Catholic News
- Pope Leo votes in US midterm elections; USCCB issues statement (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV cast a mail-in ballot in the U.S. midterm elections. - Pope offers scientists 5 considerations in guiding AI's development (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV offered scientists in the field of artificial intelligence five considerations for AI’s future development. - Annual Vatican message to Hindus focuses on peace in the 'spirit of Assisi' (Vatican Press Office)
The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue issued its annual message to Hindus ahead of Diwali (Deepavali), the Hindu festival of lights. The message—entitled “Hindus and Christians: Forging pathways of peace together in the ‘spirit of Assisi’”—recalls the 40th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s 1986 day of prayer for peace there. “As persons grounded in our respective religions, and as people with shared values, may we, Hindus and Christians, draw renewed inspiration from the fortieth anniversary of the Assisi gathering,” the dicastery’s prefect and secretary wrote in their October 30 message. They added: May we imbibe ever more the spirit of Assisi in our own lives by praying for peace, living the spirit of fraternity in our daily lives, and, by engaging actively in interreligious dialogue, joining hands with people of other religions and all people of goodwill in working for peace in our world. We wish you all a Happy Deepavali! - Holy See 'deeply concerned' by withdrawals from international weapons treaties (Holy See Mission)
A leading Vatican diplomat said that the Holy See is “deeply concerned” by withdrawals from two international treaties: the Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines (1997) and the Convention on Cluster Munitions (2008). Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have withdrawn from the former treaty; Lithuania, from the latter. China, Russia, and the United States have not signed either treaty. Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, told participants in a recent UN General Assembly committee meeting that the withdrawals “threaten decades of progress in humanitarian disarmament.” The prelate added that “the devastating humanitarian consequences of using explosive weapons in populated areas are a grave concern for the Holy See.” - Pope names 2 Synod undersecretaries; Sister Becquart's term ends (General Secretariat of the Synod)
Pope Leo XIV appointed two undersecretaries of the General Secretariat of the Synod, which remains under the leadership of its secretary general, Cardinal Mario Grech. Father Giacomo Costa, S.J., the special secretary of the synods on youth (2018) and synodality (2021-2024), succeeds Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, O.S.A., who was appointed prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity in March. (The functions of the papally appointed special secretary are described in the apostolic constitution Episcopalis Communio.) Sister Elena Massimi, F.M.A., succeeds Sister Nathalie Becquart, X.M.C.J., who has spoken frequently on the topic of synodality. Sister Massimi is president of the Association of Professors and Scholars of Liturgy, and head of Liturgical Music at the National Liturgical Office of the Italian Episcopal Conference. Cardinal Grech said that “Father Giacomo accompanied the Assembly from within and knows its method; Sister Elena comes from liturgy and music, and so she knows what it means to build unity, to harmonize different voices without reducing them to a single note. This is exactly what the implementation phase [of the synod on synodality] needs.” - Europe's bishops appeal for 'just and sustainable peace' in Ukraine, elsewhere (CCEE)
The presidents of the bishops’ conferences of Europe issued an “unwavering appeal for a just and sustainable peace in all conflict zones on this continent and across the globe.” “Our continent of Europe is facing the largest military conflict since World War II,” the prelates, who were meeting in Salzburg, said in their October 29 statement. “No one can remain indifferent to the atrocities taking place in Ukraine. Indeed, we must never become accustomed to such blatant violations of the norms of civilization.” The bishops also recalled St. Francis of Assisi, who “teaches us to greet one another with these words: ‘May the Lord give you peace.’ Through forgiveness Christians transform their hearts and pave the way for peace. We know that this is never an easy path. But it is the path of the Gospel.” - Albania's bishops meet with Pontiff (CNA.al)
The bishops of Albania met with Pope Leo XIV on October 30 for over an hour. The prelates, who were in Rome for their ad limina visit, “presented the Holy Father with the icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Patroness of the Albanian People, skillfully crafted by an Albanian artist, while renewing the invitation to visit our country,” the Albanian news site CNA.al reported. Located in southern Europe, the Balkan nation of 2.6 million is 65% Muslim and 33% Christian (20% Orthodox, 11% Catholic). - Cardinal Becciu 'nervous' after appeal trial postponed until January (AdVaticanum)
At a brief hearing on October 29, Archbishop Alejandro Arellano Cedillo, the president of the Vatican City State’s Court of Appeal and dean of the Roman Rota, postponed until January 26 the appeal trial of Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, former prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. “We are nervous,” the prelate said in reaction to the postponement. Cardinal Becciu and his co-defendants were convicted in 2023 of financial crimes. Both the prosecution and the defense appealed the ruling. - 2,000 Ukrainians wait in line for food distributed by Vatican prefect (Vatican News)
