Mid-City Christian: Leo’s brother on the surgery: “they got it all”

Leo calls Zelensky, seeking a humanitarian truce for Oleshky

Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following up on the humanitarian ceasefire he asked Vladimir Putin to allow in Oleshky. The Holy See Press Office said the pope hopes cooperation between both sides will let food and medical aid reach the Kherson-region city and allow “the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population.” America reports that about 2,000 people are trapped there without food, and Vatican News says work is under way on an evacuation plan. — Holy See Press Office · America (Gerard O’Connell) · Vatican News · Vatican News [IT] · National Catholic Reporter (AP)

Leo’s brother on the surgery: “they got it all”

Louis Prevost says it was “panic city” when the family first learned the pope might have cancer. But “after the day of surgery, when they reported that they got it all, it was clean and pretty straightforward,” he said in a new interview, as Leo prepares to hold Wednesday’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square. — America (Colleen Dulle)

French bishops condemn “unacceptable violence” as riots sweep France

France’s bishops said the rioting has “plunged the country into shock, fear, and despair, raising numerous questions about the root causes of this crisis.” Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille urged people not to be drawn into violence but to restore peace, and the French Church is calling for a response to the anguish young people are expressing, as curfews take effect in major cities. — Vatican News · America (Caroline De Sury, OSV News) · Vatican News [IT] · Vatican News [IT] (curfews)

Pope and Holy See

Relief and surprise for 15,000 pilgrims at Leo’s first public appearance since surgery. Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny who came from India had feared they’d miss him, until his early discharge let them see him at Sunday’s Angelus. “We prayed for him, and we are happy that he is here today,” one told NCR. — National Catholic Reporter (Abby Strelow)
Chris Pratt joins Pope Leo in a new documentary about St. Peter’s long-lost remains. Produced in collaboration with the Vatican, the film ventures into the catacombs under St. Peter’s Basilica to explore how the apostle’s remains were found. — Religion News Service (Claire Giangravè) · America
Cardinal Koovakad: Nonviolence is a courageous commitment to justice. At an Ahimsa Day celebration in the British Parliament, the interreligious dialogue prefect highlighted what Jains and Catholics share in working for peace. — Vatican News · Vatican News [IT]

United States

Denver archbishop asks Fr. Chad Ripperger to take a one-year “fast” from public speaking and interviews. Archbishop James Golka says the time will let Ripperger devote himself to his Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother; Ripperger “readily agreed,” and they will review the arrangement at year’s end. The Register notes the statement doesn’t say whether the request is disciplinary. — Archdiocese of Denver · National Catholic Register (Gigi Duncan)
Trump’s deportation crackdown may shape how Catholics vote in the midterms. Catholics and advocates, including an Iowa parishioner facing deportation, tell NCR how aggressive immigration enforcement is creating political tensions. — National Catholic Reporter (Camillo Barone)
“The clock is ticking” for more than 100,000 Ukrainians as U.S. temporary protections expire. Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia says many may be forced to leave, “but many of them have no home to go back to.” — National Catholic Reporter (Carol Glatz, OSV News)
Restorative justice gave Ann Grosmaire’s parents a voice. Deacon Andy and Kate Grosmaire describe how facing their daughter’s killer helped them seek accountability and healing, sustained by their Catholic faith. — Vatican News

Around the World

Attacks on a journalist and diplomats highlight the suffering of West Bank Christians. Delegates from Poland, Belgium, and France and representatives of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem faced violence and intimidation, drawing international outrage. — America (Kevin Clarke)
[IT] Sudan: dozens of civilians killed in two drone attacks. The deadliest strike, in al-Dibab in West Kordofan state, killed 80 people. — Vatican News [IT]
Priest in Ecuador killed by a falling crucifix during Mass. The Oct. 17 accident, which killed the 53-year-old priest, was captured on the parish livestream. — National Catholic Reporter (David Agren, OSV News)
Ireland’s synodal assembly prioritizes catechesis, healing, and youth ministry. More than 300 delegates voted Oct. 17 on 35 proposals, giving less support to new national bodies and to proposals on the role of women in the Church. — The Pillar (Luke Coppen)
A Precious Blood sister builds a home for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in rural Zimbabwe. Sr. Felistar Dube hopes Sikhethimpilo will become a center that “not only cares for orphans but also empowers them to be self-reliant.” — Global Sisters Report (Marko Phiri)

Liturgy and Church Life

In Utah, a parish without a church for two decades plans one inside a walkable new development. St. Andrew in Riverton is raising $35 million for a basilica-style church in Daybreak, a mixed-use planned community. “We see a real opportunity to integrate the parish community into a neighborhood,” a building committee member says. — The Pillar (Laura Loker)

Video and Podcasts

From refugee to bishop: Michael Pham’s story of migration, vocation, and advocacy. Fr. James Martin talks with San Diego’s Bishop Pham, who fled Vietnam as a refugee, about the grace he sees in his family’s dangerous journey and how the Church can accompany migrants. — America (YouTube) · The Spiritual Life podcast

Commentary

Opinion: Falling to the occasion. Jim Sleeper reviews Jacob Weisberg’s book on eight archetypes of Trump-era cowardice and argues that escaping our civic crisis will take more than denouncing hypocrisy. — Commonweal (Jim Sleeper)