Jonathan Liedl

Jonathan Liedl is senior editor for the National Catholic Register. His background includes state Catholic conference work, three years of seminary formation, and tutoring at a university Christian study center. Liedl holds a B.A. in Political Science and Arabic Studies (Univ. of Notre Dame), an M.A. in Catholic Studies (Univ. of St. Thomas), and is currently completing an M.A. in Theology at the Saint Paul Seminary.

Articles by Jonathan Liedl

Pope Francis presides at the annual celebration of “first vespers,” or evening prayer, for the vigil of the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on Dec. 31, 2023. Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Faith allows Christians to live transition into the new year ‘differently’

Dec 31, 2023 / 12:55 pm

Pope Francis rang in the new year and gave thanks for 2023 at a special New Year’s Eve Vatican liturgy.

Pope Francis waves during his Sunday Angelus on Dec. 31, 2023. Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis says Benedict XVI ‘blesses us and accompanies us’ from heaven

Dec 31, 2023 / 10:21 am

In his final Angelus address of 2023, Pope Francis paid tribute to Pope Benedict XVI on the one-year anniversary of his predecessor’s death.

Pope Francis delivers his annual “urbi et orbi” address on Christmas from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 25, 2023. Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis on Christmas: Saying ‘yes’ to the Prince of Peace means saying ‘no’ to war

Dec 25, 2023 / 08:33 am

In his annual “urbi et orbi” address, Pope Francis called for an end to war in the Holy Land and throughout the world.

St. Peter's Basilica. Credit: vvo/Shutterstock

Vatican says priests can bless same-sex couples without condoning their lifestyles

Dec 18, 2023 / 15:22 pm

Nonliturgical blessings can be a sign of a person seeking God, not a validation of their lifestyle, the new document states.

Father Cristiano G. Borro Barbosa , 47, was appointed by Pope Francis as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Boston on Dec. 9, 2023. Credit: Archdiocese of Boston

Pope Francis appoints Brazilian native as Boston’s new auxiliary bishop

Dec 9, 2023 / 10:26 am

Father Cristiano G. Borro Barbosa, 47, will join Cardinal Seán O’Malley and four other auxiliaries as bishops of the archdiocese.

Pope Francis gazes at a nativity scene during a meeting with two delegations at the Vatican Dec. 9, 2023 — a community from Macra, located in the Alps who provided this year’s Christmas tree, and people from the Diocese of Rieti, who donated this year's Nativity scene. Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Vatican Nativity scene should prompt prayers for the Holy Land

Dec 9, 2023 / 09:50 am

The pope made his remarks in a Saturday morning audience in Paul VI Hall with two delegations who donated the Christmas tree and Nativity scene.

Bishop Stefan Oster. Credit: Diocese of Passau

German bishop says divisions within local Church are a ‘disaster for the faithful’

Nov 30, 2023 / 16:25 pm

Bishop Stefan Oster did not shy away from identifying profound theological disagreements as the source of division within the Church in Germany.

Cardinal Raymond Burke at EWTN's studio in Rome during the canonization of St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII. Credit: Steven Driscoll/CNA

Pope Francis reportedly takes Vatican apartment, salary from Cardinal Burke

Nov 28, 2023 / 13:34 pm

The pope reportedly said that Cardinal Raymond Burke was a source of “disunity” in the Church.

Margaret Karram, the third president to lead the Focolare Movement, was among several members of ecclesial movements who were appointed to the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life by Pope Francis on Nov. 25, 2023. Credit: CSC Audiovisivi

Pope adds married couples, Church movement reps to Vatican’s laity and family office

Nov 25, 2023 / 10:07 am

The Vatican announced the pope’s picks to the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life on Nov. 25.

Pope Francis at his general audience earlier this week on Nov. 22, 2023. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

UPDATE: Pope Francis has ‘mild flu,’ went to hospital for precautionary testing

Nov 25, 2023 / 09:32 am

The pope, who turns 87 next month, has experienced a number of medical setbacks in recent years.

Pope Francis' general audience of April 19, 2023. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis expresses ‘concerns’ about German Synodal Way, says it threatens Church unity

Nov 21, 2023 / 04:55 am

Pope Francis has expressed deep reservations about the direction of the Catholic Church in Germany.

Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas. Credit: Peytonlow at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Strickland saga: Ousted bishop speculates on reasons the Vatican removed him

Nov 12, 2023 / 16:25 pm

“I really can’t look to any reason except I’ve threatened some of the powers that be with the truth of the Gospel,” Bishop Joseph Strickland said.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims on All Saints' Day in St. Peter's Square, Nov. 1, 2023. Vatican Media

Pope Francis calls for ‘paradigm shift’ in theology for world of today

Nov 1, 2023 / 15:36 pm

Citing the need to deal with “profound cultural transformations,” the pope presented his dramatic vision for the future of Catholic theology in a new motu proprio.

Pope Francis thanks the delegates at the conclusion of the 2023 Synod on Synodality. Credit: Vatican Media

Synod on Synodality 2023: Summary report calls for greater ‘co-responsibility’ in Church

Oct 28, 2023 / 19:04 pm

The Vatican’s nearly monthlong Synod on Synodality assembly concluded with members approving an ambitious text calling for greater “co-responsibility.”

Delegates at the Synod on Synodality will vote on the assembly's synthesis report on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Vatican News

Synod on Synodality: Anticipation and tensions brew ahead of synthesis report release

Oct 27, 2023 / 09:50 am

The summary text will serve as a bridge between this month’s assembly and a second synodal gathering scheduled for October 2024.

Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen, Germany at the Synod on Synodality press briefing Oct. 21, 2023. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez

German bishop at Synod on Synodality: Church should not ignore ‘signs of the times’

Oct 21, 2023 / 12:40 pm

Bishop Franz Josef Overbeck cites Germany’s “post-secular” context amid Synod on Synodality’s discussions on “decentralization.”

Sister María de los Dolores Palencia Gómez, Superior General of the Congregation of St. Joseph of Lyon, speaks to journalists during a press briefing for the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican on Oct. 14, 2023. Credit: Screenshot from Synod on Synodality livestream video

Synod ‘setting the stages for future changes’ on role of women; first woman presides over assembly

Oct 14, 2023 / 17:20 pm

Sister Maria de los Dolores Palencia Gomez, a Sister of St. Joseph of Lyon, spoke at a press briefing about the participation of women in the ongoing Synod of Synodality.

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 10, 2023. Credit: Vatican Media

Synod on Synodality reports not ‘secret,’ but still won’t be shared, spokesman says

Oct 14, 2023 / 11:55 am

The decision was communicated Saturday by Paolo Ruffini, president of the synod’s communication commission, at a press briefing.

A delegate participates in round-table discussions at the Synod on Synodality, Oct. 10, 2023. Credit: Vatican Media

Report: Confidential Synod on Synodality records aren’t secure

Oct 13, 2023 / 04:22 am

The Pillar report Friday raises questions about who has been spying on the Synod on Synodality’s supposedly private deliberations all along.

Delegates meet at round tables during the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 10, 2023. Credit: Vatican Media

Synod on Synodality members ask ‘for greater discernment’ of Church teaching on sexuality

Oct 11, 2023 / 15:40 pm

Spokesman Paolo Ruffini told the media that while some have asked for further discernment on the Church’s teaching, others said there’s no need for it.