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Entries for May 2025

Marking the 10th anniversary of Laudato si’, Pope Leo XIV sends a videomessage to the Network of Universities for the Care of Our Common Home, and encourages their synodal reflection ahead of COP30. Read all  

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Pope Leo visits the tomb of St Paul, and prays: “May the Lord grant me the grace to respond faithfully to his call.” Read all  

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Cardinal Parolin receives the Path to Peace Foundation’s award, stating he accepted it on behalf of the Secretariat of State, “which works tirelessly for the Pope to promote justice in our world.” Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV makes a surprise visit to the Dicastery for Bishops - where he had served as Prefect until he was elected Pope - and celebrates Mass in the Dicastery's chapel. Read all  

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The US Bishops’ Conference responds to Trump administration revoking policies that protect pregnant and postpartum women in the custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Read all  

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As the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), supported by the UN, warns of an imminent famine in Gaza, CAFOD, the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, says the blockade of lifesaving aid to Gaza must end and calls for an immediate ceasefire. Read all  

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Ugandan Catholic institutions and faith-based organisations have announced a collective commitment to eliminate single-use plastics from all their functions, gatherings, and public religious events marking a major step forward in the country’s growing faith-led environmental movement. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV receives Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia in the Vatican on Monday and warm appreciation was expressed at the Prime Minister's subsequent encounter at the Holy See's Secretariat of State "for the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and Australia." Read all  

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Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, tells the United Nations the election of a new Pope is “an occasion for renewal… for all who seek a world of greater justice, solidarity, and peace.” Read all  

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Fr. Valentin Mbaibarem is the last of the six hostages captured on May 7 to be released, and the Archbishop of Garoua says he is in good physical condition. Read all  

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Israel allows basic food supplies to enter Gaza following a 10-week blockade, aiming to prevent a famine in the besieged Palestinian territory. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV holds a private audience with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a day after he attended the Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate. Read all  

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Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay, has called on India and Pakistan to find a path to enduring peace, amid tensions over the Kashmir region. Read all  

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In Rome for Pope Leo XIV's inaugaural Mass, Varsen Aghabekian, Foreign Minister of the State of Palestine, pays a visit to a Roman hospital treating injured Gazan children. Read all  

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On the day after the Mass for the Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry, Pope Leo XIV greets delegations from non-Catholic Churches, ecclesial communities, and other faith traditions, recalling his predecessor’s commitment to ecumenism and interreligious dialogue. Read all  

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Joining his appeal for peace with the Pope’s, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, calls on the Christian community to “do everything possible to bring help” to those suffering in Gaza. Read all  

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As Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Dr. Boonchuay Doojai, a respected voice from Thailand’s interfaith community, offered a thoughtful reflection on the new Pope's call to peace and unity. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV holds a private audience with US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attended the Inauguration Mass of his pontificate on Sunday. Read all  

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In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA) is set to host the Third Laudato Si’ Youth Assembly in Accra, Ghana, from 30 May to 1 June 2025. Read all  

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Our Editorial Director reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s call for the Church to be a leaven of unity and love in the midst of the restlessness and questions of our world. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV appeals for peace in war-torn parts of the world, praying for people suffering because of war, especially in Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV presides at the Mass of Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry in Saint Peter’s Square, and invites the Church to walk together along the path of God's love and remain united in one family. Read all  

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Israel launches a major military operation in the Gaza Strip, following days of intensive strikes across the territory that killed hundreds of people. Read all  

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Fr. Robert Mehlhart, OP, President of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, has begun offering singing lessons on social media, saying the initiative stems from a desire to help people join in song with Pope Leo XIV. Read all  

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During the Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate on May 18, Pope Leo XIV will receive the Ring of the Fisherman—a symbol of the Petrine Ministry with deep roots in the New Testament. Read all  

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At the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation conference on Friday, the Vatican Secretary of State highlights the crucial role of the Social Doctrine of the Church in addressing today’s crises of global governance and polarisation. Read all  

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The Apostolic Nuncio to Peru reflects on the strong ties between the new Pope and the South American nation where he spent much of his life in service. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV challenges the Centesimus Annus Foundation to help develop the Church’s Social Doctrine with the “people of God, in this time of great social upheaval, through attentive listening and open dialogue to all.” Read all  

