Catholic News
- Pope Leo cancels visit to Assisi (Vatican News)
Citing advice from his doctors, Pope Leo XIV cancelled a scheduled visit to Assisi. “The Holy Father underwent a follow-up chest X-ray as scheduled,” Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora (the Pontiff’s personal physician and the head of the surgical team that operated on him) said in an October 23 statement. “The examination confirmed that his postoperative recovery is progressing very well,” the statement continued. “However, given the short time that has elapsed since the surgery, his doctors advised against the planned helicopter journey on October 27 as a precaution.” - New Vatican document sees an 'epochal problem' [News Analysis] (CWN)
An important new Vatican document released this week recognizes that the Catholic Church faces an “epochal” problem in passing along the faith to younger generations. But while offering some valuable insights on the process of evangelization, the document skirts the question of how that problem has arisen. Consequently its recommendations fail to match the severity of the problem that it accurately reports. - Work toward the supernatural good of individuals, Pope tells canonists (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV encouraged canonists to seek the supernatural good of individual members of the faithful. - Pope Leo named Papal Confrater of Windsor Castle chapel (Vatican News)
With the approval of King Charles III, the Anglican canons and deans of Windsor announced that Pope Leo XIV has been named Papal Confrater of the College of St. George at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The decision was announced on October 23, a year to the day after King Charles became Royal Confrater of the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. - Cardinal Parolin condemns anti-Semitism, distinguishes it from criticism of Israeli policies (Vatican News (Italian))
In an address to leaders of the American Jewish Committee, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, said, “Allow me to reiterate, once again and without any ambiguity, the Holy See’s firm rejection of anti-Semitism in all its forms.” “Jews must be able to live, worship, and educate their children without fear,” Cardinal Parolin continued. “The memory of the Shoah places upon us all an enduring responsibility to combat prejudice, the distortion of facts, and indifference.” After stating the Holy See’s definition of anti-Semitism, Cardinal Parolin distinguished anti-Semitism from criticism of Israeli policies: Jewish identity, religious faith, and the policies of a government are interconnected issues; however, the Holy See maintains that they are not interchangeable and should not be conflated. Diplomatic discussion and reasoned criticism of government policies are the foundation of international relations; they must remain possible without being conflated with hostility toward any specific group, or, indeed, toward any religious faith. Vatican News released the text of Cardinal Parolin’s address on October 23, a day after Pope Leo addressed the Jewish leaders. - Ukrainian Catholic leader thanks Pontiff for support, gives him prisoners' list (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, met with Pope Leo XIV on October 23 and thanked the Pontiff for his support and the Vatican’s humanitarian diplomacy. “Pope Leo XIV thanked the bishops, priests, monastics and faithful of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for their distinctive witness of faith during the war,” according to a statement from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. “The Major Archbishop, in turn, assured the Pope of the prayers and support of Ukrainian Greek Catholics as he continues his recovery from thoracic surgery.” As he thanked the Pontiff for the Vatican’s efforts to secure the release of prisoners of war, the Major Archbishop gave Pope Leo a new list of prisoners. “Mother Church is working to ensure that all our prisoners of war and illegally detained hostages are released as soon as possible,” the Major Archbishop said. - Panama's bishops meet with Pope, discuss dialogue, solidarity, and accompaniment (Vatican News (Spanish))
The bishops of Panama, in Rome for their ad limina visit, met with Pope Leo XIV on October 23. Following the audience, Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, O.S.A., of Panamá, the nation’s capital, told Vatican News that the Pope and the prelates discussed the importance of dialogue, solidarity, and accompaniment of those most in need. Vatican News reported that “the Pontiff took the opportunity of the bishops’ presence to emphasize the mission they are called to fulfill within the context of Panama: to be builders of bridges, to promote dialogue, and to remain close to those who most need support.” - Archbishop Golka: Praying with President Trump does not mean political endorsement (Denver Catholic)
Archbishop James Golka of Denver issued a statement on his meeting with President Donald Trump, during which he and other bishops prayed with the president. “I understand that many people saw the video, posted by the Administration twelve days before an election, as an endorsement,” Archbishop Golka wrote on October 23, a day after the meeting with the president. “That was never my intention.” Archbishop Golka added: I’ve had a lot of people, really good friends, ask me, ‘What were you doing?’ ‘Why did you do that?’ I just answer, “I was being a Catholic priest.” We pray for people. We bless people who need blessing. And we all need blessing, every single one of us. That’s what we do. - Vatican bars annual traditional Latin Mass pilgrimage from entering St. Peter's Basilica (Diane Montagna's Substack)
An annual pilgrimage of Catholics devoted to the extraordinary form of the Mass has been barred not simply from celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, but even from entering it, according to the pilgrimage’s chief organizer. The Secretariat of State wrote in a letter that “your procession is not allowed to enter into St. Peter’s Basilica,” Christian Marquant, president of Paix Liturgique, said on October 23. Last October, Cardinal Raymond Burke celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for the pilgrims. Organizers were informed earlier this year that they could not organize a Mass in the extraordinary form in St. Peter’s Basilica; instead, the Mass is scheduled to be celebrated today in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. - Cardinal Koovakad, Sikhs discuss solidarity, service (CBCEW)
