The Blog
Explore the latest from the Deacon’s Bench.
Pope Leo’s surgeon: ‘He was an ideal patient’
A great insight into the man who is now the most famous cancer patient in the world, from Vatican News:
How do we repay God?: Homily for October 18, 2026, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” I can tell you: every time
BREAKING: Pope Leo is heading home — UPDATED
UPDATE from The New York Times: Pope Leo XIV was discharged from a Rome hospital on Saturday, four days after
Become a Partner
Like what you see? Help keep the lights on and support The Deacon’s Bench. Become a patron at my Patreon page and get exclusive early access to homilies, book excerpts, essays, articles and more.
Choir
$3 or more PER MONTH
Thank you for helping keep the lights on! You will receive daily Catholic news headlines, “The Church Bulletin,” delivered to your inbox every morning (M-F), pulling together interesting Catholic links, news and commentary from around the world.

Sodality
$10 PER MONTH
Previous tier benefits plus:a signed copy of A Deacon Prays (Ave Maria Press). Makes a great ordination gift! Just leave me your address when you sign up.
The Patron’s Bench
$20 PER MONTH
All previous tier benefits plus: A signed copy of The Busy Person’s Guide to Prayer (Word Among Us Press).Just leave details and your mailing address when you subscribe.
Like the Bench? Browse the Books!

Befriending St. Joseph: Finding Faith, Hope and Courage in the Seven Sorrows Devotion

A Deacon Prays

The Busy Person’s Guide to Prayer

The Busy Person’s Guide To An Extraordinary Life

A Stranger and You Welcomed Me

The Handy Little Guide to Fasting
From the Archives
Other articles you may find interesting
First images of Pope Leo after surgery
From Vatican News: At 12:00 today, October 16, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Holy Mass
Keeping Catholics Catholic: Why do people leave?
There are a lot of charts, graphs and numbers here, but the information deserves attention.
Poll: Most Americans oppose live-streaming execution — UPDATED
UPDATE from The New York Times: President Trump on Thursday canceled the Pentagon’s planned livestream
BREAKING: Pope Leo has lung cancer
From CBS News/AP: Pope Leo XIV's surgery confirmed that he has lung cancer and he
Military archbishop: Catholics assigned to firing squad must request to be excused
“As I would in the case of a procured abortion, I oblige any Catholics assigned
Praying for the Pope
Prayers are pouring in from around the world for Pope Leo, as he faces lung
The Cancer Chronicles: Undetectable
So, on Wednesday I visited Quest Diagnostics to have blood drawn for my first PSA
The college gets a new dean: Cardinal Tagle
From Vatican News: After leading one of the world's oldest bodies—the College of Cardinals—for nearly
Horror: Pentagon plans to livestream public execution by firing squad
From The New York Times: Pentagon officials said on Thursday that the Army officer convicted
Contact Deacon Greg
REACH OUT FOR SPEAKING REQUESTS OR QUESTIONS!










