WASHINGTON (OSV News) – The U.S. Supreme Court on May 30 allowed the Trump administration to end deportation protections for more than 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela – typically Catholic-majority countries – while an appeal of the president’s order is still pending.
The Biden administration previously gave some migrants from those four countries the ability to legally enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds, citing dangerous conditions in their countries of origin. Upon President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, his administration revoked that permission, prompting a legal challenge. A federal judge previously blocked the Trump administration from ending the program.
Heidy Sanchez, 44, reacts after talking to her daughter who is in the U.S. during an interview at her home in Havana, Cuba, April 28, 2025. Sanchez, interviewed by Reuters, said she was told she would be deported and separated from her husband, and still-breastfeeding daughter, a U.S. citizen. The U.S. Supreme Court on May 30, allowed the Trump administration to end deportation protections for more than 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. (OSV News photo/Mario Fuentes, Reuters)
The unsigned order did not explain the majority’s rationale.
In a dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, rebuked the high court’s majority in the decision, arguing they “plainly botched” their assessment.
“It requires next to nothing from the Government with respect to irreparable harm,” Jackson wrote. “And it undervalues the devastating consequences of allowing the Government to precipitously upend the lives and livelihoods of nearly half a million noncitizens while their legal claims are pending.”
“Even if the Government is likely to win on the merits, in our legal system, success takes time and the stay standards require more than anticipated victory,” Jackson wrote.
Back in March, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called the termination of the CHNV program “counterproductive” to the Trump administration’s stated goals of promoting respect for the rule of law and reducing strain on U.S. communities.
“We urge the Administration to consider the adverse impact of this action on citizens and noncitizens alike, especially given the ongoing conditions in several of the implicated countries,” the USCCB’s spokeswoman Chieko Noguchi said in a statement provided to OSV News.
Catholic social teaching on immigration, explained by the USCCB, balances three interrelated principles – the right of persons to migrate in order to sustain their lives and those of their families, the right of a country to regulate its borders and control immigration, and a nation’s duty to regulate its borders with justice and mercy.
J. Kevin Appleby, senior fellow for policy at the Center for Migration Studies in New York and former director of migration policy for the USCCB, told OSV News, “It is particularly troubling that the administration is targeting immigrants who were invited into the US and entered legally.”
“They also come from countries with oppressive regimes and could be targeted for persecution when they are returned,” Appleby said. “It shows some hypocrisy, as the administration labels immigrants as criminals but still deports those who play by the rules.”
Appleby said individuals from other nations may have been treated differently.
“Let’s be honest, if this program served immigrants from Norway, Sweden, or Afrikaners in South Africa, the administration would not be seeking to terminate it,” he said.
In effect, the Supreme Court’s decision means the Department of Homeland Security can revoke the protected status for these individuals while the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals weighs an appeal of the order itself.
That court’s ruling remains pending.
(Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on X @kgscanlon.)
TUPELO – Graduating students from St. James Parish in Tupelo are pictured, including (front row, from left) Father Tim Murphy, Angel Perez, Emily Lira, Estrella Candanedo, Valeria Diaz, Cindy Gonzalez, Tereza Perez, Lucy Haynes and Evelyn Pickering; (second row) Landon Nelms, Dawson Arriola, Averi Coleman, Andrea Brohawn, Joselin Flores, Nancy Cruz, Vanessa Acosta and Cindy Juarez; (third row) Ethan Arriola, Bryce Vaughn, Angel Mendez, Victor Salgado, Andrew Bizon, Santiago Salgado, Cooper Hairald, Ivan Sanchez, Irvin Fernandez, Michael Gusmus and Emily Lira. (Photo by Michelle Harkins)CLINTON – Holy Savior Church held a senior recognition Mass on May 18. Pictured from left are Carter Rogers, Jackson Rodgers, Father Tom McGing and Greta Nalker. Nalker is a parishioner at Immaculate Conception in Raymond. (Photo by Hunter Yentzen)MERIDIAN – Graduating students were recognized during the St. Patrick Baccalaureate Mass