“Sikhs and Christians together to promote solidarity and service for peace in the world” was theme of an October 21 meeting in Birmingham, England, between the prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and representatives of the Sikh community. Cardinal George Koovakad said that “solidarity and service are always interconnected” and that “solidarity and service nurture peace and instill hope.” The dialogue with Sikhs was Cardinal Koovakad’s final public meeting during his visit to the United Kingdom. Earlier in his visit, Cardinal Koovakad signed an interreligious peace pledge, celebrated Mass in Westminster Cathedral, and met with representatives of other religions. - Cardinal Koch pays tribute to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Vatican News (Italian))
Cardinal Kurt Koch, the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, paid tribute to Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew of Constantinople as the Orthodox leader received an honorary doctorate from the Angelicum on October 23. “During the course of your patriarchal ministry, relations between the sister Churches of Rome and Constantinople have developed in a steady and consistent manner,” Cardinal Koch said in his address. “You have signed more joint declarations with the Pontiffs than any other Patriarch in history.” Cardinal Koch also praised the Ecumenical Patriarch for “the invaluable contribution made to the ecclesiological reflection on the synodality of the Church,” “eco-theology,” and the “theology of dialogue.” Cardinal Koch’s tribute came a day after the Ecumenical Patriarch marked the 35th anniversary of his election. - Vatican newspaper laments world housing crisis (CWN)
In the most prominent article in its October 23 edition, the Vatican newspaper lamented the world housing crisis. - Some International Theological Commission members at odds with Church teaching (National Catholic Register)
Some of the new members of the International Theological Commission hold “views that conflict with established Church teaching, such as on women’s ordination and the theology of salvation,” according to a National Catholic Register analysis. Likewise, an analysis published by the Rorate Caeli traditionalist blog found “three to four clearly problematic choices.” The International Theological Commission is an advisory body under the auspices of the Dicastery of the Doctrine for the Faith. Pope St. Paul VI established the commission in 1969, in response to a proposal at the 1967 Synod of Bishops. - Pope Leo renews Church's condemnation of anti-Semitism (CWN)
In an October 22 audience with leaders of the American Jewish Committee, Pope Leo XIV renewed his condemnation of anti-Semitism and called for the rejection of “all forms of religious and ethnic hatred and discrimination.” - Pope Leo calls on Catholic schools, universities to be welcoming homes where students can encounter Christ (CWN)
At a time when “many walk through the corridors of our schools and universities and perhaps feel anonymous,” Pope Leo XIV said that Catholic educational institutions should be “first and foremost, a ‘home’—a familiar place where people know they are expected and welcomed.” - Denver archbishop, 11 other prelates meet with President Trump, pray with him (EWTN News)
Archbishop James Golka of Denver and 11 other U.S. bishops met with President Donald Trump on October 22 and prayed with him. “With respect for the office of the president, the Archdiocese of Denver welcomes continued conversation on the sanctity of life, from conception to natural death, and the God-given dignity of every person,” the Archdiocese of Denver said in a statement. “We invite the faithful to pray for our nation and its leaders, trusting in Christ’s mercy and guidance.” White House Faith Director Jenny Korn said that participants discussed “religious freedom, school choice, family tax credits, religious visas, and life.” EWTN News reported that the White House Faith Office organized the meeting. The Pillar reported that Mario Enzler, an official of the Heritage Foundation, played an active role in organizing it. Chieko Noguchi, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ executive director of public affairs, said that the bishops’ conference had no involvement in the meeting. Update (10/24/26): Initial news reports indicated that eight bishops were present at the meeting with President Trump. The White House later provided OSV News with a list of 12 bishops who were present. - Liechtenstein's prince vetoes abortion legalization (SPUC)
Prince Alois of Liechtenstein has vetoed a bill that would have allowed for legal abortion in the tiny European principality. The measure had been approved by parliament in September, by a tight 13-12 margin, despite the likelihood of a veto. This was the first time that Prince Alois had used his veto power. The authority of the prince to veto legislation had been confirmed by a popular referendum in 2012. - Pope, in video, invites young people to 2027 World Youth Day as registration begins (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV invited young people from around the world to register for the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea. - Ecumenical Patriarch marks 35th anniversary of election (Orthodox Times)
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who holds a primacy of honor among the Orthodox churches, marked the 35th anniversary of his election on October 22. In a likely reference to the Moscow Patriarchate, the 86-year-old Ecumenical Patriarch lamented “the prevalence within a section of Orthodoxy of heretical ideologies, arising from hegemonic tendencies and worldly ambitions.” “We are not discouraged, and we continue to fight the good and God-pleasing fight,” he added. - Honduras, Holy See sign agreement recognizing Church's freedom (CWN)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, and President Nasry Asfura of Honduras signed a bilateral agreement that grants more stable legal recognition of the liberty of the Church. - More...