Perhaps everyone who remembers their first childhood prayers has dealt with the world of angels. A picture of a guardian angel above a dangerous ravine used to be a standard fixture in children’s rooms, and the prayer to the guardian angel is still part of every child’s prayer repertoire. It is probably true, as Dr. Paul Strauss suggests, that “the fullness of man is in his childlike imagination.” When the exotic dreamlands gradually break and fade, the insurmountable journeys into unimaginable possibilities come to an end, and man grows into the shrunken dimensions of adulthood. This is one reason why adult Christians rarely remember these reasonable spiritual beings of God, perhaps only in danger. However, it is strange that many who are averse to the supernatural are drawn to mysterious figures that hover between heaven and earth. While it may seem that in today’s over-technologized world, where we can rationally explain everything, God is distant, He moves closer to us through His messengers – the angels. It is as if today’s man desires to transcend the known world and see the light of a new one, to be convinced that there is something else besides what we produce and consume.

Be that as it may, the world of angels is not just for children and romantics. Angels are part of the history of salvation, and their existence, as St. Gregory the Great claims, is spoken of on every page of Holy Scripture. From conception to ascension, the life of the incarnate Word is surrounded by the service of angels. They will also participate in Christ’s second coming and will serve Him at the Last Judgment. The protection and intercession of angels surrounds the life of man from birth to death. The Church believes, in the words of St. Basil the Great: “Every believer has an angel with him as a protector and shepherd, who guides him through life.” Already in this world, Christian life by faith participates in the blessed communion of angels and people united with God. God’s care for man and his salvation is almost unimaginable to human reason. The Old Testament Jews understood this as well, stating in the Talmud that God even gave an angel to every blade of grass to make it grow. How much more, then, does He care for man, whom He created in His own image! The task of an angel is to lead us deeper into the art of life, so that we may discover joy in it and act with appropriate responsibility. Everything in life is valuable, for it was miraculously created by God and enlivened by His Spirit. The angel’s most crucial task, in cooperation with us, is to bring us into God’s eternal kingdom, so that we may fully participate in His life. The return of angels to our lives is therefore more than necessary. For God needs us for His plan. He needs our hope, our faith, our heart, but also our courage to stake our lives on His promise, and for that, He has appointed helpers for us.

Suffering, pain, and death are the result of Adam and Eve’s original sin (see Gn 3:16–19). Until then, suffering itself had no meaning. However, through his suffering and death on the cross, our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ gave suffering a new spiritual meaning because he conquered death and secured our eternal life.

Before the feasts of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, let us try to meditate on the patience with which Jesus bore suffering, pain, and death on the cross, and on the patience of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary.

Patience is a virtue that enables us to maintain peace of mind and heart amidst life’s difficulties and sufferings. It is the ability to persevere in the face of problems and trials, and to seek new solutions in a patient, flexible, and creative manner.

The word ‘patience’ contains the word ‘suffer’. Only with patience can we listen to our pain, and accept and overcome it with confidence in God’s providence, if possible. The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC) said that ‘patience is the sister of courage’.

Those who suffer are courageous, like the biblical Job. Patience strengthens character, giving it inner resilience and directing our attention to the correct values.

THREE DIMENSIONS

In life, we need patience in three areas. Firstly, we need patience with God because he is infinitely patient with us. A well-known Latin proverb, quoted by the teacher and writer Jan Amos Komenský (1592–1670), states, ‘Man plans, God changes.’ We can plan for the future, but ultimately, God has the final say, as everything is in His hands and under His power.

The second dimension of patience is patience with oneself. The ancient philosopher Plato (427–347 BC) wrote, ‘Victory over oneself is the greatest victory.’

The most significant challenges and struggles we face in life are our weaknesses, sins, doubts, fears, and desires. Overcoming these inner obstacles with faith and a sacramental life is precisely that patient victory over oneself.

The third dimension is patience with others. Jesus Christ is an example of endless patience with humanity. He had to be patient with the Pharisees and scribes, the apostles, the sick, and the suffering. Finally, he was patient with his tormentors. The crucified ‘love’ is patient, kind, and merciful (1 Cor 13:4).

We also need to constantly replenish our patience with our neighbours, whether at home, with our families, with our children and young people at school, or with adults at work or in everyday life.

CHALLENGES FROM THE MOUTHS OF THE WISE

I offer a few more sayings of the wise; may they encourage us to be patient.
The Greek philosopher Publilius Syrus (1st century BC): ‘Time is the best doctor. Patience brings roses. Every pain will be cured by patience.’

Spanish Carmelite Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582): ‘The best and most powerful weapon to conquer heaven is patience in trials, because it gives you everything.’

