International

Chrism Mass in Chicago: Cardinal Cupich calls priests to be 'sacraments of peace'

During Chrism Mass at the Holy Name Cathedral, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, reflects on mission, war, and the quiet language of the holy oils, urging the Church to reject violence and bear witness to peace that transforms hearts rather than dominates them.

Cardinal Parolin: May the powerful realize a better world is possible

Speaking on an Italian Franciscan podcast, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin discusses the “worrying” global scenario, but emphasizes that there are still “signs of hope,' particularly in the Christian faith and its emphasis on fraternity.

Fr. Patton: Good Friday meditations are not to judge, but to inspire change

Father Francesco Patton, author of the meditations for the Pope9;s Good Friday 9;Via Crucis9; at the Colosseum in Rome, notes that even today, many people are living a Way of the Cross.

New DNA research confirms Shroud of Turin's passage through the Middle East

The Holy Shroud of Turin passed through the Middle East, reveals new DNA research in the scientific article authored by Dr. Gianni Barcaccia, Professor of Genetics and Genomics at the University of Padua, along with other researchers. The scientists confirm the presence of a genome predominantly from the Middle East and show that microorganisms thriving in extremely saline environments, such as the Dead Sea, were detected.

Pope Leo to wash the feet of 12 Roman priests on Holy Thursday

During the Mass 'in Coena Domini' on Holy Thursday, Pope Leo will wash the feet of twelve priests - eleven of whom he ordained last year.

Pope at Audience: Lay people help Church reach all and promote peace

During his weekly General Audience, Pope Leo XIV highlights the important role that lay people play in the Church’s mission in bearing witness to the Gospel, as he continues his reflection on the conciliar document 'Lumen gentium.'

Support hope by giving to Christians in the Holy Land

The Custody of the Holy Land launches another appeal ahead of the Good Friday Collection to Christians around the world to “support hope by giving…and by fostering peace.”

Archbishop of Tehran: End war in the Gulf, end logic of retaliation

At a prayer vigil for peace in Rome at the beginning of Holy Week, Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Teheran, appeals for peace for all war-torn regions, with a special plea for the Middle East and the Holy Land.

Pope Leo XIV to carry the Cross throughout Via Crucis at Colosseum

Pope Leo XIV will preside over the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on Friday, 3 April, during the traditional Good Friday liturgy commemorating the journey of Jesus to Golgotha. The meditations have been written by Franciscan Father Francesco Patton.

Use your anointed hands to bless and sanctify, Archbishop Amani tells priests at Chrism Mass

Priests are set apart for a specific mission. They are called to celebrate the Sacraments, pray, and reconcile people with God. This was emphasised by Archbishop Isaac Amani of Arusha Archdiocese during this year’s Chrism Mass.

New prefect of Papal Household, Archbishop Rajič, expresses gratitude to Pope

The Archbishop, until now Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and the Republic of San Marino, expressed “profound” gratitude for the appointment he received from Leo XIV, and his hopes in offering “his service to the universal Church.”

Archbishop Peña Parra grateful for service offered in Secretariat of State

The Venezuelan archbishop, the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State until now, and today appointed by Pope Leo as the new nuncio to Italy and San Marino, met with the superiors, officials, and collaborators with whom he has worked since 2018, expressing his gratitude to all and how he was enriched by the challenging experiences.

New Substitute 'deeply honoured' by appointment

Archbishop Rudelli expresses his gratitude over his appointment by Pope Leo XIV, pledging to undertake his new mission in the spirit of Praedicate evangelium, and entrusting himself to the intercession of Pope St. John XXIII.

Pope thanks Benedictine religious for the good they do for the Church

Pope Leo XIV welcomes Benedictine monastic communities in the Vatican, thanking them for the great good they do for the Church, and encourages them to continue performing their 'work of God.'

Pope appoints new Substitute, Nuncio to Italy, and Prefect of Papal Household

Pope Leo XIV makes three significant appointments: Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia, takes the place of Substitute for General Affairs Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, who becomes Apostolic Nuncio to Italy, succeeding Archbishop Petar Rajič, who has been appointed Prefect of the Papal Household.

Pope to Illinois municipal leaders: Authority must be rooted in service

During a Holy Week audience, Pope Leo XIV highlights the responsibility of civic leaders to serve the common good, uphold human dignity, and care for the most vulnerable.

What’s on Pope Leo’s liturgical schedule from April to July?

The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations releases Pope Leo’s schedule of liturgical events from April until July, including two international journeys and two ordinations.

Pope Leo: We must support and invest in young people

Meeting members of the Ausilia Foundation in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV reaffirms the need to assist young people in becoming 'protagonists of their own future.'

Pope recalls many Middle East Christians who suffer with Christ during Holy Week

Pope Leo XIV decries the fact that many Christians in the Middle East will be unable to celebrate Holy Week rites, urging everyone to remember the many people who share in Christ9;s suffering as the Church contemplates the Mystery of the Lord9;s Passion.

Pope at Palm Sunday Mass: ‘Jesus does not listen to prayers of those who wage war’

Pope Leo XIV presides at Mass on Palm Sunday of the Lord9;s Passion, and reflects on Jesus as the King of Peace who rejects war and refuses to listen to the prayers of those who wage war.

Cardinal Pizzaballa prays for peace at Gethsemane on Palm Sunday

In his Palm Sunday meditation in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, recalls that just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem for failing to recognize peace, He “weeps” today over a world, especially the Holy Land, still marked by conflict, suffering, and missed opportunities for peace.

New data of Annuario Pontificio 2026 shows Catholics growing in Africa

New data from the Annuario Pontificio 2026 and Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2024 highlight trends in baptized populations across the five continents, with a remarkable increase in the number of Catholics in Africa.

Pope at Mass in Monaco: 'You are called to bear witness to living in peace'

During Mass in the Principality of Monaco, Pope Leo XIV urges everyone not to grow 'accustomed to the clamor of weapons and images of war,' and insists that the Church in Monaco is called to bear witness to living in peace.

Hope, doubt, faith: Pope answers questions from young people in Monaco

Pope Leo speaks to young residents of Monaco, answering questions on hope, faith, and how to care for others, and urging his listeners to 'pour yourselves out completely for the Lord and for others.”

Pope Leo in Monaco: Christ calls the Church to communion and the defence of human dignity

Pope Leo XIV invites the Catholic community of Monaco to renew a faith capable of addressing secularism, promoting dignity, and proclaiming the Gospel with creativity and conviction.

Pope Leo XIV: Monaco bears vocation to foster social friendship

Pope Leo XIV greets residents of the Principality of Monaco as he begins his Apostolic Journey, and encourages the small European nation to place its material prosperity at the service of humanity, law, and justice.

Pope Leo XIV begins his visit to Principality of Monaco

The Pope is travelling by helicopter to the small city-state, the destination of his second Apostolic Journey. In a telegram to the President of Italy during the flight, he expresses his desire to encourage “the witness of Christian faith” and “the building of the common good.”

Timor-Leste: Call for selfless service at early Chrism Mass