Catholic

Pope urges Korean priests and religious to ‘bear witness to reconciliation'

In a meeting with Korean priests and religious, Pope Leo expresses his hope that those attending the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day will receive the faith of the Korean martyrs and “carry it out onto the roads of the world”.

Pope Leo prays for Gaza victims: ‘How long, O Lord?’

Pope Leo XIV sends a message of condolence to the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City after an Israeli strike kills five people, including two Christian women.

Pope: Women’s contributions to Vatican must be increasingly valued

Pope Leo XIV emphasises the importance of dialogue in resolving issues that arise in the workplace and highlights the need to recognize and appreciate the presence of women in the Vatican.

Vatican to release “The Private Diary of Pope Francis”, a book by Cardinal Fernández

The Vatican Publishing House will release The Private Diary of Pope Francis, a book by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, on 24 November in five languages across 94 countries. It will offer insight into the late Pope’s inner life through notes he kept between 1992 and 2024.

Protection of Minors Commission sets priorities for next phase of work

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors concludes its October Plenary Assembly, focusing on survivor participation, safeguarding in consecrated life, and protecting children online.

Pope: May we pray for the intercession of the Virgin Mary for world peace

After the Angelus catechesis, Pope Leo once again invited the faithful to pray the Rosary, joining the initiative of Aid to the Church in Need: “In particular, let us pray for the Holy Land and for the innocent victims of violence.” He expressed his joy at the many initiatives dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi and announced a period of synodal discernment on the family that will take place at the Vatican, ten years after Amoris Laetitia

Pope at Angelus: Saint Francis shows us how to build peace through fraternal love

During his Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo reflects on God’s mercy and recalls Saint Francis of Assisi on the eighth centenary of his death, inviting the faithful to pray for peace and build harmony among peoples.

Cardinal Zuppi in Assisi: Saint Francis reminds us that war is not our destiny

At Mass on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, marking the eighth centenary of his death, Cardindal Matteo Zuppi says that, at a time when “we are tempted and seduced by a vulgar, overbearing and deceptive culture of power”, fuelled also by “enormous economic interests” and “nationalisms”, peace “begins with us and is the only possible future”. The way forward is to disarm “our hands and our hearts”

Pontifical Swiss Guard announce preparations for the 500th Anniversary of the Sack of Rome

2027 will mark an extraordinary commemorative year, which the Pontifical Swiss Guard is preparing with a conference in Brig, Switzerland, in January, a historical publication, and participation in Zurich’s Spring Festival. In May, celebrations will take place at the Vatican, including light-art performances, the premiere of a film about the Corps, and a pilgrimage. Commander Graf: “We want to show that the values of that time are still present today.”

Amoris laetitia: For a new proclamation of Gospel with families and for families

On October 7, Pope Leo XIV will open a meeting with the heads of the Eastern Churches and the presidents of Bishops’ Conferences on the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation 'Amoris laetitia,' which was presented at the Holy See Press Office.

Cardinal Cupich: Advocacy for immigrants is an act of worship

Celebrating the US city of Chicago’s legacy as a “City of Welcome,” Cardinal Blase Cupich calls on Catholics to recognize Christ in migrants and translate their faith into advocacy, hospitality, and practical support.

Pope Leo celebrates Mass for members of the Vatican Gendarmerie Corps

During the Mass celebrated Saturday afternoon, October 3, at the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens for the Vatican Gendarmerie Corps that operates within Vatican City State, the Pope urged them to be trustworthy, discreet, and loyal. He emphasized that authority, in the light of the Gospel, is expressed above all in the ability to protect, to listen, and to accompany others.

Pope appoints Cardinal Gambetti as new Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto

Pope Leo XIV has chosen the 60-year-old Cardinal from Bologna, a Conventual Franciscan, as the new shepherd of the archdiocese in Abruzzo, after accepting the resignation of Archbishop Bruno Forte, 77. Since February 2021, Gambetti has served as Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Papal Basilica in the Vatican, and President of the Fabric of Saint Peter. Previously, from 2013 to 2020, he was Custos of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Assisi.

Ghana’s Religious Superiors seek sustainable funding for Mission at 2026 Plenary

Major Superiors of religious and consecrated persons in Ghana are expected to explore sustainable paths for their mission at this year's plenary assembly of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious Ghana (CMSR-Gh), scheduled to begin this weekend.