on May 18 with Father Augustine Palimattam. Pictured are Grace Clayton, Sara Daleo, Mauricio Espino, Dominick Espinoza, Jackson Frazier, Emeline Garcia-Ayala, Jose Angel Garcia, Annilyn Hoang, Jean Karol Mayo, Luis Perez, Eduardo Ramirez, Chris Rangel and Valeria Rangel. Not pictured but also recognized were Rachel Daleo, Miranda Rigdon, Kristy Castillo, Sean Auzenne and Grace DeGeneres. (Photo by Kasey Owen)MCCOMB – St. Alphonsus Parish honored its 2025 high school seniors with special artwork celebrating their accomplishments. Pictured in the tribute are Holden Cutrer, John Michael Heroman Jr., Ann Elise Gatlin, Tatum Klug, Renee Pena and Lydia Tullos. (Image courtesy of St. Alphonsus Parish)MERIDIAN – St. Joseph graduates were honored during the Baccalaureate Mass on May 18. Pictured with Father Augustine Palimattam are Jayden Mosley, Lily Zettler and Raven Smith. Not pictured: Zemaree Hampton. (Photo by John Harwell)VICKSBURG – St. Paul Catholic Church graduates Summer Mocknick and Peyton Rainer are pictured with Father Rusty Vincent. Not pictured is Carson Smith. (Photo by Connie Hosemann)LEXINGTON – Central Holmes Christian Academy graduate Daynie Parish was celebrated with a blessing and brunch at St. Thomas the Apostle. (Photo by Samuel Sample)GREENVILLE – Youth were recently recognized during Mass at Sacred Heart Church. Pictured from left are Father Sebastian Myladiyil, SVD; Isai Castillo; Aaliyah Guthrie; Yoselin Frias; Christian Sorrell; and Father Tom Mullally, SVD. (Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Parish)GRENADA – Father Joseph Ashok offers a blessing to Alexia Lynn Strong at St. Peter Parish. Strong graduated from Grenada High School on May 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of St. Peter Parish)
By Staff Reports JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson’s Office of Catholic Education recently completed a major milestone with its system reaccreditation review conducted by Cognia, Inc., from April 8–10, 2025. The review was led by Dr. Michael Bratcher, Cognia’s Director of Accreditation Services and the national liaison for Catholic school accreditation. His extensive experience and expertise in evaluating Catholic institutions made him especially well-suited to assess our system’s distinct governance structure, Canonical foundations and deeply rooted Catholic identity.
JACKSON – On April 8, Father Joe Tonos, Father Gerry Hurley, Father Albeen Vatti and Father Kevin Slattery met with executive director of Catholic Education Karla Luke and Dr. Michael Bratcher, director of accreditation services for Cognia. The Diocese of Jackson received a score of 389 out of 400 by Cognia for outstanding efforts of educators and administrators, who are committed to excellence and mission-driven service. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
Unlike public or independent schools, Catholic school systems require evaluators who understand the unique relationships between pastors and principals, the influence of Canon Law, and the integral role of faith in daily instruction. Dr. Bratcher’s presence marked a significant response to longstanding requests for accreditation professionals who can truly appreciate these complexities.
The Office of Catholic Education was evaluated across four primary domains: Culture of Learning, Leadership for Learning, Engagement of Learning, and Growth in Learning – encompassing 30 rigorous standards. These areas, designed with the student as the central stakeholder, were assessed through surveys, performance data and in-depth classroom observations.
Cognia accreditation is internationally recognized for its high standards and emphasis on continuous improvement. The Diocese of Jackson first earned this prestigious system-wide accreditation in 2019. Under this model, every school in the diocesan system shares in the accreditation status, promoting consistency, excellence and accountability throughout.
Following this year’s engagement review, the Diocese of Jackson received an Index of Educational Quality (IEQ) score of 389 out of 400 – an exceptional result that stands 93 points above Cognia’s global network average of 296. This achievement reflects the outstanding efforts of diocesan Catholic school educators and administrators, who remain committed to excellence and mission-driven service.
Karla Luke, executive director of Catholic Schools said that to achieve a score of this caliber means diocesan school systems are solid, the best practices are imbedded in operations and instruction, and the diocesan Catholic school system is continuously striving for improvement.
“I am so very proud of the efforts of our Catholic School community in the entire Diocese of Jackson. I would like to thank our teachers and administrators for consistently delivering such high-quality education to our students,” said Luke.
