Catholic Nutshell News: Tuesday 3/31/26
Topics include: White House defends praying for U.S. troops; White House defends praying for U.S. troops; How many Catholics in the world?; & ‘The Bible in a Year’ hits 1 billion downloads
“I’ll pray for thee from my pistachio tree”
Today's sources are OSV News, EWTN, First Things, CRUX, The Pillar, Big Pulpit, and CatholicVote. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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EWTN News
White House defends praying for U.S. troops
By Tessa Gervasini, March 30, 2026
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said military leaders and the president urging prayers is “a very noble thing to do,” pushing back after Pope Leo XIV said God rejects prayers of leaders who wage war. Leavitt, when asked March 30 by a reporter to respond to the pope’s statement that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war,” said: “I think our nation was a nation founded, 250 years ago almost, on Judeo-Christian values. And we’ve seen presidents, we’ve seen the leaders of the Department of War, and we’ve seen our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nation’s history.” “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our service members and those who are serving our country overseas. In fact, I think it’s a very noble thing to do,” said Leavitt, who is Catholic. “And if you talk to many service members, they will tell you they appreciate the prayers and support from the commander in chief and from his cabinet,” Leavitt said.
ACI Africa
Bishop in Kenya warns against gossip that strips others ‘naked’
By Sabrine Amboka, March 29, 2026
The Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Wote has called on the people of God in Kenya to avoid gossip and actions that shame others, and has urged the faithful to embrace forgiveness, compassion, and respect for human dignity. Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe urged those who engage in gossip and shame others to seek forgiveness, noting that Christ experienced deep humiliation when He was stripped of His clothes. He compared the suffering of Jesus to the way people today “strip others naked” through gossip and negative speech. “Jesus felt great shame when He was stripped of His clothes, and in the same way, our fellow human beings, whether they are our wives, fellow Priests, fellow Religious Sisters, husbands, children, or even young people, feel ashamed when we gossip about them or speak badly about them,” Bishop Kamomoe said.
The Pillar
Pope Leo’s new line on ‘vulnerability’
By Edgar Beltrán, March 23, 2026
The issues surrounding the sexual abuse of adults in the Church have been among the most prominent and contentious areas of canonical reform in the years following the scandal of the late former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. In 2019, Pope Francis significantly broadened the definition of “vulnerability” used to determine if sexual misconduct is canonically criminal with the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi, creating a years-long back and forth among canon lawyers and Vatican departments. There has remained a debate about who, exactly, is a “vulnerable adult,” canonically speaking. But in a speech last week, Pope Leo XIV appeared to signal a change in how the law is to be applied. In his speech to the plenary session of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors last week, Pope Leo told the body that its work to prevent abuse is both a matter of “protocols or procedures” and forming a wider “culture of care.” Leo used the formula of “minors and persons in vulnerable situations,” which he repeated three times.
Zenit
How many Catholics are there in the world?
By ZENIT Staff, March 30, 2026
The 2026 edition of the Pontifical Yearbook, the official publication that compiles the organizational structure, institutions, and members of the Church both in Rome and worldwide, has just been released. The percentage of Catholics worldwide remains stable at 17.8%, totalling 1,422 billion Catholics. Some statistical data relating to the biennium 2023-2024 indicate that, over the last two years, the presence of baptized Catholics in the world has remained stable at around 17.8%, as a result of the increase, during the same period, in the number of Catholics at a rate substantially similar to that of the world population. In 2024, there were slightly more than 1.422 billion Catholics, compared to approximately 1.406 billion in 2023, representing a relative variation of 1.14%. Regarding people dedicated to apostolate activities, the figure as of the end of 2024 was 4,464,622. The number of clergy worldwide rose to 465,048, with 5,525 bishops, 407,421 priests, and 52,102 permanent deacons. The number of priests worldwide increased by 425.