A rosary in the Vatican for ‘peace for all the children in the world'

At the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens, 1,300 people—700 of whom are children—join Pope Leo in praying the Rosary in five languages, offering up the Marian prayer for an end to violence around the world.

Pope: Ecological challenge of our time is more urgent than ever

In a meeting with the Hera Group, an Italian multiutility group that manages environmental services in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV reiterates the importance of creating a “culture of care” to counter the “throwaway culture” that permeates our world and its resources.

A Million Children Praying with the Pope is 'a dream come true’

Aid to the Church in Need Executive President Regina Lynch says the “Million Children Praying the Rosary” initiative hopes to promote prayer in families.

Relic of Holy Crib to be placed closer to the faithful

The relics of the Holy Crib – the manger in which the Baby Jesus was laid at His birth – will be moved closer to the faithful to accommodate the restoration of the niche and reliquary where they are normally kept in the Confessio of Saint Mary Major.

“More Than a Thousand Words”: L’Osservatore Romano in images at Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums opens an exhibit at the Vatican Art Gallery to share the artistic and photographic work of the L'Osservatore Romano and the artists that have characterized the newspaper since its graphic redesign in 2020.

Cardinal Ouellet presents International Symposium on Vocations and Charisms

Cardinal Marc Ouellet illustrates the International Symposium “Vocations and Charisms: The Theology of God’s Gifts for a Synodal and Missionary Church,” which will take place in the Vatican’s New Synod Hall on April 15–17, 2027.

Pope to contemplative nuns: The importance of silence in a world marked by speed

Pope Leo XIV meets with the International Commission of Dominican Contemplative Nuns at the Vatican and encourages them to strengthen the value of silence in cloistered life as it creates “spaces of freedom and truth.'

Final report of Synod's canon law commission published

The canon law commission's final report proposes amendments to the Code of Canon Law of the Latin Church, based on the work carried out by the two General Assemblies of the Synod of Bishops in October 2023 and October 2024.

Cardinal Aveline: French Church will have to “water the seeds” of Pope’s visit

The Archbishop of Marseille and president of the French Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, reflects on Pope Leo’s four days in France.

Pope at Audience remembers Polish martyrs

During his General Audience, Pope Leo XIV recalled the Polish martyrs of Pratulin in the Podlasie region: Blessed Wincenty Lewoniuk and his 12 Companions. The Greek Catholics were killed by soldiers of the Russian Empire in the 19th century after refusing to abandon their faith. Their witness shows steadfast fidelity to the Catholic Church and communion with the Successor of Peter.

Pope at Audience: Apostolic Journey to France was 'sign of rebirth'

During his weekly General Audience, Pope Leo XIV recalls various highlights from his recent Apostolic Journey to France from September 25 to 28, and points to the theme of rebirth as a guiding thread.

Sr. Nathalie Becquart: Pope Leo’s Visit to France, a 'moment of grace'

In an interview with Vatican News as Pope Leo's Apostolic Journey to France draws to an end, Sister Nathalie Becquart, Undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, reflects on the Pope’s journey, its impact, and his message of peace and reconciliation in Metz.

‘Paying attention in age of clickbait’ – 2027 World Communications Day theme

The Vatican Dicastery for Communication releases the theme for the 2027 World Communications Day, which is “A New Gaze: Paying Attention in the Age of Clickbait.”

French priest: 'Many are deeply searching; we must serve this faith'

While a secular society and declining numbers in the Church in France are a reality, a visit to the Parish of Notre Dame of the Assumption in Metz at Sunday evening Mass, full of young people and all pews taken, is an example of young people's longing for meaning, according to Fr. Emmanuel Ecker.

Malawi: 125 years of faith, rooted in Christ, serving justice

Malawi has just celebrated 125 years since the Gospel first arrived. Years of faith have built schools, hospitals, and consciences, and it is still growing stronger. The Catholic Lawyers Association of Malawi (CLAM) recently organised what was dubbed a ‘Red Mass’ celebration in gratitude to God for his graces all these years.

Pope: Wars are senseless; Russia and Ukraine should sit down to talk

Speaking to journalists on the flight from Metz to Rome at the end of his Apostolic Journey to France, Pope Leo XIV discusses conflicts and the economic interests that sustain them, saying the Church “continues to raise her voice in proclaiming the Gospel. A few are growing rich from the arms industry; these billions could be used to solve problems such as world hunger.”