Vatican & World News

 - At the United Nations, the Holy See upholds the moral imperative of disarmament  - Foreign ministers from various countries express outrage at ongoing human rights abuses in Sudan  - Bambino Gesù children’s hospital is recognized as the best pediatric hospital in Europe

-       We bring you details of Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming apostolic journeys abroad -       The President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference prays for peace for Ukraine and reiterates the Church’s appeal for a ceasefire -       One year after the cuts to humanitarian aid announced by the British government, NGOs take stock of how those cuts have affected millions of people in need across the globe

-       Pope Leo, all the cardinals residing in Rome, and the heads of Dicasteries attend the Lenten Spiritual Exercises for the Roman Curia. -       The Mexican Bishops’ Conference issuea statement in response to the eruption of violence in the country. -       Thousands of people visit the relics of St Francis of Assisi, which are being exhibited for the veneration of the faithful for the first time in almost 800 years.

-       Pope Leo encourages two religious groups to continue their mission, even in the most difficult places. -       Israeli air strikes kill at least 10 people in eastern Lebanon. -       The external work on Barcelona’s Basilica of the Holy Family - or Sagrada Família - has been completed, culminating with the huge cross mounted onthe Tower of Jesus.

-    Donald Trump threatens to strike Iran -    The Vatican releases the schedule for Pope Leo’s upcoming journeys to seven locations around Italy -    As Christians and Muslims prepare to celebrate Lent and Ramadan side by side, Rome prepares to host a gathering of religious leaders from across the Mediterranean

-       Pope Leo invites the faithful to convert their hearts and pray intensely this Lent. -       The Custos of the Holy Land, encourages everyone to get involved in the “Pro Terra Sancta” Collection. -       During the General Audience, Pope Leo highlights that Lumen gentium reminds us that the Church 'is the mystery made perceptible'.

-       Pope Leo prays for the victims and their families of the cyclones in Madagascar. -       The UN pushes for global protection of children in the midst of wars and conflicts. -       The Director of Social Communications for a Catholic Archdiocese in Nigeria highlights the importance of human voices over AI on the radio.

-   Pope Leo XIV encourages lay people to live out the Christian faith in acts of charity that respond to the needs of our times -   Palestinian officials in the West Bank express concern for Israel’s expansion of control throughout the territory -   The Catholic bishops of Colombia call on citizens to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections  

-   Pope Leo XIV urges Europe to overcome tensions and division -   Tel Aviv grants Caritas Jerusalem permission to provide humanitarian aid in Palestinian territories, as it restricts the number of NGOs allowed to operate in the region -   Marking the World Day of the Sick, the Pope sends the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development to Chiclayo, Peru, to bring his closeness to those who are suffering

-   Pope Leo sends electricity generators, medicine and food supplies, to Ukraine. -   Fifty-three migrants, including two babies, drown after a boat capsizes off the coast of Libya.  -   Pope Leo XIV invites priests to not be daunted by challenges and secularism, but to realize that their closeness to Christ can help others.

-       The Pope sends a letter to Cardinal Michael Czerny, his special envoy for the 34th World Day of the Sick celebration on 11 February. -       A Talitha Kum Youth Ambassador from Botswana speaks about the urgency of confronting modern slavery through faith, creativity, and digital advocacy. -       The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints presides over a beatification Mass for the Servant of God, Salvador Valera Perra, in Spain.

-   Pope Leo’s prayer intentions for February are released. -   South Sudan faces the consequences of violence, as renewed fighting has forced the UN to suspend vital food deliveries in parts of the country. -   The Pope encourages young priests and monks from the Eastern Orthodox Churches to work toward unity and in charity.

-   Pope Leo XIV renews his appeal for prayer and solidarity with the people of Ukraine. -   The Pope also issues a message for the World Day of Human Fraternity.  -   Michelangelo’s Last Judgment is set to undergo around three months of restoration work.

-   Pope Leo offers comfort to Crans-Montana fire victims one month after the tragedy -   Gaza’s Rafah crossing opens for the first time since the beginning of the war -   Ukrainian mediators postpone peace talks amid continuing Russian strikes

-   Pope Leo XIV encourages the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith to renew efforts to facilitate the transmission of the faith -   The President of the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ conference calls for a Holy Hour for Peace in the midst of the current climate of fear and polarisation in the nation -   A new study shows that Climate Change is a major factor in deadly floods and landslides sweeping Southern Africa  

-   Pope Leo prays for the victims of flooding in Mozambique -   Bishops in South Sudan condemn violent rhetoric from military leaders -   A report from a UK think tank suggests there is little evidence that asylum seekers are absuing the the country’s modern slavery protections

-   Pope Leo meets with officials of the Tribunal of Roman Rota for the inauguration of their judicial year. -   The bishop of the city of Minneapolis in the United States calls on the faithful to pray for respect of every human life.  -   Ahead of the 2026 Winter Games, Athletica Vaticana — the official sports association of the Holy See — will deliver the Olympic Cross on January 29.

-   Pope Leo XIV appeals for efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and prays for all those suffering from conflict in the Middle East and other regions of the world -   Ukrainians face freezing winter temperatures amid power blackouts as Russia continues to strike infrastructure and major cities -   In his message for World Mission Day, the Pope says that at a time of deepening conflict and division, the proclamation of the Gospel calls for peaceful hearts

-   In his message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, Pope Leo XIV focuses on AI and technology that – he says – must serve, not replace, the human person -   The UN Human Rights chief says the ICE crackdown in the U.S. is dehumanising -   Kyiv condemns continuing Russian strikes while Ukrainians face freezing temperatures amid the destruction of more power infrastructure

-   The US, Ukraine, Russia prepare to hold their first three way talks since Russias invasion in 2022 -   Pope Leo says Pope the Church’s social teaching offers a path to authentic respect and peaceful coexistence -   We speak to Father Tomaž Majcen, the parish priest of Nuuk, about how Greenlanders are coping with being at the centre of global tensions

-   Pope Leo approves decrees for 2 new Blesseds and 4 new Venerables -   Bishops from across Europe and North America call for the recognition of human dignity in Israel and Palestine -   We speak to to Metropolitan Job of Psidia about the problems with the traditional narrative of schism between the Catholic and Orthodox churches

-   Pope Leo continues his catechesis on what he calls “one of the most beautiful and important” documents of the Second Vatican Council. -   A new report by a rights group shows the rise in migrant deaths on routes from Africa to Europe.  -   As the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine worsens, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, launches a heartfelt appeal for the country.

-   Pope releases his message for the 34th World Day of the Sick to be held on February 11. -   Cardinal Kurt Koch speaks about the importance of ecumenism during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  -   The head of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference explains how the Catholic Church is stepping up its efforts to promote dialogue, reconciliation and peace.

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