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In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to rediscover Christian boldness
On the 800th anniversary of Brussels’ Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, the Holy See Secretary of State reflects on the spiritual future of a Europe marked by fragility and a loss of direction.
Good Shepherd Sisters offer healing to victims of domestic violence
Amidst domestic violence and the pain it leaves behind, religious sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd share their lives with women and girls in Malta and Portugal, as they face marginalization by society.
Pope calls for patience and dialogue in Iran and Syria
At the end of the Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo prays for peace in Iran, where protests continue, and Syria, where the army is battling Kurdish forces in the city of Aleppo. He also condemns the recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilians.
Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the Place of Jesus’ Baptism
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. At Al-Maghtas, in Jordan, archaeological excavations have uncovered the remains of churches, chapels, hermits’ caves, and a baptistery––places of worship tied to Jesus’ Baptism. In 2015 this area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Three Popes have made pilgrimages there: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.
Angelus: “God does not look at the world from afar”
At the Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo encourages Christians to reflect on the gift of their baptism, and to “bear witness to it with joy and consistency.”
Pope baptizes 20 children: Now they have the meaning of life
Continuing a tradition begun in 1981 by Pope John Paul II, Pope Leo presided over the baptism of 20 children of Vatican employees in the Sistine Chapel.
Pope to young people: We are made for truth, not virtual connections
Pope Leo tells Rome’s young people not to be content with superficial relationships, but to seek the truth, goodness and communion that arise from encountering God and one's neighbour.
Protests continue across Iran
US, Venezuela explore possibility of restoring relations
A delegation from the Trump administration arrives in Caracas as the United States and Venezuela examine the feasibility of restoring diplomatic relations.
Pope Leo: Failure to welcome abuse victims is a scandal
The full text of Pope Leo XIV’s speech at the conclusion of the January 7–8 consistory announces a new meeting of the cardinals in June and insists that victims and survivors of abuse “need to be accompanied with the closeness of authentic pastors.”
Pope to Jubilee partners: Thanks to you, Rome had a welcoming face
Meeting with the representatives of the institutions that collaborated in the Jubilee, Pope Leo expresses his gratitude for their “multifaceted contribution, often hidden” throughout the year and encourages them continue to carry hope in their hearts.
Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Jordan: Focusing on differences won't bring peace
The Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Jordan speaks to Vatican News at the “Baptism of the Lord” Church in Bethany Beyond the Jordan on the occasion of the pilgrimage and Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, on Friday, 9 January. The Bishop stresses the need to respect religious and cultural differences in order to foster peace and justice in the Middle East.
Lord’s Day Reflection: Living the grace of Baptism
As the Church commemorates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Abbot Marion Nguyen reflects on the theme “Anointing to overflow: Living the Grace of Baptism.”
One thousand days of conflict in Sudan: A devastating humanitarian crisis
Caritas Internationalis draws attention to the devastating humanitarian crisis in Sudan amidst the ongoing conflict, urging the international community “to act now to prevent further catastrophe in Sudan.”
International media call for transparency from AI companies
“Facts In, Facts Out”: An international campaign urges major AI companies to prioritize the credibility of information in their decision-making. Increasingly, people are using AI tools to access news, but these often come distorted or decontextualized compared to their original sources. Therefore, the media are calling for AI giants to take responsibility for their role in the digital revolution.
Praying at the Jordan River for peace in the Holy Land
On Friday, 9 January, Catholics from across Jordan made their annual pilgrimage to Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas) to celebrate Holy Mass for the Baptism of the Lord.
News from the Orient - January 9, 2026
In this week’s news from the Eastern Churches, produced in collaboration with L’Œuvre d’Orient, we go to Syria, where violence struck Aleppo on the night of 6–7 January.
Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka appointed Archbishop of Cape Town
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka as the new Archbishop of Cape Town, marking a significant moment for the Catholic Church in Southern Africa. The appointment was announced in a communiqué issued by the Vatican Press Office on Friday, 9 January 2026.
Vatican releases calendar of upcoming papal liturgies
The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has released Pope Leo’s calendar for January and February, with the Pope scheduled to preside at liturgies for the Conversion of St Paul, the Presentation of the Lord, and Ash Wednesday.
Syria: 'May no more war and displacement occur in Aleppo'
Bishop Hanna Jallouf, Vicar Apostolic of Aleppo, laments escalating clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Kurdish-majority areas.
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