Erika Kirk canceled her planned appearance at a Turning Point USA event in Georgia, citing “very serious threats.” Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet told Vice President JD Vance that he was on stage instead of Kirk because she had received some “very serious threats” in her direction. “It’s a terrible reflection on the state of reality and the state of the country,” Kolvet said. Check it out: Erika Kirk is skipping an event with Vice President JD Vance due to "some very serious threats in her direction," TPUSA says. pic.twitter.com/TlSxfd06Lk — Fox News (@FoxNews) April 14, 2026 Fox News shared further: Vice President JD Vance said he had been concerned the event might be canceled and spoke with the Secret Service, adding he told Kirk to “do what she needs to do for her and her family.” Officials have not released additional details about the threats. Fox News Digital has reached out to Turning Point USA for further information. Trump administration officials have shown support for Erika Kirk following the assassination of her husband Charlie Kirk during a debate event at Utah Valley University in September. After his death, Charlie Kirk’s casket was flown from Utah to his home state of Arizona aboard Air Force Two, with Vice President JD Vance accompanying the transfer. Second lady Usha Vance was later seen holding Erika Kirk’s hand as they departed the aircraft. “I was so looking forward to tonight’s event at the @universityofga with our Vice President @JDVance, but after all our family has been through, I take my security team’s recommendations extremely seriously. Thank you to our amazing Georgia chapter for your support. God bless you all!” Kirk said. I was so looking forward to tonight’s event at the @universityofga with our Vice President @JDVance, but after all our family has been through, I take my security team’s recommendations extremely seriously. Thank you to our amazing Georgia chapter for your support. God bless you… https://t.co/f2rBre9ArJ — Erika Kirk (@MrsErikaKirk) April 14, 2026 More from the New York Post: The vice president lamented the “two separate living h***s” Kirk has been subjected to since her husband’s assassination last September, namely the shocking, public murder of her children’s father and the intense online criticism of her that followed. “Everybody is attacking her over everything, and they’re lying about her, and it’s one of the most disgraceful things that I’ve ever seen in public life,” Vance fumed. “The people telling you that Erika wasn’t grieving her husband are full of s–t,” he raged. Vance called the unhinged conspiracy theories that Erika Kirk is somehow complicit in her husband’s murder “so preposterous and so disgusting.” “The response to Charlie Kirk getting assassinated by a left-wing furry lover,” Vance argued, “should have been, let’s go after left wing violence and terrorism.” He added, “If you’re going after Erika Kirk and not the people who are trying to destroy the United States of America, you’re part of the problem, not part of the solution.”

A redistricting effort in Maryland led by Gov. Wes Moore has failed to garner enough support. According to CBS News, internal party disagreements between Maryland Democrats doomed the redistricting attempt. The state legislative session ended Monday night, which effectively killed the effort. Governor Wes Moore falls short in push to redraw Maryland’s congressional map to boost Democrats https://t.co/0Tb3IjZU0N — The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) April 14, 2026 CBS News explained further: In the end, the Maryland Senate left the bill in a committee, with Democrats who control the chamber concerned that it could backfire under judicial review. The unusual mid-decade redistricting, which started when President Trump encouraged Republican-controlled Texas to redraw their map last year, is expected to continue next week. Republicans want to change congressional boundaries during a special legislative session in Florida, while Democrats are asking voters to approve a redistricting referendum in Virginia. But Democrats will not be poised to pick up a seat in Maryland, where the proposed map would have made it easier for voters to oust the state’s lone Republican member of the U.S. House. “Ron DeSantis is considering delaying the state’s April 20 special session for redistricting. DeSantis is expected to redraw the Florida congressional map to add between two and five new red seats, a huge plus for Republicans in the national redistricting battle,” Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman wrote. “Now, DeSantis is mulling whether to push the special session back until after the results of the April 21 redistricting referendum in Virginia,” he added. BIG REDISTRICTING NEWS in Midday edition RON DESANTIS is considering delaying the state's April 20 special session for redistricting. DeSantis is expected to redraw the Florida congressional map to add between two and five new red seats, a huge plus for Republicans in the… — Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) April 14, 2026 More from the Associated Press: Moore, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, said he disagreed with another powerful Maryland Democrat, state Senate President Bill Ferguson, about “what is required to be able to make sure we’re fighting back” against Trump. “This is not a political game to me,” Moore said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I don’t look at this as some kind of political talking point. I look at the fact that I think Donald Trump is actively trying to manipulate and change the rules around the November election and beyond because he knows he cannot win on his policies.” Ferguson has said redistricting could actually cost Democrats seats in Maryland because, in the inevitable legal battle that would ensue, a court could order a new map that would be even less favorable to the party. He refused to budge despite pressure from Moore and U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. While speaking at National Action Network in New York on Thursday with the Rev. Al Sharpton, Moore complained that Trump was urging some states to redraw maps to favor Republicans, while telling other states to “sit on your hands.” “Don’t play with me,” Moore said. “And if the rest of the country is going to have this conversation about mid-decade redistricting, then so should Maryland, and so should every other state. Because until it is done nationally, we have to make sure that this election is not stolen right before our face so this pain is made permanent.” But while Moore named a panel in November that proposed the new map for Maryland, the governor could not prevail on the heavily Democratic Maryland Senate to approve it.

