International

During the Angelus on the Solemnity of the Assumption, Pope Francis entrusts the worry and sorrow of people suffering due to conflict and war to Mary Queen of Peace. He recalls the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and remembers all the peoples of the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar.

Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Papal Almoner, announces the arrival of several truckloads of food, clothing, hygiene products, and medicines, which Pope Francis had sent to Ukraine's Kharkiv region.

In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican Media, Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, discusses popular devotion, his personal faith journey under Communism, as well as model witnesses of faith, ahead of the upcoming Feasts of the Assumption and St. Stephen of Hungary.

Ten years on from Pope Francis’ visit to South Korea for the 6th edition of the Asian Youth Day, Fr. Diego Cazzolato, a Consolata Missionary, said the Church is seeking to unite immigrants from the Philippines and Nigeria through acts of closeness, while fostering interreligious dialogue in hopes of guiding new generations into a safer world.

As the Inter-regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) prepares to celebrate its golden jubilee in 2025, the director and several members highlight efforts towards improving the efficiency of the Church's ministry in Southern Africa through IMBISA’s vision and shared mission.

The 109th World Esperanto Congress in Tanzania attracted 850 participants from 66 countries, focusing on scientific and cultural events, translations, and environmental issues. The International Union of Catholic Esperantists addressed environmental concerns, and included ecumenical services and a Holy Mass.

Over the weekend, Bishop Charles J Kasonde of Solwezi Diocese in Zambia ordained nine men for the priesthood. The increase in vocations to the priesthood in a diocese that once lagged behind others in Zambian has been celebrated as unprecedented and a gift of the Lord. The Solwezi prelate urged the newly ordained to promote peace and justice in parishes.

Pope Francis addresses members of four religious congregations as they hold their General Chapters in Rome and urges them to focus on discernment, ongoing formation, and fostering a spirit of charity.

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin presides at Mass for the feast of Saint Clare in Assisi, in Italy's Umbria region, and reiterates his plea for peace in the world.

After an audience with Pope Francis, Elena Beccalli, Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, says the Italian university seeks to provide "a place of encounter and dialogue between different cultures," while carrying out projects in developing nations.

The Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union and Bishop emeritus of Down and Connor, Ireland, Archbishop Noël Treanor, has died of a heart attack in Brussels at the age of 73.

The Holy Family Katulikire Parish in Hoima Diocese, in Uganda, offers a haven for refugees from Congo, Kenya, and South Sudan, alongside internally displaced Ugandans. To better understand how to steer parish life, Sr. Lucy Akello has carried out a survey of the community, providing a clear picture of its strengths and challenges, and a valuable model for other parishes to replicate.

The Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton OFM, writes to the friars of the Custody inviting them to dedicate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 15 August to prayer for peace in the Middle East and throughout the world.

At the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis urges Christians to embrace true faith and prayer that open our hearts and are never based on our prejudices.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem laments the war in the Middle East that continues to cause immense suffering, and asks everyone to pray earnestly for reconciliation and peace, ahead of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.

As Papua New Guinea prepares to welcome Pope Francis in September, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are spreading the Gospel by offering education and health services to remote communities.

In an interview with the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus, Pope Francis says China is a “great people” that “must not waste its heritage”, and repeats his desire to make an apostolic journey to the country.

The President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, reaffirms the Church’s opposition to euthanasia and assisted suicide, in response to media reports about the "Small Lexicon on the End-of-Life.”

Dr. Peter Monthienvichienchai, Secretary General of SIGNIS, delivers the keynote address at the Philippines’ communications convention, highlighting the need to assess if and how artificial intelligence can foster authentic human encounters.

“Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace” is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for next year’s “World Day of Peace.”

Pope Francis sends a message to the 142nd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus, and invites everyone to pray for peace and work to build a “civilization of love.”

In a world rife with misinformation and “fake news”, a Catholic bishop has emphasized that the Church’s true influence lies in sharing the truth of God’s mercy, compassion and kindness.

Addressing a delegation of the Afghan Community Associationin Italy, Pope Francis reiterates that religion must never be used to incite hatred and violence, but instead to promote fraternity among peoples.

Pope Francis resumes his General Audiences after the summer break, reflecting on the work of the Holy Spirit in the Redemption won by Christ.

Trucks loaded with clothing, medicine, and food—especially tuna—begin departing for Ukraine from the Ukrainian Basilica of Holy Wisdom in Rome, with shipment and distribution overseen by Cardinal Krajewski, the Papal Almoner.

At the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis appeals for a ceasefire in the Middle East, prays for peace in Ukraine, Myanmar, and Sudan, and calls for greater efforts and prayers to end ethnic discrimination in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, who serve the Church in Timor-Leste, eagerly await Pope Francis and are carrying out catechism lessons and outreach in rural parishes ahead of his Apostolic Journey in September.

Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect for the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication, has called for the Church to take a leading role in shaping the ethical framework for artificial intelligence (AI), as he spoke at the Philippines' 7th National Catholic Social Communications Convention.

The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith sends a letter ahead of the feast of Our Lady of Health in Vailankanni, India, expressing the Pope’s appreciation for the shrine and noting the spiritual fruits enjoyed by pilgrims, including non-Christians.

In his welcome address to members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) gathered in Mariannhill Diocese for the 5 August to 9 Plenary Session, Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka also welcomed the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa.