Catholic Nutshell News: Friday 4/10/26
Topics include: Vatican denies media spin about U.S.; Leo thanks Olympians for sacrifice; Troubled by ‘hyperbole to obtain a political goal’; Moriarty clings to prayer in Tinseltown
Fridays, "Living that coconut kinda life."
Today's sources: National Catholic Register, EWTN News, OSV News, ACIAfrica, CatholicVote, Zeale, & Aleteia. (Catholic Nutshell is a FREE subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise their Catholic News Muscle)
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Zeale
Cardinal Pierre rejects report that Vatican was warned by the U.S.
By Elise Winland, April 9, 2026
Former Vatican diplomat Cardinal Christophe Pierre has dismissed as “fabrications” the details of a Free Press report alleging that Pentagon officials warned the Church during a January meeting that it must align with American foreign policy, according to U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch. In an April 6 Free Press report, Italian journalist Mattia Ferraresi cited anonymous Vatican officials briefed on the Jan. 22 closed-door meeting to claim that senior Pentagon leaders delivered a “bitter lecture” to Cardinal Pierre, then the apostolic nuncio to the U.S. According to Ferraresi, the Vatican sources described the meeting as a “warning that the United States has the military power to do whatever it wants — and that the Church had better take its side.” Burch said he had just spoken with Cardinal Pierre, who “confirmed that recent media characterizations of his meeting with Undersecretary Colby are ‘fabrications’ that were ‘just invented.’”
Related: Vatican denies media spin of envoy meeting at the Pentagon, By Elise Ann Allen, CRUX, April 10, 2026
Related: Churches worldwide join Pope Leo’s prayer vigil for peace on April 11 amid ongoing global conflicts - EWTN News, B Almudena Martínez-Bordiú, April 10, 2026
aciafrica
Leo thanks Olympians for sacrifice, discipline, & tenacity
By Antonio Tarallo, April 9, 2026
Pope Leo XIV on Thursday praised athletes from the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games, saying sport “can and must truly become a space for encounter” in a world marked by “polarization, rivalry, and conflicts that escalate into devastating wars.” Speaking in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican on April 9, the Holy Father welcomed the athletes “with joy” shortly after the conclusion of the Winter Games and thanked them for their witness. “Thank you for what you have shown,” the pope said. “Truly, sport, when lived authentically, is not merely a performance: It is a form of language, a narrative made up of gestures, of effort, of anticipation, of falls, and of new beginnings.” Leo XIV said the games revealed not only athletic achievement but also “stories of sacrifice, of discipline, of tenacity.”
CatholicVote
Catholic editor troubled by ‘hyperbole to obtain a political goal’
By McKenna Snow, April 9, 2026
Even if President Donald Trump’s threat to annihilate “a whole civilization” is hyperbole to obtain a political goal, the use of such threats is wrong — and harmful for the society watching the threats being made, a theologian and editor of First Things argued April 7. “What we say matters. And the way we say it matters,” Russell Ronald Reno wrote in the op-ed. “This is especially true in times of war, when the moral stakes are high. Which is why I’m troubled by the annihilationist rhetoric coming from the White House. It numbs our souls and corrodes our moral sensibilities.” Reno said he doubts it is true that this language “means the White House is seriously entertaining the use of nuclear weapons.” “But talk of annihilation is wrong, even if meant as hyperbole designed to intimidate opponents,” he continued.
National Catholic Register
Cathy Moriarty clinging to prayer in Tinseltown
By Alyssa Murphy, April 9, 2026
In a new EWTN+ podcast taking the internet by storm — Catholics and Cappuccinos — seasoned actress Cathy Moriarty appears with host and fellow actress Siobhan Fallon Hogan to discuss her vast career on the silver screen, working with such well-known names as Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, and Joe Pesci, among others. As a devout Catholic, Moriarty attended Mass every Sunday, remarking that the “faith in L.A. was very alive inside the Church” in the 1970s, adding her family always made time for an evening Rosary and also had a great devotion to Padre Pio, thanks to her father. After 30 years in Los Angeles working as an actress, Moriarty recounted that she found the city very “lonely” and that she relied heavily on prayer. The mother of three now lives in New York with her family. Although her children are grown, faith sustains them all.
EWTN News
U.S. births declined slightly in 2025 amid drop in teenage births
By Amira Abuzeid, April 9, 2026
The number of births in the United States fell by 1% in 2025, according to provisional data released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There were 3,606,400 live births last year, down from 3,628,934 in 2024. The general fertility rate dropped 1% to 53.1 births per 1,000 women ages 15–44, continuing a long-term decline of 23% since its 2007 peak. The most notable decline came in teenage births, which reached another historic low. The birth rate for females ages 15–19 fell 7% to 11.7 births per 1,000 — the lowest rate ever recorded. In total, 125,933 babies were born to teen mothers in 2025, an 8% decrease from the previous year. Rates dropped for both younger teens (ages 15–17) and older teens (ages 18–19), with both age groups setting new record lows.
The Pillar
Atlanta archdiocese makes WYD bid
By The Pillar, April 7, 2026
The Archdiocese of Atlanta has asked the Vatican to consider it as a prospective host for the 2030 World Youth Day. A successful bid would mean the certainty of a 2030 papal visit to the U.S., and make Atlanta the second U.S. city to host the international World Youth Day gathering. Atlanta’s Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer first began discussing with Vatican officials the prospect of an Atlanta World Youth Day in late 2025 and has continued discussions about the bid with Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life. Several sources told The Pillar that Hartmayer has spent several months shoring up support for his archdiocesan bid for World Youth Day. The archbishop’s proposal has reportedly garnered support from both the USCCB’s leadership and civic leaders at the state and municipal levels. Since 2000, the archdiocesan Catholic population has grown by approximately 400%, while Atlanta’s metropolitan region has grown by more than 1.5 million in the same period.
CRUX
Israel lifts restrictions at holy sites in Jerusalem
By Sam Mednick, AP, April 10, 2026
Worshippers were able to pray again at Jerusalem’s holy sites on Thursday after Israel lifted restrictions it imposed on large public gatherings throughout the war with Iran nearly six weeks ago. Jerusalem’s police said on Wednesday that they would lift restrictions on all holy sites and deploy hundreds of officers and volunteers in the city. Access had been prohibited altogether or restricted to a few dozen faithful at a time at Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sites during the now-paused conflict, when missile attacks from Iran often sent Jerusalem residents into shelters. The restrictions subdued celebrations of Lent, Passover, and Ramadan for many at some of the holiest sites for adherents of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The lifting of the restrictions comes just in time for Orthodox Christians, who celebrate Easter on Sunday, a week after Catholic and Protestant observances and before the centuries-old ceremony known as the Holy Fire that is associated with it.
Zenit News
Ordinations resume after unexplained interference by the Vatican
By Zenit Staff, April 8, 2026
In the Catholic Church, few gestures are as institutionally decisive as the laying on of hands. It is both sacramental and juridical, a visible sign that ecclesial life moves forward. For that reason, the announcement that the Heralds of the Gospel will ordain 31 deacons and 26 priests during the Easter Octave marks more than a liturgical milestone. It signals a shift—partial, but undeniable—in one of the most opaque Vatican interventions of recent years. The ceremonies, scheduled for April 11 and 12 under the auspices of the clerical society Virgo Flos Carmeli, bring to an end a de facto suspension that had lasted since 2019. For nearly five years, dozens of vocations remained in limbo, caught in a canonical process that advanced without public charges, clear timelines, or a defined endpoint. In ecclesial terms, such a prolonged suspension is highly unusual, particularly when it affects the sacramental progression of candidates already formed for ministry.
Big Pulpit, EWTN News & Loop for 4/10/26
Big Pulpit
Tito Edwards Catholic site: April 10, 2026
The Big Pulpit website is a news aggregator that gathers quality insights and analysis on the Catholic Church worldwide.
The Devil’s Flagpole: Refuting Catholic Antisemites – James Keating at The Fourth Watch
A Chronology of the Resurrection Appearances – Msgr. Charles Pope at Community In Mission
Idaho Diocese Struggles With Record Numbers – Lisa Ormond at The Spokesman-Review
The French Bishops Discuss the Latin Mass – Kevin Tierney at Kevin’s Substack
Leo, Broglio, & the Iran War – Gene Thomas Gomulka at John 18:37
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — April 10, 2026
EWTN News provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, with updates on the Holy Father's words and the Holy See.
Cause for canonization of Argentine Bishop Jorge Novak closed ‘with sorrow’ - By Julieta Villar - The diocese clarified that the decision expresses “no moral judgment regarding the life, virtues, and pastoral ministry” of the bishop, who remains a servant of God, while simultaneously expressing their confidence that “God, in his immense goodness, has granted the beloved and fondly remembered Father-Bishop Jorge Novak, SVD, the joy of eternal life.”
Bishop Zaidan appeals to Trump for aid and peace in Lebanon after deadly Israeli attack - By Tyler Arnold - Israel’s most recent strikes killed more than 300 people in Lebanon, and more than 1,700 have died since the start of the war, prompting the bishop’s appeal to President Donald Trump.
In an ecological letter, Indiana bishops urge Catholics to care for ‘God’s good world’ - By Madalaine Elhabbal - “At the core of the ecological and social crises is a human heart enclosed in upon itself, alienated from God, our neighbor, and creation,” the bishops said in a new pastoral missive.