President Trump on Tuesday endorsed video game composer Marty O’Donnell in the election to represent Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District. The district in the battleground state is among the most competitive in the country. With the razor-thin GOP majority, every House seat is imperative for Republicans to perform well. “Marty is running against Susie Lee, a true Radical Left Extremist who does not represent the Values of Southern Nevada. Susie Lee wants Open Borders, Men playing in Women’s Sports, Transgender for Everyone, Defund the Police, and wants to take away your Second Amendment, meaning, your guns. Sadly, she voted against the Biggest Tax Cut in History (including NO TAX ON TIPS!), and fought ferociously to knock out Rural Healthcare, a big factor in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “In contrast, Marty O’Donnell is a World-Class Composer and Entrepreneur who knows the America First Policies required to Create GREAT Jobs, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote NO TAX ON TIPS, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., and Champion our Nation’s Golden Age. As your next Congressman, Marty will fight tirelessly to Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Brave Military/Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” he continued. Trump backs 'Halo' composer Marty O'Donnell in Nevada House race https://t.co/kjTFHzoB7y — John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) April 14, 2026 Just the News noted: O’Donnell previously sought the party nomination in 2024, but did not move on to the general election. He is best known as the co-composer for the soundtracks to Bungie’s Halo video game series, as well as other popular titles released by the developer such as Destiny. Lee made headlines recently for a profanity-laced social media post about Trump, which she deleted. The Democratic congresswoman made the post in response to Trump attending oral arguments at the Supreme Court. “I’ll Pray They F*** Him To His Face” – House Democrat Quickly Deletes Profanity-Laced Post About President Trump “So f***ing f***ed up. I’ll pray they f*** him to his face,” Lee said. “Sorry, I say f*** a lot these days,” she added. “In a now deleted post, Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) said of President Trump going to SCOTUS this morning,” Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin said. In a now deleted post, Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) said of President Trump going to SCOTUS this morning: "So fucking fucked up. I'll pray they fuck him to his face." pic.twitter.com/tSW5jJnnlC — Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) April 1, 2026 More from The Nevada Independent: O'Donnell, who has previously come under fire from other Republicans for his past criticism of Trump, placed fourth in the GOP primary for the same seat in 2024. This time around, he said he would drop out if Trump didn't endorse him. "I am beyond grateful that President Trump has picked me for his team and given me his endorsement today," O'Donnell wrote in a Tuesday statement, adding that he was asking "all Republicans to unite around the President and me to help us save our majority." O'Donnell will attend Trump's event in Las Vegas this week, but not as a participant in the formal programming. The video game composer still must win the primary for the chance to take on four-term Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) in the state's most competitive battleground, which stretches across southwestern Las Vegas and to the southern tip of the state.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will designate a 124-mile stretch of roadway as “President Donald J. Trump Highway.” The roadway named after Trump includes the “entirety of State Road 80, spanning from Palm Beach County through Hendry County to Lee County,” Florida’s Voice noted. The bill also renames Tallahassee’s airport after legendary Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden. JUST IN: Gov. Ron DeSantis signs law to create "President DONALD J. TRUMP HIGHWAY" across southern Florida Nearly 125 miles of road from near Mar-a-Lago to the west coast of Florida will officially be named after Trump! Cue the meltdowns, Florida is TRUMP COUNTRY pic.twitter.com/cTDTIs1Jbp — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 14, 2026 Florida’s Voice has more: Bowden led Florida State to 14 consecutive top-five finishes from 1987 to 2000 and delivered the program’s first national championship. The bill signing coincided with a separate infrastructure announcement, as DeSantis said the Capital Circle project in Tallahassee will open in May, about a year ahead of schedule. The project expands the roadway from one lane in each direction to three, forming a six-lane loop designed to reduce congestion, improve access to the airport and serve as a key evacuation route. “The Capital Circle project was designed particularly to provide quick access to the Tallahassee airport, as well as alleviating congestion,” DeSantis said. “He was able to build a program that, for many, many years, was second to none,” DeSantis said regarding the beloved football coach. Not all Florida residents were pleased about the new President Donald J. Trump Highway. “I think it’s the most absolute ridiculous thing I have ever heard,” one Palm Beach County resident said, according to WPBF. More below: MAJOR TALLAHASSEE UPGRADES: @GovRonDeSantis announced the Capital Circle project will open in May, one year ahead of schedule. "The Capital Circle project was designed particularly to provide quick access to the Tallahassee airport, as well as alleviating congestion." pic.twitter.com/KB4j0s0xFt — Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) April 14, 2026 WPBF noted: The road passes through Tice, LaBelle, Clewiston, South Bay, Belle Glade, Wellington and out to Palm Beach. “If I were speaking to him right now, I would say, ‘Let’s do it.’ It’s kind of a hopeful thing, I’d say, for someone who’s been born and raised here,” Foote said. “I think it’s ridiculous. He doesn’t deserve it. He has not done what he said he was going to do, and why name it after him?” Marquez said. The new President Donald J. Trump Highway follows DeSantis signing legislation to rename Palm Beach International Airport after President Trump. IT’S OFFICIAL: Palm Beach International Airport to Be Re-Named After President Trump

If you wanted any more proof that Pope Leo is a bad apple, look no further. Picking up right where Francis left off, Pope Leo is pandering to the Muslims in disgusting fashion: Pope Leo: "We should perhaps be a little less fearful of Islam." https://t.co/OuhrkLm4Sr pic.twitter.com/8pEMCGZfqU — Sign of the Cross (@CatholicSOTC) April 14, 2026 Then we also got this today: The Pope visited Algeria mosque today. Taking his shoes off to wander around. Algeria was a Christian nation until Islam conquered through force, just like Europe now. Christians have no rights now there. Pope Leo hasn't even bothered visiting suffering Nigerian Christians. pic.twitter.com/MHT46dDTAy — Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) April 13, 2026 Absolutely disgusting! These animals would set him on fire and burn him in a cage if they thought they could get away with it! Here’s more, from LifeSiteNews: Pope Leo XIV visited the third largest mosque in the world in Algiers, Algeria, and paused in silent prayer with the imam. During his last journey in Istanbul, he did not pray in the Blue Mosque. On April 13, Pope Leo began his apostolic journey in Africa, with the first stop in Algeria – the first papal visit in the country’s history. During his stopover at the Mosque of Algiers, the Pope took off his shoes as required by protocol and paused in silent prayer together with Imam Mohamed Mamoun al Qasimi, showing a change of attitude compared to what he had done at the Blue Mosque in Istanbul during a prior apostolic voyage. Pope Leo’s recent journey began with a visit to the Islamic place of worship, which ranks as the third largest mosque in the world, after those of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. According to Vatican News, the Pope – after removing his shoes to enter, as required by protocol – remained inside for just under ten minutes, several of which were spent in “silent reflection” beside the imam and before the mihrab, the niche carved into the wall that indicates the direction of Mecca. It is toward this direction that Muslims orient themselves during prayer. According to Islamic tradition, the mihrab symbolizes the presence of God and the centrality of prayer. Accompanying the Pope were two cardinals: George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers. RELATED REPORT: Pope Leo: “God does not bless any conflict” Pope Francis was bad, there no doubt about that. I covered him extensively for over a decade and documented all of his heretical teachings in great detail. When we got Pope Leo from the Southside of Chicago, I had high hopes we would get someone better.  Someone much better. Early on, there were glimpses that this guy might be much more based that Francis, which really wouldn’t be all that hard to do.  Very low bar. But pretty quickly things started to go off the rails…. For example, the time he blessed a giant block of ice in the name of “climate change”: Pope Leo Makes A RIDICULOUS “Blessing” No joke, that is real! Or how about this take on what it means to be “Pro Life”? Pope Leo Makes Absurd Claim About Being “Pro Life” Another bad take Leo! But today he really came out swinging, telling the world that “God does not bless any conflict”. See here: God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of #Peace, which comes only from the patient… — Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) April 10, 2026 He followed that up with this: Absurd and inhuman violence is spreading ferociously through the sacred places of the Christian East, profaned by the blasphemy of war and the brutality of business, with no regard for people’s lives, which are considered at most collateral damage of self-interest. But no gain… — Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) April 10, 2026 While it certainly seems clear that God does not support violence and he loves mercy and peace (God blesses the peacemakers), it’s quite another thing to say God does not bless any conflict. Serious question: has this guy never actually read the Bible? God is in the center of conflict almost from cover to cover of the Bible! This is by no means an exhaustive list, but I pulled this together as just a starting point of each time God has not only blessed conflict, but directly commanded it: Here is a comprehensive list of instances in the Bible where God explicitly blesses, endorses, intervenes in, or fights in conflicts (primarily physical wars or battles, but also including judgments and spiritual/eschatological conflicts). This draws from exhaustive compilations of biblical battles, cross-referenced with Scripture. The Bible records dozens of such events, mostly in the Old Testament (OT), where God is portrayed as a divine warrior (e.g., Exodus 15:3: “The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name”; Isaiah 42:13). God’s involvement includes: Direct commands to wage war (often as “holy war” or herem against specific wicked peoples like Canaanites or Amalekites, per Deuteronomy 7:1-2, 20:16-18). Promises of victory or blessings for obedience. Miracles, strategic guidance, or supernatural aid (e.g., hailstones, confusion among enemies, angels). Raising leaders (judges, kings) via His Spirit. Punishment of His people through defeat when they disobey. The New Testament (NT) shifts emphasis to spiritual warfare, with eschatological (end-times) conflicts in Revelation. Not every skirmish is listed (the Bible has hundreds of military references), but this covers all major explicit cases from historical, theological, and compiled sources, organized chronologically/by period for clarity. I’ve noted God’s specific role, key verses, and whether it’s a blessing/endorsement, direct fight, or both. 1. Patriarchal Period (Genesis) Abraham’s rescue of Lot (Gen 14:1-20): Abraham defeats kings from Shinar/Babylon and allies. God blesses the victory; Melchizedek attributes it to “God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth” (v. 19-20). Abraham tithes in response. Jacob’s family vs. Shechem (Gen 34): Simeon and Levi attack after Dinah’s violation. God is not explicitly involved or endorsing (context implies human action, with later rebuke in Gen 49:5-7). 2. Exodus and Wilderness Period Egyptian pursuit at the Red Sea (Ex 14:1-31): Pharaoh’s army vs. Israel. God fights directly: parts the sea for escape, drowns the Egyptians. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (v. 14). Moses’ song: “The Lord is a warrior” (Ex 15:3). Battle with Amalekites at Rephidim (Ex 17:8-15): God blesses Israel’s victory as Moses’ raised arms (with Aaron/Hur) lead to triumph. Altar named “The Lord is my Banner.” Disobedience at Kadesh Barnea (Num 14:39-45; Deut 1:41-46): Israel attacks Amalekites/Amorites without God’s command. God explicitly forbids it; Israel loses. (Negative endorsement example.) Hormah vs. Canaanites (Num 21:1-3): Israel vows destruction; “The Lord listened to Israel’s request” and grants victory. Vs. Sihon king of Amorites and Og of Bashan (Num 21:21-35; Deut 2:24-3:11): God commands attack and says, “Do not fear him, for I have handed him over” (Num 21:34). Complete victory. Vs. Midianites (Num 31:1-12): God commands Moses: “Execute vengeance for the Israelites against the Midianites.” Victory and plunder divided. 3. Conquest of Canaan (Joshua) God endorses the entire campaign as judgment on Canaanite wickedness (Deut 9:5; Josh 11:20) and fights for Israel. Jericho (Josh 6): God commands march, trumpets, and shout; walls collapse miraculously. “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands” (v. 2). Ai (Josh 7-8): Initial loss due to Achan’s sin (God reveals and punishes). After obedience, God gives strategy and victory. Southern campaign vs. Amorite coalition (Josh 10): God promises victory, throws enemies into confusion, sends hailstones (more die from stones than sword), and stops the sun/moon until battle ends. “The Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel” (v. 42). Northern campaign and remaining conquests (Josh 11:1-23; 10:28-43): God hardens enemies’ hearts for total destruction per command to Moses; “The Lord handed them over to Israel” (11:8). Summary: God fought for them across all cities/kings. 4. Period of the Judges God raises deliverers and intervenes in cycles of oppression → repentance → victory (Judges pattern). Vs. Canaanites/Perizzites (Judg 1:1-5): “The Lord handed [them] over” to Judah. Partial conquests (Judg 1:8-2:3): God aids some (e.g., Judah in hill country) but withholds full drive-out due to disobedience (chariots, idolatry). Othniel vs. Aram (Judg 3:8-10): God raises Othniel; “The Spirit of the Lord came on him,” granting victory. Ehud vs. Moab/Ammon/Amalek (Judg 3:12-30): God raises Ehud; “The Lord has handed over your enemies” (v. 28). Shamgar vs. Philistines (Judg 3:31): Implied divine strength (one-line note in cycle). Deborah/Barak vs. Canaanites (Sisera/Jabin; Judg 4): God commands; throws Sisera’s army into confusion. “God subdued Jabin” (v. 23). Gideon vs. Midianites (Judg 6-8): God reduces army to 300 to show “My own hand has saved me” is false; sends panic so Midianites kill each other. Direct strategy and victory. Abimelech’s internal conflict vs. Shechem (Judg 9:22-57): God sends evil spirit to fulfill justice; Abimelech killed. Jephthah vs. Ammonites/Philistines (Judg 10-12): God hands over enemies (echoing earlier conquests). Samson vs. Philistines (Judg 13-16): Spirit empowers Samson repeatedly (e.g., 14:6, 15:14); final victory in death. Civil war: Israel vs. Benjamin (Judg 20-21): God directs battle order and grants victory after inquiry (punishment for Gibeah’s crime); also vs. Jabesh-Gilead. 5. United Monarchy (Samuel, Kings, Chronicles) Philistines capture Ark/early defeats (1 Sam 4): Loss due to misuse of Ark; God not endorsing. Samuel vs. Philistines (1 Sam 7): Repentance; “The Lord thundered… threw them into confusion.” Saul vs. Ammonites (1 Sam 11): Spirit of God empowers Saul for victory. Vs. Philistines at Michmash (1 Sam 13-14): Jonathan’s faith; God sends earthquake and terror, saving Israel. Saul vs. Amalekites (1 Sam 15): God commands total destruction; Saul’s partial obedience leads to rejection. David vs. Goliath/Philistines (1 Sam 17): David declares victory “in the name of the Lord of Hosts”; God delivers. David’s various campaigns (1 Sam 23-30; 2 Sam 5, 8, 10; 1 Chr 11-12, 18): God directs (e.g., “Go up” vs. Philistines, 2 Sam 5:19-25); blesses conquests establishing kingdom. Internal: David vs. Ishbosheth, Absalom, Sheba (2 Sam 2-4, 18, 20): God supports David as anointed. David vs. Gibeonite avengers (2 Sam 21): Divine resolution. 