Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Young people and members of the House of Mary, groups associated with the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate Conception, pray at the base of a statue of St. John Paul II outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 2, 2025. Pope Francis is receiving treatment there for double pneumonia.

Pope no longer on mechanical ventilation after respiratory crises

VATICAN CITY — The morning after suffering two acute episodes of respiratory crisis, Pope Francis no longer needed oxygen through a breathing mask, the Vatican said. The crises March 3 led … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 3/5/25

A statue of St. John Paul II is seen in front of the Gemelli hospital sign in Rome March 2, 2025. Pope Francis is receiving treatment there for double pneumonia.

Pope suffers episodes of respiratory crisis, remains alert

VATICAN CITY (CNS) —Pope Francis suffered "two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency" March 3 but remained alert, the Vatican said, giving cause for concern after two days in which his … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 3/3/25

Famed author and Catholic Theologian George Weigel spoke to a group of seminarians at Our Lady of Providence Seminary about his years of working with Saint Pope John Paul II on volumes he wrote about his long and storied papacy.

Famed Catholic theologian, papal biographer, speaks to seminarians at OLP

PROVIDENCE — Catholic theologian, leading public intellectual and author George Weigel, renowned as an author or editor on more than 30 books, including the New York Times bestseller … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 2/27/25

What will the Ashes I Wear This Year be a Sign of?

In a column he wrote for the Rhode Island Catholic a couple of years ago, our Bishop at the time, Thomas J. Tobin, offered a reflection on the subject of what we wear, and how what we wear often … more

2/27/25

Cathedrals and us

The Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in the nation’s capital is a magnificent Neo-Gothic structure, based on 14th-century English models, that calls itself “Washington National … more

2/27/25

Death is a tough hurdle even for the devout believer, but there is redemption in dying

They were an ideal parish family. The husband served on the parish council and coached the school basketball team. The wife helped count the Sunday donations on Monday morning and helped with … more

2/27/25

Compassion is often lacking in the debate over immigration

Recently, Pope Francis wrote to the United States bishops about the issue of immigration. His letter garnered both support and criticism among Catholics. Without a doubt, immigration is a politically … more

By Father Michael J. Najim | 2/27/25

Ukraine deserves advocates who desire it to be a free and whole nation

TO THE EDITOR: The people of Ukraine have suffered at the brutal hands of Putin’s Russia during the past several years. I am saddened and nonplussed by those who insist or in the past have … more

2/27/25

“Woman at the Well” a painting by Sharon Clossick.

Sacred art draw us into contemplation with God, offers glimpse of eternal reality

NARRAGANSETT — Metaphysics teaches that the properties of being — truth, oneness, goodness, and beauty — are inseparable.Where one exists, the others do as well. Beauty is found … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 2/27/25

Providence College's Our Lady of Lourdes Oratory blessed

Providence College recently celebrated the blessing of the Our Lady of Lourdes Oratory in the Ben Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences on campus. In his homily, Father Thomas More Garrett, … more

2/27/25

Special Event Listings for 02.27.25

Shrine to serve up Fish ‘n Chips NASONVILLE — On the Fridays of Lent, March 7,14, 21,18, April 4, 11, from 4 – 7 p.m., St. Theresa Church 35 Dion Drive, will be serving fried and … more

2/27/25

Votive candles and flowers are seen at the base of a statue of St. John Paul II outside Rome's Gemelli hospital Feb. 23, 2025, where Pope Francis is being treated for double pneumonia.

Pope's condition shows 'further slight improvement'

VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis' condition showed "further slight improvement" in the previous 24 hours, the Vatican said in its evening medical bulletin Feb. 26. The "mild renal insufficiency" … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 2/27/25

Balloons featuring an image of Pope Francis are seen outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital Feb. 27, 2025, where the pope is being treated for double pneumonia.

Pope continues to improve, is doing respiratory therapy Pope continues to improve, is doing respiratory therapy

VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis' clinical condition continued to improve Feb. 27, the Vatican said, and he had respiratory physiotherapy in the morning and the afternoon. For the second day in a … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 2/27/25

Pope Francis greets participants in a conference on martyrdom organized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints during a meeting at the Vatican Nov. 14, 2024.

Even from hospital, pope gives powerful witness of faith, prelates say

VATICAN CITY -- Despite his illness, age and hospitalization, Pope Francis is still demonstrating his deep faith and exercising his role as pontiff, said a cardinal who once served as an auxiliary … more

By Carol Glatz, OSV News | 2/26/25

People join Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 25, 2025. Cardinals living in Rome, leaders of the Roman Curia and the faithful joined the nighttime prayer.

Pope continues to be in 'critical,' but 'stable' condition

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' "clinical condition remains critical but stable" and the "prognosis remains guarded," the Vatican's … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 2/26/25

A woman cries as people join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. The U.S. bishops urged the faithful to join in on a call from Cardinal Parolin to pray the rosary for Pope Francis Feb. 24 as he remains hospitalized with a complex lung infection.

Faithful unite in St. Peter's Square praying for the health of Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY—A light drizzle finally let up as hundreds of faithful headed to St. Peter’s Square to pray the rosary for Pope Francis on the 11th day of his hospitalization for double … more

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service | 2/26/25

People pray for the ailing Pope Francis during a special evening Mass Feb. 23, 2025, in Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Pope in good spirits; Vatican to host rosary for him in St. Peter's Square

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The morning after Pope Francis' doctors said that he remained in "critical" condition and showed initial signs of renal insufficiency, the Vatican press office said … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 2/24/25

House Judiciary Committee hears testimony on bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide in RI

PROVIDENCE — The House Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to discuss HB 5219, a bill seeking to legalize assisted suicide in Rhode Island. Proposed by Rep. Edith Allejo (D) of … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 2/20/25

Deacon Dominic P. DiOrio

BRISTOL —Deacon Dominic P. DiOrio, 87, formerly of Bristol passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Brookdale Sakonnet Bay. He was the husband of his beloved wife Doris A. (Rose) DiOrio. … more

2/20/25

In talk on euthanasia, pro-life attorney raises concerns over organ donor registry programs

NAPLES, Fla. — Organ donor registry programs typically offered during state driver’s license renewals might seem like a straight-forward and noble choice but should require greater … more

By Tom Tracy, OSV News | 2/20/25