Following the social unrest that engulfed South Africa and eSwatini recently, women religious leaders in Southern Africa organised an online Day of Prayer to intercede for their countries.

Pope Francis prays for the victims of flash floods in the city of Zhengzhou, capital of China's Henan Province. He also remembers the Olympic games that started on Friday in Tokyo, blessing all those taking part.

The founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association says the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is an acknowledgment of the vital role they play in family life.

In his homily on the first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis insists on the importance of young and old coming together in a covenantal sharing of life.

The United Nations chief says the Olympic spirit “inspires and unifies us in troubled times”.

The Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy explains the Holy See’s consolidated balance sheet: the deficit is €66.3 million, but Peter’s Pence subsidized less than in previous years, increasing contributions made to the Churches most in need.

The 2020 balance sheet of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, APSA, made public for the first time, shows decreased contributions to the Roman Curia and decreased profits from investments. APSA’s president, Archbishop Nunzio Galantino, says APSA has been able to help those in financial difficulty; and notes that, although income has been reduced during the pandemic, there are nonetheless positive results as difficulties have brought out the desire to act “as a Church.”

As the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July, Bishop Denis Nulty, chair of the Irish Bishops’ Council for Marriage and the Family says grandparents have a lot to teach young people, and are the unsung heroes of the pandemic.

The Under-Secretary of the Synod of Bishops recalls the themes of the 1 July Day of Study and Reflection noting that as Pope Francis has stated, the synodal experience is a journey of listening to the Holy Spirit.

US lawmakers have voted to expand a visa programme for Afghans facing retribution for helping American troops and diplomats during two-decade war in Afghanistan.

The Olympics Games got underway in Tokyo on Friday celebrating the world's best athletes set to compete amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life on Friday released the video-prayer for the Catholic Church’s first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will be observed worldwide on Sunday, July 25.

Catholic Bishops in Zambia say the country’s motto of “One Zambia, One Nation” is under threat going by the prevalence of pre-election violence and hate speech perpetrated by political cadres at the instigation of politicians.

Speaking at an immigration reformation rally in the United States, Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washing DC speaks of the rights of immigrants to peace and inclusion, and calls on Law-makers to pass immigration reform legislation.

Norwegian Bishop Erik Varden speaks of the "grief and perplexity" of Norwegians on the tenth anniversary of the extremist attacks in Oslo and the island of Utøya, which left 77 people dead and scores more wounded.

Talitha Kum, the global anti-trafficking network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking in Persons, launches a new campaign focused on a care-centered model to break the cycle of human trafficking.

The Philippine bishops dedicated July 19 as a “Day of Solidarity with Myanmar”. On that day, they asked churches across the nation to toll their bells at noon and at 6:00 pm, and recite a prayer they composed for Myanmar.

The Standing Committee for Family and Life of the Canadian Bishops’ Conference highlights the special place of the elderly in Church and society. The message comes in a video for Sunday's Inaugural celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

Interview with the Secretary of the Synod of Bishops: “Synodality is the form that realizes the participation of all the people of God in mission.”

Several rockets were fired at Afghanistan's Presidential Palace in Kabul on Tuesday, but failed to hit the target.