Carmelite priest St. John of the Cross (1542–1591): ‘The strength and courage of the soul grows and is strengthened in patiently endured difficulties.’

St. Geneva, Archbishop. Francis from Sales (1567–1622): ‘In this life, our daily bread must be patience. Bear every cross patiently and out of love for God.’

And let’s not forget the Arabic proverb: ‘Patience is the key to joy.’


Archangel can be mentioned in the biblical New Testament tradition even without a name: „For at the command, at the voice of the archangel and the sound of God’s trumpet, the Lord himself he will descend from heaven and those who died in Christ will rise first.“ (1Sol 4, 16)

According to an old Hebrew tradition, Lucifer was also an archangel (Hebrew Héllel ben Sáchára), meaning ‘Son of the Morning Star’. This term was translated into Greek as ‘Heosphoros’ and into Latin as ‘Lucifer’. Unlike the other archangels, Lucifer did not stand the test; he fell and became the leader of a third of the fallen angels who seek to turn mankind away from God.

The Catholic Church teaches that angels exist. This dogma was adopted at the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215. Scripture usually refers to angels as created spiritual beings with sharp minds and free will, and describes them according to their function as messengers. When Scripture talks about their ‘wings’, ‘hands’, ‘faces’, it is symbolic speech. This dogma, which states that ‘angels are purely spiritual creatures’, was also adopted at the same Diet.

The revelation of angels (Anglomania) is described in both the Old and New Testaments as an objective fact. Every anglophone is by God’s decision and involves a good angel. Anglophone is always initially associated with surprise and fright. The anglophone of a good angel gradually grows into extraordinary joy, but the anglophone of a devil grows into horror. During the Anglophone period, angels take human form so as not to frighten those to whom they appear.

During the 1890s, a period of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIII had a vision of the devil and demons attacking Rome. Therefore, he ordered that the silent Tridentine Mass be said to pray to St Michael’s special prayers to the archangel. During the Tridentine Mass, these prayers were most often recited in Latin under the direction of a priest.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against evil and the devil’s plot. May God show him His power, we humbly ask. A you, prince of the heavenly army, by the power of God, drive Satan and other evil spirits who roam the world to the destruction of souls.

‘God has chosen what the world despises, what the world does not consider important, to thwart what the world considers important, so that no one may boast before God.’ (1 Cor. 1:27-29).
In choosing among these opposites — crazy — smart, weak — strong, noble — unborn, nothing — something — everything speaks of wisdom, strength, nobility, and cherished things. After all, they are God’s gifts. And yet, God does not deny his gifts. However, hidden in wisdom, strength, and grandeur is the danger of appropriating God’s work, or at least taking satisfaction in it and ‘bragging’! This is why God builds on the stone that human builders rejected: on folly, weakness, and that which is unborn. This is not because they are foolish, weak or worthless, but because they are closer to holiness. The work that emerges unmistakably points to God as the author. God’s greatness is independent of man’s. The programme that Paul heralded has been confirmed by figures such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. John Vianney, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Marguerite Marie Alacoque, and St. Teresa of Calcutta. This is evident even in individuals’ personal histories. The greatness of God’s revelations is often associated with bodily suffering, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Paul begged the Lord three times to withdraw from him. ‘My grace is enough for you.’ God’s power is revealed precisely through weakness. Extremes converge in our lives: an embarrassing blend of folly and wisdom, weakness and strength, humiliation and grandeur, nothingness and significance. Above all, there is God the Creator, God the Saviour, and God the Sanctifier. So, Lord, what can I offer you? Everything!

Especially my unwisdom and weakness, my poor alternation of moments, so that your signature on the work is clear, and I “can’t show off”! In the church, there is both a genius, Thomas, and an uneducated parish priest, Ar. There are both Lebanese cedars and broken reeds, both dazzling flames and smoking wicks. Does a fractured reed have the right to remain broken forever? It’s easier. Shouldn’t it desire to straighten up? Does the smoking wick have the right to stay a smoking wick forever when it could burn brightly under God’s breath? Lord, I do not ask you to depart from me, but rather that your strength be manifested in my weakness, so that I may praise you!

Documents from the Vatican will not determine the future of the Church under the Tatras. The Pope himself sets an example of how to proceed..

What will happen to the synodality / As Leo XIV he grasped the biggest project of his predecessor.

Pope Leo XIV on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

It has been a few years since the Catholic Church addressed synodality, Pope Francis’s most significant project. While some have been enthusiastic about him from the beginning, others remain sceptical, and some are warning critically against losing their Catholic identity.

