This from EWTN News on Thursday 2/12/26: Pope Leo XIV affirmed Wednesday that sacred Scripture has been entrusted to the Catholic Church — that she preserves and explains it, and supports its purpose of making Christ known to the world.
Pope Leo went even further in his address, stating the following:
He quoted from Pope Benedict XVI’s postsynodal exhortation Verbum Domini. In that document, Pope Benedict affirmed that “the intrinsic link between the word and faith makes clear that authentic biblical hermeneutics can only be had within the faith of the Church, which has its paradigm in Mary’s fiat… the primary setting for scriptural interpretation is the life of the Church.”
Mary drove a Fiat? Kidding.
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) is Mary’s fiat according to Catholic tradition. However, I don’t see any correlation between Luke 1:38 and the idea of Scripture belonging solely to the Catholic Church.
Although Pope Leo XIV says some helpful things about the inspired nature of the Bible and the importance of Christians studying and meditating on God’s Word, he completely misses the mark by claiming that “…biblical hermeneutics can only be had within the faith of the Church.”
The third item below is interesting – apparently the Pope has decided that Mary, previously called the “Co-Redemptrix”, is no longer needed for the finished work of redemption and has been demoted to just the “Mother of the Faithful”.
Neither one of those titles is biblical, they are both the results of doctrines of men.
Investigation of a Spanish bishop
The Vatican has opened an investigation into Rafael Zornoza, bishop of the Diocese of Cádiz-Ceuta in Spain, following allegations of sexual abuse dating to the 1990s involving a teenage boy. Reuters
Zornoza denies the accusation, has suspended his duties, and pledged full cooperation. Reuters
This is significant because it is reportedly the first public case of a Spanish bishop being publicly known to be the subject of a Vatican‐level inquiry. Reuters.
Alleged antisemitic incident involving the Swiss Guard
The Vatican is investigating an alleged incident in which a member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard reportedly made a contemptuous remark (“les juifs”) and a spitting gesture toward two Jewish women, during a papal audience on October 29. AP News
The guard denies the remark and accuses the women of lying; the investigation is still in its early stage. AP News
During the same audience the Pope reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to Catholic-Jewish relations and condemned antisemitism. AP News
Doctrinal Note clarifying Marian titles
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), approved by the Pope, released a doctrinal note stating that the Virgin Mary should be referred to as “Mother of the Faithful” rather than the title “Co-Redemptrix.” Vatican News
The document also calls for special attention to the use of the expression “Mediatrix of all graces.” Vatican News
Appointment of a new Vice-Regent of the Pontifical Household
Edward Daniang Daleng, O.S.A., has been appointed by the Pope as the new Vice-Regent of the Pontifical Household. Vatican News
Paulina of Nigeria and an Augustinian religious background. (He had been procurator general of the Order of St. Augustine.) Catholic News Agency
According to LGBTQ+ Nation, “In a historic first this weekend, LGBTQ+ Catholics joined the church’s Jubilee Year pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, a once-every-25-year ritual that grants a “plenary indulgence” to participants.”
Some Mixed Signals and Leadership
The pilgrimage was included in the Vatican’s official Jubilee calendar, sparking a notable shift in visibility for LGBTQ+ Catholics—but the Vatican continued to clarify that the inclusion did not equal formal endorsement.
“While the LGBTQ+ pilgrimage is not explicitly endorsed by the Vatican — nor will participants receive a dedicated papal audience as other groups have — organizers and attendees say the event nevertheless represents a historic form of ecclesial engagement with a long-marginalized group of Catholics.” – National Catholic Register
Pope Leo XIV did not publicly acknowledge the group during Jubilee events but privately gave his blessing for Bishop Savino to conduct the Mass, signaling a discreet but meaningful continuity of Pope Francis’s inclusive approach.
“Pope Leo XIV celebrated a special Jubilee audience Saturday at the Vatican for all pilgrim groups in Rome this weekend, but made no special mention of the LGBTQ+ Catholics.” – Coeur d’Alene Press
Some Pushback and Continued Tensions
There were also institutional frictions—initial removal of the pilgrimage from the Jubilee calendar, followed by reinstatement, triggered by media leaks and internal disagreements over how public the recognition should be.
Some conservative voices sharply criticized the pilgrimage. Roberto de Mattei of the Lepanto Foundation labeled it “provocative and irreverent,” questioning whether it contradicted Church teachings on sin and redemption.
“The participants sparked outrage among some Catholics, who took note of the placards and T-shirts carrying slogans (in at least one case, crudely obscene) critical of Church teaching on sexuality, and the irreverent behavior of activists.” – Catholic Culture
Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on news and events from the world of faith and religion and brings that content to our readers.