6. Divided Kingdom and Later Kings (Kings/Chronicles) God blesses obedient kings; judges disobedience via defeat. Abijah (Judah) vs. Jeroboam (Israel; 2 Chr 13): God aids Judah. Asa vs. Cushites (million-man army; 2 Chr 14): Victory through prayer. Jehoshaphat vs. Moab/Ammon/Edom (2 Chr 20): God commands “stand still”; sends confusion so enemies destroy each other. Praise precedes battle. Ahab vs. Syria (1 Kgs 20, 22): Mixed (some victories per prophets, but judgment for idolatry). Jehoram/Jehoshaphat vs. Moab (2 Kgs 3): God provides water and victory. Elisha/Syrian siege (2 Kgs 6-7): God blinds/blinds enemies, provides deliverance. Uzziah vs. Philistines (2 Chr 26): God helps until pride. Hezekiah vs. Assyrians (2 Kgs 18-19; 2 Chr 32; Isa 36-37): God sends angel killing 185,000 Assyrians overnight. Josiah vs. Pharaoh Necho (2 Chr 35): Warning ignored; death. Later defeats (e.g., Babylonian captivity; 2 Kgs 25): God uses enemies as judgment (endorsed against His people for sin). 7. Prophetic/Other OT References God endorses future or symbolic conflicts (e.g., prophecies in Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel on nations as instruments). Psalms celebrate God as warrior (e.g., Ps 18:39; 44:5; 144:1 – “trains my hands for war”). General laws blessing just/ commanded war (Deut 20). 8. New Testament and Eschatological NT emphasizes spiritual over physical conflict (Jesus: “My kingdom is not of this world,” John 18:36; Eph 6:10-18 armor of God). Destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70; Luke 19:41-44, 21:5-24; Matt 24; Mark 13): Jesus prophesies judgment (God-endorsed via Roman armies). Spiritual warfare (ongoing): Believers fight “not against flesh and blood” (Eph 6:12; 2 Cor 10:3-5). War in heaven (Rev 12:7-17): Michael vs. Satan/dragon; God’s side victorious. Armageddon (Rev 16:12-16; 19:11-21): Christ (Faithful and True) rides to war, defeats Beast/kings. God/Jesus fights final battle. Final victory (Rev 20:1-15): God defeats Satan, death, and evil forever. Additional notes: God often conditions blessing on obedience/faith (e.g., “if you follow me” promises in Deuteronomy/Joshua). Losses occur when Israel disobeys or acts without Him. Non-battle divine “conflicts” (e.g., Flood, Sodom/Gomorrah, Egyptian plagues) show God judging wickedness but are not interpersonal wars. Total explicit battles with God’s involvement exceed 40-50 major ones, plus patterns in every book of history. “God is frequently called a “warrior” or “man of war” (Exodus 15:3; Psalm 24:8; Isaiah 42:13) and promises to fight for the obedient (e.g., 2 Chronicles 32:7-8; Zechariah 14:3). Many victories are attributed explicitly to divine action so Israel cannot boast (e.g., Gideon). Losses often occur due to disobedience/sin (e.g., initial Ai, 1 Samuel 4 Ark capture), showing conditional blessing.” So with all due respect to the Pope, I had to post this reply to him on Twitter/X: Bro has clearly never read the Old Testament or Revelation. — Noah Christopher (@DailyNoahNews) April 10, 2026 I’ll end with someone I consider a much greater authority on Biblical matters that Pope Leo….Dr. Michael S. Heiser. Here is a great teaching from Dr. Heiser on self-defense and just the use of force in general vis-a-vie what the Bible teaches: RELATED REPORT: “God’s Influencer” — Catholic Church Declares It’s First Millennial Saint The Catholic Church is once again doing what the Catholic Church does best…focusing on anything possible except Jesus Christ, namely Mary and the Saints. In this particular case, it’s the Saints. And they just minted a new one! Meet Carlo Acutis, who became known as “God’s Influencer” for all the great work he did online spreading the message of the Catholic Church. Good on him!  Seems like a great kid.  While I disagree with some of the behavior of the Catholic Church, this seems like a genuinely great kid, and sadly he died of cancer at age 15. He has now been declared a Saint by Leo from the South Side: Carlo Acutis, 'God's influencer' who died at age 15, has been declared a saint by Pope Leo He built websites to spread Catholic teaching and is credited with two miracles pic.twitter.com/ecvQ3ZXxBk — Dexerto (@Dexerto) September 8, 2025 I don’t know a ton about Catholicism, but I believe you have to perform two miracles to become a Saint. So what were his? Once again, I don’t want to diminish the fact that this seems like a great kid, but this feels a little hocus pocus to me: The kid in question is Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager (born in London) who died of leukemia in 2006 and was recently canonized as the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint on September 7, 2025. Two miracles have been officially attributed to his intercession, paving the way for his sainthood: Healing of a Brazilian boy (2012):A young boy named Mattheus Vianna, who suffered from a rare pancreatic disorder that caused severe vomiting and prevented him from keeping food down (leaving him underweight and at risk of death), visited Acutis’s tomb in Assisi, Italy. After touching a relic and praying, the boy was instantly cured, able to eat normally without further issues. Medical tests in 2014 confirmed the complete healing, which the Vatican recognized as a miracle in 2020, leading to Acutis’s beatification. Healing of a Costa Rican student (2022):Valeria Valverde, a 21-year-old university student from Costa Rica, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury from a bicycle accident in Florence, Italy, leaving her in a coma with little chance of survival. Her mother traveled to Acutis’s tomb in Assisi to pray for her recovery. Shortly after, Valeria began breathing on her own, regained consciousness, and made a full recovery despite initial dire medical predictions. The Vatican approved this as the second miracle in 2024, enabling Acutis’s canonization. My real beef? Who is getting the glory amidst all of this? Have you seen Jesus Chris mentioned even once? Or is there a lot of glory going to a 15-year-old kid and his “magical” tomb? Hmmm…. Then there’s this — apparently, during the ceremony they claimed that Saint Carlo was now up in the skies amidst the constellations: Hmmm, ok. Again, I keep missing any reference to Jesus Christ, but maybe that’s just me. Magical tomb?  Check. Worshipping the stars?  Check. Making human beings Saints?  Check. Jesus Christ?  Missing. Then there is this: Oh my goodness, so he’s just “on display” now for all of eternity? Again, so people can go visit him and marvel at him? Does the glory go to him or to Jesus? And what kind of witchcraft does it take to preserve a body like this and keep it perfect for years to come with no decay?  Pretty creepy if you ask me. Here is more from CNN: An Italian teenager who liked playing video games and making funny films of his pets became the Catholic Church’s first “millennial” saint on Sunday. Carlo Acutis, who was just 15 when he died from leukaemia in 2006, used his computing skills to spread awareness of the Catholic faith, setting up a website documenting reports of miracles. Nicknamed “God’s influencer,” he is seen as a pioneer of the church’s evangelizing efforts in the digital world. Frequently depicted wearing jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers, Acutis looks very different from the saints of old and he has gained a global following among young people as a relatable saint. His canonization took place alongside that of another young man, Pier Giorgio Frassatti, who died in 1925 at age 24. The saint-making ceremony was the first presided over by Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, with thousands of young people in St. Peter’s Square. Large crowds gathered Sunday at the Vatican city, waving signs and flags bearing Acutis’ photograph. Jubilant observers applauded following the teenager’s canonization by Pope Leo. The canonization of the youthful saints comes at a time when the Catholic Church, led by an all-male hierarchy where senior figures are usually over 60, is exploring new ways to engage younger generations. A crisis involving clerical sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults has had a catastrophic impact on the church’s credibility. But while the long-term trend in the West suggests young people are increasingly disengaged with mainstream religion, recent surveys and anecdotal evidence point to a rise in interest in Catholicism among Gen Z in the United States and Europe. Acutis’ mother, Antonia Salzano, says she believes her son’s life and faith resonate with a generation of young people, particularly those navigating the complexities of a digital world. “Carlo is a message of hope, because Carlo says, ‘Yes, you have to use (the internet) for good.’ This why Pope Francis called Carlo God’s influencer,” she told CNN in Assisi earlier this year. Her son, she said, knew the “dark side” of the internet and was conscious of the addictiveness of video games, choosing only to play on his PlayStation for an hour a week. Thoughts?