The diocese extends special thanks to the leadership team that helped prepare for the review: Mary Arledge (Vicksburg Catholic Schools), Kimberley Burkley (Cathedral Catholic School), Dr. Dena Kinsey (St. Joseph Catholic School, Madison), and Office of Catholic Education staff members Rachel Patterson and Virginia Hollingsworth.
“With this outstanding reaccreditation behind them, diocesan leaders look forward to sharing more exciting developments in Catholic education in the months ahead,” said Luke.
Announcement of Pope Leo XIV at Catholic Schools across the diocese
The election of a new Pope is a momentous event in the Catholic Church, and it reflects the unity and diversity of the global community. It was heartwarming to see students come together to witness this historic moment, share their thoughts, and discuss what it might mean for our faith and the world.
SOUTHAVEN – The level of excitement at the announcement that the newly elected pope was an American was evident in the faces of many students at Sacred Heart School. Left to right, front: Sergio Aurioles, Lucas Delgado and Benjamin Baskin. (Photo by Bridget Martin)JACKSON – St. Richard students applaud at the annoucement of Pope Leo XIV. (Photo by Celeste Saucier)GREENVILLE – Principal Craig Mandolini awaits announcement of the new pope along with St. Joseph students during lunch. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)JACKSON – Pre-K students at Sister Thea Bowman School await the announcement of the next pope. (Photo by Christopher Payne)MADISON – St. Anthony third graders didn’t want to miss a historic moment while on a field trip to the Petrified Forest, so they viewed the announcement of Pope Leo XIV from their teacher’s cell phone! (Photo by Anne Cowger)NATCHEZ – Cathedral School second grader, Jack Ryan jumps up in applause for Pope Leo XIV – the first American pope. (Photo by Brandi Boles)MADISON – Students at St. Joseph School eagerly await the announcement of the new pope on Thursday, May 8. Many students of Catholic schools throughout the diocese followed the papal conclave awaiting white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. (Photo by Dr. Dena Kinsey)COLUMBUS – Middle school students at Annunciation took lunch in classrooms so they could hear the moment that a new pope was announceed to the world. (Photo by Jacque Hince)
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope May 8 and took the name Pope Leo XIV.
He is the first North American to be elected pope and, before the conclave, was the U.S. cardinal most mentioned as a potential successor of St. Peter.
The white smoke poured from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at 6:07 p.m. Rome time and a few minutes later the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica began to ring.
About 20 minutes later the Vatican police band and two dozen members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard marched into St. Peter’s Square. They soon were joined by the marching band of the Italian Carabinieri, a branch of military police, and by units of the other branches of the Italian military.
As soon as news began to spread, people from all over Rome ran to join the tens of thousands who were already in the square for the smoke watch. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri was among them.
French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at 7:12 p.m. He told the crowd: “I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope (‘Habemus papam’),” saying the cardinal’s name in Latin and announcing the name by which he will be called.
Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, waves to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican after his election as pope May 8, 2025. The new pope was born in Chicago. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Ten minutes later, the new Pope Leo came out onto the balcony, smiling and waving to the crowd wearing the white papal cassock, a red mozzetta or cape and a red stole to give his first public blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world).
The crowd shouted repeatedly, “Viva il papa” or “Long live the pope” as Pope Leo’s eyes appeared to tear up.
“Peace be with you,” were Pope Leo’s first words to the crowd.
“My dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for God’s flock,” he said, praying that Christ’s peace would enter people’s hearts, their families and “the whole earth.”
The peace of the risen Lord, he said, is “a peace that is unarmed and disarming.”
Signaling strong continuity with the papacy of Pope Francis, Pope Leo told the crowd that God “loves all of us unconditionally” and that the church must be open to everyone.
“We are all in God’s hands,” he said, so “without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with each other, let us go forward.”
He thanked the cardinals who elected him, apparently on the fourth ballot of the conclave, “to be the successor of Peter and to walk with you as a united church always seeking peace, justice” and together being missionary disciples of Christ.
Telling the crowd that he was an Augustinian, he quoted St. Augustine, who said, “With you I am a Christian and for you a bishop.”
“Together we must try to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges and always dialogues, that is always open to receiving everyone like this square with its arms open to everyone, everyone in need,” he said.
