Initial Reactions to Pope Leo's New Letter "Magnifica Humanitas"

Pope Leo Called Out the E.U.?

May 27th, 2026 - Happy feast of Ss. Bede the Venerable and Augustine of Canterbury! Reports claim that the U.S.-Iran peace deal is complete except for signatures. The Trump cabinet is holding a meeting at the White House today. Israel continues strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The SCOTUS opted not to hear Florida’s petition regarding Washington and California giving illegal aliens commercial driving licenses. Justices Alito and Thomas dissented. A senior Washington Nationals executive was caught on hidden camera admitting that he had blackballed pitcher Trevor Williams from team social media content because of his Catholic faith. Texas voters overwhelmingly chose Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. The Priestly Society of Saint Pius X announced the names of four priests set to be ordained bishops July 1 without papal approval, weeks after the Vatican warned their ordinations would constitute a schismatic act. Planned Parenthood has launched a new program in Washington state and Hawaii that allows women to obtain chemical abortion drugs before becoming pregnant. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org [https://thestationofthecross.com/riseright]

Initial Reactions to Pope Leo's New Letter "Magnifica Humanitas"

May 26th, 2026 - Happy Pentecost Tuesday and feast of St. Philip Neri! Pope Leo released his encyclical on AI yesterday, and it has already received both praise and condemnations. President Donald Trump said over the weekend that a peace deal with Iran, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, had been "largely negotiated," though he said the naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place until an agreement is certified and signed. The gunman killed in an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents outside the White House this weekend was identified as Nasire Best, who was 21 years old. Washington state's foster care department agreed to a permanent injunction barring it from denying licenses to families based on their religious beliefs on marriage and gender. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org [https://thestationofthecross.com/riseright]

Memorial Day 2026

May 25th, 2026 - Please join Jake and Sarah in discussing the history and meaning of Memorial Day in the United States, the importance of praying for the dead, Catholic teaching on Purgatory, and praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for the souls of those who gave their lives for their country. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org [https://thestationofthecross.com/riseright]

The Dance with NATO Continues + MORE Synodality

May 22nd, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Rita! President Trump has again stated he will speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. A US President has not directly spoken to a Taiwanese President, at least to the public's knowledge, since 1979, when the US and China established diplomatic relations and officially recognized Beijing as the only legal government of China. Federal officials announced sweeping new Medicaid fraud charges in Minnesota yesterday, accusing 15 defendants of such schemes. Aimee Bock, the “mastermind” behind the massive Feeding Our Future case, received the longest sentence yet connected to that fraud investigation, totaling 41 years. The House of Representatives has cancelled their vote on the war powers, which would stop new strikes on Iran, as they lack the votes to pass. The House has now failed 4 votes on the war powers resolution. The Largest US energy company, Exxon Mobil, is in talks with the Venezuelan government to reacquire oil production rights in Venezuela, after being kicked out of Venezuela almost 20 years ago. More than 3,000 Catholics gathered in Bell-view, Washington, for the ASCEND Eucharistic Revival, an event the organization described as one of the “largest gatherings of Pacific Northwest Catholics in decades.” Vice President JD Vance yesterday attended Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer’s “Catholic Connections” gathering, where the Catholic VP reportedly shared his personal faith testimony and discussed how the faith informs his approach to governing. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org [https://thestationofthecross.com/riseright]

Cuba Next? + An English Tragedy

May 21st, 2026 - Happy feast of the Mexican Martyrs! Federal prosecutors yesterday announced charges against 94-year-old former Cuban President Raúl Castro for the 1996 downing of two civilian planes operated by Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue. In a letter to Congress, a coalition of 60 pro-life organizations across the U.S. urged lawmakers to extend a moratorium that protects taxpayer funds from being used for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. That moratorium is set to expire on July 4th. Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed laws protecting doctors' right to refuse care that violates their conscience and expanding free speech and religious freedom protections for public school students. Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming encyclical on artificial intelligence (AI), new data from Gallup shows that seven in 10 Americans do not approve of building AI data centers in their local area. Israeli National Security Minister caused international outrage over footage that he posted on social media, showing the mistreatment of detainees. Elon Musk has expressed an interest in starting a lawsuit over the death and neglect of a young Englishman, Henry Nowak.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org [https://thestationofthecross.com/riseright]