Vatican & World News

In the headlines, this Friday, January 16th:   - Ukraine faces winter emergency as Russia intensifies attacks on power grid - Cardinal Parolin celebrates Mass in Kuwait   - Amid ongoing threats to peace worldwide, Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, invites Christians to pray for peace during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity  

-   Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin is scheduled to travel to Kuwait for a two-day visit. -   Syria declares Kurdish-held areas near Aleppo closed military zones.    -   Pope Leo’s mosaic portrait is unveiled before the General Audience.

 - Pope Leo thanks Jubilee collaborators for their work during the Holy Year  - Protests continue throughout Iran despite a security crackdown   - The United States and Venezuela explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations

 - Pope Leo invites cardinals to share their pastoral burdens with one another during Mass at the Consistory  - The Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land appeals to Christians to make pilgrimages to the Holy Land  - Syria’s army launches attack on Kurdish neighbourhoods in Aleppo, with aid agencies warning of grave risks to civilians

In the headlines this Tuesday, January 6th, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord: -   Pope Leo XIV closes the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica -   The Jubilee of Hope, which drew more than 33 million pilgrims to Rome, officially concludes -   The Holy Father, this Epiphany, reflects on what we are to concretely take from the example of the Magi’s journey to, and adoration of, the Christ Child

In the headlines this Sunday, January 4th: -   Pope Leo makes an impassioned appeal for overcoming violence and for safeguarding sovereignty in Venezuela -   He calls for the rule of law to be upheld, and for human and civil rights of all the nation's people to be respected -   The Holy Father renews his closeness to victims of the fire tragedy in Crans-Montana, Switzerland

-   Pope Leo starts the new year with his first public Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. -   We reflect on the Pope’s first Message for the World Day of Peace. -   The Director of Advocacy at the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development explains the importance of redefining “realism”, especially in light of the Pope’s peace message.

 - Pope Leo invites the faithful to give thanks for the past, seek forgiveness, and entrust the journey ahead to God’s mercy  - Pax Christi’s Marie Denis reflects on the meaning of “unarmed and disarming peace” in the Pope’s message for the World Day of Peace  - Vatican Radio looks back at the special and historically significant moments of the Jubilee Year 2025

-   Newly released data shows that over 3 million pilgrims visited the Vatican in 2025 -   The UN Secretary-General warns that conflict, climate breakdown and international law violations are eroding trust in leadership worldwide -   We speak to Bishop John Dolan of the US diocese of Phoenix, Arizona about his mental health ministry within the Church

 - Pope Leo says Christian families can be a light in a society often marked by loneliness, despair, division, and conflict  - Today marks the conclusion of the Holy Year in the dioceses and eparchies – the particular churches – throughout the world  - Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is in the United States for talks with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump

 - Pope Leo invites members of the Taizé community to build peace and share joy with those they encounter  - The Vicar General of Rome, Cardinal Baldassare Reina, solemnly closes the Holy Door at Saint John Lateran  - Russia continues to strike Ukrainian infrastructure with drone and missile attacks