International

Fourth Fratelli Tutti Synodal Encounter begins in Rome

The Pontifical Commission for Latin America and CELAM, in collaboration with the USCCB, has organized the Fourth “Fratelli Tutti Synodal Encounter – North-South socio-environmental dialogue” in Rome, bringing together stakeholders from South and North America to address the social-environmental crisis in the context of the American continent.

Pope: Bishops must carry everyone in their heart, like Christ

Pope Leo XIV invites new Bishops taking part in a formation course in Rome to have the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and to carry everyone in their heart amid rapid global change.

Uganda: Catholic Caravan 2026 brings healthcare to underserved communities

Medical personnel under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association (AMDA), an umbrella organisation uniting Catholics from the Archdiocese of Mbarara living in Kampala and surrounding areas, have again undertaken a successful outreach programme to rural and underserved western Ugandan parishes, delivering free medical care.

Pope: Emphasis on individual freedom makes us less free to be ourselves

Pope Leo XIV tells Bishops associated with the Focolare Movement that our modern emphasis on individual freedom can in reality make us less free to be our genuine selves or follow our highest ideals.

French Bishops: There is a spiritual thirst in the country as it awaits the Pope

The President of the French Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, along with other bishops, present details of Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming apostolic journey to France from September 25 to 28 at a press conference. They speak about the budget, the organizational efforts, the Journey’s motto, the Pope’s meeting with survivors of abuse and more.

Cardinal Bo: ‘We need a new paradigm’ for peace

Speaking at an international conference in Rome, the Cardinal of Myanmar calls for nonviolence to become a new framework for legitimate defence, while participants receive a message and blessing from Pope Leo XIV.

Pope at Audience: Human dignity must always be defended as God’s gift

At his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV continues his reflection on Vatican II’s ‘Gaudium et Spes,’ and says the dignity of every human person is a permanent gift of God’s love that we must defend.

Mozambique: Bishops await official response regarding the death of Bishop Osorio

Bishops in Mozambique are reflecting on the violent death of Bishop Osorio Citora Afonso, the Ordinary of Quelimane and Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Beira. The bishops lament the lack of clarity about the circumstances of the prelate's death.

Synod: Reports published on relations between bishops, consecrated life, and ad limina visits

The General Secretariat of the Synod on Tuesday released the Final Report of Study Group No. 6 on the review, from a synodal and missionary perspective, of the documents on relations between bishops, consecrated life, and ecclesial associations. It also released the second part – concerning ad limina visits – of the Final Report of Study Group No. 7 on certain aspects of the figure and ministry of the bishop from a synodal and missionary perspective.

Pope to West African youth: Bear witness to peace, love amid conflicts

Pope Leo XIV encourages young people in West Africa in their journey of faith, and invites them to live as a message of love, justice, and peace in our world beset by war and conflict.

Archbishop of Chongqing consecrated in China

Andrea Ding Yang was ordained Archbishop of Chongqing in China on Tuesday, appointed by Pope Leo XIV within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.

Thousands of West Africa’s young Catholics meet at first-ever regional youth gathering in Ghana

Powerful messages are appearing on billboards across Ghana as thousands of young Catholics from across West Africa gather in Accra this week.

Pope Leo to visit Genazzano as ‘pilgrim’ before Mother of Good Counsel

On the vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Leo XIV is set to return to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano to celebrate Mass, with the local Bishop saying Our Lady “points to Christ as the path to follow.”

West African Youth Days: Five days to foster peace and hope

The 2026 West African Youth Days (JOAJ) open on September 7, in Accra, Ghana. Over the following four days, young Catholics from 16 West African countries will come together around the theme: “Take courage: young Catholics, agents and promoters of peace and hope in West Africa.”

Pope celebrates Our Lady of Good Counsel with an appeal to cultivate peace

Pope Leo XIV returns to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano on Monday evening, to celebrate Mass on the eve of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and invite Christians to contemplate Mary's quiet presence and become servants of peace.

Archbishop Gallagher: ‘Dialogue makes cooperation possible'

The Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations addresses a Seminar in Assisi during commemorations for the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis.

Pope Leo XIV to Vatican families: ‘Families give life and love’

Pope Leo XIV tells Vatican families they are a “great miracle,” urging them to give life and love generously while celebrating family life with parents and children.

Castel Gandolfo: 400 years of papal care for the people and the land

Following the celebrations in honour of Saint Sebastian, patron of Castel Gandolfo, Fr. Tadeusz Rozmus, parish priest of the Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova, speaks about the bond between the town outside Rome and the many pontiffs who, for 400 years, have chosen to spend periods of time at the summer residence.

Pope at Angelus: Mutual love is one debt that ‘does not enslave us'

During his Angelus greeting, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the two ways Jesus calls Christians to practice mutual love: being capable of fraternal correction and loving one another as brothers and sisters.

Pope: Amid conflict, Church must bear witness to service and hope

As he meets with Latin-rite Bishops from Arab regions, Pope Leo XIV urges the Church to confront conflict and division with solidarity for the poor and bear witness that it is possible to live and hope together.

Pope Leo to seminarians: Learn to remain with Jesus

“The heart of the seminary experience” is “learning to be with the Master, Jesus,” Pope Leo XIV tells Italian seminarians from the Pius XI Regional Seminary in Molfetta and the Episcopal Seminary of Aversa.

Salzburg Youth Orchestra performs with Mozart's violins in the Vatican

After meeting with Pope Leo, the Salzburg Youth Orchestra 'Bella Musica' recorded a concert in the historic Vatican Radio studio in the Vatican Gardens, using the two original Mozart violins that the Austrian composer brought to Rome more than 250 years ago.

Timor-Leste welcomes home mortal remains of bishops who stood with the people

The mortal remains of three former Church leaders return to Dili, joining those of a fourth bishop as Timor-Leste honours pastors who accompanied the nation through some of its darkest chapters.

New Bishops gather in Rome for formation course

Some 147 newly appointed bishops from five continents are taking part in a Vatican formation course addressing mission, pastoral ministry, safeguarding, liturgy and Church governance, culminating in an audience with Pope Leo XIV.

Mozambique: Cathedral of Beira hosts Day for Catechists

Over the weekend, the Archdiocese of Beira in Mozambique hosted catechists of the diocese for Catechist Day. The Mass was presided over by Bishop Antonio Manuel Bogaio Constantino, M.C.C.I. He is the Bishop of Caia Diocese and the Apostolic Administrator of Beira. Several priests concelebrated.

Care for Creation is a theological question

The document “Caring for Our Common Home” calls for a “responsible and fraternal response to the Triune God”. The ecological question is a theological question: the way we care for Creation reveals and shapes our relationship with God. The deterioration of the environment is alarming and urgent action is needed to ensure the sustainability of the planet. Everything is connected: we must listen to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.

AI will provide ‘an explosion of creativity, but brakes are needed’