Zeale / Loop / CatholicVote
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JD VANCE TO LEAD IRAN PEACE TALKS TOMORROW - President Donald Trump told NBC News yesterday that he is “very optimistic” a peace deal with Iran is within reach, adding that Iranian leaders “talk much differently when you’re at a meeting than they do to the press. They’re much more reasonable.” The interview came as Vice President JD Vance prepares to lead a U.S. delegation to Pakistan for high-stakes peace talks aimed at ending the war beginning tomorrow. READ
FIRST LADY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO HOLD EPSTEIN VICTIM HEARINGS - First Lady Melania Trump delivered a rare public statement at the White House yesterday, denying any relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and calling on Congress to hold public hearings allowing his victims to speak out. “Epstein was not alone,” she said. READ
VIRGINIANS SPLIT ON NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP PROPOSAL - Virginia voters are narrowly divided on a ballot proposal to redraw the state’s congressional map, with a new poll showing 52% support and 47% opposition. The survey also found uncertainty over whether the changes would fairly reflect the state’s political makeup as early voting gets underway. READ
Nutshell reflections for 4/10/26:
USCCB Daily Reflection: AUDIO - April 10, 2026
Friday in the Octave of Easter
Catholic365
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us…
By Stephen Clark, April 10, 2026
As she stood at the foot of the cross in perfect virtue, having carried that moment in her heart since Simeon revealed it to her at the Presentation, it was her moment of greatest Glory. Aside from Jesus’s Death and Resurrection, that was the most glorious moment in history. The second event was the Assumption, her triumph after a life without a single fall into sin, and her crowning as Queen of heaven, where her excellence is honored by God before the company of heaven. Hence, God will refuse her nothing. What a gift to us who need her prayers: Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears…
Catholic Weekly
Loss never gets the final word
By Anthony Eltarraf, April 10, 2026
In the post-match press conference, Ivan Cleary was calm, composed, and firm. And then Nathan Cleary spoke. “I just haven’t felt that in a while…so I definitely don’t want this feeling again.” As a fan of any other club, it was honestly a bit scary. Not because Penrith had lost, but because of how they responded. There was no panic. No despair. No clinging to what they had already achieved. Just a quiet, steely determination: this isn’t the end of our story. Cleary didn’t ignore the loss. He felt it. And that’s what made his response so powerful. Sometimes we try to avoid that feeling – whether it’s defeat, disappointment, or, in the spiritual life, dryness or distance. We’d rather move past it quickly, pretend it didn’t happen, or distract ourselves from it altogether. But Cleary shows us something different. Sometimes you need to feel the loss again – not because it’s good in itself, but because it reminds you what you’re fighting for.
Aleteia
Why Eastern Catholics do not kneel during the Easter season
By Philip Kosloski, April 10, 2026
After the 40 penitential days of Lent, the Catholic Church enters into the liturgical season of Easter, where joy and celebration are stressed above all else. This spirit can be seen in certain small liturgical directives that help each Rite in the Catholic Church focus on the jubilation we should have in the light of the Resurrection. One example is how many Eastern Catholic Churches (as well as Orthodox Christians) approach kneeling during Easter (also called the Paschal season). As a general rule, it is not customary to kneel during the consecration of the Eucharist in many Eastern Churches because, in Byzantine culture, kneeling was associated with penance rather than adoration. While this practice may sound strange to Roman Catholics, it is completely acceptable and is in accord with the culture of Eastern Catholicism. Standing and bowing during the Divine Liturgy is as reverent as kneeling is in a Roman Rite Church.
Bishop Barron
The work of the Church until the end of the age
By Bishop Robert Barron, April 10, 2026
Friends, today’s Gospel recounts the appearance of the risen Jesus to seven disciples by the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Peter and six other apostles were in a boat on the sea. Seeing Peter and the disciples in a boat, we are meant to think of the Church, and the peculiar number of seven—evocative of completion or fulfillment—is meant to make us consider the eschatological Church, the community of Jesus approaching the end of its journey. On the shore (though they don’t recognize him at first) is the Lord Jesus. At his command, they lower their nets and bring in an extraordinary catch. Well, this is the work of the Church until the end of the age: to gather in souls and to bring them to Christ. When they empty their nets, they discover 153 large fish. Many theories as to the meaning of this figure have been proposed. My favorite is the one put forward by St. Augustine. According to the science of that time, Augustine argued, there were 153 species of fish in the sea, and therefore, this extraordinary number is meant to signal the universality of the Church’s salvific mission.
Image of Coconut by Celio Nicoli from Pixabay
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