Related: Major Religious Groups in the World – 1945/2025, by Statistics & Data
CatholicVote
Ascension’s ‘The Bible in a Year’ hits 1 billion downloads
By Grace Porto, March 23, 2026
“The Bible in a Year” podcast surpassed one billion downloads last week, a huge milestone for what Ascension Press called “the most successful religious podcast in the world.” The podcast, in which Father Mike Schmitz reads and reflects on Bible passages, has had unprecedented success since its launch in 2021. The podcast debuted at No. 1 in all categories on Apple Podcasts and hit the top spot again in 2022. It has remained in the Top 40 shows overall and No. 1 in religion and spirituality. The podcast is built on biblical scholar Jeff Cavins’ The Bible Timeline, an accessible method for reading Scripture that traces the unifying story of salvation. “None of us — the Ascension team, Jeff Cavins, or myself — had any idea what God was going to do with it,” Fr. Schmitz said in a March 26 press release. “We never anticipated the reach, the impact, or even just the sheer number of people who would say yes to reading Scripture every day. The Holy Spirit has been moving in ways no one could ever script.”
Aleteia
What happened on Tuesday during Holy Week?
By Philip Kosloski, March 30, 2026
On Tuesday during Holy Week, only two days before Jesus' betrayal on Holy Thursday, the Bible explains Jesus' activities in and around Jerusalem (see Matthew 21-26). Jesus walks to Jerusalem from Bethany and notices a withered fig tree: “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” Shortly after entering Jerusalem, Jesus goes up to the Temple. There, the Pharisees and Sadducees try to trip him up, asking him about his authority. Jesus engages with their questions but soon enough departs from Jerusalem toward evening to return to Bethany. On his way back, he stops at the Mount of Olives and relates various parables about the end times (see Matthew 24-26). “When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
National Catholic Register
Maryland bill could bankrupt faith-based schools
By Matthew McDonald, March 30, 2026
A measure meant to curb discrimination in education is drawing opposition from advocates for religious schools in Maryland who say it might open them up to government intrusion and costly legal attacks over their faith-based teachings, including on gender identity and sexual orientation. The public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops is among those opposing the bill. Under a current state statute enacted in July 2022, students and parents at private schools (including religious schools) can already file discrimination complaints with the state superintendent of education based on 11 protected classes, including race, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Under proposed new legislation, Maryland House Bill 649, the state’s Commission on Civil Rights can enforce the state’s anti-discrimination policies against private schools. The measure would also allow students and parents to sue private schools without a cap on damages.
OSV News
French Church’s landmark Paris architectural project helps the poor
By Caroline de Sury, March 31, 2026
After years of debate, legal challenges — including a high-profile clash with figures from French cinema — and careful discernment at the highest levels of the Church, a major project to create a place for society’s most vulnerable is finally taking shape in the heart of Paris’ district of architectural chic. On the site of a former monastery, a vast community center is rising in one of the capital’s most desirable neighborhoods — a place where vulnerable people will live alongside dynamic and committed volunteers. Stéphane Bazin, deputy project manager coordinating the development of the complex known as Maison de la Visitation-Vaugirard, told OSV News the work has now entered a decisive phase. “The construction of the new buildings is now beginning in earnest, after months of preparation and foundation work,” he said. “At the same time, the restoration of the former convent is progressing.”
Pulpit, EWTN, & Fides News for 3/31/26
BIG PULPIT
Tito Edwards Catholic blogger site: March 31, 2026
The Big Pulpit website is an intelligent news aggregator offering insights and analysis on the Catholic Church worldwide. Here are Chief Editor Tito Edward’s top recommendations for today.
The History & Consequences of Mandatory Celibacy – Gene Thomas Gomulka at John 18:37
Pope Leo: Rely on Your Brain Rather Than A.I. – Paul G. Kengor, Ph.D., at The American Spectator
Frescoes of Subiaco: Where Western Monasticism Begins – Hilary White at The Sacred Images
Paul Ehrlich’s Wicked Ideas on Overpopulation Caused Massive Suffering – Fr. R.J. de Souza, S.T.L.
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — March 31, 2026
EWTN News provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and the activities of the Holy See, and is available to anyone with internet access.
Catholic bishops ‘won’t be silent’ as security, humanitarian situation worsen in DR Congo - By Jude Atemanke - Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo have pledged not to remain silent in the face of the worsening security and humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Church and Spanish government sign protocol for compensating abuse victims - By Nicolás de Cárdenas - After lengthy negotiations, the Church and the Spanish government established a system in order to compensate victims of abuse within the Catholic Church.
Before Pope Leo lands in Algeria, advocates want the world to know what Christians face there - By Bryan Lawrence Gonsalves - Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s expected visit to Algeria in April, advocates told the U.N. Human Rights Council that Christians there face laws that criminalize conversion and shutter churches.