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The 3rd World Interfaith Harmony Week forum held in Addis Ababa has brought together global faith leaders to discuss issues such as peacebuilding, climate justice, and religious freedom, and saw a strong Catholic participation. Read all  

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As the Church celebrates the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Father Luke Gregory reflects on the theme, "Sowing seeds of love and hope." Read all  

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The celebration marking the official beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate on May 18 is a solemn liturgy. The rite highlights the bond with the Apostle Peter and his martyrdom, which nurtured the nascent Church of Rome, and the significance of the “Petrine” episcopal insignia conferred upon the Pope: the Pallium and the Ring of the Fisherman. Read all   ...

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The 2025 Global Network Against Food Crises report reveals a sharp rise in global hunger. Over 295 million people now face severe food insecurity, an increase of 14 million from the previous year. Read all  

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Fr Anthony Pizzo, Prior of the Midwest Province of the Augustinian Order, shares his personal experience of Pope Leo XIV, describing him as a man of integrity, balance, and deep commitment to the mission of the Church. Read all  

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More than 100 people were killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza on Friday as the death toll in the enclave, since 7 October 2023, crosses 53,000. Gaza's health ministry said hundreds more were injured in addition to those killed. Read all  

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The Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization speaks with Vatican News about Pope Leo XIV, shares his spiritual experience of the conclave, and reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis nearly a month after his passing. Read all  

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The President of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST) has said that the Church in the region warmly welcomes the new Pope and that the Bishops are eager to meet the Holy Father at the Vatican during their upcoming ad limina visit. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV addresses the Diplomatic Corps and encourages the ambassadors to pursue paths of peace with justice, truth and hope. Read all  

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The Major Archbishop of Kyiv expresses his gratitude to Pope Leo while meeting with him in a private audience on Thursday morning. The Archbishop gives him a painting entitled “Requiem Prayer” depicting the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Read all  

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Chinese Catholics see the inauguration of new churches in the nation's Hubei Province and Shanxi Province as concrete signs of perseverance on the path of faith. Read all  

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Anton Abu Akleh speaks to Vatican Media about his sister Shireen, the Palestinian Catholic journalist and “voice of the oppressed people of the Holy Land” who was shot dead three years ago. Read all  

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Hundreds of journalists gathered in Istanbul on Thursday afternoon as Ukraine and Russia were scheduled to hold their first direct talks there after more than 3 years of war. Russia has confirmed that President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part despite having called for the talks himself. Read all  

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Before the EU Foreign Ministers meet next week, the two conferences stress the need to shift back to “partnership grounded in mutual respect, environmental stewardship, and the centrality of human dignity.” Read all  

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On Tuesday 13 May, US President Donald Trump announced the lifting of economic sanctions against Syria, a measure repeatedly called for by local churches and NGOs, and by the Syrian people. However, Syrian Christians remain cautious and want to continue to ensure that the right of every community 'to live in dignity' is respected, according to Fr Georges Sabé, a Marist priest in Aleppo. ...

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In the wake of the devastating earthquake in March, the Church in Myanmar expresses joy for the election of Pope Leo XIV and makes an appeal to the world for assistance with the dire humanitarian situation. Read all  

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Recalling the saying of St. John Baptist de La Salle "Your altar is the classroom," Pope Leo XIV commends the educational efforts of the Christian Brothers, and encourages them to continue "inspiring joyful and fruitful paths of holiness." Read all  

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On the sidelines of an event on Ukraine at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin speaks about the direct negotiations starting Thursday in Türkiye, saying, “We hope this is a serious starting point to end the war." Read all  

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In his address during the interactive dialogue entitled “On Childhood With Dignity”, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, cited Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical "Rerum Novarum" in reaffirming every child’s right to grow through education and opportunities “to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.” Read all ...

