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Pope Leo XIV poses on a custom BMW R 18 papal motorcycle gifted to him by the Christian Jesus Bikers at the Vatican, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, Sep 3, 2025 / 12:30 pm (CNA).

A group of black-clad bikers rumbled into St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday to present Pope Leo XIV with a custom cruiser motorcycle destined for charity.

The pope met members of the Christian Jesus Bikers at the end of his general audience at the Vatican on Sept. 3. The motorcycle club rolled into Rome for a Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage after a three-day day ride from Schaafheim, Germany.

Fr. Karl Wallner, OCist. stands next to Pope Leo XIV as he signs a custom-made BMW R 18 motorcycle after his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 3, 2025. The cruiser will be sold at auction to raise funds for children in Madagascar. Credit: Rudolf Gehrig/EWTN News

The pope blessed and signed the white BMW R 18 motorcycle before briefly climbing onto the seat to the bikers’ applause.

The custom-designed papal motorcycle will be auctioned off in Munich on Oct. 18, and the funds will benefit children working in mica mines in Madagascar through Missio Austria.

The director of Missio Austria, Father Karl Wallner, OCist., told EWTN News on Wednesday that the point of the pilgrimage was “not just fun and coming to see the pope, but also to help the poorest of the poor” through the project for exploited children.

Wallner said Pope Leo appeared to like the motorcycle a lot. At the audience, “he told the CEO of BMW that he himself liked to drive the motorcycle. So I think we have the first motorcycling pope…”

The custom BMW R 18 papal motorcycle gifted to Pope Leo XIV by the Christian Jesus Bikers is seen at St. Magdalena Church, Altötting, Germany, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. Credit: Rudolf Gehrig/EWTN News

The two-cylinder boxer engine cruiser was given a papal redesign by the Witzel company in Germany, before taking to the road for the biker pilgrimage, which included daily Mass in churches along the way to Rome.

Around 30 members of the Jesus Bikers club also processed through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica before attending Mass together on Sept. 3.

One of the motorcyclists at the Sept. 3 audience, a Protestant from Berlin who goes by the name “Rocky,” told EWTN News he joined the Jesus Bikers after finding the club on the Internet.

Members of the Jesus Biker Club link arms in St. Peter's Square on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2025. Credit: Rudolf Gehrig/EWTN News

“The honesty and freedom attracted me,” Rocky said. “It’s not like other motorcycle clubs, where I have to prove myself for a year and perform certain rituals. I was accepted here, and a year later, I received my robe. You just have to be baptized, believe in Jesus Christ, and have a motorcycle. We want to pray, ride, and do good.”

Claus Dempewolf, who is responsible for those interested in joining the motorcycle club, expressed his satisfaction with the first leg of the ride in an interview with EWTN News earlier this week.

“The weather was perfect, the roads were good,” he said. 

When asked who ultimately decides whether or not someone can become a member of the Jesus Bikers, Dempewolf replied: “That’s decided by our president and our road captain; our president is Jesus Christ, our road captain is the Holy Spirit.”

Pope Francis was an honorary member of the Jesus Bikers, which have over 100 members worldwide. The Argentinian pope also received a white motorcycle from the group in 2019.

Pope Francis also received two Harley-Davidson motorcycles and a motorcycle jacket in 2013 from Harley owners who gathered at the Vatican during a Rome celebration of the 110th anniversary of the iconic American street bikes.

One of the Harley Davidsons, with papal autograph, and the leather jacket brought in more than $350,000 for a Rome charity at an auction in 2014.

Pope Leo XIV appealed for help for Sudan during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 3, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media.

Vatican City, Sep 3, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday pleaded for international assistance for the North African country of Sudan, which is experiencing violence, famine, natural disasters, and disease.

“I am closer than ever to the Sudanese population, in particular families, children and the displaced,” Leo said at the end of his general audience at the Vatican Sept. 3.

“I pray for all the victims,” the pontiff added. “I make a heartfelt appeal to leaders and to the international community to guarantee humanitarian corridors and implement a coordinated response to stop this humanitarian catastrophe.”

