Browsing News Entries
Pope abolishes Committee for World Children’s Day
Posted on 02/13/2026 08:06 AM ()
Pope Leo XIV publishes a chirograph abolishing the Pontifical Committee for the World Children’s Day, established by Pope Francis in 2024.
“One Large Family”: First pastoral gathering in Siam Reap, Cambodia
Posted on 02/13/2026 07:33 AM ()
About 600 participants from 10 pastoral centers come together in Siem Reap, Cambodia for the first pastoral gathering of clergy, religious, and lay leaders for “communion, mission and shared service”.
Pope invites Catholics to 'disarm' language and build kindness, respect for Lent
Posted on 02/13/2026 07:30 AM (USCCB News)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican released Pope Leo XIV's message for Lent, which begins Feb. 18 on Ash Wednesday.
Titled, "Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion," the papal message asked Catholics to come together as a community to listen to the word of God and to the vulnerable.
The pope also invited the faithful to engage in a "very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor."
"Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves."
Instead, he asked, "let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace."
Lent is a time to "place the mystery of God back in the center of our lives, in order to find renewal in our faith and keep our hearts from being consumed by the anxieties and distractions of daily life," the pope wrote.
"Let us strive to make our communities places where the cry of those who suffer finds welcome, and listening opens paths towards liberation, making us ready and eager to contribute to building a civilization of love."
The pope's full message can be found in English and in Spanish.
Archbishop of Baltimore calls for renewal of US political life
Posted on 02/13/2026 06:08 AM ()
Ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore releases a pastoral letter inviting Americans to thank God for their nation while working for political renewal.
UNRWA: UN worker killed in Gaza despite ceasefire
Posted on 02/13/2026 06:05 AM ()
A United Nations aid worker has been killed in Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli military.
Pope Leo: We must rediscover the essential core of the Christian message
Posted on 02/13/2026 03:01 AM ()
In a meeting with Italian law enforcement officers, Pope Leo XIV stresses the importance of performing duties with an “upright conscience”.
Pope appoints Sr. Nina Krapić as new Deputy Director of Holy See Press Office
Posted on 02/13/2026 03:01 AM ()
Pope Leo XIV appoints Sister Nina Benedikta Krapić, MVZ, an official of the Dicastery for Communication, as Deputy Director of the Holy See Press Office, taking the place of Cristiane Murray, who has stepped down from the position she has held since July 2019.
Pope’s Lenten message: Abstain from harsh words and rash judgement
Posted on 02/13/2026 03:00 AM ()
Ahead of the start of Lent, Pope Leo XIV invites Catholics to open ourselves to listening, fasting, and community, urging us to abstain from words of hatred in order to make space for words of hope and peace.
Pope Leo receives leader of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church
Posted on 02/13/2026 02:31 AM ()
Pope Leo XIV receives Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, in the Vatican on Thursday. During the meeting, His Beatitude Shevchuk presented the Holy Father with a list of prisoners and a sculpture dedicated to peace, and expressed gratitude for the solidarity and support shown by the Holy See in the mission to save human lives since the beginning of the war.
Kenya: Restoring families and healing hearts out of love
Posted on 02/13/2026 02:06 AM ()
In a world where depression, addiction, and broken families are becoming increasingly common, Sr. Jacqueline Githiri, VDM, has made it her mission to be a beacon of hope and healing, quietly transforming lives through counselling, compassion, and spiritual restoration.