VATICAN NEWS

Pope Leo XIV to Arab-region churches: ‘Do not be afraid of your smallness’
The pope met with members of the Council of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions on Thursday in Rome, offering a message of hope and encouragement in the midst of crisis and uncertainty.
Pope Leo XIV points to St. John Henry Newman as a model for education today
The pontiff urged Oxford scholars to seek truth courageously and promote an education rooted in human dignity, justice and the common good.
Pope Leo XIV to seminarians: ‘As I look at each of you, I see the marvelousness of God’
The pope told the seminarians that the call of God is gratuitous and not based on any merit of theirs, adding that their presence is a sign of hope for the Church in that God continues to call.
Abuse prevention, liturgy central to Vatican courses for new bishops
The program has been a fixture of the Church calendar since 2000, when it was launched by St. John Paul II.
True ecological conversion passes through the Eucharist, says International Theological Commission
An International Theological Commission document sets out a Christian vision of humanity’s relationship with creation.
Pope calls for ‘unmasking’ the contradictions of the world, such as seeing war as a solution
The general audience catechesis focused on Gaudium et Spes, Vatican II’s pastoral constitution on the Church in the modern world.
Pope Leo: Take time out of the daily bustle to ‘listen to the melodious voice’ of creation
The Holy Father encouraged silent contemplation of the wonders and harmony of the created world, which can lead to authentic ecological conversion and awareness of our responsibility for creation.
Vatican diplomat says Moscow mission focused on peace despite no concrete breakthrough
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher acknowledged that discussing peace in Russia means engaging in “a difficult dialogue.”
This is Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of September
Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of September is for the care of water.
Pope Leo XIV names third Chinese bishop in 3 months
Bishop Paolo Liu Honggang is the third bishop ordained in China in three months and the sixth episcopal consecration during Leo’s pontificate amid implementation of the Vatican-Beijing agreement.
Pope Leo XIV appeals for release of Haiti hostages, prays for flood victims in Nepal and Tibet
The pontiff said believers should speak honestly to God in moments of confusion while humbly accepting his ways.
PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV takes part in historic Marian procession on Lake Albano at papal summer house
The Holy Father was the first pope to travel across the waters of the lake in the 400-year-long history of Castel Gandolfo as a papal summer residence, according to the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV says Eastern synods can remove patriarchs for serious reasons
The pope made the declaration in an apostolic letter issued motu proprio titled Mutua Concordia.
Pope Leo XIV warns against entrusting human-life decisions to machines
The pontiff called for an ethical framework for artificial intelligence and warned that technology must serve life, peace and the common good.
Pope Leo XIV offers prayers, spiritual closeness to victims of devastating Nepal floods
Several hundred deaths have been reported so far after a glacial collapse drove catastrophic flooding on the Nepal-China border.
Conference in Rome to explore how communicators can build trust in Catholic journalism
The “Nurturing Unity Through Communication” seminar will take place at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross from Feb. 2–4, 2027.
Pope Leo XIV: A good family is the best way to prevent drug addiction
The pontiff met on Aug. 27 with participants of a conference promoted by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Augustinian priests: St. Monica had ‘great interior strength’
Two Augustinian priests living in Rome explain why the woman they refer to as their “grandmother” continues to be a source of hope and inspiration.
Pope Leo XIV makes ‘Best Dressed’ list: Here’s the meaning behind his papal garments
The pontiff made Vanity Fair’s annual Best Dressed list this month in “the originals” category, but what is it about his papal style that the fashion world finds compelling?
Vatican official in Russia: War in Ukraine must end, but not through military means
Archbishop Paul Gallagher emphasized that the conflict much be resolved through the political and diplomatic process and for the need to step up cooperation on humanitarian issues.
Pope Leo XIV’s summer catechesis: Understanding the sacred liturgy
From May to August, the pope has dedicated his Wednesday general audiences to reflecting on the liturgy. Here is a recap of what he said.
Pope Leo: Vatican II reformed the liturgy to promote active participation
The pontiff’s Aug. 26 general audience addressed the reasons for the Church’s recent liturgical reforms.
Vatican foreign minister meets with officials in Russia to discuss Ukraine conflict
Archbishop Paul Gallagher met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Aug. 25.
Pope Leo appoints leader of Knights of Columbus to Vatican body
The pontiff appointed Patrick Kelly as a member of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life on Aug. 25.