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Juliette Touma, UNRWA's Director of Communications highlights the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urges the international community to do “everything possible” to reach a ceasefire and ensure the delivery of aid. Read all  

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The goal of the gathering is to promote a synodal proposal that encourages listening, collective discernment, and concrete action in response to the socio-environmental crisis. Read all  

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In a bid to strengthen national and regional efforts against violent extremism and instability, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), through its Directorate of Governance, Justice and Peace, has begun forging new partnerships with key government stakeholders. Read all  

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As the 2025 Italian Open is underway in Rome, Pope Leo XIV receives professional tennis player Jannik Sinner in the Vatican, along with his family and the president of the Italian Tennis Federation. Read all  

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The coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV evokes his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and inspiration drawn from St. Augustine, according to the Holy See Press Office. Read all  

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In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the South Kivu province's capital of Bukavu, is being abandoned to hunger and neglect, amid a humanitarian emergency where violations against children are surging, essential services have collapsed, and the population sees no way out. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV welcomes Eastern Catholics to the Vatican for the Jubilee of Eastern Churches, and highlights the need to preserve their traditions and pray for true peace, “which is reconciliation, forgiveness, and the courage to turn the page and start anew." Read all  

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On the eve of the Jubilee of Eastern Church's encounter with Pope Leo XIV, a Divine Liturgy in the East Syriac rite is celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the Jubilee. Read all  

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History professor Donald Prudlo talks with Vatican News about Pope Leo XIV’s choice of names, focusing on the similarities between the challenges facing Leo XIII in the 19th century and the world we find ourselves in today. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in the community chapel of the General Curia of the Augustinians, before joining the brothers for lunch — just as he used to when he was a Cardinal. Read all  

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The Director of Communications for Caritas Butembo-Beni encourages the country’s authorities to “actively engage in responsible urban planning” to prevent disasters, such as the flood, in the future. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV has published his first post on Instagram and X, which were employed to great effect by his predecessors, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI. Read all  

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After participating in the Conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV as the successor of Peter, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu describes this election as a choice of the Holy Spirit, made by the Cardinals. The Archbishop of Kinshasa (DRC) and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SCEAM) has since called on the faithful to pray for the new Pope so that he may suc...

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In a letter addressed to the new Pope, the General Secretariat of the Synod says it “looks with confidence” to the directions Pope Leo XIV will provide to help the Church grow as “a home and family of God open to all.” Read all  

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More than 30,000 people took part in the “Hee Hee Hee” Youth Festival in Seoul, South Korea, from May 9 to 11, a large-scale, youth-led celebration organized by the Archdiocese of Seoul and the Local Organizing Committee for World Youth Day (WYD) 2027. Read all  

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On the occasion of the Jubilee of Eastern Churches, Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, head of the Armenian Catholic Church, presides over the Divine Liturgy in the Armenian Rite at St. Mary Major, and calls for the elimination of hatred in all its forms. Read all  

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A new report warns that essential supplies in Gaza are nearly depleted, with the entire population facing acute food insecurity. Read all  

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His Beatitude Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts and President of the Assembly of Patriarchs and Bishops of Egypt, presides over the Divine Liturgy of the Coptic Rite on the occasion of the Jubilee of Eastern Churches in the Pauline Chapel of St. Mary Major. Read all  

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As South Sudanese refugees struggle with trauma and aid shortfalls in northern Uganda, a Catholic sister from a missionary congregation offers rare, holistic care—combining mental health support, education, and faith. Read all  

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In Sudan’s sprawling refugee camps, where hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese have fled conflict and violence, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus live alongside the displaced, offering spiritual care, solidarity, and hope. Read all  

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Ethiopian Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, Archbishop of Addis Ababa, presides over the Divine Liturgy in the Geʽez Rite concelebrated with Eritrean Archbishop Menghesteab Tesfamariam of Asmara. Read all  

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From May 12 to 14, the Vatican is hosting the Jubilee of the Eastern Catholic Churches, which features a series of Divine Liturgies in various Eastern rites. Read all  

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The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue sends a message to Buddhists for the feast of Vesak, stressing that dialogue must not be limited to words but must become “concrete actions for peace, justice and dignity for all.” Read all  

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The banned Kurdish group, the PKK, which has waged a 40-year insurgency against Türkiye, is disbanding. Read all  

