World

Pope Leo XIV today decried the military escalation between Iran and Israel and renewed his appeal for dialogue and the pursuit of a world free from the nuclear threat. Speaking during an Audience for the Jubilee of Sport in St Peter's Basilica, he said: "No one should ever threaten another's existence." "In these days, news continues to arrive that causes great concern. The situation in Iran and I... Read More

At Masses across Ireland this weekend, people will be invited to pray together for peace in Gaza. The Irish Bishops stated the following concerning the humanitarian disaster in Gaza: "In Gaza people are starving and adequate aid is being denied; it seems clear that famine is being used as a weapon of war. Already over 600,000 Palestinians have been displaced. The evidence points to a staged str... Read More

May was a pivotal time in the life of the Church and also for us as Sisters of Saint Joseph of Annecy. Our General Chapter, held once every six years a few miles outside Rome, coincided with the Conclave and the Election of Pope Leo XIV. The Sisters of St Joseph were founded in France in 1650 by Fr Jean-Pierre Medaille, a Jesuit priest, to work with the poor and those in any kind of need. Our part... Read More

Apostolic Nuncios and other papal representatives serving around the world had their first meeting with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican on Tuesday. Following tradition, Pope Leo gave each one a ring, symbolizing their bond to the Successor of Peter, which bears the inscription "sub umbra Petri". In his address Pope Leo said: "Always feel bound to Peter, guarded by Peter, sent by Peter. Only in obedi... Read More

An investigation carried out by a priest in Pakistan has shone a light on the plight of Christian women and girls subjected to rape and other sexual violence. The report by Franciscan friar Father Lazar Aslam - which was sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) - provides case studies of women from the minority Christian community who have been sexually abused. It includes the attack on 20-year-o... Read More

Christian Aid has condemned the interception by Israeli forces of a boat carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza as another example of Israel's dehumanising treatment of Palestinians. The Madleen yacht had 12 activists onboard, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, when it was stopped and captured by Israeli forces in international waters on its way to Gaza early this morning. Before board... Read More

On Saturday morning Pope Leo XIV met with participants in the three day Symposium 'Nicaea and the Church of the Third Millennium: Towards Catholic-Orthodox Unity' at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, one of the events marking the 1,700th anniversary of the first Council of Nicaea. After giving a warm welcome to those present, the Holy Father expressed his appreciation fo... Read More

Jerusalem Voice for Justice - an ecumenical witness for equality and a just peace in Palestine/Israel send this Pentecost appeal: An SOS for Gaza Cast your nets again! To every human being, every person with a conscience, to all lovers of peace, As Christians in the Holy Land, we are sounding the alarm about the recent unprecedented escalation in the Israeli war on Gaza. After more than a year an... Read More

The auxiliary bishop of Maiduguri, Nigeria, has issued an urgent call for prayers after one of his priests was kidnapped by jihadist terrorists. In a message to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop John Bagna Bakeni said that Father Alphonsus Afina was taken along with others on Sunday 1st June, by militants suspected to belong to Boko Haram/ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province). Bishop B... Read More

Pope Leo XIV and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on Wednesday afternoon, focusing especially on the war in Ukraine. Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, told reporters that the Pope and the President discussed the humanitarian situation, as well as the need to facilitate aid where necessary. "The Pope made an appeal for Russia to take a gesture that would favour pea... Read More

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem have issued the following statement: This morning at about 10.20am local time, Israeli forces fired inside the compound of our Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, killing three journalists, as well as two others, including a father who was escorting his son to our surgical unit for treatment from previous injuries. In addition, this unprovoked assault against civilian... Read More

During his weekly General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reminded pilgrims in St Peter's Square, that God waits for us with open arms, no matter how late we are in responding to His call. and especially told young people that if they are seeking meaning in Life, God will offer it to them and never disappoint. "God never gives up on us; he is always ready to accept us and give meaning and hope to our lives... Read More

Gathering in Nairobi from 28-29 May, religious leaders and people living with and affected by HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria analyzed global events affecting their people. "We are alarmed that millions are at risk of being left behind as major international donors withdraw support from health programs that save lives," they said in a statement released after the gathering. In 2023, UNAIDS repo... Read More

More than six months after a ceasefire brought an end to the latest war in Lebanon, Christian communities in the south of the country continue to face deep economic hardship and emotional trauma. Local contacts told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the families remaining in south Lebanon are suffering the aftermath of the bombardment and need continued support. Sister Gerard Merhej, Director o... Read More