World

Pope Leo ended his visit to Lourdes last night by taking part in the candlelit procession. Thousands of candles flickered in the darkness as pilgrims sang the Ave Maria. The sight of tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered around the Pope in prayer to the Virgin Mary will remain the defining moment of Pope Leo's visit to Lourdes. Unlike his predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Leo did not pr... Read More

On Sunday afternoon, Pope Francis met with sick and frail pilgrims and pilgrims with disabilities and some of their their carers at the Accueil Notre-Dame centre at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes on Sunday afternoon. The Accueil Notre-Dame hosts pilgrims and groups from around the world in a healthcare facility operated as "a kind of a 'big family home'" by about 50 employees, as well as con... Read More

On Sunday evening, Pope Leo XIV met in Lourdes with four men and three women who suffered abuse by members of the clergy. The seven victims endured abuse in parishes, boarding schools, congregations, or ecclesial movements. Their different stories and life journeys first intersected on September 14, when they met to get to know one another and discuss the experiences, expectations, and requests th... Read More

Pope Leo celebrated Mass in Lourdes on Sunday, the third day of his apostolic journey to France. The Holy Father said the gathering of thousands of pilgrims from France and around the world revealed "the universal face of the Church," and he encouraged them to bring "the consolation of Lourdes" back to their homes and communities. Reflecting on the Sunday readings and the message entrusted by the ... Read More

There are days in Bethlehem that do not feel like ordinary days that simply pass and become part of our memory. Instead, they become moments when we feel that we have been part of a story larger than ourselves. Today was one of those days. Within a few hours, the streets of Bethlehem brought together faith, scouts, celebration, and memory. And in the middle of it all, I was reminded once again tha... Read More

Gospel of 28 September 2026 Luke 9:46-50 At that time: An argument arose among the disciples as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, 'Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among all of you is the one who is great.... Read More

Pope Leo XIV had a private meeting with the Bishops of France today in Lourdes. Thanking them for placing their ministry under the Virgin Mary's protection, he said there is "no better way to come to Jesus than through Mary." Recalling France's deep historical devotion to Our Lady, Pope Leo said the French people bear a living faith, which the Bishops must help grow and deepen. He encouraged them... Read More

Huge crowds gathered on the banks of the river Gave in Lourdes to welcome the arrival of Pope Leo last night from Paris. Children waved flags and held a sign with colourful letters saying "Welcome Pope Leo". "Mesdames et messieurs, le Pape est à Lourdes!" ("Ladies and gentlemen, the Pope is in Lourdes"). As the speaker pronounced these words the crowds from around the world erupted in cheers and ... Read More

September 27 is designated as the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. In anticipation of this year's commemoration, Pope Leo released the following statement on August 11, the feast of St. Clare of Assisi, noting that this year, the theme is "Even just one of these children," referring to a passage from the Gospel of Matthew. Displaced minors: a complex reality of vulnerability Minors are the m... Read More

Jesus Christ is the source of living water that quenches our thirst, Pope Leo XIV said in his homily during Mass on the second day of his Apostolic Journey to France. Addressing a vast crowd of around 700,000 people in the Place de la Concorde in the heart of Paris, Pope Leo said "the desire for God dwells deep in our hearts… and it is Jesus Christ, through His Incarnation, who comes to meet eve... Read More

On the first day of his Apostolic Journey to France, Pope Leo XIV returned to UNESCO 46 years after St John Paul II, calling for a renewed commitment to peace, truth and human dignity and warning that scientific and technological progress, when separated from ethics, can become an instrument of domination and destruction. Addressing representatives of Member and Observer States, international orga... Read More

Pope Leo XIII began his Apostolic Journey to France this morning, leaving Rome Fiumicino International Airport at 7.50am local time accompanied by more than 80 journalists from 10 countries. He told them: "I, above all, am travelling to France, as to anywhere else in the world, as a follower of Jesus Christ wanting to proclaim peace, the peace of Christ throughout the world. It is a message which ... Read More

.Rabbis for Human Rights say: "We are more prepared for this harvest than ever before...Though we wish we didn't have to be there at all." "As a child," shared Adam, our Palestinian Director of Field Operations in the Occupied West Bank, "I remember the joy of the Olive Harvest in Hizma; it was a full-day family affair: working, drinking, tea, and celebrating a successful day's work with makluba..... Read More

Pope Leo XIV has issued an urgent appeal to everyone to take responsibility for young migrants and refugees exposed to violence, exploitation and traumatic conditions along migration routes. Speaking at the conclusion of his General Audience in St Peter's Square, Pope Leo said: "Sunday, September 27, marks the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.. my thoughts go out to migrants and refugees, especi... Read More