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21-year-old Edan Alexander is set to be released after 583 days as a hostage, a move Hamas says is a step towards a ceasefire. Read all  

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The Holy See Press Office releases Pope Leo XIV's upcoming liturgical celebrations for the month of May, which include the Mass of Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry on Sunday, 18 May, in St. Peter's Square. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have spoken by phone following the Pope's appeal "that every effort be made" for long and lasting peace in Ukraine and that all children be returned to their families. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV meets with media professionals in Rome to cover the papal election, and urges them to serve truth and promote peace, saying communication helps create a society’s culture. Read all  

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European leaders visited Kyiv on Saturday to discuss the road toward peace between Ukraine and Russia, and to remember the fallen soldiers. Read all  

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UN agencies still working in Gaza have repeated concerns about the Israeli plan to take control of the aid operation in the war-torn enclave. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV had the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace reopened on Sunday, which had been sealed according to protocol after the death of Pope Francis. Read all  

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Following his first Regina Coeli, Pope Leo XIV issues an appeal for an end to the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and on the India/Pakistan border. Read all  

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Before leading the recitation of the Regina Caeli on Good Shepherd Sunday, Pope Leo XIV calls for prayers for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, while also "living in service to one another" so we can "walk in love and truth" on our life journey. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at the tomb of Saint Peter and prays by the niche of the Pallia. Read all  

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From 10 to 11 May Rome will be filled with music of all kinds. On Saturday 10 May participants in the Jubilee event will make a pilgrimage to the Holy Door at Saint Peter’s Basilica and then perform in 31 squares across the city. On Sunday 11 May Mass will be celebrated in Rome's Piazza Cavour by Archbishop Rino Fisichella. Read all  

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During his first visit outside the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV makes a stop at the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray to the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani and at the tomb of the late Pope Francis. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV pays a visit to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, just outside Rome, saying he "wanted so much to come here in these first days of the new Ministry ... that the Church has entrusted to me.’ Read all  

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As the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Abbot Marion Nguyen reflects on the theme, "Belonging before belief" Read all  

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Leaders of Eastern-rite Catholic Churches and Orthodox Churches have welcomed the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV reveals his coat of arms and motto, which clearly reflect his Augustinian roots. Read all  

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On the day of his election, Pope Leo XIV wore a pectoral cross containing relics of saints linked to the Augustinian order: those of Saint Augustine and the saint's mother, Saint Monica. Read all  

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In his first address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV invokes the legacy of both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIII, saying that he wants the Church to "respond to a new industrial revolution and to the development of artificial intelligence." Read all  

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Catholics in Kampala Archdiocese, Uganda, joined the global Church in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV with a special thanksgiving Mass held at Lugaba Cathedral. Read all  

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Welcoming Pope Leo XIV's election, fellow American and leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia recalls that the newly elected Pope once studied theology at Villanova University in Pennsylvania and expresses his view that he is a pastor and a theologian. Read all  

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Church leaders and Catholic organisations worldwide have welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s election with joy, highlighting his commitment to peace, humility, and care for the vulnerable. Read all  

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Following the election of Pope Leo XIV Christian leaders across the ecumenical spectrum send messages and statements highlighting a shared commitment to unity, peace, and collaborative witness in the spirit of dialogue. Read all  

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The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Read all  

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The Holy See announces the upcoming schedule for the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, including the Mass of Inauguration to officially begin his pontificate. Read all  

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The first words of Pope Leo XIV offer a precious insight for the life of the Church. Read all  

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The morning after being elected the 267th Pope, Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass with the Cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel, reminding them that "we are to bear witness to our joyful faith in Christ" while warning that where faith is lacking, life loses meaning. Read all  

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Watch special moments leading up to the election of Pope Leo XIV. Read all  

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Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, expresses joy and gratitude following the election of Pope Leo XIV. Read all  

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The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, describes Pope Leo XIV’s first message to the world as a call to peace and dialogue. He also highlights the significance of his name as a clear reference to the Church’s social teaching in the modern age. Read all  

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Fr. Alejandro Moral, Prior General of the Augustinians and a long-time friend of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, tells Vatican News that the new Pope "immediately spoke of justice and peace and of bridges between all, of synodality." Read all  

