International

Pope Francis addresses a letter to candidates for the priesthood, but also to pastoral workers and all Christians, to underscore the “value of reading novels and poems as part of one’s path to personal maturity,” because books open up new inner spaces and help to face life and understand others.

Ten Zimbabwean couples in the Diocese of Chinhoyi have celebrated their wedding anniversaries together. During the colourful celebration, young men and women were encouraged to learn from the example of their elders.

In his reflections at the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis reminds us that material things do not lead to fulness of life, but rather it is in taking the path of charity which keeps nothing for itself, but shares all.

During his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis calles for peace in the Holy Land, condemns violence, urges dialogue in Venezuela, prays for flood victims in India, and honours the newly beatified Lebanese Stefano Douayhy.

In his prepared remarks to community members of the Major Seminary of “Nuestra Señora de los Apóstoles, in Spain, Pope Francis invites them to take example from the total dedication to God and his parishioners of the famous Curé d’Ars, whose memorial day is celebrated on 4 August.

The Holy See's representative at a United Nations High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace reaffirms the common commitment in working for a culture of peace at all levels of society, efforts that are essential for present and future generations.

As the Church marks the Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Jenny Kraska offers her thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “Show Us a Sign."

The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued a definitive clarification regarding alleged supernatural events connected to the Sanctuary of the Holy Mountain in Puerto Rico. In the face of attempts to attribute to Elenita de Jesús the identity of Jesus or the Madonna, the judgment is "constat de non supernaturalitate."

On 6 August 1964, Pope Paul VI published his programmatic first encyclical, “Ecclesiam suam”, a “fraternal and informal” message that reflects on the Church’s relationship with Christ and her dialogue with the world.

Pope Francis sends a message to participants at the Medjugorje Youth Festival, inviting them to emulate Mary by embracing God's Word and faithfully fulfilling their mission.

Our Editorial Director reflects on the relevance of Pope St Paul VI’s first encyclical, “Ecclesiam suam,” on the sixtieth anniversary of its publication.

The Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization issues a clarifying note regarding the 2025 Jubilee, specifying that Holy Doors will only be open at the four Papal Basilicas in Rome and in one prison.

Replying to a message from Fr. James Martin, who carries out his mission among the LGBTQ community in the United States, Pope Francis says he is spiritually united with those participating in the meeting at Georgetown University from August 2 to 4.

As the Church in Timor-Leste prepares for Pope Francis’ visit the Vicar-General of the Archdiocese of Dili explains that the motto for the event emphasizes the close link between the deeply rooted Catholic faith of the East Timorese people and their culture and recent troubled history.

Since returning from a “Parish Priests for the Synod” meeting held in Rome this year, Fr Cletus Mwiila, parish priest of St Mary’s Choma Parish in Zambia’s Monze Diocese, has been bringing the synodal message to Zambia’s parish priests, seminarians, women religious, and local communities.

Pope Francis pays an afternoon visit to Luna Park in Ostia Lido (southwest of Rome) where he meets with carnival and circus workers who live there assisted by Sisters Geneviève Jeanningros and Anna Amelia who provide pastoral care to them.

Reflecting on the second anniversary of Pope Francis’ penitential journey to Canada in 2022, the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops says he hopes the concrete actions being taken by the Church can help make truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples a ‘lived reality.’

To mark World Anti-Trafficking Day, the Church in the Philippines appeals to the faithful to do everything possible to ensure no child is left behind amid this dangerous international scourge.

Father Mika Sueliman, a Nigerian priest who was recently released from captivity at the hands of bandits, talks about his recovery and return to priestly ministry in his parish in Damba.

As Nigeria prepares to welcome a new Apostolic Nuncio, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, explores the gifts and challenges facing the Church in Africa’s most populous nation.

In his prayer intention for August, Pope Francis prays that political leaders may be at the service of their people.

The role of Pontifical Representatives (Study Group 8) is one of the themes listed in the Instrumentum Laboris for the Synod of Bishops in October 2024. In an Interview, Archbishop Jose A. Bettencourt, the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, shares his views on the Church Diplomatic Mission in a missionary synodal perspective.

Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark, who has welcomed many African missionaries to his diocese, highlights the important role they continue to play in the UK Church, following a recent visit to Abuja, Nigeria.

Pope Francis encourages participants in the International Pilgrimage of Altar Servers to share Jesus’ Eucharistic love with those in need.

July 30 each year marks the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with this year's theme "Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking." Sister Abby Avelino, International Coordinator of Talitha Kum - the International network against Human Trafficking - says urgent action is needed to protect the most vulnerable groups.

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich speaks to Vatican News about the International Pilgrimage of Altar Servers, which is bringing 50,000 young people to Rome this week.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, over the weekend, commemorated World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, with thanksgiving Masses being said for grandparents and the elderly throughout the Archdiocese in appreciation of their enduring faith and contributions to the family and growth of the Church.

As African bishops celebrate SECAM Day marking the fifty-fifth anniversary of its foundation, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo notes that the Church in Africa has made great strides in evangelizing the continent, and emphasizes the synodal dimension of its mission in Africa and the world.

Since 2020, the fourth Sunday of July has been commemorated as the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, as declared by Pope Francis. This year, Pope Francis has chosen the theme, “Do not cast me off in my old age” (Psalm 71, 9).

The Holy Father calls for a round of applause for all grandparents and for showing closeness and appreciation to all elderly people as the Church commemorates today, 28 July, the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.