FRIDAY, APRIL 24 - FEAST OF SAINT FIDELIS

POPE LEO SAYS NO TO BLESSING HOMOSEXUAL PARTNERS Pope Leo yesterday rejected German Cardinal Reinhard Marx's promotion of formal blessings for people in same-sex unions. The Vatican “has made it clear that we do not agree with the formalized blessing of couples, in this case, ‘homosexual couples,’ as you asked, or couples in irregular situations, beyond what was specifically, if you will, allowed for by Pope Francis in saying all people receive blessings,” the Holy Father said in answer to a reporter's question. READ

DOJ MOVES TO LOOSEN MARIJUANA REGULATIONS The Justice Department announced yesterday that it is moving to loosen federal restrictions on state-licensed medical marijuana by reclassifying it as a “less dangerous” drug. Specifically, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an executive order directing the immediate reclassification of FDA-approved marijuana and state-licensed marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. READ

SENATE REPUBLICANS ADVANCE BORDER ENFORCEMENT FUNDING The Senate voted 50-48 in the early hours of yesterday morning to advance funding for ICE and border patrol. The vote clears a procedural hurdle toward ending a months-long partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. If passed in the House, the measure would lock in three years of funding. READ

BORDER CZAR SUGGESTS POPE SHOULD JOIN ICE FOR RIDE-ALONG Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s border czar and a lifelong Catholic, said he would be willing to invite Pope Leo to accompany ICE agents on a ride-along. “I will sit down and talk to him," Homan said, "because they’re talking about something that they don’t understand.” READ

SETTLERS ENCROACH ON CHURCH LAND IN WEST BANK The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem met with Israeli military authorities after settlers encroached on Church property. The patriarchate said protecting its lands is "a red line." Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa warned the situation is "deteriorating constantly," with settler attacks on Palestinian villages occurring "almost every day." READ

'FREEDOM TRUCK' TO JOIN CATHOLICVOTE'S JUNE RALLY IN WISCONSIN A traveling 18-wheeler exhibit, part of the federal initiative marking America's 250th birthday, will be stationed outside the La Crosse Center on June 13 as CatholicVote holds a patriotic prayer event with prominent Catholic speakers, including Cardinal Raymond Burke and Michael Knowles. READ

WEST BANK CHRISTIAN ASKS AMERICAN CHRISTIANS FOR HELP Alice Kisiya, a Palestinian Christian from a village just outside of Bethlehem, says her people in the West Bank are now facing “daily” Israeli settler violence. Kisiya is calling on American Christians to advocate for indigenous Christian communities in the Holy Land who live under the threat of being driven out of their ancient homeland. READ

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NORBERTINE CANONESSES TO EXPAND MONASTERY The Norbertine canonesses of the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph in Tehachapi, California, are moving forward with a major monastery expansion. The cloistered community of religious sisters is scheduled to break ground on the expansion in early June, a project necessitated by a rising number of new vocations. READ

ROSARY RALLY SLATED TO COUNTER SATANIC EVENT IN BALTIMORE The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property is sponsoring a rosary rally in reparation for a May 1 Satanic Temple event in Baltimore, where attendees are “required to surrender their souls to Satan.” READ

HOW TO HOMESTEAD WITHOUT OWNING LAND From windowsill herbs to scratch cooking to preserving food, here are six ways to live a simpler, more rooted life right where you are. READ

CATHOLIC 101 "Charismatic" doesn't always mean emotional or expressive — it comes from the word "charism," which can mean a gift of the Holy Spirit. A Word on Fire op-ed explains how every Catholic is called to be charismatic, radically open to the Spirit's gifts and using them to build up the Church. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY Today, the Church honors St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, the patron saint of CatholicVote. READ

DAILY PSALM "Go out to all the world and tell the Good News." (Mark 16) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings. READ

MEET OUR PATRON SAINT Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, CatholicVote's patron saint! A fearless preacher and martyr, his life was marked by deep love for God, fidelity to the truth, and unwavering devotion to the Catholic Church. Listen to his story on today's episode of My Daily Saint podcast, available now on Zeale. LISTEN