Magnifica Humanitas

As the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary, the nation’s Catholic bishops have released a prayer service text commemorating its immigrants and refugees, as well as those trafficked under historic and modern forms of slavery in the U.S.

There are four key elements of the narrative characteristic of a Catholic worldview, which Tolkien embeds within the tensions and choices of his characters: disarming power, abiding hope, discernment and responsibility, and elevating the weak.

In the newly released encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas,” Pope Leo is urging teachers, caregivers and university lecturers to not give up on a generation that could otherwise be lost to technology.

Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” is massive. It is clear-eyed and comprehensive and so chock-full of good stuff that it must be consumed bit-by-bit.