Pope Leo XIV offers his support for those advocating for the abolition of the death penalty in the United States and around the world and insists on the importance of safeguarding human dignity.
As part of their ad limina visit to the Vatican, the Vietnamese bishops meet with Pope Leo, and Bishop Dominic Nguyen Tuan Anh describes the audience as fraternal and heartfelt.
The President of the Bishops' Conference of Equatorial Guinea reflects on Pope Leo's Apostolic Journey, highlighting the urgency of reconciliation, respect for diversity, and social commitment as drivers of change for the nation.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has described recent Israeli settler encroachments and land damage on its property in Tayasir as "a clear violation of Church properties", affirming that "protecting Church endowment properties is a red line", as authorities commit to address the situation.
The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life announces a meeting on April 28 at the Vatican's Casina Pio IV focusing on the relationship between the sacrament of marriage, faith and the munus docendi, with a particular attention to the formation of priests in accompanying young people, engaged couples, and married couples in the faith.
Speaking at the follow-up Forum on financial development, Monsignor Marco Formica highlights the urgent need to change the global financing model whilst keeping the preservation of human dignity at its core.
Gathered in Matola (Southern Mozambique) for their Plenary Assembly, the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM) discussed a wide range of topics concerning the pastoral life of the Mozambican Church.
At the conclusion of Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Visit to four African countries, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of SECAM, expressed pride, hope, and optimism about the outcome of the Pope’s visit, suggesting the Pope Leo's message was prophetic and served as a call to the conscience of those in power on the continent to consider the future of young people.
The programmes for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Naples and Pompeii on May 8, 2026, the first anniversary of his election, have been released. They include the celebration of Mass in Piazza Bartolo Longo, participation in the traditional noon supplication to the Virgin of Pompeii, and the veneration of the relics of San Gennaro in Naples.
At the Basilica of Saint Bartholomew on the Tiber Island, Cardinal Kurt Koch recalls the Armenian martyrs and today’s persecuted Christians. Their shared witness, he says, strengthens hope for unity through an “ecumenism of blood.”
On the return flight to Rome, Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists about his mission to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples, recalls child victims of the wars in Iran and Lebanon, condemns the death penalty, and insists on respect for international law.
As Pope Leo XIV wraps up his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, Cardinal George Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue reflects on the Pope’s proposal for religions to build justice, social stability, and peaceful coexistence among peoples.
Pope Leo XIV bids farewell to Equatorial Guinea and, with it, all of Africa, as he celebrates Mass in Malabo Stadium, the final event of his 11-day Apostolic Journey to four African nations.
As he celebrates the final Mass of his Apostolic Journey to four African nations, Pope Leo XIV encourages the Church in Equatorial Guinea to carry on “the mission of Jesus’ first disciples with joy," highlighting the importance of allowing Scripture to reveal the meaning of our lives.
On his last full day in Africa, Pope Leo XIV travels to Bata, where he has a moving encounter with inmates in the city’s prison.
On the last full day of his Apostolic Journey across Africa, Pope Leo celebrates Mass at the continent's second-largest church, tells prisoners that "no one is excluded from God’s love”, and watches as the young people of Bata dance in the rain.
To the young people and families gathered at the Bata Stadium, Leo XIV, responding one by one to the testimonies presented for reflection, spoke about the value of effort and discipline in life and dignified work, the challenges faced by women in the workplace, the happiness found in giving oneself to God, and the exciting mission of being spouses and parents.
During his visit to Equatorial Guinea‘s coastal city of Bata, Pope Leo XIV honours the victims of a tragic explosion in a military base in 2021.
During his visit to Bata Prison in Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV emphasised that no one is excluded from God’s love, calling for justice that restores dignity and supports rehabilitation, while encouraging inmates to believe in the possibility of change.