The new bishop of Rome told the people of his diocese and of the whole Catholic Church, “We want to be a synodal church, a church that journeys, a church that seeks peace always, that always seeks charity, that wants to be close to people, especially those who are suffering.”
After asking the crowd to recite the Hail Mary with him, Pope Leo gave his first solemn blessing.
Cardinals over the age of 80, who were not eligible to enter the conclave, joined the crowd in the square. Among them were Cardinals Seán P. O’Malley, the retired archbishop of Boston; Donald W. Wuerl, the retired archbishop of Washington; and Marc Ouellet, retired prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. A longtime missionary in Peru, the 69-year-old pope holds both U.S. and Peruvian citizenship.
La Repubblica, the major Italian daily, described him April 25 as “cosmopolitan and shy,” but also said he was “appreciated by conservatives and progressives. He has global visibility in a conclave in which few (cardinals) know each other.”
That visibility comes from serving as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops for the past two years, he was instrumental in helping Pope Francis choose bishops for many Latin-rite dioceses, he met hundreds of bishops during their “ad limina” visits to Rome and was called to assist Latin-rite bishops “in all matters concerning the correct and fruitful exercise of the pastoral office entrusted to them.”
The new pope was serving as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, when Pope Francis called him to the Vatican in January 2023.
During a talk at St. Jude Parish in Chicago in August, the then-cardinal said Pope Francis nominated him “specifically because he did not want someone from the Roman Curia to take on this role. He wanted a missionary; he wanted someone from outside; he wanted someone who would come in with a different perspective.”
In a March 2024 interview with Catholic News Service, he said Pope Francis’ decision in 2022 to name three women as full members of the dicastery, giving them input on the selection of bishops “contributes significantly to the process of discernment in looking for who we hope are the best candidates to serve the church in episcopal ministry.”
To deter attitudes of clericalism among bishops, he said, “it’s important to find men who are truly interested in serving, in preaching the Gospel, not just with eloquent words, but rather with the example and witness they give.”
In fact, the cardinal said, Pope Francis’ “most effective and important” bulwark against clericalism was his being “a pastor who preaches by gesture.”
In an interview in 2023 with Vatican News, then-Cardinal Prevost spoke about the essential leadership quality of a bishop.
“Pope Francis has spoken of four types of closeness: closeness to God, to brother bishops, to priests and to all God’s people,” he said. “One must not give in to the temptation to live isolated, separated in a palace, satisfied with a certain social level or a certain level within the church.”
“And we must not hide behind an idea of authority that no longer makes sense today,” he said. “The authority we have is to serve, to accompany priests, to be pastors and teachers.”
As prefect of the dicastery then-Cardinal Prevost also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, where nearly 40% of the world’s Catholics reside.
A Chicago native, he also served as prior general of the Augustinians and spent more than two decades serving in Peru, first as an Augustinian missionary and later as bishop of Chiclayo.
Soon after coming to Rome to head the dicastery, he told Vatican News that bishops have a special mission of promoting the unity of the church.
“The lack of unity is a wound that the church suffers, a very painful one,” he said in May 2023. “Divisions and polemics in the church do not help anything. We bishops … must accelerate this movement toward unity, toward communion in the church.”
In September, a television program in Peru reported on the allegations of three women who said that then-Bishop Prevost failed to act against a priest who sexually abused them as minors. The diocese strongly denied the accusation, pointing out that he personally met with the victims in April 2022, removed the priest from his parish, suspended him from ministry and conducted a local investigation that was then forwarded to the Vatican. The Vatican said there was insufficient evidence to proceed, as did the local prosecutor’s office.
Pope Leo was born Sept. 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the Augustinian-run Villanova University in Pennsylvania and joined the order in 1977, making his solemn vows in 1981. He holds a degree in theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and a doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
He joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985 and largely worked in the country until 1999 when he was elected head of the Augustinians’ Chicago-based province. From 2001 to 2013, he served as prior general of the worldwide order. In 2014, Pope Francis named him bishop of Chiclayo, in northern Peru, and the pope asked him also to be apostolic administrator of Callao, Peru, from April 2020 to May 2021. The new pope speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and can read Latin and German.
