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Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV: May all children of the world live in peace!
Reflecting on the figure of Saint Joseph on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Pope Leo XIV recalls the virtues he lived of piety, charity, and mercy that educate the heart to encounter Christ and our brothers and sisters. As we await the birth of the Saviour, he encourages us to be "a welcoming manger, a hospitable home, a sign of God’s presence" and that all children may live in peace.
Ukraine President sceptical over trilateral peace talks amid deadly clashes
Ukraine's president says the United States has proposed a format for peace talks that would place Ukraine and Russia at the same table, but he doubts such a meeting would bring real progress. Zelenskyy spoke as a Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa in southern Ukraine killed at least eight people and wounded twenty-seven, while Ukrainian drones hit several Russian targets.
Message from the Holy Land: Peace is not an illusion but a life choice
Violence begets death and destruction, revenge begets hatred and pain. News and pictures from Gaza and other war-torn lands show the physical and moral suffering of the innocent and defenceless.
U.S. strikes more than 70 Islamic State targets in Syria
U.S. forces launch missiles toward Islamic State positions in desert areas of eastern and northern Syria.
Cardinal Pizzaballa arrives in Gaza ahead of Christmas
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is on a pastoral visit to the Parish of the Holy Family and will preside over the Christmas Mass on Sunday.
Pope Leo XIV convenes his first Consistory of Cardinals
Pope Leo XIV convenes his first Consistory of Cardinals, which will take place on January 7-8 and will be marked by prayer, support, and counsel for the Pope.
Our Lady of Hope to accompany Christmas liturgies in St. Peter’s Basilica
As the Jubilee of Hope concludes with the Christmas Season, an image of Our Lady of Hope from southern Italy will accompany the faithful attending liturgies celebrated by Pope Leo XIV.
Pope: Even as Jubilee ends we remain pilgrims of hope
As the Jubilee Year draws to a close, Pope Leo XIV reminds the faithful that its deepest gift endures. Hope, he says, continues to shape the Church’s journey, calling all to remain pilgrims who generate life and renewal.
Lord’s Day Reflection: The righteousness of Joseph
As the Church marks the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Abbot Marion Nguyen reflects on the theme "Justice without judgement: the righteousness of Joseph"
Pasolini: May the Church foster encounter as she sets out to know God
“The universality of salvation: A hope without conditions” is the theme of the third Advent meditation, delivered Friday morning in the Paul VI Hall in the presence of the Pope. In his sermon, Fr Roberto Pasolini, the Preacher of the Papal Household focuses on the attitude of the Magi, who boldly dared to open themselves to the unknown.
Pope approves new statute of Labour Office of the Apostolic See (ULSA)
Pope Leo XIV publishes a Rescript and approves the new statute of the Labour Office of the Apostolic See (ULSA), which is tasked with promoting and strengthening the working community of the Holy See, introducing several significant innovations.
News from the Orient - Dec 19, 2025
In this week’s news from the Eastern Churches, produced in collaboration with L’Œuvre d’Orient: Christians in Damascus prepare for Christmas with prayer and remembrance at the Church of Mar Elias, Iraqi faithful celebrate the much-loved feast of the martyrs Mar Behnam and Sara, and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church launches Svitlyk, a new YouTube channel bringing faith-filled content to children.
Pope to young people: Make peace with someone this Christmas
Pope Leo XIV greets several young members of the Italian Catholic Action, and invites them to make peace with somebody close to them before Christmas, emphasizing that peace is built starting from our daily relationships.
Pakistani Christians live out Christmas spirit in the midst of security measures
As the world prepares for the Christmas season, Christians in Pakistan are working together with civil authorities to implement special measures to ensure maximum security near Christian churches.
Commitment to peace born from contemplating face of the Christ Child
Our Editorial Director reflects on Pope Leo XIV's message for the World Day of Peace, in which he appeals for humanity to overcome the temptation to see peace as distant and impossible, moving beyond the “aggressive and confrontational logic” that claims peace can be achieved through an arms race.
Pope Leo appoints Richard Moth as new Archbishop of Westminster
Pope Leo XIV accepts the resignation of Cardinal Vincent Nichols and appoints Richard Moth as the new Archbishop of Westminster, in Great Britain.
Philippines: Catholic youths begin synodal journey to tackle commuter safety
Students at the Assumption Antipolo Catholic school in the Philippines launch the PASAHero commuter-safety movement, after their submission won funding at the MISSION POSSIBLE Philippines Hackathon, an initiative inspired by the Synod on Synodality.
Pope Leo: Br. Lawrence teaches us joy of living each day in God’s presence
Pope Leo XIV writes an introduction to “The Practice of the Presence of God,” a book by Carmelite Brother Lawrence, in a new edition released by the Vatican Publishing House (LEV). Written by a humble French religious in the 1600s, the book marked the spiritual life of Fr. Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo.
Argentinian layman, 11 Spanish martyrs to be beatified
Pope Leo XIV authorises the promulgation of decrees relating to the upcoming beatification of nine seminarians, a priest, and a layman, martyrs during the Spanish Civil War; as well as an Argentine family man, Enrique Ernesto Shaw, an entrepreneur involved in various ecclesial works. As of today, Fra Berardo Atonna and Sister Domenica Caterina dello Spirito Santo, both Italian, and Joseph Panjikaran, an Indian priest, are recognized as venerable.
Children help Children: Diocese of Kakamega Holy Childhood make pilgrimage of Hope to Lodwar
Kenya’s Pontifical Society of Missionary Childhood in Kakamega Diocese recently led 30 children on a Pilgrimage of Hope and Solidarity to the Diocese of Lodwar. The children, accompanied by their priest and other religious, brought along food, some clothing items, prayer materials, their joy, and smiles.