With the death of the Argentine Pope, this journey did not end. Francis managed to approve the beginning of a new stage of the synodal process in March of this year, which will culminate in 2028 with a church-wide gathering in the Vatican. 

Thus, the final or implementation phase of the project occurs. Instructions for local churches come from the Vatican; they appoint synodal teams for this phase, and the period is expected to conclude within three years at the assembly, as mentioned earlier. Well, is this whole effort supposed to have a dot? Isn’t it more about changing the settings in some areas? 

False inner peace bears no fruit, so we must ask the Lord for the grace of conversion today, not tomorrow. This challenging text sees the Lord, through the prophet, urging people to reflect on their behaviour, decide to change it, and rebuild God’s ruined house.

A lazy people who do not trust in the Lord’s help

The prophet Haggai sought to inspire a people who were apathetic and had succumbed to bitterness and a defeatist mentality. For years, the people had done nothing to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, which their enemies had destroyed, so the Lord sent his chosen one to rebuild the Temple. However, the people still did not have the will to get up and start again; they did not allow themselves to be helped by the Lord, who wanted to lift them. And this is the drama of these people, and ours too, when a spirit of lukewarmness overcomes us, when this lukewarmness of life comes, when we say: Well, yes, Lord, okay… but slowly, slowly, Lord, that would be enough… I’ll do it tomorrow! So that we can say the same thing tomorrow, and tomorrow will postpone it until the day after tomorrow, and so on… And the result is a life of delaying the decision to convert our hearts, to change our lives…

Spiritual lukewarmness is “cemetery peace”

Spiritual lukewarmness hides behind uncertainties, and many people’s lives end up in tatters because they did nothing but maintain peace for themselves. This is ‘cemetery peace’. When we embrace this attitude of spiritual lukewarmness, we turn our lives into a cemetery; that is not life. It is simply a way of closing ourselves off so that problems do not affect us. Like those people who said: ‘Yes, we are in ruins, but let’s not take any risks; let’s not rock the boat.’ We are used to living like this..

Waking up from “gentle spiritual anaesthesia”

Something like this can happen to us, too. For example, when we keep putting off until tomorrow decisions about the little things that are not right and that the Lord wants us to change. Let us ask the Lord to help us “wake up from the spirit of lukewarmness,” to fight against this gentle anaesthesia of spiritual life. Let us ask the Lord for the grace not to fall into this spirit of “half-hearted Christians” or, as old women say, “Christians like rose water,” that is, without substance—Christians who are good, with much work, but “sow much and reap little.” Lives that were very promising but ultimately brought nothing.

The Pope also spoke about the risks of artificial intelligence, blessing same-sex couples, and supporting victims of abuse.

In his first major interview, Pope Francis said that there will be no ordination of women or same-sex marriages, and that in cases of abuse, the accused also have rights.

He reiterated that there will be no ordination of women or same-sex marriages, and that in cases of abuse, the accused also have rights.

These days, a book of interviews with Pope Leo XIV by American journalist and Vaticanist Elise Ann Allen from the Crux Now portal is being published in Spanish. Based on two interviews, the publication is titled León XIV: Ciudadano del mundo, misionero del siglo XXI (Leo XIV: Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century). Allen met with the Pope on 10 July in Castel Gandolfo and on 30 July in his apartment in Piazza del Sant’Uffizio. Both interviews lasted approximately 1.5 hours. The English and Portuguese editions are scheduled for release in early 2026. Excerpts from the interviews were published on 14 September, the Pope’s 70^(th) birthday, with more published four days later.

The Pope shared with Allen his childhood, his arrival in Peru as a young missionary, and his pastoral experiences during a turbulent period for Peruvian society, which had shaped him.

He also spoke about his service as Prior General of the Augustinians and his service as bishop in Peru.

Preserving the spirit of sodality does not necessarily mean maintaining all structures.

Allen also discusses the topic of synodality with the Pope. The Pope fully supports Francis’ synodality, especially openness, willingness to understand others, and the involvement of every member of the Church through prayer and reflection.

At the same time, Leo XIV states that preserving the spirit of synodality does not necessarily mean maintaining all the structures, procedures, and systems that Francis has established, such as round tables or “conversations in spirit,” which some consider liberating. In contrast, others find them unclear or lacking significant substance.

Another topic covered in the book is sexual abuse within the Church. According to the Pope, it is essential to show authentic and deep compassion for victims and sensitivity towards them. He expressed understanding for their frustration with the delays, but also warned against the risk of false accusations that can destroy a priest’s life.

