July 26, 2021 by Catholic News published on 2021-07-26T14:43:30Z A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts. - The pope offered his blessing on Sunday to athletes competing in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Pope Francis prayed that the games be a sign of hope, universal brotherhood and healthy competition. Among the more than 11,600 athletes are several committed Catholics, including U-S gymnast Grace McCallum. Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has expressed concern about the lack of faith within Church institutions in Germany. Benedict shared his concerns in a written conversation that was published in a German magazine. Benedict wrote that many people in Church institutions in Germany do not share the inner mission of the Church. He warned that this will, in many cases, obscure the witness of the Church. The written conversation was published in honor of the 70th anniversary of Benedict’s ordination to the priesthood. The archbishop of Tokyo has been named the new secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. The archbishop made headlines last week for asking Olympic athletes to not visit churches to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The archdiocese of Tokyo had reportedly been preparing to care for the spiritual needs of Olympic athletes, but canceled those plans because of the coronavirus pandemic. Today, the Church remembers the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne. The couple's faith and perseverance brought them through the sorrow of childlessness, to the joy of conceiving and raising the immaculate and sinless woman who would give birth to Christ. Genre News & Politics