Pictured are Hannah and Mario Villasenor, parishioners of St. Therese Church in Jackson. The couple have found joy and purpose in assisting other couples prepare for the sacrament of matrimony through working with the Office of Family Ministry as presenters at Engaged Encounter. Both express gratitude for support given through the Catholic Service Appeal to assist family ministry throughout the diocese. (Photo courtesy of Hannah and Mario Villasenor)
When Hannah and Mario Villasenor, parishioners at St. Therese Catholic Church in Jackson, signed up for an Engaged Encounter weekend before their wedding in October 2021, they never imagined they would one day be a presenting couple.
“We thought someone would call us once we had been married long enough or had somehow become good enough at marriage,” Hannah laughed. “So, when Debbie Tubertini, from the Office of Family Ministry, reached out and asked us to present, we were honestly surprised. We did not think she meant us!”
Their first weekend as a presenting couple was in April 2023. Since then, Hannah and Mario have found joy and purpose in sharing their story with other engaged couples preparing for the sacrament of marriage.
“We remember what it felt like to sit in those chairs, listening to the presenters and thinking, ‘Wow, they really have it all figured out,’” said Mario. “Even though they told us they were not experts, it sure seemed like they were.”
Now as presenters, Hannah and Mario strive to offer something different and authentic. “We want the couples to take what resonates and use it in their own relationships,” Mario said.
“There’s no such thing as a perfect marriage – just two people choosing every day to love and serve one another the best they can.”
Beyond helping others, the experience has deepened their own relationship. “It’s a chance to pause, reflect on our own marriage, and grow. We leave each retreat reminded of why we said yes in the first place,” according to Hannah.
Hannah and Mario expressed gratitude to those who support the Catholic Service Appeal, “Your gifts are changing lives,” Mario said. “They’re helping couples build strong, faith-filled foundations for their future. If you have not yet given, we hope you will consider it. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.”
GUEST COLUMN By Deacon Ted Schreck As I look back over the years since my ordination to the permanent diaconate in June 2016, I recall so many wonderful memories and some difficult times as well. Actually, my journey began years earlier. My baptism was when I was 10 days old back in December 1969; however, when I think about what led more immediately to my call, I think of the time from 2011 when my older brother Mike was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. I watched my brother and his family for the years of his formation and was blessed to be present for his ordination. To say the least, this made a lasting impression on me.
SOUTHAVEN – Deacon Ted Schreck baptizes a new child into the faith as a part of his duties as a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Jackson. (Photo courtesy of Deacon Ted Schreck)
In 2009-2010, I began earnestly considering my own call to consider making an application for the permanent diaconate formation program. At that time, we in the Diocese of Jackson had not had any formation classes for permanent deacons in a very long time. However, while I was watching my brother’s call coming to fruition at his own ordination, I was being encouraged to consider my own call especially among my brother deacons serving in the Diocese of Memphis where I was working both at Memphis Catholic High School and Middle School and at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in East Memphis.
So, the discernment process for me continued in earnest. I wanted to know for myself that I was not seeking some title or specific affirmation for my service in the church. When we finally had an information session at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Batesville, Mississippi, I welcomed the words from the presenters that the call was “not about you,” but about answering God’s call for his church and his people. This realization that my call to consider the permanent diaconate was not about me, but about seeking to do God’s will in my community was what I needed.
I learned a lot about myself as I reflected on my spiritual autobiography and began to share with friends and long-time neighbors from years previous that I was seriously considering this call to become a permanent deacon. The amazing thing that I heard from these friends and family members was “It’s about time … I’ve seen the servant in you for years.” Talk about God showing others our gifts and we ourselves not recognizing those gifts.
To fast forward, I loved (for the most part) my years of formation with my cohort from the Diocese of Jackson and the men (and their wives) from the Diocese of Memphis. I truly experienced being stretched and formed. I recognized strengths within me and some weaknesses as well. I have to say that while the information and knowledge gained was very important, I grew the most I believe through walking with my brothers through the formation process. We each experienced joys and sorrows over that 5-year period. But we stood together, and we laughed and we cried together.
One funny story that we like to look back on from time to time is when I parked my vehicle at St. James in Corinth to ride along with my brothers from St. Joseph in Starkville up to a retreat at St. Meinrad in Indiana. You may know that Corinth (in the New Testament – the home of the Corinthians) is in modern day Turkey. Well, on that day as I parked my vehicle at St. James in Corinth, I met some not-so-friendly wild “turkeys” that the priest at that time was raising on the church property.
