Vatican & World News

-   The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issues a new warning to the Society of St. Pius X against carrying out episcopal ordinations without a pontifical mandate. -   At least 380 Lebanese have been killed in Israeli strikes despite an April 16 temporary cessation of hostilities agreed between the two countries. -   On the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima, Pope Leo emphasizes how the Blessed Virgin Mary is the perfect model, member and mother of the Church.  

-   Students of the Sapienza University of Rome are preparing to welcome Pope Leo on Thursday. -   Over 200 Ethiopians are reportedly at risk of being executed in Saudi Arabia. -   A look-back on the day, forty-five years ago, when Pope John Paul II was attacked in St. Peter’s Square.

-   Pope Leo calls religions to work together toward peace and warns against instrumentalising God for military, economic or political gain -   The Pope also appeals for renewed commitment to peace and development in the Sahel region -   Negotiations for an agreement between the U.S and Iran are at a standstill as both sides claim continuing clashes and violations in the Straight of Hormuz

-   Pope Leo begins his series of pastoral visits around Italy with a visit to Pompei and Naples -   On the first anniversary of the Pope’s election, we reflect on his appeals for peace and his dedication to the Second Vatican Council -   We speak to the President of St Jerome’s University in Ontario, Canada, which has just opened the world’s first Pope Francis Institute, about the continuity between the late Pope and his successor Leo XIV  

-   The Holy See releases the schedule for Pope Leo XIV’s next international apostolic journey that will take him to Spain in June -   Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue to wreak death and devastation -   At the weekly General Audience, Pope Leo says the Church has a mission to speak out against all that mortifies life

-   The southern Italian city of Pompeii is preparing to welcome the Pope on Friday -   The U.S. military says it is escorting stranded cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz -   Father Paolo Benanti, an expert on artificial intelligence, talks about the Church and Pope Leo’s contribution to this topic

-   Pope says care for the poor is an integral part of Christian life in a meeting with Catholic Charities USA -   A Palestinian Christian activist speaks about the escalating violence in the West Bank -   Church leaders in Mozambique condemn a new wave of violence after the destruction of a Catholic mission

-   The Pope encourages the Church in all countries to help one another and to bear witness to the truth in charity -   Christian leaders gather in Dubai to participate in the National Ecumenical Prayer for Peace -   During the month of May, Pope Leo urges Catholics to pray that everyone might have food

-   Pope Leo XIV and the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury agree on the need to continue working to overcome differences -   The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem reflects on how Christians should respond to the ongoing conflict in the Israel-Palestine war -   The apostolic nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea looks back on the legacy of Pope Leo’s visit to the African nations

-   Pope Leo XIV travels to the city of Mongomo in Equatorial Guinea to celebrate Mass and visit a school -   On the eve of the last day of his apostolic journey to the African Continent, he also flies to the coastal city of Bata, where he spends time with prisoners, families and young people  

In the headlines, this Tuesday, April 21st: - The Holy Father his begins Apostolic Journey to Equatorial Guinea - The Pope speaks to press on papal flight - Pope Leo remembers his predecessor the late Pope Francis, one year exactly since his passing

- On his third day in Angola, Pope Leo travels to the northeastern city of Saurimo, where he visits the elderly at a care home -  It’s also where he celebrates Mass for over 40,000 faithful, whom he encourages to move beyond divisions created by its war-scarred past - We look ahead to the Pope’s fourth and final leg of the visit as the people of Equatorial Guinea prepare to welcome him

-   Pope Leo appeals for dialogue to end wars in Ukraine and Middle East. -   The Pope encourages Angolans to go forward knowing Jesus is at their side during Mass in Luanda. -   The President of the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon reflects on what happens after a Papal visit and the importance of taking action.

-   Pope Leo XIV wraps up the 2nd leg of his apostolic visit in Cameroon, celebrating Mass for some 200,000 faithful -   Our correspondent on the ground highlights some of the salient moments in the past three days -   As the Pope begins his three-day visit to Angola, we look to the hopes of a nation yearning for reconciliation and fraternity

- On the second day of his apostolic visit to Algeria, Pope Leo returns to the lands walked by his spiritual father, St Augustine - He calls for fraternity, reminding the faithful that God’s heart is torn apart by wars, injustice and lies - We look ahead to the second leg of the Pope’s African pilgrimage on the eve of his arrival in Cameroon

- Pope Leo arrives in Algeria on the first leg of an apostolic journey that also takes him to three other African nations - His first words on African soil are an appeal for mutual forgiveness as the key to building a future of peace - Responding to questions put to him by journalists onboard the papal flight, the Pope says he will not enter into debate with the U.S. president but will always continue to promote peace and dialogue

-   Pope Leo urges national welfare systems to promote social responsibility and economic development. -   Pope Leo’s Prayer Vigil for Peace on Saturday April 11 will include a Rosary with meditations from early Church Fathers -   Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco shares the anticipation that is growing in Algeria in light of the Pope’s upcoming visit.

-   Pope Leo appeals to world leaders to lay down their weapons and choose encounter over domination -   Continued missile strikes in the Gulf region raise fears of an imminent water crisis - At Mass in St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo says that Easter opens us up to hope that never fails

-   Pope Leo will celebrate Easter Vigil this evening. -   The Cuban government announces it granted pardons to over 2,000 prisoners in light of Holy Week. -   The Easter Vigil is being celebrated for the first time in three years in the cathedral of Loikaw, in eastern Myanmar.

-   Almost 3500 people have died across the Middle East, as war continues for a fifth week -   Vatican Secretary of State and Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See meet following incident with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. -   Pope Leo calls to pray for priests who are facing a personal crisis in their vocation in the month of April.

-   The Pope meets with a delegation of Municipal leaders from his home state of Illinois. -   The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says an agreement has been reached with Israeli authorities to ensure Easter celebrations at one of Christianity's holiest sites. -   The Bishop of Palm Beach, Florida, writes a letter to his diocese describing the severe humanitarian crisis he witnessed on a recent visit to Cuba.

-      Pope Leo XIV undertakes a one-day apostolic visit to the Principality of Monaco -      In his meetings with authorities, the catholic community and young people, he has words of encouragement for the witness of Christian faith and the building of the common good -      Concluding his visit with the celebration of Holy Mass, the Pope reminds the faithful never to get used to the clamour of war

-      U.S. President Donald Trump says he will delay plans to begin destroying Iranian energy facilities for another 10 days -      Teresa Morris Kettelkamp steps down from her role as Adjunct Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors -      The Preacher of the Papal Househod, Fr Roberto Pasolini, holds his final Lenten meditation on the theme “The freedom of the children of God. Perfect joy and death as a sister.”

-   Israel says it plans to take control of a large part of southern Lebanon -   The Holy See warns of emerging digital bias as it marks International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination -   Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to the Principality of Monaco, its archbishop speaks of the spiritual fragilities of the tiny state