Edition of Tuesday, September 29

Pope Leo XIV said he is not in panic mode regarding the potential for artificial intelligence to pose catastrophic risks to humanity. Speaking to journalists during a press conference on the papal flight from Metz, France, to Rome on Sept. 28, the pope stated that while he is not losing sleep over the prospect of an AI apocalypse, the concerns raised by specialists should be taken seriously.

The pope rejected claims that these safety warnings are fake news intended to provide financial or other benefits. He noted that the issue requires discussion, stating that leaders cannot simply pretend nothing will happen. These comments follow the publication of his encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which calls for ethical guardrails and regulation of the technology.

The remarks come amid varying warnings from technology leaders. Evan Hubinger, a safety researcher at Anthropic, recently suggested there is a greater than 10% chance of AI-powered human extinction within 10 years. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has also called for a slower pace of development to address risks, a position that contrasts with comments from Donald Trump, who has dismissed such scenarios.

Father Adrian Mantykiewicz returned to celebrate Mass at the Benedictine sisters’ abbey in Jaroslaw on Sept. 26, two days after a knife attack at the abbey left five people wounded. During the homily, Father Mantykiewicz offered forgiveness on behalf of himself and his fellow priests, Father Marek Pienkowski and the late Father Stanislaw Zbojniewicz.

The Sept. 24 attack resulted in the death of Father Stanislaw Zbojniewicz. Father Marek Pienkowski remained in serious but stable condition in the hospital as of Sept. 25, while Father Mantykiewicz was treated and released the same day as the attack.

Father Mantykiewicz asked the community to pray for the attacker, a 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen, specifically requesting prayers for his conversion. He also urged people not to blame the Ukrainian people for the actions of one individual, noting that the abbey had previously provided support to many Ukrainians following the outbreak of war in their country.

Cardinal Robert W. McElroy called on Americans to support undocumented immigrants suffering under government mass deportation policies during a Mass for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 27. Speaking at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, the cardinal said the nation must stop ignoring these actions and fight every dimension of the perceived evil being carried out in the country's name.

McElroy urged the public to seek to replace or convert political representatives who tolerate these policies. He criticized recent immigration enforcement, including raids on schools, nursing homes, and parking lots, describing them as a war on undocumented immigrants who have contributed to the nation's economy and culture. He also noted the suffering of children who have been detained and separated from their families.

The Mass, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington's Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach, included a multilingual rosary prayed in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Amharic, and Haitian Creole. Concelebrants included 18 priests and Auxiliary Bishops Juan R. Esposito and Robert P. Boxie III, along with retired Auxiliary Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr.

Evangelization Lab provides parishes, dioceses, and Catholic organizations with tools to reach people through digital spaces and encourage them to participate in the sacramental life of the Church. Founded by José Manuel de Urquidi in Dallas, the organization conducts research, experiments, and missionary training to help religious groups turn an online presence into active interpersonal communication.

The organization responds to calls from popes to use the internet for proclaiming the Gospel, including Pope Leo XIV’s instruction in the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas to use technology humanely as an evangelization tool. Digital missionary Katie Ruvalcaba said the goal is to use the internet to move people into a sacramental relationship with Christ and the Church.

One initiative involves training diocesan staff and parish members to use digital platforms to foster local, personal encounters. Urquidi said the lab works with dioceses to implement practical methods and form additional missionaries.

The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael on Monday, September 29.

The liturgical celebration for these three figures was established on September 29 during the 1969 liturgical reform. The Church honors the archangels according to ancient tradition, noting their roles in salvation history and the spiritual lives of Christians.

Scripture identifies each archangel with specific roles. Michael, whose name means "Who is like God," is described as a prince who defends the children of the people of God. Gabriel, meaning "Strength of God," was chosen to announce a mystery to Mary. Raphael, meaning "Medicine of God," is recognized as a healer and a companion to Tobias.

Bishop Ricardo Hoepers opened the National Seminar for the 2027 Fraternity Campaign in Brasília, which concluded on September 27. The four-day event gathered pastoral agents and representatives from various dioceses, regional groups, movements, and Church organizations to study the theme "Fraternity and the Care of Children."

The seminar used the biblical motto "Whoever receives a child in my name receives me" to prepare participants to bring a proposal of conversion to families, communities, and Church structures across Brazil. Bishop Hoepers, who serves as an auxiliary bishop of Brasília and secretary-general of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), stated that the Church is assuming a mission to make child care a permanent way of relating to children rather than a series of isolated actions. He urged participants to transform care into a culture.

During the meeting, the bishop presented four dimensions of conversion regarding children: looking, relationships, bonds, and processes. The seminar followed a methodology of seeing, judging, and acting to address the different realities of childhood.

Pope Leo XIV recalled a message from Mary to St. Bernadette Soubirous during a Mass on Sept. 27 at the Prairie of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. Speaking during a four-day apostolic visit to France, the pope highlighted the words of the Blessed Mother to the young girl during the 18 apparitions in 1858.

The pope noted that Mary told Bernadette she did not promise happiness in this world, but in the next. Pope Leo XIV said that while worldly happiness is fleeting and sometimes out of reach, true happiness is promised to everyone through hope, which should be the primary focus of all human efforts and choices.

The pope also addressed the holiness of St. Bernadette, who was canonized in 1933 for her life of heroic virtue. He noted her bravery in enduring questioning and harsh treatment following the apparitions. After the events at the grotto, Bernadette sought a simpler life away from fame by entering the convent of the Sisters of Charity in Nevers, France.

The 28th Congress of Catholics and Public Life will focus on Hispanic heritage and the figure of Isabella I of Castile from November 13 to 15. Organized by the Association of Catholic Propagandists and the San Pablo CEU Foundation, the event intends to reclaim the concept of Hispanidad, described as a civilization based on the faith that connects Spain and the Americas.

Pablo Velasco, the national communications secretary for the Association of Catholic Propagandists, stated that the congress will highlight the faith that unites these regions. Organizers also view the references to Isabella I of Castile during the event as an explicit support for her cause of beatification.

Pope Leo XIV will preside over a Mass to inaugurate the academic year for the Pontifical Universities on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Saint Peter's Basilica.

The Office for Liturgical Celebrations issued instructions for clergy participating in the liturgy. Patriarchs and cardinals who wish to concelebrate must gather in the Chapel of Saint Sebastian by 5:15 p.m. wearing white damask mitres. Archbishops and bishops are asked to arrive at the same time wearing simple white mitres.

Priests and deacons wishing to concelebrate must obtain tickets through the Office for Liturgical Celebrations website by October 6, subject to availability. These participants are instructed to meet at the Braccio di Costantino by 5:00 p.m. and must bring an amice, alb, cincture, and red stole.