Agenzia Fides
Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies - 3/31/26
Fides News Agency (Fides) was established in 1927, at the direction of the Council Superior General of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, as the first Missionary Agency of the Church and among the first agencies in the world.
AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - Archbishop of Nampula: the Church as a bulwark against violence and insecurity - Nampula (Agenzia Fides) – “In Mozambique, the cross is not merely a symbol of faith; it has become a cause of persecution for those who bear it. Since 2021, insurgents have begun fighting under the banner of the Islamic State.”
AMERICA/HAITI - Executions, abuses, armed gangs, the context of violence does not discourage the small Catholic community of Pourcine Pic-Makaya - Pourcine Pic-Makaya (Agenzia Fides) – One million and 400 thousand people forced to abandon their homes today live as internally displaced persons, and over 5,500 have died in 2025 alone. These are the alarming figures.
The ambivalent effects of the war in Iran on Latin American countries - Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – The war in Iran is having repercussions in regions far removed from the countries directly involved in the conflict, including in Central and South America.
Nutshell reflections for 3/31/26:
USCCB Daily Reflection AUDIO - March 31, 2026
Tuesday of Holy Week
The Obscure, Forgotten, and Undiscovered
Lewis Hine: The father of documentary photography’
By James K. Hanna, March 30, 2026
“Lewis Hine Pictures America” features the early twentieth-century work of the sociologist/photojournalist. An outstanding exhibit is on display at The Frick Pittsburgh Museum and Gardens. Many of the Hine photos document the plight of child laborers. His work prompted and contributed to the passage of the first child labor laws. Most are of labor activities, man and machine, the construction of the Empire State Building, though many portraits of Ellis Island immigrants are included. It’s an impressive collection. Hine famously said, “If I could tell the stories in words, I wouldn’t need to lug around a camera.” But his photos DO tell stories, important and necessary stories. More on Hine and his work can be found at the Smithsonian Magazine here.
Catholic World Report
Africa’s second exodus
By Ngala Killian Chimtom, March 28, 2026
When reports confirmed that thousands of young Africans had been lured into fighting for Russia in its war on Ukraine, the world reacted with shock and outrage. For Fr. Augustine Anwuchie, however, it was not a surprise, but the latest and most tragic manifestation of a deep-seated crisis he witnesses daily along the Sahara’s deadly migration routes. Fr. Anwuchie, a Nigerian missionary who has spent five years in the Republic of Niger, describes this phenomenon as a “Second Exodus”—a wave of economic slavery driven by human trafficking and the false promise of a better life. In an exclusive interview with CWR, Fr. Anwuchie exposes a multi-million-dollar syndicate stretching from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe, arguing that the recruitment of African youths for the Russian front is not an isolated incident, but a well-established pattern of exploitation.
CRUX
In wrangling dark matter, scientists find inspiration in religion
By Deepa Bharath, AP, March 29, 2026
When an invisible entity making up 85% of the universe’s mass stumps the greatest scientific minds of our time, awe is an understandable response. Physicists call it “dark matter,” described as cosmic glue, the scaffolding, a web that uses gravity to corral, shape, and hold together stars, planets, and galaxies. Yet nobody knows exactly what it is. Dark matter’s existence is only inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter. Together with dark energy — a mysterious force causing the universe to expand at an accelerated rate — they are the biggest scientific mysteries of our time. It’s no surprise that dark matter and dark energy, which may hold answers to the origins and fate of the universe, have sparked profound religious and philosophical conversations — inspirational to some scientists, cringeworthy to others. The worlds of science and faith are not as separate as they might seem. Many scientists have expressed how studying the majesty of the cosmos can be complementary rather than conflicting with their faith or spiritual practice.
First Things
How to bring back school prayer
By Gerard V. Bradley, March 31, 2026
Though it was overshadowed by the reversal of Roe v. Wade the Friday before, the Supreme Court’s decision on June 27, 2022, in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District was just as epochal as Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In it, the Court removed the secularist constraints it had imposed on our public life six decades earlier in Engel v. Vitale, a case about school prayer. The consequences of this decision are great. School boards, legislatures, and other government bodies entrusted with responsibility for the common good are no longer required to pretend that religion is a purely private matter. They are now free to enrich our common life by promoting the general conditions for religious awareness, attentiveness, and practice. Pending cases regarding the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools present an opportunity for them to do just that.
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