Finally, after five years of formation, I and my brother deacons arrived at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson for our ordination. I remember so many different feelings and joys on that day. The very next day as I returned to Christ the King parish in Southaven for the first Mass after our ordination, I had the opportunity to preach the homily for the first time. Understandably, I wanted to include thanks to my family and my fellow parishioners who had walked along this journey with me. Several parishioners asked me not to make them cry every time I preached like they did that day as I remembered my mother who had passed away many years prior.
So, what have these last almost nine years brought about in my life as a husband, brother, dad, grandfather and deacon? I have celebrated over 75 baptisms, 18 weddings, 4 presentations, 29 funerals, and many opportunities to walk alongside families from very different cultures. And, I have grown with each individual, couple and family I have encountered.
This growth has primarily come through my ability and desire to listen and to connect with others. Each day, I pray that God gives me the strength and the courage to be a better husband, a better father/grandfather/brother, a better friend and a better deacon. And he keeps on answering that prayer beyond my wildest expectations. I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes, but I am truly blessed to get to listen to and connect with more and more people in the six parish communities which I serve and in other parish communities when I have been invited to offer Advent or Lenten reflections.
In my case, I was working in a Catholic school throughout my years of formation and then worked at another Catholic elementary school as the director of development even after my ordination. In early 2022, I took a further step outside my comfort zone and joined the parish staff for the six Catholic parishes of Northwest Mississippi which are served by the Priests of the Sacred Heart as the director of evangelization. I say that this was outside my comfort zone as I considered which qualifications I did not possess (or my weaknesses). But I have been beyond blessed as I pursued this work especially in adult faith formation, OCIA, sacramental preparation, and so much more. I believe that any real success that has come through trusting in God’s will and pursuing my strengths (more than focusing on my weaknesses).
What’s next? I know that there is so much work to do in helping God’s people draw closer to Him and closer to His church. That’s where my focus is! I just pray that I allow God to use me as he sees fit. My goal is to continue to grow as a Man of God, to be faithful to my family, and to fulfill my baptismal promise. Amen!
(Deacon Ted Schreck is the director of evangelization for the Catholic Parishes of Northwest Mississippi. He can be reached at nwms.evangelization@gmail.com. To learn more about the permanent diaconate visit https://bit.ly/JacksonDiaconate.)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Leo XIV’s devotion to St. Augustine, his life and ministry as a member of the Augustinian order and his focus on the church unity are reflected in his episcopal motto and coat of arms. When he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after his election May 8, he introduced himself as “an Augustinian, a son of St. Augustine.”
And he explained that the cardinals who elected him “have chosen me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a Church, united, ever pursuing peace and justice, ever seeking to act as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ, in order to proclaim the Gospel without fear, to be missionaries.”
His episcopal motto is, “In Illo uno unum,” or literally “In the One, we are one.”
Vatican News explained that the phrase is taken from St. Augustine’s “Exposition on Psalm 127,” where he explains that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.”
Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms with his episcopal motto, “In Illo uno unum,” literally “In the One (Christ), we are one,” is seen in an image published by the Vatican Secretariat of State May 10, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
As a cardinal, he told Vatican News in 2023, “As can be seen from my episcopal motto, unity and communion are truly part of the charism of the Order of St. Augustine, and also of my way of acting and thinking.”
“I believe it is very important to promote communion in the church, and we know well that communion, participation and mission are the three keywords of the Synod” of Bishops on synodality, he said. “So, as an Augustinian, for me promoting unity and communion is fundamental.”
His shield, now topped by a miter instead of the red galero hat on the shield of cardinals, is divided diagonally into two. The upper half features a blue background with a white lily or fleur-de-lis, symbolizing the Virgin Mary, but also his French heritage.
The lower half of the shield has a light background and displays an image common to the religious orders named after and inspired by St. Augustine: a closed book with a heart pierced by an arrow.
Vatican News said, “This is a direct reference to the conversion experience of St. Augustine himself, who described his personal encounter with God’s word using the phrase: ‘Vulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo’ – ‘You have pierced my heart with your Word.’”