An estimated 2,000 Ukrainians waited in line in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, as the prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity led a delegation that distributed bread and canned food. Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, O.S.A., began a humanitarian mission to Ukraine on October 27. After he arrived in Zaporizhzhia the following evening, “air raid alarms sound[ed] without interruption,” Vatican News reported. “One can hear the buzzing of drones, missile explosions and distant artillery fire.” - Pope approves modification of curial personnel regulations (Vatican News)
In a rescript approved on October 19 and released yesterday, Pope Leo XIV approved modifications of the 2025 Regulations of Personnel of the Roman Curia. Vatican News reported that the modifications “concern essential aspects of the employment relationship: the correct identification of the competent authority, the time allotted to an employee to present their defense in disciplinary procedures, and the right to access adequate legal assistance.” - MIT physics professor hails Vatican's 'strong moral leadership' on AI (CWN)
A scientist who leads an organization concerned about the risks of artificial intelligence hailed the Vatican’s “strong moral leadership” on the issue. - Cardinal Reina speaks on 'Church of Rome, Missionary Church' (Fides)
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome and Archpriest of the Lateran Basilica, delivered the inaugural lecture of the Pontifical Urban University’s new academic year. In his October 29 lecture, “Church of Rome, Missionary Church,” Cardinal Reina discussed aspects of the Diocese of Rome’s “missionary exemplarity.” Founded in 1627, the Pontifical Urban University, or Urbaniana, is closely linked with the Dicastery for Evangelization. - Pro-lifers force referendum on abortion bill in Massachusetts (CWN)
Pro-life activists in Massachusetts have collected 100,000 certified signatures—more than double the number required by law—to force a statewide referendum on a radical abortion law. - Archbishop Gallagher says Pope wants Ukraine war to end (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, told journalists that “we will remain committed to Ukraine, addressing humanitarian issues, the exchange of prisoners, and the return of deported Ukrainian children.” “Pope Leo XIV wants to bring the war in Ukraine to an end,” Archbishop Gallagher said on October 27. The prelate added that the White House and Russia want the Holy See to take a supportive role, rather than a direct role, in negotiations to end the war. At the same time, he noted that “we have a good relationship and good communication” with the White House, “including through Ambassador Brian Burch.” - Noting Catholicism is state religion, Costa Rica's president invites Pontiff to visit nation (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV received President Laura Fernández of Costa Rica in an October 29 audience. - Pope mourns lives lost in Spanish train collision (Vatican Press Office)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, send a telegram of condolence in Pope Leo’s name to the archbishop of Toledo, Spain, following a train collision that killed at least 69 passengers. Cardinal Parolin said that Pope Leo prayed for the eternal repose of the deceased, extended condolences to their families, and offered encouragement to the rescue teams. - Vatican diplomat says 'migration and return should never be driven by desperation' (Holy See Mission)
A Vatican diplomat said that “wherever possible,” the return of migrants to their native lands “should be a voluntary and informed choice.” Addressing a committee meeting of the International Organization for Migration, Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, said on October 29 that “it is imperative to emphasize that migration and return should never be driven by desperation.” “The credibility of any return policy is measured by the manner in which it is executed,” Archbishop Balestrero continued. “A return that is voluntary, informed and carried out in a safe and dignified manner will be more successful than one that is forced or poorly executed.” The prelate added: However, it is important to note that if the return is not followed by development, it will not endure. It is vital to emphasize reintegration, which involves providing ongoing support to returnees, their families, and the communities that receive them until they can thrive independently and establish a future for themselves. - Major Archbishop: Ukraine needs weapons and solidarity (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said in an interview that “Ukraine needs weapons, but it also needs you—your solidarity, your prayers, and your human and Christian empathy.” Appearing on the Italian bishops’ television network, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk “emphasized the need to balance Ukraine’s right to self-defense with the responsibility to preserve human life,” according to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. He also “noted that the Ukrainian people genuinely need help defending themselves, while observing the principle of proportionality in the use of weapons.” - Cardinal Fernández speaks on 'love and truth in Marian devotion' (CWN)
The prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith delivered a lecture, “Love and Truth in Marian Devotion,” at a recent conference at the Marianum. - Pew: Religiosity remains stable in US, with mixed signals for young adults (Pew Research Center)
A new Pew Research Center report found that “since 2020, steady percentages of U.S. adults have said they identify with a religion, pray daily, consider religion to be very important in their lives and attend religious services at least monthly,” 41% of young adults born between 2004 and 2008 attend religious services at least monthly, according to the report. In contrast, 27% of young adults born between 2000 and 2003, and 33% of adults born before 2000, attend services at least monthly. - More...