Catholic Church Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Pope Leo Says There Are No Holy Wars. What About the Crusades?

October 28th, 2026

Popes once promised spiritual rewards to crusaders. Religious leaders across the world have sent believers into battle. Now Pope Leo XIV says no war is holy. Who gets to declare that God demands bloodshed?

Political & Religious Controversy 13 Comments

The Dark History Behind Pope Leo's Diagnosis

October 16th, 2026

The Vatican once hid papal illnesses, fed rumors of murder, and faced claims of a "shadow pope." With Pope Leo recovering from cancer surgery, one question about papal power remains unresolved.

Christian 20 Comments

Gay Marriage is Much Older Than You Think

August 7th, 2026

A controversial book claimed the Church once blessed same-sex unions. The ceremony, the couples behind it, and the evidence for historical same-sex marriage beyond one book are stranger and older than most people expect.

LGBTQ & Human Rights 48 Comments

Holy Rollers: Movies That Made Organized Religion Really, Really Mad

May 29th, 2026

Jesus has always been big at the box office (by way of example, one need only look at the earnings of the #1 grossing Indie film of all time... Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ). However, Hollywood and organized ...

Christian 33 Comments

Beauty Mogul Gives Up $3B Fortune to Become a Priest

May 15th, 2026

e.l.f. Cosmetics co-founder Scott-Vincent Borba gave up a $3 billion fortune to become a Catholic priest. What does his story say about faith and calling?

Christian 45 Comments

5 Times a Pope Took On Powerful World Leaders

April 16th, 2026

Pope Leo XIV isn't the first pontiff to stare down a world leader. From a medieval emperor standing barefoot in the snow to Napoleon, here are five times the Vatican held its ground.

ULC Minister Training & Education 34 Comments

Is the Iran War Just? Pope Leo and the White House Disagree

April 16th, 2026

A pope calling for world peace is not typically front page news – until his message gets criticized by those at war. We unpack the conflict between pope and president and explore the tradition of just war theory.

Political & Religious Controversy 144 Comments

The Pope Just Met With Top Exorcists. Here's Why.

March 26th, 2026

Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting with an exorcist group this month. They came with a warning and a request: the Church is facing a growing crisis of occult activity, and it needs more trained exorcists to respond.

Christian 87 Comments

Can U.S. Soldiers Disobey Immoral Orders? Military Archbishop Says Yes

January 23rd, 2026

The military's top-ranking Catholic official just said that soldiers should disobey illegal orders. The comments come amid a growing rift between Catholic leadership and the Trump Administration over foreign policy.

Political & Religious Controversy 83 Comments

What Is All Saints' Day?

October 27th, 2025

You've heard of Halloween on October 31st, but do you know about All Saints' Day the very next day? In contrast to the macabre Halloween, this Catholic holiday is a celebration of the saints who died for their faith.

Pagan & Wiccan 31 Comments

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