International

Pope to Jubilee partners: Thanks to you, Rome had a welcoming face

Meeting with the representatives of the institutions that collaborated in the Jubilee, Pope Leo expresses his gratitude for their “multifaceted contribution, often hidden” throughout the year and encourages them continue to carry hope in their hearts.

Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Jordan: Focusing on differences won't bring peace

The Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Jordan speaks to Vatican News at the “Baptism of the Lord” Church in Bethany Beyond the Jordan on the occasion of the pilgrimage and Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, on Friday, 9 January. The Bishop stresses the need to respect religious and cultural differences in order to foster peace and justice in the Middle East.

Lord’s Day Reflection: Living the grace of Baptism

As the Church commemorates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Abbot Marion Nguyen reflects on the theme “Anointing to overflow: Living the Grace of Baptism.”

Vatican releases calendar of upcoming papal liturgies

The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has released Pope Leo’s calendar for January and February, with the Pope scheduled to preside at liturgies for the Conversion of St Paul, the Presentation of the Lord, and Ash Wednesday.

Praying at the Jordan River for peace in the Holy Land

On Friday, 9 January, Catholics from across Jordan made their annual pilgrimage to Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas) to celebrate Holy Mass for the Baptism of the Lord.

Syria: 'May no more war and displacement occur in Aleppo'

Bishop Hanna Jallouf, Vicar Apostolic of Aleppo, laments escalating clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Kurdish-majority areas.

A new pastoral staff for Pope Leo

Beginning on 6 January, Pope Leo XIV has made use of a new pastoral staff which, as explained by the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, “stands in continuity” with those used by his predecessors, uniting the mission of proclaiming the mystery of Christ on the Cross with the glorious manifestation of the Resurrection.

Pope raises alarm over human rights and a spreading “zeal for war”

Meeting members of the Diplomatic Corps, Pope Leo XIV warns that human rights and freedoms are under strain as diplomacy gives way to the logic of power and war.

Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka appointed Archbishop of Cape Town

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka as the new Archbishop of Cape Town, marking a significant moment for the Catholic Church in Southern Africa. The appointment was announced in a communiqué issued by the Vatican Press Office on Friday, 9 January 2026.

Pope Leo: Another Consistory in June; We will hold one every year

At the end of the second day of the Extraordinary Consistory, Pope Leo XIV expressed his desire to continue along this path, “in continuity” with what was requested in the pre-Conclave general congregations, and confirmed the Ecclesial Assembly of October 2028. Cardinal Brislin of South Africa, Cardinal David of the Philippines, and Cardinal Rueda Aparicio of Colombia describe the morning and afternoon proceedings, noting there was a sense of unity, even if not uniformity.

Custos of the Holy Land: “Return as pilgrims to the Holy Land”

Father Francesco Ielpo, Custos of the Holy Land invites the faithful to resume pilgrimages to the Holy Land, as they are a source of economic support and of hope to the local communities.

Pope Leo: 'Cardinals, I am counting on you'

Pope Leo XIV concluded the first session of the meeting with the cardinals yesterday with an off-the-cuff address, following work in linguistic groups in the Paul VI Hall. He thanked them for choosing two themes—synodality and mission in the light of Evangelii gaudium—from among four proposals, saying: “Thank you for this choice; the other themes are not lost. There are very concrete, specific issues that we still need to address.”

Pope at Mass: Consistory a time for Cardinals to reflect on Church’s path

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass with the Cardinals gathered for his first Extraordinary Consistory, and invites them to share their burden of pastoral care with each other as they seek to help the Pope guide the Church.

Poland: Papal blessing as thousands join Three Kings Parade

Pope Leo XIV has extended his Apostolic Blessing to participants in the Three Kings Parade, the world’s largest street Nativity scene held annually on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, which this year saw thousands march along Warsaw’s Royal Route, with similar events taking place at nearly 1,000 sites in Poland and worldwide.

“Pray with the Pope”: a real network of communion in a divided world

“Pray with the Pope” is a new initiative of the Dicastery for Communication and the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network that invites people around the world to share in a real communion of prayer with Pope Leo XIV, offering prayer as a path to unity in a divided world.