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Prior to his election as Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. Here is the biography of the 267th Bishop of Rome. Read all  

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Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful and the world invoking peace and pledging to work for a united Church faithful to Jesus and to the Gospel. Read all  

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Our Editorial Director reflects on the spiritual significance of accepting the papal ministry as an act of trust in Christ, who guides the Church. Read all  

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Leo XIV is the new Pope

Posted on May 08, 2025 in: Vatican News

"Peace be with all of you!" - the first words of Pope Leo XIV. The Conclave has elected Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome. The new pope was announced to the waiting crowds by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti. Read all  

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We offer a detailed look at what happens inside the Sistine Chapel in the moments before the appearance of the white smoke, and what takes place prior to the announcement made by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti from the Loggia of Blessings of St. Peter’s Basilica, when he proclaims the name of the new Bishop of Rome. Read all  

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Habemus Papam!

Posted on May 08, 2025 in: Vatican News

White smoke ascends from the roof of the Sistine Chapel, signalling the election of a new Pope. The world awaits the appearance of the Cardinal electors on the Loggia of St Peter's Basilica, and the announcement of the 266th successor of St Peter. Read all  

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Africa's Radio Maria network has been encouraging its listeners to pray for the Cardinals as they choose a new Pope. One such prayer initiative was recently hosted at the Marian Shrine of Kibeho in Rwanda. Read all  

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No Pope was elected after the third ballot of the conclave to elect the 267th Pope. Read all  

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No Pope was elected after the first ballot of the conclave to elect the 267th Pope. Read all  

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The Conclave begins

Posted on May 07, 2025 in: Vatican News

The 133 cardinal-electors have entered the Sistine Chapel in solemn procession, beginning the conclave that will elect the next and 267th pope. Read all  

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A longstanding tradition has it that Popes change their names from their baptismal name, though it hasn’t always been the case, especially in the first centuries of Christianity. Popes have often chosen the names of their immediate or distant predecessors out of respect, admiration, or recognition to mark continuity, but also different names to mark innovation. Read all ...

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Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presides over the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, and calls for unity in faith and prayer as the Cardinals go into the Conclave to elect the new Pope. "May the Pope elected may be he whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult, complex, and troubled turning point in history." Read all ...

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Confrontation between India and Pakistan over Kashmir escalates dramatically following Indian airstrikes deep into Pakistani territory in retaliation for the killing of 26 Indian tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir last month, an attack allegedly carried out by Pakistan-based Islamist militants. Read all  

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From the Mass for the Election of the New Pope to the white smoke, Vatican Media provides broadcasts, platforms, and frequencies to follow the Conclave Live via video and audio Read all  

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In an interview with Vatican News, author and papal biographer, Austen Ivereigh, recalls Pope Francis' warmth and listening, as that of a grandfather, as he remembers their last meeting, how the Pope surprised him when he least expected it, and how he immensely valued the work of others. Read all  

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Pope Francis "never hesitated to condemn anti-Semitism," whose words "were a shield for countless Jewish communities," and "we will miss his wisdom, his friendship, and his unwavering moral clarity," says Viktor Eichner, who represents the World Jewish Congress at the Vatican, in an interview with Vatican News remembering the late Pope. Read all   ...

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Extra omnes

Posted on May 06, 2025 in: Vatican News

As the conclave approaches, Paolo Ruffini reflects on the servant leadership of the Apostle Peter. Read all  

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The war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues to wreak death, destruction and displacement as it spreads to previously quiet areas of the Northeast African nation. Read all  

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From the voting of cardinal electors to the burning of ballots in a cast-iron stove dating back to 1939, here’s a look at what happens inside the Sistine Chapel during a papal election. Read all  

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The day before the beginning of the Conclave, the twelfth and final General Congregation of Cardinals focuses on various qualities important for a future Pope, including being a shepherd, bridgebuilder, and promoter of reform. Read all  

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Electing a Pope wasn’t always the formal, ruled-based conclave we are familiar with today. Everything changed in 1271 after a papal election lasted almost three years. Read all  

