Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 10h

In an anti-Catholic crusade without precedent in this country, Trump and Vance have allowed ICE to start targeting Catholic parishes during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

In Anti-Catholic Crusade, Trump's ICE Targets Holy Mass in Chicago

Worshippers fled in fear as immigration agents appeared outside St. Jerome’s — part of Trump’s new campaign against Catholic parishes nationwide.

www.thelettersfromleo.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 12h

“Christian love breaks down every barrier, brings close those who were distant, unites strangers, and reconciles enemies.

“A Church that sets no limits to love, that knows no enemies to fight but only people to love, is the Church the world needs today.” — Pope Leo

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 1d

Pope Leo just did what Donald Trump never could: defend the press.

He told journalists to reject clickbait and fight for truth — quoting Hannah Arendt’s warning that totalitarianism thrives when people can no longer tell true from false.

You Won’t Believe What Pope Leo Just Told Journalists — and Why He’s Right

In an age of clickbait and “fake news,” the first American pope is calling the press back to its vocation: telling the truth with courage and clarity.

www.thelettersfromleo.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 1d

Pope Leo XIV logged into Duolingo this morning at 3:00 AM Rome time.

An investigation reveals it’s not the first time the Pope has pulled an all-nighter to practice his German verb conjugations.

Pope Leo’s 3 A.M. Duolingo Habit Surprises Fans — and Inspires Them

While his Wordle streak made headlines, it’s his late-night language lessons that show the world’s most powerful man is still a student.

open.substack.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 1d

In a new video, Pope Leo says American bishops need a “stronger, more unified voice” to defend migrants against Trump's deportation raids.

“The church cannot be silent.”

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 2d

From refugee camps to violent war zones, Jesuit Cardinal Michael Czerny has been there.

Now he’s helping Pope Leo build a Church that defends migrants, protects creation, and refuses to stay silent.

Meet the Jesuit Cardinal Behind Pope Leo’s Social Justice Revolution

From drafting Leo's first apostolic exhortation to championing migrants and the planet, Cardinal Michael Czerny is shaping the moral heart of this papacy.

open.substack.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 2d

President Trump banned priests and nuns from entering an Illinois ICE detention center to deliver the Eucharist to inmates.

So instead, they had a vigil in the parking lot. open.substack.com/pub/lettersf...

Priests and Nuns Blocked from Bringing Communion at ICE Facility — So They Held A Parking Lot Vigil

Hundreds prayed outside an ICE facility after guards blocked their entry, a scene that unfolded under the shadow of Pope Leo’s plea for migrant dignity.

open.substack.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 2d

In a new video, Pope Leo tells U.S. bishops they must be even more united and forceful in fighting Donald Trump’s abuse of migrants.

Pope Leo Presses U.S. Bishops to Fight Harder Against Trump Deportation Raids

While some bishops have spoken up, the pope says the entire Church must act “with one voice” against cruelty at the border.

open.substack.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 3d

Catholic priests and nuns tried to bring Communion to migrants detained in Illinois. ICE guards stopped them — so they turned the parking lot into a Eucharistic vigil.

Priests and Nuns Blocked from Bringing Communion at ICE Facility — So They Held A Parking Lot Vigil

Hundreds prayed outside an ICE facility after guards blocked their entry, a scene that unfolded under the shadow of Pope Leo’s plea for migrant dignity.

www.thelettersfromleo.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 3d

Fr. Gary Graf, a Chicago priest, is walking 800 miles from Pope Leo’s childhood home to the Statue of Liberty to draw national attention to President Trump’s abuse of migrants. www.thelettersfromleo.com/p/a-chicago-...

A Chicago Priest Is Walking 800 Miles for America’s Undocumented Families

Starting from Pope Leo’s childhood home, Fr. Gary Graf’s pilgrimage to the Statue of Liberty is a prayer for compassion and immigration justice.

www.thelettersfromleo.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 4d

Asked whether Leo’s new document — along with the pope’s call for care of creation and welcome for LGBT Catholics — makes him a “liberal pope,” Cardinal Michael Czerny replied:

“Is the Gospel liberal? I guess that’s my answer.”

Pope Leo’s First Major Document Rebukes Trumpian Walls, Defends Migrants and the Poor

The American pontiff says real Christians build bridges, not barriers — and holds up a U.S. saint as proof.

open.substack.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 4d

Pope Leo’s not backing down.

For the fifth time in ten days, he’s called out cruelty toward migrants — this time meeting Chicago’s labor leaders as Trump’s ICE raids hit his hometown. www.thelettersfromleo.com/p/pope-leo-i...

