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When white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on May 8, thousands flocked to St. Peter’s square. They were filled with elation at the announcement "Habemus Papam!" (“We have a pope!”). Those emotions were topped with surprise that the first American pope had been elected with Pope Leo XIV.

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes several clergy and pastoral appointments in the Diocese of Baton Rouge effective 01 July 2025 (unless otherwise indicated). We thank these priests and deacons for their many years of service in their various diocesan ministries.

Bishop Duca, along with the clergy and lay faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, congratulate His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, on his election as Roman Pontiff!

Catholics were powerfully present at the Louisiana State Capitol in terms of numbers of attendees and their commitment to stand up for social justice issues during this year’s Faithful Citizenship Day.

St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge (SVDP-BR) announced today that the national search for a new CEO has been successfully completed. Sunnie Johnson-Lain, CEO of Catholic Charities Washtenaw County, will join the organization as CEO on or around June 3, 2025. Sunnie succeeds former CEO Michael Acaldo of SVdP-BR who led the organization for over 34 years until his promotion as CEO of SVdP-USA.

To prepare seminarians in the Diocese of Baton Rouge for a new way of life through involvement in parish ministry and in social and charitable outreach, and all in communion with the bishop and presbyterate of Baton Rouge, Bishop Duca is pleased to establish the new Blessed Stanley Rother House of Formation at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge.

It is with sadness that the Diocese of Baton Rouge announces that Father Howard Adkins, a retired priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, passed away on 29 April 2025. He was ordained a priest in May 2007 and retired from active ministry in 2018. He was 79.

On April 22, Baton Rouge Fire Department Station 12 assisted St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge in honoring Pope Francis upon his death. The fire department hung the papal colors in 2013 when he was elected, and it hung the black colors 12 years later to mark his death. Photos provided St. Joseph Cathedral

Ashton Kennedy was drawn to the Catholic Church but held back from entering because of unanswered questions. But with the support of family members who had entered the church and a "posthumous nudge" from Father Mark Beard to “get off the fence,” Kennedy took the leap of faith.

People in the Diocese of Baton Rouge gathered at their church parishes for an intense time of prayer during Holy Week and the Triduum, which culminated in the celebration of Easter. The week began with Palm Sunday processionals on Palm Sunday. Photo by Debbie Shelley |The Catholic Commentator. At the Chrism Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, Bishop Michael G. Duca blessed the sacred oils for the upcoming year and the priests renewed their priestly vows. Photo by Nicole Jones. On Holy Thursday at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge, Father Arockiam Arockiam SVD, pastor, kissed the feet of representatives of the parish in the ceremony commemorating Jesus’ washing of the disciple’s feet. Photo by Desiree Spann. On Good Friday, people remembered the plight of the homeless and marginalized during a Way of the Cross sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Photo by Debbie Shelley. At Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs, Father Matthew Graham, pastor, baptized people entering the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Masses. Photos by Taylor Edwards Photography

In his annual Easter message for 2025, Bishop Duca invites the faithful to "discover that the joy of our faith is not only found in deepening our personal and church relationship with Christ, but it can also found in sharing the faith with others." As we reflect upon the proclamation “The Lord is Risen!," we realize that this is not just a greeting to other Christians but a proclamation of hope for the whole world.

Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, 2025 at the age of 88. He was elected pope on March 13, 2013, and he was the first pope in history from the Southern Hemisphere.

Churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge kicked off Holy Week on April 13 with jubilant Palm Sunday processions. The congregations waved their palm branches and declared “hosanna” to commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

When homeless women discover they are pregnant they are often scared and don’t know where to go for help. The structured and supportive environment at Sanctuary for Life allows these women to set and achieve personal goals in work, school, and life. Their fears are then replaced with hope.

Many parents avoid talking to their children and teens about sex and contraception because they feel uneasy talking about the topic or think, “my child would never …” The realities of today, however, show that if they don’t talk about it, their children will learn from other sources parents may not trust.

Women in crisis pregnancy situations have a critical need to know they are not alone. Walking with Moms in Need travels with them so they can care for their children and see possibilities for their futures.

When people stroll through the St. Joseph cemetery, with its gnarled moss-covered oak trees, is they are browsing through the pages of an “open history book.” Stories emerge of the society, culture, families, and people which have shaped the Baton Rouge area. The 200th anniversary of the cemetery is being celebrated with events scheduled throughout this year.

Bishop Michael G. Duca and Vicar General Jamin David visited and celebrated Mass at St. Francis Xavier School in Baton Rouge on March 28. Bishop Duca’s words during Mass, along with positives words to the students in the classroom, were a blessing to the students, teachers, and staff, according to SFX School Principal Christopher Rogers. Photos provided by Father Jamin David

Members of the Hispanic/Latino community who are preparing to enter the church were welcomed during the Rite of Election at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge on March 16. This was the first time for the Hispanic/Latino Rite of Election to be held at the cathedral. There are 132 people (91 baptized candidates, 41 unbaptized catechumens) who will be received into full communion with the church at the Easter Vigil Mass on April 19. Photos by Victor Samuel Lopez Torres