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The European Parliament opens its plenary session in Strasbourg with a commemoration honouring Pope Francis as a moral authority and a voice for unity. Read all  

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Remembering A Great Pope

Posted on May 06, 2025 in: Vatican News

Vincent Doyle, Founder of Coping International, an organisation that works to support the children of clergy and religious reflects on the pontificate of Pope Francis. Read all  

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The cardinals gathered for their General Congregation ahead of the conclave release a statement decrying the lack of peace agreements reached in conflict areas. Read all  

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In an interview with Vatican News, Archbishop John Kennedy, the Head of the Disciplinary Section of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, remembers Pope Francis as a loving pastor, who offered a masterclass to faithful Catholics, and through the late Pope's care for all victims of abuse, wished to make every concrete effort to protect children and offer justice to the wounded. ...

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Officials and staff involved in the upcoming Conclave take the oath of secrecy ensuring the integrity of the process to elect the new pontiff. Read all  

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The College of Cardinals convenes for the eleventh General Congregation with a focus on migration, synodality and unity ahead of the Conclave. Read all  

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Around fifty professionals from various sectors of social life have just concluded a week-long workshop on Sunday, 4 May, which brought together delegates from five African countries. The theme of the workshop was, "Catholic Professionals and Commitment to Christian Leadership, Peace, Good Governance, and the Protection of Life.” Read all   ...

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The Conclave as we know it today goes back to the Middle Ages, and was established to prevent a prolonged Vacant See (Sede Vacante) and outside interference. Read all  

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The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors joins the Church in prayer ahead of the Conclave that begins on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. Read all  

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In his annual publication of prayer intentions for 2025, Pope Francis had invited the faithful to pray during the month of May “For working conditions.” However, due to his passing, the format for the Pope Video accompanying this prayer intention has changed to now offer reflections from the late Popes Francis, Benedict XVI and John Paul II. Read all   ...

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The fatherhood of Peter

Posted on May 05, 2025 in: Vatican News

Our Editorial Director, Andrea Tornielli, reflects on the fatherhood of the Apostle Peter, the first Pope, and remembers Pope St. Paul VI's words, which embodied the identity of the papacy: “I feel like the father of all humanity.” Read all  

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At least 57 Palestinians have starved to death in Gaza as Israel’s blockade of critical humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave stretches into its third month amid relentless bombardments. Read all  

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The Cardinals hold their tenth General Congregation to prepare for the upcoming conclave, and continue their discussions on the state of the Church and their hopes for the future. Read all  

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The Lutheran World Federation’s General Secretary reflects on the late Pope Francis’ legacy of unity, inclusion, and reconciliation and describes his witness as a source of inspiration for believers worldwide. Read all  

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In an interview with Vatican News, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Central Asia, Bishop José Luis Mumbiela Sierra, remembers Pope Francis for bringing God's love to those least expecting, and calling his Visits to Central Asia "a sort of living Gospel," in which many people learned of Catholicism for the first time. Read all   ...

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On Sunday afternoon, 4 May, the Third Sunday of Easter, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti presided over the ninth and final Novemdiale Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica in suffrage for Pope Francis, with the participation of the College of Cardinals. He recalled that Peter’s mission is love expressed through service to the Church and all humanity. Read all ...

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Authorities say Russia launched a massive drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, hitting a high-rise residential block, triggering fires, and injuring 46 people. The strike, one of several in recent days, has underscored calls for peace in the more than three-year-long war. Read all  

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A missile fired from Yemen landed near the main terminal of Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morning. Read all  

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During the eighth Mass of the Novemdiales in memory of Pope Francis, the Cardinal and former Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life invites the faithful to turn the apostles' enthusiasm, sparked by the appearance of the Risen Christ, into a "life program." Their "wonder," in contrast to "bewilderment" and "discouragement," becomes a model fo...

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Pope Francis requests that his popemobile be turned into a health clinic for the children of Gaza. Read all  

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As thousands of young people gather in Mexico City for the Vitae Fest, a video recorded by the late Pope Francis in mid-2024 invites them to create movement within the Church and to fix their eyes on Christ. Read all  

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The Sede Vacante during the 2025 Holy Year evokes historical parallels with the Jubilee of year 1700 which was also marked by the death of a Pope, Innocent XII, who died before the end of the Holy Year he had proclaimed. The Numismatics Department of the Vatican Library preserves a commemorative coin of that Sede Vacante in its medal collection. Its Director Eleonora Giampiccolo speaks to Vatica...

