Catholic News
- Pope Leo: 'Today a new missionary age opens up in the history of the Church' (Dicastery for Communication)
During his Mass for participants in the Jubilee of the Missions, which coincided with the Jubilee of Migrants, Pope Leo XIV spoke of a “new missionary age” dawning in the Church. “We are called to renew in ourselves the fire of our missionary vocation,” Pope Leo preached during yesterday’s Sunday Mass, celebrated in St. Peter’s Square. “Brothers and sisters, today a new missionary age opens up in the history of the Church.” “If for a long time we have associated with mission the word ‘depart,’ the going out to distant lands that did not know the Gospel or were experiencing poverty, today the frontiers of the missions are no longer geographical, because poverty, suffering and the desire for a greater hope have made their way to us,” the Pope continued. “The story of so many of our migrant brothers and sisters bears witnesses to this.” Calling on “all of us to let ourselves be permanently in a state of mission,” Pope Leo called for “a renewed missionary cooperation” among dioceses of the West and the global South, as well as missionary vocations. He explained: I refer in particular to the Church in Europe: today there is a need for a new missionary effort by laity, religious and priests who will offer their service in missionary lands. - New papal directive on investments overturns rules by Pope Francis (Vatican News)
Pope Leo has issued a motu proprio on Vatican investments, reversing some of the rules issues by his predecessor, Pope Francis. In August 2022, Pope Francis had ruled that all investments by Vatican agencies should be handled by the Vatican bank, the Institute for Religious Works (IOR). The new document, Conjuncta Cura, repeals that rule and says that investments should ordinarily be made through the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), which handles the Vatican’s investment portfolio. The new document adds, however, that individual investments might also be made through other financial institutions when “the competent bodies...deem it more efficient or convenient.” The motu proprio emphasizes “co-responsibility” for investments within “a dynamic of mutual collaboration.” This approach—recommended by the Vatican Committee for Investments—reverses the previous drive to consolidate all investment decisions in a single institution. - Pope rues anti-Semitic hatred, Palestinians' suffering in Gaza; renews call for prayer for peace (Dicastery for Communication)
Addressing pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square during yesterday’s Sunday Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV expressed concern about “the rise of antisemitic hatred in the world, as unfortunately we saw with the terrorist attack in Manchester a few days ago. I continue to be saddened by the immense suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.” “In recent hours, in the dramatic situation in the Middle East, some significant steps forward have been taken in peace negotiations, which I hope will achieve the desired results as soon as possible,” Pope Leo continued. “I ask all those in positions of responsibility to commit themselves to this path, to bring about a ceasefire and to release the hostages. At the same time, I urge everyone to remain united in prayer, so that the ongoing efforts may put an end to the war and lead us towards a just and lasting peace.” Recalling the supplication to the Virgin of the Holy Rosary at the Shrine in Pompeii, the Pope also renewed his call to pray the Rosary for peace during October, the month dedicated to the Rosary. - Latin Patriarch expresses cautious optimism about President Trump's Gaza peace plan (Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)
Echoing Pope Leo XIV’s cautious but positive reaction to President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem spoke of “a possible new positive development: the release of Israeli hostages, of some Palestinian prisoners and the cessation of bombing and military offensives.” “This is an important and long-awaited first step,” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, wrote in an October 4 letter to the faithful. “Nothing is entirely clear or definite yet; many questions remain unanswered, and much still needs to be defined. We must not delude ourselves, but we are pleased that something new and positive is on the horizon.” “We await the moment to rejoice for the families of the hostages, who will finally be able to embrace their loved ones,” he continued. “We hope the same for Palestinian families, who will be able to embrace those returning from prison. We rejoice above all for the end of hostilities, which we hope will not be temporary and will bring relief to the inhabitants of Gaza.” - Polarization threatens legitimacy of US institutions, Cardinal McElroy warns (America)
Preaching at the annual Red Mass for members of the legal profession on October 5, Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington DC, said that because of severe political divisions in the US today, “the legitimacy of our very institutional infrastructure is at stake.” Cardinal McElroy told the lawyers and judges gathered in St. Matthew’s cathedral that they should play a role in defending against “a corrosive instinct to attack every major instiution.” He said: “No group in our society has a greater capacity to remold our political discourse.” - Vatican foreign minister outlines Holy See's positions, urges UN to recommit itself to its founding principles (Holy See Mission)
In a lengthy statement for the opening of the UN General Assembly, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations outlined the Holy See’s position on dozens of issues, including peace, the persecution of Christians, the dignity of the human person, and the care of creation. “The Holy See calls for a recommitment to the original principles enshrined in the UN Charter, which remain as relevant today as ever,” Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher concluded. “It is important to resist the temptation to replace these foundational commitments with new ideas or programs that risk diluting the UN’s mission. “Central to this mission is striking a balance between the four pillars of the United Nations: promoting of human rights, maintaining international peace and security, achieving sustainable development, and upholding rule of law,” the prelate added. “The rule of law, in particular, is the sine qua non of a just international order, providing the foundation for all other efforts.” - Leo signs Dilexit te, his 1st major document (Vatican News (Italian))
Pope Leo XIV signed Dilexit te, his first major document, on October 4, the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi. The apostolic exhortation, devoted to love for the poor, will be released on October 9. - St. Clare of Assisi's choice to follow the Gospel inspires hope, Pope tells jubilee audience (CWN)
In the sixth Saturday jubilee audience of 2025, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to St. Clare of Assisi. - Leo XIV compares transmission of faith within families to Poland's defense against Nazis (CWN)
In a Latin-language letter for the centenary of the Archdiocese of Gdańsk, Pope Leo XIV compared the struggle to transmit the Christian spirit within families to the Battle of Westerplatte, in which the Polish army held out for seven days against a Nazi attack early in World War II. - Cardinal Farrell: Longevity is not a problem, but a gift from God (Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life)