‘Victims must be treated with great respect and understanding. Those who have suffered deep wounds as a result of abuse sometimes carry these wounds with them for their entire lives,’ said the Pope. While Leo XIV acknowledges the need to treat victims with sensitivity and compassion, he also stresses the importance of safeguarding the rights of the accused.

‘People are increasingly saying that the accused also have rights, and many believe that these rights have not been respected.’ The Pope emphasised that, in more than 90 per cent of cases, allegations of abuse are substantiated. However, he added that there are also priests whose lives have been ruined by false accusations.

While it is important to punish perpetrators of violence and offer financial compensation to victims, the Holy Father says that these steps alone are not enough. ‘It would be naive of me or anyone else to think that, even if we have provided financial compensation and dealt with the cause by dismissing the priest, these wounds will simply disappear,’ he said.

According to the Pope, victims of abuse who have suffered deep pain need to be supported by the Church. ‘They, too, are part of the Church; they still want to be part of it. I know people who have left the Church because of the pain they have suffered, and their choice must be respected.’

According to Pope Leo XIV, the Church must improve its support for victims. ‘I think many of us are still learning how best to support these people through their suffering. In my opinion, this is one area where we still need the help of experts.’

The Pope also acknowledged the frustration of victims and critics of the Church that legal proceedings take too long.

The Church will not change its doctrine on marriage

Another section of the published book interview deals with LGBTI Catholics. Pope Prevost says that his stance will be similar to that of his predecessor, namely, one of welcome without changing Church teaching.

‘I am trying to express what Francis said very clearly: “Todos, todos, todos” (everyone, everyone, everyone). The Church invites everyone, not because of their identity, but because they are a child of God.’

Pope Francis currently has no specific plans to engage with the LGBTI community, but he has emphasized the importance of inclusion. At the same time, however, he defends the traditional family based on marriage between a man and a woman. During the synod, he claims that a cardinal from the Global East told him that the Western world is obsessed with sexuality.

‘For some people, human identity is exclusively about sexual identity. For many people in other parts of the world, however, this is not a primary issue in terms of how we should treat each other,’ said the Pope, acknowledging that this topic is a highly polarizing issue within the Church. He noted that many people want the Church to change its doctrine on homosexuality. Still, he expressed his conviction that ‘before we even begin to consider changing what the Church says on any issue, we must change attitudes’. The pontiff considers it very unlikely that the Church’s doctrine on sexuality and marriage will change in the near future. In the interview, he also criticised church groups in Northern Europe for organising ceremonial blessings of same-sex couples.

According to the head of the Church, these actions are contrary to the document Fiducia supplicans, which states that “we can bless everyone, but we are not looking for a way to ritualize a certain kind of blessing, because that is not what the Church teaches.”

“Individuals will be welcomed and accepted,” he said, adding that priests who regularly hear confessions have listened to “all people” with “all their life situations and decisions they have made” and will not judge, but for now, “the teaching of the Church will remain as it is.”

Leo XIV claims that during his visit to Rome, he already raised the issue of “human dignity and how important it is for all people, regardless of where they were born, to find ways to respect human beings” with US Vice President J. D. Vance.

“It is clear that certain things are happening in the United States that are cause for concern,” the Pope notes.

On the subject of women’s roles, the Pope openly states that he intends to follow in his predecessor’s footsteps, including appointing women to certain leadership positions. However, he will not further explore the issue of women’s ordination, as it is controversial and causes tension. “For now, I have no intention of changing the Church’s teaching in this area.”

Regarding the pre-conciliar Mass, Leo XIV warns that the situation has become unmanageable and has led to polarisation. He believes that it can be discussed to reach a reasonable agreement.

The Pope also argues that the reform of the Roman Curia carried out by Francis requires adjustments. ‘Some of the decisions taken probably need to be adjusted.’ He also revealed that the Vatican’s finances are not as bad as assumed, although the pension fund does need to be analyzed.

Another part of the interview is devoted to artificial intelligence, a topic that concerns the successor to St Peter. ‘It will be very difficult to discover God’s presence in artificial intelligence. In human relationships, we can at least find signs of God’s presence.’

The Pope also expressed concern about fake news, admitting that he has “little tolerance for those who talk about alternative facts”. ‘No, facts are facts,’ he said.

After his election, he revealed that someone had created a fake video of him falling down the stairs. “Why do people consume fake news like this?” Something is going on. People want to believe in conspiracies; they seek out fake information, and that is destructive,” he commented.

He also revealed that someone had recently asked him for permission to create an artificial pope with a website where people could arrange private audiences and ask questions. “I said I wouldn’t approve it. If an avatar shouldn’t represent anyone, then I think it should be the Pope,” he concluded.