During a meeting on 31 August at Castel Gandolfo, the oversight commission for the 'House for the Relief of Suffering' - a research hospital founded by St Pio of Pietrelcina - was able to share with Leo XIV the work it has done since it was established last May.
Just over 52% of Icelanders vote against resuming negotiations on European Union membership. The referendum highlights an important divide within the country: between rural areas, where the “No” vote prevailed, and the capital, where the majority voted for “Yes”.
Appointed Bishop of Datong (Shanxi, China) by Pope Leo XIV on August 10, following the approval of his candidacy under the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, Paolo Liu Honggang receives episcopal consecration.
On August 30, the Apostolic Nuncio to Romania and the Republic of Moldova celebrated Mass at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Bucharest and the Vatican Foundation “John Paul I” donated an icon and a relic of Blessed Albino Luciani to this church known as the “Italian Church.”
Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim and Apostolic Administrator of Tromsø celebrated a solemn Mass in Longyearbyen on Sunday, 30 August, to mark 100 years since the first Catholic Mass was celebrated in Svalbard, Norway. In his homily, Bishop Varden reflects on vulnerability and loneliness, calling Christians to rediscover a sound sense of reality and to bring Christ’s reconciliation, healing and friendship to those who are isolated and afraid.
“The latest barbaric abduction of more than 60 worshippers from a Mosque in Borgu, Niger State, and the horrific massacre of 47 innocent citizens, with another 17 people seriously injured in Ukum, Benue State, represent a further deterioration of the security situation.” The bleak assessment was made by Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Archbishop of Kaduna and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
Following the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer from Castel Gandolfo on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV condemned the recent massacre in Haiti, made an urgent appeal for the release of hostages, and renewed his call for concrete assistance to Nepal following devastating floods and mudslides that have killed hundreds and left thousands missing.
During his Sunday Angelus address in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV reminds the faithful that St. Peter was very human and that, like him, we ought to “humbly tell Jesus what we truly feel, even when our hearts are confused."
At the end of the mission to Moscow, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, speaks with Vatican media and takes stock of the diplomatic mission just concluded.
Pope Leo XIV arrived by boat at the beach on Lake Albano, where a Marian procession that began at the Church of Mary Most Holy of the Lake had come to an end. The Holy Father, travelling aboard the Falco, which was decorated with yellow and white flowers, joined the faithful gathered on the shore and led them in prayer to the Virgin Mary.
In Pope Leo XIV's homily for Mass in Castel Gandolfo, before making history by embarking on a boat on Lake Albano to participate in the procession for the Feast of Our Lady of the Lake, he reflects on the beauty of “simple gestures” of devotion, and emphasizes that in a world that dismisses forgiveness as naive, belief becomes a pathway toward peace.
With an Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio on 29 August, Pope Leo XIV provides the Synods of Bishops of Eastern Catholic Churches the faculty to remove their respective Patriarchs in order “to restore the wounded communion, even by removing him from office for grave cause”, in the event their “bond” is “irreparably compromised.” In such an event, the Roman Pontiff must grant assent to the Synod’s judgment.
Through the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, Pope Leo XIV has sent financial support to Caritas Nepal as relief operations continue and the death toll in the affected regions rises hourly, with over 630 known to have died and approximately 3,000 still missing.
Pope Leo XIV will celebrate tonight the Feast of Our Lady of the Lake in Castel Gandolfo at the church consecrated by Pope Saint Paul VI and will become the first Pope to travel by boat along part of the lake, accompanied by around ten other vessels.
Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, presiding over Mass in Rome on 28 August for the liturgical memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, reflects on the spiritual journey of the “Doctor of Grace,” who “deeply loved the Church” and never tired of serving it.
As the Church celebrates the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Edmund Power reflects on the theme: “Not conformed but transformed.”
The Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, calls on the international community “to mobilize greater humanitarian assistance support” for victims of deadly flash flooding in Nepal.
In less than a month, Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France will begin — the first papal visit to the country in 18 years. Young people, in particular, are eagerly looking forward to the encounter and will be among those accompanying the Pope during his visit.
The Vatican publishes the calendar of Liturgical Celebrations at which Pope Leo XIV will preside in the coming months.
Pope Leo XIV sends his condolences to King Haakon VIII and the people of Norway for the death of King Harald V, and praises the late King's decades of "devoted service" to the Scandinavian nation.