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The election of Pope Leo XIV signals a defining moment for the Catholic Church. As he steps onto the world stage, the first pontiff ever to hail from the United States inherits the throne of St Peter, the legacy of Pope Francis, and the challenges of a rapidly changing Church. In Pope Leo XIV, veteran Vatican National Catholic Reporter correspondent Christopher White delivers an authoritative acco... Read More

During Good Money Week (6 - 12 October) Sixteen religious, associates and friends met at the FCJ Spirituality and eco-justice centre in Euston, London, together with seven participants who joined via zoom, for the JPIC Links conference: 'Changing futures' (Transforming Global Finance for Development) The day was held just after the Jubilee of Consecrated Life which Pope Leo XIV celebrated with th... Read More

Archbishop Eamon Martin celebrated Mass today to mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of Saint Oliver Plunkett, and fifty years since the canonisation of the martyred saint, in 1975, by Pope Paul VI. During today's homily Archbishop Martin said: "I am praying these days through the intercession of Saint Oliver Plunkett" - for success of the Middle East's fragile peace agreement, that hostages ... Read More

Catholics from around the world have taken up Pope Leo's call to come together to pray the Rosary for peace in the world's conflict zones with a particular focus on an end to the war in Gaza. In the Church's calendar, October is dedicated to the Rosary. In Rome, the weekend of 11-12 October marked the celebration of the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality. Closer to home, Cardinal Vincent Nichols led ... Read More

Brandon Scott from ACN Ireland writes: Aid to the Church in Need Ireland reached a special milestone this week as for the first time ever more than 15,000 Irish children came together in a prayerful plea for peace in for world. From Belfast to Cork, Derry to Dublin, Irish schools united to pray for peace in a world currently scarred by conflict and bitterness. In almost every corner of the country... Read More

Archbishop Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, summarized the paradox of our times when he told UN on Friday: "for every dollar spent on peace, two are spent on war; resources meant for life continue to be outpaced by those used for destruction." "The vision of multilateralism for the common good is at odds with the current context of rising military expenditure and f... Read More

Gospel of 12 October 2025 Luke 17:11-19 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.' When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, whe... Read More

Some 50 peacemakers, including members of the Pax Christi USA National Council held a prayer service and vigil in support of immigrants outside of the headquarters of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in Washington, DC on Friday, 3 October. The service was sponsored by Pax Christi USA, Pax Christi Metro DC - Baltimore, the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Franciscan Action Network, ... Read More

The Week of Prayer for World Peace takes place from Sunday, 12th - 19th October this year. The International Prayer for Peace Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe Click the link below to download your digital copy of the prayer resource, or... Read More

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 12th 2025 Pope Leo's Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te has much to encourage and challenge us as we follow the Christ on the gospel road, but particularly by making it abundantly clear that our vocation is to reach out to the poor and needy, to accompany them, minister to them and treat them with dignity and love as our sisters and brothers and valuable ... Read More

Gospel of 11 October 2025 Luke 11:27-28 At that time: As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, 'Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!' But he said, 'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!' Reflection on the Street Artwork This short Gospel passage begins with a woman praising the mother of Jesus for givi... Read More

The World Council of Churches (WCC) marked World Mental Health Day on 10 October with a morning prayer and reflections. The theme for this year's World Mental Health Day is "Compassion in Crisis: Restoring Hope and Mental Well-being." Lorena Catalina Bonilla, chair of the Mental Health Working Group of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing; and John Christensen, WCC project offi... Read More

Yesterday's announcement of a Gaza peace deal coincides with news that the young Palestinian Christian woman, Layan Nasir, has been sentenced to a further eight months in prison, without charge, by an Israeli court. The Anglican Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, is appealing for prayers for Layan's release. Bishop Guli has once again lit a candle in her Chapel which will remain... Read More

Pope Leo XIV has stressed the importance of Aid to the Church in Need's commitment to supporting persecuted Christians at a time when they and other religious minorities are falling victim to increased violence and discrimination. At a private audience today (Friday, 10th October) in the Vatican with leaders and other senior staff from the Catholic charity, the Pontiff stressed the centrality of ... Read More