The dramatic situation in Sudan, marked by months of armed clashes, mass displacement, and the threat of cholera, has prompted multiple warnings from humanitarian organizations.

In his appeal, Leo drew attention to the civilians trapped in the city of El Fasher, where they are experiencing famine and violence, and to a deadly landslide in Tarsin, which it is believed killed up to 1,000 people, with others still missing.

“And, as if that were not enough,” the pontiff added, “the spread of cholera is threatening hundreds of thousands of already stricken people.”

“It is time to initiate a serious, sincere and inclusive dialogue between the parties to end the conflict and restore hope, dignity and peace to the people of Sudan,” Leo urged.

Pope Leo XIV rides in the popemobile before his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 3, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media.

After three weeks indoors, the pope’s public audience returned to St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday following a dip in Rome’s soaring August temperatures.

‘No-one can save themselves’

In his spiritual message at the audience, Leo reflected on Jesus’ final moments on the cross as narrated in the Gospel of John, where the crucified Christ utters the phrase: “I thirst.”

The pope said the thirst of the Crucified One is not only the physiological need of a tortured body, but above all, the expression of a profound desire for love, relationship, and communion. 

His cry, Leo XIV asserted, is that of a God “who is not ashamed to beg for a sip, because in that gesture he tells us that love, in order to be true, must also learn to ask and not only to give.”

The pontiff then stated that “Jesus does not save with a dramatic twist, but by asking for something that he cannot give himself.” 

This, according to the Holy Father, opens a door to true hope: “If even the Son of God chose not to be self-sufficient, then our thirst too — for love, for meaning, for justice — is a sign not of failure, but of truth.”

“Jesus’ thirst on the cross is therefore ours too,” he added. “It is the cry of a wounded humanity that seeks living water. And this thirst does not lead us away from God, but rather unites us with him. If we have the courage to acknowledge it, we can discover that even our fragility is a bridge towards heaven.”

Thus, the pope said, on the cross, Jesus teaches us that human beings are not realized “in power, but in trustful openness to others, even when they are hostile and enemies.”

It is precisely through the acceptance of fragility that we achieve salvation, he emphasized, which “is not found in autonomy, but in humbly recognizing one’s own need and in being able to express it freely.”

“None of us can be self-sufficient. No-one can save themselves. Life is ‘fulfilled’ not when we are strong, but when we learn how to receive,” Leo said.

A difficult truth

“We live in a time that rewards self-sufficiency, efficiency, performance,” he said. “And yet the Gospel shows us that the measure of our humanity is not given by what we can achieve, but by our ability to let ourselves be loved and, when necessary, even helped.”

Leo XIV invited the faithful to rediscover the simple joy that is born of fraternity and free gift of self. He emphasized that in everyday gestures, such as “asking without shame” and “offering without ulterior motives,” lies a profound happiness, distinct from that which the world proposes.

“It is a joy that restores us to the original truth of our being: we are creatures made to give and receive love,” the pontiff affirmed.

He encouraged those listening to not be afraid or ashamed to reach out, even when they feel undeserving. “It is right there, in that humble gesture, that salvation hides,” he concluded.

A statue of Pope Gregory I, also known as Saint Gregory the Great, with his famous Catholic iconography of a dove sitting on his shoulder, sits outside of St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024 / Credit: Alexander Ruszczynski/Shutterstock

CNA Staff, Sep 3, 2025 / 07:15 am (CNA).

St. Gregory the Great, a central figure of the medieval western Church and one of the most admired popes in history, is commemorated in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Catholic liturgy. He was the first of the bishops of Rome to popularize the now-traditional papal title "servant of the servants of God," which referred to Christ's command that those in the highest position of leadership should be “the last of all and the servant of all.”

Born near the middle of the sixth century into a noble Roman family, the future St. Gregory the Great received a classical education in liberal arts and the law. He also had strong religious formation from his devout family, particularly from his mother, Silvia, also a canonized saint.

By around age 30, Gregory had advanced to high political office in Rome, during what was nevertheless a period of marked decline for the city.

Some time after becoming the prefect of the former imperial capital, Gregory chose to leave the civil administration to become a monk during the rise of the Benedictine order. In reality, however, the new monk's great career in public life was yet to come.