Catholic Diocese of Syracuse Bankruptcy Exit Plan Accepted
A bankruptcy court has approved the Diocese of Syracuse’s exit plan, which includes a comprehensive settlement sending $176 million to survivors of clergy sexual abuse. From WSTM
Pope Leo XIV Condemns Forced Evacuation in Gaza
Pope Leo XIV strongly criticized Israeli plans for forcibly evacuating Gaza City, calling it a violation of international law. He urged for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and emphasized the duty of clergy to remain with the vulnerable, condemning the evacuation as a form of “collective punishment.” From The Times
Catholic Men Answer Call to Protect Parishes
An apostolate inspired by traditional Church practices is now training Catholic men to enhance parish security. This initiative is a modern response to growing safety concerns, aiming to prepare volunteers to act as guardians of their local communities. From National Catholic Register
Tragic Mass Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic School
A horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis left two children dead and around 17 injured during a school Mass. Authorities are investigating the event as a potential hate crime and act of domestic terrorism. The community mourns, with leaders calling for stronger protections for places of worship. From AP News
Pope Leo XIV Blesses Giro d’Italia Cyclists in Historic Vatican Ride
On June 1, 2025, Pope Leo XIV blessed 159 cyclists participating in the Giro d’Italia as the race’s final stage commenced with a historic three-kilometer ride through the Vatican Gardens. This marked the first time the route entered Vatican walls. The peloton, including race leader Simon Yates, paused to meet the pope and presented him with a replica of the leader’s pink jersey. The route passed key Vatican landmarks, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Santa Marta residence of the late Pope Francis. This event was part of the race’s neutralized zone before the competitive segment started. The 143-kilometer final stage concluded with a circuit through downtown Rome, ending near the Circus Maximus. This event marked Pope Leo XIV’s third engagement with the sports community since his recent election. – From AP
Pope Leo XIV Visits Castel Gandolfo, Raises Questions About Its Future Use
On May 29, 2025, Pope Leo XIV visited Castel Gandolfo, the traditional papal summer residence south of Rome. This raised questions about whether he will restore its use as a retreat or maintain it as a museum and environmental center, as his predecessor Pope Francis did. The estate, originally built in 1624 by Pope Urban VIII and spanning 136 acres—larger than Vatican City—served for centuries as a summer escape for popes. Pope Francis ended the tradition, opting to stay in Rome and opening the palace’s gardens to the public in 2014, later converting parts of the property into a museum to support local tourism. During his visit, Leo toured the Borgo Laudato Si, an environmental education initiative inspired by Francis’ 2015 encyclical “Praised Be.” This public project incorporates sustainable practices and operates a working farm that supplies the Vatican with fresh produce and dairy, embodying a vision for a “circular economy.” Leo, who previously served as a missionary in Peru, has not yet announced where he will reside in Rome or whether he will use Castel Gandolfo as a personal retreat. From AP
New Allegations Emerge in Emanuela Orlandi Disappearance Case
In May 2025, new allegations emerged in the decades-old mystery of Emanuela Orlandi, a 15-year-old Vatican schoolgirl who vanished in Rome in 1983. A blogger recently claimed on Facebook that Emanuela was pregnant and died following a botched abortion. The blogger, identified as MB, reportedly relied on an informant known only as LC, who claimed to have witnessed Emanuela’s visit to a gynecologist and was later asked to destroy related documents. Italian police have seized MB’s communication devices, and he is under investigation for aiding and abetting a crime after refusing to name his source. Emanuela’s brother Pietro Orlandi, a longstanding campaigner for truth in her case, has dismissed the claims as false and defamatory. Her disappearance has long been associated with conspiracy theories involving the Vatican, Cold War politics, and internal scandals. The Vatican, once criticized for obfuscation, opened its own investigation after Pope Francis cryptically told Pietro that “Emanuela was in heaven.” Rome magistrates reopened their inquiry in 2023, alongside a parliamentary investigation. These developments may pose early challenges for Pope Francis’s successor. – From The Times
Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration Mass Draws Global Attention
On May 18, 2025, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the inauguration Mass of his pontificate, formally known as the Mass for the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome. The event was attended by approximately 200,000 people, including dozens of world leaders and 150 formal delegations. While Leo became the Roman pontiff at the moment of his acceptance in the Sistine Chapel upon being elected in the 2025 papal conclave, the inauguration celebration marked the formal beginning of his ministry as the bishop of Rome. The Mass included the bestowal of the pallium and Ring of the Fisherman, and was followed by meetings with various delegations and world leaders. In his homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized unity and communion in the Church and the world, condemned exploitation of Earth’s resources and marginalization of the poor, and referenced his papal motto, “in the one Christ, we are one.” He concluded with the exhortation, “Look to Christ! Come closer to him!” – From Wikipedia
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church and the first American-born pontiff. He was elected on May 8, 2025, following the conclave that selected him as the successor to Pope Francis.
Early Life and Education
Born: September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Citizenship: Holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru.
Education:
Villanova University (Degree in Mathematics and Philosophy)
Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (Theological Studies)
Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome (Canon Law)
Religious Career
Joined the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in 1977.
Ordained as a priest in Rome on June 19, 1982.
Served as a missionary in Peru, working in Trujillo for over a decade.
Held positions such as judicial vicar, professor of Canon Law, and parish administrator.
Became Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing global bishop appointments.
Papacy
Elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, after a two-day conclave.
Known for his missionary work, social justice advocacy, and reform-oriented leadership.
Delivered his first speech in Italian, Latin, and Spanish, reflecting his global pastoral experience.
Timeline of Key Events
Year
Event
1955
Born in Chicago, Illinois
1977
Entered the Order of Saint Augustine
1982
Ordained as a priest in Rome
1985
Sent to Peru for missionary work
1998
Became judicial vicar and professor in Trujillo
2018
Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
2025
Elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American pope