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The 177 Cardinals present in Rome hold their ninth General Congregation in the Vatican on Saturday morning, and discuss the Church's need for hope during the ongoing Jubilee. Read all  

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As the Church celebrates the Third Sunday of Easter, Fr Edmund Power, OSB, reflects on the Risen Lord's encounter with the disciples on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias, and the need for "eyes of faith" to recognise the Lord. Read all  

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The Church in Indian-administered Kashmir strongly condemns the deadly terrorist attack that killed 26 Indian civilians near a tourist resort on 22 April, and prays for peace and reconciliation amid dangerously rising border tensions between India and Pakistan. Read all  

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The Vatican's Sistine Chapel has been set up to host 133 Cardinal electors for the upcoming conclave to elect the 267th Pope. Read all  

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The Vatican begins preparing the Sistine Chapel for the conclave, which will begin on May 7. Read all  

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In a previously unreleased interview by the ESNE television network, Pope Francis reflects on biblical passages recounting the dialogue between Jesus and His disciples, repeating his desire that the Church might be “a humble servant in the midst of the world.” Read all  

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Evangelisation, fraternity, synodality, and unity were some of the topics under discussion at the 8th General Congregation in the Vatican this morning. Read all  

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Bishop Aurelio Gazzera, the Coadjutor Bishop of Bangassou in the Central African Republic, has paid tribute to Pope Francis’ historic visit to CAR in 2015. Read all  

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Wildfires in Israel, particularly the catastrophic blaze encricling Jerusalem this week, have not spared monasteries and Catholic communities. Read all  

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In the busy city of Nairobi, in the slum of Kawangware, Kenya, stands a remarkable place of refuge and transformation—the Amani Children's Family Primary School. Run by the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood, this school offers more than just education. Read all  

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Solar energy brings light and hope to thousands of families without electricity in Malawi’s rural areas. Sr. Bernadette Mnyenyembe, MSHR, describes her congregation’s initiative that has given over 9,000 households the empowering gift of light and better livelihoods. Read all  

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The Papal Foundation, a U.S.-based charitable organization, has announced $14 million in grants and humanitarian aid. The funds will support 116 projects in over 60 countries. Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed over $250 million to support more than 2,800 projects identified by Popes Francis, Benedict XVI, and Saint John Paul II. Read all   ...

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In the wake of Pope Francis’ death, the Director of US-based Catholic Mobilizing Network recalls his actions to put an end to the death penalty, rooted in his belief that God’s mercy has the power to change our hardened hearts. Read all  

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Marcia King, a member of The Economy of Francesco, reflects on the late Pope Francis’ call to "give a soul to the economy of tomorrow". Read all  

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In his homily for the sixth Novemdiales Mass in memory of Pope Francis, which falls on International Workers’ Day, Cardinal Fernández reflects on the late Pope’s emphasis on the dignity of work. Read all  

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A state of emergency has been declared in Israel following what are being described as the country’s largest ever fires. Read all  

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More than 20 Bishops and 150 Confrères gathered to Celebrate the Jubilee of the Congregation Founded by St. Vincent de Paul. The celebration took place at the Maison Mère, the spiritual heart of the Vincentian mission. Read all  

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The conclave set to begin on May 7 will be the first to include 133 Cardinal electors, but it is not the first time the College of Cardinals has exceeded the 120 limit. Read all  

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As the College of Cardinals requests prayers from all Catholics for their discernment for the next Pope, Dominican Fr. Sylvain Detoc recalls the power of the Church’s prayer, especially in moments when the Holy Spirit seeks to open up new horizons. Read all  

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Bishop Joseph Trần Văn Toản of Long Xuyen in Vietnam has called on the faithful to become “a pilgrim people of hope,” drawing inspiration from the Virgin Mary as the “Woman of the Eucharist,” in his pastoral letter for May 2025. Read all  

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