SEEK 2026: A strong voice of young Church in United States

SEEK 2026, held across three cities and attended by over 26,000 young American Catholics, confirms their dynamic and resilient character in the United States, with the largest gathering held in Columbus, Ohio, to which Pope Leo XIV sent a message.

We are not politicians and cannot afford to be partisan, say Cameroon’s Bishops

The Catholic Bishops of Cameroon are holding their 49th annual seminar in Kumba, in the Southwest Region, from 3 January to 10 January 2026. Under the theme “Communion and Collegiality,” this gathering brings together the entire Cameroonian episcopate for spiritual and pastoral exchanges in a context marked by socio-economic challenges in the country and the Crisis in the Anglophone regions.

Pope at Consistory: It's not the Church that attracts but Christ

Pope Leo XIV opens the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals and recalls that Christ draws us to follow Him, warning that division in the Church scatters the faithful.

Consistory: Cardinals choose synodality and mission as themes for reflection

At the end of the first day of the Extraordinary Consistory, the Director of the Holy See Press Office tells reporters that the roughly 170 Cardinals participating voted to reflect on the themes of synodality and mission, noting that Pope Leo XIV told the Cardinals that he needs “to be able to count on you.”

Pope’s January prayer intention: For prayer with the Word of God

Pope Leo XIV releases his prayer intention for January, and invites everyone to join his monthly prayer intentions under the new “Pray with the Pope” initiative.

Pope at Audience: Second Vatican Council still guiding star of Church’s journey

Pope Leo XIV begins a new catechesis series on the Second Vatican Council and its documents, emphasizing that the Council9;s teaching still serves as the guiding star of the Church’s journey.

Pope Leo's first Extraordinary Consistory set for January 7-8

Pope Leo XIV9;s first consistory will have three sessions from tomorrow afternoon through Thursday. In the morning of January 8 at 7:30 a.m., he will concelebrate Mass with the cardinals present at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Leo XIV closes the Holy Door, concluding Jubilee Year of Hope on the Lord's Epiphany

On the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Pope Leo XIV presides over Holy Mass in St Peter’s Basilica for some 5,800 faithful and closes the last Holy Door - marking the official end of the Jubilee Year of Hope.

Jubilee: The volunteers’ final pilgrimage through the Holy Door

Over 5,000 Jubilee volunteers cross the Holy Door in St Peter’s Basilica, symbolically bringing the Holy Year to a close.

Pope's Epiphany Angelus: 'May industry of war be replaced by craft of peace'

Pope Leo XIV prays the Angelus on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, reflecting on the Magi adoring the Christ Child, and invites us to be 9;weavers of hope9; where 9;in the place of inequality, there may be fairness,9; and where 9;the industry of war be replaced by the craft of peace.9;

Jubilee: The rite for the closing of the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica

The practice established in 1975 and further simplified by Pope Saint John Paul II during the Holy Year of 2000 consists in the closing of the door leaves, while the walling-up will take place privately about ten days later.

Over 33 million pilgrims came to Rome for Jubilee Year

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and the Holy See’s official point man for the Jubilee, gives a round-up on the Holy Year during a press conference at the Vatican on Monday, January 5.

Vatican Governorate releases new app dedicated to St. Carlo Acutis

The Vatican Governatorate releases a new app offering the contents of its official website in a quick and intuitive way, making it possible to consult news, announcements, and official communications.

Pope at Angelus: May the joy of Christmas sustain our journey

Pope Leo XIV prays the Angelus on the Second Sunday of Christmas, inviting the faithful to draw closer to the Christ Child and recalling that every authentic worship of God requires caring for humanity.

Gaza: Caritas Italy offers full support to Caritas Jerusalem

As Israel announces measures that could restrict Caritas Jerusalem’s ability to provide humanitarian aid, Caritas Italy’s deputy director expresses the Catholic aid agency’s support for the life-saving programs carried out by the Caritas network in Gaza and the West Bank.