After three years of strict monastic life, he was called personally by the pope to assume the office of a deacon in Rome. From Rome, he was dispatched to Constantinople, to seek aid from the emperor for Rome's civic troubles, and to aid in resolving the Eastern church's theological controversies. He returned to Rome in 586, after six years of service as the papal representative to the eastern Church and empire.

Rome faced a series of disasters caused by flooding in 589, followed by the death of Pope Pelagius II the next year. Gregory, then serving as abbot in a monastery, reluctantly accepted his election to replace him as the Bishop of Rome.

Despite this initial reluctance, however, Pope Gregory began working tirelessly to reform and solidify the Roman liturgy, the disciplines of the Church, the military and economic security of Rome, and the Church's spreading influence in western Europe.

As pope, Gregory brought his political experience in Rome and Constantinople to bear, in the task of preventing the Catholic Church from becoming subservient to any of the various groups struggling for control of the former imperial capital. As the former abbot of a monastery, he strongly supported the Benedictine movement as a bedrock of the western Church. He sent missionaries to England, and is given much of the credit for the nation's conversion.

Even as he undertook to consolidate papal power and shore up the crumbling Roman west, St. Gregory the Great maintained a humble sense of his mission as a servant and pastor of souls, from the time of his election until his death in 604.

This article was first published on Aug. 19, 2010, and has been updated.

Pilgrims gather in St. Peter’s Square for a Mass and canonization of 14 new saints on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Birmingham, Ala., Sep 2, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

EWTN News and EWTN Studios will join forces in Rome from Sept. 3–7 to televise the canonizations of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. In addition to the canonizations, viewers who want an in-depth look at the life and legacy of these two young saints-to-be will have the opportunity to tune in to 12 EWTN special programs, including animated children’s programs. 

Here’s what you can expect:

Viewers can tune in to “EWTN News Nightly” and “EWTN News In Depth” for an exclusive preview of the canonizations. “EWTN News Nightly” airs at 6 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET, Friday, Sept. 5; and “EWTN News In Depth” airs at 5 p.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET the same day.

EWTN News correspondent Colm Flynn will host a one-hour special from the rooftop of EWTN’s Rome studio, which overlooks St. Peter’s Square. 

Father Patrick Briscoe, OP, EWTN News’ guest expert on Carlo Acutis; Acutis biographer and EWTN Vatican correspondent Courtney Mares; and EWTN Vatican correspondent Kristina Millare will provide commentary on the canonizations and share reflections on the impact of Pope Leo XIV’s first saints. This will air at 1 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 6, and 11 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 7.

In the half hour leading up to the canonization Mass and the half hour after it ends, EWTN News Vatican correspondents will conduct live interviews and candid reactions with pilgrims from around the world. This will air at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 7, as well as 30 minutes after the Mass.

On Sunday, Sept. 7, Pope Leo XIV will preside over the Mass and canonizations of the two young blesseds from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This will air live at 3 a.m. ET and the encore presentation will be at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 7.

For those looking to get to know these two soon-to-be saints better, EWTN will be airing a plethora of programs on the lives of Acutis and Frassati:

“Hiking in Search of Pier Giorgio Frassati”

Join EWTN’s Colm Flynn and Father Vincent Bernhard, OP, on a pilgrimage with young men ages 18–30 who follow the footsteps of soon-to-be-saint Pier Giorgio Frassati in Turin, Italy. The group prays in the shrine of Oropa, climbs to and celebrates Mass in the iconic Monte Mucrone, and visits the personal rooms of Frassati before celebrating Mass with his remains in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. The program premieres at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 3, with encores at 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 7, and 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9. 

“Giorgio — A Modern-Day Miracle Story”

The family of a comatose young adult finds the miracle they’ve been praying for after beseeching Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati’s heavenly intercession. The show airs at 11:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 4.

“Sanctity Within Reach: Pier Giorgio Frassati”

Christine M. Wohar and Wanda Gawronska (Pier Giorgio Frassati’s niece) explore the soon-to-be-saint’s spiritual life. The program airs at 5:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 4, and at 2:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 5. 