Pope Leo Implores Chicago Union Leaders to Defend Migrants Amid ICE Crackdown

As Trump’s ICE crackdown hits his hometown, the Pope implores union officials to defend the dignity of every worker and immigrant.

www.thelettersfromleo.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 4d

Pope Leo is done with Donald Trump's BS.

Fourth Rebuke in Eight Days: Pope Leo Intensifies Clash with Trump Over Migrants

In his latest rebuke of Trumpism, Pope Leo praises immigrants as “agents of hope” and tells Catholics their faith is tested by how they welcome the stranger.

open.substack.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 4d

Nick Fuentes — the likely political successor to Charlie Kirk — slams Pope Leo for speaking out on Trump’s deportation policy, but remaining silent on abortion, gay marriage, and contraceptives.

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 4d

“No Christian can regard the poor simply as a societal problem; they are part of our family. They are one of us.” — Pope Leo

Pope Leo’s First Major Document Rebukes Trumpian Walls, Defends Migrants and the Poor

The American pontiff says real Christians build bridges, not barriers — and holds up a U.S. saint as proof.

open.substack.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 4d

Sister Jean — the saint of March Madness — has died at 106. She embodied everything our faith stands for.

Her fellow Chicagoan, Pope Leo XIV, should begin her canonization process today.

Farewell, Sister Jean — The Saint of March Madness

The Loyola legend and America’s nun of joy has died at 106. It’s time for her fellow Chicagoan, Pope Leo, to begin her canonization process.

www.thelettersfromleo.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 4d

The American pope told the migrants, “The Church cannot stay silent before injustice. You stand with me. And I stand with you.”

BREAKING: Pope Leo Meets with American Migrants, Pledges to Stand Up to Trump's Raids

The American pontiff told them, “The Church cannot stay silent before injustice. You stand with me. And I stand with you.”

open.substack.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 5d

One of Pope Leo’s top allies in the United States thinks that Catholics can no longer work for ICE in good conscience.

"Category 4 Storm" — Top US Bishop Says Catholics May Not Be Able to Work for ICE Anymore

As ICE ramps up inhumane actions, a leading bishop says some Catholics may soon have to say, “In conscience, I can’t do this.”

open.substack.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 5d

For the fourth time in eight days, Pope Leo has taken direct aim at Donald Trump's abuse of migrants in the United States.

In a new letter sent to Catholic Charities USA, he calls immigrants to the United States “witnesses of hope” and encourages Catholics to do all we can to welcome them.

Fourth Rebuke in Eight Days: Pope Leo Intensifies Clash with Trump Over Migrants

In his latest rebuke of Trumpism, Pope Leo praises immigrants as “agents of hope” and tells Catholics their faith is tested by how they welcome the stranger.

open.substack.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 5d

MAGA is melting down after Pope Leo’s first major document called on Christians to defend the dignity of migrants and the poor.

We reject their attacks. We stand with Pope Leo.

Pope Leo’s First Major Document Rebukes Trumpian Walls, Defends Migrants and the Poor

The American pontiff says real Christians build bridges, not barriers — and holds up a U.S. saint as proof.

www.thelettersfromleo.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 5d

In his first major teaching document today, Pope Leo said you can’t be Christian and build walls of oppression.

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 5d

Pope Leo just released his first major document — and it’s a direct challenge to Trump’s America.

He defends migrants, rebukes walls, lifts up the poor, and reminds us: mercy is not weakness. It’s the heart of faith.

Pope Leo’s First Major Document Rebukes Trumpian Walls, Defends Migrants and the Poor

The American pontiff says real Christians build bridges, not barriers — and holds up a U.S. saint as proof.

www.thelettersfromleo.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 6d

First, they attacked Pope Leo. Then they shot a minister.

MAGA calls itself Christian, but the violence shows how far they’ll go to attack our faith.

MAGA Escalates Attacks on Christians After Pope Leo Defends Migrants

As Pope Leo calls Trump’s raids “inhuman,” the movement that once claimed faith is now waging war against it.

www.thelettersfromleo.com

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 6d

For the fourth time in eight days, Pope Leo takes direct aim at Donald Trump's abuse of migrants in the United States.

He calls immigrants to the United States “witnesses of hope” and encourages Catholics to do all we can to welcome them.

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 6d

From one pope to another.

Today, Pope Leo placed his own zucchetto on a “little pope”. The Chicago children are the students who made headlines back in May for conducting a "mock conclave" at their school as a fun activity to understand the process.

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