International

Peace is a duty that unites humanity, Pope Leo tells diplomats

Speaking at the Jubilee for Italian Diplomacy, Pope Leo repeats the appeal of Paul VI for an end to war, and calls on diplomats to be men and women of dialogue.

Pope: The Nativity is a gift of light for our world in need of hope

Speaking to about 1,000 people taking part in the “Living Nativity” tradition at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Pope Leo challenges them to spread the message that we are never alone and continue to be “pilgrims of hope, bearers of consolation and inspiration for all those you meet.”

Pope: At Christmas, let music be a ‘dwelling place for the soul’

Pope Leo meets with artists and organisers involved in the Vatican’s Christmas Concert, saying that the festive period reminds us that God comes to meet us “at the very heart of our small human stories.”

Lord's Day Reflection: Rejoice in the Lord always!

As the Church celebrates Gaudete Sunday - Fr Edmund Power reflects on the theme of 'joy' that permeates the liturgy on the Third Sunday of Advent.

Pope at Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mary brings joy where human joy is lacking

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in St Peter’s Basilica for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who awakens “in the inhabitants of America the joy of knowing they are loved by God.”

Pope Leo thanks Riccardo Muti for making God's presence resound with beauty

In the presence of Pope Leo XIV, Maestro Riccardo Muti conducts Cherubini’s 'Mass for the Coronation of Charles X' at a Christmas concert in the Paul VI Hall, during which he receives the 2025 “Ratzinger Prize“. The concert was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Pontifical Foundation 'Gravissimum Educationis'.

Second Advent sermon: Communion is not uniformity

Fr. Roberto Pasolini, the Preacher of the Papal Household, delivers his second Advent Sermon to Pope Leo XIV and members of the Roman Curia.

Jubilee of Prisoners: Hope is not lost for anyone

As the Church celebrates the Jubilee of Prisoners, the head of the Catholic Mobilizing Network reflects on the dignity of those who are incarcerated and the role each of us has to honor that dignity as Pilgrims of Hope.

Pope: Intelligence agencies must serve peace and never lose sight of human dignity

In an address to Italy9;s secret services, Pope Leo calls for security rooted in ethics, warning that the pursuit of peace must never come at the expense of human dignity or truth.

Pope to priests: Announce Christ in today’s confusing and noisy society

In a message addressed to Latin American priests, seminarians, and religious men and women studying in Rome, Pope Leo XIV encourages them to remember their calling to follow Christ and strive to place God above everything.

Maestro Riccardo Muti set to conduct concert in Vatican

At six in the evening on 12 December the orchestra conductor will perform with the Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra and the Choir of the Siena Cathedral “Guido Chigi Saracini” in the Paul VI Audience Hall. Rehearsals took place the preceding day.

New book affirms 'remarkable convergence’ of Methodists and Catholics

The Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission releases an updated synthesis of the fruits of 60 years of theological dialogue, affirming that the two Churches converge much more than they diverge.

Church consecrates Guinea-Bissau to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and calls for reconciliation

The Catholic Church in Guinea-Bissau has solemnly consecrated the nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The celebration was marked by calls for peace and prayers for reconciliation and the reinstitution of democracy after a military coup d9;état.

Anti-trafficking experts urge strong action 25 years from Palermo Protocol

At a conference organised by the Institute of Anthropology of the Pontifical Gregorian University, Church actors highlight the urgent need for action against human trafficking on the 25th anniversary of the Palermo Protocol.

Pope: Cultural diplomacy can build bridges and overcome prejudices

Marking the 100th anniversary of the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology, Pope Leo XIV invites students and faculty to engage in cultural diplomacy, serve as a tool for ecumenism through their work and be a reminder of Europe’s Christian roots.

Pope to Zayed Award organizers: Words are not enough, action is needed

Speaking to organizers of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the need to be witnesses of kindness and charity in a world marked by division, whilst also taking concrete steps towards achieving fraternity.

Pope Leo: Christian archaeology is vocation and form of love for Church and humanity

In a new Apostolic Letter commemorating the centenary of the foundation of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology, Pope Leo XIV highlights the importance of archaeology, noting that this academic discipline bears witness to the fact that God became flesh.

Canon lawyers present new standard work on child welfare

Myriam Wijlens and Yeshica Marianne Umaña Calderón release an English-language textbook on child welfare, drawing on a long-running interdisciplinary course at the University of Erfurt. The volume outlines principles of the child’s best interests in ecclesiastical and international contexts and incorporates contributions from global experts involved in child protection.

Pope at Audience: Reflect on death, our time on earth prepares us for eternity

During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV meditates on existential questions of how human beings view death, and he invites us to ponder on the end of life so as to discover the power of Christ9;s Resurrection.

Pope: European identity closely tied to Judeo-Christian roots

Pope Leo XIV encourages members of the European Parliament to recall the EU’s Judeo-Christian roots and uphold the inherent rights of every person, from conception to natural death.

Pontifical Yearbook now available online with information on global Church

The Holy See’s official Pontifical Yearbook is now available online, providing up-to-date information on the Catholic Church’s institutions across the globe.

Pope Leo meets with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Pope Leo XIV welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo to discuss the war in Ukraine and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia.

Pope: Historical U.S.-Europe alliance important today and in the future

In remarks to journalists in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo says the historical alliance between Europe and the United States may 'unfortunately' be changing and confirms the Holy See is working behind the scenes to bring Ukrainian children deported to Russia back home.

The sprouting of the Council, sixty years on

The proclamation of the faith, and the conscience of a Church that knows it does not shine with its own light.

Haitian bishops call for hope and change in a Christmas message

In a message issued on 8 December, the Episcopal Conference of Haiti stress that Christ’s birth can be a source of hope to everyone and call for the upcoming elections to be a chance to “rise above partisan interests”.

Pope urges educators in Africa to support youth seeking a better future

Pope Leo XIV urges Catholic educators in Africa to help young people regain confidence in their future, especially those driven to leave the continent. In a message addressed to a congress held in Nairobi, he calls for formation that strengthens family life, revives solidarity and sacrifice, and shapes leaders committed to the common good.

Pope at Angelus: Believe as Mary believed, say ‘yes’ to God