Dallas Priest Secures Blessing from Pope Leo XIV for New Church

BREAKING: In a heartfelt moment, Father Paolo Capra received a blessing from Pope Leo XIV for a new church project in Dallas, Texas. This pivotal event took place outside a cathedral in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday, marking a significant milestone for Capra’s parish, located over 6,000 miles away.

Capra held a brick inscribed with the words “First stone,” the name of his church, and the year 2026. He expressed his hope that the Pope would bless this brick, which symbolizes the foundation for a new church for his congregation at St. Augustine Church in Pleasant Grove. “This stone would like to be the first stone of the new church that we want to build,” he told CNN’s Vatican correspondent, Christopher Lamb.

The current facility is unable to accommodate the approximately 500 members of the congregation, many of whom are low-income immigrants from Mexico. Capra aims to construct a larger, more beautiful church that reflects the needs of his community. The first phase of this ambitious project has a fundraising goal of $17 million.

As the Pope arrived, cheers erupted from the crowd. Capra and his group eagerly reached out to him, sharing their excitement about their mission. Pope Leo XIV took note of the brick held by Capra and waved a cross over it in a blessing, prompting joyous shouts of “¡Viva el Papa!” from the gathered faithful.

This visit marks the Pope’s first foreign trip since his election, adding to the significance of the occasion for Capra and his parish. The proposed church features a bright white sanctuary with a green roof and a striking tower crowned with a cross, as depicted in renderings on the church’s website.

WHAT’S NEXT: The next steps involve mobilizing community support and fundraising efforts to reach the $17 million goal. Capra’s hope is to turn this vision into reality by bringing a sanctuary that will serve the growing needs of the parish.

As the news spreads, the emotional weight of this blessing resonates with many, uniting the Dallas community in faith and hope. This development not only represents a new chapter for St. Augustine Church but also highlights the enduring connection between local parishes and the global Catholic community.

Stay tuned for more updates on this inspiring story as it continues to unfold.