“Blessed Carlo Acutis — From London to the World”

An EWTN documentary on the London connection to Carlo Acutis featuring his mother, Antonia, and Father Alexander Sherbrooke, whose dynamic parish in Soho mirrors Carlo’s intense devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. The documentary airs at 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 5, and at 2:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 6. 

“I Am With You — A Documentary on Carlo Acutis”

Follow the life and witness of Carlo Acutis in this EWTN original documentary as his family, friends, and others discuss how Acutis continues to inspire people around the world. The documentary airs at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 6, and at 2 a.m. ET and 11 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 7. 

“To the Top — Pier Giorgio Frassati”

Filmed in Italy, this docudrama chronicles the life and spirituality of Pier Giorgio Frassati, an Italian activist who put his Catholic beliefs into practice to help the poor and downtrodden in his hometown of Turin, Italy. The program airs at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 6, and at 1:30 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 8.

“Pier Giorgio Frassati — Get to Know Him”

Filmed in Italy and Poland, this powerful drama examines the exemplary life of Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young, joyful saint whose devotion and charity to the poor inspire the laity. The show airs at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 7. 

“My Catholic Family: Blessed Carlo Acutis”

When the children pick Blessed Carlos Acutis for a school presentation, they discover a normal 21st-century boy who also helped everyone he could and promoted Eucharistic miracles. The program airs at 9:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 6.

“My Catholic Family: Pier Giorgio Frassati”

A man named Thomas and his wife, Helen, teach their children Alex and Sarah about the heroic life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the patron of youth. The show airs at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 6.

Pope Leo XIV speaks at the Mass for the opening of the general chapter of the Order of St. Augustine on Sept. 1, 2025, at the Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, Sep 1, 2025 / 14:38 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Mass for the opening of the general chapter of the Order of St. Augustine on Monday evening, invoking the Holy Spirit to guide the religious community’s Sept. 1–18 assembly.

Nearly 100 Augustinian priests from around the world, who are participating in this year’s chapter, attended the pope’s Mass held inside the Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome’s city center. 

Religious sisters belonging to Augustinian orders also attended the Mass. Though the sisters will not participate in the chapter, the Holy Father extended his invitation to them to pray for the “gift of the Holy Spirit” and the “gift of listening” for the fruits of the religious assembly.  

During the Sept. 1 homily, Pope Leo — who wore red vestments for the votive Mass dedicated to the Holy Spirit — invited his confreres to focus on “listening, humility, and unity” and respond to God’s grace during the period of prayer and discernment within the order.

“The Holy Spirit speaks, today as in the past,” he said. “He does so in the ‘penetralia cordis’ and through the brothers and the circumstances of life.” 

“This is why it is important for the atmosphere of the chapter, in harmony with the centuries-long tradition of the Church, to be an atmosphere of listening: of listening to God and to others,” he continued.

Reflecting on the teachings of St. Augustine, the Holy Father said the Church doctor highlighted the need for unity and collaboration among Christian faithful for the “common good.” 

“Each single believer was speaking in all languages; and now the unity of believers is speaking in all languages,” he said, quoting St. Augustine. “And so even now all languages are ours, since we are members of the body in which they are to be found.” 

“Live these days, therefore, in a sincere effort to communicate and to understand, and do so as a generous response to the great and unique gift of light and grace that the Father of heaven gives you by summoning you here, specifically you, for the good of all,” he added.

While encouraging his brothers to “openly share what they have” during the 18-day chapter, he emphasized the importance of doing so with humility.

“Let no one think they have all the answers,” Leo said Monday.  

“Only in this way will the Spirit be able to teach and remind us of what Jesus said, inscribing it in our hearts so that its echo may spread from them, in the uniqueness and unrepeatability of every beat,” he added. 

In his reflection on the “miracle of Pentecost,” Pope Leo said St. Augustine observed that the Holy Spirit is the “protagonist” who creates unity amid diversity. 

“Just as spiritual people … take pleasure in unity, so worldly people are ever ready to wrangle,” the Holy Father said, referring to St. Augustine’s writings. 

“The time you can be sure you have the Holy Spirit is when you consent through sincere charity firmly to attach your minds to the unity,” he continued.