High-ranking Vatican official to meet with Putin’s adviser in Russia
With Archbishop Paul Gallagher’s visit to Moscow this week, the Vatican continues to try to be a facilitator in bringing about a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Pope Leo XIV tells soldiers: It is noble to defend the sovereignty of your homeland
The pontiff reflected on military values in a private audience with the Military Ordinariate of Portugal on Aug. 24.
Pope Leo XIV remembers victims of Ebola and mining disaster in Central Africa
During his Angelus on Aug. 23, the pontiff expressed closeness to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.
‘You are home’: Pope Leo XIV meets with sick, disabled residents at Rimini
The pope urged the assembly to take part in Church life “in the parish, in associations, and in places of welcome and service.”
At friendship meeting in Italy, Pope Leo calls for fraternity: ‘Love is the law of life’
“Our heart, so big and capable of loving, should never be closed. Let’s find the way together to build a world of peace and love,” the pope said to a crowd of thousands.
In San Marino, Pope Leo XIV tells young people: ‘We only find authentic freedom in Jesus Christ’
The Holy Father urged youth to “embrace their mission in the world” and give themselves to God.
Pope Leo XIV visits San Marino, the oldest republic in the world and a ‘laboratory’ of good policies
The pope undertook the visit to “encourage the Christian testimony” of San Marino’s people and contribute to “the construction of the common good.”
Pope Leo to Catholic legislators: Promote AI policies that protect families
The pontiff held a private audience with a delegation from the International Catholic Legislators Network on Aug. 21.
Meet the Augustinian saints celebrated by the Church in August
Here are 6 Augustinian saints and a blessed who the the Catholic Church celebrates in August.
Pope Leo meets Lebanese president; security issues at center of talks
The pope met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday morning at the Apostolic Palace and focused on challenges facing Lebanon and the implementation of the Trilateral Framework Agreement.
Pope Leo XIV: To heal the wounds of war, our hearts must return to God
The pontiff’s message for the 11th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation was published Aug. 20.
Pope Leo XIV: The musical heritage of the Church must be preserved
The pontiff’s Aug. 19 general audience focused on the role of sacred music in the liturgy.
Pope names 2 Notre Dame professors as consultors to Vatican human development dicastery
The pontiff appointed 12 new consultors to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on Aug. 18.
Pope Leo XIV offers condolences to victims of ferry accident in Zimbabwe
The pontiff offered prayers for the Zimbabwean people in a telegram on Aug. 18.
Pope Leo XIV expresses closeness to victims of earthquake in Indonesia
The pontiff offered prayers for the Indonesian people in a message on Aug. 17.
Pope Leo XIV: Violence against Palestinians in West Bank must stop
During his Aug. 16 Angelus address at Castel Gandolfo, the pontiff urged a 2-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Pope Leo XIV: Mary shows that ‘true beauty’ is found in ‘the light of the risen Lord’
In a homily on the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the pope urged the faithful to reject “consumerist” standards in favor of love.
Marian dogmas: What every Catholic should know
Over the centuries the Catholic Church has formally proclaimed four Marian dogmas: her immaculate conception, divine motherhood, perpetual virginity, and assumption into heaven.
Pope Leo: Child migrants are too easily ignored by society
The pontiff’s message was published ahead of the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, observed on Sept. 27.
Pope Leo XIV on liturgy: Priests must remain faithful to Mass rubrics
Pope Leo sent a letter to Cardinal Arthur Roche for a conference on liturgical formation at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon Aug. 14–19.
Pope Leo XIV sends 100,000 euros to Church in Colombia to aid earthquake victims
The papal donation is an initial response to address the most urgent needs with more to come as new needs are identified.
EWTN News explains: Canon law and how it applies to Catholics
Canon law has often made headlines in the Catholic Church. But what is canon law, and how does it apply to the everyday Catholic?
Pope Leo XIV: Attendance at Sunday Mass cannot be replaced by virtual participation
The pontiff’s Aug. 12 general audience focused on the importance of the liturgical year.
Pope chooses theme on AI and war for World Day of Peace 2027
The 60th World Day of Peace will take place on Jan. 1, 2027.
Pope Leo XIV expresses sorrow for the victims of earthquake in Colombia
The pontiff expressed his closeness to the Colombian people in a message on Aug. 11.
Pope Leo XIV appoints new members to Vatican’s Council for the Economy
The pope also reconfirmed eight existing members, including president Cardinal Reinhard Marx and vice coordinator Charlotte Kreuter-Kirchhof.