International

International Mountain Day: Preserving our tallest lifelines

From biblical mountaintops to Ethiopia’s cliff churches, mountain regions hold deep spiritual and ecological significance, now threatened by rapid glacier loss and and a warming planet.

Zayed Award judges: Human fraternity is a mission for everyone

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and former European Council President Charles Michel, two judges on the commission to select the honorees of the 2025 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, share their perspectives on the importance of promoting human fraternity in the midst of a world marked by conflict and division.

COMECE expresses concern over EU Court judgement on same-sex marriage

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union expresses concern in a statement over a recent ruling by the EU Court of Justice on the recognition of same-sex marriages across Member States.

Holy See: Ukrainian children must return to their families

The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations continues its efforts, including through Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, for the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia.

Holy See highlights 'the human face of the climate crisis' at COP30

The head of the Holy See’s delegation to COP30 addresses environment ministers from around the world, stressing the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation and not lose sight of “the human face of the climate crisis.”

Cardinal David at COP30: We must not make it so easy to abuse nature

On the sidelines of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Cardinal Pablo David of the Philippines brings the voice of all Filipinos, suffering first hand the horrific consequences of climate change.

Pope to COP30: ‘If you want to cultivate peace, care for creation'

In a message delivered by Cardinal Parolin at the UN Climate Conference in Belém, the Pope calls for urgent action and an “ecological conversion” rooted in responsibility, justice, and solidarity.

Cardinal Parolin: Time is running out to act on climate

In an interview on the sidelines of the Climate Summit in Belém, Brazil, ahead of COP30, Cardinal Parolin speaks to Vatican News of the Church’s commitment to offer an ethical response to Climate Change, warning that environmental crises now displace more people than wars.

Holy See: When development loses sight of people it descends into crisis

Monsignor Daniel Pacho, Under-Secretary for Multilateral Aﬀairs at the Vatican Secretariat of State, speaks about the importance of confronting the development crisis at a Ministerial Conference of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Vitae Fest Rome 2025 to join music and art on behalf of reconciliation

The Vitae Fest 2025 is set to take place in Rome on October 25 to join music, art, and reconciliation under the theme: &ldquoDon&rsquot burn bridges, become one.&rdquo

Holy See: Eliminating nuclear weapons is an urgent moral imperative

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Holy See&rsquos Permanent Observer to the United Nations, urges the international community to work towards preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, while speaking at the UN&rsquos General Assembly.

ACN Religious Freedom Report: 5 billion people face violations

Aid to the Church in Need&rsquos 2025 report on religious freedom around the world points out how persecution is on the rise as almost 5.4 billion people live in countries with serious violations of religious freedom.

Cardinal Parolin: Holy See is full of hope for success of peace plan for Gaza

Speaking to journalists at the launch of Aid to the Church in Need's Religious Freedom Report, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin decries the violence in the Middle East, attacks on Christians, and the intimidation of the free press.

Archbishop Mourad: Interreligious dialogue is a necessity in Syria

Archbishop Jacques Mourad, Metropolitan of Homs in Syria, receives the St. John Paul II Award in the Vatican in recognition of his dedication to peace and reconciliation, despite spending five months in captivity at the hands of the so-called Islamic State.

8 years after ISIS, two historic churches in Mosul reopen their doors

In the heart of Mosul&rsquos Old City, politicians, clergymen and members of the faithful gather to reinaugurate the Mar Toma and Al-Tahira churches, which had been vandalised and destroyed by so-called Islamic State.

Patriarch Pizzaballa: A new language and new witnesses for a narrative of peace

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem reflects on the historical moment in the Holy Land following the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, and affirms: &ldquoWe have a duty toward our communities &mdash to help them look ahead, positively and serenely, toward a different future.&rdquo

Holy See: Structural causes must be identified to eradicate poverty

Addressing a United Nations Committee in New York, the Holy See Permanent Observer to the UN marks World Food Day, noting that structural causes need to be identified and addressed in order to eradicate poverty and hunger.

Holy See at UN: Build lasting peace through development, not military spending

In 2024 global military spending reached $2.7 trillion, while the funding gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains at $4 trillion per year. For every dollar invested in peace, two are spent on war. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations tells the UN that: “Every increase in military spending represents resources that could have been used to meet people’s basic needs and to establish a lasting peace.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa welcomes Gaza agreement as ‘first step towards hope

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem expresses joy for the news of an agreement between Israel and Hamas describing it as a necessary first step that brings an atmosphere of trust and hope to the people of the region.

Parolin on October 7, Gaza: Human beings are not collateral damage

The Holy See Secretary of State speaks to Vatican Media on the second anniversary of Hamas's 'inhuman' attack on Israel, which unleashed the destruction of the Gaza Strip. He says that what is happening in Gaza is 'inhuman', and that he's struck by the turnout at peace marches. He adds that antisemitism is a cancer that must be eradicated.

'Never again war!' Pope Paul VIs unheeded and still urgently relevant appeal

Sixty years ago Pope Paul VI addressed the United Nations.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem urges hope and prayer as ceasefire talks advance

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa welcomes signs of a possible ceasefire, calling them “a long-awaited first step,” while urging hope, prayer, and realism. He highlights ongoing suffering and invites the faithful to join a day of prayer for peace on 11 October.

Holy See urges action on youth empowerment, health and mental well-being

Addressing the United Nations’ General Assembly, the Vatican is highlighting the need to do more for young people and to step up efforts to fight non-communicable diseases and mental health challenges.

Holy See says arms race ‘unacceptable’ and risks ‘nuclear catastrophe

In his two speeches at the United Nations, the Holy See Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations urges the ratification of a treaty banning nuclear tests, and expresses concern about an artificial intelligence 'arms race'.

Nuncio asks for prayers and action for war-torn Sudan

The closeness of the Pope and of the Church to the war-struck people of Sudan was at the heart of the Apostolic Nuncio‘s mission as he travelled to the suffering country to meet with the Catholic community there and engage with political authorities.

Holy See reaffirms need to combat all forms of violence against women and girls

The United Nations hosts a meeting in New York to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women held in Beijing. Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher points out the challenges that women and girls still face, and the need to defend their equal dignity and ability to fulfil their potential.

Women for Peace: Voices of hope and humanity

'Women for Peace' is a unique concept-concert that unites voices from around the world to promote reconciliation, hope, and solidarity and peace. The initiative blends opera and storytelling to highlight women as agents of peace. It uses music as a universal language capable of bridging cultures, inspiring reflection, and sending a clear message: peace is not a luxury, it is a human necessity.

UN Refugee Chief: Global human rights at risk

Speaking to Vatican News following a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says he is “tremendously encouraged” by the Holy Father’s support for his mission.

Pope: Religions are wellspring of healing, not source of division

Pope Leo XIV sends a message to the 8th Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Kazakhstan, and invites the faithful of all religions to help build a future of peace, fraternity, and solidarity.

Beninese Bishop: Jihadist attacks aim at preventing Churchs activity

Following a recent attack by jihadists, the Bishop of N'Dali, Benin, Martin Adjou Moumouni, explains that the community is concerned about further violence as the militants 'have also made it clear that they want to prevent the Church from continuing its pastoral activities.”