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Hello, I'm Gina Christian, and you're listening to our OSV newscast for Monday, October 19, 2026. Today we mark the feast of Saints Jean de Brebeuf, Isaac Jog, and their companions, also known as the North American Martyrs. They were Jesuit missionaries who worked among the Huron and Mohawk peoples. They were all killed within a few years of each other during the mid-17th century and eventually canonized in 1930 by Pope Pius XI. May they pray for us. Now let's catch you up on the Catholic news of the day. Here we go. French church leaders have strongly condemned a wave of violence that swept across France over the October 17th and 18th weekend amid demonstrations that began as protests against the rising cost of living. The country's bishops said on October 19th that the unrest has plunged France into shock, fear, and despair, and raised serious questions about the causes of the crisis. Cardinal Jean-Marc Avalin of Marseille, president of the French Bishops Conference, denounced the unacceptable violence, which included attacks on police, looting, arson, and damage to public buildings. The disturbances followed weeks of student-led protests that had expanded into broader urban unrest. Authorities reported that hundreds of thousands participated in demonstrations, but violent groups overwhelmed many gatherings, injuring hundreds of police officers and causing extensive destruction. One of the most severely damaged sites was the historic city hall in Limoges, which was largely destroyed by fire. In Marseille, Cardinal Avelin noted that churches, businesses, a police station, and municipal offices were targeted. Archbishop Olivier Dujamet of Lyon described the violence as evidence of a society in crisis and called the destruction a dead end while urging reconciliation. President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the unrest and appealed for peaceful political dialogue instead of chaos and destruction. On October 17th, 53-year-old Father Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari was celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil when the crucifix tipped forward and hit him on the head. He collapsed behind the altar as shocked parishioners rushed to help. Cries of Padre could be heard from the congregation. The cause of the accident remains unclear. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed Father Sanchez's death later that day. In a statement, his former parish, San Lorenzo de Vinces, said, As the Redemptorist family, we join in prayer for the eternal rest of his soul, and we ask the Lord to grant comfort to his family, his brother priests, and all the faithful, who cherish his legacy and memory with gratitude. A memorial mass was celebrated on October 18th at the church where he died. Just minutes before the accident, Father Sanchez reflected on the importance of putting God first. One day all of us here will also die, he said. The quality time we dedicate to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our spouse, to our children, and to our family, that is time spent in the best possible way. One week after announcing he would undergo lung surgery, Pope Leo XIV returned to the window of the Apostolic Palace on October 18th, just five days after surgery for lung cancer, and less than 24 hours after leaving Rome's Gemelli Hospital. Speaking after the Angelus, the Pope thanked Catholics worldwide for their prayers, saying he had deeply felt their support during his hospitalization. He said the experience brought him closer to those living with illness, and he noted that, having passed this delicate phase, he will gradually resume his activities with God's help and the prayers of the faithful. Thousands who gathered in St. Peter's Square greeted the Pope with prolonged applause and cheers. Pilgrims described the moment as emotional and reassuring, expressing their joy at seeing the Pope recovering so quickly. Doctors discharged the Pope earlier than expected following the October 13th operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Lead surgeon Dr. Stefano Margheritora said the Pope's recovery is progressing normally and that there is no medical reason to cancel his planned November 6th through 17th trip to South America. During the Angelus, Pope Leo also marked the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, and he urged Catholics to remain faithful to Christ's call to proclaim the gospel. And in Utah, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the papal nuncio to the United States, was among the many faith leaders, scholars, and policymakers who gathered in Salt Lake City from October 15th through the 17th for the G twenty Interfaith Forum, which was the largest faith gathering ever held in Utah. The forum's theme was Resilient Hope, Shared Future, and Archbishop Caccia said that raises a question which is becoming more urgent for all of us. What kind of human future are we building together? In his October 15th address, the Archbishop said whether the progress we seek will truly serve the human person is at the heart of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. The forum sessions addressed four primary themes: economic growth for the common good, energy security for a sustainable future, AI and the human future, and interfaith engagement and the United Nations sustainable development. Also speaking on the forum's opening day were President Dallin Oakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Ali Sah, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League. Among the attendees on hand were Father John Evans, Vicar General of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, who represented Bishop Oscar Solas, and Father Christopher Gray, Rector of the Cathedral of the Madeline, host to the forum's closing ceremony. And finally, the canonization cause of Irish Jesuit War Chaplain Father Willie Doyle is taking a major step forward, with the diocesan phase formally concluding on October 18th before being sent to Rome. Patrick Kenney, president of the Father Willie Doyle Association, told OSV News it is a great joy for supporters worldwide, and he said Father Doyle remains an icon of peace and reconciliation at a time of growing global conflict. Kenny said interest in the servant of God continues to build with people around the world inspired by his holiness. According to postulator Father John Hogan, Father Doyle's cause is the first in Ireland to formally close at the diocesan level in more than 40 years. If canonized, Father Doyle would become the first Irish saint since St. Oliver Plunkett. Born in Dublin in 1873, Father Doyle joined the Jesuits at the age of 18, and he later volunteered as a British Army chaplain during World War I. Serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers, he earned the Military Cross for Bravery at the Battle of the Somme and was killed in 1917 while ministering to wounded soldiers under fire. Father Hogan said that Father Doyle's struggles with mental health have also touched the hearts of many. The case now moves to the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints for further review. Check out the show notes for a link to our website where you can find the stories in this episode. Stay close to us as we continue to bring you updates on Pope Leo's condition. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast, follow us on social media, and bookmark osvnews.com. Hello, as always, to all our listeners around the world.

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