule in his lung during recent medical examinations. The Holy Father said the growth had been detected at a very early stage and was well localized. Following medical advice, he agreed to undergo surgery to remove it. The Vatican has not disclosed whether the nodule is benign or malignant. Professor Federico Venuta, chief of thoracic surgery at Rome’s Policlinico Umberto I, explained that a pulmonary nodule is generally defined as a lesion measuring less than three centimetres in diameter. According to Venuta, surgery may sometimes be required because doctors already believe removal is …More
Lungenoperation bei Papst Leo: Mediziner erläutert Eingriff, Risiken und Genesung | SG News Während sich Papst Leo XIV. auf eine Operation zur Entfernung eines kleinen Lungenknotens vorbereitet, hat ein führender italienischer Thoraxchirurg erklärt, was ein solcher Eingriff beinhaltet, welche Methoden Ärzte anwenden können und wie der Genesungsprozess typischerweise verläuft. Papst Leo gab während des Angelus-Gebets am 11. Oktober bekannt, dass Ärzte bei jüngsten medizinischen Untersuchungen einen lokal begrenzten Knoten in seiner Lunge entdeckt hätten. Der Heilige Vater erklärte, die Wucherung sei in einem sehr frühen Stadium erkannt worden und klar abgegrenzt. Auf ärztlichen Rat hin habe er sich dazu entschlossen, den Knoten operativ entfernen zu lassen. Der Vatikan hat nicht mitgeteilt, ob es sich bei dem Knoten um einen gutartigen oder bösartigen Befund handelt. Professor Federico Venuta, Leiter der Thoraxchirurgie am römischen Krankenhaus Policlinico Umberto I, erläuterte, dass ein …More
1. The extent of surgery is unknown. Dr. Elmer Huerta explains that surgeons may remove a small wedge of lung tissue, a larger segment, or an entire lobe, depending on the nodule. This could significantly affect recovery. 2. Minimally invasive surgery is possible. Huerta says lung nodules are often removed using minimally invasive or robotic techniques. However, the Vatican has not confirmed which procedure Leo XIV will undergo. 3. The November trip may still be possible. Huerta suggests the Pope could potentially fly within two or three weeks after a relatively minor wedge resection. More extensive surgery could require a longer recovery. This is particularly relevant to his planned November 6–17 visit to South America. 4. Imaging characteristics influence the decision to operate. Dr. Bruno Vincenzi explains that irregular or spiculated nodule margins can raise suspicion of malignancy, whereas well-defined margins or calcifications more often suggest a benign condition. 5. A tissue …More
LiveLeak Clashes and fires near Brussels-Midi station during national strike day: hundreds of youths, fireworks mortars, about ten arrests. Hundreds of young people clashed with police around Brussels-Midi station on the afternoon of Oct. 12, on the sidelines of a national strike day and a student gathering, Belga reported. Police said officers were targeted with projectiles and mortar-type fireworks fired by several individuals, some masked, and responded with tear gas and a water cannon. A strike meant to be a labor action turned into street confrontation in a district with a history of unrest, with a young crowd and pyrotechnics rather than organized unions at the center.
LiveLeak Riot police have deployed tear gas on protesters in #Brussels during demonstrations over government policies, including rising living costs, education and budget-tightening measures.
Clashes and fires near Brussels-Midi station during national strike day: hundreds of youths, fireworks mortars, about ten arrests.