Addressing a Vatican conference on the pastoral care of the elderly, Cardinal Kevin Farrell said that “while many view the phenomenon of the increase in the elderly with concern, as if it were a burden on society, we, as a Church, recognize longevity as a gift from God.” “It is not an emergency to be managed, but a new opportunity,” said the prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. “In the light of faith, a greater number of years to live should be considered a time of grace to open oneself enthusiastically to the proclamation of the Gospel, and as an enrichment for the entire community.” - Man with explosive device arrested at Washington DC cathedral (CatholicVote)
A man carrying an explosive device was taken into custody by police in Washington, DC on Sunday morning, as he loitered outside St. Matthew’s cathedral before the celebration of the annual Red Mass. Police said that Louis Geri, a 41-year-old New Jersey resident, was arrested early in the morning when he refused to leave the steps of the cathedral, after he had been banned from the property. The Red Mass, celebrated for members of the legal profession, always draws a congregation that includes prominent attorneys, Supreme Court justices, and leading political figures. - Swiss president, Pontiff discuss values (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Leo XIV received President Karin Keller-Sutter of Switzerland on October 3. “Switzerland and the Holy See are jointly committed to peace,” the president tweeted. “During a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, we discussed the importance of values in today’s society.” The president subsequently met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. Discussion topics, according to a Vatican statement, included peace prospects in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as “the generous and professional commitment of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.” - Papal telegram marks accession of new Grand Duke of Luxembourg (Vatican Press Office)
Invoking “the heavenly protection of the Mother of God,” Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to Guillaume V, the new Grand Duke of Luxembourg. The Pontiff expressed hope that the Grand Duke will promote “a life based on respect for the Christian values that have forged Luxembourg’s identity.” - Pope Leo's first major document expected next week (National Catholic Register)
The first major teaching document of Pope Leo XIV, an apostolic exhortation on poverty, will be released on October 9, according to a report in the National Catholic Register. The apostolic exhortation had originally been planned by Pope Francis, who reportedly assigned Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the controversial president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, to draft the document. Pope Leo chose to continue the work, but heavily revised the draft to reflect his own thoughts. - Pontiff thanks Swiss Guard for service (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Leo XIV met on October 3 with members of the Swiss Guard, thanking them for “your dedication and your commitment.” In remarks addressed particularly to new recruits, who were being sworn in, the Pope encouraged them to make the best use of their time. He remarked: “The city of Rome, with its treasures and riches, offers you an unforgettable journey through history, not only of the arts, but also and above all of the Christian faith.” - FDA approves new abortion pill (Daily Signal)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has quietly approved the use of a new abortion pill. In September, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Secretary of the Health and Human Services, announced a new review of the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone. But the FDA has now approved a generic version of the same drug. - Woman chosen as Archbishop of Canterbury (BBC)
Dame Sarah Mullally has been nominated by King Charles III to become Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the worldwide Anglican communion. The appointment of the first woman as Archbishop of Canterbury will increase strains among the world’s Anglicans. Conservative Anglicans—particularly in Africa, where the faith is growing fastest—have resisted the ordination of women. The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, in a statement responding to the appointment, said that “the majority of the Anglican communion still believes that the Bible requires a male-only episcopacy.” The nominee—who will assume her post after her election is formally confirmed early next year—has been serving as Bishop of London since 2018. She has gained a reputation as skillful negotiator, who has held together her diocese despite heated disputed on issues such as the blessing of same-sex unions—which she welcomed as “a moment of hope for the church.” Archbishop-elect Mullally is a former nurse, who describes herself as a feminist and supports legal abortion, but opposes the legalization of assisted suicide. Cardinal Kurt Koch, the of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, send a message of congratulations, “to express the good wishes of the Catholic Church to you as you prepare to undertake this important service in your church.” - Recognize the elderly as a gift, Pope urges (Vatican Press Office)
At an October 3 audience with participants in a conference on pastoral care for the elderly, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that “the elderly are a gift, a blessing to be welcomed, and a longer life is something positive; indeed, it is one of the signs of hope in our time, everywhere in the world.” Quoting from the prophet Joel—“Your elders will dream dreams”—the Pontiff called for “an alliance between young and old, inspired by the ‘dreams’ of those who have lived long lives and enriched by the ‘visions’ of those who are beginning the great adventure of life.” - USCCB committee chairman calls for ardent prayer following President Trump's Gaza peace plan (USCCB)
Echoing Pope Leo XIV’s cautious but positive reaction to President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace called for ardent prayer for peace. “As an international community and people of faith who deeply care for all our brothers and sisters who live in the land of Christ’s life, death, and glorious resurrection, we cannot lose this opportunity for peace,” said Maronite Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of Los Angeles. “May Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, instill on all sides a sincere willingness to attain peace.” - AI cannot substitute for personal closeness, Pope reminds Latin American physicians (Dicastery for Communication)
Pope Leo XIV received members of the Confederación Médica Latino-iberoamericana y del Caribe [Latin American and Caribbean Medical Confederation] yesterday and spoke about the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. Christ’s healing of a leper was “not a mechanical gesture; a personal relationship is established between the leper and Jesus,” Pope Leo said during the audience, which took place in Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace. Citing the example of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández, the Pope said that “likewise, there are many figures of doctors who have devoted their lives to their patients.” AI “can and should be a great help in improving clinical care, but nothing can take the place of the doctor,” Pope Leo added. But “the algorithm cannot substitute a gesture of closeness or a word of consolation.” - More...