Pope Leo XIV: Liturgy Reveals God’s Plan for Unity
The pope continued his weekly lessons dedicated to the Second Vatican Council, focusing on the dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium and the theme of unity. Pope Leo XIV emphasized Wednesday that the Church experiences a part of God’s plan for unity by being together at liturgical celebrations. The pope stated that God’s plan for the Church […]
Ukrainian Women Tell Pope Leo of Abandoned POWs
A delegation supporting families of missing and captured Ukrainian soldiers shared their concerns and presented the pontiff with symbolic gifts. Grieving wives, mothers, and daughters of Ukrainian soldiers held prisoner in Russia found a moment of consolation and hope on Wednesday when several of them briefly greeted Pope Leo XIV after the general audience. With […]
Pope Leo: Ashes Bear the Weight of a World Ablaze
Leading Ash Wednesday rites, the pontiff linked the call to repentance with the devastation of war, broken justice, wounded creation, and a fading sense of the sacred. Pope Leo XIV led the traditional Ash Wednesday penitential procession on Rome’s Aventine Hill on Feb. 18, walking with clergy and faithful to the Basilica of Santa Sabina, […]
Pope Leo XIV: Peter Must Be Free to Speak the Truth
The pontiff said he must be free to denounce injustice amid today’s challenges. Pope Leo XIV said the successor of Peter must retain “complete freedom to speak the truth, denounce injustice, defend the rights of the weakest, promote peace,” and proclaim Jesus Christ amid “the troubled times in which we live.” The pope made the […]
Aventine procession: Pope Leo leads Ash Wednesday walk
The brief Ash Wednesday walk between two hilltop basilicas marks the start of Lent in Rome. Each Ash Wednesday, dozens of people crowd the doors of the Church of Sant’Anselmo, perched on the Aventine — one of Rome’s seven hills — to witness the penitential procession that moves solemnly along the roughly 200 meters (656 […]
St. Peter’s marks 400 years with SmartPass, new areas
The Vatican will open new parts of St. Peter’s — including the full terrace — and roll out a “SmartPass” digital entry system as it marks the basilica’s 400th anniversary. As the Basilica of St. Peter approaches the 400th anniversary of its consecration, the Vatican has announced a slate of liturgical and cultural initiatives — […]
Vatican: Notre Dame row shows need for abortion dialogue
The Church should engage with universities about how to take “an ethical approach” to the dignity of unborn life, the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life said. The president of the Pontifical Academy for Life said Tuesday the Church needs to maintain a dialogue with universities on the issue of abortion. Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro […]
Cardinal Parolin: The Vatican ‘will not participate in Trump’s Board of Peace’
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, announced that the Holy See “will not participate in the Board of Peace,” promoted by the U.S. president to address Gaza and other conflicts. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, announced on Feb. 17 that the Holy See “will not participate in the Board of Peace,” an […]
Pope Leo XIV Ends World Children’s Day Committee
Pope Leo XIV has eliminated the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day, transferring the committee’s functions to the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life. Pope Leo XIV has eliminated the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day, established by Pope Francis in November 2024. In a decree published on Feb. 13, the Holy Father […]
Rome Vicariate Arts Day Highlights Gaza Suffering
The humanitarian situation in Gaza was the focus of a day of the arts at the Lateran Apostolic Palace on Feb. 14, drawing attention to the ongoing suffering of residents in the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, Feb. 14, the humanitarian situation in Gaza was the focus of a day of the arts at the apostolic […]